Hannah bear!

Today was Hannah's last day as student body President. She had a fantastic year at Vinewood, and really as a person just shines. A fantastic student. I'm excited to continue to watch my baby doll grow, next year jr. high....... like I said.... really excited!

Sam's off to Lodi High

Sam promoted to high school. An exellent student, and exellent person. Just the best of the best this guy. Not to mention he's a good looking guy.

Fruit Bowl

While putting away the groceries I asked Suzi, "Suz, do we have a fruit bowl?"........ Note to self.... eat more fruit.

Emu

Patrick, and I were headed home from his soccer games in Oakdale on Saturday when we saw a huge bird in a field on the side of the road. Patrick says "What is the world is that?!" I said "It's an Emu." Patrick "That thing can't fly can it?" I said "No Emu's can't fly Puff." Patrick "Good thing, they'd rule the world."

The Garage Sale

I had a great memory today. This happened a while back. Last summer I believe.

I asked Patrick to clean out the garage on a beautiful Saturday morning. He started hauling stuff out into the driveway. He came into the house "Dad, someone wants to buy your rolling rack." I said "What? What are you talking about?" He says "Someone thinks your rolling rack is for sale." I told him "Tell them it's not for sale". So he went back out and chased off the potential customer. Then he had another visitor, and another. He kept getting people in the garage. Trying to buy things, and negotiate. I asked him "What the heck is going on!!!?" I eventually thought it was hilarious watching Patrick chase people off while he was trying to clean out the garage. Every now and then he wouldn't notice someone, and they'd make it all the way into the garage with him and he'd have to chase them off. I took one picture from the neighbors side yard of a lady trying to buy something from Patrick, and she wouldn't take no for an answer. Eventually I told him. Close the door, we'll clean it next Saturday.

Turns out, I look in the paper, that it was Lodi's advertised Garage Sale day.

Yelp

Downloaded about a year ago on my smart phone. Been using it to find new places to eat and try for a long time.

Recently started to contribute to Yelp, and I enjoy that even more! Nice to have a voice sometimes when I'm happy about a place, or not so happy. You should check it out.

Georgia Peach, So sweet...

As Georgia and I were walking up the front walk of the house after returning from making a run to get slurpies for herself and I while we left the other kids at home.

Me: Thanks for sneaking out with me Georgia.

Georgia: Thanks Dad. You know I can't wait until the boys are gone and Hannah is in college and you and I can just hang out together. Those will be good times. Yep.

I am sooo wrapped around her little finger. She is just working me. Can you blame me!! She's awesome!

A Man Van?

Me: Patrick & Sam, I was thinking about getting you a van for high school, what do you think? Patrick: A van? Are you serious?!
Me: Yeah, you could pile all your buddies in, you know a "man van!"
Patrick: Yeah, because that's about the only people who would get in it. A bunch of dudes, driving around town together. Sounds great...
Sam: Yeah, and we could blare that song "it's raining men" when we drive around town with our car full of men.
Patrick: Is that what you really want? ....Think hard, is that really what you want?
Sam: Yeah Dad, is that what you want?

Man they're funny!!

All Bark No Bite

While sitting around the front room on Saturday watching football:

Suzi: Who left their dishes on the table? I'm going to break both your legs!!

The kids (except one, answering with a joyful tone, in unison): SAM!!!

Me: Seriously? Both his legs? I can't wait to watch this! Wow, you don't mess around.

I'm writing to report, no bones were broken. Must admit, I would have like to watch her:

1. Catch him
2. Wrestle him
3. Figure out away to break his legs while holding him still

Would have been fun. Lots of laughs. She couldn't accomplish task one, unless he was sleeping. Love her spirit though!!

Scary

I was told this story, so realize I didn't experience this first hand.

Georgia came down stairs last night, and the house was quiet down stairs. Kind of scary when you're 8 to go down stairs in the dark when no one else maybe down there. Coming down the stairs she heard a noise that made her panic. She "ran" to find Suzi, and told mom that she thought there was something down stairs and reported "it sounds like a cat choking in the family room!" Georgia that's just your Dad snoring on the couch.

Very Scary...

Lodi Light Parade

Sam's Soccer Team: The Lodi Crushers FC

The Parade gang: The Kelly and d McInness families

One of my favorite floats. Liked the music.

Santa!! He's there in the bucket.

Hannah turned 11!

Such a wonderful girl ! So sad she's sooo big! Love you Shea Shea

YM/YW White Elephant Gift Party

Man I've been busy! I bought a laptop for my own personal use and hopefully this will help with keeping the blog current. We had the YM/YW program over at the house for a white elephant gift exchange. Good times.

Pumpkin Patch

Forever Younger...

I'm so young, and she's older! xoxo

Spelling Practice

While practicing for her test...

Me: Suzi Georgia forgot the letters "Z, K, and W" in the word "next"

Georgia: ...."Dad I'm not stupid"

Oh! Well! Quite the smarty pants

Very Short Sports Shorts.

High school soccer has begun!

First game of the year. Patrick spent his first game playing midfielder. I'm sure a whole bunch of running that he's not digging. I loved to run, him...... Maybe it will grow on him. Found his way onto the score board from midfield. Good on him! Go Lodi Flames!

Lodi News.com

Sports Shorts

Thursday, September 3, 2009 6:29 AM PDT

Frosh-Soph
Lodi 2, West 2

Patrick Kelly and Abel Carillo scored for Lodi and Randy Longoria had eight saves in the net (0-0-1).

Ryan Vandenburg and Nathan Shibler were solid on defense and C.J. Sousa had a nice game at midfield.

Just another day at the office

Georgia's first game of the season. She looks to be in good form. She had 3 goals in a 4-0 game. This first set of pictures are her first goal about 5 minutes into the game.

It was cute, after she would score she'd just put down her head, jog back to her spot without celebration, and get ready to go. I asked her about it afterward, and she said "That's just what Sam does after he scores."

Love this Soccer family. Patrick made the JV team at Lodi high, which was great news. I expect him to have a good season, and make some good noise.

Sam is playing with his competitive team, and having a great time with that club.

Hannah had a game at the same time as Georgia today. I caught the last 10 minutes. Hannah looked great. I was watching her compete for a ball about 20 yards away from her with a girl that looked to be a year older. Man she looks strong when she runs these days. I remember when she was little how quickly she would move, but it looked so out of control. Now she sails with her arms at her side, and her stride looks quick and powerful. So pretty.

I love Saturday.

Avila

Sam's Soccer Tourney

Took a trip down to San Louisabiso (sp?) for Sam's soccer tourney. Had a great trip. Sam's been playing with this same group for 4 years now. He plays with a great group of boys and the coaches do a great job with them.

Sat. night we played on Avila beach. Avila has to be my new favorite California beach town. It was fantastic! Everything was beautiful, and the town was as close to perfect a town as I've ever seen.

Monkeys

Tough to keep out of the trees. They are so at home up there.

Yep

Suz: Georgia take that up stairs.

Georgia: What!? That's Dad's tie!!

Suz: Yes, take it up stairs and put it on his bed.

Georgia: You mean he can just drop it on the ground, and I have to take it upstairs.

Suz: Yes...

Georgia- She picked up walked over to me, and put it in my lap. "Put your own stuff away." Kiss.

She's too much. Let the record show that my tie was right next to my back pack, and would have been moved upstairs. I had just walked in the door and sat down.

Ahhh the weekend

It's been so long! I've been very busy, and this is the first weekend this summer I've had to just chill outside at the pool. Fun to watch the boys be boys. Stresses mom out. I love that picture of Sam, looks like he's just hanging out in the air. He said "Dad I look like an angel!" Huh. Glad summer's here, glad we had a chance to cool off in the pool all day. 1o3 today here in Lodi.

On to new things!

Great student, and a hard working young man! Good job Patrick! One of the best and brightest among the best and brightest.

Mmmmm

Get your grill extremely hot. 5 minutes each side, take it out and cover it for 10 more minutes in foil, and bam!! Perfect. Turn down the direct heat on the meat, but extremely hot inside the grill. Since I started cooking my steaks this way, they have all been perfect.

The Delta

Headed home from APC campout Sam and I pulled over to grab a soda. The delta really is pretty in it's own way. Fun to wander around in at times.