Family Christmas "Christmas Story" style

Well we went to my dad's to open gifts for the kids today. My dad has a HUGE heart and always makes sure everyone has everything that they need to make them happy. He never worries about himself. That's why his idea to go out for Chinese food for lunch was accepted and not mocked. We giggled a little to ourselves but knew why he was doing it and that it was something that dad wanted to do for everyone. Dad is one of those people that is over flowing with love and he is always willing to go overboard to show it. Some times he does this in some very unconventional ways, but we love him even more because of it.
Having Chinese food for Christmas lunch was something I wouldn't have thought of in a million years when mom was still with us. She would have put her foot down and said a definate NO! But now that it's just dad, we try and accommodate his wishes if at all possible. (even if it is a little off center) Being that we had just watched the Christmas Story movie the night before, the kids got a real kick out of going to a Chinese place for lunch. They were even singing the falalalala song just like in the movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46WcFObgYhI Oh well I just had to share the holiday fun with all of you. Hug those around you that you love and always have a very OPEN MIND!!!

Christmas 2008 @ the Haver's

We had Christmas and Ronda's parent's house on Tuesday. It was so nice getting to see them as well as her brother Ron and kids Mackenzie and Jordan. Christmas is such a fun time of year. Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of the kids makes it great!!

An OOOOOOPS turns into puppies

Well we thought we got our male puppy Oliver fixed in time but apparently we didn't. Nicki gave birth to five new puppies on Sunday the 20th. Two females and three males. She had a very rough labor but nothing a trip to the emergency vet and $500 couldn't take care of!! Everyone is healthy now and all is good. Nicki is a very good mommy and she keeps Oliver and Rudy at bay. They are so cute though. We will have to get rid of these pups as soon as they are ready to go to another home. (10 animals in our home zoo is more than enough!!!) We will be selling them for $300 for males and $350 for the two females. Pass the word around to anyone that might be a prospective good home for them. Keep in touch!!

I"M FINISHED!!!!!

I'm finally finished with my final student teaching at Miramonte Elementary. My mom would have been so proud of her little boy!!! It has been such a bitter-sweet day. On one hand I am so happy that I have finished the final leg of me becoming a teacher. On the other hand I have grown so fond of the class that I did my final student teaching in that I am kind of sad as well. Room 405 took me in as part of their family and taught me so much. I learned as much from the students in class as they learned from me. What a great experience I have had for the past few months. I will always hold this class of 4th graders in a special place in my heart. Now it's on to a long-term subbing job at Reagan Elementary starting in January. I can't wait for this new chapter in my becoming a teacher. The principal at Reagan is a very nice guy and it should be a great experience. Stay tuned for how things go........

What a great weekend

I went to pro football game this weekend with my dad, uncle Randy, and my cousin Nate. We saw the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams play at Candlestick in San Francisco. We had such a great weekend. We tailgated before the game and saw the two 2-7 teams play. My dad and I went up and spent the night with uncle Randy and Nate. Randy took us to a bar/restaurant where they play a game called bocce ball. It's usually a game played by old men but we played it and what a blast!!

Cameron's 16th birthday is next on the agenda....This Thursday he will be the big 16. I can't believe it. Also, i'll be completely finished with my college life as of December 10th!!! Yea I know...FINALLY!!! I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving. We have so much to give thanks for this year.

The first week of the new school year has come and gone and we are all excited to see what this year brings. From Kyle starting a new school (Alta Sierra Junior High - 7th grade!!) to Cameron moving on to his second year of high school (Clovis North High School - a sophomore!!). Ronda and I have started a new school year as well with Ronda back at Alta Sierra Junior High. Yes Kyle is at the same school as mom!!! We'll see how he likes having mom watch over him all day. I'm starting at a new school this year (Miramonte Elementary - 2nd grade) until January and then i'll be back to my old stomping grounds in 3rd grade at Reagan Elementary, both in Clovis Unified.

The boys are keeping the family hopping with plenty of extra curricular activities. Kyle is trying out for the school golf team as well as playing the violin in the orchestra and Cameron is continuing with baseball. He's actually spending the Labor Day weekend in Paso Robles at a baseball tournament.

I hope this blog finds everyone doing well. Please comment on the blog or give us an email of how your families are doing!!

Well it's been a little while since our last post. The boys have been especially busy the past month or so. Kyle has been at a Nike Golf Camp all of this past week and I think he has finally found his niche!! He is improving by leaps and bounds and is having a real blast learning the game. He has absolutely hit it off with one of the instructors named Chad. Chad has been giving Kyle a lot of extra tips and giving him constant positive feedback. On Thursday Kyle's camp moves from the practicing part to the actual golfing the course part. This is where the students get to apply what they have learned the entire week. He is really looking forward to this.

Cameron is still playing baseball for the Fresno Blue Devils. He's been starting every game in either left or right field and doing a really nice job. His batting average isn't what he would like but his on base percentage is awesome (he gets walked more than anyone). This past Sunday he had a terrible thing happen to him that just crushed him. His baseball bag with all of his equipment was stolen out of our car. He had three baseball gloves, a bat, cleats, etc. in it and it turns out, after adding it all up, that he lost over $1700.00 worth of gear. As anyone who knows anything about baseball knows, getting new gear purchased isn't all that it is cracked up to be. Sure he gets new fielders mitts but now (in the middle of the season) he has to work like crazy to break them in. Playing with a new glove is darn near impossible until it is softened up and broken in to your hand. Needless to say he was totally devistated.

Ronda and I have been plugging away getting geared up for the new school year that starts on the 25th of August. All seems to be going pretty well here at our house. Send us an email on how you and your families are doing. Take care.