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| Juliette Goers' First Birthday |
Juliette's First Birthday
Jake and Joey spent a day at their cousins' home in MD's Eastern Shore (Kent Island) and helped celebrate Juliette's first birthday. Along with brother Will, cousins Gunther and Gabe, and pal Griffin, we ate cake, played in the yard, and went for a John Deere tractor ride. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of "Baby Sister" in her pretty in pink spring dress - it's her birthday, and she can nap if she wants to...
Nick's Lacrosse Game
Jake and Joey attended cousin Nick's lacrosse game at West Springfield High. The Freshman Spartans unfortunately faced a formidable team in St Albans, losing 0-12. Afterwards, the Arzaga clan dined out at Milano's for some Italian/Greek cuisines.
Update: I've included additional photos from other games (vs Centreville)
Update: I've included additional photos from other games (vs Centreville)
One Fine Day
Before heading out to watch kuya Nick play in his freshman lacrosse game at West Springfield high school, Jake and Joey spent the morning enjoying a warm spring day in their backyard deck.
Thanks Easter bunn..Kenny?
Jake and Joey enjoyed a whirlwind Easter weekend. The festivities started off with the second annual Heathfield Circle Easter Egg Hunt. Many thanks to this year's Easter bunny, Kenny P - you were AWESOME! and the many mommy-s who put together the event for the kids!
Immediately afterwards, Jake and Joey headed over for an Easter lunch at Tita Luding and Tito Mar's new home in Richmond, VA. There, the boys enjoyed another egg hunt and a feast fit for a king, queen, and their whole kingdom. It was good seeing (long-lost) Lazos and other relatives to chat, eat, and enjoy the day. Thanks Tita and Tito!
On Easter Sunday, Jake and Joey woke up to baskets full of Thomas the Train toys and movies left by the Easter Basgle. The weekend wasn't complete until Jake and Joey shared their Easter with Kappie/Bappa. We all headed over to the Dulles Hilton to stuff ourselves with yet another Easter Brunch. Yumm-o! Thanks Easter Basgle!
Immediately afterwards, Jake and Joey headed over for an Easter lunch at Tita Luding and Tito Mar's new home in Richmond, VA. There, the boys enjoyed another egg hunt and a feast fit for a king, queen, and their whole kingdom. It was good seeing (long-lost) Lazos and other relatives to chat, eat, and enjoy the day. Thanks Tita and Tito!
On Easter Sunday, Jake and Joey woke up to baskets full of Thomas the Train toys and movies left by the Easter Basgle. The weekend wasn't complete until Jake and Joey shared their Easter with Kappie/Bappa. We all headed over to the Dulles Hilton to stuff ourselves with yet another Easter Brunch. Yumm-o! Thanks Easter Basgle!
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| Easter 2008 |
I Go Crazy...
...when I'm without you. Trina goes to Chicago on a business trip, leaving daddy home alone with two boys and two dogs. Daddy managed to survive the three days while mommy was away. How single working parents to do it all alone, is beyond my comprehension. We missed you mommy, welcome home!
- Flesh for Lulu
- Flesh for Lulu
You're in our hearts, grandpa
It's been 5 years today. We miss you grandpa Phil...
"So far away, doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're just time away
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
How I wish I could, but you're so far away"
Carole King
My Valentine
Happy Hearts Day Mommy. Your four boys and dawg-ter planned on serenading you this song, but that may cause alarm with the neighborhood pets and call 911.
I actually prefer these versions than Elvis (not that I dislike the King's rendition.) Which do you prefer - Lick the Tins?
or UB40's?
I actually prefer these versions than Elvis (not that I dislike the King's rendition.) Which do you prefer - Lick the Tins?
or UB40's?
Arzaga Christmas
The holiday season started with a visit to Santa's place (shh...we didn't quite make it to the North Pole, but to Frederick, MD for a Xmas crafts show) where Jake told Santa his Christmas list. (Does it surprise you that he asked for Thomas and his Friends train toys?)
We decorated the Christmas tree; watched Polar Express and Charlie Brown Christmas over and over again; and celebrated the season having separate dinners with our VA and MD cousins. Kappie stayed over on Christmas Eve and helped open Jake and Joey's presents from Santa on Christmas morning.
"Its a Great Day to be Alive" - Travis Tritt
We decorated the Christmas tree; watched Polar Express and Charlie Brown Christmas over and over again; and celebrated the season having separate dinners with our VA and MD cousins. Kappie stayed over on Christmas Eve and helped open Jake and Joey's presents from Santa on Christmas morning.
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| Holiday Season 2007 |
"Its a Great Day to be Alive" - Travis Tritt
Christmas in the Philippines
Mel sent some Kodak moments from the Philippines where mom and dad hosted the annual Arzaga family reunion in their home in Alabang, a suburb of Manila. We hope to join the rest of the Arzaga clan and make it to the reunion soon.
2007 Holiday Newsletter
(click on the volume icon (bottom left corner) to (un)mute the music)
To our dearest family and friends, we hope this holiday greeting finds you all warm, happy, and healthy. As our boys, Jacob and Joel continue to discover the world around them; they bring us much joy and delight. They’re free to pursue and discover their surroundings to their hearts desire. (click on the picture of our boys for a little something from Jake and Joey)Their pursuit of freedom... Joey discovered newfound freedom when he started walking shortly after 13 months. And he’s free to try new and different foods now that his toothies are starting to come through. Also, Jake is potty-trained and Joey is sleeping through the night – both being a really looong time in waiting. How great is that? I suppose only a parent would be so proud of these groundbreaking highlights. I mean, how liberating is it for us, too – mommy can catch up on her rest and daddy can catch his breath and watch his sports.
Their pursuit of friendship... aside from the trust and comfort zone Joey gets from mommy and daddy (ok, admittedly, it’s more so his mommy and his primary teachers), Joey is more welcoming to new faces as he encounters new relatives, new teachers, and new friends. Jake enjoys his friends in school because of all the silliness only 4 year olds can find amusing. His eyes light up when his neighbors come over to play. Jake wishes that they would just marry him, so that they can stay over and always play together.
Their pursuit of knowledge… Jake continues to master his abc's. With the help and encouragement from his teachers at Kindercare, Jake is quickly learning to sound out words so he can write them on his doodle-board or spell them aloud. He’s also beginning to read his first books like Thomas the Train and Dr Seuss. We ‘re so proud that Jake is using his noggin more for cognitive uses and less as a battering ram. Joey is learning to communicate with what little he has. His yawps and his shrieks can mean anything and everything, depending on the context of his amusements or the mess he’s getting into. Unfortunately for the rest of us, even Paddi and Tyler, we’re all struggling to figure out what he wants and doesn’t want.
Their pursuit of tradition... despite our long daily commute to drop the kids off at daycare and the hours we put in the office, we’ve made a tradition of eating out for dinner every Thursday night. We all can’t wait to eat at McDonald's and share the events of our day. To the dismay of other patrons, I’m sure we’re missed at the other eateries where Joey has been known to fling a broccoli in their midst or Jakey’s strident insistence that nuggets be served everywhere.
Their pursuit of happiness... because we don’t always get what we want. Jake and Joey are going through the pains most siblings live through – sharing their toys, wrestling for mommy and daddy’s attention, and who gets to choose what book to read or what movie to watch. In the end, Jake and Joey, alongside Paddi and Tyler, they realize they’re each other’s siblings and we are a family. We treasure every little moment we have together. "This part of my life...this little part…is called "happyness.” - Chris Gardner.We hope to hear from you soon.
Our Christmas Newsletters from the yesteryear's.
Let them know it's Christmastime
"It's Christmastime
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
(Here's to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
Let them know it's Christmastime again
Feed the world..."
Bob Geldof and Band Aid
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
(Here's to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
Let them know it's Christmastime again
Feed the world..."
Bob Geldof and Band Aid
Happy Thanksgiving
Sending you our warmest thoughts and friendliest wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hope your day brings you a generous helping of the simplest pleasures.
From the Arzaga’s
- Ernesto, Trina, Jake, Joey, Paddi, and Tyler too!
From the Arzaga’s
- Ernesto, Trina, Jake, Joey, Paddi, and Tyler too!
Trick or Treat!
The many kids of Heathfield Circle and its surrounding streets joined in for some good ol' fashion Halloween fun...
Jake dressed up as his favorite super hero, Spiderman while Joey was a skunk; our cute little stink pot. How perfect is that? It was a difficult task to gather the attentions of about 20 kids for a moment so that the paparazzi can capture that Kodak moment, but to my surprise, we were able to take several pictures in front of John/Michelle's and Frank/Lynn's decorated facades. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of treats and tricks to be had. As Jakers pointed out, "Halloween is great!"
An ode to Jacob Arzaga
BIG trouble comes in little packages. Click on the thumbnail picture and see what our Jake-Jake, the Jakester, our loving Jake-a-boo did in 2007.
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| Jacob 2007 |
An ode to Joey Arzaga
Cuteness is a full-time job. Click on the thumbnail picture and see what our Joey did in 2007.
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| Joey 2007 |
Best of the Rest in 2007
Click on the thumbnail picture and see what else we did in 2007.
See more of our pictures from yesteryear thru today...
Google's Picasa --- http://picasaweb.google.com/earzagajr
OR at Snapfish --- http://www1.snapfish.com/photolibrary/t_=92827467
See more of our pictures from yesteryear thru today...
Google's Picasa --- http://picasaweb.google.com/earzagajr
OR at Snapfish --- http://www1.snapfish.com/photolibrary/t_=92827467
Our Boys
"Brother" is spelled T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Click on the thumbnail picture and see our boys grow up together.
See more of our pictures from yesteryear thru today...
Google's Picasa --- http://picasaweb.google.com/earzagajr
OR at Snapfish --- http://www1.snapfish.com/photolibrary/t_=92827467
Click on the thumbnail picture and see our boys grow up together.
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| Our Boys 2007 |
Google's Picasa --- http://picasaweb.google.com/earzagajr
OR at Snapfish --- http://www1.snapfish.com/photolibrary/t_=92827467
Oh think twice...
Where someone else in the world may be less fortunante, please give a helping hand ...
"She calls out to the man on the street
sir, can you help me?
Its cold and Ive nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?
He walks on, doesnt look back
He pretends he cant hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, its another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, its just another day for you,
You and me in paradise
She calls out to the man on the street
He can see shes been crying
Shes got blisters on the soles of her feet
Cant walk but shes trying
Oh think twice...
Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say
You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that shes been there
Probably been moved on from every place
cos she didnt fit in there
Oh think twice..."
Phil Collins
"She calls out to the man on the street
sir, can you help me?
Its cold and Ive nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?
He walks on, doesnt look back
He pretends he cant hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, its another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, its just another day for you,
You and me in paradise
She calls out to the man on the street
He can see shes been crying
Shes got blisters on the soles of her feet
Cant walk but shes trying
Oh think twice...
Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say
You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that shes been there
Probably been moved on from every place
cos she didnt fit in there
Oh think twice..."
Phil Collins
"It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abe Lincoln
Ernesto turns 38 (again ;-] )...
"I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years
Hey my next thirty years
I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years"
Tim McGraw
"I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years
Hey my next thirty years
I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years"
Tim McGraw
Pumpkin Patch
On Columbus Day, we headed to the pumpkin patch at Cox Farms in Centreville, VA. We had a great time at the farm with our next door neighbors, Sydney and Sophia and their parents, Mr Brian and Ms Kursten. We enjoyed riding on a tractor-pulled hayride through the farm, swishing down the many slides, milking the cows and petting the livestocks. Click on the thumbnail picture and see what we did at the pumpkin patch.
UPDATE: And just recently, we went back to the pumkin patch for the third time this season. We were joined by Kappa, Mark and Jessica and Will and Juliet.
UPDATE: And just recently, we went back to the pumkin patch for the third time this season. We were joined by Kappa, Mark and Jessica and Will and Juliet.
A Day Out with Thomas
While Daddy had to work the graveyard shifts over the weekend, Trina and Kappa took the boys to Cumberland, MD for the weekend. There, they spent the day out with Thomas the Train. Before Jake and Joey got to ride on Thomas, the town of Cumberland was holding their annual fall festival. The boys ran, and yelled, and screamed through a maze made of hay stacks; darting in and out of the maze, and finally finding the finish line. Once it was time to board the train, Jake and Joey rode through the countryside of western MD. Daddy was glad to see Mommy and the kids back home. Click on the thumbnail picture and see how they spent the day with Thomas.
"Have [bike] will travel reads the card of a man..."
"...a [boy] without armor in a savage land."
Once a month, Jake and Kappa do some grand-Kappie and grand-kid stuff together and explore the beauty and wonder that is Mother Nature. On Labor Day, Jake and Kappa invited Joey, mommy and daddy to the Tow Path on the C&O, along the Maryland side of Great Falls Park.
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| From Jacob 2007 |
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| From Best of the R... |
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| From Best of the R... |
"Jakey, Jakey, where do you roam? Jakey, Jakey, far, far from home. "
OBX in August
We came back to the Outer Banks in Corolla, NC in August, the week before Labor Day. This time around, we stayed at a beach house called 'Aloha' and were joined by my brother's family, Doug, Haewon, Nick, Sean, and Chaze. Also joining us in the fun and sun were my friends from my high school days at Fairfax High, Eric "Color Me Betsy" and Marcus Mickney alongside his family, Andrea and Sam.
We had plenty of splashes in the pool and in the ocean, beach sand encrusted in our trunks, surf and turf eats at the beach house and around town, and souvenirs galore from Wings. How can I forget all the Dairy Queen faceoffs in foosball, XBox, and hoops. Thanks for all the DQ Blizzards Eric ;-]
We're all glad you all came. Let's do it again. Do I hear a ski trip in the near future?
We had plenty of splashes in the pool and in the ocean, beach sand encrusted in our trunks, surf and turf eats at the beach house and around town, and souvenirs galore from Wings. How can I forget all the Dairy Queen faceoffs in foosball, XBox, and hoops. Thanks for all the DQ Blizzards Eric ;-]
We're all glad you all came. Let's do it again. Do I hear a ski trip in the near future?
The Pursuit of Happyness
Spoiler alert - closing scene
"This part of my life...this...little part...is called "happyness." - Chris Gardner
Whenever I think of this movie, I feel blessed and thankful. I can't wait to run home everyday and hug each and everyone. I can't help feel happy.
"This part of my life...this...little part...is called "happyness." - Chris Gardner
Whenever I think of this movie, I feel blessed and thankful. I can't wait to run home everyday and hug each and everyone. I can't help feel happy.
Fast Times at FHS
I can't believe that my high school class of 1987 held its...gulp...20 year reunion at the Hyatt in Fair Lakes, VA. Are you kidding me?!? Has it been 20 years since my pals and I graduated from Fairfax High? I have co-workers who were barely out of diapers in the mid-80's and some of Joey's teachers weren't even born when I entered FHS...ugh.
It amazes me how much an emotional impact high school was that it still
affects our daily lives and thoughts 20 years later. Members of our class still feel "intimidated" today because of it. One brave Rebel (call her "J") spoke up and wrote, "in highschool...I felt displaceced... unsure of myself and very much adork. I am no longer a dork...however this whole thing about life wasbest in highschool.... well its not how I feel. So...why should Irevisit... the most awkward part of my life? Im not in any of thepictures... and truth be told... I painfully brought out theyearbook... to even know who the people making posts are. So..yes Imundecided... Id be there if I knew... I have a fun time..but Im notconvinced that it would be an excerise in masochism. "
Even though I was disinterested in attending, it was for different reasons. I wandered if anyone would even remember me at all. I didn't know that many people I considered to be close. And those I knew then, I'm still in touch with some of them today. (see the OBX in August blog.) Alas, I was inspired to join my classmates. As my good friend of 25+ years, Chris Jewell responded back to 'J', "Most of us were shy and awkward and struggling to figure out our personality and purpose. Twenty years later, presumably we're all at peace with who we are and what we're doing in life. I may have been a generally miserable teenager, but because I'm a happy adult, I will attend the reunion."
So I did. I joined my pals, Hyong 'Louise' Kim, Eric (Weinberg) Magruder, Marcus 'McKinney' and Chris. I'd rather regret going than not going at all. We gathered at Tony's NY Pizza for a pitcher of beer, or two, or three...and some wings before heading off to the hotel. There, I met old faces and made new friends. It was a chance to laugh and remember about the old times, the hairstyles (where did mine go, by the way?), the songs, the cars, the fads and fashion of 1983-1987. Those high school days were simpler days then --- no mortgage to pay, no children to care for, no worries too big. My biggest worries then were waking up in time for first period in Mr C's math class or taking a pop quiz at Ms Fedricks' English class. Memories of my youth was generally good and it felt good unlocking those faint images that night.
I'm most proud of my 'mates who rallied and re-assured 'J' and the rest of us "dorks." High school is a confusing phase for teenagers and we all cope differently. But we're never alone whenever we reach out for the support and love from our family and friends. It's good seeing those from my past and realizing that teenagers do change into responsible, caring adults.
I realize that high school was at times difficult and overwhelming, but I chose to be happy and survived. I'm not the smartest or the strongest. I know I'm far from perfect, but I adapt and work hard on being a better person. What I see everyday is a challenge to my comfort zone, my self-esteem, my pursuit of happyness. "Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet. " - Roger Miller
So a toast to my Class of 1987 at Fairfax High - I am what I am today because of the friendships and experiences I shared with them. "You've been, you are, and you will always be my friends." --- This one's from my pal Jae Pae (wherever he is).
Reunion photos courtesy of Chris Jewell.
Video clips from the movie, Breakfast Club set to the music of Simple Minds - simply awesome!
It amazes me how much an emotional impact high school was that it still
affects our daily lives and thoughts 20 years later. Members of our class still feel "intimidated" today because of it. One brave Rebel (call her "J") spoke up and wrote, "in highschool...I felt displaceced... unsure of myself and very much adork. I am no longer a dork...however this whole thing about life wasbest in highschool.... well its not how I feel. So...why should Irevisit... the most awkward part of my life? Im not in any of thepictures... and truth be told... I painfully brought out theyearbook... to even know who the people making posts are. So..yes Imundecided... Id be there if I knew... I have a fun time..but Im notconvinced that it would be an excerise in masochism. "Even though I was disinterested in attending, it was for different reasons. I wandered if anyone would even remember me at all. I didn't know that many people I considered to be close. And those I knew then, I'm still in touch with some of them today. (see the OBX in August blog.) Alas, I was inspired to join my classmates. As my good friend of 25+ years, Chris Jewell responded back to 'J', "Most of us were shy and awkward and struggling to figure out our personality and purpose. Twenty years later, presumably we're all at peace with who we are and what we're doing in life. I may have been a generally miserable teenager, but because I'm a happy adult, I will attend the reunion."
So I did. I joined my pals, Hyong 'Louise' Kim, Eric (Weinberg) Magruder, Marcus 'McKinney' and Chris. I'd rather regret going than not going at all. We gathered at Tony's NY Pizza for a pitcher of beer, or two, or three...and some wings before heading off to the hotel. There, I met old faces and made new friends. It was a chance to laugh and remember about the old times, the hairstyles (where did mine go, by the way?), the songs, the cars, the fads and fashion of 1983-1987. Those high school days were simpler days then --- no mortgage to pay, no children to care for, no worries too big. My biggest worries then were waking up in time for first period in Mr C's math class or taking a pop quiz at Ms Fedricks' English class. Memories of my youth was generally good and it felt good unlocking those faint images that night.
I'm most proud of my 'mates who rallied and re-assured 'J' and the rest of us "dorks." High school is a confusing phase for teenagers and we all cope differently. But we're never alone whenever we reach out for the support and love from our family and friends. It's good seeing those from my past and realizing that teenagers do change into responsible, caring adults.I realize that high school was at times difficult and overwhelming, but I chose to be happy and survived. I'm not the smartest or the strongest. I know I'm far from perfect, but I adapt and work hard on being a better person. What I see everyday is a challenge to my comfort zone, my self-esteem, my pursuit of happyness. "Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet. " - Roger Miller
So a toast to my Class of 1987 at Fairfax High - I am what I am today because of the friendships and experiences I shared with them. "You've been, you are, and you will always be my friends." --- This one's from my pal Jae Pae (wherever he is).
Reunion photos courtesy of Chris Jewell.
Video clips from the movie, Breakfast Club set to the music of Simple Minds - simply awesome!
Getting wet at the Great Wolf Lodge
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| From Best of the R... |
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| From Best of the R... |
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| From Best of the R... |
Before we left for home, we stopped at the Go-Karts Plus and tested out the many go-kart tracks, miniature golf, bumper boats and cars. What a weekend.
p.s. A little warning to all I95 travelers out there heading south to the Richmond area. Beware of the McDonald's Express located in the Bottom Bridge exit just south of I295. It is the scariest, if not worst place to grab a bite, or worse, take a leak!
Look Who's 10 Years Old
Paddington and Tyler are 10 years old! Wow, how our (furry, four-legged) kids have grown. Click on the thumbnail picture and see them through the years...
We can't imagine our lives without them. "Happiness is a warm puppy." - Charles M. Schulz (Beagle lover, cartoonist)
We can't imagine our lives without them. "Happiness is a warm puppy." - Charles M. Schulz (Beagle lover, cartoonist)
Joey is 1!
Not to be outdone by his older brother, Joey celebrated his very first birthday, not once, not twice, but THREE times! Joey celebrated the first of his three birthday parties at Kindercare where Joey, his friends, and teachers had cupcakes. Click on the thumbnail picture and see more pictures of Joey's birthday parties.
Being that Joey turned 1, we had his biggest bash over the weekend with more family and friends, some as far away as Alaska, where Joey's cousins, Tristan, Kyle and Schulyer now reside. There were plenty of food and drinks, as usual - thanks to my Manang and Harris Teeter for catering the event. But more importantly, thank you all who attended, most of whom met Joey for the first time, and helping us celebrate Joey's first birthday!
And finally, Joey's last party included more cupcakes, more friends, and what else - fireworks. Being that it's the same week as the Fourth of July, fireworks (courtesy of South Riding), were in the ready to cap off a 5 day birthday celebration. Happy first birthday Joey!
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| Joey's First Birthday 2007 |
And finally, Joey's last party included more cupcakes, more friends, and what else - fireworks. Being that it's the same week as the Fourth of July, fireworks (courtesy of South Riding), were in the ready to cap off a 5 day birthday celebration. Happy first birthday Joey!
OBX in June
Our first vacation of the summer...we headed off to the beach - OBX baby! Our beach house was full of family members, baby toys, and cold beer. Uncle Ross, Aunt Sydney, and Kappa headed the Long patriarchy. Mark and Jessica brought their kids, Will and newborn Juliet and Jessica's brother Paul. We were later joined by Allen, Kristie and their daughter, Mary.
"hip hip hip hip
When you’re on a holiday
You can’t find the words to say
All the things that come to you
And I wanna feel it too
(chorus) On an island in the sun
We’ll be playing and having fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can’t control my brain
hip hip hip hip
When you’re on a golden sea
You don’t need no memory
Just a place to call your own
As we drift into the zone
...(chorus)
We’ll run away together
We’ll spend some time forever
We’ll never feel bad anymore
...(chorus)"
Weezer
"hip hip hip hip
When you’re on a holiday
You can’t find the words to say
All the things that come to you
And I wanna feel it too
(chorus) On an island in the sun
We’ll be playing and having fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can’t control my brain
hip hip hip hip
When you’re on a golden sea
You don’t need no memory
Just a place to call your own
As we drift into the zone
...(chorus)
We’ll run away together
We’ll spend some time forever
We’ll never feel bad anymore
...(chorus)"
Weezer
Ten years together
Trina and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary on Memorial Day weekend. To this day, we can't remember the exact date, but at least we remember it's on a three day holiday weekend. Who can forget that, right?I can't begin to imagine what life would be like without her by my side. In the ten years since that day in 1997, we started our lives together by bringing home Paddington, bought our first and only home, rescued Tyler from the pound, decorated our home many times over, found new jobs, traveled here and there, and our biggest and proudest moments, being parents to our beloved boys, Jake and Joey.
What did we do to celebrate? What we enjoy doing everyday...having a
quiet dinner together enjoying the moment. Yeah right. Of course, we ignored for that fleeting moment, the blaring sounds of cartoons Jake was watching, Joey's screaming for milk, Tyler's whining to go outside, and Paddi's snout poking at our laps for dinner scraps. It was the most romantic ten-second dinner together between a husband and wife. We can only smile and appreciate what we have after ten years together and what will happen in the years to come."Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be -
the last of life for which the first was made."
- Robert Browning
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