Xmas Tree from the Ticonderoga Farm

Joined by my brother's family and our next door neighbors, we all headed to a nearby local tree "farm" where we picked out this year's Holiday Christmas Tree. At the Ticonderoga Farm, we slid down the slides, rode on the tractor-pulled hayride, and roasted marshmallows over an open fire pit.

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Jake and Joey picked out the perfect Fraser Fir tree. Afterwards, Trina, the boys, and their cousins, Sean and Nick worked together to decorate a "Buckeye"-themed Christmas Tree. With all the presents bought and wrapped, and all the lights and decorations all put together, it's beginning to look like Christmas.

From Xmas Tree at Ticonderoga

Thanksgiving at Mark and Jessica's

For Thanksgiving, we headed east over the Chesapeake Bay to Mark and Jessica's home on MD's Eastern Shore. There, we were part of a cast of hundreds, okay, maybe not, but from the pictures there were at least 35 people at the dinner table.

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We had a great time playing with the DuHoffmann cousins, riding the John Deere tractor, and of course, chowin' down both the fried AND roasted turkey's. I'm still craving the corn casserole and stuffing...YUM!!!

From Thanksgiving at Mark and Jessica's

The dinner and the company of family and friends were superb, as always. Thanks to Mark and Jess for taking the monster task of hosting a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Joey's Thanksgiving Show

As if the Halloween show wasn't enough, Joey and his 2 year old preschoolers performed a Thanksgiving-themed show for the parents. Afterwards, the parents and the kids got to enjoy a meal together, Thanksgiving-style. Joey wasn't too impressed with the turkey and gravy (he spit out the mashed potatoes, too), but he really took to the Cranberry sauce and corn. Lucky for Daddy, I got to eat all his yummy leftovers.

Thanks Ms Beth and Ms Jen...

Jacob's Thanksgiving show

Jake and his kindergarten classmates put on a Thanksgiving show for all the lucky parents who were able to take time off from work. Prior to the show, Jake and Trina made arts and crafts, like a native Indian head dress, necklace, place mat, and decorated their shirts. Jake's Indian name for the day was "Barking Dog" LOL.

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Pardon the poor resolution. I forgot the camcorder and had to record the show using the Blackberry. Oh well, you get the gist of the cuteness and impressive showmanship talents of Jake and his fellow Kindergartners.

Jake's First Report Card

Despite the numerous parent-teacher conferences Trina has had with Jake's Kindergarten teacher, Jake did very well for his first report card. He outperformed the benchmark numbers set forth by the state school board and came within eight points of the maximum possible score.
(Click on the image to enlarge)

Not surprising, really. He is always eager to do his homework every night and writes his own "books" about cars, seasons, animals, and other things. Our favorite story is about a kid and his trampoline. Who knew he can read and write a whole story about anything and everything by himself already? He writes a new book almost everyday. Our collection of memorable items to save for him is growing. Truly amazing. To say that we're proud of Jacob would certainly be an understatement.

Autumn Along the Skyline Drive

With Paddington's failing health, we canceled our weekend trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, and instead headed west towards the mountains. We all boarded our family-moving behemoth with Jake and Joey in their seats and Paddi and Tyler right next to them. It was a beautiful day for a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains and marvel at the changing colors of the autumn leaves.

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During the drive, Paddi rested her snout between mommy and daddy, nudging our elbows occasionally to let us know she needed another affirmation of her cuteness. What a princess. Tyler cowered between Jake and Joey, waiting for the dreaded trip to finally end. The panoramic beauty was also lost to our two-legged boys who wanted nothing more than to watch a DVD of Fox and the Hound or sleep through the ride.

Autumn along the Skyline

We arrived at the northern tip of Skyline Drive around noon, and immediately soaked in the rustic views of mother nature. Jake finally looked outward and Joey awoke from his slumber. We stopped at the picnic area and allowed the kids and dogs to romp around the area - kicking leaves, picking up rocks and sticks, and workin' the ol' water pump.

It was good to see Paddi look alive and play like she did when she and Tyler were just puppies. She played fetch with Jacob, discovered new sniffs around the mountain, and acted like a happy, healthy Golden once more. A simple trip to remember.

Trick or Treat 2008

Aside from the obvious reasons why Christmas morning is the bestest thing in the world for kids, Halloween brings out the same fun and craziness for all ages. Name another day of the year where anyone can behave foolishly and dress up silly. Everyone around can't help but laugh and smile at each other. Kudos to the person(s) who invented Halloween.

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Trick or Treat 2008

Joey's Halloween "Show"

The cuteness factor is off the charts...

Have trouble viewing the video? Watch it here

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on...

Ernesto celebrates the 10th anniversay of his 30th birthday ;-]

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Lyrics | Travis Tritt - It’s A Great Day To Be Alive? lyrics
Watch the video here - Read about Travis Tritt

Ernesto's 40th Birthday

Jake's First Basketball Practice

With college tuition in an upward trend, we'll be sending these pictures to Coach Krzyzewski for his immediate considerations...

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Jake's First Basketball Practice

Slumber Party

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Fall Festivals

Nothing says the end of oppressive summer heat and humidity in the mid-Atlantic than the various Fall Festivals that pop up all around northern VA.

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All this means to the Arzaga family is an annual pilgrimmage to a local apple orchard and attend as many fall festivals into an already packed Fall weekends. Along with cousins from MD, Jake and Joey slid down slides, rode on hayrides, and munched on endless kettle corn at Cox's Farm. Even Trina baked her heart out with not one, not two, but EIGHT apple pies, prepared to perfection. Autumn is by far my favorite season of the year.

Fall Festivals

Luau Block Party

The captions for each photo describe the moment.

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What wasn't captured in film was the camaraderie of six guys huddled in the darkness of night, smokin' a stogie, sippin' some bourbon, all the while spellbound by the fire before us.

Jake's First Day of Kindergarten

"Overwhelmed with pride and joy." That's how we felt about Jacob on his first day of school at Kindergarten. All summer long, Jake asked when the leaves would start falling off the trees, because that would only mean that autumn is here. And of course, Jake retorts back that autumn is when he starts Kindergarten at his new school, Hutchison Farm Elementary, home of the Huskies.

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Jacob was so excited, he voluntarily went to bed early and immediately woke up when morning arrived. You would think it was Christmas morning for him, but that was how excited he was. He couldn't stand waiting for the rest of us to RUN to the school bus stop. He was all SMILES to start a new chapter in his life. Watching him board that school bus, we couldn't help but be overwhelmed with pride and joy.

Jake's First Day of Kindergarten

Playgrounds

Things I notice in these indoor playgrounds.
How wonderful is it that my kid can randomly pick another child and play together like they've been friends for decades.

It amazes me that with all the kids running around wildly and aimlessly in the playgrounds, they aren't running into each other. They can start and stop on a dime and then jump and leap from one obstacle to the next and avoid an incoming kid. Amazing.

There are paranoid parents who follow their child everywhere, and then there are those parents who aren't even aware that their child has left the premises because having an adult conversation with a complete stranger is so much more important.

Where were these when I was growing up. They're popping up everywhere...

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Playgrounds

Joey's Surgery

Joey needed surgery to repair a "defect" in his abdomen that is best described as congenital hernia. It's never easy to see one's own child go into surgery, much less see the after effects of it.

From Random 2008

As expected, Joey was grouchy and slouching for several days, but we were relieved to see that he was back to his two-year-old self soon thereafter.

Jake's Last Day at Kindercare

From Jake's Last Day at Kindercare

About five years ago, Trina and I had no idea who would care for our first child, Jacob, when it was time for Trina to return to work. It was difficult to find the right people and the right environment where we could leave our first born in capable and trusting hands. We found that place in the Kindercare Center at Franklin Farms.

We immediately felt comfortable with Jake's first caregivers. He started in the infants room where he was taken care of by Ms Bev, Ms Jeanie, Ms Rosa, and Ms Lorna.

Afterwards, Ms Nikki, Ms Leena, Ms Claudia, Ms Melanie, Ms Rada, and many other kind and wonderful teachers had a hand in developing his social and cognitive skills. Jacob thrived in Ms Rada's class as he began to learn and grow into his own. Special thanks to Ms Emily, Ms Paige, and Ms Beth for managing a fun and safe atmosphere.

Trina and I can't believe that Jake's time at Kindercare has finally come to an end. Jake outlasted most of his teachers there, but he leaves the center as a well-prepared pre-schooler ready to take on the challenges of Kindergarten and beyond.

Tess Arzaga Visits

My cousin from the Philippines recently came to visit the "States" on a business trip. Lucky for us, she was able to take some time during the weekends to meet our two boys. We were glad to see you Ate Tess; it's always good to see family.

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Tess Arzaga Visits

"[They] all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and... "

Paddi and Tyler are now eleven years old this summer. Wow, that's older than Lolo and Lola. Happy Birthday Paddi and Tyler.


From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog," but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand." - unknown

Redskins Training Camp

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After a dreadful summer of watching the losses mount for the Curly Ws and the DCU, we are so glad that football season is upon us. Okay, Trina couldn't care less, but Redskins training camp means one thing - Christmas in July.

Redskins Training Camp

Check out Chris 'Captain Chaos' Cooley's awesome blog. Well worth the read for 'Skins fans.

Joey's 2nd Birthday Weekend

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As usual, Joey celebrated his birthday once with his classmates at pre-school, twice at home with friends and neighbors, and thrice for a summer BBQ birthday bash with more friends and family . Happy birthday Joey. We love you!!!

Joey's 2nd Bday 2008

At two years old, Joey is such a boy now. I mean wasn't he a baby just last year? Oh yeah, he was. But the trouble he gets himself into and how he instigates a fight with Jake are so typical of the "terrible twos." Maybe we tolerated Jake's terrible twos because he was our first born, but we find ourselves saying "no" a lot to Joey and sending him to "time-outs" on a frequent occurrence. It doesn't help that he started being "tinky" since he was only 13-15 months and the whining and crying are growing tiresome.

But as his Lola pointed out - is to consider the alternative. If he wasn't acting his age as a boisterous, problem child, than something is wrong. We'd rather he be himself, than worrying about his health or otherwise. He is, after all, a 2 year old boy who wants nothing more in his world but to eat, sleep, and have fun. Hmm, don't we all want that simplicity as adults, too?

July 4th Weekend

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We're fortunate to live where our rights and freedom allow us to raise our children in a happy and peaceful community. Regardless of the faltering economy, global warming, and the heartaches felt around the world, I see a bright future for our country and those in every corner of the globe. I have to be, for my kids' sake, and my kids' kids sake.

And to all the many brave men and women, here and abroad, who protect us daily - thank you. We are able to celebrate today just as how our forefathers hope it would be 232 years later. And what better way to celebrate this holiday, than watching fireworks and having a barbecue with our fellow neighbors. Happy Birthday America.

OBX Vacation

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There's only one thing better than spending a summer vacation on the beach, and that's spending it with awesome people. Yeah, you know who you are and we enjoyed every minute with you guys. The week went by too fast, what with all the fun we all had at the swimming pool, at the beach, and right inside our rented beach house. It was all worthwhile after driving down the beach, and dodging sand dunes, wild horses, and of course, beachgoers.

Wherever I looked in and around the house - the bustling sounds of Wii and XBox, all the dinners and meals we all shared together, "caliente" Taboo nights, riding the elevator up and down all day, or even flinging waterballons at each other - it was good to see that 19 people can enjoy spending the week together. Can't wait for our next vacation together.
Go fly a kite*

Joey
Look Before You Cross the Beach, Kids
Jacoboo
Girls just wanna have fun*
Christian and Joey
Sophia and Sam
Jake and Sophie
Toddlers on their own
Nick and Andrew*
Nick*
Joey, Ern and Lauren
Joey and Trina
Sam and Marcus
Hyong and Christian*
Doug and Haewon*
Love birds
Ern and Hyong*
Ern and Era
Dinner time
Happy Birthday Lauren and Eric
Marcus, Andrea, and Eric
Era
Fire away
Bocce*
Wild Horsey*
Sunrise

* Photos courtesy of Haewon Arzaga

Super Soaker Faceoffs

Victim #1

Who's got my back?

Whom didn't you hit?

Like father, like son

Definitely runs in the family

Better off using a light saber