Star Wars Fireworks at the A's

We bought tickets in June to go to the Star Wars Fireworks in the middle of September.  Little did we know that the game would be huge in determining the playoff picture for the A's.  There opponent was the Baltimore Orioles who were battling for the wildcard and the AL East title.  It turns out that at press time, they both are in the playoffs...Well we had a few things that worked against us getting there in time (Bryce's soccer pictures, Joy's work, and another event taking up parking spaces at the Coliseum).  So we parked in BART at Bay Fair Station and took the train into the game, arriving in the 5th inning, just in time to see the go-ahead run being driven in by Johnny Gomes.  The sold-out Coliseum was rocking like it had not rocked since the playoffs in 2006.  We were joined by Brett's sister and her family who got tickets shortly after we did and sat with us for the fireworks.  How cool was it to watch fireworks all played to our favorite Star Wars music and see Darth Vader and his stormtroopers guard the infield during the fireworks.  The post-firework wasn't quite so optimal as the BART ramp was closed for 30-45 minutes after the fireworks which backed up the BART ramp and delayed our arrival at home until about 1:30am...  Yikes, oh yeah and did I mention we had an 8am soccer game the next morning...

Packed, sold-out Coliseum with a playoff atmosphere.

Exploding TIE fighers...

Our 2 clone troopers and Vader to help celebrate Star Wars night.

Vader's toopers took care of crowd control on the field.

James, Rachel, Haley, and Wendy showed off their A's spirit and rooted hard for the home team.

Is this heaven on earth for Daddy?  Star Wars and baseball all together in one.

Enough said...A's Win!

Vader and his 501st infantry division was represented by our boys.

Mommy was pretty well guarded on BART.

We get to go on BART!

Mark and Jen

Mark and Jen came by to visit us on their way back from weekend in Atwater.  We enjoyed sharing a meal with them and catching up before Brett had to go into work.

Moreau HS 20 year Reunion

Brett went back to his old high school, for the 20 year reunion which was attended by close to 70 people (almost 1/3 of the class).  Gusto and his wife Ali were there too which made it easier on Joy since she had a fellow spouse to hang out with and share memories with.  Brett enjoyed getting to talk to guys he played ball with (Bill May, Vince Vargas, Eddie Maier, Dan Johnston), current fellow health care workers (JP Quirazon, Kim Manifesto, Kim Bercovich), and other fellow alumni (Ian McLeod, Joe Gray, Kristen Knox, Nancy Knudsen, and Monica Faria among others).

 

Gusto and Daddy occupied some seats in the science lab class.  Can you believe the desks haven't changed in 20 years!

The whole crew of alumni (the spouses were watching while this one was snapped).

Awana

All three of our boys are now in Awana.  They love to compare stories about what their snack was that night and to gain more pins and patches by memorizing scripture that they rehearse to their teachers.

My goal is to fill up this entire vest by memorizing scripture.

I will get some patches on my new red awana vest.

Now I'm a Cubbie!

We all go to Awana now!

This is how we felt about our snack last night.

You're not getting anything past me, brothers.

Griffin 3y 5mo

Griffin is in his last year of purely watching his brothers play sports.  He is chomping at the bit to get to be able to play soccer or baseball on a team.  He is running on the treadmill and doing school with his brother Bryce.  You should see the video Joy tried to take at one of Bryce's soccer games...Griffin couldn't help but be featured and maybe he even wanted to narrate.

Next year, this soccer field will be my world.

My bean plants from Sunday school actually grew to almost 2 feet before it died.

Here it is growing...

Think I might have a jack and the beanpole situation coming on.

I am Griffin, and I am here reporting on site at by brother's soccer game...

When Mommy would try to video Bryce's soccer game, I would put my head in the way.

I want all the attention, when is my turn.

I am a Wild Child, which is what it says on the back of my shirt.

I will give all praise and glory to God.

Look out, here comes Griffin!

Cleaning up was so tiring that I just couldn't go on any longer.

Garrett 7y 4mo

Garrett is the leader or pace-setter at our school.  He continues to amaze us with how he grasps concepts.  He enjoyed the opportunity to hit in a batting cage for the first time this month.  He loves to have time alone with either one of his parents, and even better if he gets both of us.  He is working on 100 consecutive days of playing guitar and sometimes he remembers close to bedtime and then he wants to stay up and talk to us and pray with us.  Does he like quality time?

I colored my little pyramid silver, just like my whole outfit.

Listening to my coach's instructions before I re-enter game.

I'm checking my spot on the field...yes I'm in the right position.

The tallest tower is even taller than me.

Captain Rex reporting for duty at the A's game.

Come and sit with me, what do you want to talk about?

Bryce 5y 2mo

Bryce got his soccer season off to a good start by scoring the first goal of his team's season.  He was so proud to have that honor.  He has gotten to play with friends:  Jared, Cade, and Hayes.  Bryce continues to be full of energy in all aspects of life.  He puts his enthusiasm into everything he does.

The Thunder is the name of his team:  Bryce does prefer to be heard than seen.

Bryce and Cade show their attempts at intimidation toward their opponents.

I love to draw, and I didn't even draw planes dropping bombs and blowing up the pyramids.

I am here to enforce the law of Bryce.

Don't touch my tower or it will fall on your face.

They call me a striker...I love dribbling the ball and going toward the goal.

Turn it upfield.

There goes the ball and I'm going to beat everyone to it.

Coach Dave guides us with a game plan and WE provide the energy to execute it.

Bathroom Remodel

We had been planning for a few years to remodel the bathroom we have near the laundry room.  The floors had gotten to the point where we couldn't really get them clean and the laundry room needed a new floor also.  We had been consulting with our friend Joel and finally took the plunge over the last 6 weeks to get this finished.  We are very happy to have a new bathroom and shower with two shower heads.  The boys love it too.

The old bathroom...

...the old shower.

Our new tiled shower with glass sliding door and two shower heads.

The new sink, mirror, tiled floor, cabinet, and paint job.