Boys will be boys...he must have been jealous Gracie went to cheer camp

I just happened to peruse Joey's myspace page this evening and look what I found. No, Joey doesn't go on his myspace but Jordyn does!

My jailbird boy...

oh this week i was arrested by the mexican army. ill tell you why dont wry. they were looking for drugs and arms and they wanted to interrogate me and my companion if we knew where there was drugs. it was pretty fun because i pretended like i didnt understand what they were saying but i could understand everything. they called a solder who is a member and know a little english. but they didnt know hes a member. and when i started to speak spanish a little they got scared because they knew i understood what they said.( they said a lot of bad stuff) and me and my comp got to give the first lesson to the boss man of them all.he apologized for everything and we left him wit ha book of mormon.oh and the week ended good ill send you a pic. oh thanks for the pics. gracie is so big. love you all
elder vasher

Ok, so here is part of Joey's email for this week. Does he sound like someone who is trying to make sure his mother remains calm...well sorta -sorta not! The way he was so sure that by telling me why it would make it all better and no worries here. He is right - drugs and arms - not a biggie in Mexico. His writing is half texting and long hand.

I feel like a 14 year old girl

I remember the night before my first day of high school. I didn't sleep AT all I was so scared. I cried in the morning because I didn't want to go to school - I wanted the familiarity of Show Low Junior High. Well, here we are again. Tomorrow I start at LPCH - maybe I think I should just stay at my own hospital for my clinical hours. I will be spending many hours there over the next three semesters. But then I remember that high school wasn't so bad. I know this experience is going to be amazing. I will start at CAPE (Center for Advanced Pediatric and Perinatal Education) which is located in the infamous Barn and work with the amazing Julie Arafeh. I will be working with the simulation lab and experience it on every level - even as a flustered videotaped participant trying to save that preemie baby and that mom who has something very wrong (oh yeah, can't wait to view that one!) I will also move into the main hospital and work with other fabulous CNSs. I am grateful for the opportunity that has been placed before me and I hope to make this a great experience! It's the next best thing to actually being a student at Stanford University!

The Barn

A perfect 10!

A perfect 10 can be described in many ways: for those old enough - Bo Derek
used to be a perfect gymnastic routine
10 on a pain scale is a lot of pain

But my favorite 10 is my boy! Happy Birthday Matthew!!!

Climber Matthew

Hug giving Matthew

Meat eater Matthew

Thinker Matthew

Labor Day Picnic

Today was the Labor Day church picnic at Toro Park. It was gorgeous day and everyone had a great time. Sorry there are no pictures of Kyle, he was playing volleyball, fell and split his pants - in front. Thank goodness someone had a safety pin...

School spirit?

Yeah this is Kyle and friend's contribution to the local newspaper this week. I heard through the grapevine that he also jumped over the railing and did a pathetic cart wheel. Maybe next year when he isn't playing basketball he can suit up as a cheerleader.

Back to school...

I can't believe summer is over already! When I had 5 or 6 kids at home summer dragged so slowly. Now it whizzes by! They were all very excited and very nervous. Made it through the day and had a smile on their face.

Have a great school year everyone!!!

Happy Birthday!

I won't even try to out do Alli's Happy Birthday tribute...just Happy Birthday Drew - I love you!

Sleeping beauty

Who needs a fairy tale? Kohl's clearance sale. That's it. Lovely Hannah Montana nightgown complete with deluxe sleeping mask. When I took the picture she woke up...she didn't even need a kiss from a handsome prince.

Saturday in the Bay

We went to Moraga to St. Mary's College for Kyle's final summer basketball tournament. We had a great time and Kyle played great. On Saturday we went up early to do some exploring in San Fran and found a great spot to visit. We hope to return there soon when we will have more time to walk up and down the beach.



This was called Ft. Point. It is on the outermost portion of the San Fran Bay and is directly across from Alcatraz. You can walk around the fort and climb to the top. But the most interesting part is that it is at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was very cool to see and look around. I got sort of creeped out when I actually realized I was under the bridge and could hear the cars over me. I have this fear of being under things. When I would waterski I always hated for my feet to be under the boat. I won't reach under the car for anything -you get the picture. So long story short I fled from under the GGB...we then drove across the bridge to return to Moraga. After Kyle's first game we returned to Oakland and visited the temple. We had a nice visit and it was a gorgeous day and could see across to San Francisco. Then - back to the games and home we came. It was a fun weekend!



While at the temple we were able to view some amazing sculptures that you can see on this website. They were all amazing - but the one that jerked my tears from my eyes was entitled "Free to Choose". The sister missionary asked each one of us which part of the sculpture stood out to us. We all had different choices - Matt's left me glad to be his mom. He said the top one of the little boy. When he was asked why, his response was that this little boy reminds me of me - if I saw the Savior I would put my arms out like this and run to him." The sister missionary looked at Matt and said, "that is my favorite answer".

"Free to Choose" by Angela Johnson

The picture you have all been waiting for...

Just kidding. Grace had a great time a cheer camp. We went the last day when they performed their cheers and did a little dance routine. I had this captured on video on my camera when my camera no longer had any memory. I quickly started to delete old photos and got carried away and deleted all of them. Argh!!! I had one left that I took after the show. This was her favorite cheerleader "Mia".

He feels better and sounds great!

Joey said he feels so much better and is working hard. He sounds like his old happy self and that is a relief!!! This is a picture of him and his new cooking methods - worries me a bit -but he is quite smart!!!

Everyone needs to sit down for this one. Gracie is having an exciting week. She is going to - ok, brace yourself - cheerleading camp. I know, I know. It is scary. But she had a great time and is excited for another day of fun, pyramids, jumps and kicks. Ok, enough, I gotta go. Got to find a volleyball or basketball to offset this week of fun...

February is the month of LOVE. Now February will be a month for a baby!

Congratulations Nathan and Liesel...we can't wait! What a great year!!!

Basketball heaven.....

If there is such a place, my boys are there now. Kyle is playing in the Adidas Super 64 tournament in Las Vegas with a team from Vegas. He is having a good time, learning so much, playing with some REAL players. Andy said Kyle had a "poster" moment earlier today - only he was the one getting dunked on. A whole different level. But, Andy said he was holding his own and playing pretty well.

Andy and Matt were sitting in the big gym today sandwiched between Duke staff in front of them and North Carolina behind them. When he was talking on the phone it was Jay Wright from Villanova walking in with them. Ben Holland from UCLA, knew he knew Andy from somewhere - so they reconnected. Once they got the conversation going, he remembered Andy from Snowflake - then Columbia when he recruited Derrick Stewart - he asked Andy if Monterey was different than Snowflake - I wonder what he said. I know I am name dropping, but it is so fun for Kyle and Matt to see these coaches - they are more than ROCK stars in our house!

Matt got someone's autograph - I forgot who - some NBA player - oh I remember - Tim Hardaway. He isn't as bold as Nathan and Kyle were when they were youngins on the LV trips. Remember when Nate and Kyle got names like Mike K., Roy Williams etc? Oh well. The boys are in basketball heaven and Kyle is playing with the big boys and really learning how to block out and having a great time.

I knew it had to happen sometime...

Joey reported to me today in his weekly email that he had been sick. He couldn't get out of bed and had a fever over 102. He wasn't able to keep anything down - or in. He got some medicine and had interesting things tested. Apparently the fruit in his area is questionable - well if you know the answer to the question - tell the elders to not eat the fruit!!! He said he felt better today - I sure hope so.