Nothin' to Dispute This Time

There's nothing to dispute this time around. The Cougars annilated the Bruins 59-0 in Lavell Edwards Stadium and it was sweet, sweet, victory. Jason is a die-hard Cougar fan and he was happier than a kid on Christmas morning. We attended the 2007 Rose Bowl game and were razzed by our good friends for days upon losing. I lost my bet with Matt Lievre and was seen wearing a hooded UCLA sweatshirt for weeks. In December, Jason took Olivia and Chandler to Las Vegas for the bowl game and the "lucky" Cougars won because they blocked a field goal. Well, not only did our Cougs block a field goal today, they scored 42 points in the first half of the game -- 4 touchdowns by 2nd quarter. It's not luck to shut-out a team. I can't wait to see Matt's face in my alma matter colors this week at work. GO COUGARS!

Flashback Friday: Cancun, May 2006

I loved Cancun! White, sandy beaches, perfect temps for a golden tan, the party-zone (Senor Frogs), La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant, dancing at the Royal Sands (I even requested songs), the bakery where we devoured Mexican pastries nearly every morning, touring the Mayan Riviera, driving through the Yucatan and safely arriving at Chichen Itza, bike rides down the main strip, a boat ride to Isla Mujeres, swimming with dolphins, and being humbled by the many colors of poverty. I would travel back to Cancun in a heartbeat but would not rent a car again. It is true: driving in Mexico is hazardous to your health!

The Reason I Stay

This is Carolina Sierra. She graduated from high school in June after two years in the independent study program offered by CrescentView; just shy of her 22nd birthday. I was fortunate to be her teacher. I learned more from this hard-working, committed student than I think she learned from me. Bumpy roads, family hurdles, and learning disabilities impeded Carolina's journey to her diploma, but she pushed her way through and succeeded. I'm so proud of her and I miss our weekly appointments. I wish her the best of luck as she embarks on a new adventure in the National Guard.

Boys: Beyond Anybody's Understanding

"Boys are beyond the range of anybody's

sure understanding, at least when they are between

the ages of 18 months and 90 years."
--James Thurber, Humorist
(1894-1961)

Jason's older brother, Shawn. Completely airborne and completely insane.

Davis admiring Shawn's surfing skills. Check out those waves!

Jason and Davis impersonating Gene Simmons.

Rock out little ones.

Nice, Davey. Can I have just one normal picture of my baby?

A Friendship Poem

I inherited from my mom a love for twisted, not-so-serious, belly-aching cards. I can spend hours in the card section at Target or SaveMart hunting for the perfect, silly birthday wish or thigh-slappin' friendship poem. None of that sissy, mushy stuff for me. I can't help it -- it's in my genes. I dedicate this poem to all of my friends, including my sisters, Rachel and Jessica.

When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!

When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

When you are scared -- we will high tail it out of here.

When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!

When you are confused -- I will use little words.

When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

When you fall -- First, I'll take a picture and then I'll pick you up and dust you off.

This is my oath --I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' Because you are my FRIEND!

It's All Good!

Yum! Yum! Ice cream sounded so good when I picked the wee, little Parkins up from school. The mercury was rising and I could taste the cold, creamy, chocolate ice cream with crushed, peanut butter cups on my anxious lips. After speeding down Fowler Avenue and tearing into the parking lot, my tastebuds finally made it to the ice cream parlor. Chandler chose color over taste: bright, blue cotton candy with kit kats. Cookie dough batter with gummy bears was the number one pick for Davis and he was quickly initiated into the "It's Hard To Chew Frozen Gummy Bears Club." Olivia decided mini- chocolate chips with refreshing, mint ice cream would satisfy her taste buds. My flavor: Davis Leftovers. I'll enjoy my sinful, chocolate peanut butter "Gotta Have It" dessert on another steamin' hot day. What's your favorite ice cream flavor? At Coldstone, it's all good.

Labor Day

What a beautiful day! Jason went golfing with Matt Madsen and Anthony Garcia. He shot a 49 on the back 9 and had a good time socializing. I met my friend, Sarah Bagdasarian, and we biked nearly 50 miles to Humphrey Station. Absolutely beautiful! When I came home, Jason and I decided to take the kids to a new Mexican restaurant called Qdoba. It was o.k. Chipolte is tastier and not so expensive. After lunch, we drove to Humphrey Station so that I could show the kids a little bit of my ride and to enjoy the beautiful landscape. Olivia commented that her tummy turned as we drove over the rolling hills. Chandler, always the comic, said his penis tingled. We laughed so hard! I thought Jason was going to crash the van from buckling over in laughter. (Sorry, folks, had to include it.) Later we enjoyed a BBQ dinner and then for FHE took the kids to see the new 3D "Fly to the Moon "movie. It was so cool! 3D has come along way! All in all it was a perfect day to rest from our labors.