First Day of School

Zachary's school day started at 5AM on Monday with a smile--got to get up early to catch that school bus. He is enjoying himself at Cashman (thus far) and he's been really good and enthusiastic about attending a magnet school which focuses on science and math. He enjoys his classes and can't wait until his locker is ready for him to start using it in a couple of weeks. Now if the buses could just get him home when they say they will.


Nicholas and Mackenzie on their first day of school back at Elizondo. Nicholas is going into 4th grade and making the move back to track 5 which means some new and familiar faces in his class.


Mackenzie gets a hug from Mrs. Messerli, her new Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Messerli was Nicholas' Kindergarten teacher when we moved her to Las Vegas. Has it really been 5 years?? We wish the kids all the best this school year! Make us proud!

Wedding in Tucson

We were able to drive down to Tucson to spend time with my brother, David, and his wife Leticia and attend Leticia's son's, Harry's wedding. Here is Harry with is lovely bride, Jenseng.

Renaye with her Great Uncle Aaron.

My sister-in-law Leticia is in front of Kristin. Here's a shot of all the women, mostly aunts having a good time.

And here's a shot with all the uncles and cousins hamming it up. My brother, Bishop Dave, is fourth from the left, just over Zac's left shoulder.

Zachary's 5th Grade Commencement

Congratulations to Zachary on his all "A's" performance this past semester at Elizondo Elementary School. Ms. Shevokas was a huge help in his education. We are so proud of Zac and hope that he will continue his success in 6th grade year at Cashman Magnet Middle School, even if it does mean that he has to get up to catch the bus at 6AM.


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Not to be outdone, congratulations to Nicholas for making it on to A-B Honor Roll (all A's and one B) and perfect attendance. Way to go, Nic!

Flash Back Friday - Taking to the Sky

Seeing those pictures of Mackenzie in her cast reminded me of Zachary's green cast from two years ago. Here he is seen sporting a well-signed cast and some cool headphones. Nearly all of these pictures are ones he took.

In August of 2006 Zachary and I went up for an introductory flight. Here we are about to preflight the Cessna 172 for our trip. Not shown is the certified flight instructor from Greece.

I have to tell you that this was a GREAT experience. And yes, I am flying the airplane. And no, it's not a flight simulator, though all those hours flying on the computer really helps. The flight instructor was really impressed that this was my first flight. Truth be told it was probably my 20th or so, but it was the first time that I was in the left seat (you can fly from the passenger side too). Oh and that's Nellis AFB off to my left.

Here we are heading east of KVGT (North Las Vegas Air Terminal) and just north or KLAS (McCarran Internaitional). The view of The Strip includes the Wynn with it's green golf course.

And here's our "destination", Hoover Dam on Lake Mead. We made a circle then headed back to KVGT. We (or I should say, I) landed the plane with a little bounce but otherwise all was well. It was a great time in the sky and I have to thank my wonderful wife, Kristin for it.

Oh, and here's the proof that I've been flying for years. This photo was taken around 1983 at Ramona Airport in California. From left to right: my dad, Dick; my little brother, Jess; my mother, Kathy; me, and my dad's mother, Grandma Judy. The Piper Archer II was one of the planes my dad flew a lot while in living in Southern California.

Matching Outfits

Mackenzie finally got her cast on Wednesday,

coincidently the same time that Ashley got her full bodycast.

(Pre) Olympic Basketball in Las Vegas

Team USA paid a visit to Las Vegas last Friday night for their last scheduled game in America before the Olympics in Beijing. To say they beat Canada's Olympic team is an understatement. The 120-65 final does not reflect the truly poor level of play that garnished most of Team USA's perfomance that night. Had they been firing on all cylinders the score could have easily been 160-50.

As for the show, it was cool to have more than the stock four standard-definition cameras we are accustomed to using for sports in Vegas. In fact, there were 8 high-definition manned cameras. (Now before you think that's a lot, during the 2007 NBA All-Star game I was #24 of thirty-something.) For this game, however, I ran the low slash camera (#7) which is used mainly for replays--which translates into more fun, ESPN highlight footage. In fact the game was aired nationally on ESPN and globally to dozens of countries. It's a fun camera to run since it shows the court at a 45 degree angle and is very close to the action. The only real problems were that the camera may not have been high enough in the stands to see over the tops of players, and that the camera was on the wooden extension of the bleachers and not concrete. Thus any foot traffic (and there was a lot) caused the lens to shake. I was thankful for the Thomas & Mack security/ushers for trying to keep the area clear.

That's Not Dancing

Here's our first attempt at video with our new fancy Canon SD1000 camera. Obviously, Mackenzie has a different idea of what dancing is. No Ashleys were seriously hurt in the making of this video.

Bad Day #2 - No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Our beloved Mackenzie after her great fall.

Both bones are broken in her left forearm.

Sunday morning, 24 hours before her accident.

Last night at around 7:30PM Kristin took her to Urgent Care only to be told after x-rays that she would need to go to the pediatric ER at UMC. That's a serious break.

Mackenzie's been a real trooper. Her first question was, "Am I going to die?" After she was assured that she wouldn't the next question was, "Are they going to give me a shot?" After nearly 4 hours, several x-rays and one mild sedative they were able to set her bones with a POP!

This morning I was looking over the medicines she was adminstered in the ER. When I asked her how she was feeling, all she could rave about was the banana flavored popsicles she got in the ER. They even gave her two. Gotta love that morphine ;-) (UPDATE: Now she just told me that when she was in the hospital and looked at Mom, she saw two noses, three eyebrows and four eyes. Yikes.)

Wednesday morning she has an appointment with the pediatric orthopedic doctor to get it cast. So I guess it's goodbye to swimming lessons and a break from piano lessons.

We love her and pray for a full and fast recovery.

The pictures below are not for the squimish, but are still pretty impressive.

Swim Meet

Zac on the starting block
Nic on the starting block

Nic and Zac had their second and final swim meet this past Saturday. They each competed in the Butterfly, Breast Stroke, Freestyle and Individual Medley. They both did very well during the swim meet. They have been swimming every weekday since June on the swim team. Some days they are very tired from being in school all day, but they still go to swim team. Good job boys!

Bad Day!

I came out of Wal-mart with all four children in tow and this is what I found! I usually drive our Honda Odyssey van, but Thursday I discovered the air conditioning has gone out on the van. Aaron worked on Friday so he was kind enough to trade cars with me so I could drive the kids around with air conditioning. This is how I repaid his kindness. Luckily the driver of the car that hit mine stuck around and she might actually have valid insurance. We'll see...

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary, Kristin! Thirteen years have been good to us. I love and appreciate all you do for me and the kids. You're the best.

Poway High School: 20 Years Later

Shawn McCain and Aaron.

Shawn is one of my best friends since 6th grade. We both played the drums in band, all through our senior year. That's six years, people! He is still in the music biz, recently starting a new band. He and his wife, Kay have two kids and live in Murrieta, CA.

Aaron, Heather McCleod and Brant Bender.

Brant and I hung out in Drama classes our junior and senior years. He is the funniest, goofiest, most talented wedding photographer I know. Check out his awesome work at PhoenixPhotography.

Anyway, Brant and I were in our school's airband competition. Don't laugh. Remember this was 1988, and airbands were HUGE. He was George Michael and I was his bass player. Want to see what all the fuss was about? Click here.

That led to us recruiting Heather for the "Hot Chick". She is one of the coolest, funniest, hot-chick-goofballs I know. We went to the Morp dance our freshman year and she's always been fun to be around.

Kristin McCarthy and Aaron.

Kristin was another drama buddy. I think we were in more plays together than anyone I know. Kristin's house was THE place for Wrap Parties. She actually reminded me that I took out their cast-iron gate around their driveway. Shhessh, after 20 years you can't give a guy a break? After finishing USC's law school, she joined the Navy's JAG. She's a Lt. Commander and a lawyer! So she can kick your butt and send you to jail.

Speaking of butts, I am still waiting to see that picture.

Amy Blackburn, Steve Scates, Inna Scates and Aaron.

I've known Amy since middle school and though she moved from Poway her senior year and technically didn't gradute a Titan we still consider her an alumna. I almost fell over when she told me that she is Assistant Chief Pilot at AirNet flying Learjet 35's all around the country. I'm so jealous!!! Steve moved to Poway a week after I did and we were in Mrs. Whiton's 5th grade class. He and his wife, Inna, run a company in San Diego training..... pilots. UGGGHH, more jealousy.

Aaron and Todd Sallenbach.

Yes, good old Todd. Todd moved to Poway in 10th grade. He was in Poway 1st ward. Todd is now an ER doctor in Joshua Tree, near Palms Springs. He and his wife are proud parents of a darling little girl. I still remember when Ben Shipley's mom got mad at him during early morning seminary. It was one of the funniest momemts in seminary history. Just ask anyone who was there.

That's it for now. It was a great seeing everyone and I wish everyone all the best.

Flashback Friday

Aaron graduated from high school 20 years ago. ROCK ON DUDE!!! This weekend he is going to his reunion in Poway, California. The best part is that the reunion kicks off on Saturday night with a casino themed party, isn't it ironic?!

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament

Aaron's glamorous camera operator job has taken him to new heights, The 3rd Annual Bud Light Rock, Paper Scissors Tournament. Yes there is big money in this crazy game of chance, the winner receives $50,000 and a trip to the Beijing Olympics. This tournament will air on The Best Damn Sports Show Period on Fox Sports Network October 6 so watch for Aaron's work.

Flashback Friday

OK before you think something rude, no these are not pictures of Aaron and I from the 80's. But do you remember these disgusting cards??? Sadly for me some of you reading this may be too young to remember. I remember having these and collecting and trading these with friends. The kids got a package today from their Uncle Jess and inside were some really great books and these cards (actually an even bigger stack than what is pictured here). Let's have a moment of silence for all things 80's including Garbage Pail Kids...

Swim Team

Zac finishing first in his group

Nic still smiling even after LOTS of laps.

The boys have really been enjoying swim team, well at least these first two weeks. I should take a poll in another month when they are still being forced by their mean mom to swim five days a week. It is certainly the best $40 I have spent. They will have the chance to swim in two meets this summer. I sure hope the swim coach teaches them how to dive soon...

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to our Dads! We love you all so very much and wish you lived closer, good thing you are only a phone call away. How funny that all of them are pictured with Zachary?! Grandpas and dads sure love their boys. Thank you to our dads for many years of unconditional love and support.

Flashback Friday

This is me in Savannah, Georgia in 1996. We had a great visit for my nephew Tomas' baby blessing. Love, love, love the South. If you are ever in Savannah you must eat at Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House. They have the best grits, macaroni & cheese, and fried chicken and the funnest part is that they seat you with other people at big tables and serve the food family style. I will have to go workout now after just thinking about the yummy food!

Mojave High School Graduation

This morning we attended the graduation ceremony for the 2008 class of Mojave High School. Pictured with us is our neighbor, friend and sometimes babysitter Alex with his little sister Teresa. Alex did a great job at Mojave and graduated 10th in his class. Way to go Alex! The best (or worst) part of the ceremony was when the Senior Class Senator forgot the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. I am not sure if that reflects on a Clark County education or national patriotism???

Swim Party

Before...


And after...


The ward swim party was super fun! Benjamin Ferre really enjoyed himself, even though his bottom lip was quivering. A big thank you to the Kelly Family for hosting the party and to Cortni and her Activities Committee for the great idea and yummy food.

Soccer season over

Nicholas during his final soccer game


Mackenzie waiting for her final game to start

What a busy, crazy day! It started with Zac and Nic going to swim team tryouts then we raced over to the soccer fields for Nic's last game of the season. Right after Nic finished his game Mackenzie had her last soccer game and Zachary had a tennis lesson. Then it was off to two pool parties at the same time for two different kids. Who says Pioneer life was harder??!!

Flashback Friday

This is proof that I was skinny once upon a time. I also apparently invented the mullet. This picture was taken about 1980 (yes ladies I am that old so you can close your gaping mouths now). Billy Ray Cyrus wasn't rockin' a mullet until the early 90's so I am definitely a trend setter. Look closely and you can see my sweet Jackie O type glasses. Thank goodness for contacts when I was a teenager and then LASIK a few years ago.

Piano prodigy

The top picture shows Ashley preparing to start playing Moonlight Sonata. The second picture shows her really getting into the piece. All the proud mommys were showing their children's piano recital videos and photos, so Ashley asked me to post these for her. I am going to contact the Van Cliburn Foundation to see what the age requirements are for this year's competition. Uh-oh they might not want her if they see the poopy pants post!

Special surprise for mommy

I left the house at 5:50 am to go workout at Fitness 19. When I got home at 7 am I heard Ashley in her room. She wasn't crying just kind of talking to herself like little babies do. I slowly opened the door because most times she is asleep right behind the door. Not today! She was standing up behind the door and had created this masterpiece for me on the floor. My little Ashley is such an artist, I just wish she would find another medium!

Kiddie Kollege Graduation

This past Friday Mackenzie and her good friends Emalani, Makayla, and Aria graduated from Miss Sherie's class at Kiddie Kollege (preschool). Emalani and Makayla were with Mackenzie in Miss Amy's preschool class when they were four years old. Miss Sherie said this is the first time she has had a child reading when they were done with her class. Thanks so much to Miss Amy and Miss Sherie for being such great teachers and loving our Mackenzie just like we do!