Goodbye Endeavor!

When I was five or six years old, I remember making a list of things I wanted to be when I grew up.

#1 - First female astronaut
#2 - Professional soccer player
#3 - I forget but it was something just as lofty

Sally Ride burst my bubble on the first one. She was the first woman astronaut in 1983 when I was 9 years old. As for the second one, I didn't even play soccer in college.

Today was the last day the space shuttle took the flight. My co-worker's husband called us just in time for us to run out and see it as it passed by (my work isn't too far from Moffet Field). As I watched it fly overhead, I felt the urge to wave with excitement as if I were a little kid.

All of the kids were lucky enough to see it pass by their school. A friend of mine was able to capture the kids on the playground.

When I asked her to send me a copy of the video, her only comment was, "the kids' reaction was magical." After the kids returned to their classrooms, Lucas's teacher had a PowerPoint on the space program. At one point, she turned around to find Lucas crying. When she asked him what was wrong, he answered, "I am just sad that the space shuttle  is over." She attempted to comfort him and returned to teaching the lesson. Within a few minutes, 10 kids were crying in her class about the end of the space program.

I completely understand Lucas's feelings. I too teared up when I watched the video and the kids running after it to make sure the could keep it in sight for as long as possible. Farewell Endeavor!

A Deacon in the House

Twelve years old is a big age in our church. That is the age the boys are given the Aaronic Priesthood. The first office in the priesthood is to become a deacon. In order to become a deacon, each boy must be worthy and be interviewed by his bishop. Then a worthy priesthood holder (in this case Jeff) along with other brethren (including Bobpa) confers the priesthood upon him.

Jared is very excited to have the priesthood because he is able to attend classes during church with other "Young Men." He had grown very tired of being with the Primary age kids (8-11 year olds). It was fun to see him hanging out in the gym after church with the other young men. It made me realize how old he is now that he is with the 12-18 year old boys.

Three generations of priesthood holders (the resemblance is hard to miss).

Jared turns 12!

How did this happen? I couldn't possibly be old enough to have a twelve-year-old son. Yesterday I was remembering going to the hospital twelve years ago. The doctor had promised me that he would be born on the 14th and that he was going to be around 8.5 pounds. He was born well after midnight and tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 5 ounces - not to mention a huge cranium (that I blame on Jeff)!

My wonderfully talented, incredibly smart Jared has continued to bring me joy and challenge me every day since he was born.

Jared reading his card from Grandpa. The card talked about what a great grandson he is.

Grandpa gave Jared a comb/brush that folds in half. Jared had seen Grandpa use one and had been asking for one. Josh and Kerry gave him a new soccer ball.

Nonni and Bobpa gave him a long board skateboard (his soccer coach will be so excited!)

This was the second of three desserts that Jared requested (vanilla cake for book club and brownies for the soccer team). Red velvet is his favorite and with all of the baking, I had forgotten to buy candles (hence the 3 x 4 = 12). 

He is an incredibly lucky kid to have an extended family that loves him so much and which attends almost every one of his events. 

First Day of School

It is here, the first day of school. They were so excited.

Claire is in Kindergarten.

Lucas is in first grade.

Leah is in third grade.

Jared started middle school this year. I tried to be a good mom and didn't walk in with my camera.

Jared Stars in Alice in Wonderland

Our little thespian hit the stage again in his school's production of Alice in Wonderland. He plays the caterpillar that helps Little Alice when she is feeling sad about not fitting into Wonderland. By turning into a butterfly and singing "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" he helps her get in touch with her inner fabulocity. Here is Jared's main scene.
The fifth grade boys posing after the final show.

Nonni (Jeff's mom) was the musical director again. Jared loves having her there!

Grandma and Grandpa kept coming back for more! It is great to have so many fans!

Opening Day for Jared

Jared is on the AAA Reds this year. It looks like it going to be a great year. For Christmas we got Jared batting and hitting lessons. It is amazing how much a little instruction helps.

He played great. He looks like he will be a real leader to his team this year.

Lucas's First T-ball Game

Lucas has been asking to play baseball for the last year. He can't wait to play like his big brother. Opening Day finally came. He was lucky enough to get to play on the Giants this year. For the first game, the manager brought eye black - much needed for all T-ballers.

Jeff is one of the coaches.

Lucas and Jared on Opening Day. It is hard to believe that Lucas will be as big as Jared some day.

Lucas loved every moment of it.

Surprisingly, Lucas was one of the most focused kids out there (which for those of you that know Lucas, this is a amazing!)

He grounded the ball a bunch of times and made great contact with the ball. Most of all, he had a great time.

Leah's Baptism

Here is Jeff's letter inviting our friends and family to Leah's baptism along with the pictures from the day...
  

Hi family and friends, 

It's hard to believe, but our beautiful little brunette Leah is turning 8 years old on February 28th! As such, she's old enough to be baptized and confirmed as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The ordinance will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th. 

Like her brother Jared before her, Leah is very excited to be baptized. And as I did for him, I'd like to take a minute to brag about what a great person she is... Since she was a little girl, countless numbers of complete strangers have gone out of their way to comment on her gorgeous brown eyes and curls (see picture below); I'm already dreading the attention she'll get in a few years when the boys start noticing. She has a remarkable work ethic - she's always asking what she can do to help around the house, and she completes tasks with an attention to detail far beyond her years. Combine this trait with her love of learning and you have an exceptional student who eagerly does her homework without being asked, and then will often ask for extra schoolwork to do. Like Jared, she loves to read, and she followed his example by setting a goal to read the Book of Mormon (531 pages!) on her own before she turned 8... She finished just a couple of weeks ago. :)

Above all, my favorite thing about Leah is her wonderful ability to make people feel loved. She is always ready with a smile, a hug and kiss, and a sincere "I love you Daddy" that just make the cares of the world melt away - and I see her do the same for others all the time. In that way, she expresses her love for Jesus in the best way possible: by helping others to feel His unconditional love also.

Did I mention that she LOVES to eat vegetables, and in fact we have yet to find a food that she doesn't like? Flaws, you ask? Well, if I'm nitpicking, I suppose she can be just a bit bossy... OK, to be honest, that's actually like saying that Michael Jordan is "just a bit" bald - but we're going to keep her anyway. She's just preparing for her inevitable future role as the ruler of the free world. Hey, anyone who has spent even a little bit of time around Leah definitely wouldn't put it past her. :)

For those of you receiving this email who live long distances away, we understand that you likely won't be able to join us for the baptism, but please know that we miss you and would love to see you if the opportunity arises to take a trip out here. We have six in our house already but there's always room for guests! For the many of you who are not of our faith, we hope you'll feel welcome and comfortable in celebrating this special occasion with us - we'd truly love for you to attend if you're able to do so. 

Love to all!
Jeff, Carli, Jared, Leah, Lucas & Claire

It was a great day. Bobpa and Nonni gave the talks on Baptism and The Gift of the Holy Ghost. Jeff and Jared sang Leah's favorite song, "A Child's Prayer."

Happy Hollow for Winter Break

I decided to take the kids to Happy Hollow since I had President's Day off. On our way, Jared asked if we could bring Marcus and Kylie (their cousins).

Here is the gang.

Lucas can't ride in the back of the car without getting sick but he seems to do fine on the rides.

Marcus, Jared and Leah were the only ones up for the roller coaster.

Another picture of Leah and Marcus looking like siblings!

Our little fearless Claire in action.

Talent Show

Jared's class was in the Talent Show at school. He continues to amaze us with his moves. He is always ready to play to the crowd.

Jared's Final Pinewood Derby

We were all set this year. Jared and Jeff built the car in plenty of time. The paint was dry and it was the perfect weight. "Captain Zoom" was ready to take to the track.

Jeff and Jared lubing up the wheels.

Three cars race at a time. Jared is ready to beat his friends (though it is not at all about winning;)

Jared's car is the orange one that is way out in front.

He ending up having the fastest time in his den and was second place in the pack! Jeff is glad to be done for another 5 years!

One of the boys had a car that broke down on the track and was unable to race. He was in one of the younger dens and it caused a lot of tears. On his own, Jared rounded up his friends and had them vote for this boy's car as the "Best in Show". It was the best part of the day. It is moments like this that you think that your kids might actually be okay in life!

Oakland Zoo for the MLK Holiday

We went with some of our friends to the Oakland Zoo for MLK Day. Jared (with his gangsta glasses and backward hat), Makenzie, Adam, Leah and Jamie.

Claire and Lucas had fun playing on the animal statues.

Claire, Jared & Lucas hiding in a shell.

Jared's favorite animal as a baby was the elephant. It continues to be a family favorite.

Perhaps my favorite animal of the day. The alligator was sitting up right against the glass. Apparently they can sit in one place for hours at a time. He had us fooled - we thought he was dead but when we went back he had moved. It is crazy to be so close to those teeth!

More Baseball

Jared ended up playing catcher quite a bit this season, and he really loves it. He pitched as well but let his emotions get away from him at times.


I love that little face!

Look at the the concentration in those eyes!

A little talking-to from dad when emotions ran a little too high.