Owen's Birthday

He made out pretty well on his big day.

Owen's First Soccer Game

I signed Owen up for the little City of Phoenix soccer league up at PV Park. I didn't get roped into coaching, like we did for JoJo years ago. I wasn't sure how Owen would do in his first game. I knew he had some skills and wasn't afraid of the ball, but I didn't know if he would back off or let others take it.

Well, those thoughts went right out the window because as soon as he got the ball, he went right down and scored, like it was nothing. He ended up being the best player on the team. He bonded with another boy named Jack who lives about a mile from us. I have to admit, I was pretty proud of his initiative and a fearlessness.

It was pretty chilly out, but Bobbins enjoyed seeing Owen tear it up. Not as much as me, of course.

Brothers supporting each other.

Packing Food for the Hungry

My sister organized the adults in my family to do a food pack at Feed My Starving Children out in Mesa. Zach, Grandma Jay, and I got assigned to finalize the boxes and put on the pallet. Uncle Jack was a middleman, brining the packed supplies to us. Katie, Grandpa, and Shellie got to pack at a station. The picture at left is waiting to go into the packing room, while the one at right is after our session.

Cemetery and Havasu Stop

We took the long way home, this time south, stopping at the cemetery to see my grandparents' grave, then in Lake Havasu to see my Aunt Susan. She graciously made us a nice lunch. It was nice to see her new home, which she and Pete have renovated very nicely.

Mass with Fr. Keith

We had a nice Mass with Fr. Keith that evening.

Playing in the Tri-State Yard

I have a ton of memories as a kid playing in the lumber yard at Tri-State, so it was fun to take the older 4 (Edward stayed home to nap) there in the afternoon.

Davis Dam Hike

Grampy & Swamper took us to Davis Dam Park, which is something. Wish it had been there when I was a kid. We hiked/walked all the way up to the dam, which you can walk on. It being Bullhead, it was cold & windy, but we stopped to have a snack and snap some photos before heading home.

Houses of My Youth

Took the kids by some of the houses of my youth since it wasn't quite dinner time and Swamper wasn't expecting us until then.

 

Oatman

Bobbins needed a break from the kids, so I took a Friday off from work and headed up to Bullhead to see Grampy & Swamper. I went up 93 to Kingman, then came down via Oatman for something to do and see. I hadn't been there for ages, and it's still the same. It being a weekday, it was less crowded and there were no gunfights. The kids got a "kick" out of the burros.

Fisher on the Paw Patrol Bike

No more coaster bike for this little guy. It took him longer to master than Owen. The pedaling was tricky for him, not the balance.






We had him cruising to C Cove Park within the week.

Future Olympian?