A North Carolina Victory!

Today was Mark's first football game of this season. He had a rough start to his day when we could only find one of this blue socks. I finally rationalized that he'd used the same pair of socks for 5 seasons (2 baseball, 2 soccer, and 1 football) so buying him a new pair of socks was not the end of the world. That came half an hour later when one of the pads from inside his helmet came up missing. We never did find it, we have a feeling that it sprouted legs and walked off. It would have been really hard for it to fall out. Thankfully, one of the dads got his younger kids helmet and let Mark use the pad from it.

This season Mark is playing safety which in a league that is primarily running that's a good position for him. However, it was nice to see him watching for the ball and moving toward the guy with the ball. He even got in on a tackle! And even better he was grabbing at the ball, he didn't get it but he's at least getting into the play.

The only touchdown scored in the game was a run by quarterback. He did a really nice job. As did Mark's classmate, Caleb who played some tough defense and had two really good runs on offense. All the kids that played defense today did a good job and where hitting.

The final score was 7-0. We ended the game with an interception to stop the Wildcats' drive. The interception made by out quarterback who was moved to safety. He's a very good athlete, and coach wanted to win! So Mark was sitting on the sideline chatting it up with one of his teammates. But hey they won!

Who's Looking at Me?

Tim roller bladed over to my office earlier this week, don't remember why but we had some fun. Joe thought we were weird. Then again, we are!

Tim is in his third week of college. He seems to be doing well. He's getting along with his roommates Bruce and Kyle. He's working in the laptop office, he hasn't said much about work. His boss resigned last week so much transitions happening. His boss, Chad was the original staff person for the laptop office so they've never not had a boss. Hopefully, they can find someone who will be a good fit for the office.

A week from Saturday is the Western Days Parade and Band Review. I'm helping out with the band review. Can't tell Ed no! I'll be helping out with the judges. I'll also be helping out at the church at the Wesleyan Watering Hole. Hopefully, it will another good event. And with a little luck Riverside King will not win sweepstakes!

It's OK, Nobody Reads this!

Tonight I went to the APU Football game. It was a very good game, and they won! Which is their first win, but they've played some tough teams.
Of course I went to see and hear Tim in the "Black Out Band." Ken let me borrow his Nikon D70. I was happy with most of my pictures tonight. They just weren't as good as I've gotten in the past. But here's an OK one of my friend, Anthony from Campus Safety. He's a good guy and said he didn't want to see his picture on the Internet! Well, even though it's on the internet, little worry about it being seen by a lot of people.

Tonight APU took time to honor, Bryan Clay, the 2008 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist. Both the mayors from Glendora and Azusa were there to honor Bryan and his family. Jon did a great job of emceeing the event. Bryan spent the entire second half signing autographs for the kids. He seems like a great guy. I didn't get any better pictures than this, didn't want to get in the way of the "real" photographers.

Before the game caught this picture of my boss's, boss's, boss's, boss, John Reynolds.

Another couple of great gals that I have the priviledge of working with. Bonnie, also from Campus Safety and Holly from Nursing. I keep joking about all the Holly's on campus getting together for lunch. I think I need to seriously work on that.

And, of course, gotta have a picture of my favorite member of the "Black Out Band" my kid!

Legoland California - Star Wars Weekend

This year I wanted to make a point to go to the Star Wars Weekend at Legoland. Namely, because I wanted a commemorative brick. Of course, when we stopped by there they were out. But they have "rain checks." You send them a self-addressed stamped envelope and they send you a brick! Still need to do that.

Anyway, it was a really good day. The weather was good, not too hot and it wasn't that crowded.

Mark had fun seeing the different Star Wars characters, though he never wanted to stand in line to get his picture with Darth Vader. He also got to play the Lego Star Wars game on the big screen in the theater. Which I probably would have enjoyed more if I was into video games. But Mark had fun and that's what matters.

Of course, we ate lunch at Upper Deck. I had my favorite salmon and Mark had a bacon cheeseburger. He decided that he wanted to try my salmon. Then he decided his burger tasted "funny" and wanted to eat my salmon. :(

Here's Mark with a Jedi with a English accent.

From Legoland Star Wars Weekend

No idea what this character is but kind of cool:

From Legoland Star Wars Weekend

Mark really wanted his picture with character: (The one on his left)

From Legoland Star Wars Weekend

See the rest of the pictures by clicking the link below.
http://picasaweb.google.com/hollymag/LegolandStarWarsWeekend#

I Love Dolphins!

Those who know me, know that I love dolphins. They are one of God's coolest creatures. I've told my family for my 45th birthday I want to swim with the dolphins at SeaWorld. Hopefully SeaWorld will still be around. Anyway the below clip was one of today's Urban Legends from Snopes.com a great resource to find out if that email telling you Bill Gates is giving away money is true. I enjoy watching dolphins play and this is just fun to watch.

Believe it or not - He's 18!

Well, yesterday at 7:20 in the morning Tim officially turned 18 years of age! It's hard to believe. I'm far to young to have a son 18 years of age. It doesn't seem that long ago when he looked like this:


Or maybe this:




Of course then there was this famous picture: (should have known the hair thing was coming)



Of course he's looking real good these days, sporting the "Jesus" look:


Happy 18th Birthday Tim!!

Another Day

Yesterday was the new student orientation for our L.A. Center for the new theology students in the Korean program.

It was a nice event. They were expecting 19 new students, however, many of them were unable to attend. It was kind of weird to have someone interpreting what I said into Korean. It went alright. They seemed to enjoy it, but then again who knows what my interpreter really said!

Football Season is Here!

Friday, the 5th was the opening practice for KYL football program. Mark was excited about it until he found out that his games would conflict with the Saturday bowling league. But hopefully he'll get over it. I didn't take any pictures Friday night, but took a few on Saturday. Mark's going through the phase where he doesn't want me to take his picture. So I have to be sneaky about it.

It was nice on Friday, I saw him catch a couple of passes. And it seems he is starting to hit better. Last year he seemed to be afraid to hit or get hit. After Saturday's practice he said his favorite part of football was tackling and being tackled. And he likes to be tackled better.

The picture on the left was one of the drills he worked with them on. Mark is the blocker. He is starting to figure out how to use his legs to drive the person back. (Click on the picture for a better view)


The picture on the right was a drill where one kid was receiving the kick or punt and would be trying to run down for a touchdown. Three other kids were trying to tackle the guy with the ball. If the runner scored the 3 would have to run. Coach told Mark if he scored a touchdown everyone had to run. He ran sideways out of bounds. So they got their water break.





Mark taking a water break at the end of practice. The little brat kept turning his head when he saw the camera. Hopefully, he'll get over this soon. I enjoy taking his picture.

Both of the local teams had large turnout of kids for football, so there is a chance there will be two teams for each. If that is the case Mark should get a lot of playing time which I think will help him grow as a player.