Jake wins Election at Patterson!

Jake was the only 5th grader elected to student council at Patterson Elementary. He is the new historian and has taken his job seriously- his camera goes with him everywhere. This week he is working security at the book fair- it is a good week to be Jake! He was invited to be part of the conservatory at Childsplay in Tempe so he is spending his Saturdays is Tempe studying the art of acting. Yesterday the learned how to "fight" on stage- this should be a handy skill! He is also playing the saxophone at school and getting ready for his first concert.

Nick Scores BIG!

Nick is off to a GREAT football season. He has really taken to the sport and has become a key player on his team. He scored today- of coarse the the video camera had just run out of tape- but we have a witness! He is really into sports- playing football now- then wants to go to soccer, baseball, and then back to swimming. He is also going to train with Caitlin and I for the triathlon season.
He loves school and was extremely happy when two little boys moved in next door last week.

New School Year!

We are all off and running- 4 kids and three schools, but whose counting?

Christopher is starting Pre-K- it is so hard to accept the fact my baby will be in Kindergarten next year. He is at Riggs and the highlight of his day is his trip on the bus. He is also still very involved at the LIFE center where he participates in all sorts of activities.
Nick is in the CATS program at Riggs and is loving his new teacher. He has had a great start. He is also playing football with POP Warner with John as his coach. Nick is the running back this year. He ended his swimming season by participating in the state meet at Kino. He had a great swim season.
Jake is at Patterson with me and has the greatest 5th grade teacher anyone could hope for this year. Soon he will begin a program with Childsplay in Tempe and he started to play the sax at school. He is also part of the news team and will soon begin the Running Club with me.
Caitlin has become the poster child for all things related to Hamilton Prep Academy. She is involved in the Math Club, Spanish Club, and the Yearbook Team. She has a very rigerous academic load including Honors Geometry. Synchro get started next week and she is excited for the new swimmers that are coming over the AAS team- they are going to have a GREAT year.
I am busy training for a triathalon in October, teaching 6th grade, and running kids all over Arizona. John is keeping one step ahead in this crazy real estate market and coaching football.

Last Week of Summer!

Summer has flown by so quickly! This is the last week and we are going to be BUSY!
Tuesday: Wavepool
Wedesday: Science Center
Thursday: IMAX
Friday: Summer Movies
Saturday: Tucson to see Caitlin swim at US Opens

Add is swim team and dive team for the boys, sycnhro for Caitlin, and Christopher's various activities and it is going to be packed!

Jake is off to 5th grade at Patterson and he is thrilled to be going to school with me this year. He is looking forward to Student Council, News Team, and Running Club!
Christopher is back at Riggs this fall and Nick will be joining him- two kids in one school- YEAH! Nick is finishing up his swim and dive season with Seville Country Club and then will be back into football! Christopher is going to play basketball- his favorite!
Caitlin was selected as one of Chandler's 70 students to be attending CUSD academy at Hamilton. She is taking 10th grade math- I am already looking for a tutor- that math is WAY beyond me! She is off sychro for most of August and wants to run Cross Country for school. Always busy that one!
I am training for an upcoming triathalon in October and head back to teaching 6th grade next week. The summer went fast, but I am looking forward to seeing all my Patterson friends- we have lots of fun!

Jake Rocks in Camp Rock!

Jake participated in Queen Creek Performing Arts "Camp Rock" this last week. He had a great time and learned a lot about performing. He loved it and is looking forward to his upcoming audition for "Willy Wonka" in August. Pictures will be up soon!!!!

AAS CAPTURES NEW NATIONAL TITLES IN FLORIDA

Caitlin and the Arizona Aqua Stars have reached new levels! All routines placed in the top 10 at US Nationals and have secured themselves as one of the nations top 3 teams!

Although Caitlin is only 12 she swims the 13-15 age group and she was incredible! She was #8 in Trio and her team was 4th- they were just .08 behind the third place team! They are the youngest team in the age group so we know the best is yet to come for these girls! Caitlin's fellow teammates were #1 and #5 in duet and #3 in solo. Our younger 11-12 girls also all secured top 5 swims! The future is bright is for AAS!

The AAS coaches are incredible and Jill has been named a coach for the national team!!!

Christopher's First Year in Soccer

Christopher had a great time playing soccer for the first time this year. Four year old soccer provides a great deal of comic relief. He had fun and LOVES his trophy. This season he had 2 goals! He is such an athlete- loves them all. Next stop is basketball!

Regional and State Champions 2009 - AAS!!!!

Another crazy week!

Caitlin and the Arizona Aqua Stars rocked regionals- they had a repeat- capturing all the regional team titles after winning all state team titles last month. Caitlin did great- trio was second and figures were 13th. Pretty impressive since she is 12 and swims against 15 year old girls. Now we are off to Florida this June. The team placed 2nd at West Zones just behind Walnut Creek so the girls are on a mission- medaling at US Nationals. Last year they were 4th so we know it is within their reach!

April 2009

I know- I despretly need to upload some new pictures. Life is just too BUSY! We have all been sick the past two weeks, but life does not stop so we are all in catch up mode!
Christopher turned 4 on April 15th. It was a great day- even Cousin Lauren was here from California. It rained on out park party so we had to move things inside, but a fun time was had by all.
Jake is working hard on his Boy Scout badges and in school on his Carly Hayden report. Nick is in the school play and loving the fact it is swimming season again. All three boys swim at every possible moment. They can't wait for swim team this season!
Caitlin had another great meet. Even though she got that awful flue the day of the meet she still pulled off two first place swims with ther team and trio. She was a trooper. She was REALLY sick, but jumped in that pool and did what she needed to do. Next stop regionals- and then off to Florida for nationals. Her team, the Arizona Aqua Stars, dominated the meet. Watch out California- the Aqua Stars are on the map!

Spring 2009

Wow! We are busy! Christopher is playing 3 year old soccer, Jake is in Boy Scouts, Nick has taken off at school, and Caitlin swims!
Christopher is the happiest 3 year old in town. He is playing on a soccer team and goes to a basketball clinic. He LOVES sports! It is hard to believe he will be 4 in two weeks!
Jake and Nick are loving the spring weather- great for skateboarding and riding bikes. We all enjoy our weekend bike rides and time at the park.
Caitlin had a great swim at US West Zones- capturing 4th with her trio and second with her team. We are all very excited since she just turned 12 and competed against 15 year old girls. The team routine is great and fun to watch! Mimi, Papa, Auntie Kathie, and Lauren were all there to see them swim in Sacramento. They made a great cheering section!
I am busy teaching 6th grade. It is a long day, but I love my class and the people I work with- we have too much fun some days.
John is working with a mortgage company and with his team at Keller Williams. He is busy with Chritopher too!

Jake did a great job at Pinewood Derby. He was 4th in his pack and very excited about how well his car did.
The family enjoyed a great trip to Disney for Spring Break. It was a quick trip, but well worth it. The kids had a great time at the park and lasted for 13 hours! Christopher loved the Dumbo ride but did not like Pirates. Jake is the thrill seeker so he joined join on California Screamin'. Nick was excited that he met the eight requirement for all the big rides. Caitlin loved it all.