Lessons in patience!

Have you built a model in a while?  Yes, complete with kits, instructions, glue, paint, etc.  And yes, with drying time and continuous steps as if it will take forever...

Sean is building a WWII Sptifire War Plan and Amber a Red Ferrarri!

Seany boy and Amber are learning this fundamental life lesson.  In the day of instant gratification, we are excercising craftmenship, patience, and working together in a vision.  I do this all the time, on minor and grand scales and it is a delight to see how they view the details, one step at a time...

So cool to spend these precious little slots of life together. 

Go Celtics!

Amber has shown promise in basketball.  She loves the sport, has a deadly shot, and her passion for team sports is growing.

Last summer, the St. Patrick School coach asked Jenn and I if we would allow Amber to play on the 7th grade basketball team.  Amber is currently in 5th grade.  After some counseling with the coach, we gave the decision our blessing.  Since then, there is no dissapointment in the decision.

Amber is the second 5th grader in recent St. Pats history to be moved up.  Coach belives she shows promise and dedication and wanted to extend greater growth and opportunity.  So far, it has been a delight to watch our 10 year old (now 11 since Jan.) wake early (545a), pack her food and clothing for the day, and hit the gym for drills and learning.  She is holding her own on the court and learning constantly.  We did not know how competetive local girls basketball is!

Amber getting her shot off!  She has her trade mark jaw drop!

Amber driving to set up.  Coach Burt sitting to Amber's right and assistanct Coach Horace Grant at her left!  Trust many of you know who Horace is...

So Grateful for the coaching staff and the supportive young ladies on the team.  Moving forward in this journey of faith and adventure that the Lord provides.  Praise God for this adventure!

Go Amber - mom and dad love you and support you!

Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach

This place did not disappoint.  Very kid friendly, less than half the price of admission to Monterey Bay, and you could touch many marine animals including sharks!

Beautiful December day and this old tug boat community sure has cleaned up...

The harbor has changed alot over the years - beautiful December day!

Lots of little sharks and rays to pet.  They came to you like little cats for a quick scratch...  Very cool.

Our resident marine biologist and family shark expert.  The little man named nearly all the ten sharks in this tank precisely.  So really cool.  Sawfish in the background.  Have you ever heard of a zebra shark?  There were a bunch!

You need to make a plan to go there!

Reagan Library

The family visited the Reagan Library on a recent trip.  It was awesome.  Much of the library had some amazing exhibits and jarred back a lot of memories as a child with President Reagan.

Like all leaders and people, he had flaws, but my memories of him we're very favorable.  I adored this man back in the day...

Much to visit here, I highly recommend it...

Signs of freedom - this is a section of the Berlin wall.  Freedom and democracy was his mission.

Airforce One - we toured this area in and out.  It was an amazing piece of equipment and you could see the timelines and history of his travels for expanding his mission.

The family in front of vintage 80's Kawazaki motorcycle - my dad rode the exact model during his time in LAPD motors!

Great trip - Praise God for the experience.