All About Conner

Conner had a couple of fun milestones this week. He had his first day of 4th grade! I can't believe my little Conner is in the 4th grade! AND he is going to be 10 yrs old in a couple of months. Time flies!

Before he started school he had one last little summer hora with his best bud, Wyatt, and cousin, Casey. Victor made them a nice roaring fire to make smores, they watched movies, and were going to sleep on the tramp but opted the hard floor in the family room and stayed up all night! Basically, they had a wonderful time.

Wyatt, Conner, & Casey

He also had his first football game of the year. The football program starts off with a big jamboree every season and the kids get to play on the smurf turf of BSU. He gets so excited and nervous! He did awesome and ended the game with a big tackle, Conner is a linebacker. It is going to be a great football season for him.

Conner is #31 on the white team

HEEE HAW

A few years ago Zack got a really cute rocking horse for Christmas. This rocking horse is currently Mason's favorite thing in the whole world! He throws his head back and rocks and rocks and rocks away. The funny thing is, you squeeze the horses ear and it will neigh and go cloppedy clop and wag it's tail and rear it's head, Mason has to have the horse doing that at all times.I was working and I could hear some banging in the hallway and found Zack and Mace trying to push the horse down the stairs. Zack says, "Horse stairs Mommy."

I said, "Oh you want the horse downstairs?"

Zack, "No, Zay ride horse down stairs."

Me, "No!!!! You can't ride the horse down the stairs you will get hurt bad!"

Zack, "Oh hurt bad???. . . . . . .Nay Nay (what he calls Mason) go first!"

Oh thank heaven for my little boys. Without them my life would be very dull!

Mace has been trying to cruise around on Zack's 4 Wheeler but isn't strong enough to hold the "go" button down so Zack rides with him and pushes the button for him. Mace loves this! He got so mad when Zack stopped so I could take their picture.

Big Boy Now

Zackary wants so desperately to be able to do all of the things his big brother does. Conner had one of his friends come over to play and the three boys played on the water slide, jumped on the tramp, played badminton, rode bikes, played basketball, and built with the Legos. A little later I let them play the Wii and PlayStation, 5 minutes later when I came down to check on them this is what I found. . . . yep, Zack is racked!

A few days later Victor and I were talking about my sore ankle and Zack decided his hurt too. He pulled out the Ace wrap from the First Aid and Conner took good care of him.

Zackie also wanted to be like his "jet packer" Lego guy. He and Conner discussed it and Conner geared him up. So funny!

I don't know what Conner and Zack would do without each other.

Christmas in August?

We get so excited when friends and family come to visit, but it is like Christmas for us when it is someone we don't get to see very often. Vic's Ranger Buddy, Brad, came for a visit and we were thrilled to have him.Little Ranger Buddies.

Brad lives in Arizona and is working on his PhD. He is a busy guy that we only get to see about once a year. Victor and Brad will be forever bonded because of their military experiences together but it is their friendship that keeps them connected.

The boys had a wonderful time running around doing "manly" things. Tif told us about a Basque Food Festival that I talked them into attending one night and we had a great time!
Adam Richman from the Travel Chanel's Man vs. Food was at the Basque Festival! I think we were the only ones who knew who he was. Everyone else we talked to had never heard of him! Victor is still reliving the moment Adam walked past us and said "What's up man".

Basque Dancers.

Conner gets just as excited as we do to see Brad. He even made a calendar for this month titled "Important Dates". The only thing he wrote on it, despite school and football starting this month, was Brad's visit. Brad found it in his heart to help Vic coach Conner's 3 year old soccer team. Maybe Brad just wanted to get on Victor's (AKA: Brad's boss at work) good side so it would decrease his odds of being smoked! Either way it was awesome and the kids loved their coaches.

Oh, and did I mention Brad is the rightful owner to Conner? Yep, Victor gambled Conner away on one of their many deployments overseas. The story goes that Brad received a huge pan of Rice Crispie Treats in a care package and Victor bet him that if he could eat the whole pan he could have Conner. Well guess who ate the whole pan?!?!

Thanks for letting us keep Conner and for stopping in once again to spend a few days with us Brad. We are looking forward to your visit next year!

And James . . . . when the heck are you going to get your butt over here?

Y Not Tri

Our little triathlete!

Victor recently took part in his first "mini" triathlon! It was sponsored by the YMCA and was just a tad bit shorter than a sprint triathlon. He completed a 1/4 mile swim, 6 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run. This was the perfect way for him to get his feet wet in the triathlon world. . no pun intended. ha ha

Victor's Mom and sister came to cheer him along.

The boys were so excited to make their Dad signs.

We have had 100 degree weather and on the day of the event it was 63 and raining! It was nice that it wasn't so hot and I was very happy I had hit the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (haven't missed it since I was 17, one of the best sales ever! If you need more details ask me and I will fill you in!) and had picked the kids up the start of their fall wardrobe.

Vic has never been a strong swimmer and has been working at it the last month or so. He has gotten so much better and I know if he keeps it up he will be a little fish in no time. He did awesome! Vic hauled butt in the run and bike. Overall, he came in towards the front middle of the pack (if that is a good way of describing his placement?).
Vic's the guy waving. This year they had the most participants ever. Over 600 people raced (men, women, advanced, intermediate, beginner)!

No clue where Victor is in here. . . somewhere!

Getting ready to cross the finish line.

I am so proud of Victor. He is the best little Dad and is always involved and out there playing with the kids no matter what it is baseball, basketball, football, riding bikes, reading books, or building with blocks. I am so appreciative of the fact we are an active family and I have husband who wants to get out and do things. Most of all I love it that he teaches the kids to set goals and work hard to accomplish them. We are excited to attend and cheer Vic on in more "tri" events. Way to go babe, we love you so much!

After all of this my belief that my camera is a piece of crap was reinforced. If you have a camera that is awesome and you love, please fill me in!

Update just in. . . . The YMCA just posted results and Victor got 90th place out of 299!!! His overall time was 52.31.

Bromance

Victor and his good buddy, Joe, have had a bit of a bromance going on. Joe is one of the few males who actually works with Vic and they just have so much in common.

Joe is a triathlete and has been instrumental in getting Victor up and going in his training as well. These two boys are so funny and when they are together they promise a good time.

Unfortunately, this bromance is going to have to go long distance. Joe accepted a new job at Georgetown University Hospital and is moving to the D.C. area. It is a great opportunity and we are excited for him, but we are so sad to see him go!!! We are already planning a visit for next fall when BSU plays Virgina Tech at the FedExField Stadium. Can't wait!!!

We love ya Joe!

Vic and Joe at a Farewell Dinner. (They closed the street down behind us for a Basque celebration which is why Joe is wearing a Basque red tie around his neck).