Champions....

Just in case you didn't know, during the "off season" of wrestling, Brandon trains at Tapout. He take Judo and Jiu Jitsu as well as their wrestling classes. A few weeks back Jeff and Brandon went to Riverside for the Jiu Jitsu Worlds tournament. Of course it's a big deal and the competition is tough.

I know I am repeating myself from the last post...sorry.
On the first day, Brandon took 2nd place. And the 2nd day he took 1st. It was actually more like an even win, since he was going against his team mate and best friend, Billy. Unlike wrestling, the Professors for Jiu Jitsu frown upon team mates fighting each other. In this tournament the Professor didn't have a choice.

Anyways, I wanted to share this awesome picture. It was taken by a talented photographer who is kind enough to take pictures for the team. His business is Barren Crossings and his work really does rock!!

The motherload of updates...

I'm horrible at this lately. I just feel like nothing exciting is going on, but when I step back I realize things have happened that I want records of for my family. So, I'll warn ya know this may be long and it just might be boring.

* Brandon competed in Jiu Jitsu Worlds a few weeks back in Riverside, CA.
He took 2nd place in the gi and 1st in no gi. For everyone who is asking, "what the heck is a gi", the gi is the outfit (for lack of better words) that you see people wear in martial arts. Alyssa, Gabriella and I stayed back and Jeff, Brandon and some of our friends went.

* We celebrated Brandon's 8th birthday with a pool party. Thankfully, this year it didn't rain and everyone had a fantastic time. I'll post pictures when I'm at home.

* Alyssa is back in the swing of things with her dance schedule. We've added two, wait, three classes this year so she is currently taking...Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Tap, Irish and Hip Hop. Next month rehearsals for The Nutcracker as well as company classes will start up and that will add an additional two if not three classes to her schedule.
Oh and just in case your curious, she will be dancing the roll of a Neapolitan Doll in the Nutcracker. :)

* Brandon is just getting over stept throat. I'm pretty sure Gabriella might be getting it too. Sounds like another fun weekend for me, huh?!

* Alyssa is going in Monday for an MRI. Turns out the kid can't smell. Hopefully we'll figure out whats going on with that. Not sure how long she hasn't been able to smell or it can be fixed, guess we'll find out soon.

* Brandon finished his last day of 2nd grade last Friday. Just in time to be sick. Still can't believe he'll be in the 3rd grade and Alyssa in the 7th. Really?! Where has the time gone?!

I'll update with pictures later tonight... :)

Swimming...

This is how we have been spending our summer...swimming and cooking out with our friends. It's a lot of fun, especially when all the kids are together. I'm so thankful to have the friends that we do. It's like one giant family!

Don't let her fool you...

Sure, she looks all sweet and innocent...but this little diva has a whole other side to her.
Yup, Gabriella is finding her spot in the family. She's a tough little cookie and doesn't take much from anyone.
Don't get me wrong. For the most part she's just as sweet as can be, but if nap time is missed or food is involved she becomes a different person.

Since it's been awhile since my poor little girl got an entire post dedicated to her, I'll share some fun details on her.

*She loves to play with her baby doll and her dishes. She can occupy herself for a long time with just those things.

* She LOVES to go swimming!

* She loves music and sings most of the songs on the radio. Thanks to Alyssa who listens to them over and over again.

* She has no interest in the potty. Unless you give her a fruit pop and a bag of popcorn...then she'll sit.

* She still sleeps in a crib and seems the happiest there. Hey, I'm not complaining.

* She talks. Alot. Like, from the time her eyes open in the morning till they close at night.

* She loves singing the "Alyssa and Wally" song...sooo funny!

I can see a definite change in her personality. She holds her own, which is important when your big brother is ALWAYS in your face. We love her tons!

Happy Birthday Brandon!!

I know this is late...sorry.
Last Friday, the 16th, my sweet boy turned 8! I can't believe how fast time goes and even though it's not all been "fun",it's all been a blessing.
Brandon adds a certain spark to my life that nobody else seems to. He has the gift to make me crazy, often making me mad, laugh and leaves me speechless all at the same time.
In honor of his 8th birthday here are 8 facts about my monkey.

1. He loves wrestling. Just in case you might have missed it. :) He's a dedicated, hard working and determined boy. It's not uncommon to see him working out at home, running the treadmill or lifting weights. Yes, he's just 8.

2. He LOVES his daddy. Where ever daddy is you'll find Brandon. Unless of course daddy is working.

3. He is an excellent brother. He loves his sisters, especially Gabriella. Alyssa and him share their moments, but it's not uncommon to see them snuggled in the same bed at night.

4. He likes to think he's a break dancer :)

5. He says the craziest things. I often find myself holding my breath...just waiting for the next off the wall thought to come out of his mouth, usually at the most inappropriate time!

6. He LOVES Legos. Loves to build and create all sorts of things from castles to toilets. :)

7. He's 8 going on 13...

8. He's a blessing to our family. He adds a dimension that nobody else possibly could.

At the Beatles Love....

2nd place. I'm so proud of you Brandon!!

Brandon and Billy

Catching up....

I was down sick all last week with Strep and Tonsillitis. Not a lot of fun, just in case you were wondering.
This week it's back to the grind for me, again I say, not a lot of fun!

*The trip to California for Brandon's Judo tournament was a success. Daddy even surprised Brandon and flew in so he could be there to show his support as well. It was Brandon's first Judo tournament and we knew it would be hard since it was a national one. We saw competitors from Brazil, Australia, UK as well as many other states. Brandon even got to carry the "Nevada" sign to represent our state.
The tournament is A LOT different than a wrestling tournament. The officials all wear the same suits and the commands and scoring is all done in Japanese. (or some other Asian language :) ) The competitors must bow before entering the mat and again once they are on the mat. After the match is over, they bow again and walk backwards off the mat, bow again and leave the area. It was interesting.
Brandon was confused the first match. I think all the bowing threw him off and he lost. However, he came back with a vengeance and won his other matches and took 2ND PLACE!! I was shocked at the size of some of the boys he went up against. His wrestling skills really came through. Needless to say...we are so proud of him.


*Alyssa's dance intensive program starts up today. She'll be dancing the next two weeks from 2p-8p. I have no doubt it will be intense and she will come home tired and sore. I also have no doubt that she will be loving every minute of it!

*I finally took Alyssa to see the Beatles Love show at the Mirage. Her "special friend" is one of the dancers and she has been dying to see him perform. He did a fantastic job and of course she was in heaven.
We had a lot of fun prepping for it as well. We purchased a new dress and shoes, had our toes done and spent an insane amount of time prepping before the show. I just LOVE my girly girl!!

That's about all...