Brandon and I have been taking classes together at church to prepare for his first communion. I've actually enjoyed this time with him. He will take his first communion this Saturday, March 24th. I'm proud of him. He's also pretty excited because some of his friends from Sunday school are also in his group, including his buddy, Ethan. Brandon and Ethan have known each other since they were one! Its been fun to watch them grow together.
Life is full of them.
Its been busy. That seems to be the general theme of all my posts. I like being busy though, busy means blessed. Blessed that we have three healthy kids that have the ability to keep us on our toes. Blessed that we have the means to provide these things to them and blessed that we have each other to share this crazy life with.
We're selling our house and looking for something BIGGER! When we bought our house Alyssa was 1. It was perfect. That's not so much the case anymore and though the thought of leaving is bitter sweet to me, I realize that we will make new memories in a new home.
Alyssa just started the last quarter of Jr. High. She auditioned for the Las Vegas Academy in January and we should hear in the next month or so if she was accepted. If not, she will attend Green Valley. Both are excellent schools and I'm sure she will thrive at either one. The last few years have flown by... I will plot in the next three ways I can convince her to never leave home.
Brandon continues to excel as well. He has a gift for writing. I'm telling you, one day he will have a book series similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Of course hes still wrestling. Hes a great kid and very funny..always on the go.
Gabriella is just as sweet as always. Shes our thoughtful child. She really likes to do things to please everyone.
She loves to follow her big sister around and share stories of her "boyfriend", Jason. Shes obsessed with Justin Bieber!
Life continues as a pace so fast that sometimes I lose track of it. Still trying to find a way to slow it down.
Well the USA Wrestling Nevada State champions tournament has once again come and gone.
Brandon had an amazing wrestling season. He finished out on top, placing 1st in all three styles. (Greco Roman, Freestyle and Folkstyle) That's right, my boy triple crowned!
To make things even better, his team took 1st overall as well. I love Team GV, they are like a family and I'm proud to be a part of them. We really have outstanding coaches and the drive and discipline these boys (and girls) have to be the best really is amazing.
Anyways. The "local" tournaments are over but practice continues. Brandon will be heading to Boise, ID to wrestle for a week over spring break and will be heading to Pocatello, ID in June for Western Regionals. The season never really ends. I'm proud of him and all his hard work.
Last night my mom, sister and I took the kids to the Christmas lights display at Ethel M's. Its been a few years since we have gone and I must say I was impressed at how much it has grown. The kids loved it, especially Gabriella. Every reindeer she saw made her so excited. Much to our surprise even Santa was there. The kids got to sit with him and tell him what they wanted. I think Gabriella had the longest list. :) I was happy to see her walk up to him and list her wishes one by one, not what I expected since she would run the other way in other times we had seen him.
It was a good night... the kind of night that when you set out to do it your almost dreading it but it ended in a happy feeling. I'm glad we went.
Last Friday, December 16th, Brandon played the roll of the ghost of Jacob Marley in his class play of a Christmas Carol. He had the most lines of anyone and he did so good, didn't even mess up once. He even made everyone laugh with his theatrics, as his teacher said, he put a touch of Hollywood in it. I can see drama in his future. (hopefully just the acting kind)
This week was parent observation week at Alyssa's dance studio. Its the one week out of the year us parent are allowed in class to see what the kids have been doing.
I'll tell you, I was impressed and tired... I don't know how she goes to school all day and dances for 7 hours after!
I'm excited for the show this year, it should be awesome!
I love this picture just because there three girls have been dancing together for years. Its been fun to watch them grow as dancers together. 
Irish class
Tap class. 
I love the slogan on the back of the shirts this year "Locally hated, Nationally respected"...so very true! I'm proud to be a part of this team. 
Getting some last minute coaching from Coach Bill. 
Last weekend Brandon took 1st place in the Legacy Stampede tournament. He had an awesome day of wrestling! He finished the tournament 4-0 and had no points scored against him in any of his matches. Let hope he keeps it up the rest of the season.
