Brave Kids!

Maren had her 3 year-old physical today, and Deacon came along for moral support and... his final pre-Kindergarten shots.

Maren had one shot and a blood test and DID NOT CRY for either!

Deacon had 3 shots, the final one being the most painful and bringing on a few tears, though he fought hard not to cry.

Shots on both arms...

A big band aid for a little finger!

Fun After the Fourth

On the Fifth of July, Grandma, Grandpa, Derek and the kids walked to the Light Rail station to take a ride to the Folsom Aquatic Center. They met Uncle Phillip and Elias there and had a great time!

Worn out after all the fun...

Later, with Elias and Auntie Jana at Chevy's on the River!

Happy Fourth of July!

Celebrated the Fourth of July at the Oyogs' house and had a great time! We're already looking forward to next year.

Jana prepares another great meal!

The boys in the pool...

Bathing Beauty

Elias and Maren

Fireworks, apple pie, and... stick fighting?? Jana and Phillip demonstrate their new hobby

The Big Show

Maren's Birthday Party!

Today was Maren's 3rd Birthday Party, at the Discovery Museum of Sacramento Science & Space Center (http://www.thediscovery.org/)! What a fun day we had. Lots of pictures today, so I'll get right to them (sorry if the formatting isn't ideal... I'm still not very good at this!)


Cake and presents...

Exploring...

Astronaut Micah!

Enjoying the Animal Show, featuring a Screech Owl. Did you know that they are common in Sacramento, and that because of their small brains owls are actually not very wise at all? Most of us didn't know that.

Having fun on the way out of the museum...

Pizza for lunch!

Thanks to everyone for making Maren's birthday so special!

Happy 3rd Birthday Maren!

Maren turned 3 today and enjoyed a "mini-party" at Bakers Square in Auburn. The "real" party is tomorrow, but today she was able to see Great Grandpa Papa, cousins Olivia, Dain and Chase, and all the Coders!

With Deacon, Dain and Chase...

Maren and Papa: add their ages together, and they're 100!

Stay tuned for big birthday party news tomorrow!

Ready To Go

Rented the car for the trip tonight. The kids pretended to have a slumber party in the car.

See all of you Sacramentans soon!! We can't wait!

Deacon's Recital

The good news about Deacon's recital today was that after the whole audience waited while he went to the bathroom, he and the boys from his class put on a great show.


Yes, it was announced right as his class was to take the stage that one of the performers was taking a bathroom break. "Surely it's not Deacon," thought Derek. "Of course it's Deacon," one of the other moms told me.


His teacher, Ms. Sharon, even got his shirt partially tucked in before the curtain opened.


The boys sang, rang bells, and played piano beautifully! What an accomplishment. Everyone appreciated their efforts except Maren, who had to be removed by Grammie when she got too noisy.


The boys on stage...

Deacon's piano solo (video)




With their teacher, Ms. Sharon...


















The Trophy!



Afterward, waiting for a table at Olive Garden (Deacon's choice)








Deacon and Daddy at Olive Garden

Go Avengers!

With 46 days to go until the start of the NFL preseason, Derek and I ventured into the world of Arena Football last night.

For some reason we didn't take our camera, so these are cell phone pics.

We went with a group from church and had a great time! After a tour of the Staples Center and a pep talk with Avengers Coach Winter, we enjoyed the sort-of hard-hitting, sort-of fast-paced, kind-of high scoring game of Arena Football.

Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Los Angeles Avengers played their second string most of the evening and lost to the Utah Blaze by 10. We're sure they'll be back in full force for the playoffs in two weeks. Go Avengers!