Hockey Tournament

We just got back from the "castle hotel" in Framingham, MA. C4 played in his 1st hockey tournament. Hundreds of players descended to this area for a huge tournament. The complex had 5 rinks and the games would go all day starting as early as 6am til 11pm. Although his team came in last scoring 0 points in three games, he and his buddies managed to have plenty of fun.

My mom and Russ came up Friday and got a room with Russ's grandkids so all the kids played and swam together. We got to do a little cake for Mom's birthday and then they came to Saturday's game with us. Ninny and Papa met us there for that one, too.

He skated hard. They are all so cute on the ice. We were very proud of him. He is well liked by all of his teammates and all of his coaches made it a point to compliment him and tell us how respectful and well mannered he is and how he's got great instincts and knows the game. He should...he's been in rinks since he was 8 days old!

Shake your bootie!

Trevor's getting so confident in his walking now that it has turned into climbing and dancing on the coffee table. He can clap and he can dance, but he can't do both at the same time. Sorry, TJ, looks like you'll take after your mama.

Happy 4th, Nathanael!

My little man is 4! We celebrated his birthday at the Foster Farm corn maze. It was a beautiful fall day. The kids played on the hay bales, pet the animals, went through the maze, picked a pumpkin, dug in the sand, and rode the pedal carts. We celebrated with apple pie instead of cake, which is a tradition on his birthday. He got some cash, clothes, books, movies, a game, remote control hummer, and many other cool gifts. He enjoyed reading the cards before openning, also. Time just moves too quickly and it's hard to believe he's 4.

On his 1st birthday, we were away in California on his actual birthday, so I left this letter for Lisa to read to him. The words are still so true 3 years later:

My Precious Birthday Boy-Nathanael,

I can’t believe it’s already been one year since I first laid eyes on you and fell instantly in love! You are such a joy! I am so blessed that God had enough confidence in Daddy and me to entrust such a treasure to us.

You fit perfectly into our family. We were so surprised to hear that you were coming. We didn’t even know that there was a hole until you filled it. Now you have captured all of us. You’re such a love! Such a snuggly guy! We all love the way you are always happy and always up for a good time. We all love how easily you laugh at our silliness and how you humor us when we’re making fools of ourselves for the satisfaction of seeing you smile. You are always smiling. You delight us everyday.

It just seems impossible that you weren’t always here. You are so special! I pray today for 3 things. First for the past. I thank God for His loving kindness to us in loaning you to us and making you a part of our family. Second for the present, I pray for you on your special day that God will bless you and that you’ll enjoy your day. And third for the future, I pray that God Almighty would bless you and keep you your whole life through. That His face would shine upon you. That He would protect you, strengthen and sustain you your whole life through. And that you would find salvation and peace in Jesus Christ.

Stay as sweet as you are for a long time. I know ‘one’ is going to be a lot of fun. I just can’t believe I’m so blessed to have you. I love you. Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

California

We're just back from a long weekend in California. Colombo had an annual business meeting there. On top of his meetings, we managed to get some golf, massage, shopping and site-seeing in. The conference was in the Sonoma area, but we also did a day in San Franscico. We hit the Golden Gate Bridge, saw Alcatrez, drove Crooked (Lombard) Street, and as an added bonus, saw the Blue Angels fly over the Bay. It was just beautiful and great weather, too. Everytime we go we enjoy the cities and scenery there, but it's just so far away.