Fear The Gear

Sophie wears headgear when she plays. I could go into the long explanation, but basically she is small, soccer players get more concussions than football players, and her trainers have told her she has to wear it (thank goodness, because Mom does not know what she is talking about). So we have a new expression in our house - Fear The Gear. It makes her mad, which only adds to the joy.

Some pics from her tournament over the weekend.

And just to prove I am truly a crazy soccer mom, here is a series of pics of a slide tackle. Now, not to brag, but Sophie has an awesome slide tackle - it is always all ball and she has never been called for a foul. So, for your viewing enjoyment:

Just Another Manic Monday

I wish I had something great and wonderful to contribute to the blogosphere. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off and feel like I am not getting anything done. This repeats day after day. Ryan leaves in 9 days and when I think about it, which I try not to do too often, I get a little sad - OK so a alot sad. I want him to do this. I am so proud of him for doing it. But it really sucks to the be mom. There I said it.

We had a great weekend with cross country, soccer (3 games) and the twins had a stake FIGG activity. We really used and abused the 3rd driver. Those days are coming to an end too soon. We wil be back to divide and conquer.

Kelsey got 7th place at her cross country meet - and she got a trophy. If I was a good mom, I would inset a nice pic of her with her trophy. But I don't have one. And I don't have a camera yet - mine was a victim of the California beach. So instead, I give you a picture of her from her first CC meet that Eric took with his camera phone.

I am so proud of her. She is sticking with it and keeping up - with two a days and seminary. Not to mention school. She did say to me last night that she thinks she is done with high school. That is what 1 week at THS will do for a person! She is doing great.

Happy Hump Day Steveo

Really, his hump day is the 26th or 27th, but since he can only check email on Tuesdays, we are going to pretend he is 1/2 way done with his two year mission. (and since he complained he was forgotten on his birthday...)

Steven is a great kid. He was born after Eric and I were married, which I guess makes Eric more a member of the family than Steven, but I digress.

As the baby of 10 kids, he liked coming here where he could be the eldest. He and Ryan have been buds since they could walk. It will be hard having a three year gap when they will not see each other, but it will be fun to have them both serving at the same time.

Here they are circa 1997 creating treats with Dr. Dreadful.

Steven is a great uncle, and my kids miss him. It was not uncommon to see him covered in kids - much like Blake. All the grandkids love Uncle Steven.


He is living the good life in Brazil - OK he is working hard and doing the Lord's work and for that he is blessed.

We love you Steven! Keep up the good work!

First Day of School -09

No tears here! Working from home is a blessing - 9 months out of the year. Those summer months can be brutal. But today was the blessed back to school day. My camera is broken (sand plus camera don't mix) so I used Sophie's and some things were a little off - OK so maybe it was user error.

The first two left in the dark - well really it is children two and three, but since number one is enjoying his last few days of sleeping for two years, he does not count. Kelsey is a freshman at the HS and Sophie is in 7th grade - year one of Jr High in Tomball ISD.

This is Kelsey's stop taking pictures look.

I ran into one of Sophie's friends mother on the way to the elementary school. She asked if Sophie allowed me to take her picture this morning - I guess it was no for her daughter. I have taken a first day of school pic each year - up to and including Ryan's senior year, so my kids have no option! I am mean like that.

The twins in front of Lakewood Elementary. I am not sure how I feel about my babies starting 3rd grade! Dang that seems so big. They both got excellent teachers, so I know it will be a good year.

Caroline ready to go. Allie's pics did not turn out. Dang.

On the way to school. New backpacks, new shoes, new lunchboxes. You gotta love the first day!

Happy Birthday Dad

My dad turns 29 again today - this will be the 33rd time he has turned 29.

Do you love his gift? All I can say to the Linford's out there is I have set the bar very high with this gift! Yes, in case you are wondering that is a Chia Obama. It is a collector's item. That is what the TV add said, and I believe it.

My dad is wonderful. He is a great example to me in so many areas, not the least of which is patience. I feel very blessed to have him as my dad - and I know my children feel the same way (for him to be their grandfather).

And in celebration of his birthday, I am going to post a youtube video which would make Big Al, as we affectionately refer to him, laugh.

Happy Birthday Blake

Yes, my brother-in-law has the same birthday as my Dad. I think Megan just did not want to have to remember another date.

Blake is a great guy, and great Uncle. The twins have a big crush on him. As a matter of fact they love Megan, but they would push her out of the way to get their hands on Blake.

This is at their wedding - see Caroline is making the move on him!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Blake. It is not uncommon to find all the nieces clamoring for Blake time - and he just sits and lets them crawl all over him. He is a great Uncle and will be a great dad someday.

Happy Birthday Blake!

What Else Do You Do In So Cal?

Go to the beach, of course. But here is the deal with the Pacific Ocean. It is cold. We are wimpy. We swim in the Gulf of Mexico. It is warm. Sophie and the twins were the only ones brave enough to get in the water.

Sophie was working on using a skim board. She used the boogie board. She body surfed. She can't sit still. Ryan, mom, dad, and Kelsey. We are lazy. We would just lay on the beach. And bury Caroline....

Happy Birthday Ryan

I can't believe my baby boy is 19.


This is one of my favorite pictures of Ryan. He was two. I had just discovered Gymboree.

One of his Sr. pics. I am so proud of the young man he has become. I am really going to miss him when he leaves, but we are so proud of his willingness to serve.

I love you boy!

"Scary" Rides

On the scarier rides at Disney, and most theme parks, they take your picture at a scary part - or at the end. They then want to sell you these photos.

Eric wanted to purchase one - this is from our first day. It was our first time on Space Mountain. The look on Allie's face is priceless.

Then Ryan took to posing for the picture - I guess this is what you do when you are there for 5 days. Do you love the pose? He was so proud of his sword. He started taking pictures of the pictures with his camera phone. They are on his facebook. Fun times.

We Came. We Saw. We Conquored.

Disneyland that is. We wanted to fit in our last family vacation before Ryan leaves us. We have been talking about going to Disney forever - the last time we were there the babies were really babies - 3 months old. We had five day passes, and we used them. Most of us logged about 60 hours of Disneyland and California Adventure. Ryan had 66 - one day we left and took naps. He stayed and did his own thing for 6 hours.

Now, you have to know I am the biggest chicken when it comes to rides. This is why I love Disneyland - there is nothing too scary for her. Space Mountain is fun, not scary. As a child, I remember going to amusement parks with my mom, dad and Laurie. What I remember most is my mom and I waiting for Laurie and my dad while they went on rides.

(Allie in front of California Screamin - yes that little loop under Paradise Pier is part of the ride)

So, it was a surprise to me to find out Allie was a daredevil. She LOVES roller coasters. She loved California Screamin. She loved Tower of Terror. She loved Space Mountain and the Matterhorn.

Allie and Caroline at Tower of Terror. Notice Allie is giving us her scared look?

Caroline did everyone at least once. Eric and Ryan beguiled us all into riding California Screamin by telling us it was not any scarier than Space Mountain (note that is a total lie). So we all rode it once. That was more than enough for Caroline and me.

Caroline and Tink - her favorite!

Kelsey and Minnie. Aren't they cute?

Yes it is true Eric was on this vacation - there are very few pics of him. Everyone in front of Tom Sawyer's Island.

Ryan as Captain Jack Sparrow. When we took Ryan to Disney for the first time he was 4. The first ride we went on was Pirates and he had to have a sword. So, we obliged and got him a sword. He carried it all day. He lost it on the tram on the way to the car. See picture below from 1994.


So, he did get a new one. He was happy.

We were walking through Tarzan's treehouse we lost Sophie. We turned around and found her on the xylophone. Even at Disney she finds some percussion.

Ryan with his stacks on deck. We told Allie to move out of the picture. As you can see, she could not help herself. She looks like a whack a mole.


Who doesn't love Aladdin and Jasmine?

We had a great time - rode rides, saw characters, and quality time as a family. You can't get better than that!

This Stuff Is Incredible

I am not sure what is in the stuff, but it is freaking amazing. Eric has always used these types of things and I did not understand why you want to. The consistency is weird, the flavor is a little weird, and I did not get it.

Then I used it a few times. It really helped. Today I did a long run and I was feeling great. I had "gu'd" before I started. At about mile 5.5 my knee was hurting. I was dragging. My legs hurt. I "gu'd" again. All my aches and pains went away. Including my sore knee. Magic stuff.

Thank you GU! So worth the caloric intake. Go and get you some.

This Is What Happens

Two old sisters try and look young and cool...

Need I say more?

Happy Birthday Uncle Chris

Happy Birthday to the newest Uncle in the bunch - Melissa's husband Chris. We love uncle Chris because he loves soccer, is willing to the be family photog at all family gatherings, and he plays a mean game of dominoes.

We hope you have a FAB birthday Chris!

(I don't have a picture of just Chris since 1. he and Melissa seem to be surgically attached, and 2. He is always the one taking the pics!

Happy Birthday Crazy Uncle Patrick

Crazy Uncle Patrick - his name says it all. We love you! Have a great birthday.


Typical Patrick playing with the kids.

Surrounded by beautiful girls - typical...

Channeling his inner teen - well duh?

At his graduation two years ago.

With Kels and Soph at Michelle's wedding.

Am I Boring?

Nothing new or exciting. Kelsey and Sophie made it home from camp. Kelsey left for EFY. We are down to 4 kids again. Swimming, playing and watching TV - my kids seem to think that is what summer is for.