The Photo Shoot

On Sunday, Ana had her first photo shoot.

It's part of the modeling and acting classes that she is taking.

Prior to the shoot. Waiting for the photographer.

Posing with the photographer.

Trying to be discreet and taking pictures from behind.
She did great!

The camera loves this girl.

How a Loss Becomes a Win

or, if you're the Roadrunners, How a Win Becomes a Loss.

Ana's soccer team played the Roadrunners today for the second time this season. On the first outing, Ana's team lost 9-0. Today, Ana's team lost 1-0.

At the end of the game, one team was jubilant and one team was dejected.

Ana's team - the losing team - was thrilled to have only lost by 1 goal.

The Roadrunners were completely dejected that they didn't smear them all over the field.

Ana and her teammates played a great game, held their opponents to only one goal and very nearly scored several times.

Great job Red Hot Chili Peppers!

What time is it? TIGER TIME! Rrrrrrrrrrr.....

They finally won a game!!! 3-0

Easter Eggs

Although my kids are 10 and 13, they still

enjoy coloring Easter Eggs. We don't hide

and hunt.

In which Ana's team loses yet again...

Scene 1: in which Ana's team dutifully sets up the defense for the incoming corner kick. (Ana is closest to us wearing #5 in orange.)

Scene 2: in which Ana's teams stares in amazement as the ball ricochets off the goalies hands and into the net whilst no one actually moves!

A Sad Day for Ana

Based solely on genetics, I've known for many years that there would come a point where Sam would be taller than Ana. Sam's birthfather was 6 feet tall and was only 16 years old when Sam was born, so who knows how much taller he grew. Alas, Ana's birthfather was 5'9" tall and well into his 20's at the time of Ana's birth.

Today, that day arrived.

She is quite forlorn that her 10 year old brother is now 3/8" taller and she is more than 3 years older.

All I can say is - they're BOTH still shorter than me! I'm sure that won't last much longer either. But I've been expecting it so it won't bother me.

Ana's karate test

Last night Ana tested in karate for rank advancement. She has been promoted to Green with a stripe. After all the hard work of forms, basics, one-steps, jump kicks and fighting, she got to the fun stuff: breaking boards. She broke one board easily. This is a photo of her breaking two boards at once. A little tougher but she did it!! Great job, Ana.

My favorite karate people

My "favorite people" post was too long so my karate friends get their very own post. How special.

Tara Bidwell and her dad, Mr. Ken Gallacher.

Mrs. Bidwell is nice enough to let me train at

her studio twice a week until I get my black belt.

That's my kid up front. Who's that man in the

background, you ask? Why, it's none other than

Mr. Chuck Norris. That is as close as we got to

him at ITC Convention last summer.

Vic Matera, Joe Gemma, Tara Bidwell, John York & Mr. Olds

Ana Crittenden, Nicole Pisarczyk, Steve Smith, Tim Yates & John Petitt

My dear friend, Joe Gemma, on the right in black

just before the tall guy in white broke his rib.

A more relaxing endeavor, waiting for class at the ITC.

There are two karate people in this picture.

Be careful what you send me - it may end up

on a blog somewhere! Y

people i like - in no particular order

Now that I've done things I like - it's time for people I like. Again, in no particular order. It's just how I manage to upload the photos.


My dearest - husband, Mike





My Oldest - daughter Ana, 13





My youngest - son Sam, 10



Debbie, freshly back from the Dominican Republic, where her hair was braided into corn rows. Before she left, while they were in, the girls taking them out and after.




Debbie with our friend Denise. I was so busy getting
pictures of Debbie's braids, I never got Denise alone!

My favorite blonde family: Di holding Audrey, the beautiful princess Audrey and Matt, looking every bit the pirate next to Grant and Sam in the chair.

Most of my favorite young people:
Brendon, Ana, Sam Grant, Dana, Sera and Ethan.

A post by Ana

Havin fun with the camera
and being a cutie pie!!

Merry Christmas 2006

The annual Christmas morning photo! We also took pictures
with the pets, but all three would not cooperate at the same
time so they didn't make the final cut.

Sam with his favorite toy: Bionicle!

Ana's still not too old to enjoy getting STUFF!

Christmas Eve

Sam had 3 Advent calendars and made the most of them!

The family tradition from Mike's family is to open one gift
on Christmas Eve. It must be a gift that arrived in the mail.

Survivor

Aunt JoAnn and Ana sporting new hairstyles.
One of many fun challenges from the game Survivor.

Sam and Delaney in their new "clothes". Again,
created by other tribe members in a Survivor challenge.

Jingle Jog

Cousin Delaney (on left) was still in school during
our Christmas vacation so Ana & Sam joined her
at school for her Jingle Jog. It was a 2 mile fun
run (doesn't sound fun to me!) and the kids had
a great time. They were treated to popsicles
after the race. Seems to me hot chocolate would
have been a better choice. It wasn't exactly warm.

Boo!

After school today Sam carved his pumpkin.



Our first stop prior to Trick-or-Treating was
to go to the church carnival with our friends.
Sam did quite a number on poor Tweety. Look
closely in the background at his poor head still
hanging from a string waiting to be bashed yet
again! Poor bird didn't stand a chance!!



Kids in costumes

The Newest Black Belt in the "Family"

On Friday, October 13, 2006, our friend and classmate, Niki earned her black belt in Chun Kuk Do. Ana was her partner for testing which mostly means Niki got to beat her up for fun!! Here is a picture of them after the test.

There are fewer than 3000 black belts
in Chun Kuk Do so this is quite an honor.

A HUGE congratulations to Niki for a job well done.

My turn next...in March 2007.

First Day of School

Can you guess which child goes to public school and which one is home-schooled? Hint: The snappy dresser hangs out with 1800 other teenagers all day!!

Does she look older?

She's still a lovely girl - even though she is old!!!

My "Baby" is a Teenager!!!

On Sunday, August 27, 2006, my "baby" will turn thirteen years old. (Eeek...how old does that make her mother?) We went to Claim Jumper for lunch and they treated her to a free Mud Pie for dessert. We were all too full to eat any other dessert so we will do a chocolate "I'Declair" later with presents. Happy Birthday, Ana!











.

Happy 43rd Birthday Mike!

On Monday, August 14th, Mike will turn 43 years old. Due to our busy social schedule (read: karate) we won't be available to celebrate then. We chose Saturday night instead. Yesterday we went to lunch at the Salt Lick Bar B-Q at the new Red Rock Resort and Casino and picked up a slice of Chocolate MotherLode Cake from Claim Jumper. Can't wait for Ana's birthday in 2 weeks so we can do it all again!! Happy Birthday, Mike!