"Who Let the Dogs Out!"

An old friend and fellow Vaca High Bulldog alum Mike Sipes came to Oakland for a visit...We spent the afternoon catching up on the 20+ years since we've seen each other last. He works for Dept. of Fish and Game in the Napa area and that pretty much keeps him busy.

Some Advice for the Holidays

Two of Santa's Elves

It has been a long time since I posted anything of value...I need to go back and add some info to the pictures that I posted a few weeks ago. It has been a very busy time for us here in West Sacramento. We have to usual Christmas parties as well as the projects that my Rotary Group keeps us busy on.

I took a look at my office the other day and thought to myself.. I have no Christmas decorations up. Bah Humbug! I just lost track of time and totally forgot to do that. Well, hopefully I can have time to catch up on things.

I would like to here from you; Do you have any goals for the upcoming new year? What were some memorable things that happened this past year? I hope all is well and I hope your Holiday season is a great time for you to connect with loved ones and share all of your blessings.


Armando

Cool Yule

From us to everyone, with the help of David's school jazz band, we wish a happy holiday season and prosperous new year! We also take time to remember all those who have been a part of our lives, to give thanks for all our blessings in life with family, work, and our kids, and to share what we can with those less fortunate than us.

Happy Holidays everyone. BTW, Cool Yule is the name of the song the band is playing...

Dec2008 BOD Jazz Performance

Bishop O'Dowd's Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Fred Randolph, playing "Sonny's Place" featuring Alto Sax solo by the one and only...David. Other solos feature Ian on piano, Rafael on trumpet and Sean on Trombone. (my hand gets a little shaky at one point. Look for the trombone player almost taking out the guy next to David) Enjoy!

Someone's Gonna Get Cut...He Looks So Sharp...

Ok, it's an old school phrase. Here's David just before leaving the house to go to the Winter Ball...Maybe I'll send him out to get a part time job this weekend...

Old Event...New Video

OK, this is kind of old...but I got a new toy, I mean laptop and I'm trying out all the neat stuff on it. This is a short clip of Emma during rehearsals this past summer. Her good buddy in this clip is Allison. Hope you like it...

Mia Taking an Active Roll in Sharing Parents

It is official. Mia is a certified volunteer for the Sharing Parents program here is Sacramento. Mia and I attended various support meetings with parents that went through a similar experience as we did. We found it valuable for us, not only in the healing process, but to know that there were people out there who knew exactly what we were going through. And it wasn't a "misery loves company" issue; but a bonding experience as we heal together.

Mia knew from day one that she wanted to be a part of the organization in some shape or form when the time was right. And about a month ago, we received emails from one of the leaders of the group asking for help or else the organization would limit their program or shut it down altogether.

So Mia attended the voluteer meeting and was inspired! Inspired enough to be a part of 3 different committees in the organization. She is very excited in knowing she will get a chance to make a positive difference in some couple's healing process.

Mia also nominated me to be the Newsletter editor for the organization. Our duty is to, not only share info on events and meetings, but to stimulate the current database to "give back" to the program. In a perfect world, Sharing Parents would have to shut down because there would be no more loss; but they exist solely for those like us who are blindsided and never thought it would happen.


To learn more about the program you can visit http://sharingparents.org/index.htm

Clippers

A little hard to see David in this video...

Soccer Vid

Things That Could Be Overheard @ Our House

As Mia was ironing her clothes for work this morning.

Mia: If I ever look for another job, don't let me go for that ironing job.

Mando: I don't think they would hire you anyway.




While listening to an old school song from Hi- 5

"I like..The way.. you kiss me when you play that kissing game"


Avery: Dad, What is the "Kissing game?"

Mando: uh..um.. you are going to have to ask you mommy



Uncle John and Aunt Coco, notoriously known for their lack of censorship, said something about peeing in the shower in college.

A couple of days later, Avery had a very important question to ask me.

Avery: Dad, did they fix the bathrooms in college?

Mando (not knowing where she was going with this): I think they are fine, why? (puzzled)

Avery: Because, I don't want to have to pee in the shower.

Halloween 2007

Avery and Mia went out with Elyssa and Auntie Sherry for some trick or treat action, while I was distributing candy like I was John Stockton and the little kids in Superman costumes were Karl Malone. (Welcome to the 2007-08 NBA season; Go Warriors!). Afterwards, we did head to our friends Chip and Samantha's house. Chip spends a couple of days to put his Haunted House together and we always make it out there to see what is new in Spookville.

The kids had a good time while trying to scare me.

Red Tailed Hawk Sighting

The other day I found a wing of a bird in the gutter in front of my house. I thought at first that a kid was playing with his bee bee gun, but today I found who was responsible.

A Red Tailed Hawk was sitting on a neighbors fence while picking away at a smaller bird. I had my camera in my car, so I rolled down the window and shot some photos. I wanted to get some better shots, so I got out of my car and walked up 10 feet from the hawk. He continued to eat, but after a while he just stared at me as if to say, "You eye ballin' me boy?"

I do like them around here though. Combined with the coyotes running around, these scavengers take care of mice! I am a big proponent of natural elimination of mice.

In the pictures below, you will see his prey underneath the hawk.

Dave's Pumpkin Patch; Busy Weekend part 2

A tradition here in West Sacramento. The thing I like about Dave's is that they get bigger every year, and they try something new every year. This year they had a Corn Maze (or in Spanglish..a Maiz Maze), Hay Pyramid, and a jump house. I am not sure the Feed the Rooster display will make it to next year.

We had good fun! Until next year.

Elyssa riding her pony. He was a hungry bugger! He was attracted to the corn stalks. He got his fill.

Avery and I taking out Star for a trip around "The Patch"

As if we don't go to the Jump House enough; She was excited to jump, climb, and slide down the slide.

Avery and Elyssa enjoying a vitamin packed supplement in the form of a tasty roll up.

In an effort to have multiple income streams to my portfolio, I began this business. Give us a call if you could use us at your next party.

Avery and Elyssa on top of the hay pyramid.

Feeding Star after his long walk. I hope he didn't have indigestion after this; he ate everything the girls fed him.

Avery conquered the hay pyramid.

Dad and Ave not following the trail.

Cousin's Halloween Costume Show

It didn't take the girls a long time to get ready for pictures. Oh, how that will change in 12-14 years for these girls. The boys were too busy playing with toys inside. They would finally make it out later.

Natalie and her horse costume.

Peace to all of the Cowboys and Cowgirls out there!

The cousins posing with their candy collecting gear.

Avery wanted to be an Angel this year. She plays the part nicely, except when she gets sleepy.

Mel's Baby Shower; Busy Weekend Part One

We got together on Saturday for a Baby shower for Mel and Candace. Like every other Omega family get together there was plenty of food, plenty of good conversation, and yes...plenty of kids running around. In all, it was fun had by all.Big kids reconnected, while little kids pieced together some legos.

Standing around the dinner table waiting to say grace. There was a lot of food; beef steak, tri tip, General's chicken, and spicy sausage. What?!? No Bacon? Atkins would have been impressed.

The girls always love getting together. Avery sure does love to hang out with her cousins.

Joe getting a taste of some of the baby food. Why did we need appetizers?

Mel and Candace open up the gifts. They received a lot of good stuff. Mia loved shopping for a little one.
Joe looking for safety pins in the bowl of rice. It was harder than it looked. I got a chance and I only found two in 30 seconds. Emma found the most (6). It was a fun game, where almost everyone got a chance to play. Those that didn't play were either sleeping from the big meal or they were playing with toy guns or swords.

If anyone has more pics or videos on that game, please post them. See Avery's turn on the bottom.

The meal was that good folks!

Opening gifts and getting ready for cake

Oh.. The contest in which contestants taste different types of baby food and have to guess what they are. I bought the food so I did not participate. Not for the sake of cheating. The food did not sound tempting when I bought them. It was tricky, because there were some weird combinations of food. Ironically, the number 2 plate actually looked like number 2.

Bon Apetite.

Janice actual reaction to plate #2.

Avery playing the safety pin game. She actually did well; she doubled my score.

New Card for Southport Chiropractic

I was fooling around today with an idea for a new card. This is what I came up with. I still like my old ones, but since Gotprint.com has amazing prices for color on both sides, I ordered a good amount of these for marketing. As you can see, I have my "whole" family on the card, just like my last card.

To my dearest Leo,

I celebrate today. What I once thought of as the worst day in my life, I celebrate. Over the past 365 days I have relived the days of your life, cried when I felt empty, and smiled when I looked up into the sky. You see, your impact on my life continues as I knew it would the very first time I saw you.

When I signed up for the Carepage, my avenue to keep our friends and family in touch with your journey, my password for your page was, “power of one.” And each night, as I sat by your side I felt that power. Nurses and visitors commented on how special you were and it was truly evident when we sent you off on your next journey.

So in this experience I have gained in my greatest loss. I have gained perspective on life. I have a healthy respect for each minute and try not to waste them; especially with family. I have learned that the support of family and friends is invaluable and I will emulate them if they are ever in need.

So as you look down up your mommy, your big sis, and me today, know that we miss you. Know that I use you as a spiritual guide, because as you look down, I want you to be proud of your dad. Know that, regardless of how much it hurt, I would do it all over again if I had a chance. And so my son, from today on, I will celebrate this day. Because today is the day my son Leo got his wings.

Angelo mio in cielo, sempre nel cuore mio.

Dad

Our Disneyland Trip

Last Tuesday we embarked on a journey to Southern California. This was an adventure that took us in all different directions; many miles driven and felt like even more walked. We left at 7pm and arrived in Bakersfield at 11:30pm at our friend's, the Gallaghers house.

In the morning, Avery woke up and met Ryan (again..they met each other briefly at Leo's service) and were inseparable.
We then left to Anaheim at noon. We knew we weren't going to the park that day, so we took our time. We checked in at 3:30pm at the Anaheim HoJo. Luxurious? No. Perfect? Yes! Close to the park, the freeway, and they had old school video games like Galaga and an Indiana Jones Pinball machine.

We met up with Corina and fam and their friends (the Stephens family) for dinner and game planned for the next day. We met the next morning for breakfast and afterward headed to the park.



Avery's first time walking through the gates at the Longest Waitingest Place.uhh...I mean.. The Happiest place on Earth.


The first day we walked around and checked out the joint. We rode a few rides and Avery got autographs from some of her favorite characters.

One of Avery's favorite rides was the Star Tours. She experienced the ride with Mia first and then she was excited to show me what it was all about. I told her I was nervous and she had to explain to me that everything would be ok... as long as she was there with me.