Day 10/365: Mark gets a tattoo

To prove just how Asian he is, Mark used tape to create a sunblocked tattoo of his Chinese surname on his arm. A double shift lifeguarding at the Scera pool guaranteed tattoo success.

Day 9/365: Spring on Y Mountain

The recent rains have finally brought a little green to the mountains. I thought I'd take a picture quickly before it turns brown again.

Day 8/365: Little J on the slip 'n slide

Summer has officially started! School is out, and so is the sun. There was no stopping Little J from breaking out the slip 'n slide and splashing across the front lawn.

Day 7/365: Mark's Graduation

I never thought I would be old enough to have a child graduate from high school, but it finally happened. The ceremony was held at 9 AM in the Marriott Center.

Mark saluting his future.

The outfit Matt originally wanted to wear to the ceremony.

All the kids.

Mark picking up his diploma.

Mark with his best friend, Kyler Ludwig.

Congratulations, Mark!

Day 6/365: Steverino becomes department chair

Day 5/365: Little J and Josh at Carl's Jr

A few weeks ago, I promised Little J that I would take her to Carl's Jr. for lunch if she would be a good sport and agree to go to dinner with the family at Los Hermanos. The boys accused me of favoritism, because I would have never made a deal like that with them when they were young. The difference is, though, that when they were young, we went to the places that they liked, so there was no need to make a deal with them. Of course, they don't see it that way. They just see it as Little J getting to go out to eat twice. Josh is still young enough, and more importantly, short enough, to enjoy the playground at Carl's Jr., so we brought him along, too.

Josh making the Carl's Jr. face from inside a tube.

Little J climbing up the slide.

Day 3/365: Memorial Day activities

Mark finally talked me to going into Saver's today, a second-hand thrift shop. He had high hopes of being able to find all of his summer clothes there, but no such luck. In fact, the only thing that he found was a Whimpey campaign shirt. But for all of us, that made the trip. We tried to find one for his best friend, Ky, too, but no such luck. For more on why we were so excited about this T-shirt, see the following three blog entries that I wrote for the old blog.


We barbecued tonight at my mom's house. Here is Matt demonstrating his grilling skills.