Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I realize that it is way past January 1st, but according to this site, it has been over a year since I've blogged.....

HOLY BAD BLOGGER BATMAN!

Many things have happened since last year; for the love of time and sanity I will only update the most crucial items. Here goes and happy reading....

Brooks had two birthdays and is now two years older . Interesting since it has only been one year, but he had two "Special" days during that time. Isn't he amazing!! and he is now 42....don't tell him I told you. He is still fishing and building and fishing and building and being the "BESTEST DAD EVERYDAY!" (ala Nee-nee) Brooks dreams of running his own charter Fishing Boat...The Rusty Hook Fishing Co. Its a good thing we looooovvvvveeeee fish tacos around here. He is always willing to take anyone visiting on a fishing trip, either in the kayak or by foot, hiking into many "unknown" fishing holes...."No, those NO TRESPASSING signs don't mean us...."

The great and might fisher-man

Merin has only had ONE birthday and is still sweet 16!!! I know, you are asking your self,"How does she do this year after year!!!" I will finally let my adoring fans in on my trade secret.............Hopefull it will work for you too!! I was able to take a "Mom and Max" trip to Oahu in January. We crashed the vacation of our mosty favorite family, the Hughes, and were able to spend 4 wonderful days touring and having fun. I am blessed that my job allows these opportunities for memories and one on one with my kids. Spending the time with Lisa, Eric and the girls was the best part of the trip. We snorkeled Haunama Bay and swam with turtles, saw a Japanese tourist in a skimpy pink speedo,(and took pics of him!!! This is for you Syd!!!), mastered the public transportation system, went to Pearl Harbor and learned that the Supper Shuttle is a travelers best friend!!!

Pink Speedo Japanese man at Haunama Bay Max and I at the Pearl Harbor Memorial

Max....well, he's been Max. He is now 13 and is as tall as his mother. scary...He started 7th grade and entered the Dead Zone.... MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! He has transitioned very well, considering he was sent to a school that only 3 of the kids from his elementary went to. New school, new friends, new hormones...Oh, I mean a new time of life..He has worked very hard in school and has made the Principal's Honor Roll twice so far. He makes his dad and I proud with his self motivation and dedication...He wants to go to USC for college. Now, for those of you reading this that are tried and true Blue fans, don't worry, BYU is his "Just in case" school. Grandpa Moore is rolling over in his grave... We finally gave in to his pleads and cries, well, Brooks did, and he was able to play Football....He was amazing. For a kid whose main sport was (and still should be) soccer, he had a blast. No major injuries, just a minor ankle things that kept him out of Rugby this season. Yes I did say Rugby. There is an amazing Youth Rugby league here in SLO, and we thought it would be fun to try. He was able to play the previous season and had hopes of it again, but alas...football injury. We hope next season will be a go for sure. He also played water polo and is now trying to decide what to do in high school since both sports are at the same time. (h2opolo, h2opolo)

Neely turned 8 in December and can't wait to turn 18 this year....She is our true fashionista and diva. Hair done....check. Stylish and cute clothes......check. Accessories.....check. Happenin' shoes.....double check. She exhausts and delights me with her feminine ways. She must get that from her dad.....She started 2nd grade and loves it. She has discovered the love and joy of reading and delights in asking EVERY night,"When I go to bed, can read, even just one chapter..." The manipulation! She knows I can't say no to that! She is such a warm and caring young lady with a sensitive soul. She is the first to laugh, cry, anger, forgive, love, kiss, hug, help, ...well, you get the idea. She also loves to sing and dance and had the chance to perform in the finale at our school talent show this year. She danced to MJ's Thriller. She got all Zombied out and loved it. She is soo beautiful that it takes my breath away every day. Her blue eyes can melt a glacier at 100 yards...Seriously. She loves to go to church and learn new things, or at least things she thinks are new and needs to fill us in on them for the sake of our eternal salvation....She decided not to play soccer this year because she "hates to just run and kick the ball!" Since that is tha main object of said sport, we felt it best not to sign her up. She did want to try basketball though and really loved "running with and bouncing the ball!" Go figure...Her uniforms were purple and that made it all the better and she got spiffy gray basketball high tops for her birthday from Max, so again...Clothes...check. Happenin' shoes....double check. VERY cool purple leg warmers to match her jersey...check.

Last, but definitely not least......

Darby is almost ready for her world invasion, eh, tour, I mean domination. She has more energy and zest for living in one pinkie than I do in my whole giant sized adult body...no comments here please. She loves to climb anything and everything, walls, furniture, fences, cars. She also falls quite frequently but only one fall has resulted in an ER visit and a normal CT scan....thankfully. She turns 6 next week and feels that she now qualifies as a "growd up"...She enjoys dressing up and is always changing her clothes. I almost feel counter productive when I get her dressed in the am since within 45 min, she will wearing something out of the dress-ups. She loves high heels, a true mommy trait, and prefers to wear small flowy skimpy outfits, a true daddy trait. I have to contently tell her the what she is wearing in immodest and showing things best left covered. Her latest remark to that was, and please prepare yourself, "Mom, its OK to show stuff when your just playing dress up!" I aged 40 years with that comment. I quickly found a happy place within myself and found I could not say anything to her as she had already gone back to playing and looking for more jewels and shoes and purses. It will be a major shock to her when she starts kinder in August and she has to stay dressed in one outfit for 8 hours!!!!! Can you say Adjustment time!! We put her in soccer and lets just say its a good thing they dont give red cards in the 6 and division...She is a TRUE competitor and has no problems getting the ball, even if it means shoving the other girl from behind while running, or attempting to clothesline someone for the same purpose....."Coach said to get the ball!!!" LOVE IT!!!

I thank you staying awake for this epic adventure and hope you will tune in again. I will try to update more frequently this time....maybe every six months this year!!!!!