Long time, no blogging! Here's another year gone by....recap style.
Showing posts with label kiddos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kiddos. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Rain Rain Go Away
You may have heard that we had a spot of rain here in California.
It was quite the event! It pretty much rained for a week straight, which threw a majority of Californians into a tizzy. I have to admit, it's pretty unnerving to drive on the freeway in the rain, considering how fast people drive here. Actually, it's not how fast they drive, but how closely they follow each other. Well, at any rate, my week wasn't spent on the freeway, thank goodness, and I rather enjoyed the rain. Bring it on, I say!
One of the last storms had the tiniest bit of hail, so of course that prompted a little hail throwing, the closest we'll ever get to snow around here!
Two silly California boys!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Graduation, parts 3 and 4
A couple of days ago, I realized that I never finished showing off the graduates in the family. This whole moving thing is really throwing me for a loop!
Tait didn't actually graduate, per se, but he did "move up" from 8th grade and so we attended a "moving up" ceremony for him. If you're wondering why there are no pictures of this event, that would be because 8th grade boys (well the one that lives at this house anyway) have a tendency to put their hands in front of their faces in every. single. picture. This sort of behavior does not make a blogging mother happy, which I think is the whole idea if you ask said 8th grader. 
He does come out from behind the hand on occasion to bug his sister. Here he is at the graduation dinner doing his best.
In the past we have sweltered on the outdoor bleachers, wishing for the sun to go down just a little bit faster, hoping for the tiniest bit of a breeze, and praying that a monsoon won't sweep through and drench us. This year, as you might have surmised from the above photos, graduation was held in the Wells Fargo Arena. Yes, we were packed in like sardines and it was death for the long-legged folk in our crowd, but that inconvenience pales in comparison to the beauty that is air conditioning.
Not a bad seat in the house.
Did I happen to mention that it was air conditioned?
Finding the graduate after the festivities was a bit of challenge. We are used to just rushing the football field, after all, but eventually we found her and took all the obligatory after shots before she was whisked away to grad night.
Graduation, Part the Third
Tait didn't actually graduate, per se, but he did "move up" from 8th grade and so we attended a "moving up" ceremony for him. If you're wondering why there are no pictures of this event, that would be because 8th grade boys (well the one that lives at this house anyway) have a tendency to put their hands in front of their faces in every. single. picture. This sort of behavior does not make a blogging mother happy, which I think is the whole idea if you ask said 8th grader.
He does come out from behind the hand on occasion to bug his sister. Here he is at the graduation dinner doing his best.
Graduation, Part the Fourth
High school graduation followed a different pattern this year, and boy are we ever grateful! Let me just say two words about it: Air Conditioning. 
Yes, air conditioning is a glorious thing.
In the past we have sweltered on the outdoor bleachers, wishing for the sun to go down just a little bit faster, hoping for the tiniest bit of a breeze, and praying that a monsoon won't sweep through and drench us. This year, as you might have surmised from the above photos, graduation was held in the Wells Fargo Arena. Yes, we were packed in like sardines and it was death for the long-legged folk in our crowd, but that inconvenience pales in comparison to the beauty that is air conditioning.
Not to mention the big screen.
Not a bad seat in the house.
Did I happen to mention that it was air conditioned?
(sigh)
I love me some air conditioning.
Finding the graduate after the festivities was a bit of challenge. We are used to just rushing the football field, after all, but eventually we found her and took all the obligatory after shots before she was whisked away to grad night.
With the conclusion of this event, we are exactly halfway finished getting our kids through high school. Three down, three to go!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I Want Candy
About 12 years ago, when this little sweetie was 2...
he woke me up from a dead sleep at 5 in the morning. It was one of those moments when you sense someone is standing near you, hovering, just waiting for you to wake up, and so you do, in a complete panic, wondering what's wrong.
"Mommy?" he asked, winsomely, working those sweet little eyebrows and dimples, "I have candy?"
Not much has changed in the course of 12 years. He still knows how to work those dimples.
And he still loves candy.
So this year, for his 14th birthday, he got a bagful of candy and gum from A to Z, Atomic Fireballs to Zone Bar. I found something for every letter in the alphabet, except one.
Surprisingly, it wasn't Q or X. Nope, the elusive candy was U. So he got one little package marked "Unknown." It was actually a tube of toothpaste. You know, to counteract the fact that I just loaded him up with sugar.
Of course, no teen birthday would be complete without a few electronics.
Here he is basking in the glow. . .
. . . and blowing out the candles.
Happy Birthday, Tater Tot!
he woke me up from a dead sleep at 5 in the morning. It was one of those moments when you sense someone is standing near you, hovering, just waiting for you to wake up, and so you do, in a complete panic, wondering what's wrong.
"Mommy?" he asked, winsomely, working those sweet little eyebrows and dimples, "I have candy?"
Not much has changed in the course of 12 years. He still knows how to work those dimples.
And he still loves candy.
So this year, for his 14th birthday, he got a bagful of candy and gum from A to Z, Atomic Fireballs to Zone Bar. I found something for every letter in the alphabet, except one.
Surprisingly, it wasn't Q or X. Nope, the elusive candy was U. So he got one little package marked "Unknown." It was actually a tube of toothpaste. You know, to counteract the fact that I just loaded him up with sugar.
Of course, no teen birthday would be complete without a few electronics.
Here he is basking in the glow. . .
. . . and blowing out the candles.
Happy Birthday, Tater Tot!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Grand Prix
So, this Grand Prix track is pretty amazing. Not a bit like the pinewood derby track my brothers raced on back in the day. And don't even get me started about back in the day. I'm not bitter that in Boys Brigade my brothers got to build derby cars and pumpkin seed kayaks that they took out on the bay while in Pioneer Girls I learned how to sew a doll and make tea. Oh no, I'm not bitter at all.
Well, Lori, let's get back to the present. If memory serves, you last used your sewing machine a couple of days ago, and last we checked, the boys haven't built sea-worthy vessels since they were 12. Time to let it go.
Ok, then. They line these bad boys up on the track
then let 'em fly!
This was the last Radcliffe hurrah. For some odd reason, we always try to go for speed. So far, that hasn't worked out too well for us. This year Brian was determined to win something, anything. Being the creative kid he is, he figured he would try for the best child-made car. Yes, that means the adults have to keep their hands off, though they are allowed to bestow their most helpful advice and oversight. I mean, come on, there are power tools involved. Someone has to make sure the kid finishes the project with all ten digits intact.
Yes, it's the one with the palm tree and half naked WWE wrestler basking under a heat lamp. And as you can see from the trophy in Brian's hand, he created a winner!
I don't know who made this one, but I thought it was clever. Note Jonah's legs protruding from the big fish's mouth. Mr. Big Fish looks as if he has a bit of indigestion.
I have to admit it was a long evening.
I kept myself busy with taking pictures while Brian enjoyed time with his friends.
Ian did his share of hanging out with the guys too.
Some of the spectators, however, were forced to create their own entertainment.
Well, Lori, let's get back to the present. If memory serves, you last used your sewing machine a couple of days ago, and last we checked, the boys haven't built sea-worthy vessels since they were 12. Time to let it go.Ok, then. They line these bad boys up on the track
then let 'em fly!
This was the last Radcliffe hurrah. For some odd reason, we always try to go for speed. So far, that hasn't worked out too well for us. This year Brian was determined to win something, anything. Being the creative kid he is, he figured he would try for the best child-made car. Yes, that means the adults have to keep their hands off, though they are allowed to bestow their most helpful advice and oversight. I mean, come on, there are power tools involved. Someone has to make sure the kid finishes the project with all ten digits intact.
And lest you think the dads don't get overly competitive in these competitions, when the MC asked the younger division speed winners if they had even touched their cars prior to the evening, only 2 of the 6 raised their hands!
Can you spot the creative masterpiece?
Here it is at the finish line. It certainly didn't win its heat, but it didn't come in last either!
Here it is at the finish line. It certainly didn't win its heat, but it didn't come in last either!
Yes, it's the one with the palm tree and half naked WWE wrestler basking under a heat lamp. And as you can see from the trophy in Brian's hand, he created a winner!
I don't know who made this one, but I thought it was clever. Note Jonah's legs protruding from the big fish's mouth. Mr. Big Fish looks as if he has a bit of indigestion.I have to admit it was a long evening.
I kept myself busy with taking pictures while Brian enjoyed time with his friends. Ian did his share of hanging out with the guys too.Some of the spectators, however, were forced to create their own entertainment.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Murdelated
This game happened last Saturday. I'm still getting over it. Let's just say the Pirates we are not. 
I'm not even going to tell you the score, because I'm trying to erase it from my memory. 
This Saturday we play the best team in the league. Thank goodness Brian will be at camp.
As you can see, I haven't mastered the indoor high speed action shot. 
If I could just convince those silly boys to stand still, I could take much better pictures.
This Saturday we play the best team in the league. Thank goodness Brian will be at camp. As you can see, I haven't mastered the indoor high speed action shot. If I could just convince those silly boys to stand still, I could take much better pictures.Sunday, February 22, 2009
Birthday Season Is Officially Open
This week marks the opening of birthday season in the Radcliffe household, and I ask you, are 24 pictures of Amy's Awesome Hippy Birthday Party too much for one post? 
Yeah, I figured that's what you would say. I'll try to pare it down a bit. But it's gonna be hard. Because there were at least 50 college students crammed into her tiny little house, and there was lots for me to document. So here goes. She's turnin' 20 on Saturday, but will be counselling at winter camp for 5th and 6th graders, so we partayed a little early.
She shared this party with her friend Aubreigh who is also turning 20 this week. Being that they are only 20, and that the majority of these kids are Amy's Campus Crusade friends, no alcohol was involved. Kinda unusual for ASU, but there ya go. Sober fun. It can happen.
There was dancing in the backyard
Yeah, I figured that's what you would say. I'll try to pare it down a bit. But it's gonna be hard. Because there were at least 50 college students crammed into her tiny little house, and there was lots for me to document. So here goes. She's turnin' 20 on Saturday, but will be counselling at winter camp for 5th and 6th graders, so we partayed a little early.She shared this party with her friend Aubreigh who is also turning 20 this week. Being that they are only 20, and that the majority of these kids are Amy's Campus Crusade friends, no alcohol was involved. Kinda unusual for ASU, but there ya go. Sober fun. It can happen.There was dancing in the backyard
and a firepit for smores. Do you know how a creative college student sets up a firepit in her backyard?
It involves a barbecue grill with no legs or grill.
You'll have to think like a college student to figure out the rest. Note the abundance of tie-dye.
They dragged practically every stick of furniture they owned outside, so they would have more seating around the fire, and more space inside the house. Here's Colin hangin' with the college guys.
This was the scene inside the house. There were pretty much people everywhere!
I cooked and served food like a mad dog...you should've seen those starving students scarf down 13 pounds of teriyaki wings!Then we totally surprised Amy...privately, of course.
This is her new toy.
This is her new toy. Well, there you have it. I cut the number of pictures down to 12. You know what that means. Stay tuned for birthday post, continued!
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