Zach's First Day of Kindergarten!!! August 25th 2010

WOW!! Zach's 1st day of Kindergarten has come and gone. I can't believe how fast he has grown, and what a nice young man he is turning out to be. He is at Midland Elementary in Poway right next to the Old Poway Train Park. Yesterday we had orientation and a meet and greet with the teachers. He has Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Lehardy as teachers. They both seem very nice, and I think it will turn out to be a good year. When I went to pick him up from school on his first day, Mrs. Wood told me he was great and was very helpful. Zach told me he followed the rules because he didn't want to get sent to the principal's office :) Of course he was excited to take his new backpack and lunch box, and to be able to wear his new clothes and shoes!

Fire truck lunch box and Handy Manny backpack

Sun was a little bright in his eyes

Playground and kindergarten classrooms

Day Break at the Racetrack

This year for the first time, I took the kids to the Del Mar Racetrack for breakfast. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout racing season, you can eat breakfast and watch the horses warm up. We went specifically to celebrate Gwen's birthday as she does this every year around her big day. The kids had so much fun watching the horses, listening to their noises, and waving to the jockeys. I think this is something we will plan on doing every year!

Luke was intent on watching the horses and I just love this picture of him!

Gwen and Mike

Jilly getting a wave from the jockey passing by

My little Lukey

Zach holding a clock I happened to win at a raffle, to bad it wasn't the 3 night stay at a hotel in Palm Springs!!

Sea World Fun

Before Zach started kindergarten, I took some time off of work and took Zach one day to Sea World. We were there 10 hours! Monica, Jack and Tori came to spend the day with us as well. The two boys had so much fun by the Journey to Atlantis ride, that they got soaking wet and didn't really care. They met up with Elmo and Grover and Auntie Cole even treated to kids to a messy dessert before the fireworks started.

Scripps Night at the Ballpark 2010

Every year Scripps Health purchases tickets to a Padre game at Petco Park. This year a few of us from the cardiology department went and we had tons of fun. The kids ate all kinds of baseball game junk and the parents had a few well deserved drinks. Unfortunately the Padres lost the game but we came away with some good stories :).

Heather, Mike, and Drake Bonaguidi, me and Gwen

The clan towards the end of the game

Laura and John with their adopted grandchildren

Sitting in our seats

Mike's Mt. Whitney Trip

Every year Mike, his brother Andrew, cousin Eric and friend Damon do some activity to honor Kevin and his memory. Last year they did a beach camping trip and this year they decided to hike Mt. Whitney. Andrew and Kevin hiked it a month before Kevin's passing. This year they made it to the top and enjoyed the scenery along the way. I am sure there was plenty of beer drunk as that is the way Kevin would have wanted it. Mike said it was hard work but he was really happy to do it!

Vacation Bible School 2010

This year Zach got to go to Vacation Bible School at Penasquitos Lutheran Church.

He had so much fun and brought home lots of great art projects. The theme was Sonquest Rainforest, so they decorated the church all up with rainforest animals and plants. We look forward to doing this every year with the kids as they grow. I know that this will help strengthen our kids faith in our Lord.