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Happy Birthday!

Posted: August 8th, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 2 Comments »


Today marks the seventh anniversary of Sebastian’s entry into this world. At this time in 2003 Anna-Marie was in labor, I was by her side and Mike and Jenn were waiting in a lobby at St. John’s hospital wondering what the heck was going on. It’s hard to believe that it was that long ago because I really can remember it so clearly. Or I think I can, but the mind can play tricks. Yesterday we looked at some videos from 2007 (check the October 2007 archives) and I was amazed at how young he looked. While I remembered the idea of the videos the boy in them was much younger than I imagined and it was a shock to see him at the tender age of four. He’s grown so much! This type of realization probably comes as a surprise to no one, but to me it was incredible.

Thanks to everyone for all the happy birthday wishes and the thoughtful gifts. They are greatly appreciated and the smiles they provide are priceless. Here’s to another amazing year!


Zoo Design

Posted: July 18th, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | No Comments »

Caleb & Sebastian spent a good amount of time in Hocking Hills one night designing a zoo out of dominoes and Jenga blocks. And they wanted to walk everyone through their finished work…


Angel’s Flight

Posted: March 15th, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 1 Comment »

Anna-Marie & Sebastian took a ride on Angel’s Flight after school today. This was the first day it’s operated since the accident 9 years ago…

We’ll have to go back soon so I can have a ride, too! Oh, and a few photos are up on the site as well…


Yesterday

Posted: March 14th, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Sebastian had a great time at Jasmine’s birthday party yesterday where he got to run around with his friends and even got his face painted by “Tinkerbell”. After the party we joined Sebastian’s friend Sean and his family at Echo Park for photos for the last-minute school project. While we were there their friend Christian showed up, too, and they all enjoyed running around together.

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Lots more photos here.


Uke practice

Posted: February 23rd, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 2 Comments »

Sebastian is excited to learn more chords on his new instrument… Soon I’ll have him playing “Tonight, You Belong to Me” just like Steve Martin in “The Jerk.”

No, I don’t know what “vicariously” means…


Music day

Posted: February 21st, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 4 Comments »

We decided to surprise Sebastian today with a ride on the “big train” to Claremont to go to the Folk Music Center where they were offering a session on ukulele for kids. I’ve always bemoaned my lack of musical ability and want to encourage Sebastian where I can as I feel that the ability to play some instrument would be beneficial in his life and he seems that he might share some of his mother’s aptitude at such endeavors. The class ended up having around twenty kids and the store provided the ukuleles for those without. Being the softies that we are we got there early and bought one for Sebastian in the hopes that he’d take to it. It really is a great instrument for kids as the size is ideal and the sound appeals to kids of all ages. The instructor was a kindergarten teacher which explains his extreme patience with the group. For an hour session he was able to introduce the basics of the instrument and get them started on 3 chords, enough to play a few songs, including my personal favorite “You Are My Sunshine”. Sebastian paid attention and enjoyed strumming even if the chord changes were a little beyond his abilities. Hell, they’re beyond my abilities! Still, they’re simple enough and with practice it won’t take long for him to improve. Anna-Marie is a seeming natural, however, and spent a little time upon our return home mastering the basic chords. It’s such a pleasant sounding instrument and the instructor took down email addresses and an informal survey to see if there was interest in an ongoing series of classes for the little ones. Here’s hoping that enough of us showed an interest and we can go again sometime!

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Like father…

Posted: January 24th, 2010 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Apparently talking to yourself is hereditary on the father’s side of the family. So sad, but amazing to see in action…

stop

Let’s see…

Posted: October 18th, 2009 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | No Comments »
Our family

Our family

We haven’t talked to any of the family in a while, so I guess that it is time for an update, no? The past few weeks have been good and we’re all doing well. Sebastian caught a bit of a sniffle and stayed home on Wednesday just to be safe and not pass anything on to his classmates. Plus it rained all day so it was probably better that he wasn’t out in it. He had a dentist appointment earlier in the week, too, and came through with flying colors. His two adult teeth are coming in well and he had no cavities. Hooray! Other than those things, this week has been pretty standard: school, homework, dinner, legos, bed. Repeat.

Last week, however, there was some excitement as the school held its annual spelling bee! Sebastian and 4 of his classmates competed for two days with written and oral tests. He came in third or fourth, depending on how you read the results (there was a winner, a first & second runner-up, then the other two – weird, huh?). We are very proud of him and know that he studied hard and performed well. Most importantly he seemed to have a good time up on the stage – I would’ve been much more nervous and anxious than he was! No word yet on whether or not he’ll receive another trophy for “Horrible Menace” but either way we’re all happy.

Today we’re heading out to the Pierce College Farm for the Halloween Festival where we’ll pick out a pumpkin or two and navigate our way through the corn maze. Hopefully the shave ice truch from last year will be there as we’ve been unsuccessful in our attempts to find any as tasty over the past twelve months.

There are new pictures on the photo site and I’m sure that there’ll be more after today, so check back often! Talk to y’all later!


New…

Posted: September 27th, 2009 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

photos and a video. Enjoy!


Birthday…

Posted: August 15th, 2009 | Author: jeff | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Sebastian had this to say as the gifts kept pouring in:

I think his reaction captures the overall view of his 6th year celebration(s).