Sunday, March 7, 2010

Finnegan!!


We got a dog! We got him from our friends the Rectors, and technically, I guess he is still their dog, but he lives with us. We are so happy to have him, as he is a real joy to us. He is a Cock-a-poo, and so soft. I think he is now used to us and our unusual, loud ways. He has really taken a liking to Lauren, but is learning to like the rest of us, except Jason. They are not best friends yet.

A Quick Update


I know we have not updated the blog for a long time. I guess I just don't think about doing it. We have had a lot going on though, Soccer, water polo, swimming, musical performances, honor roll assemblies, awards, birthdays, etc. etc. etc.


By family member, here goes. Lauren finished the water polo season with a 50% shooting average. She had 10 goals this year, and has set her mind to make it way more next year. Her soccer team finished well this year, but the last games were on the same day as a water polo tournament, so she was not there. Now she is on to swim season. At the first meet she competed for the JV team and took 3 first places and one second place. She enjoys backstroke, but his good at almost all the strokes. I think we will be seeing her in a lot of IM events.


Jason just had his 11th birthday! The above picture is him with his Lego cake. He got cash so that he could buy his own laptop. He has been saving up for this for a long time now. He now spends his weekends in his pajamas playing computer games. His soccer team was not quite as successful as we hoped and they did not qualify for regionals, but he had a great year with a fabulous coach that really taught him a lot. He has decided he is not playing baseball this year and wants to take golf lessons. He got golf clubs for Christmas and enjoys going to the driving range with John and I. He still plays the piano and even lets me request a song from time to time. Jason has been a proud member of the honor roll since going to middle school. He is doing very well. He was named Math Student of the Month recently.


John is life guarding on the weekends when it is not raining. The high school water polo is over, but he really enjoyed his first year of being a referee. I enjoyed watching him ref. We are still trying to figure out a way to get him to coach, but that darn work schedule! John had a car oriented birthday and Christmas. We got his windows tinted and a new stereo put in. He thinks it was for him, but Lauren thinks it is for her, as the car will be hers in about 2 more years.


I am plugging along. I just received the Honorary Service Award from my school. John got it last year, so I guess we are keeping the award in the family. I am trying to keep my mind off of the miserable state of education if California, so I have taken up cooking. I am trying a couple new recipes a week, and digging out old favorites that we have not had in a while. Keep in mind that I do this in between games, meets, tournaments, and practices. Really I am very lucky since John does most of the practice pick ups. I can't wait until Lauren can drive herself to the pool every day, especially those early morning practice days.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Gottschalks on the Go

WOW! 4 Gottschalks, 4 schools, many interests and talents, and a logistic nightmare. We have always felt so fortunate that all of our sports are so close to home. The kids have always had practices close by and games are usually within walking distance. Even with that being the case, it seems that we are really on the run this year. Lauren is on the water polo team for her high school and playing AYSO soccer. Jason is playing soccer and taking piano lessons. John has decided that being a soccer ref just wasn't enough so he has added water polo ref to his list. All I can say is at least he gets paid for the water polo refereeing. If he took on one more volunteer position... Anyway we are busy people.

This weekend started out like any other, girls' night out for Lauren and I with another friend at the mall on Friday night. Saturday morning I couldn't sleep so a quick work out (running 5 1/2 miles) for me and then to Lauren's soccer game. They turned the game around when Lauren scored a goal and ended up winning. YAY!!!! Then off to watch the boys frosh/soph water polo tournament. We got 3 games in there, John reffing 2 of those, before we had to rush to Jason's soccer game. That one was played in 90 plus degrees of miserable heat. They tied. Then back home to rest up a little bit before heading off to a friend's surprise 40th b-day party.

All in all we were exhausted by Sunday but that didn't stop Jason from joining a friend at Knott's Berry Farm for the day. So that is how we spend our weekends, and why the blog just doesn't seem to get updated very often. Once the girls' water polo season starts I hope to post tons of pictures. In the mean time - Love to everyone.