Weekend Wrap

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Mama was out of town this weekend so it was daddy day care around our house. Friday night was the annual  Results Radio family night at Hawes farms, but since Mom wasn't there, we decided to bring Gabe with us. You guys all had a blast doing your individual activities: Alex and Gabe did all of the scary stuff. Jake had a great time riding the rollercoaster and Izzy jumped on the jumping pillow all night long. We met up with some friends from school and went to shoot zombies. It was just as awesome as it always is. We ended up leaving way later than we expected but we all had a blast.

on Saturday, we needed to get the tires rotated on the van. Not terribly exciting stuff. But, we turned it into a geocaching adventure. I told you guys that each geocache counted for 20% of a treat, so we had to find 5 to guarantee a treat. We did find our 5 and racked up a total of 12 thousand steps in the process!

Pretty girl & a pretty flower

We ended up having a late lunch at Jack and everyone was in a great mood. I just love spending time with you guys so much. We headed home and Izzy wanted to watch Kickin It on Alex's tablet while the boys and I settled in for a night of agents of shield and arrow.

Sunday morning the boys were both altar serving and I was lector one at Mass. You guys did such a great job.  I'm always so proud when you stand up there and serve. After Mass, we headed home because the house needed to be cleaned up a little. Gotta keep it clean when moms away. After we got our chores done, we headed out for a little bit to try to find a few more geocaches. Once again, we found 5 and went to get a treat.

This nasty little bugger was located by the Steve-Man. Great find, dude!

At Target, are designated treat store we found our treats and Alex and Izzy got a special treat: a San Francisco Giants shirt! We need all the luck we can get heading into the World Series. Since it was Sunday, after we got our chores done it was time to watch football.

Mom got back later that evening, we had dinner and a nice evening together. Everything's back to normal now, but this weekend is the Fall Festival. I can't wait to see what kind of adventures we will have this weekend. I love you guys,

Daddy

Steve Drives

Hi kids,
Daddy here. So, the other day I had to pick you guys up at school and bring you back to the radio station with me. When we left it was after closing time so there was hardly anyone here, so when we drove up Charles Dr, I decided to let Steve drive a bit.

Izzy, and Alex also got a chance. Izzy,  on my lap, and Al by himself. I can't believe how fast you are all growing up. I love you guys,

Daddy

Monster Weekend

Hi kids,
Daddy here. I've begun to think over the time of this blog that maybe Monday isn't so bad after all. When I come in and start to type out what we did this weekend, it makes me realize how much fun we have and lucky we are.

This weekend was once again time for a Mansfield family tradition. THE WEST COAST MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS. "Uncle" Matty Funnlecakes picked us up at about 6:30. We drove down to the Tehema district fairgrounds cracking jokes and laughing the whole way. When we were almost in, I asked, "When do you guys think we'll see the first thing that makes us say 'WOW'?" No sooner did I ask that when Al pointed out a guy walking with his six year old daughter, and the guy was smoking. "How about that?" He asks, "I mean wow dad, just awful." We paid for parking and got into a spot and began the walk into the arena. Once we got checked in we headed off to the right to the VIP area as we always seem to get the VIP tickets. We got settled into our seats and waited for the show to begin. They were loud and awesome, like always. We screamed and yelled and had a blast. Jake asked me if he could go look for food. I said, "Sure. Just don't go over the bridge and out of the VIP area." He comes back like 5 minutes later excited as can be exclaiming, "They have Oreo shakes!!" "Here?" I asked. "Uhh..." Really Jake?! The one direction I gave you was to stay here. Ugh. So the boys come back with their shakes just in time to see the Jet Fire Engine. It does not sound that impressive, but check this out, how sweet is this?!

Pictured: The definition of awesome

All I wanted to see all night was a Monster Truck flip over, and after the final race, the drivers came out and did some freestyle stuff. The Patriot made a huge jump and went up on his front tire. I stood up and prepared to scream and holler. He eventually rolled back down on the back tires and the entire crowd let out a audible, frustrated sigh. That sucked. Still, flip or not, we had an absolute blast, just like every year. I hope you guys will go with me when you're old and I'm older still. I love going to that event with you guys. I really love how we all just get so excited by silly stuff like that. Boys rule!

On Saturday, mom took Izzy to Ava's birthday party which worked out really good for us boys ad the Giants-Nationals game was on. The Giants had won the first game in DC and were looking to win game number two and take a commanding lead in the series. When mom and Izzy got home from the party, it was the top of the 9th inning and the Giants were down 1-0. I told mom we'd go out to Wildcard and have a beer as soon as the game was over. Then, Pablo Sandoval hit a double and Joe Panik scored to tie it up. The 11th inning came and went, as did the 12th, 13th and 14th. I realized (with Alex's help) that if I wanted to have a beer with mom at Wildcard, we had to go. So, the boys recorded the game for me and we headed out. We had a very nice, quiet time. When we left, we remembered that you guys had not yet eaten so we white-trashed it up and bought Hot Pockets and pot pies on the way home. I could not believe that we made it all the way home with no one spoiling the end of the Giants game for me. When we got home, the boys asked if we could watch the end of the game. We put Izzy in bed and started where we left off, which by the way was the bottom of the 14th inning. When the game reached the 16th inning I made the comment that I had never seen a game go on that long. When the game reached the bottom of the 17th, mom asked how long it would be possible to go on for. "Until they get a damn winner." I said. "They will keep playing all day and night until those guys are physically no longer able to walk or stand." In the top of the 18th inning, Brandon Belt (the baby giraffe) hit a solo home run and the Giants took a 2-1 lead. They held the Nats off and won the game, after 18 innings of baseball! It was the longest baseball game in terms of time ever in the postseason and tied for the longest ever i the postseason in terms of innings. It was crazy to watch and I loved that we got to be a part of history in the making, a little. I mean, it's not like we were there, we just sat at home on the couch, but still! Totally awesome, I'm so glad we all watched it together.

Sunday: Mass at 9, as per standard, and home to get things ready for football. Oh, and mom had a jewelry party. The boys and i watched the 49er game. When the other moms came over for the jewelry party the kids came down stairs and watched the game and horsed around with the boys and I.

 The 49ers made us sweat near the end, but ended up winning, whew. After the game & jewelry party it was time to head to Captain Kissyface's Halloween party.  Alex stayed home to get some homework done, so Mom, Izzy, Jake and I headed over.

While we were there, Jake hit Kevin in the face with the football and knocked his tooth out. Thanks, Jake. His dad's a highway patrol officer and his mother is an Assistant District Attorney. As it turns out, Jake made a perfect pass and Captain Kissyface just missed it. Also, his tooth was already loose, but still, of course Jake knocked his tooth out with a football. How Jake is that story!? Classic Steve. I love you guys,

Daddy

Airshow 2014

Hi kids,
Daddy here. This past weekend was the annual Redding Airshow and Results Radio had our very own booth! Mom had some stuff to do in her classroom so just you guys and daddy went to the Airshow. There was food and drinks and ice cream and airplanes. It was awesome. Maybe the best thing that happened were when Alex asked, "Cagle, do you want to get on my shoulders?" or when Izzy stood on a chair and said, "Cagle, I'm as tall as you!" and she was, lol. Anyway, we had a great time once again and missed mom. I know she loves the airshow and loves hanging with us so we need to make sure we support her with all her hard work she's doing on her classroom. I am constantly reminded of how much fun we have in this family, and I hope you guys grow up remembering all the laughs and fun things we did. I always try to remember the good times when life gets us upset. Sometimes I loose that battle and sometimes I win. We just have to keep praying that we remember to be thankful and laugh. We are very blessed to have each other. I love you guys,

Daddy

Izzy's Weekend

Hi kids,
Daddy here. I told her not to. I was very clear. That dang ol stinky was not to get any older, yet despite my constant asking, she did. Izzy, my sweet little girl, somehow is six years old now. I was just commenting on how fast the time goes, and I know 6 seems pretty young, but I remember the day she was born like it was just a few weeks ago. The boys remember a time before there was an Izzy for pete's sake. But here she is, six years old. So, while daddy will lament the fact that my little girl is growing up too fast we will party to take my mind off of it. The Clickner clan made the journey up for the party and visit so that's always a good thing.

Grammie & Papa were out of town so we headed over to their house to party. There was a bunch of construction, so it took us waaaaay longer to get there than it should have. We did make in plenty of time tho, so the girls got to decorating and Doc and I cracked open a few cold beers. The boys swam for a bit but we decided to head back to the house and let the girls have their run of the space. Mama threw Izzy a baking party.

I'd say she loved it. I had to go work at the Beer & Wine Fest for a few hours and afterwards the Reagan's came back and hung out for a bit.

Sunday morning the Clickners headed out and we headed to Mass. We wrapped up a nice weekend of partying with our friends and prepared for the week ahead. Happy Birthday Iz. I love you guys,

Daddy

Mac's Party

Hi kids,
Daddy here. This past weekend we got another chance to party with the Reagan's. Izzy and her best friend Mackenzie have their birthdays two days apart so Mac had this weekend and Iz will have hers the next weekend. We went out to Mac's grandparents house for the Frozen pool party. The pool was not frozen, that was the theme, hehe. We had a great time. We are very blessed to have such great people in our lives. I love you guys,

Daddy.

1st tooth!

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Izzy lost her first tooth!

It started getting wiggly a few days ago. This weekend while she was eating breakfast it popped out. When we prayed before we ate lunch, Izzy said, "I pray I get $100 from the tooth fairy." She did not. She did, however, leave a very nice note for Maxine and got $3 since it was her first tooth. 

She's so proud of her lost tooth. Now she's working on the new wiggly tooth. Don't be in such a rush Iz, it'll happen when it's ready. I love you guys,

Daddy

The most wonderful time of the year

Hi kids,
Daddy here. So today was the first day of school! Wahoo! Al begins his 9th and final year at St Joes. I can still remember the kindergarten ice cream social when we met the Vara's. That seems like only a few years back. It's crazy to me how fast time flies. People always say how fast it is with your own, but I never believed it till I watched you guys grow up. That's one of the reasons I started this blog, to remember your lives and to not let myself or any of us get caught up in the rat race so much that we let our lives pass us by.

 Also new this year, mom began her first full-time teaching job and she got a job at St Joes! She got the 5th grade class, which means that Jake will be in her first class. I love that this happened so much. It's such a great opportunity for the both of them. I know mom will be a perfect school teacher and for Jake to have her in his class is just awesome.

As for Izzy, she's out of Kidergarten and officially in a grade now. The stinky, Mac, and most of her kindergarten friends are now with Mrs. Thornton in the first grade.

I'm so glad that we get to live here and are able to send you guys to guys to Catholic school. I pray you study hard, make great friendships and get closer to the Lord. Good luck this year! I love you guys,

Daddy

Doc turns 40?!

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Well this weekend was another busy for the MansClan. Doc turned 40 (bout time!) and so we headed to Oroville for the celebration. After a brief visit, Doc and I headed to Chico to see Guardians of the Galaxy. We stopped at one of our favorite spots, Spitteri's Deli where I saw a Ferrari!

We ended up at Doc's dad Ron's house in Paradise for the big surprise and had a great time. I sometimes forget that I've known this guy for the better part of the past 30 years. I hope one day you guys have a friend as good as I do with Doc. As I've said many times, I don't have any brothers but I feel about as close to that guy as a brother must. It's rare to be friends with somebody that long, but totally worth it. I've known him even longer than I've known mom. It has been one of the great pleasures of my life to call him my friend. I love you guys,

Daddy

Aloha to Maui.....for now

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Well the alarm went off waaay too early today, but it was time for my final early morning beach walk, so mom and I shook off the sleep and went out.

We really did not want to leave, so the boys and I took a little something home with us.

Proof we were there! After a few more dragging our feet, it was time for our final walk through.

So we sadly headed out. We grabbed a quick breakfast at McDonalds and had a Taro Pie, a uniquely Hawaiian treat. It was awesome. We got to Aloha rental car and dropped off Tutu and the car and said out final aloha.

We then took the shuttle to the airport and Tutu headed home. The driver told us all about the hurricane that was coming in, but sadly, we didn't get trapped in Hawaii (boo). We eventually got on the plane and started our long flight home.

These boys do not want to go home

But, eventually we settled in and started talking about what a great time we had.

We hope to be back next year! We love Maui and Tutu so much and are so blessed to be able to as often as we do. I love you guys,

Daddy

Hawaii pt 7

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Today is gonna be a big day. We have the rare opportinity to spend the day at the Grand Wailea. The fanciest hotel our family has EVER seen, let alone stayed at. Tutu knows someone who works there so we were able to get a chance to spend the day and night there. First though, we had our last early morning walk on the Kamaole sands beach. Mom and Al chose today to walk.

After the walk and the many laughs, we had to take one last look at Ariel. This sculpture got progressively more and more intricate. This was the final result.

He did not sculpt that, btw.

We headed back to bid a fine aloha to our condo at the Kamaole Sands. I tell ya, it's getting to the point where I really feel like checking in at that place feels like home. As such, checking out is always bittersweet. We always have such a great time, but it's always sad to leave. As per standard, when we check out, we always have a final walk through.

 

Aloha Kamaole Sands, till next time. Our Hawaiian vacation was not yet over, however. As We moved on down the road a mile or two to the Grand Wailea for a day of awesomeness.

Seriously, this place is crazy! We left our luggage and headed to the pool area.

King Steve of the Pool Kingdom

The adult pool, notice the hibiscus on the bottom.

The kid pool i.e. where we spend the whole day. Notice the cabanas.

The world's only water elevator.

So, there was a rope swing too, but I didn't get a pic of that, as after this pic was taken, we went swimming all darn day long. There were seven pools and a water-slide to lead to each pool and then down to then next. There we two big scary water-slides that the stinky could not ride because she was not tall enough. The boys and I, however rode them over and over again. We swam and rode water-slides all day long and it was one of the best days we've ever had. This is one day I'll remember forever. We all had so much fun, and did not get too sun burned this time. Tutu asked how much is was to rent a cabana and the guy said $400!! We decided to pass, lol. We got some food and kept on swimming. We sat behind a cabana and Alex asked me what the safe was. I told him it was a safe so people could lock up their stuff and he didn't believe me. I asked what he thought it was and he said, "A microwave."

Pictured: Not a microwave

After a whole day of relaxing and having the best time ever, we headed to the room. Or should I say, rooms!

The Kings and Queen of Hawaii

Epic Selfie

Ya know, just in case

We got all cleaned up and you guys stayed with Tutu and Mom and I headed down for dinner. The resturant at the hotel was also fancy, and totally awesome, albiet expensive. What can you do?

When we got back, you guys were asleep, so we snuggled into the comfiest bed ever. We did not want to go home tomorrow. I love you guys,

Daddy

Hawaii pt 6

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Only a few days left in Hawaii, but we are far too focused on having a great time to worry about it. Well, now that everyone has had a beach walk, we start again. Today, Jake was up.

We walked until we found some shelves...

That boy loves shelf stomping. After we worked up our appetite walking and stomping, it was time, once again to eat. Tutu took us to a place on the other side of the island at a fancy lunch place.

Bellies full, let's shop! To the Queen K mall where we saw Guardians. While we were there we ran into Joyce. How awesome is that. We're 3000 miles away from home and we have been here enough to run into people we know now, hahaha.

We got some candy and Izzy got a Hello Kitty ring, good times. I love you guys,

Daddy

Hawaii pt 5

Hi kids,
Daddy here. Today, I did not make it on the early morning beach walk. You'd think I was on vacation on something. Today we hit the Friends of Maui Library Bookstore, affectionately called the FMOL. We found a couple of books and only spent a couple bucks. The dudes in there were listening to classic rock and we told them about when we met Steven Tyler.

The bookstore is located behind the old Puunene School.

 Which itself was behind the sugar cane plant. I don't quite understand how making something as sweet as sugar can smell so stinky, and the stinky herself came up with, "It smells like raw-en popcorn." Not rotten, mind you. Raw-en.
We had our books, but nothing in the belly, so off to lunch. We went to Zippy's with Auntie Joyce. It was pretty good. Back to the beach for more chillin.

I tell you guys, I never get tired of this. I love you guys,

Daddy