Weekend Recap

Hey kids,
Daddy here. This weekend we had a 3 day weekend due to president's day. On Friday night, Mom and I took Jake and Iz to the family dance at school. I talked to Mr Schoffner and Mr Landaker and Mom, Jake and Iz danced with their friends. Mom had said earlier that she didn't want to stay for the whole night, so when Jake said, "Dad, it's the last song." We had to bounce. We took Jack some with us because the next day was Jake's birthday party. Jack and Jake stayed up late playing Madden and had a blast.

Saturday morning, Mom made birthday cake pancakes for Jake since they're like his favorite. Nathan came up with his whole fam for the party and Rudy came over too. Doc and I took the boys to Oasis Fun Center and you raced go karts, played Mini Golf and played Laser tag.

On the race track, Rudy rubbed Jake out and he hit the wall. Later in the race, Jack did the same thing to Nathan. Funny stuff.  Jack was the only one to get a hole in one on the golf course, but I still beat all of you, with Jake right behind me. In Laser Tag, the teams had to be split up after last year's debacle. So Rudy and Jake were on the same team.

When we got home the boys settled in for some more video games.

While Doc and I took the girls to the park.

As the Clickner's were heading out they offered to let Izzy spend the night and Nathan asked if Jake could go too, and they said yes!  With Alex home alone, Mom and I headed out for the annual St Vincent De Paul Trivia night, with the man Ned Floraday!

Sunday morning, after Mass, we came home to a lazy day off. We got word that Jake had gotten sick and thrown up all night. I asked if we should come get him, but he powered through.

Monday, I headed to Red Bluff with Al to get Jake and Iz and Mom had to go to the store to pick up some last minute stuff for our special dinner. When we got home, we all relaxed a bit and got ready for our short week. Mom made us a full on Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.

It was so good and so filling. The boys and I watched a few episodes of Arrow and Mom and Iz went to bed. It's a good thing it's a short week. Tomorrow you guys have an orthodontic appointment and who knows what else this week. I love you guys,

Daddy

XIII

Hey kids,
Daddy here. I say it a lot, but I can't believe how fast you guys are growing up. Jake turned 13 yesterday! I can still remember when Mom told me she was pregnant with Jake and I was soon going to have another son. I was so excited on that day, and ever since then too. I'm so glad you are just the way you are Jake, you bring so much joy to our family. I remember when Tutu and Grandpa came to the hospital when you were born and they looked into the nursery and asked, "Which one is ours?" I pointed to you and they asked, "What'd you decide on a name?" I looked right at Grandpa and said, "Jacob Albert." He was so happy and smiled so big. He loved you so much Jake. Last night, I asked you where you wanted to go for dinner and Alex kept pushing you to pick Cattlemen's but I told you to make your own choice. You asked, "Where's that place where Alex got that huge burger?" Alex chimed in, "That's Cattlemen's!" To which you said, "Oh then definitely that place for sure!" So we went, and he got the Mother Lode burger.

After the delicious meal, Mom and Jake headed to the acrobatic show at the Cascade Theater and the rest of us went home. When they got home they were still super excited to tell us all about it and we presented Jake with his present, Madden 17. He loved it, again. Seems we do this every year for his birthday, lol. It was a great night. Happy Birthday Jacob, I love  you so very much.

Daddy

Recap

Hey kids,
Daddy here. The past few weeks have been absolutely crazy. One Sunday, we went out to breakfast with the Mangas family at Jeff's California Cattle Co. It was awesome. Alex got two full plates of breakfast! It was even too much food for him!

Jake has played in more basketball games than Steph Curry!

We had Rudy spend the night one time.

Izzy spent the night at her friend, Emma's house and came home and  begged us for a hamster, unsuccessfully.

I got pneumonia again and missed a few days of work and because of the stupid lingering sickness, we missed the annual trip to Laird's house for the Superbowl. We ended up staying home and watching the game just boys. Mom and Izzy went out and did some fun girly stuff and made it back home in time to watch Lady Gaga absolutely kill the half time show. It was pretty awesome. Despite the Falcons going up by a score of 28-3, wouldn't you know that the damn Patriots found a way to come back all the way and tie it! The first Superbowl in history to go into overtime. Pats win the toss, take the ball and drive right now the field to cap the greatest comeback in Superbowl history. Brady wins his 5th Superbowl, his 4th Superbowl MVP and we just sat in awestruck wonder. I could not believe what we saw. This games will be talked about for years to come, and although I'm sad we didn't see it with our friends, I'm glad the three of us boys watched it together.

We celebrated Kristin's birthday.

The car's transmission broke and we were down to one car for about a week. That was interesting. One of the days the car was broken down, Jake got up before his alarm, walked out into the kitchen and fixed himself a bow of cereal. After about 4 bites he looked and the clock on the stove and saw that it was 12:56 am, LOL. He finished his bowl of cereal and went back to bed.


That brings us to this past weekend. It started Friday when we found out Jake got the part of the King of Siam in the school play, The King and I!! I cant wait to see it SteveO, I'm very proud of you.  Friday night, Mom and I had a date night at Woody's pub.

Big Ol pub burger and some bacon and bleu cheese tater tots and a coupe cold ones with my favorite person in the world, yep. Not too bad to get the weekend started.

Saturday morning, Mom, Jake and Izzy headed out to Chico for Jake's basketball tournament. Alex and I had to get some stuff done around the house. Like giving Rudy a bath.

I heard from Mom that the boys lost both of their games, ugh. In the afternoon, I had to get all ready to once again host the Rock Mountain Elk Foundation benefit dinner at Win River.

There were some interesting characters at that dinner.

I finally made it home about 11:45 pm, and found this...

I put him to bed and then put myself to bed only to find this....

Sunday morning, we headed for the 9 o'clock Mass, which is our standard.  After Mass, we came hoe for a bit but had to take Jake back after the 11 o'clock Mass for a confirmation meeting. After the meeting I took the boys for haircuts. Despite what they thought, I liked them both! We came home and had to get some chores done.

Then it was a relaxing night of watching Arrow and some awesome roast that Mom made in the crock pot.

Today, all of us except Alex had to go to work and school. Al took the day off and relaxed. he and I hit the Snack Shack for lunch and I'm headed home from work now to check on the pool and put in the last of the chemicals. This weekend we'll have Jake's birthday and trivia night fun! The adventures continue for the MansClan. I love you guys,

Daddy