1st Degree Black Belt

Mason started ATA Taekwondo in the fall of 2006. He has been attending classes three nights a week for over 3 years. Last night, Mason attempted a front kick and an elbow board break in front of a gymnasium full of spectators in hopes of earning his 1st degree black belt. We are happy to announce, he did it! As you see in the video above, Mason was successful on the first try of the front kick. He was successful on the third (and final) try of the elbow break. Talk about stressful for us and the friends who came to support him. A celebration followed the board break at our home. Next Friday, he has to give a speech at the ATA Belt Promotion Ceremony when he will actually receive his black belt with his name on it. We are all so proud on him. Speaking of proud, Mackenzie was the photographer of the video. Nice job Mackenzie!

Shark Valley

On President's Day, we visited Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park. I don't know why it is called Shark Valley, because there are no sharks (its in the middle of the Everglades 50 miles from the ocean) and no valley! But there is wonderful wildlife and, of course, gators everywhere! The route consists of a 15-mile bike loop that goes out to an observatory in the middle of the everglades and the back again.

We saw a gator mother with her baby on her back! Later down the path, we saw a baby just off the path on a rock. The mother was watching nearby.

The view at the top of the observatory was awesome. You could also look down on groups of gators.

There was a nice path we walked. We didn't get too far though - the path was blocked by a gator. He was nice enough to smile for the camera, though!

All of the gators were nice enough to pose to have their pictures taken!

Shark Valley is one of the best parks we have ever visited. It is equally beautiful, exciting, and peaceful. We will be back soon!

by Dad

Valentine's Day 2010

Leading up to Valentine's Day, Darin and I knew it was going to be uneventful evening. School was going to be closed on Monday due to Presidents Day so, it would have been a nice evening for a date night but Mason had religion class from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Since he only has class once a month, he couldn't just skip it. Much to my surprise, it ended up being a very nice evening. Mason and I witnessed the baptism of baby whose mom found out she was pregnant a year ago on Valentine's Day. Mason surprised me during arts and crafts by creating the following heart, he thought of words all by himself.
by Mom

Life is Good

Mason has a new collection, Life is Good shirts. He wants to wear them everyday. Mason is so proud of his shirts that he even took the following pictures all by himself, not bad for an 8 year old.
by Mom

No More Braces

Mackenzie had her braces removed this morning. She had them on for one year and nine months. Not bad at all, Congratulations Mackenzie! What a beautiful smile :)

By Mom

A Nacho Throw Down

Mom's Boston Beer Garden chicken nachos

Dad's famous ground beef nachos

On Super Bowl Sunday, we decided to have a Nacho Throw Down (like Bobby Flay). It was Dad's famous nachos with ground beef versus Mom's Boston Beer Garden chicken nachos. Needless to say, it was a close call, Dad and Mackenzie prefer the beef nachos while Mom and Mason prefer the chicken nachos. To end the night, we started a fire and cooked so-mores with a twist. Instead of regular marshmallows, we used strawberry flavored.


by Mom

Tennis Shoes

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Mason's tennis shoes today at practice. There is something so cute about him in a pair of tennis shoes. I can't put my finger on it, maybe it is the fact that the shoes stay so clean and white because he only wears them while on the court.
by Mom