Vincent.....Back at it

I luv this picture of the two of us.  I ride with Vincent rather than him riding with me.  He has completely surpassed my ability in riding. I ask myself how the heck did that happen?  He rarely rides, I have a brand new road bike, and more skills right?  Not the case anymore. 
We moved here the last week in July.  He has already competed in two Triathlons.  One of which he didn't even train for.  In fact he saw the posting the day before the Triathlon and entered it that afternoon.

With out training at all he competed in the Lompoc Triathlon.  He was beyond amazing.  Finished with the time of 1:21.  Pretty darn good I must say. 

Two weeks later he competed in a Triathlon put on by Vandenberg Air Force Base.  When we showed up, I was a bit scared for him.  These are people that MUST stay in shape.  That train on a regular basis and train hard!! Of course I didn't tell him.  I just prayed he could do this. 

A penny for your thoughts

I luv this picture that Brian took.  Great of Vincent AND one of his young men leaders in church.  Talk about being okay to elbow and not worry about it, too bad....

before he started he talked Amanda into warming up with him.  If you look really closely you can see her running after him trying to catch up.

Here he is.... Our 2nd Place (out of 7) Winner!!!! only 1 minute behind 1st place.....

 

YOU ROCK VINCENT!!!!

Summer School

This summer Vincent decided to take a class. He wants to get ahead so that hopefully he will only have to attend school for a half day his Senior year.... Oh boy. Already looking for a short cut. Oh my son. Sometimes I wonder??? He says it's so he could work more. We'll see??
Anyhow, he really enjoyed his summer Art class. And...... I think we found another one of his many talents.

Being Cool

The first weekend in July our friends blessed their precious baby girl. Brian wasn't feeling well, Amanda was down for a nap. That left Vincent and myself. So, for about the distance of 2 miles I was slightly cool riding in Vincent's car..... "mom, I will even play some good music. Especially since its Sunday."
Well gee Thank you my son!
Oooooohhhhh to be 16 again.

Fourth of July

It was a great day off of work! We started the day with Brian making us his special Egg McMuffins.
We then ventured over to our friends house for brunch.. It was a couple hours later and I knew the boys would be hungry again. We had so much fun. We stuffed ourselves full with fried French toast! YUP! Fried French toast. Delish!; and so much more. The kids along with Amanda were pure entertainment while playing Dance on the Wii.
Brian and Amanda of course snuck in a nap while I cleaned the house and Vincent heading to USWIRL.
Brian's father, Chris Sr. and step mom Irma were in town for a couple days and we met up with them to have dinner.

After eating ALL day, cooling off with the water fountain in the middle of the plaza (way too much fun for the kids) we finally made it home for some fireworks!
While I lay in bed thinking that night with my disabled Vet next to me. I can't help but think how grateful I am to live in this Country and have the freedoms that I do.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

16 Is Not All That Bad

Vincent is now to the point that he is never home and when he is it is to eat, sleep and hopefully get his chores done?
I have admit, I really do miss having him around. He has been working a lot this summer. He is still working for the local yogurt shop and working for his old boss Chase doing pool service. So when he IS home, he is usually tired and cranky. I keep reminding myself it could be worse. But then again, as I start my days around 4-5am there is part of me that really wants him out of bed too? Isn't that horrible as a mother to admit? We want our children to have it better and easier? But at what cost? Or is it a cost? Mind you, Vincent IS a great kid. He is respectful to others, is always on time for work, he is a hard worker, a great brother, is a worthy Priesthood Holder... The list could go on and on. I ask myself the question? Why does it bother me so much that he won't keep his room clean, cleanse his face twice a day and pick up the poop or take out the trash w/out being asked?
Yes!!! I know. People tell me; if that is all I have to complain about, let it go????? I guess we should. There is just part of us that feels like we need him to do the little things too?
And therefore I pray everyday he makes the decision to go on a mission. As long as we can just get him there. Then..... We will have made it!!!!!

Another Set of Wheels

Vincent's Isuzu VX

Jared and Vincent being WAY

TOO cool on the way to UT

Of course while the guys

were gone Amanda and I did some

shopping... New BIG GIRL car seat!!!

About a week and half ago Vincent, his friend Jared and Brian all took a "guys weekend" trip to UT.  The main reason was that Randy (Vincent's Father) was giving him a vehicle.  OH BOY!  They all had a great time and Vincent is beyond happy that he doesn't have to put every single paycheck into fixing up the VW that Papa gave him. 

Another Sport

Vincent has decided after a long long waiting period from Brian and Grandpa Dan to take up Golf.  Since he is now big enough to use Brians clubs and accessories, it's not that too expensive to get him going.  OR, so we thought...... It's a good thing he has his own job.

Vincent's first Golf Lesson at the 500 Club in

Phoenix.

Going to the East Valley

Normally we don't really venture over to the East Valley much.  Not going to lie, it's such a drive and so much darn traffic....
But Grandpa Dan was in town... So it was worth it.  He had spent a couple days traveling over to this side of town we thought we would return the favor.  Not only that, we were able to visit with some very dear friends that we haven't seen in years. 

Grandpa Dan, Vincent, Lamar & Jenny Davies

Granpda Dan, Vincent and Lamar Davies

Thank you to Jenny and Lamar for having us over.  Unfortunatley I lost the rest of the pictures :( 

It's a Pool Party

It was the 2nd to the last day of school.... What is there to do?  For Vincent?  Throw a pool party.  Unfortunately I only have one pic... I wish I had saved them all.  Kids were here from 3-10pm. It was a lot of fun. 

Vincent still hanging with little sister with

all of his friends. 

You Have How Much Money??

In April Vincent received his 2nd job.  For the past two summers he has worked for a friend of ours who owns a pool company.  Now, he is working for a local Frozen Yogurt Company.  He luvs it.  I will admit that we are very proud and sooo thrilled. 

Vincent behind the counter

at USWIRL.  We are so happy

it is right around the corner.

Amanda LUVS frozen Yogurt now...

3rd Annual Pima Triathlon

For the past 3 years Vincent has participated in the Pima Triathlon.  Over 400 Boy Scouts from all the come, camp out, attend a Devotional and Dance, stay up until wee hours of the night and then compete in a Triathlon the next morning. 
This year the Young Woman in our stake were invited to compete also.  So this year there were even more competitors. 

Volleyball and The Cheerleader

Vincent's Volleyball Season ending at the beginning of May.  I was so happy that I was able to attend his last game...

Vincent's loudest Cheerleader

with Dad :)

Ready for the dig

BAM!

Bike MS Century

It was finally here...... Or is it OMGoodness it's here??????

Either way. Yesterday it was time for the Bike MS Century ride.  What is a Century?  I have now decided that it is for crazy people that want to show off and burn A LOT of calories in a short amount of time....
JUST KIDDING.... Becuase, that would mean that I would have to admit that I am crazy........
Anyhow, Brian, Vincent and I set off at 3:00am to reach Sedona, AZ.  One of Vincent's friends, Meaghan was such a sport and spent the night so she would be here to watch Amanda in the early am.... (she still decides to wake up at 6am :( or earlier)
 Thanks to Brian, Vincent and I were able to sleep for the 2 hour drive. (helped since I didn't get off work until 10pm) The first thing I noticed was the snow :(  Wait really?  It's the 2nd week of April.  I knew we were North but that North....... I hadn't noticed how cold it was due to the large quilt I was wearing.  (we try not to use the heat due to it making Brian completely uncomfortable.)
That moment came..... After I had noticed while waiting in the car it had hailed, snowed and rained; for us to get out of the car and get ready. WHAT WERE WE THINKING?????  It was a nice warm 41degrees outside... ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? 
Vincent being the champ and well pretty much not so smart teenager decided to start in his bike short and bundled up on top.  Me, completely not worried about looking cool at my age.  I was beyond bundled up.  :) 
7:15 and the horn sounded.... Oh I was so incredibly nervous.  We decided to start at when the pack had already passed by.  (no way was I going to ride in the hot mess)
We were making pretty good progress as both of us were shiffering and dreaming about the ride being over.  Of course being a teenager and much more fit than I, Vincent went ahead and I fell back.  He waited for me at the first rest stop.  Seeing how I knew he was riding much faster than I was, I knew that the clothes I had were much better against the wind than his.  So, since the tempature had dropped we decided we would trade clothes....
From then we were both riding seperate.  It was so cold that I had text Brian to get us full gloves (cycling gloves are half) and some kind of feet warmers and meet us at the next rest stop.
A whole day of getting lost, (signs were horrible) rain, hail, snow and lightening we were beyond happy to be completed..........
It overall was fun and such an accomplishment for all of us.  A special thank you to Brian who was the BEST Pit Crew Cheif, and our only help :) I think he was just as tired as we were at the end of the day. 
We would like to publicly Thank some of our SPECIAL supporters.  With out your donations or support, this journey would have never happened.  Thank you so much for helping us become closer to make and help find a cure for Mutliple Sclerosis. 

Ms. Carla Miller

Mr. Steve and Shannon Cook

Trina Diaz & Kevin Lamkin

The UTI Foundation

The Cavaletto Family

Linda J. Nelson (Grandma Linda)

Deborah A. Diaz

Mr. Chris & Tina Nelson

Mr. Chris & Erin Holland

Ms. Crystal Brock

Grandma Eva Shoemaker

Grandpa Mike Cain

Mr. Christopher Pugh

Mr. Matthew & Erica Diaz

Brian has been so great to keep up

with the maintenance on our bikes

And this is what we woke up to

time to get started :( 

Vincent ready to go.... me obvi

I was still trying to warm up

Maybe if I stretch it will help

Over 800 riders!!!!!

And we're off!

First rest stop after

changing clothes with

each other and Vincent staying

up and me falling behind :)

I was telling myself

these were motivational

clouds

Yes, Yes those white

spots were hail

AAAAHHHHHH off

the saddle and into the warm

car

It was a great day with BIKE MS SEDONA.........

Now for our next venture...

In two weeks May 5, 2012 Santa Barbara MS Walk/Run

Train for the So CAL Coastal Century ride in October 5, 2012 and

the MS PF Chang Marathon in January 19, 2013........