Since I have been so lacking on my updates, I figured the best way to make up for lost time would be with lots of pictures. So, here goes ...
First up is Chuck's race in Folsom on Sept. 13. This was the first race of the season that Gavin and Chloe were able to attend. Not only did Chuck capture first place (HOORAY!) but it was also the first day Gavin got a nosebleed. He went face first off a fence post. *sigh* At least the nurse at the First Aid station was cute and Gavin was well-attended too, but he didn't really seem to care too much! Anyway, it was a beautiful day and we all had a lot of fun! Chuck's mom joined us for the race as well.
(For the record, I have no idea why all my words are coming up underlined in blue. Just go with me here ... hey, at least you're getting an update!)
Not only was Chuck looking like his handsome self in his kit, but each of the kids had a jersey to wear as well. No wonder he won ... he had the best looking cheer squad around! :)
That could well be one of my favorite photos! What a good looking group!
When Daddy is racing, it can get a little boring. Good thing there was plenty of dirt to play in. This was taken before all the playing got started ... you should have seen how quickly the dirt became part of the outfit. Ah well, the riders get dirty so why can't the spectators, too!?
This was taken after the race. Chuck's friend (and former student) Chris Thibodeau laid down to rest after the race and Nurse Chloe stepped in to make sure he was doing okay.
Adorable, if you ask me. :)
There's my guy! First place! Way to go, Chuck!! :)
Oh yes, and there's the wife. :)
And there has been a lot that has changed since that point. Heck, that was nearly a month ago. I do have more pictures to share, but it would appear the camera is currently playing hide-and-go-seek and really, I 'm not in the mood to seek ... so more pictures will have to come at a later time. Instead, I'll use words to give some more updates. We'll run through the family here:
GAVIN: The little man still has a front tooth holding on for dear life! My goodness, I'd have thought it would have fallen out this weekend, but instead it's dangling with whatever small bit of effort it can muster. Other than all that, Gavin is doing great. We continue to get good reports from school and he's actually been singled out as a helper on campus. He's going to start working in a friendship club to model good behavior for some of the students who are having some problems. He's also reading up a storm which is a lot of fun to be a part of, too. He's still loving Kuk Sool and should be getting his yellow stripe very soon.
CHLOE: What a love bug! We've had a few rough patches, but our refrigerator is currently covered in several good notes from school and we couldn't be happier. Last weekend Chloe and I played dolls together ... and boy did we have a good time! She laid them all out in the living room and then we took turns feeding and burping them. She taught them how to use the potty and then the babies started saying their first words so Chloe kept me up to date on what they were saying. It's been a while since I've played dolls, but we had a great time. I continue to enjoy doing Chloe's hair and she's loving french braids right now.
ZACK: Z is doing great. Last week he had an MRI (his third in his short little life) to check out his head. Originally, the doctors did the MRI to make sure there wasn't an issue with the size of his head and his speech delay. The good news was there wasn't a huge issue there, but they inadvertently found a cyst on the back of his brain. (GULP!) The did a second MRI a year later to make sure the cyst wasn't changing. It had actually gotten a bit smaller, but they wanted to do third MRI one year after that to check again.
Last Monday was the MRI and we just got the results ... the cyst has gotten bigger, but in proportion to how much Zack has grown, the cyst is actually small. Did that make sense? Anyway, they won't do another MRI for two years. It's not really a cyst to worry about too much (although when people are talking about your child I'm not sure you don't ever worry about it ...) Apparently we can all have these particular type of cysts, and as long as there aren't any major things happening (slurred speech, falling over, trouble walking, etc) they won't do anything but monitor. Whew.
Zack is doing great in school and is now seeing a speech therapist twice a week. He really enjoys working with her. :) Believe it or not, Z turns four next Thursday. I'm in shock ... where has the time gone!?
CHUCK: Well, racing season is officially over for the year! :) Chuck finished very strong ... winning the State Championships in Big Bear. He is coaching the mountain bike club at school and continues to find time here and there for rides in between other activities. He has DJ'd a couple of dances for the local schools and is enjoying his wellness class (health/pe combo) at school. He's hoping to find time to get back into Kuk Sool more regularly ... he'd still really like to earn that black belt.
ME: What can I say? I'm having a blast keeping up with everybody else's activities! I'm now volunteering in all three classrooms each week and I really enjoy it. Where else does a high school English teacher get to spend time cutting out the pieces for art projects or directing kids in gluing beans onto a letter B? Seriously, I'm loving it. I could never work in a preschool classroom full time, but my two hours a week is enough to get my fix! I am also making the halloween costumes. Gavin will be an Army guy, Chloe a witch and Zack would like to be Bob the Builder. We have a week off in October and my plan is to sew, sew, sew! :)
We've pretty well settled into our new place. This just started our second week here and there are only about four boxes left to unpack. We'll have the place ready to shine next week for Zack's party ... that will be the first time most of the family sees our new digs.
Anyway, I hope this finds everyone doing well. I will search out the camera soon so I can add more pictures.
Much love,
--M
And then it was Chloe's turn. The girl has rhythm to be sure! 
This was Sunday morning. We decided to sleep in and take it easy. The kids humored themselves with a tea party in Chloe's bedroom. Man, they made a mess fast ... amazingly this only took about 15 minutes to clean up. Is fun proportional to the amount of toys on the floor? Not sure, but I'm thinking yes! 
Sunday afternoon, Chuck, Gavin, Chloe and myself decided to check out a pumpkin patch on our way home from dropping off Zack. Here Chloe feeds the horse and Gavin rides the horse. This pumpkin patch wasn't so much about choosing a pumpkin ... for $5 each, the kids got to spend 30 minutes playing in jump houses and going down slides. Perfect way to burn off some energy! 
The fire truck on Saturday afternoon also allowed for some fun. Here, Zack is checking out the instruments on the back. 
Another big milestone was that he lost a front tooth this weekend. He and Zack were wrestling and out popped the tooth. There was a little blood, but after we got everything cleaned up, Gavin gave Zack a big thank you ... that little tooth had been dangling for what seemed like weeks! 
Chris (left) and Chuck at the starting line of the State Championships in Big Bear. The course was set up in such a way that we could watch them take off and then didn't see them again until they crossed the finish line. In the hour and 45 minutes that it took for Chuck to complete the race, we (myself, Chuck's mom, my mom and my aunt and uncle) headed for Starbucks. What better way to root on your honey! :) Just kidding. 
And, there's the finish! I was jumping up and down as I watched Chuck come into the final part of the race and I'm shocked I was actually able to snap a picture. But yes, he did win ... and by a HUGE eight minute margin. What a stud. 
Chuck received a plaque and a medal for his efforts. Both the medal and the plaque are hanging on his wall at school. :) 
And the very next weekend we packed up our house and moved. No rest for the weary in this family! :) Before moving we needed to properly decorate the trailer. Thank goodness the kids were here. Chuck can't draw and I was busy packing. Like I said, no rest around here. Geez, you spend all weekend cheering someone on at a bike race and you can't even take off the next weekend to rest. What's up with that? 
