Barnes Christmas Tree Trimming 2008 December 7, 2008
Posted by Eric in Holidays, Mallory, Nathalie.1 comment so far
A little Christmas video cheer for all you holiday shoppers…
Road to the 2020 Olympics July 15, 2007
Posted by Eric in Mallory.3 comments
Summer is upon us, and tis the season of non-stop summer camps. Stacey and I have searched high and low for a local track club for Mallory, but with no luck. This past week Mallory got her first taste of track & field at Soka, which holds a one week childrens track camp every summer. She immediately loved it! The camp included kids ages 7 to 15 and taught the essentials of most events, including sprints, 400 meter, hurdles, long jump, shot, and javelin. It was no surprise that Mallory loved the hurdles the most given how much she relates to horse jumping. On the final day of the camp, the kids held a “track meet” – complete with starter gun and times – and Mallory cleaned up. We think we have a future Olympian in our midst. She’s excited to join a track club next year….if we can only find one. (more…)
Catalina 2007: The New Chief Gets Painted May 25, 2007
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Last weekend Mallory and I journeyed over to Catalina Island for our annual, end-of-year campout for Indian Princesses. We were a little worried because due to recent fires which ravaged the island, electricity was questionable right up to the day we arrived, but the camp was back online. On Friday night all the Sunshine Nation tribes gathered by the beach for the traditional “Joke Night”, where some 100 little girls each got up on stage to tell a joke. Last year, Mallory’s joke was used by another girl just two spots in front of her, so when it came time to deliver on stage she could do nothing but say “I don’t have one”. This year we came prepared with some 10 ringers. “What do you get when you pamper a cow?….. Spoiled milk!”. On Saturday, following a day at the beach kayaking and soaking up sun, I was inaugurated by our tribe girls as next year’s Chief with a head to toe body painting. For a moment, I felt like Nightcrawler from the X-Men.
Yahoo for Tahoe and Yosemite April 16, 2007
Posted by Eric in Barnes Extended, Eric, Mallory, Nathalie, Stacey.2 comments
We just got back from our 10 day trip with big bro Jerry and family to Lake Tahoe. The trip was one to remember…we did it all!! Snowboarding, skiing, swimming, hot-tubbing, casino gambling (could have done without that one), and big family sit down dinners in the suite. Upon the end of our Tahoe trip, we decided to tag along with Jerry and Pam down to Yosemite, where we stole one more day in what is truly the most spectacular valley on earth. We felt cheated only having one day for Yosemite, but the visit left an indelible mark that surely draw us back for a longer stay.
She’s Losing Her Innocense December 3, 2006
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There are certainly daily reminders that our girls are growing older, but some signs (pun indtended) provide stark mileposts that wake you up. Last week, the entire family was greeted with Mallory’s first “KEEP OUT” sign on her bedroom. I believe this followed some arguement between Mallory and her little sister, Nathalie. Unfortunately, they both share a bedroom, so the door didn’t stay closed for long.
The Soccer Journey Begins… November 21, 2006
Posted by Eric in Mallory, Videos.1 comment so far
Soccer has become America’s new pastime, particularly if you have young kids. Last year, Mallory started soccer in our local AYSO League, which is perhaps the most professional “amateur” organization I’ve ever seen. She started in U-5 (under 5 years old) where 3 on 3 girls scrum up and down the field aimlessly, sometimes stopping to pick a daisy. Flash forward only one year, and Mallory has blossomed into a determined soccer player. She played a great season on her U-7 team “The Lightning Bolts” and constantly improved throughout the season, learning to play intense defense and developing a nose for scoring goals. Enjoy the highlight reel….
A Little Vino in Napa November 13, 2006
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This past week, we journeyed up to Napa to meet Dad and Cheryl for a special wine weekend in Napa. We’ve been looking forward to this trip all year and it surpassed expectations! Click here for (more…)
Twick or Tweet November 2, 2006
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Ah….Halloween..the first of America’s Triple Crown of holidays (the second and third being Thanksgiving and Christmas, respectively). Annually we kick off the occasion by watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown“. We’ve established some great traditions over these past seven years living in Aliso Viejo, and Halloween is no exception. First there was our annual pilgramidge to the pumpkin patch with the girls to pick out our pumpkins and enjoy some carnival rides. Yours truly (Daddy) once again got to carve two intricate, detailed pumpkins, first at the Jackson’s annual party and then at the Reagans party. I made the mistake of letting Nathalie and Mallory watch Michael Jackson’s Thriller, after which Nathalie was crawling in our bed every night scared to death that werewolves were going to eat her. Mallory put considerable thought into her costume this year and was a very scary Spider Witch, while Nathalie donned her Sleeping Beauty dress (of which she wears almost every day of the year anyway).
“The Land of Magic” Barbie Movie October 22, 2006
Posted by Eric in Eric, Mallory, Nathalie, Videos.2 comments
What does a dad do with his two young daughters when mom goes away for the weekend, especially when all his girls want to do is play Barbies all day? He gets creative…! We turned a normal Barbie doll playing session into a movie set and created our own short film. Join us on a magic adventure as King Dominic and Queen Blair defend their castle and daughter Lacie against the evil Fire Queen.
The Cabo Report: Pool, Sun, Cerveza and Zucaritas July 16, 2006
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Yesterday we flew back from Cabo, Mexico via Alaska Airlines to Los Angeles. Many thanks to Troy for keeping our car all week and picking us up! We had an incredible time. Both Mallory and Nathalie got some serious sun after spending the entire week in the pool. Before the trip, Mallory wouldn’t put her face under the water, but by mid-week she was fully swimming under water from side to side. We did absolutely nothing on this vacation except lay out by the pool and meet new friends.
