Tradition....

View from the road.

The house for the weekend.

Rental car license plate....

Let the drinking, and other things, begin....

Pfaff's CA home

6men total...but 4 brothers....

the beach...

This picture brought tears to my eyes...I will never forget the day that Tod held Eric for the first time seventeen years ago. He was three.

Best friends...even today.

Heaven on earth...to the pfaff want-a-bes.

Pre-game

Paul and Eric

like father, like son

The group of older men (aka US pfaffs) in the above pictures are the most loyal WANT-A-BE s I have ever met. Their blood runs blue and yellow, and, ironically, they are all bear-like... some teddy, some grizzly. If the clock could be wound back, ALL would, entrance willing, attend UCLA. You see, it all began in the mid to late 50's when Dad attended, rode CREW for, and graduated from UCLA. Little did he know, that years later his own children, none of which carried on the Bruin attendance tradition, would be celebrating, supporting, watching, gathering, and attending as many UCLA events as time and money will allow. This passion and love has been passed down to the wives, children, and even the families of the THEMS. Fifteen years ago they began a tradition of attending one UCLA football game together. Then children were born, and rules had to be made... (grizzly bears). It was decided that children must be 16 years old to attend this annual event. And, considering the activities involved, it's probably a good thing. Don't want to frighten those precious Children of God too early.

This year marked the

third trip to the Rose Bowl,

second year to see a UCLA vs. usc game, and the

first year for Eric and Tod attending together.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

What a fantastic day we had today! It was a first for four of us. Mike, Cole, Reed, and I went out to Kadee Trees in Greenville, Tx...about 80 miles from Dallas...to pick out, cut, and haul home our first real Christmas tree. Since Tod's birth, and his poor family genes of allergies and asthma, we have not ever ventured out to buy REAL. This year I decided to take the question to the expert, Dr. Wasserman. Dr. Wasserman is a pediatric allergist/immunologist who has seen Tod since he was 3, and Craig, Cole, and Reed since birth! Absolutely the most amazing doctor in Dallas! In fact, he has been ranked one of the best in the Dallas for many years. I emailed him last week regarding Tod's moldy apartment and his lung's response to the mold (that he is allergic to) and decided to throw in the REAL Christmas tree question. Well, I learned from him that cutting a tree down FRESH eliminates mold issues! So, off to Kadee farms we go! We rode out to the acres and acres of trees in a hay wagon carrying a saw! What a job! I fell in LOVE with so many. The ONE was 10 feet...so onward we searched. An hour later, we found the second ONE. Mike, Cole, and Reed helped cut it down. The guys at Kadee then take your tree to a vibrating machine to shake all the dead pines to the ground. It is then measured (8 feet!) and shoved, and boy do I mean shoved, through this hexagon looking deal to be bound up tightly! Mike then carried it to the big GREEN MACHINE...and for the first time, our GREEN MACHINE carried home our first REAL Christmas tree.

Oh, and where were Craig and Tod? Craig was on the couch, and Tod was sound asleep after having spent BLACK FRIDAY shopping with Gemina and Kharis from 2:30 AM until noon.

edward....but more importantly, God

Edward....amazing. For those of you who don't know me well, I don't read. I remember in high school my mom bribing me with money for each book I read. It worked. I read 8 that summer. Since then? Nothin'. Until this past summer. Teaching eleven year olds was the beginning of my exposure to the Twilight Series. Then, it was the talk at work. Anticipation of upcoming movies...werewolves, vampires...PLEASE. Nothing I would EVER read. Never. My mother always taught me...never say never. Brittney talked me into just trying Twilight. So, I caved and began...and oh my, I am still grieving that there is not YET another book. Due to the lack of reading over the years which caused the lack of vocabulary growth as a student/and now adult, I can't even effectively put into words what Edward provokes in this reader. His protection, love, and desire for Bella goes unmatched. After finishing these novels, the relationship that Stephanie Meyer so brilliantly created caused me to evaluate the most important relationship in my life~my relationship with God. And, I wonder, if that is not just the way that God feels about us and our hearts? No matter where we are in this life...He's there...quietly awaiting our desire to reach out to Him. He desires to have all of our hearts. He wants nothing more than to pull us closer to Him....deep within his protective arms....promises of everlasting love and life.

Proud Dad Moment

I had a nice Proud Dad moment this weekend. Now, I have those a lot for a lot of different reasons. Normally one of the boys does something nice for someone or does well in school or has a great sports game, but they are usually moments confined to a certain offspring. However, on Sunday we were all hanging around the house, Uncle Jay came through town and we had a nice visit and then I decided to mow the lawn. I was mowing and not paying much attention to anything, but when I turned to go back I noticed it…

All 4 of our boys were out in the street playing football together. The 15 year age span didn’t seem to bother them as they passed to each other, gave tips, shouted encouragement and laughed a lot. They weren’t making faces or arguing or trying to show how much better one was than the other. They were just playing together. I have always been a little worried that because the boys’ ages are so spread apart that they would have trouble connecting with each other, but as I watched them play I realized that it would be all right. That despite the day-to-day sibling problems they get along and appreciate their time together. I may have been reading too much into it, but it was a Norman Rockwell moment for me. I realized how blessed I am to have a strong wife who is also a great mother. Thanks boys for showing that to me and thanks Kim for raising them that way.

It's been a while....

i found edward.

The Purple and Red

Sig Ep & DZ ....23 years later!

BAND OF BROTHERS: biological and fraternal

John, Steve, Mike

Steve and Marylou

Mike's best friend, Jeff, and his wife Vicki

Mike's college love (well, that is before me.. :) ), Julie

Jeff, ?, Mike...looking more and more like Paul!

Sig Ep yell!

Those were the days! I would so love to have had the time to scan the pictures from the past to go along with this post! In some ways, especially the yell, it was just like old times. 100 Balanced Men gathering arm in arm to "He Ain't Heavy" and then chant their yell! Only difference...little slower, a lot grayer, and lot more pounds.

Come on, Tod, BE the next generation!

Pledge Sig Ep!

Baby's gone to Kindergarten!

I can't believe this time is here already! Reed started Kindergarten last Wednesday! And, I survived it! Shed some tears and went off to class myself! I

also never thought I would have a son who looked more like Mike than Tod....until Reed! Proud 3rd Grade Big Bro Cole and Reed!

Cole

Lady, Cole, Mom, and Reed

Mrs. Ashford (kindergarten aide), Reed, and Mrs. Strong

Reed's favorite MIS teachers...taken by Reed himself!

Papa JACK comes to visit!

Cole, Dad, Reed

Dad came through Texas on his way back to Florida from RAGBRAI! RAGRAI is a ride across the state of Iowa which Karen and Jay ride annually. He rode between 60 and 80 miles per day for two of the five days of RAGBRAI...on a five speed bike! Amazing. Following his ride, he brought his friend Gayle and Peanut for some R&R in blazing hot Texas!

Good times for all!

AZ Summer 2010

Big GREEN Machine

Cars are overrated. They cost a fortune either way....buying or keeping them up. And, recently we have spent WAY to much money maintaining one. Not any more! GONE. No tears or regrets. But this one is different. I have grown to love this one more and more with each road she has taken us down...all 164,000 miles of them. She could get herself to Florida or Arizona with her lights off! If her doors could talk, they would share countless memories. First rides home from hospitals, first road trips, camping stories, first loads to college, victory rides after sporting wins, first trips to the ocean, chariot rescues, she's been a closet...bathroom...and dinner table, and she has even had to be an ambulance a time or two. Some of the most intimate "family meetings" have taken place inside her doors during our long journeys. She has listened to our laughter, screams, cries, singing, snores, and our prayers. Once again, we will all (not many of these times left, we sadly realize) climb inside her doors, pray our traveling tradition Rosary, and journey to The Grand Canyon State.

We love you, Big Green Machine.

"Boring Blog"

I received a text message today. It said simply: "Your blog is boring." Boring! Please. While she is busy in her nephrology world, she takes time out in her "slammed" day to tell me our blog is boring! Sad thing is, I concur. It IS just the blog, however, that has been boring! Life still seems to flash by at lightning speed...and most of the times we don't even have the camera on hand! So Karen, I love how you look to those who are most dear to you, sitting lazily at the pool for the 100th time this summer, and miles away, to "destress" your day... this one is for you!

Summer began with Craig's scouting. He and Mike traveled down to Big Bend to hike, swim, look at stars, see the bats, and camp with his Troop. Craig is weeks away from becoming a LIFE scout on his journey to EAGLE. Like his Uncle Brad, he "spidermaned" up the mountain...7500 feet!! Amazing that with asthma and his "out of shape/summer mode" heart, he didn't hesitate on his journey up. We are so proud of his accomplishments.

Coming down...Craig is the one blazing a trail in front!

The view!

Craig's Troop

Craig, Matthew, Jacob
Craig and Dad in tent...BEFORE the snoring began!

Scout camp was followed by baseball. Reed had a fun time playing "low-key" t-ball (which was hard on Dad) and Cole's team, the Lugnuts, came in 2nd in the season, and 1st in the championship tournament.

Reed, Daddy, Cole Cole and Jacob
Coach "Dad", Cole, Jacob, Coach Mix (Jacob's dad)

Cole's baseball season led to All Stars where he played short stop and second base for the The Branch! He loved playing sports into July...and so did his coach! :)

Pfaff men a.k.a. Cole's Fan Club

And then, recently we celebrated the 4th of July with friends and family. Annual Irving parade and swim with the Arringtons, followed by celebrating with family! Fun times.

Reed and Max

Walter and daddy, Mike

Before and After...the jump!

Mike and mom

So, there you have it! Summer through mid July in one post. Boring...nah. Slacker..yes ma'am!