FATHER / SON CAMPOUT

Gabriel and Carson throw the ball around while the dads set up tents
















Gabe is pleased to find out that they will be making bopper swords and practicing to be knights. I guess the reaction is a little more than "pleased"
















No - it was not the bopper sword that caused this wound, yet it was the low hanging branches from the trees in the night. I told Gabriel that he needs to tell people "you should see the other guy....." he responded "what guy are you talking about Dad?"

















Raising up warriors
















Gabe watches the demonstration with real swords

















Water balloon volleyball was awesome! You should see the other team....















Since we didn't get much sleep in the tent the night before, Gabe siezes the opportunity to score some z's before arriving home.

Gabe and I attended our first Father / Son Campout with our church. There were activities for us such as water balloon volleyball, sword making, and archery. There was a demonstration of real swords and a martial arts expert. We shared meals with our church brothers and the two of us also spent time in a daily devotional. The midnight walk was a blast and we also were able to squeez in a few games of go fish. Even though Gabe experienced a few "boo-boo's", we had an absolute blast together. We can't wait to do it again.

DD Day

No - I didn't studder..... Kara DD's day started by taking a trip to her new school to meet her teacher.
















Dinana shows Kara her numbers















The swings at school are just the right size
















Later I took my girl to see Uncle Beaner at work and pick up the Beemer....
















We then ended up at Daddy's work and introduced her to some of my co-workers. She loved Luane (of course she did - when she gave her four suckers......)

Tiger Woods? We ARE Tiger Woods.....

Golf-Ballin?
















Gabe and I share a little pre-game pose. Not bad for a self-taken shot, eh?















Gabriel makes a hole-in-one.......yep - ONE shot. Does it get better than this?















Gabe lines up and takes a shot at a birdie















Yep - number one......numero uno...... one shot - that was all it took to get the ball into hole number 11. This pose was just a reminder that he did it.















Yep - Gabe is a little bummed out that when he made this shot - the ball disapeared.

We had a ball (no pun intended) playing putt-putt golf at CJ Barrymores. We left the gardening to the girls and played a round of 18. We then proceeded to the golf dome to hit a bucket of balls. Lately, Gabe has been watching golf on TV and has been playing some Tiger Woods Golf on the playstation - so he was craving a real golf experience. I still think his favorite part of the night was when we hit the 19th hole - A hot fudge sundae from Mickey D's. Spending QT with Gabe at this age is priceless. It is truly a blessing to be the one to show/teach him some of the things we all take for granted and see how excited and eager he gets to learn them. Stay tuned for future daddy/dude posts....(Father/Son Campout and Gabe's first Michigan Football game)

Sunday Fun!

Matching outfits? The kids share the camera before heading off to Church















"Hey - look at my teeth!!!"
















"Uh, Dad - the sun is like in our eyes......"

Gabe and Kara were told early in the day that if they behaved nicely together that they would be able to go to the park. Bribery sometimes works when you need some peace.

Volley-Ballin

OVER DUE

But here it is...... The kids and I had some very competitive volleyball in the back yard (almost two weeks ago now). Competitive? My kids? Well - yes, but in the end they took a "team" photo




Kara would serve it up and Gabriel did the digging, setting and spiking the ball (and at times the net too!)

Test Post by Jessie, Master of Blog!

Mix, I think its fine; try it again! = ) Jessie

Family Vacation - Port Austin

Our family Vacation started without the (Big) boys. Work was demanding and it sounds like we missed out on some 100 degree weather with NO AIR CONDITIONING. Of course the kids aren't bothered by this - I don't remember being bothered by it either. We adults are such babies......















Gabe and Jordyn pose for a moment


















Gabe, Jordyn, Beaner (Ben), Noelle, Kara, Sonya and Drewby (Drew) pose for a hot evening family picture. I still have not figured out how to use the 10 second delay - plus there wasn't any more room for me on that crowded couch......





Thingy BaJingy!!!!









What is a vacation without playstation?
The kids loved it. That includes Ben and I






















Flea market pose in front of stuffed animals. REAL stuffed animals!!!








The only clear shot I could get of Drew - Can you say camera shy?















We needed some thing to get the adhesive off of Jordyn, but Kara woudn't have that - she was literally stuck to her big cuz. Noelle was grateful. Thanks J for being a great big cousin!!















Bean and Quish pose before taking down some "bumpy cake" ice cream.......I prefer SUPERMAN!!! Yeah I said it!!! SUPERMAN!!! I know I'm not 8 years old anymore - but I act like it so - it is okay to still get it. Right Ben? Canichewa!!!!




I think she likes it!







Noelle is thinking about how she can get her hands on the kids ice cream without losing them....
















Cousin moments.....













Gabe loves the pool. Is that a Ben in the pool sighting? I told him to drop the kids off at the pool.....then he disappeared for a about 15 minutes....hmmmmm















Still couldn't get Drew to pose. She is too beautiful not to be pictured....


















Huh? A blog shot of the two of us??? Yep - I had a stranger take a shot of us on the pier. This is a rare one. I still haven't figured out that my maize and blue tiger hat doesn't go with anything I wear.










A day at the beach produced a battle for the best sand castle. I think Noelle won with the shot below. Sonya's castle was beautiful. (not pictured)
















We enjoyed a very relaxing few days in Port Austin. Noelle and I had an amazing time with the kids and they were so excited to be with their cousins for the entire trip. It was our first combined family vacation and everyone seemed to have a blast. As show above - we went to the pool located at our cabin site, to the beach for some lake fun. We also ate great home cooked food, shopped at the town stores, shared laughs and at night when the kids were asleep played a little poker.

We also celebrated Sonya and Noelle's 26th birthdays!! (Again)

As always - vacations seem too short - but it is always good to be home again. We were so happy that the Losh's decided to come with us. It would NOT have been the same or nearly as fun without you guys! We will have to do it again sometime soon!

Maz Fam Reunion - 2006

Kara gets in some z's before the fun & sun

















Maz womanian - Dinana and Kathy pose after a long hot day
















DD and Mia take a drink break.















George and Paul - (where are John and Ringo?)















Aiden decides to go looking for fish

















Suren (a.k.a. big daddy kane) enjoying a beverage and conversation
















Backgammon? Puleeeez - get me in there. Aram and I dueled it out















We weren't doing anything - we swear!!!
















"Da Girls!" - Mom and Kathy pose with DD, Mia and Dina

It was great to see my family again. There were a lot of people who couldn't make it - we missed you guys a lot. The weather was sticky hot, but thank goodness there was a well of water for the kids (and big kids) to play in. See you all next year!