day 382

Jody and I went to Seau's today to watch the Chargers VS Jets in the division playoffs. It was PACKED. What a disappointing loss it was - a big shock and terrible way to end the season.

day 378

day 271

We had another 'family dinner' tonight while watched some Monday Night Football. Last week a few of us won prizes at Brew House and this week at EastLake Tavern + Bowl we were luck again - Pat won this jersey! As Jody said, when we are together, "we are winners!" :)

day 264

We had another 'family dinner' with some LdV families tonight to watch Monday Night Football.

day 257

I went to the new EastLake Tavern + Bowl tonight with Jody and a couple of our favorite LdV families. It's a great place to go for Monday Night Football - we watched the Chargers beat the Raiders and had great food and lots of laughs.

day 242

Today was a big day for a young team from Chula Vista. Our hometown boys won the Little League World Series, beating a team from Taiwan, 6-3. This photo is terrible but it captured a really exciting moment - it's one I want to remember.

Well done boys! You embody teamwork and true sportsmanship and we are all so very proud of you.

Photo taken with my Palm Treo.

day 234

Dan took me out for a Padre game tonight. What a great break from all the time I've been spending at LdV. Thank you so much Dan! :)

Before the game, we had dinner in the bar at Lou & Mickey's where they were showing the Little League World Series. Park View, a team from Chula Vista (now the LL West Champions) played a team from Kentucky and beat them in 5 innings, 15-0. When we got to the game, the score from the game was on the board alongside all of the Major League scores - how amazing for the boys! (click on the photo to see a larger version)

I used to coach basketball with Ric Ramirez' wife, Kasey and knew Luke when he was just a little guy. They are such an amazing family and I am thrilled to see Ric and Luke doing so well. It really couldn't happen to better people! Good luck Park View!

day 165

My friends Nanci and Shon organized a co-ed softball game today at Kit Carson Park and then we headed over to their house afterward for a BBQ. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. What an excellent way to kick off the summer! Thank you Finchies - I love you guys!

day 159

Jody, Heidi and I joined Miss Scott and her sixth graders in attending tonight's Padres game against the Diamondbacks. Some of these students were in my class when I last taught fourth grade a couple of years ago. Man, do they change a lot in those two short years! It was a great game and we had a lot of fun. The Padres were up by 3 runs when we left a the top of the 8th inning...

day 135

It was Teacher Appreciation Night so a group of us from work went to the Padres game. They had a great comeback in the 7th inning and beat the Reds 5-3. See the other photos here.

day 96

Today was the season opener for the Padres and Tiffany got Jody and I tickets so we could go with her (and her BF, Courtney.) They played the Dodgers and lost unfortunately (1-4) but we had a great time! It was my first time attending an opener. It was cool to see them introduce the whole team and there was a Block Party out on the street just outside the ballpark. I shot a ton of photos so the rest can be viewed here.

day 70

Today was our last game of the season. I am so proud of how hard the girls worked and what great attitudes they had, even on the days they lost. It is amazing to see the transformation they go through in those few months they spend with us and it's so much fun to see their excitement for the game.

day 63

These are my girls, warming up before our game today. It's been a tough season but I am SO proud of them for always having such a positive attitude. At the end of the game, which we lost, one of the girls told us what a great time she's had this season - with a huge smile on her face. Several of them chimed in and told each other how awesome they were in the game. Those moments totally get to me. That's the whole reason I do this.

day 52

One of the basketball coaches in our league worked out a deal with USD, allowing us to bring our players out to watch one of their games for free. We went today and saw the women's team play against St. Mary's. We sat right near the floor, at about center court. The game was really exciting and we had a lot of fun. The girls were so wide-eyed throughout the game. I hope that one day, one of them will continue on to play college ball...