Top Soccer Ends another GREAT Season

The pictures above were taken last June. Derek's very special friend Alyssa has been Derek's helper. This year because of her extensive soccer career, she wasn't able to be with us. We missed her a ton!!! Go Alyssa!!!

For years,Derek has been involved in the Top Soccer Program (usyouthsoccer.org) which is a national organization that supports children with "all abilities".
Derek used to be the youngest participant.. now he is by far the oldest and biggest.
Friday night was the end of the season party.
The coach asked if we could host the party again. We were very happy to use the barn and enjoy the kids, their parents and a ton of pizza and soda pop.
I didn't have my camera during the eating part... but the trick or treat time I ran in and got it.
The coach told the kids that while we were eating the pizza a witch flying an airplane over our home threw out a ton of candy. The lawn was covered with candy.
The children loved running around finding their treats.
(I'm sure the next time our yard gets mowed we will find some jolly ranchers and bubble gum hidden in the grass)
Here are a few photos of the candy find and some of the soccer players (most were in costume) that found the trampoline. (I encouraged Derek to pass on the trampoline, with him jumping the children would have gone flying)




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Busy, Busy Thursdays

I grabbed my camera and set out to document our day. Well at least from 1:15 when school starts till we say bye to Felicity at the Athletic Club at 5:15.

We met Gina at school and Derek went off to PE.
While they were there I met Carol Godell (my 70 year old walking partner... you'd never know she was that old)
We walked the Butte (1 LONG mile up, 1 mile down).
at 2:45 the bell rings... school is over, I hurry back to school to pick up Derek.


We buzzed on over to Carol & Terry Virgin's for our Thursday Junk Mail Pick up. Derek loves going to their house because. Besides the mail he also gets a can of pop and asks to use their bathroom. Don't ask me why he loves using it.

Derek had earned a donut at Erickson's Sentry Market, (In PE they had walked 4 miles) so we headed that way next. Glazed donuts are his favorites (the donuts with sprinkles looked sooooo good, but I had just walked the Butte and thought I'd better pass).
We then hurried down town to the library and to Kelly's Shoe Store (another of Derek's tutors)to say Hi. Kelly has so many jobs, and because of that we don't see her every day, but love going in for a quick little visit... oh yes, and Derek loves getting a cup of water out of the water cooler.
The library is our last stop. Derek goes for the video's and DVDs first (Arthur, Thomas Tank Engine, Clifford, ...anything PBS) and then the books.
Derek uses the self check out counter (You'd be impressed at how he can get his card out, put it in the machine things, and checks out all his books and video's one by one)
Then we rush back to the car and in record time get to the Athletic Club to meet up with Felicity (another tutor).

Derek starts with swimming (loves diving for rings), and the hot tub.

Then he is off to the basketball court.

Last is the rock wall which is his favorite thing to do. He is impressive.


After saying good bye to Felicity we treat ourselves to Little Ce sears Pizza (It used to be Del Taco..I'm all for the change).
That is it! Amazing how much Derek loves doing. And I remember the days when I thought I'd never take him out in public. He's come a LONG way!

Thanks Brenden!

On Wednesdays we try and have kids come over to play with Derek.

Derek interacts with me and the IA's, but doesn't always know how to answer or play with peers.

Today for the first time we had Brenden Kohler.

For a couple of years he has wanted to come play like his older sisters.

Today was the day! Brenden did great! Derek had fun and I hope Brenden did too and will want to come back. Thanks Felicity for your Play Date Skills and Thanks Brenden for coming!

Biker Babes

We have had so many fantastic "tutors" through the years. Derek's life has been blessed, ours as well. Currently we have 5 that work with him.

~Kelly (is not shown)

~Jen (Dark glasses with red shirt)

~Jenny (On the motorcycle, Derek's supervisor..adorable and single.. sorry Jenny I had to do it)

~ Felicity (Next to Jen, behind Jenny)

~Gina (Leaning on the bike, also teaches Derek piano)

I will probably be mentioning them often on our blog since they are here in our home daily and take turns with him in school. This is one of our favorite pictures of our current wonderful EA's.

While my mom was visiting she kept getting the girls mixed up... "this one is for you mom and No, these are not their boyfriends or husbands!"

Ducks swimming in the pond!!! Hip Hip Hooray

This morning the weather man said it got to 20 degrees last night and was currently 25 degrees. I thought great... the season of chipping ice in the pond has just started. Knowing the cows can't do it for themselves, I set out to go break ice. Burr... it was cold (Maybe because I hadn't dried my hair yet)! I made my way to the pond with my boots, hat, gloves and coat on. Halfway down to the pond I saw a beautiful sight. There were at least a dozen ducks/geese swimming, (not ice skating) in the pond.

I knew it was going to be a good day. Then I stopped in my tracks... this is a blogging moment. So I ran back to the house, knocked on the door for Derek to get my camera. I hurried back to the pond to take a picture. Well, they had all gotten out from their morning swim, but I took one anyway. They must have heard my commotion, and in the next second they took off (maybe embarrassed by their "skinny dipping" activity).

How this Blog got started...

I'm sitting here struggling how to start this Blog.
You all thought I was Blog literate... but you thought wrong. My cute, adorable, and very clever daughter started my blog for me for an anniversary gift.
So all the pictures, and nice sayings was all from Becca. Yup... it was her!
Now, I'm sitting here figuring out how this is all suppose to go.
I have a few minutes but so many questions on how to make things work. Rebecca... why aren't you answering your phone??? Help.
I'll get it soon.
So all the nice comments and phone calls on my blog.. send them to Rebecca.
Love you Bec!!!

How I spent My Anniversary

With Bob in Portland, and me here in Bend... it was a rather quiet Anniversary.
We received e-mail wishes, cards in the mail and nice phone calls.
With nothing better to do (and so I wouldn't forget the date) I had scheduled my yearly mammogram. So, I dressed the part all day with my very bright pink blouse with pink sandals and went on my way (after I dropped Derek off at school).
Our image center is so nice, you come away with chocolates and a gift bag (and squished breasts)... but it really wasn't bad at all. I recommend it to all.
(Just pick a different day than your anniversary)
Bob after 30 years, I love you more and more each year!

(Little did you know that in back of me was a waiting room of people. I thought for a moment.. "I am a blogger now... I won't worry what all these people are thinking of me" So I had the receptionist take my picture. Aren't you glad I had her take it in the waiting room, not in the examination room?!)

Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary

10.20.08
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 30 years ago your marriage began and look at what you have accomplished: 4 children, 2 grandchildren, and many wonderful memories!
You two are phenominal examples to us; we love you and are so grateful for what you have done for us. You provided a life for us to enjoy, a life of learning, a life of love!

Have a wonderful Anniversary with 30 more years of happiness!


The Salt Lake Temple. Where it all began, 30 years ago!




Love,
Becca

TIAN JAMES BLEDSOE

Introducing the arrival of my second grandchild:

Tian James Bledsoe
Born on September 16, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces
21 inches long





Tian at 6 days old

Derek's 1st Day of High School

Following in his brothers and sister's footsteps, Derek began his first day of school at Bend Senior High School. He takes a P.E. class and a cooking class.



GO DEREK!!! GO LAVA BEARS!!!!

Derek turns 16!!!!

9.10.08
What a monumental year this is for Derek. He turns 16 and starts High School and Bend Senior High. I wanted to really celebrate his special day, so I started brainstorming with a friend and came up with a "Harley Hog Wild" theme. Derek loves motorcycles. I arranged for some Harley riders to come to our home, take Derek, his tutors and some of his friends out for a ride on their Harleys.

Derek has so many friends who love and adore him, we had a wonderful turn out. There was balloons, cake (decorated with a Harley!), and presents. The Harley Men gave Derek a Harley shirt which he wore on his ride.



Thank you all who attended and made this a very special day for Derek!

Happy 16th Birthday Derek


Watching the motorcycles come down the driveway








Abbey and Delaney

We love you Derek!!!

Portland Zoo

Bob and I spent the weekend in Portland and took Derek to the Portland Zoo. This was Derek's first trip to the Zoo and I think he really enjoyed himself. We say birds, bears and monkeys.

Sheryl Crow Concert

Derek is a huge fan of Sheryl Crow. We were going to attend her concert in Boise but then heard she was playing at the Old Mill Concert Venue in Bend and couldn't pass up the opportunity.

The morning of ticket sales, I joined a handful of Sheryl Crow fans bright and early to secure a place in line and was one of the first to purchase tickets.


The concert began with two opening acts due to a prior engagement of Sheryl's. She was performing at the Democratic Party Convention with Stevie Wonder earlier in the evening.



Derek loved the concert and really got into a few of his favorite songs. Robert had loaned Derek his Binoculars which he enjoyed watching Sheryl through.