Happy Birthday Bryson

Happy "12th" birthday, son!!! Bryson is an amazing kid. He is the type of kid that has the biggest heart but likes to keep it well hidden. This winter one of our neighbors has been so sick, Bryson has been the first one at their house to shovel whenever it snows. No one has asked, he has just done it. He is so excited for this Sunday when he will be ordained as a deacon and be able to pass the sacrament. Bryson loves his sisters or should we say loves to bug his sisters, its fun to see the interaction with all of them. Bryson loves to golf and has become very good at it. Luckily for him, I am getting a new set of clubs soon and will be able to join him on the course. Bryson loves to get down on the ground and play with his cute cousins. He has also enjoyed being able to snowboard this winter. Bryson, we love you so much and are so happy you are part of our family. Happy B-day, bud

Emilie's photo shoot

Emilie was asked by a photographer to do a photo shoot for her senior pictures. Emilie had so much fun. It was funny because the girls love to watch "America's Next Top Model", Em came home saying how hard it really was, she had a hard time doing the serious poses, but the ones with her smiling are amazing. Its so hard to believe we are doing senior pictures, have already ordered her cap and gown and ordered her graduation announcements. Our little girl is growing up!!!

My dad

I know it has been forever since we have posted. Life has been busy and hopefully this weekend Andrew and I can post some pictures. But today I need to pay tribute to my dad. He passed away unexpectedly on Sunday. He spent Saturday in Malad with one of his best friends riding the 4-wheelers, something he loved to do. And then Sunday morning he didn't wake up. Its so hard to put into words how I feel, its such an empty feeling. I am so grateful to have been his daughter and am so thankful for all that he has taught me. My kids will grately miss their grandpa and I will so miss my dad. I am so grateful for my faith and how it is somehow giving me some comfort that I can have the opportunity to see him again one day. Love you dad

Tang Soo Do Karate

Bryson has been learning Martial Arts since March of this year. It seems pretty awesome. I sat in on one of the sessions and saw the workout they all get. I was really impressed to see how well Bryson has taken up the commands (all in Korean), his form, and intensity he brings to learning Tang Soo Do.

I saw that a lot of the moves were done in combination. Making sure that even an offensive move utilized other parts i.e. arm or leg to block.

Bryson has recently been promoted in rank. He went from his nooby white belt to an orange belt.

In fact, you'll notice his belt has a white stripe. This is of higher rank as well. I believe the next ranking is a green belt.

This is Bryson after he said he was tougher than me. Take special note of the deep meditation he is able to maintain. I'm sure without his training in the martial arts he would be crying. Unfortunately he gave me no such pleasure.

Homecoming 2008

The girls had their Homecoming yesterday. It was quite the affair. It's been really interesting for myself because I was always the young guy going to pick up my date. I'll tell you now that seeing things from the other side was hillarious. This picture below has really nothing to do with the dance, but Kaitlyn needed to make her cameo appearance and I think it does a fine job of showing just how crazy girls are about doing their hair.

This being Breanna's first dance warrants some commentary. I'll tell you now that she tried to play it pretty cool, but she was such a spaz (true to her Bree fashion). I love the picture below because her facial expression shows it all. I don't think she had any idea what to expect and it was wonderful to watch her act awkward in front of us. Thank goodness for big sisters though. I think Emilie had to redo the wrist corsage because it was dangling from her arm, and sure enough she attached the boutonneire to her date as well.

Simply Stunning!!

This is one of my fav's for Emilie. I think she has matured so much. This dress was dazzling on her. From what I understand she turned some heads from muliple guys when she showed to the dance.

This is Breanna and her date, Dillon.

This is Emilie and her date, Josh.

We really didn't expect Emlie to go to this years Homecoming. It wasn't until about a week prior that Josh decided to ask. It was pretty creative the DVD he made; To describe it, it was Mission Impossible meets High School Musical.

Happy times

I know the picture is old, but we all look so happy and well thats how we are. Happy!! That is except Bryson's face and I am sure thats how he feels having to deal with all of our 500 activities during the week. Since school has started for the kids, we have been going none stop. Emilie can usually be found in front of the computer or on her bed doing homework. She has 5 college classes on top of her 3 other classes at the high school. If I could do it over again, I would be smart like her and get a jump start on college. Bree can usually be found at the high school playing volleyball, she has been playing so well and loving being on the team. She just got ask to the Homecoming dance so dress shopping we will go!! Kaitlyn, well the girl plays soccer 6 days a week and volleyball 5 days a week. How she is managing to stay on top of her homework, I have no idea but she is doing awesome. Bryson plays dodgeball 3 days a week, has karate 2 times a week, scouts and golfs every chance he gets. And then there is Andrew!! Can I just say I love that man. I am so stinkin' lucky to have found him. He is always so willing to help me get kids from one place to another or go to a game if I can't get there. His job is keeping him so busy and he will finish his bachelors this fall, Yay!!! I am so blessed to have the family I do.

Congrats Kaitlyn

So Kaitlyn just made the junior high volleyball team!! This girl amazes me. All I have to do is drive her back and forth between practices and games with soccer and volleyball and I get tired, I have no idea how she does it!! She is pretty excited that she will be a starting varsity player.
Good luck SJH's volleyball team!!!!

And so it begins...

Soccer season has officially started for Kaitlyn again. This year our team has moved up another division, which means we are playing pretty tough teams this season. Our games will be anywhere from Logan, Park City to Provo. Good luck Kake!!

First Day of School

So here are our cute kids on the first day of school. They were all really excited to start this year. Bryson is in 6th grade and has an awesome teacher. Kaitlyn is in 8th and I think is kinda glad that Bree isn't at the junior high to tell the boys to stop flirting with her little sister. Bree started high school this year, I know that she has been really nervous cause she realizes she is growing up and has to start getting serious just a little bit. And then there is Emilie, our big senior this year (yes the freakin' eyes are welling up with tears!!!) She has so many college classes this year its insane!!! I hope she is able to enjoy some of it and not study the year away.

We are so proud of our kids

The crazy life

Pictures will have to come later--too tired to download them!! So much has happened the past week or so. First I guess school started. Such mixed feelings about that one. So happy to have the kids back in school, but Emilie started her senior year!! And I cried. Bree started high school this year!! And I cried. Kait is in 8th grade, ok with that one. Bryson started his last year in elementary school!!! And I cried. My mom always told me to enjoy them while they are little cause they grow so fast, mom was so right. It has been amazing watching them grow into such awesome kids, but its going faster than I would like. Andrew keeps telling me to get a hobby, I am thinking I need to take his advice. Kaitlyn made the junior high volleyball team this week. So proud of her!! And then some sad news today, Em's cute new little car is not so cute anymore. Today at lunch some stupid guy pulled out in front of the girls as they were going to lunch. The car is totalled!!! When I got to the accident, I just cried, to see how smashed that car was and to see my girls running to me, crying!! I am so incredibly grateful they are ok, a little sore from the impact, Em's face is sore from the airbag hitting her. But they are ok!!! The car can be replaced, my girls well I am just happy to hug them tonite.

Go Breanna!!

Say Hello to the newest member of NorthRidge's High School Volleyball Team.

This accomplishment didn't come with ease. There was a fair amount of whining about doing the conditioning and having to endure "Hell Week". In the end, hard work and a nudge or two from Paige appeared to pay out. I know this will be a great experience for her. We are extremely proud.

What do we got for her today, BOB!?

A Brand NEW CAR!!!

Ok not really, but check out the ride.
This is a Mazda Protege '03

Mazda protege $5,000
Corvette in the background $25,000
Cheesy thumbs-up pose.....priceless

Emmy's Birthday party

Emilie turned 17 years old!

You can tell from the first picture that we weren't the only ones who remembered. Emilie's friends decided to trash her room, and the rest of the house. What a wonderful present! Emilie spent the next day cleaning it all up.

This whole thing was in large part orchestrated by Jessica. She's been Emilie's best friend for as long as I can remember. Thanks Jessica!

Jessica snapping a shot of Em when she got home

We gave Emilie a CD player to put in her car!


Left to Right: Bryson, Bree, Emilie, Hulk, Kaitlyn

Good times.

Love ya Emilie

Flashback Friday

I love my little boy!!! K so he isn't that little anymore, but to me he will always be my little boy. It amazes me that he will be 12 the end of this year and passing the sacrament. This picture is about 4 or 5 yrs old, its one of my favorite. Bryson is smart, full of energy, always wanting to tell a joke, and loves to bug his big sisters. This past summer Bryson has been taking golf lessons and has loved it. He has also started karate this past spring and looks forward to earning his different belts. Bryson has a huge heart, he likes to keep it hidden at times, but one thing is sure we know that he loves us. Love you bud

Flashback Friday

This past week Emilie and Bree went on the pioneer trek with our stake. I am so proud of them for going even without the happiest of attitude about the whole idea of walking for miles and miles, sleeping under the stars and eating who knows what. Seeing the girls come home last night with yucky hair, sunburnt faces, and blisters on their feet has humbled me so much. To think of the pioneers having to experience that day after day until they reached Utah amazes me. I am so thankful for their sacrifices and their faith to endure so much for us. My great-great-great grandfather was Lot Smith, who was partners with Porter Rockwell in the Mormon Battalion, is truly one of my heros. He fought for what he believed in to bring his family to Utah and following the footsteps of our prophets. He later became the first sheriff of Davis County. I know that as the pioneers made their way across the plains we cheered for them while we were in heaven knowing they were laying the stepping stones for us, and I am sure those same pioneers are in heaven cheering us on while all that this world has for us to overcome. We all live in comfortable homes with beds to sleep in, food on our tables, but we deal with all the other evils in the world. I want Em and Bree to know how proud I am for them and for strength to complete the trek. They are also my heroes. Love you girls!!!

Happy B-day Gma

Happy Birthday Grandma I feel so lucky to still have my grandma. And that our kids are able to have their great grandma. She always shows up with treats in her hands and a kiss on the cheek. And of course a comment of how all the kids are getting taller than her.

We love you gma

Happy 84th!!!

The Brothers Blancas

The summer has been great so far... little did we know that a perfect storm was about to form.

It has been rumored for centuries that a great evil would scourge the land. It would devour all innocence and lay waste to anything that stood in it's path. Comparable to the riders of the apocalypse these "evils" would have a face. They are discernible by one notable quality...

They're all damn sexy!

left to right: Adam "Chewbacca" Blancas, Andrew "Leonidas" Blancas, Rueben "Doc" Blancas, Isaac "Ilooklikeacarsalesmaninthispicture" Blancas



I am very fortunate to have the family I do. Adam and Isaac chose to road trip to Utah to visit family. Obviously their cool brother took them in. We loved having you here guys, next time you're putting me up in Colorado.




and of course who could forget this guy?

As a child our parents used to introduce us, " This is our son Bennie, this is our other son Bennie's brother".

wife and bro. she's hawt btw.

Bryson was a HIT with the kids. Here he serves as a motor for an otherwise unmovable jeep. Sam is thinking - haha doesn't he know that's work?

Sam upon his noble steed. Seriously, I love my dog. She is so patient with the kiddie abuse. Which I think should be some sub classification of animal abuse.

A possible T.J. Hooker in the making?

Bryson makes his acting day view as "the bad guy #1"

This picture was just precioso (Irma plug).

Grandpa Wayne making a cowgirl out of Isa.

The one consistent theme I noticed was that everyone wants these cute kids to be interested in what it is they do or how they live. I can hardly blame them. For that reason they will be getting my old computer when I get a new one, and will have required gaming hours. Also when they're older they can hear me rant about stupid people.

Our better halves...

What you can't see is me and Bennie thinking...maybe we should switch spots with our wives. Haha! Just kidding.. It's been great to hear stories about my bro's family. This is in large part due to Paige and Criseida's friendship. I'm very glad to have these women in our lives to keep us close.

Can you see the family resemblance?

When I see my goatee in this picture I want to yell, " THIS IS SPARTA!!!"

Cute picture.

I can feel the love...now let go of me Isaac.

Thanks for the awesome weekend. The world is safe...

for now.