Joseph performed Stayin’ Alive for Napa Valley Dance Center 2008 Recital.  And even though it was over 100… and his timing was just a “bit” off…

Well after what seemed like 2 weeks, we got back from Maui. We all had a great time, and I want to thank those who were praying for us to have a safe trip. Below are the different Photo galleries of pictures that where taken.

Patrick: http://flickr.com/photos/guder/sets/72157605027225450/
Joseph (my son): http://flickr.com/photos/guder/sets/72157605046187324/
Minnette: http://flickr.com/photos/26646067@N08/
Juli (When she finally uploads them): http://flickr.com/photos/26791633@N08/

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Joseph’s Birthday Party was yesterday, and it turned out decent, even though we had rain and high wind (Alternately).

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

And here is a video showing off the costume.

It’s Joseph’s Birthday party coming up. So I had to clean up… which would keep me busy enough. But with the weather forecasters forecasting heavy rain so I had to improvise, so with a tarp and some odds and ends I had laying around I created a roof for the patio part of our backyard.

Joseph performed for the Naval reserve (or retired) yesterday at the American Legion Hall in Vallejo. This was a great event where they provided food, had guys dressed as clown doing balloon animals (and swords) and after the performance had Santa Claus come and take pictures with the kids.

Joseph had a busy weekend. With 14 performances this month, he’s been a trooper. Today he had three performances plus League bowling in the middle of it. So after bowling 85, 63, 79 we rushed to his last performance. And well, you can decide yourself. Even though he was tapping on carpet, he actually didn’t do too bad.

Today at lunch I got to go see Joseph dance at the Napa City-County Fair. They canceled his ballet number (Cinderella) but still got to do the Happy Birthday Mickey Number.

The video is a bit shaky since it was taken with a digital camera, not an actual video camera. As you can see he did very well.

I had a pretty good Fourth, with the ability to go up valley to the Yountville Veteran’s home. Where for $4 I was able to take in 3 “championship games” of the DiMaggio League Baseball (guys around 16-19 years old). And then went down to the front of the Veterans home where they had a number of booths set up with different Veteran’s groups selling this and that to raise money, a live band playing a variety of music, and of course cheap beer. after frying myself up there I decided to come on back home.

After a nice lazy BBQ (it was freaking hot today) we made our way downtown to enjoy the festivities of Downtown Napa. They had set up a number of booths advertising this that and the other thing. They had a few live bands, nothing really to talk about, but more sure of themselves. After getting tired of the crowds, we retired back to the Second Street Garage where we kicked back and waited for the fireworks. Below is the clips I took of the fireworks…. It was short enough to be caught on my cellphone, with tons of room left over.

My parents go and help out at the Farmers Market over at Copia here in Napa every week. But this was the first Tuesday I was able to go (since generally I’m working). So I went enjoyed the fresh produce, some sinfully good danish and some good music from a guitarist that was playing there.

After the running around we visited the chickens, and then sat down to see the summer story time. Napa Lit has different people read a book tot eh kids. This was the first of the summer so they had Napa Mayor Jill Techal, Assemblyman Brad Wagenkonect and Chef Cole (of Celedon and Coles Chop House) there cutting a ribbon. After which Chef Cole told the story of “Rock Soup.”

Below are a few pictures I took with my phone.

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Joseph is a lucky boy in a lot of ways. As typical parents we try broadening his views as much as possible. Besides going to Baseball and Football games, having him bowl, play soccer and t-ball, we also have him in dance with his favorite uncle Scott. Its really Scott’s mom Sandy that teaches him, but Joseph loves it a lot. Last year he had just really started in dance, and was upset that he wasn’t able to be in the recital. So this year was his first show. And before one of the largest crowds they had, had in previous years. Joseph was in 2 dances.

The first dance was Cinderella, with Joseph having a fairly simple movement, but important part. And even though the other boy had his pants drop and lost all concentration (and memory where he was supposed to be) was able to continue and do a very good job.

His second dance was a bit more complicated in the movement category… but was cuter as he sang and danced along as one of Micky Mouse’s Friends.

I took a bunch of pictures, realizing that moving dancing pictures in low light is best left to a DSLR… but that’s a later purchase.

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