More Hope Basketball

The Hope Tigers 2008-2009 Basketball Season is over, and the Tigers finished with 7 wins and 3 losses. What a great season! Nicholas was one of the coaches favorite players; didn't score a whole lot, but rebounded like crazy, played great defense, and always gave it 100%. We already look forward to next season! Here's an updated slideshow including photos from his last game of the season; 6 points, 5 rebounds. At the basketball banquet last night, Nicholas was awarded "Most Versatile" from his coaches...he played 4 different positions on the team (other kids only played two), and is a "coaches player" according to his coaches. Great job Nicholas!

The Snow Day, 2009

Memphis rarely gets snow...our winter calamity is usually a layer of ice that breaks trees on power lines, causing a general malaise, but not enough to actually have canceled school.
January 28th was an exception!
We had an early morning snow on that Wednesday morning, and school was canceled just before I had to leave to take Nicholas to school. So, out we go to pummel each other with snow balls, much to my dismay. Being a good sport (and after Karen strongly suggested I go), I head out. I wanted to wear my ski-goggles, but they don't fit over my glasses. Rather than put on my contact lenses, I just left my glasses off and put on my ski-goggles.

Shortly into the snowball fight, I inadvertently hit Nicholas right in the "front privates". Normally I would show a bit more concern for him, but instead I giggled at the sheer comedy of the situation; here I am, can't see a lick, and nail him right there from far across the yard. That's where I went wrong...giggling...

Moments later, we decided to head inside and wear out the Wii. I came up on the patio, and eyed a nice snow-drift next to the house. I stepped off the patio and down the incline to gather one more snow ball, and my feet flew out from under me. All 214 pounds landed directly on my left shoulder, and I knew right away I had messed it up badly. Later that morning, x-rays were negative, but the pain and discomfort was certainly not a positive! A week later I saw a specialist, and learned that I actually separated my shoulder, and learned that it really doesn't like conducting...

All that to say this; if you get a knock out shot, end with it. Here's a couple of shots of the kids and our snow day 2009!

The Terrorizers

That just about sums it up...The Boston Terrorizers are once again wreaking havoc on Holland Manor, and have both managed to live! Here are some new pictures featuring our Bostons "Otis" and "Alexis".

We Love Aaron, Yes We Do! We Love Aaron, How 'Bout You?!?

Okay, we confess...we Becca (one of our babysitters) told us she had a boyfriend, we were 100% against it. Primarily, no one is good enough for "our Becca", and secondly, nobody is scooping Becca up and moving her away from here. Well, on January 28th, I fell and injured my shoulder while playing in the snow with the kids. Karen has just started a fire in the fireplace, because it was quite chilly and school for both kids was canceled. We were all looking forward to a much needed "snow day"! Soon after my fall, it became apparent that I needed to have a doctor check it out, so we called Becca to see if she could come watch the kids. Becca was in clinic that morning, and never even got our message until late that afternoon. We called Lindsey (other babysitter extraordinaire), and she was already at work and couldn't leave. On a whim, or strange wife/mother intuition, Karen called Aaron, Becca's boyfriend. Aaron had been over for dinner, gone with us to the Liberty Bowl game, and seemingly enjoyed playing with the kids (if not, he's a good faker). Karen called Aaron (woke him up even) and in true Becca-fashion, and he came and played with the kids while Karen took me to the doctor's office (see "Snow Day 2009" in an earlier post). Wow...that's just about all I have to say about that...Wow.

And then there were 6...

'Nuff said...
62 Scat Flasher, on 2…or Scramble right, Scramble left, Get Open…
Ben Roethlisberger

All I did was stood up on my toes and extended my hands...
Santonio Holmes


Favorite moment from the Super Bowl: Nicholas stayed up and watched the end of the game with me. After the game-winning catch, he ran and hugged me and said, "Dad, I'm changing...I'm a Steelers fan!"

Now, I'd like the young man to make his own choices and stand up for what he believes in, but he is/was a Colts fan, and that just won't do...

Rockin' Out...

One of my favorite gifts ever is a family present to our bunch from our babysitters Lindsey and Becca. They bought us the full set of Rock Band 2 for Christmas, and I'm entirely addicted! Caroline, Nicholas, and I have a band called "Ved's Bombshells" and we've played gigs in New York, Boston, Chicago, Austin TX, Montreal, and San Francisco. We've won a deluxe tour bus, and are sponsored by Hot Topic. We even have a street team to get the word out...HOOKED!

We further celebrated Caroline's baptism day by playing ROCK BAND with Becca, Lindsey, and special friends Sassy (Ashley), Wes, and their bambino Ethan. Check out these awesome shots of Ved's Bombshells and their guest artists!

Caroline's Bap-a-tism

Welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven to Caroline Georgia Holland! Caroline asked Jesus into her heart on Christmas eve (see earlier post), and today was baptized at Forest Hill Community Church. I had the incredible honor to be the one baptizing her, and I can say that baptizing your own children is one of the most beautiful and humbling experiences that I think a father can have. Tremendous! We had a special day, and celebrated at one of her favorite restaurants, Red Robin. Here are some recent shots of Caroline, after her recent haircut and straightening from Gypsyville. She's so grown! You can see her new "Mia" American Girl doll in the background...her favorite Christmas present.