Shake It Up Bunny, Corduroy's Party, Five Silly Monkey's, The Foot Book, and My Dad ....

.... are a few of Julian's favorite titles to have read to him ... over ... and over ... and over ... and over ... --- ok, you get the idea. Jules loves being read to. I'm particularly biased towards My Dad --- where I'm "the roughest, toughest, biggest, strongest dad in the whole jungle!" Sounds good to me little man, sounds good to me!

It's been a busy Fall 2007 around the Wa-Bish Household. Jake had his Sweet 16th (Happy Birthday Jakeypoo!), Jesse has been killing it in the classroom with Aces High across the board and on the football field where he plays an Urlacher brand of middle linebacker.

Faithe is playing 'classic soccer' in the U-11 Premier League. Faithe is learning a ton and can now juggle the ball over 26 times in a row. We are all having fun watching her progress and play against such great competition week in and week out. She has seen the US Women's Soccer Team as well as the Women Pilots of UP play this fall. Her team SSC Trinidad is making plans for a Spring 2008 trip to San Diego (Donnie/Eric? who's with us?) to compete in the Nomads Tournament. More excellent competition and great memories!

Annie and Julian are doing great. Annie is enjoying her mommy time and runs a busy ship with kids coming, going, coming, going. It's exhausting all that she does, and is truly the engine that makes it all go round! Who woulda' thunk we'd have a 16 yr old and a 13 mos old. Life is great! Julian is getting swole at The Little Gym once a week where he has structured play time with about 12 other 12-18 mos olds. It's a total blast to watch them play and look at one another with their internal monologue saying "hey, that's another little person ..... hi little person, my name is Julian, I'm little too." Soon enough, soon enough! He's growing up too quickly.

I've been busy at the office, getting back on my bike and into the gym (the big boy gym) to lift weights and "do" yoga with Jake. We are both enjoying that very much. Our Blazers started back up this past month and pre-season action is upon us. The boys and I are pretty stoked for the regular season to get underway. If we don't answer our phones, you can bet your benjamins were at the game.

I've uploaded new pix from the past few months for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Bachelor Party // Alaskan Style

So where does a bachelor go for his bachelor party when he's about to tie the knot with an Alaska gal? You guessed it -- Alaska. What does one do in Alaska on a bachelor party? Fish, fish, and .... fish some more.

We fished for salmon on the Kenai River (world class by the way -- the world record was caught in these here parts), and fished for Halibut in the Cook Inlet off the coast of Homer. All in all it was an excellent trip, Chad had a blast, and is (at the time of this post), now officially hitched!

Congrats Chad and Kailyn.

Softball and Baseball // Bend, Oregon

Our summer began in Bend, Oregon where both Jesse and Faithe played (two seperate weekends) baseball and softball tourney's. It seemed, at times throughout June, that purchasing a place in Central Oregon made alot of sense given how often we seem to be over there with the kids sports. I went as far as gathering information about the Pronghorn Club (http://www.pronghornclub.com/) and even have Annie sold on the idea of perhaps, one day, taking that leap of faith(e) and investing in something tangible for our family to enjoy. What these trips to Central Oregon over the past few years with the kids sports has proven to us is just how intense our love for the area really is. Annie loves the beach (as do I), but there is something almost magical about the high desert --- the long bike rides it offers, the skiing, the hiking, the golf, and ---- well, the 300 days of sunshine it basks in throughout the year. We are awfully lucky to live and work in the city and have access to such beautiful country in a few short hours.

Both Faithe and Jesse had excellent tournaments .... but more importantly, they had a blast with friends and family before and after the games.

The dawg days of summer have arrive ....

I know, I know .... it's been MONTHS and MONTHS and nothing .... not a single post. Well, I've collected some tasty pix from our busy summer and will break them down for you all --- right --- now!

Our First Music Video!

Footage shot by: Da-Da
Editing/Mixing/Finaling by: Grand-dad

Picture Time!

Spring Break arrives in style ... Jesse gets a HAIRCUT!

I know, I know. Two and a half years later, Jesse finally cut more than an inch off. It looks remarkably similar to Uncle Paul's bodacious locks. I'll snap a photo and post for all to see.

For the past week Mike has been coaching Wilson Baseball in Arizona. While Jake is off with friends this week to Detroit Lake to part-eee. Jesse and Faithe are chillin' and preparing for Opening Day with their respective clubs. We are looking forward to an exciting spring and summer of baseball.

Annie has been such a trooper the past couple of weeks while Julian cuts his two bottom teeth, recovers from a cough, and wakes at all hours of the night. She is waaaaay to good to me.

Stay tuned for more pix throughout the coming weeks.

"zero ... agent zero"

What - a - game! Blazer's beat the Wizard's and Agent Zero (Gilbert Arenas) by two points this evening at the Rose Garden. Jesse and I were in attendance for what was THE best home game of the season thus far. Agent Zero has a chip on his shoulder after Nate McMillan and the rest of the USA Basketball coaching staff cut him from the Athen's Olympic roster. Now, Zero has predicted he'll score 50 points each night out against the Blazers this season. Hmmm --- I think not. After two games he has a combined 28 points --- a far cry from the predicted 100 points over two games.

You don't talk the game, you play the game.

Here's a prediction for you Zero :: the Portland TrailBlazers will win the NBA Championship within 5 years. Invest now Portlandian's, invest now.

And since I don't play the game (well), I get to talk the game.

hold the presses!

It was a slow news day around the house .... so .... I'll take this opportunity to get Sexy.Mamma.B her first face time on the WBFB with none other than our red headed, thumb sucking widdle boy. This photo was taken back in December, but we love it and wanted to share it with you all.

Julian cuts first tooof!

Do you remember when you were 6 months old? A steady stream of drool cascading off your chin, Gerber's smeared strategically across your face and freshly washed white cotton monkey t-shirt? This would illustrate a 'day-in-the-life' of our newest member. Today, however, was something out of the ordinary as his first tooth (and the second is right behind) cut through making for a restless, nap'less day for our champ.

Jake smashes face ...

The details surrounding the slip and fall injury are not entirely clear. What is clear, however, is that Jake smashed his face --- he smashed it up nice and good. After 7 stitches, minor scalping to the head and a few significant multi-layer skin abrasions to the face -- he has survived -- and for this, we are most thankful. This photo is worth a thousand words, no doubt. Feel free to leave Jake your comments (preferably the kind oozing of thick sarcasm).

Julian turns 6 months!

Well, our lil (big) man had his 6 mos check up today - receiving a clean bill of health from our bow-tie wearing pediatrician Dr. Miller.

Julian's Vitals:

1. Weight :: 60th percentile


2. Height :: off the chart

After a few booster shots and tears our lil' champ was ready for alittle r & r.

weekend warriors ...

Who would'a thunk it --- our garage is finally clean and organized! I couldn't have done it without all of the kids - they all did a great job of supervising.

With all of this 'new' space, we'll have to come up with a way to fill it back up with 'stuff' - or better yet, Papa.B's new bike - you know, that great rain bike with fenders I've always wanted!

Jesse and I had a blast at the Blazers v Warriors game on Sunday night at the Rose Garden (I've linked a first person view of our season ticket seats). With B-Roy, Z-Bo, Spanish Chocolate, and L-Train we will be a dangerous team down the stretch. The Pistons come into town Wed. night - looking fwd to another great game.

The last few months ...

It's been a wild last few months; a surprise 70th birthday party for Eldon in Hood River, b-days for Jesse, Faithe, and Annie. Basketball tourney's/games for Jesse and Faithe and plenty of weight lifting sessions for Jake (who, I might add, is now benching 195lbs). Baseball's opening pitch is this Monday! How quickly the seasons change.

Julian is doing wonderfully ... eating his first food now ie. rice cereal, green beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas to name but a few. He is the most precious little (big) ball of muscle-ly love we could have ever prayed for. We have all fallen head over heels in love.

We are looking forward to Faithe's softball and indoor soccer season this spring, Jesse's JBO baseball, and Jake's first year playing High School ball. If you're ever looking to track us down --- look no further than the local ball field.

prepare for launch :: WBFB is born!

And so the Wa-Bish Family Blog is born. The hype surrounding the launch of the WBFB is palpable for those intimately involved and in the know.

It is our sincere hope that the WBFB will be a place for family, friends, and colleagues to come and find the latest news, highlights, and drama.