WEST COAST STARS

Patrick had the honor of being invited to play on a national team..

Guys this is a very big honor for your little brother. He is one of only 24 6th graders in the west (Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and California) to be selected. Dad

West Coast Starz Congratulations on being selected to compete with the West Coast Starz for the summer 2011 trip. The West Coast Starz is the most exclusive and elite club in the west. The program prides itself on maintaining rosters with the absolute top players in the west who aspire to be NCAA level competitors. In our 8th year as a program we will again be traveling back east to compete at the National All Star Championship by Lax Evo. This is one of the premiere youth tournaments in the U.S. In 2009 the West Coast Starz boys won the championship at the NALC event and we are excited to bring that title back to the west after losing in the championship in 2010. For the first time we will bring three teams to the tournament, one at each grade level: a 6th grade team, a 7th grade team, and an 8th grade team. Playing for this group will be a great stepping-stone into successful high school careers and eventually playing at the collegiate level. We are excited with the level of talent we have been able to put together on these teams and look forward to working with you this summer.

6th Grade Team · Eric “Smitty” Smith: Univ. of Vermont 2x Team Captain · WCS Youth Coach: Tri-State Champions · Head Coach and Co-Founder of RC Youth program. Multiple regional event championships, regarded as one of the top youth programs in the country!

Jambo from PeterOn July 25, 2011, in 2011 trip, by Brad Shear

Pete is top left...King of the Jungle...

Jambo from Peter

On July 25, 2011, in 2011 trip, by Brad Shear

Since I last blogged the trip has morphed into a vacation. We have gone on a safari, toured a market and an emergency center, and played excessive amounts of “Uno.” It isn’t all fun and games though. We have also worked very hard at mixing and placing concrete. But the reason I say that this trip is a vacation is because no matter how many times I tell myself that I am doing work, I can’t help but smile.

-peter mcneil ‘14

WALLS. ROOF, & PLUMBING!

BERRIDGE LOOKS LIKE A HOUSE AGAIN!

We've got framing looking like walls, the rafters/roof, and even new plumbing! It looks to me like, a taller version of the original home so, the neighbors hopefully will approve! My anxiety is lowered knowing we have a structure!

The back patio is well covered for shade from the ARIZONA sun! How else do we enjoy sitting out in the heat. Greg is completely satisfied with how the back wall turned out. The wall is really just 3 large French type doors so the when they're open the patio is an extension of the house. The floors in and out will be stained concrete creating quite the "flow".

COUSINS CRAFT EVENING

GOOD FRIENDS/FAMILY

from left to right... Aspen, Jenny, Patsy, and Elease

Our second cousins craft event was at our house in PC. We're actually making it a reoccurring event thanks to Amy's original day back in March. We had so much fun in their new house in Midway making sequined Easter eggs. Aunt Ann's won the prize!

Our attendees were...

Sue, Greytl, Oliver, Ellie, and Calvin

Grandma Gayle

Aunt Lynn and Elease

Amy, Jenny, and Aspen

Patsy and Me

Special Guests...

Greg, Ron, Crew, and Brady

Missing...

Pollyanna, Aunt Ann, Carolyn, and Dawn

The crafts were bookmaking and wire bird's nests. We worked hard and came up with some clever final products. The girls seem to have that instant familial bond and had a great time working together!

The big girls helped Ellie make a picture frame and Gretyl stayed at the table and listened to the talk. Turns out she was a bit fevered...poor girl.
Finished books on display.
Patsy's halloween book...so cute!

PS... we all loved Sue's and Gma's Bird Nests! Amy especially admired Gayle's.

Jambo from P4 On July 22, 2011, in 2011 trip

P4 is fourth from the right...blue shirt.
P4 in the same blue shirt on the left.

Jambo from P4

On July 22, 2011, in 2011 trip

To absolutely describe Free the Children would take pages and pages, but I experienced it firsthand within 30 minutes. As we strolled through the old town’s school, education was the last thing it reminded me of. There was dirt on the floor, walls, and ceiling, and chickens passing by every couple of minutes. So when Jill and Tobiko led us into the new school it was a shock to me. I realized that all the program’s accomplishments led to one goal. To, in fact, “Free the Children.”

One last thought. When I came to Africa, I thought I would feel bad for all the people and then go back and have to convince everybody to help. No. i am seeing what free the children is doing and I am excited, happy, inspired. Now I wish that i could stay here. I love it here and all of the people. Even though I may get blisters when I walk in the kenyan’s shoes, where they take me, brings beautiful surprises.

-p4

(name has been altered at the request of the boss)

Things are Looking Better at Berridge!

My first glimpse of progress! Three new inches of concrete laid over the existing foundation and out to the back patio. We will have stained concrete floors again! Everyone is celebrating!

Mark Klopenstein oversaw the work for Greg. He sent photos throughout the day to ease Greg's mind. A job well done...Thanks, Mark!

Remodel vs Teardown

Honestly, we intended to just remodel!

Greg sent me this photo and I was shocked, overwhelmed, and speechless. What happened to remodeling...Greg? I dug down deep and put all my trust into his decision!

I guess the old walls couldn't hold the new trusses without a lot of work and expense. Eventually, Greg convinced me starting anew was the best choice. Really, the thought of sleeping in someone else's space just creeps him out.

Why should I have expected anything less!

Excerpts from an email to Greg from a new neighbor. We aim to please.

Greg - I was delighted to hear from you and thoroughly enjoyed the intro of you, Kristin, and your brood! I have been traveling and apologize that I didn't get back to you sooner and look forward to "sharing you" with the rest of Rose-Ridge. I don't know if you can tell yet or not - but in my opinion, you have stumbled into the best place imaginable to live and raise your children. Even though the latter is pretty much behind you, the years you have ahead at Brophy will be incredibly enriched and enhanced by your new location. We raised a nephew who went to BCP and my husband oversaw the recent construction projects as a volunteer and thoroughly enjoyed all of his association w/ the school.

I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I and all the other neighbors will be that your remodeling project will reflect the "style" of the existing houses. That is a challenge for new owners but the old owners are forever grateful that the tone of what we all value stays strong.

MORE OF THE ORIGINAL BERRIDGE HOME

      We spent the morning showing Gpa & Gma Falck the new house. They like it! After we ate lunch at LaGrande Cafe. We love the tuna sandwich on 9 Grain. The next morning we were off to Carlisle, PA for Patsy's Graduation.

            Entry Way...Lovely Leaded Glass Windows

Funky Pantry...loved the floors and great little chandelier!

          Laundry room and another unique chandelier...

Grandpa Mike in the family room/ old garage. 

How many can the Murphy bed sleep? 

We lifted up the carpet to check on the possibility of concrete floors. The findings were ugly! Rough and very oily...very bleak.  

                         Patrick's Room

               

               Burlap Curtains & Light Blue Walls

Peter's Room

                                          Bonus...a door to the backyard!

Two Closets and everyone likes the black and white tile 

except of course...Pete.

Remembering the original home on Berridge

Backyard Views...Room for a LAX Field!

Powder Bath

Entry...Greenish stucco. 

Lone fireplace needs a major redo!

Nice Kitchen...gone.

Located on front wall of home.

Would be boys tub! Rebel!

Pink master? Never!

Master Bath

Warped word floors...Greg went enviro and we are using them 

in the office and master!

GREG'S PROJECT 2011

Sometime in early April P5 was accepted to ST Francis Xavier for 7th grade, we bought a new house, sold our existing house, and started renovation plans for the Berridge home. After lot's of prayer and even fasting we we received these answers in a short 2 week span! The thought of leaving Ahwatukee after 20 years has been quite unsettling and yet exciting. I have many friends I love and adore and will truly miss the convenient lunches, walks, and grocery store chats. Promises of meeting at LOG(La Grande Orange) for breakfast or lunch keep me happy.

Fortunately, the 5P's are thrilled to make the change. After taking P1, P2, and P3 to see Berridge they convinced me that 1 guest room would be enough for them to still visit the "Valley of the Sun". In fact I think the access to the "down town" restaurants and activities is even more enticing! Of course P4 and P5 are relishing the idea of being close to their school campus and the new friends they have made. Maybe, P4 will even host a party!

As for Greg, his love for Berridge started small but, after his decisions to tear down and start anew, he is sucked in and loving it!