Summer 2012

It has been a great summer. Thanks to my wonderful wife who allowed me to do a few things without her. Went on a overnight-er backpacking trip with Chris Ross and got rained out. so we hoofed it back before dark and the rain storms. Went to Kings canyon with Stein and hiked a fairly steep trail to an overlook of the canyon-that was fun. Drove to Utah and stayed two weeks at Kjell and JC's house. Taking care of two little kids can be tough. We had a great time playing with the kids and being around Kjell and JC.Kasia has a strong will that I have heard will help her in the future as she makes life important decisions. Ryu is reddish blonde with blue eyes. He reminds of the many Australian Sheppard  puppies we had around the house. He moves on all fours just about as fast. He can not be out of Mom's sight,but lets others play with him and he has a constant smile---when he isn't crying for his mommy. During those two weeks I had planned to hike Mt. Timp with Kjell and almost made it but we ran into that notorious snow back on top of a cliff and had no desire to die-therefore we turned around and returned down the trail. It was so beautiful up there and I plan on attempting the summit next year later in the summer when the snow is gone, or use the American fork assent. We should have l; listened to Kjell's friend who told us it would be easier to go that way. Enjoyed attending Kjell and JC's new ward;the church is true even in Orem. Got to sit next to the governor of Utah two times. Well, in the same chapel anyway. When it was time to go home Kathy and I had mixed emotions. Going home is fun;leaving them is not.I also love Utah for many reasons. I had three days to get ready for another Australian football experience. I enjoyed eight days in Australia coaching football(Winning both games) staying at the tallest apartment building in the world (Q1.) Not real fond of Australian food, but always enjoy a good barbecue with Peter, my good bud from Downunder. Coach Gueck and I didn't have any problems with our team and they were mighty fun to be around. We always spend three days in Honolulu on the way back and we got to go to Laie on the North Shore. PCC was terrific and the scenery is always spactular on the drive. The Church has a good thing going over there. In Honolulu we ate Helena's, a Korean barbecue that was featured on the travel channel. It was good. Flew home and slept 18 hours. I was in a coma of jet lag.Keira is our beautiful grand daughter of Stein and Nicolette. We see her now and then. She is so obsessed with her mother. I  am not sure anyone would want it any different. Nicolette seems to really enjoy motherhood and takes it serious. We are amazed that our "Barney" is a dad and he is a good one. Two weeks later Kjell and JC with the kids came to our house for a week and it was fun picking black berries and feeding carrots to   the horse. It was a kick back kind of a week that was extremely fun. Their last three days were spent in the Bay Area with Starr and Skye. Santa Cruz was a blast; especially watching Kasia ride the little roller coaster. We were all amazed at how she didn't scare at all. That girl is not scared or hesitant. San Francisco was fun until we got there. Too crowed and too many lines. We did take the BART and the Trolley cars so that made it a success.So all in all it was a wonderful summer and I am ready to go back to work.

A poem I once ignored but seem to understand it now.

Splendour in the Grass

 What though the radiance
 which was once so bright
 Be now for ever taken from my sight,
 Though nothing can bring back the hour
 Of splendour in the grass,
 of glory in the flower,
 We will grieve not, rather find
 Strength in what remains behind;
 In the primal sympathy
 Which having been must ever be;
 In the soothing thoughts that spring
 Out of human suffering;
 In the faith that looks through death,
 In years that bring the philosophic mind.

-- William Wordsworth

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving visit and dinner at Steins and Nicolette's new home. Keira is just getting beautiful as she keeps growing. It is enjoyable to watch my son be a dad and demonstrate the care and caution it takes to raise a child.  Nicolette is an amazing cook and the dinner was very good. Looking forward to having the entire Stoddard family at the house this Christmas. Good Times!

Summer recap-
Been in school for two weeks, turned 57, and I was wondering why I was so tired. Then I started to think about all the things that happened this summer and decided to give myself a break and  rejoice in the fantastic events that I enjoyed and experienced these last few months. Starr's graduation, Skye's graduation, ,finished my first year as Athletic Director, Shoulder Surgery, Keira's birth and resultant stay in the hospital,Trip to Australia two weeks later, a few weeks off and then off to Kjell's graduation in Phoenix, after Kjell gave birth to Ryu a week previously.Moved Starr to Fremont for her new job-yes she got a raise!( Got to experience first hand the 49ers and Raider's rivalry with Stein.) Skye back to San Jose State to teach!!!
Obviously, my family and close friends just read this blog so I want you all to know how proud of you I am and, this pride goes out  JC and Nicolette, who joined the Stoddard's sphere of reckoning. Hang in there.:)  Anyway, love you all and the next experience is going to the Utah /BYU football game in Provo on the 16th of September. Go Cougs!!! Stein is going too, and of course Alex.

MORE SUMMER 2011 BLISS

THE STODDARD FAMILY WELCOMED TO THE WORLD KEIRA RAYNE AND RYU EVERETTE

Dad's Tremendously Big Summer

STARR,SKYE AND KJELL GOT THEIR MASTERS

KEIRA IN THE HOUSE!!!!!

Here is the first picture of Keira in the hospital;she is home with her dad and mom getting excited about their new home.

Les Mis

Life, misfortune, isolation, abandonment, poverty, are the fields of battle which have their heroes; obscure heroes, who are, sometimes, grander than the heroes who win renown.  Chapter -Marius the Indigent

After seeing Les Miserables again with my daughters Skye and Starr (my second time) I felt inclined to finally read the book. I am half way. I like this quote because of the tiniest battles against everyday problems of life happen and we all fight ""the good fight." Perhaps we are all heroes.

AUSTRALIA AGAIN 2011

A DAY  IN SYDNEY AND THE "WEST COAST CHAMPIONS"

COACH STODDARD ON THE BEACH IN SURFER'S PARADISE

Starr and Skye celebrating at the Oakland game watching those .........Yankees defeat the A's 5-0. We had a great time and this leaves Kathy and I just two more games to go (Dodgers and Angels) to complete our goal of attending the all five MLB teams in California. This picture is funny because it would annoy  people trying to watching the ball going across home plate . Of course Starr loved the attention. One more degree to go -Kjell- and two grand babies this summer. We're getting older and cross roads are all over the place.


How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Anne Frank

Here is Skye Summer Stoddard. MA in Public Health. We are really proud of her and feel overwhelmed by the continued success of our children. She knocked this degree out of the park. ( Darn Yankees!) Kathy, Starr and I  really enjoyed her commencement activities and were amazed at the awards she received. What a great kid.

Introducing Starr Rebecca Stoddard who achieved a Masters Degree. I an so proud of her for her diligence and "sticking to it" power. Despite our differences in opinion I think we both agree upon the worth of each individual in the whole realm of things. Starr has empowered herself to do what many of us just think about doing-that is helping others daily to overcome fear and self doubt. As her dad I an extremely proud of her and know of the hard work and dedication it took for her to accomplish this degree. As your Mom echoed throughout the The Save Mart Center as your received your recognition "You Go Girl!!!"

It's Mother's day and I miss my mother. I get a longing feeling for my mom and I am extremely, not jealous, but overwhelmingly melancholy when people, my age, still have their parents around them. I would love to be able to talk to my mother and get her advice and discuss with her the things that I have learned in the last thirty years of life. I also find it amazing that there are many who do not appreciate their mothers and take them for granted. As for me, I loved my mother and wish I would have talked to her more and listened intensely. She was a teacher-a good one, who managed to be a mother of four boys while becoming qualified to be a teacher and still took care of us and cared for us boys, despite our differences. I believe my children's mother is like that as well. She is a Mother first and foremost and never has neglected her duty as a mother. I love her for that and hope my children will always remember the dedication and love she has for them.