DJ and Holden Skateboard in Arizona

DJ teaches Holden to ride skateboards. DJ was first to get a Penny skateboard and Holden had to get a similar one. Now they are both pretty good, using it for primary transportation. This shot was during the recent trip to Arizona.

YFU Lunch in Little Saigon

Another volunteer and I took 3 students, Holden and Huong to Little Saigon. I set it up because one of the YFU students I met at the last student meeting was Vietnamese but had never been to Little Saigon. It would be like if someone sent me to a foreign country for 9 months and never took me to Little California where I could eat at In-N-Out and shop at Trader Joes.

Gift Lists

Aunt Kristy asked the kids to make wish lists which was a great idea. I had the kids go on Amazon and add things to their list. I am putting links on this blog so that anyone can see them. Unforunately, Riley's list cannot be made public and I don't know why so I made a PDF.

DJ Borklund's Wish List
Riley Borklund's Wish List
Holden Borklund's Wish List

DJ gets the birthday present he always wanted....from his sister

DJ had his 15th birthday a few days ago and was presented with this cane made from a bull's penis. DJ has been wanting this for a long time and Riley has been saving up for a long time to get it for him. DJ doesn't need a cane, but you know DJ really likes a good conversation piece.

Trip in Cherokee Six to Show Low AZ

Last weekend was Holden's weekend and I needed to see my Mom. She had just had a seizure and needed some family around.

I called my Flight Instructor and friend Robert to see if he and his girfriend Kristen would like to fly to Arizona. He said yes.

I called my Uncle Roy to see if he wanted to, too, and he did.

Robert arranged for a 1967 Cherokee 6 and picked up my uncle in Oxnard and then picked up Holden and me in Fullerton and we were off! The flight took four hours due to a headwind but I got to fly the plane the whole time. The Cherokee 6 is just like the plane I trained on, except more powerful.

We went up on Friday and came back on Sunday, stopping at Big Bear Airport to stretch our legs and use the restrooms.

Huntington Beach in the Navion

More than six months ago I reserved a campsite at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, California just so we would have a weeekend like this. The campsites are close together, but for $68 per night you get beachfront property. You sit outside your RV and watch the runners and bicyclists go by or you step off your "property" and on to the sand to walk to the water. The boys were in the water for hours at a time. The lifeguard was there most of the time and when he wasn't, I took a chair down to the water to watch the boys. Riley didn't arrive until a day later and wasn't interested in swimming in the cold ocean. I did though. I spent about 20 minutes body surfing before I was pooped out. I need to be in better shape if I am going to Boogie Board all day like the kids.

Being on the West Coast, we got to watch the sun set each night over the water. Holden found a tree and each tree must be climbed when you are 8.

The boys were in the water a lot, but when they weren't they were playing in the sand.

Star Testing Reports

The STAR Testing Reports came in for DJ, Riley and Holden. Go ahead and click them.So far so good!