Jimi Victorino's Blog

2011-11-04T23:28:00.001-07:00

2002 Prom

6/7/11, 6:59 p.m Bob, Jimi, Darren, Erik

2011-10-09T20:45:00.001-07:00

I have never ever had this happen before. I uploaded

the above picture, and in the process, it comes up three

times (on one try). I think that Window's Live Photo is alive,

liked this snap, and decided on it's own to give me the three

copies. It is a really good pictures of the two sons and

grandson, but how do we account for the stern presence

of the Grandpa/Fathja? Go figure and no slide rules allowed.

Hint: once tussling with wife she hauled off and upper punched

a few frontal teeth right out of my mouth.

Seriously, you all

<(*B*)>

Jimi's Uncle Erik Watches Jimi's Grandpa Bob after a Close Shave

2011-09-27T13:59:00.001-07:00

Jimi, Resting After His Hard Drive and Show and Tell

2011-09-25T07:01:00.001-07:00

On the last leg of our trip from Carlsbad, NM

to Santa Fe, NM, 6/24/11, to Fernandez Family

Reunion. After several hours of his driving,

Jimi rests. Note: these are the shades that Jimi

wears when competing in NASCAR-T-Division

He allowed Grandpa and Grandma to help

a tad (pole) with the driving chores

Jimi shows of his new English terrier

Hulk @ Pre-K October 2009 at ECEC

(Early Childhood Education Center)

in Carlsbad where Grandma Chris

works as THE receptionist.

For the most part, a few recent snaps ofJimi (like yesterday)

2011-09-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Jimi Pix

Jeff and Erik on their birthdays this year, 071611;
Jeff turned 33 and Erik 23. Born same day 10 years
apart. My Mom had two babies 7 years apart. My Dad
and I put this feat on our Dad/Son resume.

Erik on 23 birthday

Erik on his laptop at our house

Rather Jimi and Dad Darren

Jimi and I on 91611

From 9/15/11. Jimi doing drawing and writing
and Grandmom Chris showing Jimi's Dad
Darren some resulrs of our beginning of
reorganization of fanily photos project.
I sure like Jim's hair length; do you?

Us taken by Jimi

Some Changes.....

2011-09-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

Jimi's Bro Erik a several years ago

I cannot tell the truth--Bob Washington Hoff--"I taught Erik to shakeboard."

Jimi taking a rest on our dog Damu "I taught Jimbo to select resting spots"

Doesn't our boy smile so cool, you all?

I still see a little resemblance to me <(^V^)>

Picture Perfect Pop Quiz

2011-09-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Teacher:
Put your books, backpacks, radios, televisions, telephones, suitcases, encyclopedia sets, cell phones, and body guards away, Students. We are having a pop quiz.

Students: Groaning.......

Teacher: Jimi's grandparents (Bob and Chris) are where? His Dad? His two uncles? What are the uncles names? The year of this pix somewhere in the 1980's or 1990s.

Using this information, label the names of everybody on the picture and looks most like Jimi today, the least like him, and of everybody in the pic, counting Jimi today, who has the longest hair.

Finally, this picture was taken for a yearly San Jose Catholic Church annual book. For extra credit, point out Father Valentine in the picture. Hint: he was in Arizona when this picture was taken. Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris were married In SJ iglesia almost 40 years ago.

How is that possible when they are so young looking?

Some of Jimi's World

2011-09-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Picture Guide--

Top--June 1, 2011
Next--Family Reunion, June 2011-Pix by Chris, "Where in the World" is Bob in this picture?
Jeff at a a "Relay for Life" Several Years Ago
"The Boys" Several Year ago
Chris and Darren, a "Mother's Day" several Years ago
Jimi Video Gaming, 2010

So, How old were you when you did your first flip off a diving board?

2011-06-12T10:45:00.002-07:00

I’ll answer the above question first. After I had been a lifeguard for a summer at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama
Brookley AFB, Mobile, Alabama
at the age of 16 and for two years at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico (ages 17 and 18)
Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico
to the best of my memory, I had no intentional flips off a diving board.
The above is my backstory for the story of Jimi’s first flip off a diving board; Chris and I saw four flips a couple days ago. His Dad Darren saw a couple flips several days before that.
Anybody who reads this blog about Jimi knows , that my grandfather pride aside (and it is never really aside) o(*Z*)o , grandson Jimi seems to have a well-developed athletic prowess for his five years of age (or truth to be known, for any age).
His mother Victoria Campos played basketball and ran track, among other things in high school. His Dad Darren played some soccer and his Uncle Erik is still, at age 22, a great, and long-practicing skate-boarder. His Uncle Jose (Victoria’s brother) played high school basketball as well as playing baseball.
In short, Jimi’s Mother’s and Father’s family both have many examples of great athletes so he comes by his athletic skills honestly, if you will.
But I seem to digress. A couple days ago I took these pictures of Jimi who will be six on June 27, 2011. Here is what I wanted to show you:

Mr. 5-year old did this 4 or 5 times just a couple days ago. Grandma Chris is near at hand in the foreground as is Grandpa/Photographer Bob in his suit while the pool lifeguard is also close on her lifeguard chair.

With the lifeguard watching from her chair, Jimi appears to be “walking on water,” no?

Jimi tilted the picture on this one—
o(*J*)o

Bob, Proud to be Jimi’s Grandpa. I know you can tell—

Can you figure out which of these pictures Jimi took tonight?

2011-05-22T23:55:00.004-07:00

Dancing at Krysta's and Mark's Wedding--July 2010

2011-04-28T00:34:00.003-07:00

Thought that I would post a couple more pictures of Jimi dancing at his Godmother’s Krystal’s wedding last July. What a sport, he flew in from LA to New Mexico to attend the wedding and wore a tuxedo and got out on the dance floor and danced, He was so cool.

How suave can a five year old be, I ask you. I never even went on a dance floor until I was 33 or so.

Jimi dancing with the bride Krystal. Look closely to the left of the picture and you will see the young man in the red tie, Mark, Jimi’s cousin, and like Jimi, a “dancing machine.”
I dare say that both boys were crowd pleasers to the ladies, and goodness gracious, starting with the bride, and Jimi’s other female relatives and and the bride and groom’s friends, methinks beautiful females abounded at this wedding bash-a-rama.
These boys can surely boogie. I wish they had time to render me a few lessons.

Look at Jimi in his Easter clothes carrying his Easter basket

2011-04-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

Yeah, right Bob. Actually the year is 1988 and that is Jimi’s Dad, Darren, looking toddler-suavecito. Chris is seven months pregnant with Erik our youngest son on board who will be 23 this July.
For those of you interested in history, I read the other day in Wikipedia the on some unknown Easter past the warning don’t put all your eggs in one basket was coined. Part of that I made up.
All seriousness aside doesn’t Darren look like Jimi in some ways? And don't Jimi and I look amazingly similar?

Rocking with guitarist Jimi VCH back in August 07

2011-04-15T01:16:00.001-07:00

Watch young Jimi go!

We’re proud of the grandson. If I published this video before, I am glad you’re getting a second chance to watch it.

o(*V*)o

All the pictures below are also from the month of August 2007 except one from 2005. Can you spot it?

P.S. Jimi says “hi Shail”

The labels are posting wrong, goodness

gracious.

Jimi’s First Thanksgiving, 2005

2010-11-24T03:37:00.001-07:00

Jimi’s first Thanksgiving arrived in November 2005 when he was a beautiful five-month bouncing and smiling newborn whose eyes were a beautiful color that I couldn’t put into words then and still can’t. They weren’t “Paul Newman” eyes; they were more amazing.

Five years after Jimi was born and I still can’t stop bragging about the tyke so sue me, arrest me, and take me to court and put me on trial, but I am not changing my opinion. So there!

How could Jimi not be handsome with having such a beautiful Mom and good-looking Dad. I know that lots of other people on both sides of Jimi’s family contributed to Jimi’s good looks as well, and furthermore I bet that you know who you are. o( *V* )o

So let’s take a look at our boy on those days of Thanksgiving 2005.

The proud Dad holds Prince Jimi while beaming Grandmother Chris can’t keep her eyes off the incredibly good-looking rascal. Picture by one of Jimi’s BIGGEST FANS—ME!

I guess these pictures must have been before eating since one of the people in our household known for getting incredibly messy when eating—me—doesn’t seem to have any food in his hair or on his shirt and Jimi is spic and span, including his baby face.

Did I mention yet that all Jimi’s and Darren’s Carlsbad relatives got an incredibly wonderful surprise Thanksgiving gift from the now 5-year old Jimi and his Dad on Monday evening, 11/21/10?

They drove in from San Francisco in a marathon 2-day and 2-night drive lasting 49 hours with just two stops to sleep in Bakersfield, California, and Flagstaff, Arizona (where they encountered some snow).

What a great surprise!!!

Meanwhile back at the Jimi’s first Thanksgiving in pictures account--

Uncle Jeff and his nephew.

Darren continued to work on Thanksgiving Day on a shed that he had been building in the backyard beginning in the summer of 2005 before Jimi was born.

Damu—our watchdog--watches and listens for anyone going toward the kitchen, 24/7. Yes, this is our famed dog on Thanksgiving 2005. Poor Damu doesn’t have much to celebrate this Thanksgiving, some five years later. He is blind and arthritic and spends most of his time listening to the “Canine Channel” on DirecTv in between scoring handouts from any family member possible. On the positive side, he still has a mighty bark and will make his way toward the front of the house to check out disturbing noises. He also likes to sneak up on the couch if we aren’t in the room to dissuade him from such a violation of house rules.

5-month old Jimi with “back-in-the-day” 58 years-old Gramps.

Jimi and the whole Hoff family want to wish everyone a mentally and physically renewing Happy Thanksgiving.

Who is this woman?

2010-09-27T22:49:00.004-07:00

She's Mrs. Shail Mohan, resident of India, a co-blogger, friend of the family, and supporter or this blog.

On 10/3/07 she commented on Jimi blog:
Jimi's dancing is adorable!!..and Bob!! The self -portrait is absolutely wonderful!! :D I loved the “cuuute” cow!
'Twas wonderful going through the pictures and your comments Bob! Jimi is adorable in all of them. His braid is beautiful and suits him!! :D Thank you for sharing the pics. (11/16/07)
I do enjoy your Jimi blogs…Bob. Jimi looks cute as ever. Chakara umma for him. (2/1/08)
This lady has an MA in Economics and chose to work at home as a Homemaker to provide for her husband and two sons personally.
Wow the Iron Man in his bicycle buggy wheels!! :D Great!!Bob that was a very flimsy excuse from your Dad for not getting you anything!! Hahaha!! The things Bob comes up with!! :-))))))Lovely photos and thank you for sharing. (6/04/8)
Happy Father's day to Darren and also to you, Bob!! (6/21/08)
Awww.... that was just wonderful. I felt I was at the party myself!! Bob you are real funny when it comes to captioning pictures, I really enjoyed reading them.Many many Happy returns of the Day to darling Jimi!! God bless him and the wonderful people around him. (7/9/08)
I like the way Darren is encouraging you! *encourages Bob by joining Darren in laughter* What a shame tat you couldn't make it to the US Olympic team! :-( I could have proudly shown off my friend Bob the Olympic Winner balancing!! ;) BTW Bob, you ARE funny (9/14/08)- refers to me trying without success to balance on children’s playground equipment down by the river.
Aww.... he is the cutest ever. Hugs to Jimi! (11/6/08)
Happy Birthday Sally*, from a friend of Bob's. BTW he is a great guy! :-) (12/27/08) *Echavarria, one of Jimi’s aunts
Wow what deft* moves!! Gramps' encouraging cries in the background sure helps I guess!! ;-) *Bob’s audio direction on video clip of Jimi’s Ku Fu sword skills (1/19/09)
Wow!!! What a cool page Bob! Thanks for sharing the photos. You are right about the early bird losing the most sleep. I am always doing that! :P (1/29/09)
Bob, you are so funny (Am I repeating myself??) Haha, lost your marbles indeed.Skateboarding seems extremely risky to me who is not a Skateboard Champion either! Hmmm... go find that 'hiding in plain sight' picture Bob! :D (2/18/09)
The sisters (Chris’—Helen, Angie, Lorina, Rose Ann) rock. But Chris has the best smile!! (do tell her!) (3/7/09)
Enjoyed reading that and seeing the pics Bob! Thanks for sharing my friend!! (3/25/09)
That was such a delightful post Bob! Ha-ha your humor is quite enjoyable. Digital photography is a boon, isn't it?? Jimi looks adorable in all the photos! (5/10/09)
OMG!!! I can't believe I missed commenting on this sweetest of posts!!!! Belated Happy Anniversary my dear friend. may you and Chris have many more!! You both are my favorite couple. Love and hugs to both of you, not to mention little (fast growing) Jimi!! (1/14/10)
That was nice reading about Jimi's first flight. Thanks for sharing the photos Bob. They are awesome. :) (7/17/10)
So just who is she? She is Shail Mohan, a superb human being who expands the horizons of people in her life, while constantly expanding her own horizons.
Although we live in different countries (she lives in southern India and I live in southern New Mexico), we are blogger friends with some similar interests: writing, reading, humor, movies, common friends, computers etc. I am so glad that I have gotten to know her on-line over the past several years. Besides being a wonderful person, she is a person that I can ask the help of (say on computer questions or another topics)—and she patiently helps.
She writes different genres, including poetry at Shail's Nest and is an excellent writer. She is energetic, enthusiastic, and caring about the world around her—and beyond.
She is basically a “Human Resources Person.” I am very pleased that our family has her as a friend.
Thanks, Shail.

September 18, 2010

More on the Wedding of Krystal and Marcos Loera

2010-08-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

Let’s rewind just a little bit back to the wedding, shall we?

Krystal and Marcos at the altar.

Onlookers

Above: Mariarchi band

(L in white, Patsy, Krystal’s Mom;

(R) Rosa, Marcos’ Mom

(L in blue, Cecilia, Krystal’s grand-

mother.

Man in center, Roberto, Krystal’s

grandfather.

New Relatives (by marriage) huddle.

Jimi, the little boy sitting with the pretty young lady to the far right of the post is our (Bob and Chris Hoff) grandson. Krystal is Jimi’s Godmother (and his cousin, as well); his Godfather is Erik Hoff. Erik is also his Uncle. Someone please send the name of the little to me at

hoff_bob2003@yahoo.com Thanks!

Technorati Tags: Bride Krystal Echavarria,Groom Marcos Loera,Date of Wedding July 17,2010. Place: Clovis NM

To be continued:

Jimi at Krystal’s and Marcos’s Wedding—7/17/10

2010-08-16T23:23:00.001-07:00

Jimi with Grandmothers Chris Hoff and Carol Campos before wedding begins.

Jimi with the men’s wedding party and other wedding attendees.

With Grandpa Abel and Cousin Mark

Jimi with Grandparents Chris and Bob Hoff and Cousin Mark

This picture was requested by the two Church “readers.”

“The Three Cuties”

Jimi and Whitney Galindo

Krystal and Marcos at the Wedding. Hey. where is Jimi?

Jimi dancing with Krystal’s Maid of Honor. Jimi told me later, “Grandpa, I got to dance with a lot of pretty girls. You were ‘stuck’ with just one. He even got to dance with Krystal later in the evening.

More dancing pictures later…

Jimi’s First Flight

2010-07-16T17:11:00.001-07:00

Some of you know that Chris and I went out to California on July 9th to visit Darren and Jimi. We also went to bring Jimi back to New Mexico where he is serving as the ring bearer for the wedding of his Godmother Krystal Echavarria to Marcos Loera on July 17th in Clovis, NM, which as I peck away at this, is tomorrow.

We hadn’t seen Jimi or Darren (except by computer) for 75 days when they met us at the Alamo Car Rental at LAX on July 9th. Happily we also visited my brother Dr. James Hoff, who recently opened his own optometry practice on Abbott Kinney Blvd. in Venice, California.

We had great fun in California and I will blog some of those happenings in other blogs. Today, I recount Jimi’s first flight.

Take-off time for our 7/13/10 American Eagle flight from LAX to Roswell, New Mexico was at 4:30 PM, a far more civilized time than our 7/9/10 flight from Roswell to LAX at 7:00 AM. But on the other hand, it was far easier to get on and off the plane in Roswell than at LAX.

As much as I love New Mexico, the take-off from LAX on Jimi’s first flight gets the nod for more beauty as climbed out pass the beach and over the Pacific Ocean,

After flying out farther over the ocean, we flew along the coast and then banked back over the land.

Meanwhile inside the plane:

Of course, Jimi took these photos.

Jimi played his Nintendo DS and read the plane’s safety instructions during the flight

The flight took right at 2 hours. After taking off, the pilot announced that it was 101 degrees in Roswell. By the time that we landed, it had “cooled off” to 93 degrees. A friend of Darren’s, Cooper from Carlsbad, who was visiting when we were, flew back on the same flight.

Our plane parked at Roswell—we droved to Carlsbad and ate at Chili’s.

Jimi was, no surprise to us, an excellent first time flyer. He will be flying back to LA toward the end of July—dag nabit.

“On Sharing” from babycenter.com; BMXing in Tejas

2010-03-18T10:03:00.003-07:00

Your 4-year-old now

The Generous Child
Parents naturally want their children to absorb their values. One that your preschooler is ready to learn now is generosity. As your child becomes more social, she'll be in more situations that demand sharing and cooperation. Through trial and error, and some nudging from you, she'll learn to be a generous friend.

Above"lives" on the Internet at:

Your child is gradually becoming less selfish, but it's still developmentally normal for him to think of himself first. How can you teach him generosity? Here are some ideas:

Set a good example. Offer to share a snack and find other ways to insert the word "share" in conversation. "Would you like to share this seat with me?"
Talk about other people's wants and needs. In the grocery, for example, ask, "What do you think Daddy would like to have for dessert?"
Make a dislike of selfishness clear. "I don't like it when one person takes all the crayons and won't share."
Praise the generosity you see. "I'm so happy you shared your cars with your cousin when he visited."
Make distinctions that help him feel more generous. If your child's train set is especially precious to him, explain that he can put it away before a friend visits but that all the other toys will be for sharing.

Source:

Grandpa Notes: Jimi is a very generous baby, taught so by his dad, grandparents and others.

March 16, 2010, El Paso, Texas, BMX track, Sunland Park--

Darren on left; Jimi on right--duh, Grandpa Bob. Each raced two races in their divisions, not against each other. :O)

Erik’s academic accomplishment leads to family grub-down at Cortez’ Foodery

2010-02-18T02:58:00.001-07:00

Erik made the Dean’s List his last semester at NMSU-C, making all A’s and completing the requirements for his Associates degree to be awarded in the Spring.

So we asked him where we could take him out to eat and he replied Cortez so off we went for Mexican food (thankfully). On a personal note, I astounded my family by actually ordering something different than green chili chicken enchiladas (does any one know how chickens get green chili on themselves in the first place?).

As usual, all of us did a pretty fine job of cleaning our plates. Erik attacked his meal with zest. By the way, what new items did I order? Soft chicken tacos, a chili relleño, and a swordfish salad chalupa

Jimi hams it up while proud Dad looks on and proud Grandpa snaps the Kodak digital moment for blog documentation and, of course, your enjoyment and amazement at the world’s most mature 4-year old.

Waitress is married to a friend of Erik’s. I asked her if she would flirt with Jimi who always says in these situations, “Hello, I’m Jimi.”

Erik takes off his jacket and digs in. Not to be undone, Jimi hunkers down to eat with enthusiasm. It seems, if you can believe this, that only Chris and I are eating at a moderate pace, while all four of the males are eating to beat the band as the saying goes.

Don’t Darren and Jimi have the dining out manners going on. I’m proud of them both. What are those people in the back starting at? What’s up? You want a piece of my bodyguard?

To wrap up, I have a couple pictures left to put in-- of Pobre Pinata (Winnie the Whiney getting beat with a stick to the left )and Dr. James Hoff, my brother, and Jimi’s great uncle? Is that right, you genealogy aficionados.

Congratulations, again, Erik, We are proud of you. I thought when I got the final D+ average at UNM in 1970, I was a pretty hot tamale, but I think I was just a piñata caught in a hail storm and run over by a sanitation truck, no?

Jimi, the “Energizer Bunny”

2010-02-04T13:59:00.002-07:00

Look at the expression on Jimi’s face. This 55-month old grandson loves to entertain. He acts, sings, birdcalls, tells jokes, plays the drums, makes faces, and parodies other people.

He loves to print, draw, paint, play interactive games on the computer, play cards, and compete in Leaping Frogs, a store-purchased plastic game involving a revolving tree and frog launcher to put the frogs in the tree. He is clearly the best in this game here at the Hoff casa. Once we played “one-on-one,” head-to head, frog launching mano to mano. In the time I got one frog deposited in the slow-moving tree branches, Jimi shoots in, get this, 16 launched plastic frogs. He mauled me, final score-wise.
Today, he spent an hour at Uncle Erik’s house playing computer games in the early afternoon. He really enjoys playing X-Box 360 with Uncle Erik and his Dad Darren. Sometimes he beats adults on-line in combat games.
He also loves to ride his dirt bike. However today, after returning from Uncle Erik’s house, he rode his old tricycle from our house to Sno-to-Go on Church Street. He really booked it, pedaling first, then pushing the tricycle from the back with one foot on it, not at a lollygagging pace either, I might point out.
Chris ran to keep up with him while I hobbled 20 yards behind them, limping with my walking stick, trying to elicit sympathy with my walking stick from passing cars, trucks, and motorcycles to no avail.
When we arrived at Sno-to-Go, Jimi told Chris, “that (riding the tricycle) was harder than I thought that it would be.” I thought to myself, “Wait till you’re my age Jimi, and combine a heavy walking stick with my zippy-doo-dah fitness level (NOT).
He is so full of energy todo el tiempo (thank goodness). Before we left on the walk, he comes running into the study where I was working on the computer and says, “Grandpa, Grandma says hurry. Just X, X, X the computer.” (Jimi’s definition of speed-exiting Windows XP Professional)
Finally, he took a little rest on the pew when we got to 5:30 Mass at St. Edward’s Church. Chris encouraged him to look more lively. When I saw that, I changed my plans to l lie down on the pew as well.
Tonight after pizza, he watched some television, put together a puzzle,and got on the computer to play some Yogabagaba games.
After he donned his pajamas (he got a bath before church) he watched some more cartoons in our bedroom and then fell asleep, beginning preparation for tomorrow’s activities.
He has been for these almost five years, and remains, great fun to be around.
Bob Hoff
Copyright 2010

“Help that man to see”

2010-01-18T23:26:00.001-07:00

Monday, January 18, 2010

Last night during the news our four and a half year old grandson Jimi was playing Legos (and soldiers and cars and guns)in the living room while the television was on. Grandma was with him watching the news and working a crossword puzzle during the commercials.

One story involved a man driving down a highway somewhere when he approached a semi-truck coming in the opposite direction. The reporter explained that a chunk of ice blew off the truck and crashed into the man’s car hitting and breaking a hole in the windshield. The ice chunk shattered glass all over the driver cutting him in many places, including his eyes. The reporter added that the driver’s vision might be hurt.

Later in the evening before Jimi went to bed, Grandma and he were saying their prayers, he said, “Grandma, please tell God to help that man’s eyes be alright. Up to that point Grandma had no idea that Jimi had even heard the story of the man’s plight earlier in the evening, but he had “both seen and heard” and he was concerned.

Bob Hoff
Copyright 2010
Copied from another blog

December 22, 2009--A Boy, his Dog, a Grandmother, and a Christmas song

2009-12-22T16:02:00.003-07:00

Another Song for Our Anniversary

2009-10-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

And, of course:

You know what song I just had to include as well

And a special visual treat for both of us, no?

(A whisper in your ear--"Te Amo mucho, Chris"

Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary Grandma Chris

2009-10-21T12:13:00.003-07:00

Here comes the 23rd of October when 38 years old you began showing me, Chris, that you are:

Simply the Best Click on "STB" below please

Happy 38th Anniversary!!

Love,

Bob

Simply the Best
When my brother James called this noon, he saw this blog and e-mailed me later, saying, "The one of you and Chris is fantastic. You sure got a pretty one."

Just think, honey, he was 12 when we married and now he is 50

And we have stayed, you and I, 22 and 24 years old, in our hearts and minds (it seems like, no?)

Some of Jimi's FAVE links

2009-09-29T22:02:00.002-07:00

Hi Jimi Victorino's Blog readers

I have been asking around for a while now when Daylight Savings Time ends and people responded in one of three ways:

It should be on your calendar.
I don't know.
Ask Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff for his link.

So, here is Jimi's DST page link--

Also, Jimi asked me to share one of his favorite education games links for children about his age.

So, here is that link--

And one of his favorite humor blog sites--

And, of course, his favorite caverns history blog site--

Jimi's Grandma Carol Campos

Breaking Sports News....

11:00 p.m.
9/29/09

Thanks to the Los Angeles Angels just finishing a win over the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox will get a wild card slot in the upcoming American League playoffs. Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff was just quoted as saying, "Go Red Sox!" as was his grandpa, yours truly.

Jimi's Theme Song (One of Them)

2009-09-22T10:45:00.002-07:00

The Temptations and Get Ready

Whenever Jimi's coming over, he's ready so you better be too--Get Ready because he is
MR. BUNDLE OF ENERGY--ALL HOURS OF THE DAY!!

Jimi's the Best--That's Why He has to be a fan of the Boston Red Sox--In My Opinion the Best Major League Baseball Team

2009-09-21T09:03:00.001-07:00

Go Boston 2009--Jimi and several other Hoffs are behind you.

2009-08-25T23:33:00.003-07:00

Jimi is such a funny toddler. Tonight we were eating at Furrs and he goes up to aa kid with a mohawk haircut and says, "Nice haircut. I have been trying to grow one for years." During his playing time tonight in his soccer game he was doing head first tumbling. I think that he likes and practices humor because he is surrounded by people who like and practice it. The other night I asked him how many goodbye kisses I was going to get. (Not liking my mustache) he says, "None on the lips and nine on the eyeballs' We love his humor! Bob

Big Story: How to raise a fun and funny child

by Leslie Crawford
Last updated: August 2007

Highlights

Funny like me
Pregnancy: Time for belly laughs
Baby: Laurel and Hardy in diapers
Toddlers: A knack for the absurd
Preschoolers: The Bozo years
Big kids: A future in comedy?
The BabyCenter 7: Best ways to really crack them up

Developmental experts who've studied humor say a childhood filled with laughter and fun has benefits that last a lifetime. "A sense of humor offers a huge advantage in life," says Lawrence J. Cohen, author of Playful Parenting and a psychologist specializing in children's play. "It's one of the best ways people have figured out to cope with things that are difficult." A child who can easily tap his funny bone is more likely to make strong friendships, be well-liked by peers, and as an adult get along with colleagues at work, manage frustration, diffuse conflict, and suffer less from depression. A sense of humor is also linked to intelligence, self-esteem, creativity, and problem solving.

What's more, humor offers parents rare insight into their children's cognitive development. As humor expert Paul McGhee points out, humor is a form of intellectual play. In infants, laughter is initially stimulated by physical play (tickling, raspberries, and very gentle rough-and-tumble). But as early as 6 or 7 months, when babies start to gain a clearer sense of their world and how it works, they begin taking pleasure in seeing that known world turned on its head — the very essence of humor.

When your child "gets the joke," it's a sign that he's developing significant intellectual skills. So celebrate when your infant gurgles with glee over a game of peekaboo, your 1-year-old titters madly when you sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" in a Tweety Bird voice, your preschooler giggles wildly when you hold a shoe to your ear and say, "Hello?", or your 7-year-old pulls off his first pun.

Parents who laugh often and easily with their children understand that humor is an invaluable parenting tool, one that can be used to discipline without conflict. Moms and dads accustomed to yukking it up with their children also find it's a way to stay close.

The best part? Play and laughter, the foundations of humor, are part of our genetic makeup and preceded human language. Robert R. Provine, author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation and a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, says the "ha-ha" sound of laughter evolved from the sound we make in physical childhood play — the panting sound of our breathing when engaged in, say, tickling and rough-and-tumble activities.

The key, says Provine, is that a baby's earliest laughter, and most humor that follows in childhood and into adulthood, is an elemental form of social bonding. It could be said that humor, a more sophisticated means to evoke giggles and guffaws, is a way to re-create that unadulterated joy of childhood laughter when we're completely engaged with another person.

Funny like me

Can humor be taught, or is it an inherited trait like left-handedness and green eyes? While some children seem to be born with a bubbly, good-natured disposition, developmental psychologists say humor can be taught. Think of it as a muscle (one no doubt near the funny bone) that needs to be strengthened and worked regularly.

So what's the secret to teaching your child to get in touch with his inner comedian? Rush out to enroll your toddler in mommy and me stand-up classes? Happily, it's more straightforward than that. If you want to have a fun and funny child, there's no better role model than you.

Being funny shouldn't be another burden to add to an already hefty parenting to-do list (8 a.m.: Make clown pancakes; 1 p.m.: Tell an elephant joke; 5 p.m.: Slip on a banana peel). You don't need to be Ellen DeGeneres to get a laugh. All you have to do is tap into your silliest self.

Fortunately, you have years to develop your act, starting with your goofiest material for your baby. Tickle her toes and sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" in a ridiculous voice. To crack up your toddler, put a shoe on your head and a hat on your foot. Pick up your 4-year-old's favorite action hero and have him announce what's on the menu for dinner.

This isn't to suggest that your household has to be Comedy Central 24/7. But there's plenty of room for playfulness. In an age when parenting can feel like such serious business, with somber advice on the perils of toilet training too late and the importance of signing up for the best preschool on time, it's worth remembering that fun and games have their place.

"Humor and fun make your household run more smoothly,"

Spencer and her kids yuk it up at the beach

says Paula Spencer, mother of four and author of Momfidence! An Oreo Never Killed Anybody and Other Secrets of Happier Parenting. "It helps kids feel more relaxed and confident and have more goodwill toward you." Plus, a funny thing happens on your way to making your child giggle. As scientists attest, laughter is infectious. Once you get your child guffawing, you'll find yourself in stitches too.

And why not have fun? You're in the parenting gig for a good 18 years. Your family might as well have a few good laughs along the way.

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http://www.babycenter.com/0_big-story-how-to-raise-a-fun-and-funny-child_1739289.bc?bclink=top&scid=preschooler_20090825:2&pe=2TPM5bj

2009-08-25T23:30:00.003-07:00

See:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_big-story-how-to-raise-a-fun-and-funny-child_1739289.bc?bclink=top&scid=preschooler_20090825:2&pe=2TPM5bj

Playing Some Baseball

2009-08-15T09:05:00.001-07:00

Batter Jimi squares off against pitcher Grandma Chris.

Jimi holding bat.

Dad Darren chases base swipper Jimi Hoff, desperately trying to tag him out.

Grandma Chris awaits for one of Jimi's higher pitches to return to near the ground.

Hurler Darren Hoff tries to sneak one past future Red Sox player Jimi Hoff

Pix and Some Web Info

2009-05-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Web Info--Your Three Year Old Now

Your 3-year-old nowWhat's one of the all-time best gifts you could give your child? A box. Seriously! A large carton can become a spaceship, a grocery store, a car, a house. It can provide more hours of emotional, intellectual, and social stimulation than any fancy electronic toy.Pretend play becomes more complex and interactive at 3. It's no accident that preschools have plenty of props — plastic tools, kitchen gear, blocks, dress-up clothes — for kids to pretend with.Children learn by doing and imagining. When they pretend they're a police officer or parent, they have the freedom to explore at their own pace a world they're learning to navigate. They hold the power. They can express their emotions, punishing their pretend children as they've been punished. They learn to negotiate and solve problems (how to stop the bad guy or what to cook for dinner). They learn to walk in others' shoes, helping to develop empathy.Creating stories about pretend characters encourages language development and abstract thinking. And being able to see that a belt could be a lasso or a block could be an iPod is a precursor to realizing that those symbols on the page are actually letters and words.To encourage imaginary play, have a stash of props handy for your children to explore: boxes, clothes, shoes, household utensils, blocks, stuffed animals, and writing materials. Then step back and have fun watching what the props become.

WEB INFO 2--

Your life now

Often parents take loads of photos when their child is a baby and far fewer as they get caught up in the busy whirl of everyday life with a preschooler. But you'll find that your best images aren't the posed family portraits but the ones you catch on the fly during play. Keep your camera handy at the playground, during baths, or when your child is deeply engaged in play. It doesn't matter if you don't get around to downloading them for weeks; at least you've captured these magic moments.

From...

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-3-year-old-timeline-your-childs-imagination_3651863.bc?responsys_count=0&scid=mbtw_post3y_10m_1w:366&pe=2TPM5bj

Jimi uses his imagination a lot. He calls me Grandpa Abel and calls Chris, Grandma Carol. Sometimes I call him Uncle Jose or Yo-Gaba-Gaba. And he pretends that he is reading to us--and the stories are pretty good.

Sometimes he imagines that he is eating a donut hole like in this picture. For a little realism we slipped in a few real donut holes.

He loves to pretend that he is facing me when I tell him that I want to take his picture. Sometimes we play this game for half an hour or more while I chase him around the house trying to get him to look at my camera. He delights in mocking my picture-taking efforts. If I was usually real non-digital film, his elusive run away techniques would have caused me to declare photography bankruptcy some time ago.

In this picture (L) he is imagining that he is taking the bath that
that we had to begin about 45 minutes ago to avoid being late for
an important appointment. This imagination game makes him almost
helpless with laughter.

Day after Jimi and Dad get short haircuts, April 4, 2009

2009-04-04T22:19:00.008-07:00

Boy, both these fellas look good with the short military style haircut. Jimi's great-grandfather (and Darren's grandfather and my Dad) John Francis Leslie Hoff, veteran of WWII, Korea, and the Congo and 22 years of military service is, I guarantee you, smiling when he looks down today on the haircuts of these two gentlemen. BH

Getting his shoes on; hiding from a picture

Getting ready to leave

"You can't catch me." He's right. I can't.

Jimi Hoff's First Visit to the Caverns

2009-03-23T16:15:00.004-07:00

December 30, 2008--Grandson Jimi's first visit to Carlsbad Caverns.

Jimi sprinting toward photographer, Grandpa Bob

Working at the caverns gift shop/ bookshop is Uncle Jose
Campos, Victoria's brother. Jimi making a sharp turn.

Hoff family boards inter-Chihuahuan
Desert caverns "transporter."

(Below) Uncle Jeff holding Jimi

Jimi, Uncle Jeff, Grandpa Bob, and Dad Darren

Photograph somewhere in the Big Room

What's up, Dad?

Father and Son in the caverns

Uncle Bo Ramirez, Park Ranger Interpreter,

explains to Jimi the geological theories
of how the caverns came to be. Jimi responds

by asking Bo if the caverns sells Skittles.
(This section of the blog is fiction,

although Bo is a real uncle)

Most of us, including Jimi, got tuckered walking
in the Big Room. Of course, we took the elevator
down, saving the Natural Entrance and the
Main Corridor for later trips.

I had planned to spellbind the group with a
treasure trove of personal caverns memories
but I was so far behind I got to the elevator
lobby about an hour and fifteen minutes after
my family did. :=)

Like everywhere else we take Jimi Victorino
Campos Hoff, the trip to the caverns was a
delight with him.

Thanks, Vick !

Grandpa Bob

Originally written 3/8/09, but unpublished then due to

problems with Google Blogger. BH

"Young Sons"

2009-03-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ninja Jimi: The Prankster

2009-03-23T11:33:00.009-07:00

Ninja Jimi at the Halloween Party........

...and at the Project Playground recently (in civilian disguise).

Beware of the Ninja: he is a trickster, pranking, running away, and laughing. in his distinctive Ninja toddle style. Who taught the Trickster his ways? I think we all know

I think we all know.

(L-R) Chris, Angie, Helen, Lorina, RoseAnn--the FIVE FERNANDEZ SISTERS

2009-03-06T18:37:00.002-07:00

Chris is Jimi's Grandma Hoff; her sisters: Angie, Helen. Lorina, and
RoseAnn are all Jimi's Great Aunts.

I am the photographer, the blogger etc., Bob, Jimi's Grandpa Bob.

"Comments on Early Jimi Blog"

2009-03-01T21:45:00.003-07:00

When I did my first Jimi Blog in Google Blogger (May 31, 2006, I received a comment on it from someone who said,

Nice idea with this site its better than most of the rubbish I come across.

It was signed Newloghere. If you read carefully, Newloghere, apparently writing without thinking very thoughtfully, is saying that some of the rubbish that he came across was better than my blog. I hope that for months unending until far in the future someone comes along repeatedly and gets his goat, the one that he particularly hates having been "gotten" by someone.

On June 1, 2006, I wrote a post about Darren getting his degree.

Oldtownboys commented Hmm I love the idea behind this website, very unique.

In June, I wrote something about Darren's birthday and bdfytoday said,

Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site! Keep up the good work. Thanks.

I think that my leg was being pulled in some of these comments. The day I received the owntownboys comment above, I also received the exact same comment from someone else.

Hmmmmm. Maybe this leg-pulling is why I developed gout years later, no?

Darren's Graduation Party at VFW; Jimi "closing in on one years old. Victoria's Mom and Dad (Carol and Abel) and brother Jose and sister Ronnie and her Grandmother.

Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff almost three years
later, you all.

pix: 5/31/06
By Bob 's Wobbly Camera
Pointing, Inc

Jimi Computing, Erik and Jimi Skating, and Erik Solo Skating

2009-02-17T15:26:00.005-07:00

Jimi at the "senior" Dell, checking out the Yo Gaba site on the Internet on Feb 15th. I recently saw a link on ABC News that this show appeals to some kids in college. Recently, the show had skateboard icon Tony Hawke, one of Erik's skateboarding heroes when he was growing up, on. Jimi is pretty interested in watching Uncle Erik skateboard these days. Erik, in a diaper and showing off his chest and biceps, first stood on a skateboard at the age of 10 months. Dad Bob needs to find and scan that pix. Or maybe I have so many pictures on my computer, it's just hiding in plain sight

The pictures of me as a "Skateboard Champions" don't exist because I never was one. I couldn't even balance on a stationary one for more than .023 seconds.

Me? I was a "Tormentor/Terminator Marbles" Player, once winning a school championship in the 4th grade in Albuquerque Wherry Elementaty School.

Some would argue that Marbles is not a game of great risk. To that I say, hardy, hardy, har!! Who can ever really know if the next marble that he/she shoots with, aiming to knock another person's marble out of the ring, might not just suddenly and violently wrench that person's thumb digit right out of its socket

I bet that when Son or Uncle Erik is making these jumps he has relative safety from thumb incidents, don't you think?

Keep Jimi, Erik, or any other kid who does tricks in your heart and prayers. As far as my marble stunts and feats are concerned, don't worry about me: I lost my marbles years ago

Jimi Three Years Ago at 7 or 8 Months, Chocolate, Encouraging Humor in Children

2009-02-02T17:48:00.020-07:00

Jimi, sitting on the couch, sporting the hat, in January 2006 somewhere near seven months old. In the picture above, he is six times as old, 42 months.

I assume this is Jimi's "fishing hat." I believe that Grandpa Abel Campos and Daddy Darren have taken him fishing a couple times.

Grandpa Hoff's main outdoor activity is driving to Sonic on Pierce St. to buy a dietetic chocolate milk shake.

Fact: Do you know that Jimi eats vanilla ice cream, but will not eat chocolate ice cream. He doesn't seem to like chocolate anything.

I, on the other chocolate-coated gooey donut, like dark chocolate, chocolate with almonds, fudge chocolate, chocolate milkshakes, chocolate mints, chocolate shrimp, chocolate gumbo, chocolate enchiladas, chocolate tacos, flaming chocolate, chocolate kisses, French chocolate kisses, chocolate pizza, chocolate cigars, chocolate bunnies, chocolate chips, chocolate potato chips, chocolate toothpaste, chocolate shaving cream, chocolate margaritas, chocolate Pepto Dismal. Did I mention French chocolate kisses? This bit of humor is not based on the Forrest Gump shrimp this, shrimp that bit.)

Encouraging Sense of Humor in Your Baby Or Toddler
by Beverly Frank

A good sense of humor is one of the most important things you will carry with you in life. Life is simply too difficult and serious for you to not have one. Some people think that the best way to deal with things is to just be serious and never laugh. Research shows that this is not the case. Laughter actually is good for your heart-it can increase the blood flow by more than twenty percent! Laughter allows us to take a break from the daily grind. It helps us to escape our situation and look at it from a different perspective. Without laughter we would surely be in a terrible position in life. Because we know that laughter is the best medicine, most parents want their children to develop a good sense of humor. Like their parents, children will need to know when to laugh at life and its absurdities. But how can you, as a concerned and good parent, encourage a good sense of humor in your child? It isn't like watering a plant to watch it grow. A child is a person with a unique personality, and we should not try to change this. However, all children probably have some sense of humor and they can develop it more. While this might be easy in an elementary school child or teenager, how can you possibly encourage a good sense of humor in your infant or toddler?

In this respect you will be somewhat limited, although there are things you can do. Infants are only so aware of the world and what is going on in it. This means that any kind of complicated sense of humor is simply denied to them. However, because they have so little understanding, the things that happen to them are very important and influence their later development. A baby often smiles at certain people who make funny faces or when they are tickled. Encourage this sort of behavior in your child. Find the things that make them smile and repeat them. As the baby gets older it might start to recognize what is absurd or funny. In this case find absurd things that will make the child laugh.

Toddlers are the physical comedians of the world. They love to be tickled or thrown in the air. Some kids are more verbal and might like certain rhymes or silly words. They might find cartoons funny at this stage. Another thing that a toddler will start to do is be funny. When you recognize this in your child you know that they have a strong sense of humor. This usually manifests itself in behaviors that would seem absurd; when a child, for example, recognizes a rule or pattern but chooses not to follow it in order to get a response. Sometimes the beginning of a sense of humor is simply found in trying to get others to laugh.

One of the most important things you can do to encourage your young child's sense of humor is to laugh a great deal yourself. A child will observe this and learn that it is a good response to the world. A child who observes a great deal of seriousness and difficulty will probably think that the world is a scary place. When you laugh out loud you show your child that the world is okay and that its problems are not so bad. Kids will imitate their parents and follow in their footsteps. So remember to laugh in front of your kids and you will help them to develop great senses of humor.

Above Article Source

Do your kids have a special joke that they really like? Visit http://www.JokesByKids.com to submit your funny jokes, and to read Jokes by Kids.com submitted by other kids from around the world.

From Jokes by Kids

1. From Charlie, age 4, Delaware, Ohio
How did the gorilla know he was sick?
He had a belly ape!

2. From Sadie, age 10, California, United States Of America
What did Snow White say when she was waiting for her photos?
Someday my prints will come!

3. From Megan, age 9, Milton Keynes, England
What is green, has four legs, can't move and would kill you if it fell out a tree on top of you?
A pool table!

© Bob Hoff, 2009

Himi/Jimi/Victorini's Smile and Some Scientific Links on Baby Smiles

2009-02-01T00:27:00.010-07:00

Does HimiJimiVictorini have a great smile or what?

I know I have talked about this before, but I think this time I want to include some information that I find interesting about the science behind these wonderful smiles of the younger set and some of us of the "post-younger" set.

Here is some science about a baby's smile http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707081852.htm

Baby's Smile is a Natural High

aove article

Science Daily (July 8, 2008)

The above page also includes several links to other interesting articles:

Women Smile More Than Men, Except When They Are In Similar Roles (Mar. 19, 2003) — Women do smile more than men, but when occupying similar work and social roles, the gender differences in the rate of smiling disappear, a Yale researcher has ... > read more
Smile -- And The World Can Hear You, Even If You Hide (Jan. 16, 2008) — Smiling affects how we speak, to the point that listeners can identify the type of smile based on sound alone, according to a new study. The research, which also suggested that some people have ... > read more
Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You: Why The Brain Just Can't Help Itself (Dec. 13, 2006) — Laughter is truly contagious, and now, scientists studying how our brain responds to emotive sounds believe they understand ... > read more
New System May Help Babies Avoid Brain Damage (Jan. 11, 2005) — The same heightened electrical activity that indicates an adult taking a treadmill test isn't getting enough oxygen to his heart is now being measured during labor to see if it can better ... > read more
Phony Friends? Rejected People Better Able To Spot Fake Smiles (Oct. 26, 2008) — All of us have "faked a smile" at some point. Now, a new study might make us think twice about sending out a phony grin. It has been shown that individuals who are experiencing rejection are better ... > read more

19 Ways to Make a Baby Smile
"19 Ways to..

A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it.
Frank A. Clark

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/frank_a_clark.html

© Bob Hoff, 2009

New Gadjets added to Jimi's Page

2009-01-29T15:12:00.008-07:00

Jimi asked me to add a couple of gadjets to the bottom of his page. Check them out.
If in going to it you leave the page, I hope that you can use the reverse arrow to
come back if you want to.

I wanted to send this and Sally's blog to Yvette (sp), the mother of
the girl below, but I lost her business. Can anybody give me her email
address please?

V

Jimi is now in hi "Yo Gabba, Gabba" phase. He particularly likes the
"Car" Episode and we havewatched it more than 3.75/ times all my toes
and fingers or so it seems.

Remember that more than any other animal, the early bird loses the most sleep.

Before Jimi Was a Ninja Warrior And Super Hero....

2009-01-19T22:20:00.007-07:00

He was a rider of orange thingyamagobdodads

So about three years later, Jimi is on top of another one of those orange things.

Jimi in school September 2008

Happy First Day of the Obama Administration. Say a prayer for the success and safety of he and his family.

Bob

Jimi and Ku Fu Sword Skills

2009-01-18T13:16:00.003-07:00

When I say that HimiJimiVictorini is the most coordinated and althletic toddler who I have ever beheld, I am not just whistling "Dixie." I am sure that he got these skills from Victoria and Darren and with a dash of a couple more Campos and Hoffs mixed in. What a guy!

Check out the swordplay below and two songs including Dixie below that:

Where Did Jimi Get Some of His Good Looks?

2009-01-12T11:56:00.006-07:00

It wasn't from his Daddy Darren

Or Gramps

Though they are pretty good-looking guys, no?

See Jimi at Caverns Childrens' Christmas Party Post at...

2009-01-12T00:48:00.004-07:00

See Jimi

January 7, 2009

Have a great week!

Blogging Bob...

Sally's 50th Birthday Party

2008-12-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Birthday girl Sally Echavarria and two of her men (and great-nephews), Mark Olsen and Jimi Hoff, cousins, four and three years old respectively--December 13, 2008. Despite the sign, Sally is not "over the hill," but is still somewhere down in the valley quite a distance from the hill.

Salley's parents, Robert and Cecilia Echavarria

Obviously, Sally hasn't changed over the years much, no?

Happy Birthday, Sally.

The ButterFly Award--Received (1) and Conferred(5)

2008-12-11T01:54:00.006-07:00

***From Shail Mohan (a blog friend of mine who lives in Kerala, India) to four other award recipients and I, the conferring of The Butterfly Award

"Come ye one and all. Lend me thy ears. Errr…. On second thoughts keep your ears to yourself. What good would having your ears do me in good old blogosphere?? Your eyes are what I want lent so that I can share the news of the good fortune that has befallen me. I have been chosen (Yippee!) to be the recipient of the prestigious (What do you mean, ‘Says who??’ What a question! Of course I say so!) Butterfly Award conferred by none other than that mystic poet Usha. A big and resounding ‘thank you’ with a virtual hug thrown in coming your way, Usha. I am humbled and honored and beaming. At the same time I cannot but hang my head in shame for the delay in accepting the award. I lay the blame squarely at the feet of the erratic net connection plus the intrusion of real life into my virtual one. The nerve, eating up my online time!! Grrr…

As per instructions, I can display the logo in my blog page and also confer it on those whom I think deserving. And you, the deserving ones chosen by …ahem moi, can do the same too and of course mention who you got it from. Don’t you dare forget that! So here goes:

I (Shail)confer the Butterfly Award on

Bob, whose world revolves around his little grandson Jimi. His blogs tell it all, his love and adoration for the little hero of his life. Proud to have you as my friend." See other recipient links at shailsnest.

I (B.H.)confer the Butterfly Award on

shailsnest A talented writer whose prose, poems, and feelings of humanity you will enjoy.
Also see her blog at shailajamohan.multiply
Peeks2 Peek2 shares great blogs and web resources and her concern for the world.
A Minute in Susan's Life Some always interesting is going on at Susan's blog
Maestro Reg's Blog Reg says, "Welcome to my site. You may find almost anything here. I post whatever strikes my fancy." Music, book reviews, and lots of other interesting resources.
Comrade Vinodsky If you are interested in art, then Vinodsky is your man.

Congrats and don't forget to send some fluttering Butterfly Awards to some of your favorite bloggers. Happy Holidays!!

School

2008-12-09T02:53:00.003-07:00

The Cool and Striking Eyes of Ninja Jimi.....

2008-11-05T23:38:00.004-07:00

Such a beautiful toddler, Mr. Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff. The cool and striking eyes that he got from his Daddy Darren who got his eyes from the "Brown-Eyed" Girl--Chris Hoff.

By the way, Jose, Jimi is developing some BB skills and might want to play a pickup game with you soon. He beat Darren and Chris shooting free throws the other day--and I am not kidding!

The Small, but Deft-moving Ninja-Jimi, entered the house on Halloween Evening...

2008-11-01T23:15:00.001-07:00

Father and Son Ninjas...

Jimi and a Crouching, Ninja Floor Stance (don't get too close or the trap will SPRING!!!

I wore him out. At the end of the video he says, "I can't do this anymore." I was also growing fatigued from viedo-taping. :)))

Belated Halloween 2008 Wishes!!

Honrable Bob-San

Jimi Photographer Trainee: Grandpa very Proud of his Progress

2008-10-01T14:57:00.011-07:00

This post is dedicated to Jimi's Uncle Jeff who Jimi hasn't seen for four months and who he really misses. I know that Uncle Jeff misses Jimi like we all miss Uncle Jeff.

Some notes: check out Darren's blue eyes, not the spitting image of Jimi's "green" eyes. I have greenish gray I am told, Uncle Jeff has the prettiest blue eyes (says Mom and Moms always know) and Uncle Erik has brown eyes

The better part of Damu the mystery dog.

Partial pix of Bob in his "wifebeater" shirt.

A good picture of Erik and Grams in the background. Another good one by Daddy Darren (or my Darren as Jimi calls him) Remember these are being taken by a three-year old. Aren't they great. Everytime he shoots, he improves. What a guy!

This post is dedicated to Mr. Jeff Hoff. We love you son!!

Jimi is an excellent student, paying attention and taking advice, and giving me feedback.

Jimi at Another Playground, Strutting and Stunting his Stuff Modestly

2008-09-27T23:23:00.004-07:00

I don't know who sponsored the building of this new playground down by the Pecos River (which probably is a reminder that I should read the local newspaper more carefully), but it is a neat playground. Darren and Grandpa Abel took him the day it opened, then Darren and I took him a while later.

If you have read this blog for the last three years (over 50 posts) you know that I am always bragging about what an athlete Jimi has been from the very beginning. In fact, he is one of my sports heros; check out a few of these videos, now would you?

Some pix-- First, Jimi balancing himself. What a guy!!

Here is a woman watching her kids while Darren watches Jimi and I take a group shot hoping to sell a copy or two--no dice!

Closeup of Jimi on the cord bridge

Grandma and Grandpa Hoff, the morning after we got married... Soon to celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary, amazingly our looks have changed little if any :)))))))

Got pix you would like to see on this blog? Send me a copy of them to
hoff-bob2003@yahoo.com

September 14, 2008--Jimi Takes Grandma and Grandpa Hoff to the Library ("sort of")

2008-09-15T20:35:00.009-07:00

Signs in the Children's Section of the Library

Left picture I took of Chris and right picture Jimi took of me. Not bad for a 3-year old photographer, no? He does use voice instructions from me on how to hold and point the camera and where to keep his fingers. He also wears the strap loop around his right wrist iin case the camera gets away from him, which it did the other day, but it stayed swinging on his arm; my heart attack was "minor."

He is a good photographer, as you can see. I handle his "bad results" the way I handle mine: I delete them immediately

I said above that Jimi took us to the library "sort of" because we had to blackmail him to get him to go. Once he got there, he was a perfect gentleman and seemed to enjoy it, having Chris find and check out books for him and reading to him. Later, he would not admit that he had enjoyed himself, as MAIN his passion is in the realm of video game playing.

We are hoping to convert some of that passion to reading and books and the joy of libraries (and Gramp's favorite buying books). When you see Jimi playingvideo games, he is pretty darn amazing and skillful (he plays adults on the Internet; I don't think they know he is three).

We want him to find time for reading, as well as discovering the joy that it can bring. It really can and does bring joy, joy even deeper I can imagine than the joy of "shooting the bad guys").

Jimi gave Aunt Olga who works at the library a big old bear hug before we left.

Project Playground Performers--Jimi and Gramps!!!

2008-09-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

Jimi did great on this balance beam at the "Project Playground" here in Carlsbad. When I tried walking on it, I fell off sooner than immediately. I will "try" to find that .avi video file (Darren took the video; it is "somewhere" on my camera; now where is my camera?) and process it at "Innertube.com"

Jimi loves to view video of himself and the family, often wanting "numerous repeat showings."

As you saw above, Jimi walked across the "balance beam" at Carlsbad's "Project Playground" one time and was returning his second time when he slipped off at the end.

So I tried to see how many I could do and I slipped off right away because I wasn't really ready when I started. Also Darren, who of course wanted his son to win, had spun me around 75 times with my Boston Red Sox hat pulled down over my eyes.

Just when I got up on the apparatus, Darren whispered (which is why you can't hear it, "rattlesnake" and I fell off, lunging forward, almost cracking my noggin on the wooden structures just inches away from where I tumbled off in a high speed twist of uncontrolled velocity.

Jimi, bless his heart, immediately ran over to start to do a new trick so that it looked like I meant to do that. If you study the video closely, you can see that I am really throwing myself off on purpose in order to stroke Jimi's ego.

That is Darren encouraging me by laughing in the background of the video.

I do want to point out that there is 58 years of age difference between Jimi and I and that I have been unbalanced since the late 1960s, but rest assured, I would never make any excuses. I did what I had to do, as I wasn't capable of any other alternative. Clearly, being the stuntman for Chuck Norris for all those decades, I expected more of myself.

I think that the "leaking" of this video is ultimately what kept me off the U.S. Olympic team, but don't you think that Jimi should have made it?

"I Do Best What I Do Best"

2008-08-07T11:20:00.011-07:00

"I do best what I do best."

That's what Jimi repeats several times a day now and he has been doing it for a while.

I finally asked him, "where did you learn that Jimi?"

He replied, "from my teacher."

"Which teacher?" I asked.

"From my school--Shining Stars."

When I asked for confirmation he said no, not Shining Stars. But then said something that sounded like it to me, but I wasn't wearing my hearing aid at the time.

When he says this, he reminds me of a very small motivational speaker. I love to hear him say it.

Now I am teaching him to point to his own head and to say, "When I think best," and then point to his own mouth and say, "I talk best." This is a lesson that while I have known it for years, I still struggle to apply on a daily basis.
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You-Select-the-Caption-Contest
Mail your suggestions to hoff_bob2003@yahoo.com by August 15, 2008. First Prize Winner may take Chris and I and as many people as we invite out to dinner, picking up the tab, the tip, and without whining.

Second Prize Winner will receive from Bob Hoff, former Park Historian, "free directions to the caverns."

Hurry; if you think too much about the details of this contest, you may not enter after all.

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Jimi the "Balancer"

Father and Son

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Some Pix from the Longer hair Days, You All...

Happy Third Birthday, Mr. Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff

2008-07-08T23:45:00.004-07:00

Jimi and his posse with Spiderman pinata. Like most kids his age, Jimi admires many heroes, uses their brands of clothes and weapons, and emulate them. When I was a bit older than Jimi, I wore a Superman T-shirt that I got from a cereal company for a couple boxtops and a piddly amount of cash. I loyally wore that shirt until the real Superman heard about it and made me take it off. (Superjerk)

Lexie, Ryan, and Jimi. Ryan and Jimi's fathers were friends when they were youngsters as well, still are friends, and have worked as co-workers.

I missed the top of Daddy Darren's head because he recently turned 24 and is taller than I remember.

Jimi getting into the swing of the party. This was before he and other little aqua-pranksters were throwing water-filled balloons at human targets.

When Jimi saw that the blue birthday card had a "J" on it, he said, "I got mail."

Grandma Carol Campos organized the bestowing of presents on the birthday boy. Ryan, Jimi's four-year old friend provided top-notch party security, having only to arrest and transport three adults and a lookout frog for attempted birthday gift filching.

Grandpa and Chef Abel Campos cancelled all his cooking engagements in Paris for the weekend so that he could barbecue his world famous cheeseburgers and hot dogs for the famished cluster of humans. After eating, they hummed gentle tunes while swaying back and forth on the balls of their feet. Snapping a shot to the right is my favorite photographer in the world, the lovely and always focused Grandma Chris Hoff. Years ago when I asked her to marry me, she took her camera out of her purse and said, "why yes. Let's see what develops,"

Uncle Erik Hoff to left and Uncle Jose Campos to left in the picture to the right. Jimi still in the present-receiving mode.

Aunt Veronica (Ronnie) Campos in the blue and Jimi's posse. Ronnie's son is 4-year old Mark-- Jimi's cousin and friend.Mark and Jimi both have orange shirts on. Mark is the slugger of the posse who beat the daylights, tar, and turkey spam out of Spiderman pinata

Jimi's great grandmother Sabina Campos in the right hand corner of the picture.

Dad Darren holding the pinata rope for Jimi's cousin Mark.

At the end of the party, while Dad Darren loaded up his vehicle with the wonderful presents from everyone, Jimi began to bike off into the sunset, with Ryan scooting beind him as fast as his short legs would carry him.

Welcome Beautiful Sunny and Happy BD Grandpa Bob!!

2008-06-16T23:05:00.003-07:00

Back on 05/05/08, I did a post on some of Jimi's cousins in Salt Lake City, Utah, and left out one by mistake.

Jimi's Blog-post 05/05/08 link

The "Cutie" that I inadvertently left out was Sunny, seen in the next picture with her sister Madilyn and brother Maz. My apologies to the proud parents.

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Bob Turns 61--Birth Certicate Hoax Suspected!!

Jimi Hanging Around at Furrs Cafeteria (Bob's Choice) Waiting for " Waist Ballooning Birthday Buffet" to Begin...

Group Picture Without Grandpa the Birthday Boy

Grandma Documents the Special Event

What are Erik, Jeffrey, and Jimi looking at? Beats me.

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Special Note to the women who were going to call and sing me "Happy Birthday"

May I suggest that you record the song on a cassette (or maybe a DVD perhaps?) and mail to me? I am looking forward to it. Thanks in advance,

Your begging Friend

Happy Father's Day 2008, Darren

2008-06-14T02:15:00.002-07:00

Darren, Mom and I want to wish you a very special and Happy Father's Day. Since becoming a Dad at the age of 21, three years ago, you have done an exemplary job of being a Loving Dad to Jimi and we are more proud of you than you will ever know. We know that Victoria is looking down from heaven, happy that you are taking such wonderful care of that human treasure-- Jimi Victorino Campos.

Mom and I have had many wonderful years of love for and from each other, more wonderful years of love for and from you and your two brothers Jeff and Erik--and now-- the wonderful years of love for and from Jimi.

On this Father's Day, Mom and I honor the memories of our Fathers and wish that they were alive to see how well you are carrying out your parental responsibilities to Jimi in such a loving and wonderful manner.

We love you and Jimi very much and wish more than anything that Victoria was by your side to help you raise Jimi, to love you both, and to add her precious Motherly touch to your family.

We love you, Darren.

Happy Father's Day, 2008!

"I'm Right Behind You, Daddy Darren"

2008-05-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Grandma Chris, Uncle Jeff (don't you see his foot?), Daddy Darren (Or "My Darren" as Jimi "IronMan" calls him), and Grandpa Bob (don't you see me behind the camera, you all?) all admire Jimi in his new dandy bicycle buggy wheels. Isn't he looking sylishly cool?

Jimi with his roof zipped back so we can see his handsome face and his developing toddler biceps.

Uncle Jeff takes a full gander at Jimi and Darren's wheels. These pictures were taken around the 8th - 10th 0f may 2008

Check out Jimi's Carlsbad Desert campaign hat while Darren adjusts the Schwinn buggy. I am pretty sure I had a Schwinn bicycle. I know that i had a folding bike that could be carried that my Dad brought me when he returned from the Korean War in the early 1950s. He brought me nothing when he returned from World War II using the shaky excuse that he wasn't married to my Mother yet nor was I born yet. Hmm...........

There they go! In the background, I am yelling, "Son Darren, let Jimi have a chance to drive the bike and you ride in the buggy. It will develop his toddler thighs!"

Jimi's Cousins in Salt lake City, Utah--Maz, Madilyn, and Cynthia

2008-05-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

Maz David Wilker was born on December 21, 2007 to Jenni GardnerWilker and her husband James Wilker. Jenni is the daughter of Lyn Hoff Gardner (my sister)and Ted Gardner. So Jenni is a cousin of Darren's and that makes Jimi and Maz second cousins if I am doing my genealogy correctly.

Notice that the birth announcement says "Welcome Little Slugger" and has a bat and ball on it. Maz's name rhymes with the nlckname of my favorite major league hitter of all time--"Yaz." Yes, the one, the only Carl Yazstremski who played for the Boston Red Sox, a supreme dream team tha tI am trying to teach Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff to be a fan of. In 1983, a friend of mine, now a lawyer In San Antonio, and I traveled to see the Red Sox play at the Texas Rangers. It was Yaz's final tour of the American League Parks.

So there my friend and I are in the stands and I am savoring the prospect of seeing Yaz playing in person for the first time. My friend isn't savoring anything but the ballpark snacks as he is a Baltimore Orioles fan and his favorite player is the Orioles shortstop Brooks Robinson. Suddenly the public address announcer says, "Ladiea and Gentlemen. may I have your attention please.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Yazstramski was injured in the game in Kansa City last night and has returned to Boston for medical treatment."

Yaz at Wikipedia

Dashed? You bet I was. Discouraged? With a capital "DIS." Disappointed? Of course. But times change and 25 years later I am the great-uncle to a Little Slugger named Maz. I can help but hope that the dream of seeing a slugger with "az" in his nickname is again possible.

"Late-Breaking" News from the Wilkers in SLC. On May 3, 2004, (looks like yesterday on my calendar), Maz's sister Madilyn made her first Holy Communion.

Madilyn is the angelic-looking one in the first row, third from the left.

In front: Madilyn and Cynthia; Back: far right: Ted Gardner (Cynthia's Grandfather); second from right, James Wilker, Madilyn's Dad. I have not met lady to far left and gentleman in the middle

So, what is Madilyn's and Cynthia's relationship to Jimi? Quick--the genealogy stop clock questioner is ticking. (also second cousins, no?) Congratulations to Madilyn on making her First Holy Communion. Lovely little Cynthia makes her Holy First Communion on May 18.

By the way, I am also putting many of these posts on Yahoo 360 and Multiply. I sometimes receive comments from a blog friend of mine in India, but very seldom hear any comments from Carlsbad. Hmmmm.

One of my favorite pictures that I have ever taken of Jimiman was two years ago in May. I called it "Pretty Boy." I seem to remember that Carol Campos also liked it (right, Carol?).

Jimi, swinging bat, but taking one off the face (don't worry; it was a plastic ball.

Grandma Chris grooved a fastball and take a look at the "purty" swing of this athletic toddler. I cannot find ANY flaws in his many athletic abilities. Now, Grandma Chris' fastball is another matter. She pitches like I do--with speed and inaccuracy and terror for the batter.

Some of Mark and Jimi's homies...

Jimi just arrived at the house dressed as a Power Ranger Ninja...blog to you later.

Take care.

P.S. If you visit Hastings looking for me, I am the handsome employee in the green Hastings shirt with used-to-be auburn-colored hair and mustache.

:)

"Tens" Top Ten List of Favorite Pictures (But Really Have 27 and that is just a Fraction of All)

2008-05-01T00:47:00.011-07:00

That's our Mom on the far end of the porch in this circa 1960 photograph on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She did a great job of raising four of us kids--me nonchantly leaning back in my t-shirt and blue jeans today retired from the National Park Service and currently a self-proclaimed lover/master of the art of book selling/clerking/shelving/displaying, my sister who works for a psychiatrist as an office supervisor, the larger baby brother, a computer expert working for Aligent, a subdiary of Hewlett Packard, and the baby who is is a doctor of opthamology. Our Mom passed away on January 17, 2005, and is buried with our Dad at Fort Douglas Military Cemetery.(see below)

Our Dad, a WWII Naval fighter, in a picture done in chalk circa the arly 1940s when he was 21 or 22. Dad passed away on November 3, 1984 at the age of 62 at the U.S. Veterans' Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is buried at the Fort Douglas Military Cemetery in SLC. Fort Douglas

Wife Chris; son Erik and I; son Darren and I

Son, Jeff and I; Son, Erik(L) and Son, Darren(R) with their friend Josh Escobedo in center; Darren and Victoria on trip to Tucson

Victoria and Darren ready for the high school prom; Victoria and Darren graduate from high school; Victoria pregnant with our grandson, who will be named Jimi Victorino Campos Hoff; doesn't Victoria look radiant?

Darren with one-month old Jimi; Jimi, 7-months old in Dad Darren's laptop; Jimi, with his Hoff grandparents

Jimi with his Campos grandparents--Abel and Carol (Victoria's Mom and Dad; Dad Darren and Jimi;
Uncle Erik and Jimi

Spidey Beanie Baby; watching the "tube" after a bath; waiting with Erik and Damu on Erik's
prom night

Jimi with his bicycle helmet; gymnast on the couch #1; gymnast on the couch #2

Grandma Hoff and Jimi at library; Jimi standing on front yard tree stump and Dad; Jimi in
backyard with Spiderman hat and Power Rangers shirt

At the Living Desert Zoo, Carlsbad, New Mexico

I have many more favorites, but have to stop now. The last pictures are from a couple days ago. Isn't Mr. 34 months old a cute toddler?

You're darn right, he is!

Jimi's First Haircut--A Week Short of Being 33 Months Old

2008-03-22T12:40:00.008-07:00

March 20--an historic day already. On this day in 1942, General Douglas MacArthur vowed to return to the Phillipines since he had to leave before his work in World War II there was done. In 1945, Pat Riley, one-time coach of the NY Knicks, LA Lakers, and Miami Heat was born on that day. Actor William Hurt was born on that day in 1950. In 1957, Spike Lee was born. In 1967, AJF Moody became the first U.S. Army general to die in Vietnam. In 1969, Beatles John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. In 1972, 19 mountain climbers were killed in an avalanche on Japan's Mt. Fuji. In 1990, singer Gloria Estefan breaks her collarbone in a bus accident. In 2003, Invasion of Iraq by American and British led coalition begins without United Nations support and in defiance of world opinion.

And on March 20, 2008, Jimi gets his first haircut.

.Just after high noon we walked into the hair cutting salon, ready for Darren and Jimi's 12:15 appointment. Darren, who needs a haircut himself, is using that opportunity to get one and to model for Jimi how big boys get their hair cut. While Darren is in the chair, Jimi relaxes on some of the furniture when he isn't scooting around, managing to elude my frenzied, frustrating, fatiguing, and largely futile attempts to nab him as he flies by me. Darren glances at me as if to say, "I thought that you said you would control him Dad."

Jimi keeps a close watch on what is going on with Darren and then Jimi has his turn to get up in the chair on a booster seat.

Jimi is reflecting on the concept of his first haircut and how it might influence his self-concept etc., and decides that since he is already up in the booster chair that he is going to git er' shorn Jimi the cable toddler speaking). There is no turning back now. The cutting, snipping, shearing starts and in the background Darren and Gramps wince a little and grind their teeth a tad.

Of course, Jimi is a trooper and takes the haircut very maturely. Before the haircut started, Jimi did look a little nervous in his eyes or was that Darren and I looking nervous in our eyes.

Barbara, an accomplished hair stylist, of course, does a very thorough and professional job. Here she prepares to examine Jimi's neck hairs, first upsweeping his golden locks, and restraining those little babies with your basic potato chip bag clip closer to retain freshness "do-hickey" thingy.

Throughout his haircut, Jimi seemed to have a fascination for the mirror, trying out various poses, mostly by twisting and contorting his mouth. He seemed to enjoy the effect that he was having on himself.

Actually, truth be known, Jimi was very suave, debonair, and sophisticated during his haircut, qualities I imagine that I had when I was younger and still retain today.

Peek-a-boo, Mr. Jimi's new hairstyle!

A Locket!

"Hold me, Dad!"

"What's the delay, guys? Let's jet this place.

Meeting a Sweetheart at the Beach

2008-03-17T02:41:00.002-07:00

The Ages of a Person

Look who is going to be 33 months old this month. Of course, that mean that three months after that, Jimi is going to be three years old. Now that is really difficult to believe, no?

In June, Darren turns 24, the age I was when I married Chris. In July Erik turns 20 and Jeff turns 30. In May Chris and I will be turning 31 and 29 respectively.

I have a sister who turned 58 this month and a brother who turned 52. Last month my other brother turned 49. I can't believe that at my advanced age I have yet to see my first facial wrinkle. Chris suggests that perhaps I might want to get new glass lenses.

Doubtful.

Meeting a Sweetheart at One of the Beach's Slides

Slightly after 1300, after dropping Grandma Chris off at ECEC (after her lunch break) Jimi and I headed to the beach. Jimi saw Project Playground across the river and told me that he wanted to go there, but I remembered Chris saying that at PP, Jimi zips, zigs, and zags, galloping out in the front of any grandparent silly enough to try to keep up with him. So I explained to Jimi that the really "cool" playground equipment is situated geographically on this side of the once mightier Pecos River. With a puzzled look on his face, he bought my story, even though I, myself, am not quite sure what I just told him.

We stopped at the slide that Grandma Chris and I recently taken him to, you know, the one with the three parallel paths, the one that when we were there last Jimi asked me not to get on because he was afraid that I might break it. And why wouldn't he say that, given that we had just been at the rocket slide a few moments before where I attempted to slide down on my back and obtained an unanticipated speed due to the friction of my shirt and the slide, coming down so fast that I bounced off the ground

at the bottom and ended in a crumpled position (after breaking my further fall with my arms) that Grandma Hoff was able to photo-document with three quick snaps, even though she was laughing out-of-control.

When we arrived at the slide, we spotted two small kids, with matching adults, picnicking nearby. The boy, who is younger than the girl, walks by with a red ball. Jimi, trying to break the ice, tells him, that he has a blue ball like that. The boy, ignoring Jimi, keeps on trucking, replying not a wit. I feel sorry for Jimi who, having made the effort, to be sociable has been ignored. In a way, I also feel sorry for the little boy, who appears to be a little selfish, conceited dud, but as yet I am unwilling to jump to any conclusions.

Then the older child (who I later find out is a fourth grader) comes over and Jimi, undaunted by the other child's inability to relate to a younger child who is reaching out (remember, no judgment yet), asks her to play with him and she says "Sure!"

This pretty little girl has the social skills of a much older child. A few evidences of this--

She teased Jimi by chasing after after him and when she caught him, she hugged him to make sure that he didn't fall down.
She let him get a "head start" so that he won their slide races.
She intentionally stopped at the "finish line" so that he could win.
She made up games that they could play, explained the rules, and made sure that he didn't get hurt.
When she went to get something to drink at the picnic site, she made sure that Jimi got a new water bottle.

In short, she did what all people with healthy social skills do: she made someone else, in this case Jimi, feel special and treated kindly. I could tell that she was enjoying herself as much as the joy that she was helping to create for Jimi. May Jimi find more friends like this girl along the way, although closer to his age, of course.

As we were leaving the beach in our car, there in the distance, standing by the slide, was Jimi's new friend waving goodbye to us. Goodbye, sweetheart!

Jimi in January 2008

2008-01-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here is Jimi already developing is Michael Jordanesque/Jose Campos/Julius "Dr. J" Erving-basketball shooting style. It's pretty, no? And in case you are wondering. this shot dropped in. Also if you're wondering, I had already obtained the same basketball skill level of Jimi by the time I was 14 years old, playing eight hours a day on Saturdays during basketball season.

The following is Jimi keeping his balance on a skateboard beam. He loves to watch Uncle Erik when Erik rides his skateboard and he loves to ride with him. I never did skateboards, roller skates or ice skaring, though I still believe to this day that had I put my mind to it, more than likely I would have made first string on the U.S. Olympic hockey team as a goalie (or maybe as a puck).

One week we didn't have anything to do out of the ordinary so we spent several hundred dollars having two - three men come over and cur down both trees in the front yard. Then we were stumped what to do until we took Jimi out front to play "stumping the trees."

Gramps above hugging Jimi. Now when Gramps does something wrong, Grams sends him to his "time-out" log in the front yard. Gramps think this is inconvenient when it is cold in the middle of the night.

"Such a beautiful baby,
Mr. Jimi Hoff,

He's a handsome baby,
Mr. Jimi Hoff !!"

(Lyrics by me, copyright, October 2005)

Surprise

Son, I know that these pictures don't bother you, but if you want them off, invite Mom and I out to eat at Chilis whenever convenient. :)--just joking; I will take them off for free since you are a fully accredited family member.

Christmas with Jimi*****, 2007

2007-12-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

Uncle Jeff and Grandma Chris watch as Jimi takes off running away from the tree. In next picture, he and Grandma burrow into tree while Jimi begins to lose his pants. In last picture, one of the presents he opened.

Uncle Jeff surveys a present. Uncle Erik looks at a mammoth guide to videos and DVDs. Darren the watchful Dad leans forward. Note all pictures of me were "declared" unpresentable by members of my family.

Picture of Jimi's Mom and Darren's Soulmate Victoria on a tree ornament. Jimi with a Power Rangers hat and a gift. Uncle Jeff with an ECKO shirt.

Jimi with new hoop set. He also got a book about Michael Jordon and a book by soccer great Mia Ham. In picture to the right, Dad Darren slams home a "thunderous" behind-his-back dunk

Grandma Chris showing Jimi something about a new Power Rangers toy; Grandpa Bob (whoops: one of my pix is public!) and Dad Darren (son to Bob and Chris and brother to Erik and Jeff) ;the ornament at the top of our tree.

Hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a blessed and enjoyable family celebration and that any other unpcoming holiday celebrations of yours will be enjoyable for all.

Bob

Jimi's Great-Grandfather, Cruz Fernandez, Honored as 2007 Carlsbad Heritage Days Award Winner

2007-12-25T01:15:00.000-07:00

In progress......

Born in Carlsbad in 1915, Cruz Fernandez poses for his Baptismal picture. Born 90 years after his great-grandfather Cruz (in 2005), 2 1/2 year old Jim sits with part of his family at the Heritage Days event. Jimi has two families: the Campos Family through his Mother, Victoria, and the Hoffs through his Dad Darren.
His Grandmother Carol couldn't attend Heritage Days because she had to work, but his Grandfather Abel came by after getting off work.

Through the years with Cruz Fernandez--

Jimi Video--Scooting Around the Living Room--November 14, 2007

2007-11-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

A Jimi Video filmed yesterday (11/14/07). For some reason, he now likes to cover his face when I try to take his picture. Could it be that the thousands of pictures that I have taken of him are getting on his nerves? Hear when he says "me don't want to" while he is covering his face? That little rascal!

It was about twenty years ago and Grandma Chris and Uncle Jeff and Dad Darren had their picture taken in Salt lake City, Utah. Look closely; I am the one taking the picture--AGAIN.

Jimi running away from a photo opportunity.