Jayden #23 of course!

Here's Jayden in his new YBA Xtreme uniform.  No more Hotshots Recreational bball for him.  He's stepping up and playing competitive ball working towards becoming a DAWG like his big bro!  Lance is coaching Jayden's tournament team in addition to Joshua's team.

Check out his NBA socks and Jordan slides!  He's the only 8 year old we know with NBA socks! 

Good luck to Jayden in his new league!

YBA-Xtreme Basketball Organization

As if there wasn't enough basketball in our lives, we have just added MORE!  Lance is now the Assistant director to a YBA DAWGS program.  In addition to owning and training in our business, Next Level Basketball Training, Lance Head coaches Joshua's 6th grade team, the assistant director for the YBA Xtreme Program, the Director of the Training program for YBA-X, the Head coach for Jayden's newly formed 3rd Grade YBA-Xtreme tournament team, and also the head coach for the YBA-Xtreme 3rd grade Competitive team.  Wow!!  Lots of basketball!!  Below is an entry from the YBA-Xtreme Blog (that I'm in charge of )that explains the new program  in more detail.

Introducing the brand new YBA-Xtreme Basketball Organization. YBA and Xtreme Hoops have partnered up to bring a great opportunity for kids in an around the area. The goal of this program is to give players an opportunity to be exposed to high level coaches and training under the YBA umbrella in a competitive environment.

The YBA Dawgs program has always been a sought after club with the reputation of being a very organized program, with high integrity, family values, and high caliber players and coaches. Director/Coach/Trainer Ken Gee has created and maintained this very positive reputation for his club and he is highly respected in the basketball community. We have no doubt that in addition to the YBA Dawgs program, the YBA-Xtreme basketball organization will also be a very successful program.

The excitement is in the air and for this first session of the YBA-Xtreme program, we've had close to 175 players (3rd thru high-school) try out for the program.

Director Ken Gee has appointed his Assistant Director, Lance Ohara (owner/trainer of Next Level Basketball Training, Head Coach of the YBA DAWGS 6th Grade Blue Team, and Head Coach of the 3rd Grade YBA-Xtreme Tournament Team). Coach Lance Ohara will play a major role in this new program and promises to provide the kids with high caliber/quality coaching, training, and attention to detail.

We welcome all to this incredible new program with exciting opportunities to advance and become the best players they can and want to become.

Stay tuned for weekly updates from all coaches in both the competitive and tournament team programs.

Summer Fun and Friends 2010

In between games: Eljay, Alex, Ja, Ethan

Summer was filled with fun, friends, laughter and memories that we'll always have.  Basketball games, pool parties, sleep overs, fishing trips, LeBron Camp, Hawaii, Legoland, etc.  What an awesome summer!

 

Walking to the lake to go on their fishing trip

Now that's TRUST



Daddy, Jayden and Joshua enjoying our pool for an evening swim





Lebron camp with Dru Joyce III and Romeo



Ja and Josh at Legoland

Hanging out after the Lebron camp




Best Buddies




Goof balls



Joshua's surprise greeting from his DAWGS at the airport





Fun in Da Sun



Rollins Lake with the Ikedas....here they are taking cover to keep dry as the rain began to pour!

The BIG 4-0!!!

On August 11th, Lance turned 40!  They say that 40 is the new "20", lol.  Lance didn't want us to make a big deal about his birthday, he didn't want a big extravagant birthday bash or any type of "bash".  He requested to just go to a nice dinner with us and spend the day together.  I wanted to honor his request but at the same time I felt like this was a big day and was torn.

Our friends called me one day and said that THEY wanted to do something special for his big day.  These friends are more than just friends, they are like family.  They are our basketball family!  We spend a lot of time together and all of our kids are the best of friends.  These families have been so supportive of Lance and his coaching their kids.  Their kids are like our own and they treat Joshua and Jayden like their own as well.  Tye and her family, along with Kris and her family, wanted to throw Lance a surprise party. 

Lance had NO clue!  He thought that the 4 of us were going out to dinner but little did he know!  The party was a huge success, it was perfect!  Our friends and all their kids were there in the celebration.

Tye and Kris did an awesome job organizing the surprise.  And let me tell you about the cake. OMG! It was awesome!  It was basketball related, of course.  It was a delicious chocolate with strawberry filling cake and it was so very creative.  Angela, who is Tye's close friend and the owner of Simply Sweet Creations made Lance's special cake for us.  Her cakes and cookies are amazing!  She even made delicious cookies shaped like basketballs and jerseys for us to give out as favors!  The Cake Boss and Duff better watch out for Angela and her Simply Sweet Creations!

Lance never asks for anything but yet is the first one who will spoil me and our boys, rotten!  This year was a big one for him so we wanted to get him something that he would NEVER buy himself.  So, we got him an Ipad.  He LOVES it and would have never guessed that's what he was getting. 

Lance is an amazing husband, father, coach and mentor.  We are all so blessed to have him in our lives and we appreciate all he does for us.  This was his big 4-0, and I only wish for BIG wonderful things to happen for him as he deserves the very best.  We love you, Daddy!!

Saturday Shoot-Out One Day Tourney

Congrats to the YBA Dawgs 6th Grade Blue Team!

Our 15th Wedding Anniversary

This year, Lance and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe that it's been 15 years already.  It really doesn't seem that long ago when we said our "I dos".  I feel so very blessed to be happily married to the love of my life and have our wonderful happy, loving, talented children. 

Together, Lance and I have accomplished so many of our goals and reached many of our dreams.  We know that the sky's the limit for us and that together, we can do any and everything we set our minds to.

Our love continues to grow each and everyday and our unity strengthens as well.  What a strong foundation we have set and built upon.  I'm so thankful for our life together and will not take one day for granted.

Happy 8th Birthday to Jayden

Jayden turned 8 on July 20th. We celebrated his birthday in Hawaii but at that time, he was still dealing with that awful stomach virus. But we did put a smile on his face once we got him the GIGANTIC Lego set he wanted from the Lego store at Ala Moana. He played with it in the mornings and evenings everyday in Hawaii. It was a chore to take that huge set home but we managed. I've never seen a lego set that large before!

Jayden didn't want to have a birthday party this year. He wanted to pick a place to go to dinner. We were all thinking that he'd pick Johns Incredible Pizza, or Dave and Busters, or even Cheesecake Factory.....nope! To our surprise, he picked Ihop! Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard? Guess he was craving breakfast for dinner!

Jayden had a great birthday and that's all that matters!! He was happy and that makes us happy!

LeBron James Kings Academy Basketball Camp

Joshua, Alex S. and Jashon L.(all Next Level Basketball Training clients,YBA DAWGS teammates and, best of friends) travelled to beautiful San Diego to the Lebron James King's Academy Basketball Camp, held from July 29th-August 4th, 2010.

With close to 800 campers, ages 7 to 18 travelling from as far away as Australia, Spain and China, as well as from other states like Miami, Arizona and Ohio...UC San Diego was a busy place.
It was basketball from morning (900AM) until night (900PM), so there was no shortage of them being able to showcase their skills! And did they ever!!

Alex again led his team to the CHAMPIONSHIP for the 5-on-5 games for his conference (8 Teams), this is the second year in a row that Alex has led his team to victory at the camp. He's talking about a "Three-Peat" next year! For his accomplishment, Alex received a 5-on-5 Champion camp plaque from LeBron himself!! WAY TO GO ALEX!!

Here's Alex receiving his award for 5-on-5 Team Champs (REPEAT!!)! Presented by Lebron himself!! All three worked on their game, and all three came back with great accomplishments to talk about! Keep in mind - 800 campers, and MAYBE 150 awards (team and individual) were given out...so to come back with any "hardwood" or "special considerations" made by any of the camp coaches, commissioners or director is a HUGE deal!!
They even got to get up close and personal with the person responsible for bringing "The King" to this Earth (LeBron's Mom)!!!

Here's Jashon with LeBron James' mom!!

After the first day, Jashon was chosen to move up a grade because of his dominance at the 10-11 year old level. This is a HUGE deal, as only a chosen few are requested to be moved up. GREAT JOB!!!

Here's Joshua receiving his first of two awards presented by "The King"!!

And...by applying his knowledge of the game and individual skills that he's worked on over and over, Joshua received an individual camper award! AWESOME!!!In addition to winning the Hot Shots Championship over 80 players, what makes me most proud is that out of the 80 players in his conference, Joshua was chosen by the coaches as having the "Best Basketball IQ". GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!

Here's Joshua sporting his two pieces of "Hardwood" YEAH!!!!!
BUT...trophy, or no trophy, it was all for the experience of it all! They're all talking about the next one!! I always say we're here to make their dreams come true...and this was certainly one of "those moments"!!!!

All three NLBT clients "cheesin' it up" for the camera with Li'l Dru and Romeo of the big screen movie "More Than A Game" and overseas pro ball fame!!

Josh Mack also travels to meet LeBron (Oops! I mean play basketball)

Another client of ours, Josh Mack(soon to be 4th grade) also is a big Lebron fan, and travelled to San Diego for the camp. Josh also led his team to the 5-on-5 Championship and received a plaqure from LeBron!! AWESOME JOB!!!
Josh Mack gettin' some "Camera Time"!!!
Check out the shirt!!!

Ryan Haug makes the trip (again) to UC San Diego to showcase his skills! The player responsible for introducing us to the King's Academy a year ago, Ryan Haug, made the trip to UC San Diego to meet "The King" once again. Ryan showed his "baller" skills and was in the finals for the 1-on-1 competition. He did a GREAT JOB the entire week and had a BLAST!!

From a coach (and parent) perspectiveSome people told us that the LeBron James camp wouldn't be worth it and some questioned sending our child to a "celebrity camp" for various reasons.

I am going to try to keep this short (but it won't be), but will hopefully get a few important thoughts across. Please keep in mind, I never stayed to observe a full day - I saw what I saw, and got the rest from Joshua (and the boys) telling me about their day.
Having gone to the camp last year, I knew what to expect. Now it was a matter of if LeBron was willing to keep things at a high standard, as I was impressed with our first visit. There were no promises made from the camp organizers. No promises of other NBA players. Just that LeBron would be there. LeBron was there everyday last year - and this year was no different. He was there each day. Kudos to LeBron. (Especially after "The Decision" to go to Miami).

Joshua and LeBron's Mommy
Note: Joshua is a HUGE LeBron fan - so to see his "idol" is a dream come true. And isn't that why we parents are here? To help them realize their dreams and create memories?

The King...

First day was registration - And LeBron was there to welcome everyone.

Damon Jones (LeBron's former teammate on the Cavs) was there too.

They had a huge staff of coaches again. Each team consisted of a coach (or two) and about 10 players. Good Ratio (1:6). Coaches were mostly former coaches and current and former college players. Joshua somehow got placed with his same coach as last year...hmm...no complaints. The guy played Jr. college and college ball (if it matters to anyone). He treated the kids well, and knew basketball - both very important.

A couple of the coaches/commissioners were Dru Joyce III (Lil' Dru), Romeo Travis & Sian Cotton. All high school teammates and close friends of LeBron and all were stars of the movie "More Than A Game". Lil Dru and Romeo play pro ball overseas, and Sian played college football for Ohio State.

LeBron and Friends

Joshua and Jashon both said "we didn't learn anything". Surprised? They both said I already taught them what they went over at the camp. BEFORE YOU JUDGE...THINK OF WHAT PRICE YOU PUT ON GIVING YOUR CHILD A MEMORY OF A LIFETIME DOING SOMETHING THEY LOVE!! How many times has a memory been missed because of a decision about money?
Personally, I didn't think "now what did I pay for?" as many would have. Instead I asked, are you playing hard and more importantly, are you having fun. When the answer was a resounding "YES!" with huge smiles...as a coach and a parent, that was worth the price of admission.
Back to LeBron…he was there EVERYDAY. LeBron played in a scrimmage every night except one, and the kids all got to sit on the floor courtside to get a great view of the action. Sharpshooter Damon Jones also played and NBA Player Trevor Ariza was there playing one night. There was also a Sean Merriman (San Diego Chargers) sighting.

On the last day, the kids got to have one item autographed by LeBron, and the autograph was authenticated by Upper Deck. Joshua chose to have an authentic Miami Heat jersey signed. He was able to hand it to LeBron for signing, so a close encounter with "The King".
Authentic Autograph!!
Also on the last day, individual and team camp awards were given. If I had to guess, there were maybe a total of 150 plaques given out to a pool of 750+ kids. Joshua was chosen by the coaches to receive the “Best basketball IQ" award from his conference, which consisted of around 80 kids. There was only one of these awards given per age group, so we are very proud of him! Joshua also won the Hot Shots shooting contest as well. But the important part was LeBron presented the plaques – so a high five from “The King” himself was a great way to cap off the day!!

Joshua was noticed by the Camp Director, Dru Joyce II - LeBron's High School/AAU Coach, and the current head coach at St. Vincent St. Mary's High School in Ohio. After watching Joshua win the shooting contest he went to Joshua and told him "Okay, you're moving up and playing on my High School team"! HUGE compliment!!!
Here's Joshua and Jashon with Dru Joyce II
Overall, it was absolutely worth it. Not only did Joshua get to play the sport he loves (bordeline obsessed), be with a few of his closest friends and meet his idol…but we, as a family, were able to enjoy a week at a beautiful resort (Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines), no cooking or cleaning, and even got to enjoy

The San Diego Zoo (with Jayden) and Legoland with the boys! Also got to hang out with our good friends the Schneiders (Alex's parents) good times and good conversation!!!

Here's Jayden at the Zoo.

Joshua and Jashon ready to enjoy the day at Legoland.

At Joe's Crab Shack with the Schneiders (Alex's bro Tim and friend JJ are also in the picture - both attended the LeBron Camp).

(JJ, Tim, Jayden, Alex, Joshua and Ja....)

Joshua, Ja and Alex's new friend from Texas, Ashton (Family member of Corliss Williamson - former Sac King). Did I mention this was a plus? Making new friends?? How can you put a price on the memories you create for your children??? Check out the fun they all had!!!

A special thank you to Bumpa for sponsoring Joshua which allowed him to attend his idol's camp this summer.  Thank you Bumpa!!!

Joshua's Surprise

Joshua sure does have great friends! It seems as though the boys really missed Joshua while we were vacationing in Hawaii. We were gone for less than 2 weeks, but it seemed much longer to all the boys as they got used to hanging out almost every day this summer.

Our great friend, Tye (Jashon's Mom), gathered the boys (Jashon, Bryson, Alex S., and Alex M.) and met us at the airport when we returned from Hawaii. It was supposed to be a surprise for Joshua so I didn't say a word. As we came down the escalator at the Sac. International Airport, I didn't notice Tye or the boys. Once we got to the bottom, 4 of Joshua's best friends came running from under the escalator, startling Joshua and the look on his face was classic! He was definitely shocked and couldn't believe that they were there. It was too cute!!

Tye ended up taking Joshua back to her house with the 4 other boys and cooked Joshua's favorite thing for dinner and had him stay overnight with his "dawgs"!

Hawaii 2010

In July we finally took a trip back 'home' to Hawaii. There's no place like home! We spent a lot of time at the boys' favorite beach, Magic Island, spent time with family and friends, ate some ono Hawaiian grinds, celebrated Jayden's 8th birthday, and also our 15th year wedding anniversary! For our anniversary, we hired a professional photographer and took photos on the North Shore (thank you Mio for the referral, Laura was awesome!)

The only downside to our trip was when Jayden caught a stomach virus. Poor little guy was miserable for a few days. But, once it ran through his system, he was able to enjoy most of the trip, thank goodness!

What a wonderful trip back to beautiful Hawaii...fun, sun, family, friends, and special memories!

15 Years

Family of Aloha

Beautiful Hawaiian Sunset

3 Generations




(Joshua missing his DAWGS...even in beautiful Hawaii...he couldn't stop thinking of playing bball!)



















My couz, Seiji

 
 




 (Da Boyz...Kev, Pat, Marc, Micah, P.J., and Ethan)

 

Joshua, Ethan, Micah, Lexi, P.J., and Mia

Marc, Kev and Mio- Kaiser Alumnae =)

(Grandma...93 yrs. old and cute as ever!)

(Uncle Shiro & Aunty Irma at the Hawaii Prince for lunch)

(Ibaras, Leongs, and Nagahiros)