Hey, Easter Pictures are Here!

The photos are not in order and have not been edited yet. They are a compilation of three cameras but hopefully I can get them in order soon. Easter was fun. Saturday night we dyed eggs. Cooper and I have decided Ben is no longer allowed to participate since he gets all artistic and makes our eggs look dumb. Sunday, we got up and went to church and then came home where the boys awaited Debi and Dakota's arrival. Dakota had plans to soak them as soon as he arrived and sent Debi in to get the boys because Dak had brought them Easter "presents". Micah and Xavier had the same plan for Dak and the war began. It was a blast (a super soaked blast) and has to become a tradition since Easter egg hunts aren't so thrilling when the kids get older.

Then it was lunch, after which Ben and Cooper hid eggs. It was Isaac's first egg hunt and he liked the idea that candy was hiding in the eggs--even if he couldn't eat it. Ben, being a smarty-pants put a carrot in one egg but that did not bother Micah who is a carrot freak. After the proper amount of "where did we put that one?" all the eggs were found. Tanya and the boys left to see Joel's family and Cooper and Ben went to his family's Easter. All in all a very nice day. Enjoy the pictures. See them at My pictures: Holidays, Easter 2008.

Bits and Pieces

A lot has been going on and nothing has been happening at all. It is all about the summer state of mind. Every day is a party or should be because I certainly cannot get motivated to do anything constructive, much less ambitious. One summer discovery...Whisky is a water dog. We got a wading pool to cool off in, after reading or tanning or whatever we do in the sun. It turns out if the kids are playing in it, Whisky has to join them. He especially likes to "take a dip" if he has been dashing about the yard chasing lizards or snakes (yes, snakes...the woods next door are starting to be cleared.) It is really funny to see this wimpy little yipper sailing into the water and just seeming to smile as he saunters around the pool. It is too deep for him to lay down and too shallow to swim, so he strolls. An added perk to this is that he wears himself out and has been to tired to participate in his nightly 5 to 8 barking ritual.


Tanya and Joel are en route to Michigan. They left Tuesday and will probably get there Thursday. They will be living in or near Fremont. This should be quite an adventure and quite a rode trip.

The 80s Night was a huge success. All the work the TAG team put in during the last several months really paid off. Cooper and Kati had to choose the best 80s costume which eliminated the self-proclaimed best outfits; even so they secretly voted themselves the award as they gave it to Carla. This year in Bible School Coop helped lead songs and Paige worked with the preschoolers. Then they were off to camp. It was Paige's first year and she absolutely loved it. It was Cooper's last year (sorta) and of course she absolutely loved it. She will probably be there next year, all summer as a counselor.

Middle School, Here I Come

Paige has graduated fifth grade. All we can say is look out Deland Middle! It will never be quite the same after she arrives. She has let it be known that she plans to take no #$@## from teachers. They had better do their job right and not give her too much homework. She has things to do and certainly doesn't intend to spend all of her time studying. This is like culture-shock for her mother who thinks studying is a delightful way to pass the afternoon.

Seriously, she is growing up to be a wonderful young lady. At the fifth grade awards ceremony, she got a number of award certificates and pins. This doesn't include the medals and certificates from band. She was on the honor roll all year, in the science club, safety patrol and band and she also got an award for P.E. She loves to read, swim, ride horses and play her flute. Her favorite activity is explaining her views of the world to all who will listen (she will do it whether or not you listen) We refrain from talking about world or political issues when she is around for fear of setting off her next diatribe.

And as we all know middle school brings with it alot of new attitudes and activities. Paige is already diving in to instant messaging her friends. She may even pass Carrie as the "forward-queen" or at least give a valiant try.

Not Officers but Definitely Gentlemen

My babies grew up! They are all married and adulty. That's okay as long as they don't get boring and I can't see that happening. It seems like yesterday that I was berating them for "Austin Powers" immitations. Now Dakota and Rick are both married and working young yuppies. Yes, I said yuppies. I had hoped I could instill just a smattering of liberal insight into their minds before it was too late. But alas, I have been a dismal failure in this pursuit. I console myself with the fact that both of them are at least thinking conservatives. And I haven't given up trying to bring them into the light.
Even with their yuppie leanings, I am very proud. Dakota is working at a job he seems really happy with. Afterall, he is dealing with stocks and bonds and money-like things. Rick is heading off to a "high falutin' law school" and Rutgers should consider itself lucky to have him. They aren't my babies anymore, but they sure did turn out good.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Holmes

Now I am officially a mother-in-law and it was a lot of fun becoming one--so much easier than becoming a mother. The wedding was gorgeous, as were the participants and there are dozens of stories to be told about the day (but only in person.) Debi and Dak look so happy and are out in California living it up for a few more days. I'm sure there will be lots of stories about that too. Some, we will get to hear.
I loved meeting Susan and having everyone down here. Now we are being plagued by scheming kids, planning ways to get to the next wedding. They love the partying and dancing. Looking at my pictures you would think they are all there, but that would be a mistake. After I get them all, I am going to sort them out. In the meantime you just have to plow your way through them.

Paige was all for toasting her Uncle Dakota and new Aunt Debi, but she wasn't quite ready for the taste of champagne.

What Are We Doing Today?

Tanya and Family are down visiting before Joel has to go to South Carolina for training. He will be gone a month and then hopefully find out where their new location will be. In the meantime, they are living it up at the Holmes Motel (similar to the Bates Motel??) They have gone to the beach and are heading for SeaWorld with loads of family in tow. In "related" news, Paige was to exhibit her Science Fair Project in the County Expo--so I got to get up early, drive out to the fair grounds and search in vain for this shindig which doesn't even happen until next week when I hope Carly gets the joy.

Paige will be competing in Music City USA with her band on the 22nd. This year the competition will be tough as other schools have changed their dates so they can compete against the 4-year Grand Champions, Millineum Musicians from George Marks. The band has upped the odds by performing high school music this year.

Saturday is also the date of Debi's Bridal Shower--there are lots of goodies in store for Debi. Then on Sunday, Cooper and Kati are taking a few days off from school to go home with Debi and Dakota. They are going to celebrate Kati's birthday by going to a concert to see Fallout Boy, Hawthorne Heights and the one I like, All-American Rejects.