What's new???

Did you miss me??

2011-04-26T19:52:00.002-05:00

Sorry folks, been MIA for some time. I guess I just got to wrapped up with Facebook. Hopefully someone still reads this?? Do you?? Let me know if you still view my blog?

My Mom!!!

2010-03-10T09:40:00.015-06:00

On Febuary 24th I lost my mom. Mom initally went into the hospital with a bacterial infection called C-def for short. She was admitted for severe dehydration on a Tuesday 2/16, by Thursday night she had a massive stroke. I flew in Friday afternoon to be with her and by Saturday she was doing much better but knowing her health my Step dad Bill and I decided that mom would not want extra measures to prolong her live so we put a do not ventalate order in place just in case.

There was a big snow storm expected for Chicago so instead of flying home Monday I had to leave Sunday. By Monday afternoon she was not doing well and slowly going downhill. It was just a waiting game really to see if her lungs would hold up.

On the evening of Febuary 24th with my step dad Bill by her side she took her last breath and left this world to be with her mother (who we just lost 8 months before), her brother, father and several aunts and uncles.

My mom and I were very close being that I am an only child. Over the last few years I was concerned over moms health and would call her everyday not really for any reason but to hear her voice to make sure she was ok.

I will truly miss her and our every day phone calls. I look at everything and keep thinking someone will tell me it's a joke or that it's not real but it is. I have the memories and pictures to remember her and I am so glad she was able to meet Jenna, only sorry Jenna will not remember her.

This has brought me and my step-dad Bill closer. I lost my dad about 6 years ago and I have realized that Bill has always been there for me even before Dad was gone and I am very greatful for that.

The Camaro

2010-03-10T09:08:00.005-06:00

It was finally time to say goodbuy to the Camaro. It has sat for so long with no chance of being restored let alone driven. The Camaro and I had a good time, many car shows, dates with David in high school, graduation and being know as the girl with the cool car.

I got the car when I was 17 as a gift from mom and Bill. About 6 months after getting it I rear ended a VW bug, messed up the front end but got to meet a very special man, Bruno, David's dad. David's dad knew I got in an accident and was concerned that I was ok since I had no seat belts in the car, didn't need them at the time, and I bumped my head but was fine. Bruno wouldn't take no for an answere so he picked up David and came to the house and almost went toe to toe with my mom which was pretty funny. Bruno was trying to convince my mom that I needed to go to the hospital to get my head looked at, my mom not being one to over react said I was fine and didn't need to go, needless to say mom won. Bill repaired and car and it was good as new.

Had another accident several years later, again with a VW, man that car didn't like VW's, lol. Car was repaired and looked better then it ever had. Went through one engine, 2 accidents, several road rally's, car shows, had a couple broken windows from careless kids and a move to Illinois.

Of course I would be crazy to say I wasn't sad to see it go, it broke my heart at first when I listed it but I new it was time. I listed it on Craig's list and within 24 hours I had over 30 responses and had it sold in 24 hours.

Live on little Camaro!

We miss you!!!

2010-01-21T07:17:00.002-06:00

I only had a quick minute to say yesterday was Stosh's birthday (David's little brother). We miss him every day but we know that he is in a better place without the daily struggles. At least Jenna was almost born on your bithday.

THANK YOU!!!

2009-11-11T15:49:00.014-06:00

Today as we celebrate Veteran's Day I thought I would show my support and post some pictures of Family and Friends who have served for our freedom.

I start with My step Dad Bill, USMC retired, Rank Top.

Picture left
1960

Picture right
1980'ish
Marine Corp Ball

Cousin Sheryl Atoigue Sergeant US Army along with Husband Tom Atoigue SPC US Army

Chris Gotcher Staff Sergeant USMC

Steve Woods Active Reserve US Army, getting ready for his 2nd Tour of Duty in Iraq

Be Safe Steve !

We've Moved

2009-09-05T08:59:00.022-05:00

Like alot of people the economy caught up with us, both of us loosing great jobs in the mortgage industry, as a result it was time to move out of our house. We were very fortunate to find a place just 3 streets over from where we were living. It's was pretty much an upgrade except it was smaller. The house is beautiful inside with hardwood floors, tile bathrooms and a great paint scheme. The house also came with a great giant wall unit and beautiful bar. The master bedroom has skylights along with a beautiful tile showered bathroom.

Our move wouldn't be complete without a little drama.

We were scheduled to move in on August 1st but the former tenants did not move out as planned so as we were trying to move in they were still moving out. The boyfriend never showed up to move his stuff so the poor girlfriend was trying her best to move stuff but she had no sleep and no help to move. We moved the boyfriend's stuff aside in the garage so we could start moving stuff in and then the boyfriend showed up and was not happy. The landlord called the police to make sure there were no problems with the boyfriend, what a great first impression the neighbors had I'm sure. They finally got their stuff out and we were able to move in with the awesome help of our friends (and relatives). We could not have done the move without their help and we are forever grateful for all they did, including Dinner provided by Marykay.

It's a month later and of course there are still many boxes to unpack and a big yard sale to be had. The kids like their new house but Jenna still gets a little turned around sometimes.

2009-08-15T20:50:00.008-05:00

Kayla looks so grown up these days. It is difficult to believe she is my baby-girl

Grace and balance at 2 1/2 years old? Very nice.

Angel to Angel

Jenna Leaning on her Angel

I see trouble brewing

Tastey, Juicey, Summer

She looks so tiny

Here comes my baby

First Haircut

2009-06-21T11:06:00.009-05:00

Last month Jenna had her first official Haircut. David's Niece came over and cut her hair at our house which was just great. Jenna sat real still and didn't wiggle around. She looked so cute with her haircut. I have been cutting her bangs since she was small but it's just not the same as having a professional cut it.

Summer Passes

2009-06-21T10:46:00.015-05:00

We treated ourselves to passes this summer for Great America. The best thing we have ever done I think. I think we have been to Great America just about once a week since we bought the passes and have had a blast every time we have gone. I think the favorite for David and the girls is Buccaneer Bay, it's a water ride that you get soaked and you get to shoot water guns at people outside the ride as well.

David, Kayla and Becca are out of town this weekend so Jenna and I went to Great America yesterday, she loved it, we did all the things she wanted to do.

Grams

2009-06-16T14:07:00.011-05:00

I lost one of my best friends a few weeks ago, my grandma passed away from complications of conjestive heart failure. Grandma had struggled for many years with Asthma and loosing her eye sight from Macular Degeneration but she never let it get her down. She still gardened as much as she could, she could turn the most wilted plant into a great big green one with her touch. She wasn't able to read but that didn't stop her, she was able to get books on tape from the center for the blind and when her asthma kept her inside she listened to her books.

I have many fond memories spent with "grams", as I spent many summers with her in Batesville and at Carter Cove (Arkansas). I spent a lot of time with grams outside in the yard, in the kitchen or even fishing. I'll never foget the time I filled grandpa's cowboy hat with small frogs about 2 dozen or so, I had them in the truck to take back to the house but somehow the hat spilled and there were frogs all over the inside of the truck, grandpa wasn't to happy but grams and I laughed so hard we had tears rolling down our cheeks as we cleaned up all the frogs.

Several years later my grandma was fortunate to find true love again. She met Bill, they met at the senior center in town. One day I heard that grams had a boyfriend, a few days letter I hear that grams is engaged and just a few days after that I hear grams is getting married Sunday after church (wedding picture to the right). They were so cute together and it was nice to know she found her soul mate so late in life.

I was very fortunate that grams was able to meet Jenna almost 2 years ago this month, she took her from me the minute we got to her house and held her the whole time we were there. I only wish Jenna was able to have memories with like I did.

When I went back for the service it was so strange being there without grams, something was definatelly missing. The hardest was going to her little house in Carter Cove where we spent so much time, everywhere I looked I saw her.

I will deeply miss my grams but at least I have comfort in knowing that she found love again in Bill and that she will be able to breath without trouble and will be able to see again. I love you grams and I will miss you every day!

Jenna Turns 2 (a few months ago)

2009-04-18T20:45:00.004-05:00

Ok so I'm playing catch up, Ithought I would start with pictures from January of Jenna's 2nd Birthday. She had a great time and and lots of friends and family round her to celebrate. She even decided to grab a handful of frosting and take a taste. We gave Jenna a Geo Trax set and she played with it for a long time after everybody left. These are the last fee pictures where the pacifier exists, shortly after her birthday the pacifier went away.

Easter 2009

2009-04-18T12:16:00.004-05:00

We had a nice Easter this year. We spent the day with Mother, the Luff family, and the Cagle family.

We love our family but our family is as diversly seperated in opinions and viewpoints as any family could be. But that is what makes us....well, us!

It was a fun time. We enjoyed each others company, and everyone went home.

For once it was a fairly uneventful holiday....mostly

Nothing really new

2009-02-27T20:57:00.003-06:00

Not much going on around here, I've been back in the mortgage industry since the beginning of the month and it's never changed, even in these trying times. We are so busy that there is more work then people. With the economy in the trash people with stable jobs and homes are taking advantage of the low rates and high credit scores and the conforming market is booming. I'm not sure if it will last or if my job will but I take advantage of the hours and pay while I can.

David is loving his job, I think the detective side of him wants to come out more then it can but he seems to have fun searching out the bad guy. He has been a great help with Jenna, he has been dropping her off at daycare and picking her up everyday as we don't have daycare near home yet. we are still searching but not much luck so far.

This past week we have been hit with the flu bug, first hit Jenna really hard then me and lastly David who is upstairs still recovering. Jenna and I still can't really eat much but hopefully by the end of the weekend we will be back to normal.

Jenna is 2 now and man is she learning how to push our buttons. She is talking like crazy and coming up with new words every day and just today has started to sing the "la la" song. Look for video as soon as we can get it downloaded, it's pretty cute.

Kayla and Becca are doing great in school, Cheer is over for Kayla so now it's band, choir and a school musical coming up. Becca is in Karate and loving it and even had a spring concert where she got to play her recorder.

I still have pictures to post from Jenna's 2nd birthday and Kayla's belated birthday sleepover weekend. Just wanted to let everybody know I haven't forgotten about you.

I GOT A JOB!!!!

2009-01-29T15:46:00.003-06:00

After several months of looking I finally got with the right agency that was able to find work for me. I am back in the mortgage industry, working in a different position then before. I will be working on the closing end rather then the processing side, hopefully it will be a nice change of pace but from what I understand this company is extremly busy with room for OT even. It all happend so fast that I start tomorrow, that's how bad they need people, so for my friends that read this and are still looking for jobs in the mortgage industry just let me know and I will be happy to pass on the info.

David loves his job, he's on I think his 3rd week and is getting his team of people together to get rolling.

I hope that this will be a good start for us, we need something good to happen for us! I'll let you know soon how the job is going.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jenna

2009-01-22T14:46:00.004-06:00

Today our little one turns 2. I can't believe it, it seems like I just brought her home from the hospital. She is growing like crazy but still a peanut at only 23 pounds and barely in 18 month clothes. She has quite the personality now and very stubborn just like daddy and mommy. She loves to watch Dora, Cinderella, Meet the Robinson's, and a few others. I would have to say her favorite toys right now are Becca's Woody & Jessie Dolls from Toy Story 2, she has to know where they are at all times. She is starting to use 4-5 word sentences now which surprises us most times but her new favorite is "I'm doing somethin" when you ask her to do something.

Everyday I look at her in amazement as it took us 3 years to bring her into our lives.

Happy Birthday my precious little one!

We love you!

History

2009-01-20T11:56:00.003-06:00

I sit today and watch history being made with the inauguration of Barack Obama and I do it with a heavy heart. You see today would have been Stosh's birthday and as many of you know he is not here any longer to celebrate his birthday so we celebrate it for him.

I think of him him often, I hear a song, see a picture pop up on the computer or I watch Jenna as she carries a picture of him around and says "uncle Sosh" as best as she can say it. I only wish he knew how much he would be missed. We love you Stosh and Happy Birthday!

Kayla's first cheer competition

2009-01-17T20:33:00.008-06:00

We are proud to report Kayla had her first cheerleading competition today. Her team took 5th place! We are so proud of her and her team. They did not get a lot of time to practice like most cheer teams do so 5th place is awesome.

She was so excited and had smiles on her face the entire time!

To much snow...

2009-01-14T16:43:00.018-06:00

And now it's really really cold. Uggg. The kids are enjoying the snow, we all went outside on Sunday to play for a bit, even Sable went out too. She loves to roll in the snow and play. Jenna got to ride around on the sled too until she was ready for a nap.

The news reports have said that we have already exceeded snow fall for the year in just a few short weeks. I think I'm done with the snow now and ready for spring aren't you?

David's new job

2009-01-07T17:26:00.003-06:00

So far David likes his new job which is great news. He said everybody is really nice and so far the drive doesn't seem to be to bad, seems to like his boss and co workers. He has even found a long lost friend who's wife works there. It's also nice to know that his cell phone won't be ringing like crazy for work problems so he gets to relax in the evenings. Oh yah did I mention it's up the street from the Bears training camp, I think that part is really cool.

I haven't been getting as many hours as I had hoped but let me just tell you it kicks my butt when I am working. I knew it was hard work but man I guess I am in worse shape then I thought I was in. I'm so worn out by the end of the day it's all I can do to stay up until bed time. I'm sure it's only a matter of time that I get used to it.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T11:59:00.006-06:00

New Year was pretty quiet for us, both Jenna and Becca were sick so we stayed home. We had lots of munchies and David and the kids made pizza's for dinner. I worked all day and was pretty tired so it was very hard to stay up until midnight but I did and this is the first year that Becca has lasted until the New Year also.

New Years day David bowled in a tournament and did really well. Read below for his take on the tournament:
Out of 356 men bowlers only, total, I landed in 12th place. My qualifying scores were: 246, 300, 211, and 268. They take your 3 highest scores plus handicap. Handicap was 72 total for 3 games. Scratch series was 814 and handicap series was 886.

Not too shabby.

He doesn't know what is prize was as they are still totaling them up but I am very proud of him finishing in the top 15.

Crazy Christmas

2009-01-05T11:37:00.014-06:00

I'm a little behind so as you see many of the posts are dated the same day, sorry. We got the girls on the 23rd so they would be with us for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. We spent Christmas Eve with David's mom and David's step-brothers family. We had yummy Italian beef sandwiches and cheezy potatos(tradition) and after we ate we opened presents. Jenna was so funny since this was her first Christmas where she started to realize that there were gifts to open. She tore right through them, throwing the clothes aside barely unwrapped.

Christmas morning we had a visit from Santa who ate all the cookies and drank most of his milk and left lots of presents. Later that afternoon we had a yummy dinner here with ham and ravioli.

Kayla turns 13!

2009-01-05T11:25:00.010-06:00

December 14th, little Kayla turned 13. We still can't believe it. She is growing up so fast, she's not the little girl I met on her daddys shoulders at the zoo. We had a small party here for her since it was so close to Christmas none of her friends could come over so sometime in January hopefully she can have a sleep over. Kayla and my mom made a yummy cheesecake and Becca and my mom made homemade ice cream.

We had Olivia over for the evening and we kept busy, the girls decorated a ginger bread house and decorated the Christmas tree. I'll post a slide show of all our activities on her birthday as soon as I figure out how.

First visit with Santa

2009-01-05T11:20:00.006-06:00

Our local bank was getting a visit from Santa so I took Jenna to meet him. She was very excited to see him but when it came time to talk to him she got upset and for sure wouldn't sit on his lap so quick thinking santa suggested that I sit with her for a photo. After the visit from Santa she wanted a little snack and to look around and the Christmas decorations.

Jenna's first snow play

2009-01-05T11:13:00.008-06:00

We got about 5-6 feet of snow right when my mom got here and I was dying to get Jenna outside so the Stauners were going outside so Jenna and I went too. Yvette brought out a small sled that Jenna wanted to try so we put her in and pulled her around the street and she loved it. She didn't want to go in but finally I convinced her to go in. Her poor little butt was wet from snow and her little legs were so cold.

I got her dressed with what I had close by, nothing matched but she was warm and dry. She took a nap shortly after we got inside but she woke up, I brought her down but she was still tired so she crashed out in David's chair for a while more. I guess she had to much fun and it wore her out.

Mom's visit

2009-01-05T10:49:00.006-06:00

My mom finally came for a visit but she came alone, Bill had to stay home to take care of some dental work, she got here on December 10th and stayed until right before her birthday, December 21st. We were not sure how Jenna would do since she hasn't seen her since she was only 6 months old and has only talked to her on the phone but she was very excited to see her.

Jenna wouldn't really let her close though, but always had to know where she was at all times. They had fun together making cookies for David to take to work and lots of shopping to get ready for Christmas. Jenna finally let her close the night before she left when she got out the bubbles. I will have more pictures when mom gets hers downloaded then I'll post them so check back later.

Uncle Buster

2008-12-28T20:59:00.014-06:00

I got word today that one of my great uncles passed away today, Buster Davis, pictured left with the brace on his arm with his son Jerry. I have many fond memories of Uncle Buster. I spent a few summers in Vian, Oklahoma with my step dad Bill. I met Uncle Buster and Aunt Freeda in California, they live in Bellflower just about an hour from where we used to live.

One summer in Oklahoma and on Lake Tinkiller I met Uncle Buster's Grandkids Tammy and David, I think I was 15 or so, what a summer that was. We had a blast, the whole time driving around in Uncle Buster's Toyota truck, spending hours and hours on the lake and nights at the Fin and Feather Resort. Uncle Buster was very active in the Black Gum Volunteer Fire Department until a few years ago when he had a stroke and was unable to do much for them anymore. Every two years the Davis family holds their family reunion and before the reunion there is always an ice cream social that was always held at Uncle Buster's house, that's what the picture is above.

Uncle Buster is the brother of my Grandpa Benson and they are 2 of 14 in their family but unfortunately ther are only a small few left as they are getting older. I always try to make the reunion held the last Sunday in June every year because you never know when will be the last time you will see one of the brothers or sisters. Sadly about 4 or 5 days before Buster passed one of his sisters, Midge also passed away. Pictured to the right is the remaining siblings, picture taken in 2007 and Uncle Buster is in the front row first person and Midge is in the front row, third from the left (fron right is my grandpa Benson). Below is the clip from the service I have listed beside the names who the people are that are listed at least the ones I know.

Uncle Buster you will be missed!

In Loving Memory of
Mr. Buster T. Davis

Service Details
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 2pmBlackgum Baptist ChurchBox Cemetery -

North of Vian, Ok.
Viewing
Tuesday 1 - 9pm Wednesday 9 - 11amAgent Funeral Home - Sallisaw, Ok.
Officiating
Rev. Dale Ritter (distant cousin)
Pallbearers
Jim Giles, Troy Pack, Charlie Jones, Bud Reed, Red Davis(Buster's brother), and Jim Davis (my uncle)
Honorary Pallbearers
Benson Davis(My Grandpa and Buster's brother), Jack Davis (Baby Brother), Dewayne Davis(nephew),Charles Davis(nephew), Mike Davis(nephew), and Rudy Collins
Obituary
Mr. Buster T. Davis was born January 1, 1921 in Blackgum community, Oklahoma, the son of Charley A. Davis and Lula Ann McFarland Davis. He married Freeda M. Baker Davis on January 1, 1940 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Mr. Davis was a longtime member of the Blackgum Fire Department where he served as a former Board Member. He was a former Union Organizer and served as a Military Policeman while in the Military. Mr. Davis passed this life on December 26, 2008 in Vian, Oklahoma after having attained the age of 87 years, 11 months and 25 days.Survivors are:wife: Freeda of the home1 son: Jerry Davis of Cypress, Ca.1 daughter: Sandra Hughes of El Cajon, Ca.8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren2 sisters: Mary Clairday of Blackgum, Ok.Melvin Burkhart of Seminole, Okl5 brothers: Robert Benson Davis of Blackgum, Ok.Wylie Davis of Olivehurst, Ca.Albert "Doc" Davis of Fortuna, Ca.Raymond "Red" Davis of Gore, Ok.Jack Davis of Blackgum, Ok.several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friendsHe was preceded in death by a daughter: Donna Fury in 2006, his parents, and 10 brothers and sisters

The Day that wouldn't end...

2008-12-22T19:15:00.005-06:00

Was today. I started my new job full time today for the cleaning service and Jenna was starting her new day care. I took the truck today to get the check engine light checked at the local Auto Zone because it was easier for me to get stuck if the truck breaks since I am local then him stuck in the middle of nowhere.

We were actually leaving on time today, we pulled out of the driveway and slid a little at the end of our street, well we slid into the snow and we were now stuck. Oh Man now what, I put it in 4WD and it wouldn't move, backed it up, put it in forward, did that several times until finally we were out (thanks to Stosh for teaching me that trick). We are on our way, whoo hooo. We get to Auto Zone and they don't open until 8 and it's 7:30, oh well I'll stop later. So on our way again.

I have only been to Jenna's new daycare a couple of times and I didn't have the address with me so I was going off memory. I turned left on Gages Lake Road instead of right, darn I'm at 21 so I stop to turn around but I pull in the snow, Oh no, I'm not moving, put it in high 4WD again and I'm sinking more and more the harder I try to get out. NOW WHAT do I do! Ok don't panic, I call 911 for help. I've got Jenna with me so I can't get out within about 5 minutes Gurnee PD show up and they call for a tow for me, man $75 for a tow but I have to get out. Tow gets there and starts to pull me out but I'm watching his truck slide more and more the more the tries to pull me out. I'm thinking to myself, OMG now he's going in the ditch too. He decides to go at a different angle and with me pushing on the gas we get it out. The whole time I'm thinking, where is Stosh when I need him. I'm out of the ditch and on my way to drop off Jenna. By this time I'm an hour late for work.

I get to the house to clean just as my trainer gets there and it's a mess, wow we had our work cut out for us. We get it done and on to the next house that's HUGE, anyway, I'm cleaning my heart away and get to the last bathroom with a big shower with glass doors. I'm cleaning and move my hand towards the handle and slice my finger open on the shower door handle, my left hand even (I'm left handed), so it makes it hard to finish as my finger is bleeding all over.

Finally we are done and I get to leave, Man I thought today would never end.

One good note, Jenna had a good day at her new daycare. We got there and she heard kids, she said "Kids" and took off and that was that. I was worried that she would have trouble since she has been home with me for a few months.

I really hope tomorrow is a better day......

Pay it forward this holiday season

2008-12-22T18:36:00.006-06:00

I always thought the saying "pay if forward" sounded a little strange until SEVERAL people helped my mom and I yesterday. You see I had to take mom to union station in the city to catch a train to go back home. It was -4 with an awful windchill that made it about -35, we were a little worried about the cold and getting inside the station. All was going well until I pulled up to Union Station only to find out there are 2 stations. OMG now what, which one do we go to, there was no place in front to drop mom and Jenna off so after driving around the block once we decided to park and walk across the street.

We got across the street ok but couldn't get up the curb, 1 nice man got out of his warm car to help us get the stroller up the curb and over the snow. We got the bags and stroller up about 5 small steps with the help of 1 more nice man and his two sons, we get inside only to discover that we are upstairs to the station with no elevator or escalator to get downstairs, again that 1 nice man and his two sons help us get the bags and stroller down not 1 but 2 flights of stairs all the while the father is pulling my moms bags all over the station for her. The nice man and his sons left us to find our way.

Then the nightmare begins, we get mom checked in and we are early but we sit in the lounge to wait for her train and the lounge starts filling up and filling up, it appears that there are several trains delayed due to the cold weather. We wait and wait and wait some more finally after about 4 hours they call moms train so she gets a red cap to assist her on the train so Jenna and I are off to find the McDonalds in the station to get some fries before we go home because she was so good with all the waiting.

We get upstairs where they say the McDonalds is and I can't find it and I couldn't find a restroom either and it's a long rid home. I knew there was a restroom in the lounge where we just spent the last few hours so back we go and the same poor people are still waiting for their delayed trains. I start talking to the bathroom attendant about how cold it is and how I have to walk back outside to the car, she asks where I parked and she asked if I took the sky walk. I told her I didn't know about it so 1 nice bathroom attendant offers to walk me all the way to the sky walk and to the parking structure to show me the way so I don't have to walk back out in the cold. Oh and yah, mom's train didn't even leave when she got on, she didn't get to leave the stations until about 9:30 pm after getting there at 12pm to catch her train.

I just couldn't believe our luck yesterday, so many nice people helping us. So I just kept thinking, PAY IT FORWARD, I will have to do a good deed the next time one arises.

So I wanted to share with everybody to PAY IT FORWARD this holiday season, do a good deed for someone. Help an elderly person with their bags in the cold, hold a door for a mom with children, buy coffee for the person behind you in line, tip the snowplow driver that plows your street (oh yah, I already did that one, gave him chocolate chip cookies for putting the snow in front of our house for the kids to play on), anyway hopefully you get my drift.

PAY IT FORWARD......

New Job and other stuff

2008-12-19T19:07:00.004-06:00

Well, it is official today. David received a job offer from a major company. David will be managing a group of 6-8 fraud investigators. He will be working with the FBI, DEA, CIA, and local law enforcement on medical fraud investigations. David is very excited about this new job. After all, he is a paranoid freak that thinks everyone is cheating the system anyway.....just kidding.....mostly......He should be starting this new position on January 5th, 2009. He is so very thankful to be leaving Sears. They were pretty abusive to him and his crew....you know....its never enough for them. Not to mention that we will now see him on Saturdays, yippee.

On another note, I also have a job, I am working for a house cleaning service that is local. Jenna will be in daycare less and will have flexible hours that will allow me to be off by 4 pm most days. The areas that I will be working in are Gurnee, Wadsworth and Libertyville and after I am done with the job I can go home, nobody looking over my shoulder, making me tell them when I have to pee or listening to everything I do like the last place I worked.

We both have something to look forward to for the new year.

A few more hours.....

2008-12-09T08:00:00.004-06:00

And my mom will be here for 2 weeks. We are very excited except she is coming alone, my stepdad Bill will be staying home to take care of the dogs, my grandma's husband and he has a few dental appointments that he couldn't miss. We will miss having him this trip.

We haven't seen them since Jenna was 6 months old so I can't wait for Jenna to see "Gama", she talks to her on the phone but I don't think she realizes who she is talking to. I'll post pictures of her visit but I have included a picture of our last visit, 4 generations, mom (Rosemary), my Grandma (Rozelle) and grandma is of course holding Jenna and me.

The potty

2008-12-07T17:04:00.008-06:00

Jenna's training potty has finally arrived and she was so excited to see it. It's actually cute for a taining potty, it looks like a normal toilet except it plays music and sings when the flushing handle is is pushed. She sits on it with her clothes on and

we have tried to get her to go the "normal" way but still no

sucess. I'll keep you posted when we have a real flush, hehe.

Christmas Parade

2008-12-01T18:21:00.009-06:00

We definatelly had better luck then last year for the Christmas

parade. Last year it was about 5 degrees and this year it was about 35 I would say. We were smart this time and parked right next to the street so we waited in the car until just before the parade started and stayed warm. the Parade was the same as usual with the few small business floats, Ronald Mc Donald and Hamburgler, and candy thrown to the kids. A new turn this year had The mascots for the Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox all being followed up by Santa.

First Snow of the year

2008-12-01T18:09:00.012-06:00

Well we did finally get our first snow, I'm no expert but I would say about 3-4 inches or so. I love looking outside when it snows and listening to the quiet of the snow falling.

Jenna was very excited when she saw the "snowman" as she calls the snow. I decided to take her outside to check out the snow for the first time and she wasn't to thrilled once she fell over in it. Maybe next time she will like it more, she sure looked cute though.

Snow is coming!

2008-11-29T15:52:00.003-06:00

I was just informed that there may be snow tomorrow so I had Kayla go to Weatherbug.com and check and man on man, the snow is coming. Click here and here check out the link to Weatherbug and there is also a web cam that you can see the snow on the lake.. The kids are excited, they are ready for the first snow so they can snow board and take the tube down the hill. Jenna calls the snow "snowman" so she should be able to play in the snow for the first time this year. I post snow pictures tomorrow if we get as much snow as they say we are.

Black Friday

2008-11-28T18:59:00.004-06:00

The kids and I were brave this year and went out shopping today, well only after changing a flat tire on the car. David had to be at work to open the store at 5 am so we just agreed that I would worry about the tire and he could take the truck. Poor David got up at 3 am and left I think it was 3:45 or so and yes I was even awake when he left. I felt so bad that he had to leave so early.

Kayla has grown so much that none of her pants fit her in the length so we thought what better day to get her some new pants. She tells me that she is 5" 1 1/2 inches tall, the kid has passed me up at 5". We found bargains at Wal-Mart and Menards and I am happy to say that both stores were empty, very little shoppers. I was in line and checked out I would say in less then 5 minutes. Wow if it's like that every year I would go out more often, yah right. I guess we got lucky because we didn't get out until 10 so we missed the rush of people and that was just fine with us.

David survived his day, he even said it wasn't to bad but the store opens at 7 am tomorrow, at least he won't have to get up at 3 again.

Nothing New

2008-11-24T18:38:00.001-06:00

Not much new around here. I enjoyed last week having David home, he took the week off before the holiday rush begins. I am still in the job search with not much luck, so of course as always if anybody hears of anything please let me know.

David attended Kayla and Becca's parent teacher conference last night and we are happy to say that both of them went very well. Both girls are doing great in school and their teachers had nothing but good things to say.

Kayla and Becca are with us this week for the Thanksgiving break. We don't have anything to exciting planned. We have a play date with Olivia and Kelly today and possible a run to David's work. Tomorrow David is off for the day and I think we might make a visit to the library. We are having Thanksgiving Dinner with David's mom Jan. I can't wait, I love Thanksgiving food and we will have the girls with us the entire day this year, usually we only have half day with them.

We have purchased a training potty for Jenna and it's pretty cute, looks just like a mini toilet it plays music and has a flush handle. We will be introducing her to it tonight for her to check out. It's a little early for potty training but she tells us when she needs to be changed so hopefully it will be an easy transition for her. It's been one month with no bottle so I think the potty training shouldn't be to bad. Keep checking back for updates.

That Kayla is one smart cookie

2008-11-14T15:32:00.000-06:00

We recently received Kayla's progress report and ISATS (Illinois Standards Achievement Test). We have always known this young lady was smart but each year she continues to amaze even us.

To begin with, her progress report is excellent. With 9 classes (YEP.....NINE classes in 7th grade) she has 7 A's and 2 B's. Amazing. I tried to include the actual progress report here too for those of you who cannot believe this brilliant child came from me, but cannot seem to get it to post!

Science - A

Tech Ed - A

Pre Algebra/Geometry - B

Social Studies - A

Language Arts I - A

PE - A

Language Arts II - A

Band - B

Choir - A

Now on top of this, Kayla Renee is now a full fledged Cheer leader and percussionist. Yep, she plays the drums, bells, timpani, and Cymbal. Wow...that's my girl, just like her pops.

Now the ISATS:

Reading score of 273 EXCEEDS standard with a possible 360

Mathematics score of 299 of 379 EXCEEDS standard

Vocabulary development scored above her school, District and STATE average

Reading Strategies scored above her school, District and STATE average

Reading comprehension scored above her school, District and STATE average

Literature scored above her school, District and STATE average

Mathematics:

Number sense scored above her school, District and STATE average

Measurement scored above her school, District and STATE average

Algebra scored above her school, District and STATE average

Geometry scored above her school, District and STATE average

Data analysis, statistics, and probability scored above her school, District and STATE average

Mathematical knowledge, strategic knowledge, and explanation scored above her school, District and STATE average

In reading Kayla scored in the top 85 % of students nationally

In Mathematics Kayla scored....wait for it...wait for it.....

99% of students nationally. WOW WOW and WOW once more.

We are very proud of the biggest sister. Amazing results.

Times are tough...Sorry I'm ranting!

2008-11-13T14:55:00.000-06:00

Well I've been doing the job search thing for a little over a month now and what a joke. Most of the job postings are through an agency, they lure you in saying they have jobs and you think you posted for a good one but you get there and "there are not any jobs that match your skill set" BS is what I say. They never had any to begin with!

Anyway, I've had a few actual interviews but nothing has come of them. I actually have another with a well know credit union (I won't say the name until after) so please light a candle, say a prayer, through a lucky coin in a fountain or what ever you do for luck sure can't hurt!

I really enjoy my time at home with Jenna and she likes having me home too but what little I get from unemployment doesn't pay the bills.

Oh yah, people always talk about Karma, well that "lovely" company I used to work for who's biggest client is Circuit City. I'm sure will have what's coming to them shortly with most if not all of Circuit City stores closing their doors. What goes around comes around, that's for sure!

Sorry for my rantings but please if you hear of any job openings for customer service, admin assistant or general office please let me know.

Update: Yah I got the standard thanks but no thanks on the interview, by email even. LIFE SUCKS! blah blah blah........
By competitively reviewing the qualifications and experience of each person who was considered for the position, we have narrowed the field of candidates. I regret to advise you that based on this review, we are not able to offer further encouragement at this time. Your resume, however, will be retained in our files for future consideration.

Trick or Treat

2008-11-06T18:49:00.000-06:00

We were so excited that Halloween fell on a Friday this year and it was our Friday to have the girls even. We were able to take all the girls Trick or Treating together for the first time. Kayla and Becca haven't been with us for Halloween since 2003 I believe and since it was the first time Jenna got to go out made that even better.

I sent time Thursday night and Friday day getting the pumpkins carved, I had a couple of regular faces and one Whinnie the Pooh and one as Mickey Mouse. Jenna enjoyed helping me get them ready, she didn't even get grossed out by the pumpkin guts, she loves to help me.

David picked up the girls and got to our house so they could all go trick or treating. I was really surprised that Jenna made it to 3 streets before she was ready to take a ride in the stroller. I am a little sad though as I didn't get very good pictures of all 3 girls together. They all had a good time and got lots of candy. I guess it paid to be out late, as we were walking back home from the very back of our subdivision and we passed by our neighbors house who told Becca they still had candy left if she wanted more, well what kid wouldn't want more candy, so she scored, her bucket was overflowing with candy and that made her night.

After we were done we enjoyed some yummy homemade chili at our neighbors house and the kids couldn't wait to get home and go through their candy. I am very glad that all the girls got to spend the holiday together.

Denied my Constitutional right to Vote!

2008-11-04T13:23:00.000-06:00

Just thought I would share that I was denied my right to vote today. I can't believe I was denied my constitutional right to Vote!!!!!!! Can you believe it! Me of all people!

I have written to Lake County board member Wilard Helander and below is the letter I have sent and I thought I would let all news media know, so I sent a letter to the Harald, Tribune, ABC, CBS and NBC news channels oh and Oprah also.

I know this is happening all over and it isn’t fair!

To Whom It May Concern:

I am sitting her right now so upset, I am in tears that I am unable to vote for what could be a historical event. I am so sad to think that I can’t make a difference. You see, we went online to verify our polling place and found that I was not listed as a registered voter. I called the next day (day before elections) to inquire as to why I was not listed as a registered voter when I knew I voted in 2004 elections, a year after I had moved by the way.

I was told by the person on the phone that I was shown as “inactive”. What then meant is when an audit was done it was found that I had moved. I verified with the person on the phone and even told them when I moved. They told me “No problem, bring in two forms of ID and you will need to fill out an address change form”. I said "good" and asked not ONCE but TWICE if that meant that I would be able to still vote and I was told YES both times.

I get to the polls today at my local church in Fox Lake and go over to the “Laptop Judge” who by the way was my neighbor, to get the correct forms to fill out so I can vote. She was not exactly sure which form I was to fill out, so she called someone I guess at your office only to find out that I moved more then 4 years ago that I was “NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE”. She handed me the phone so I could talk whomever she was speaking with and I was told that because I moved more then 4 years ago that there was NOTHING I COULD DO! I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE!!!!!

I informed the person on the phone that I did the proactive thing and called ahead of time and was told “no problem”, that I could vote. I was so embarrassed in front of my neighbor! I thought I was doing the right thing by calling ahead of time and look where that got me. NOWHERE!!!!!

I am so disappointed because I wanted to make a difference, not that one vote would but you never know what if I was the ONE VOTE that put OBAMA in the White House! You see I am currently unemployed and unable to find work so that makes me feel bad enough then only to find out that I can’t even VOTE!!! I hope that you can only imagine how that makes me feel right now.

I want this to be considered a formal complaint on how this voter registration was mishandled. Someone in that office should have said “If you moved more then 4 years ago that would not make you eligible to vote” but NO, nobody said that! YOUR office needs to be better informed and they need to make sure that everybody is on the same page as each other.

So now instead of having that good feeling of accomplishment I have the feeling of disappointment, that I let me country down!

Saddened Lake County Voter,

One response so far from ABC 7-
I am sorry for the blank reply sent previously. We appreciate you taking the time to write and share your story with us. Your email will be forwarded to our producers for consideration. We appreciate your choice of ABC7 news.

Baby Chase

2008-11-03T07:56:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to share that two of my friends just shared in the joys of parenthood. TJ and Shelley just had their first baby together on October 29th, 2008, Chase was born at 1:35 pm in Stillwater Minnesota. He was 8 pounds 5 ounces and 22.5 inches long. To see more of little Chase and Family click here. I am so happy for the two, Shelley has wanted to be a mommy for a long time and finally got her wish.

Day 3 and counting.....

2008-11-01T12:16:00.001-05:00

I decided it was time to get rid of Jenna's bottle. I wasn't sure how to do it but I knew it was time since she is almost 2. I went to the Parenting magazine website to look for help on their message boards. I also posted my own message for advise. Many of the moms said to try the Nuby cup since it had a soft top similar to a bottle nipple. So off to Wal-Mart we went to get a "Milk Cup"and I let Jenna pick the one she wanted. She chose a green one and as soon as we got home I asked if she wanted some milk in her new cup and she said Yes. We washed it and filled it up and she has been drinking milk from her "cup of Juice" as she calls it.

So far no bottle for 3 days now. I have to go and get a couple more Nuby cups now so I don't have to keep washing the same one. Next is work on the pacifier to try to get her to only use it for naptime and bedtime. Yah that should be fun!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

We were lucky enough to go to the pumpkin patch two times this month. The first time we went with the Gebis family but we didn't have Kayla and Becca with us so we went back the following weekend so we could take them. We had a great time, eating, picking out pumpkins, eating, running through a corn maze, eating and checking out the haunted house. I didn't get any video of the pumkin launcher but that was the best thing to watch, it shot pumpkins out of a pressured launcher and they had to have gone at least 100 feet in the air.

Happy Birthday Christopher Robbins!

2008-10-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

Jenna has been reading a Disney book called "Pooh's Birthday Surprise" and I introducted her to Christopher Robbins. I guess she likes saying his name. The clips are not very good quality but the audio is the best part.

Octoberfest

2008-10-20T17:36:00.000-05:00

I took the Kayla, Becca, Jenna and our friend Susie from next door to Octoberfest at Lakefront Park a couple of weekends ago. We had a good time for such a small festival. The girls went on the giant slide while Jenna and I watched from the ground. We shared a yummy funnel cake and the kids all made a small pumpkin to take home. Jenna enjoyed the petting zoo and really wanted to touch the goose but the goose didn't want to be touched, while Becca and Susie went on the poney ride, poor Kayla is now to big to ride the poney rides. I think she wouldn't admit to it but was a little bummed that she is growing up.

Bump on the head

2008-10-13T13:17:00.001-05:00

A week ago Friday was not a good day, it was my last day at MicroMedics which I knew was coming but also as I was leaving work I checked my voicemail and I had a message from Kelly who watches Jenna that Jenna fell and cut her head. I think from the sound of the message that Kelly was more upset then Jenna.

Jenna loves to play with a push cart at Kelly's house and most times goes a bit to fast while she pushes it so I'm guessing the cart got out from under her and she fell hitting her head either on the cart or the stairs, we are not sure which, giving her a small pea size gash and another pea size knot.

Just to be safe I took Jenna to the Acute care center to make sure there was nothing else damaged. At first the doctor wanted to put a couple of staples but wanted the wound cleaned first. Well that was fun, Jenna didn't like the cleaning part at all but she was pretty good considering. The doctor looked at it pretty good after it was cleaned and decided for cosmetic purposes that it should heal without stitches or stapling, just some Neosporin and band aids should do the trick. Jenna let the nurse put the neosporin and band aid on without any issues. She was really good about changing the band aids and after a day or so didn't even know it was there.

Labor Day

2008-10-07T15:16:00.000-05:00

I know this is delayed but I'll catch up. We had a great Labor Day weekend. We spent some time at home over the weekend and on Labor Day we had a crazy schedule planned. My longtime friend Marian (below right picture) from California was going to be in town with her boyfriend and our friend's the Lee's invited us to their house as well. Luckily Marian wouldn't be far from the Lee's house so I dropped David, Kayla and Becca off at Tim & Liz's (tim and kids pictured above) house and met Marian, boyfriend Paul, along with another long time friend Donna (below left pic) from CA and her family at a nearby diner. They had never met Jenna outside of my belly. They were here for the baby shower before Jenna was born. It was a nice visit but to short. After seeing Marian and Donna I went back to Tim & Liz's where David and the kids were.

We all had a fun time with the Lee's and took lots of pictures, but not as good as the family picture Liz took of all of us. I'll have to see if she wouldn't mind sharring so I can add it to the blog.

My birthday always falls on Labor Day weekend. I got a beautiful bunch of flowers from David's mom, a beautiful new scrapbook and gift card for Archivers from David and the girls and now I can go shopping at Kohl's with my gift card from my friend and neighbor Yvette and family.

6 Years

2008-09-29T21:12:00.001-05:00

On August 10 we celebrated our 6 year anniversary. Well I wouldn't really call it celebrated, our whole household was sick so we were unable to do anything but take care of each other.

A lot of people don't know that David and I were high school sweethearts having met at the Skate Station roller skating rink in Anaheim, CA. We broke up shortly after I began my senior year, but it sure wasn't for lack of trying to stay together on David's part. He was persistent but it just wasn't meant to be our time.

Thirteen years later I got a strange email from an address I didn't recognize. I opened it up and to my surprise it was from David. We emailed back and forth for awhile but I found he was married with kids and being respectful I didn't want to be the cause of any family problems so I told him to stay in touch. Six months or so later I got another email saying they had split and he moved out. We stayed in touch until one day he sent another email and said something to the effect that he gets bord and wanted to know if I wanted to do something.

A few more emails and we decided to go eat and to a movie. We went to the Cheesecake factory in Irvine(CA) and the check came and we kept talking. Well David reached for his card and paid for dinner and then we went dutch for the movie. I wasn't expecting him to pay for dinner as I had money to pay for my half. After the movie we went to our old favorite place Laguna Beach to walk around. I was so nervous as I didn't know if this was a date we were on our just a couple of old friends out for a night. We went out the next day also and it was history from then on.

I found out a few months later that actually he was expecting me to pay for dinner since I was the one who suggested dinner. We laugh about it now but I guess it made a big mess for David's finances for a few weeks. After a little time I finally got to meed David's girls. I first met Kayla, she was 4 at the time, we met at Santiago Park at the zoo. She was so cute wearing her little sun dress and sandals holding David's hand. We walked the zoo and Kayla sat on David's shoulders. A few days later I met Becca, she was only about 5 or 6 months old. I was already attached to them, they were so cute.

We dated for almost 3 years, talking about one day getting married. We were going to dinner for my birthday and I was not really having a good day and David had it all planned out to propose at dinner but instead David dropped to one knee in the front yard and asked me to marry him. We had a quick engagement as we had decided to move to Illinois to be closer to the kids and I felt it would be best to be married before we moved. We had a beautiful wedding in Las Vegas with about 40 friends and family around us. On a side note that would be one of the last couple of times I got to see my dad. He died almost 3 months later. But I am very happy that he was there an walked me down the isle.

I look back and If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. David has been my soul mate and my best friend. Things have never been easy for us but we have always made it through any obstacle that has come our way. We have a beautiful daughter together and two other beautiful girls that we share. I don't think I could ask for anything else, well, except to maybe win the lottery.

I love you David with all of my heart and soul. I am looking forward to many more years together. Picture below is me about 8 1/2 months pregnant.

September 11th

2008-09-13T07:44:00.000-05:00

Not only is September 11th a memorial date for all Americans but it also is for David and I. You see that is the day we rolled into Illinois to make it our new home 6 years ago. It was very hard leaving all of our friends and family but we knew we would be closer to Kayla and Becca and be able to be a part of their life more then when we lived in California.

Our trip out started with a comical camping trip in Malibu Beach where we had our first un-escorted by my parents camping trip with the "Shaggin Wagon" (having trouble posting a picture of it so it will follow later). What is the "Shaggin Wagon" you ask, well it's a 1979 camping trailer that has all the 70's colors, orange and browns. We got it from my parents when they got a new trailer, hey can't beat free. It was a very heavy trailer and of course not many update amenities. The fridge quit working about a week before we were leaving, it had no airconditionining and was very hard to tow.

When we got to Leo Carrilo State beach we had trouble backing it in and you know how people always want to tell you what to do, well there were several friends trying to assist us in parking the beast. After awhile it got to be pretty funny but got it parked finally and enjoyed our weekend with everybody.

We got a late start on the road, stopped off in Corona for gas and some snacks then off we went. We stopped for the night at the KOA campground in Needles, CA with a pull thru spot as all of our other spots were to avoid backing up. Next day we planned to see my step mom in New Mexico so we stopped off and had dinner with her and her mom. After we left we needed more dry ice for the fridge so we stopped, man o man what a mistake that was. The lock on the trailer door decided to break, luckily we got an auto club membership before we left so we called AAA and they sent a locksmith but only after waiting over an hour and a half if I remember right. You are probably asking yourself why is she telling me all of this???? Well to tell you about the locksmith, hahaha, he was a funny guy. He walked up he was pretty fat, wearing loafers with what looked like white socks that got washed with something red, now picture this, woman's maternity pants, yes you read it right. David and I looked at each other and tried not to laugh along with his thick glasses and REALLY greasy hair. After another hour and a half the lock was finally replaced after messing up the door pretty good. We didn't get to far before it was dark so we stopped for the night in New Mexico.

We planned on taking our time and stopping and several well known tourist spots, we got to see the Cadillac cars in the ground, the T-Pee hotel off route 66 and we wanted to see several other places as well as my grandparents in Oklahoma but then the movers called and said they would be there ahead of schedule so we had to cut our trip short and just drive. Our trip was a little rough with no air in the trailer and it seemed every place we stopped for the night was near the highway or railroad tracks so we got little to no sleep most of our trip except the last night. We ended up in another KOA campground in Springfield IL in middle of a corn field way off the road. We joke about it, calling it the KKK campground because it was pitch black when we got there and it was really far off the road. We finally got a little sleep there as it was quiet and it finally cooled off.

We were excited to see our house we would be renting, you see we rented it sight unseen. David's mom and step dad checked out the house for us so we trusted them and rented the house. We had no clue how to get to the house so Joe met us at Gurnee Mills mall parking lot for an escorted drive to the house. It seemed like we drove forever until we pulled up in front of the house. We finally pulled up and with Joe's assistance backed up the trailer (backing up the trailer was an issue for us) into the driveway. We got out and David and I looked at each other in disbelief when we saw the house. It was perfect! We were so glad to be there and finally off the road. We checked out the house and unloaded the trailer and went right to bed I think as the movers would be there bright and early the next day and stayed in that rental house for almost a year when we found a house for sale in the same neighborhood. We listed the California house and put an offer to the seller on the house and bought it as soon as the CA house sold and it's been history ever since.

We were very happy to be closer to the girls and we knew we made the right choice to move to Illinois.

Wet and warm summer

2008-08-22T11:02:00.000-05:00

It has been a lazy, wet, and warm summer this year. Lazy and wet speak for themselves but the wet part has nothing to do with rain. It turns out Jenna just loves the water.

Almost every day she asks for "water...water" meaning the pool. It is a small plastic blue pool but she loves it. In fact, a couple weekends ago, we even got her older sisters Kayla and Becca in there with her. They had fun with Jenna in there. It was a little cramped but they still had fun.

We also have been working on important lessons this week. Teaching Jenna to say "DENIED" and of course everyones favorite "foreign kid" statement of "GOOD DAY". Now, we have worked on more important lessons like eating Oreo cookies correctly and winking.
Mostly we have played outside this summer. Playing with our neighbors kids and neices and nephews that have come to visit. It seems like this summer has gone by way too fast. As you can see, we had Sable out there with us, keeping the world safe.
Jenna sure loves her Sable (Yeah, that WAS my dog, but I think Jenna is taking that over too!

4th of July

2008-07-26T10:28:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend we had except that Kayla and Becca were not able to be with us, they were spending the weekend with their Grandparents in the U.P (that's Upper Peninsula of Michigan for your foreigners).

Our friends Jeremy, Georgia (pictured to right with David)and kids, Chase and Jade came from PA for a visit. This is the first time we have seen them in about 4 or 5 years I think. They were the first of our friends to leave us, lol, and move away. Anyway we started out our our holiday weekend by going to a parade in Antioch. It was the usual parade with kids, animals, tractors and politicians but we all seemed to have a good time. After the parade we took Jeremy & Georgia to one of our favorite hot dog places, Scott Dogs for lunch while we were trying to figure out what to do for the day. Somehow we got on the subject of fishing so we ended up going to Lake Julian.
Lake Julian is a stocked fishing spot where you can either fish in the Trout pond or the stocked larger pond. Usually at the Trout pond you are almost guaranteed to catch a fish which is exactly what the kids did, they caught several Trout and really enjoyed it. It was pretty funny and I'll get grief for telling about it but I have to share a funny story. Jeremy was doing something to Jade's fishing pole when all of the sudden I head a "Plop" sound, I looked and Jade's pole went into the lake, the funniest part is there was a fish on the end of the line. Jeremy moved fast and was able to get the pole out of the water and even managed to bring in the fish. David and Chase took the fish into the office to have them weighed and cleaned and Chase was fascinated with the cleaning process of the fish. I think the guy that was cleaning the fish had fun talking to Chase and he gave Chase part of the fish, the head and guts. Chase being himself took the fish head out to show his mom and that's the funny part, he started chasing her around the parking lot with this fish head is has hand. After all the fish were cleaned and paid for we headed home to have some dinner and wait until dark to have our fireworks show.

The next day we went to brave the crowds at the Taste of Chicago and man it was crowded. We had a great time at the taste and promised the kids we would let them play in the fountain in Millennium park afterwards. The kids all had a great time playing in the water. After we left the taste we saved room for a yummy dinner at Famous Dave's Bar-B-Q. I think Jeremy was so stuffed he couldn't move .

We had a great weekend and it was really nice to see our old friends again.

Truly inspirational night

2008-06-24T10:07:00.000-05:00

Saturday June 22, 2008 Missy and I went to the NPC Junior National Bodybuilding championships. This is a catapult to the NPC USA, which can propel you to professional bodybuilding status. What a very cool thing to attend for me. Missy and the girls gave me tickets for fathers day. It was very exciting for me. I was able to meet some of the professionals I read about everyday in the magazines like Desmond Miller to the right. Look at that guys ARMS!! OH MY GOSH!
I also was able to meet my mentor and trainer Dave Palumbo. Dave has been instrumental in helping me not only lose over 60 pounds in the last year, but also in teaching me tons about nutrition and exercise and getting to know my body. This guy is known as the "GURU" in the industry. Mr. Palumbo's advice is cutting edge and goes against mainstream information at times but after losing over 60 pounds, I would have to say he knows what the heck he is doing! Mr. Palumbo paid me the greatest compliment when meeting me by saying "I didn't even recognize you your face has thinned out so much and you look so much thinner". I send Mr. Palumbo pictures of me every week so it's not like he doesn't see me, just never in person. What an awesome honor to have met him personally.

I was also able to see Don Long (http://www.bodybuilders.com/long.htm), Dexter Jackson (http://www.dexterjacksonshredded.com/), Evan Centopani (http://evancentopani.com/), Bob Cicherillo (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bobc.htm), Trey Brewer (http://www.treybrewer.com/), and Marcus Haley (http://www.marcushaley.com/). What a treat that was for me to see all of these guys. Marcus Haley was chowing down when we got to him of course. I mean really, what else would you expect from a bodybuilder?

It was amazing to me to watch all of these people, even the crowd, and the size of the people there. It was awe inspiring how hard they must work knowing how hard I have worked over the last year. It is funny, just the day before, I saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time and he said I looked like a monster because of my size....funny how small I looked even compared to the people in the crowd...heck, even the women in the crowd!I must say though, I could never have made it even this far without the support of my loving wife and daughters. They have encouraged me from day one to stay on course and keep on keeping on, even through rough times and injuries. They have been my inspiration through this. It has been an even higher honor to see my brother start working out again, and being able to help a few people get their motivation up to get going on their nutrition and excercise as well. This is a long life we get to have, being in shape and staying in shape will make it that much better on us.

Summer starts with Great America

2008-06-22T12:48:00.000-05:00

Kayla and Becca are out of school now for the summer and they start out the summer with us for 2 weeks. Since David and I are both working we reached out to friends and family to aid with daycare. The first day they spent it with Kelly and Olivia who take care of Jenna, they played with the Olivia and Jenna and I'm sure they were a big help to Kelly as she wasn't feeling very well. Tuesday the girls were going with our friend and neighbor Yvette and her kids, Sammy & Susie to Great America. I got a call early that morning from Kelly that she still wasn't feeling good so I called in to stay home with Jenna while Kayla and Becca went to Great America, after talking it over with David we decided that Jenna and I would go too.

I have been to Great America before but in California, not here though. The kids all had a good time and it seemed that Jenna had a great time also considering she didn't nap until almost the end of the day. I can't get over how darring Kayla is though, she likes the big coasters. The picture of her pointing up is her pointing to her favorite one, I can't remember what the name of it is though. Nobody would go on it with her so Yvette put on a brave face and went with her, it was pretty funny talking to her on her cell while she was waiting in line, the closer she got the more she didn't want to go. Yvette was a trooper and afterwards she even admitted that it wasn't so bad. Susie wanted to go on the tallest drop (at least it's called something like that) so Kayla went on it with her, they are the two left seats. I was freaked out just watching them go on it. The sit in a seat that raises them all the way to the top and then drops the seat, no way, nah ahh, heck no, would I EVER go on it.

Jenna got to go on the Wiggle balloon ride with her big sister and had a lot of fun.

Kissing a Frog

2008-06-07T11:06:00.000-05:00

For Memorial day we went over the Gebis's house for a bar-b-q. After everybody ate we went to the front so the kids could play and the adults could play bags. Bill and David were playing bags and then Bill took a break then came back with a little frog. He took turns putting it in his kids hands and then Jenna's. She was not happy at all as you can see but I had to take her picture even though she as screaming.

Mother's Day

2008-05-31T07:06:00.000-05:00

David asked me what I wanted to do for Mother's day and I had been thinking how nice it would be to go to brunch, so brunch it was. I checked around and the best place sounded like Illinois State Beach Resort. David's mom had been there before and said it was a nice place overlooking Lake Michigan.

The night before we went to a concert for Tantric, one of our favorite bands. I was able to win tickets on 95.1 WIIL ROCK radio so it was nice to not pay for concert tickets. We ended up having a Very late night, not getting home until 2:30 so getting up early was a little difficult.

We picked up David's mom on the way and headed for the resort. We got there a little early so Jenna and I enjoyed the view of the beach and the lake until our table was ready. We were luck enough to have a great big table all to ourselves and we were greated by the hostess with a red rose.

What a great spread they had, fruits, desert, carving station and even shrimp and oysters (yuck). We pigged out on everything, it was so yummy. I think Jenna ate a couple pounds of strawberries all by herself.

I don't think I could of asked for a better Mother's Day, well except for having Kayla and Becca at brunch with us.

Bubbles

2008-05-21T10:18:00.001-05:00

Our little one has discovered bubbles, it is so cute to watch her. She even had a little fit because she wanted bubbles and we had to get ready to leave, terrible two's are starting already, haha. We have to keep the bubbles hidden or she asks for them all the time if they are seen.

Happy Birthday David!

2008-04-12T12:30:00.000-05:00

Poor David is tortured with a family who won't give up on his birthday. For his 41st Birthday I convinced David to let me cook dinner and have family over to eat. He left me a little note hinting that if I were to get a cake it should be an Ice Cream cake. We had a yummy pasta dinner and Turtle Ice Cream cake.

Happy Easter!

2008-04-06T16:45:00.001-05:00

Easter came so fast this year we were hardly ready. All of us colored Easter Eggs the night before easter in hopes the Easter bunny would come and hide them, but I guess the Easter Bunny couldn't find them in the fridge, oops. The girls woke the next morning to find their Easter baskets on the table and lots of plastic eggs hidden around the house. After checking out their baskets and finding all the eggs we all got ready and went to Grandma Jan's for a yummy Easter dinner.

Better late then never pictures from Jenna's First Birthday

2008-03-30T18:04:00.001-05:00

I know it's a little late but I thought in light of things we needed some happy pictures. We celebrated Jenna's birthday on January 19 only a few days before her actual birthday on January 21. We had friends and family over as well as my mom and step dad came in from Arkansas. We had yummy homemade chili and chicken and dumpling soup and of course the every popular Buffalo Chicken dip and thanks to Liz Lee for introducing it to us. Jenna seemed to have a great time walking all over and playing with her sisters and her friends. Jenna got all kinds of wonderful gifts from everybody and even a special rocking chair from Grandma Roth.

My tribute to Stosh

2008-03-16T17:39:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite picture of Stosh that I had to share. I think it was taken at dinner for David's birthday a couple of years ago.

I really didn't want to take the limelight away from David's beautiful messages but I thought it was my turn to share my memories of the big goofy guy. I'll try to do it without shedding a tear or being to mushy but we'll see how it goes.

I wasn't as fortunate as some to have known Stosh his whole life or mine for that matter. I was married into knowing him 5 years ago. I met Stosh in 2002 only a couple of days after moving to Illinois when Joe called and asked David and I if we wanted to meet him and Stosh for breakfast as Stosh had just got into town the night before. We met at Skandia House in Antioch, I was a little nervous, same as I was when I first met David's side of the family. I had heard a lot about this person called "Stosh"and was looking forward to finally meeting him. In walked Joe and this big giant guy, right away I got a big hug from him without even knowing me.

The day after Joe died as David posted in the previous blog we had concert tickets but didn't really want to go in light of Joe's passing but we were told that Joe would of wanted us to go. I now have Stosh's T-shirt from that show and I will always treasure it as a memory of him.

Stosh was one of the first few people to find out that we were expecting and when he found out about the due date he was very excited, you see she was due two days after his birthday. He was crazy, he was really hoping that Jenna would be born on his birthday, January 20, so he could share it with his newest niece. He even brought his big tow truck to the hospital to see us when I was induced, still having wished she came on his birthday. The first time he met Jenna she was about 2 months old, it was so cute, he was afraid he would break her.

A few weeks later he stayed over night to help David with something, so I would take him home the next morning. The village didn't pick up our dead Christmas tree so he offered to put it on the "burn pile" at his house. I had the big truck (Ford F-250) that day so we started to drive in the yard behind the house and proceeded to get it stuck in the mud. For the hour we were stuck I never saw him stress out about having the truck stuck in the mud. We rocked the truck back and forth, he dug out around the tires put boards down, I guess he saw the stress on my face and kept saying "don't worry sis we'll get it out" and finally we got it out only after it was down in the mud to the running boards. On solid ground he let out a big whoooo hoooo, Stosh was so proud of the mud he ran in the house to get the camera before he washed all the mud off (hopefully if they haven't been deleted I'll try to post the pictures he took of the truck).

It's kind of silly of the things you think after a person is gone but I kept thinking "wow, who will help me with the trailer now?" "How am I going to make sure it's ready for winter without him".

The big guy could get under your skin sometimes and would always ask me and I'm sure many others too "would you be my friend?" I guess I should of said "Yes".

I was an only child and I always felt like Stosh was my brother too. Man I'm really gonna miss him!!!!!

One of Stosh's favorite songs

2008-03-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

I found this song to be appropriate given the circumstances.

The day after our step-father Joe passed away, Stosh drove Missy and I to Chicago to see these guys perform. It was a crazy night. I got very drunk, and Stosh had to drive home. We were crazy driving down the streets, hootin and hollerin' at people, celebrating Joe's life and our own time together. It was a very fond memory that I will not ever forget. The time spent with him that evening was priceless.

You brought so much life and joy to my life and our family. Your gentle love, wise cracks, big huge strong hugs, our "secret handshake", always saying we love each other every chance there was, your never ending help with my "Tim Allen" like home improvement skills, your constant giving of your heart, and your hilarious and intoxicating laugh. I couldn't have asked for a better little-bigger brother.

Man Ies to hear your voice again, and get that one last bear hug from you. I will never give up hope that this isn't real, but I know I will see you yet again. Rambo will never bhank you for taking me to that movie. I didn't care about the movie, I just wanted to be with you. you made me a better person for having you in my life. I only wish you were still here. God I miss you.

After We Go

 (by: TANTRIC)


Do you know how we got right here
Is it something we probably asked for
All the answers are not quite clear 
But the question is one that you can't ignore

We walk around like we don't live with consequence
And still believing what we do is right
So how's it feel to run and hide for your defense
You're not the only one to face the fight 

It's been a long time
Believe it or not
We've got a strong mind
But we never remember to use it
Something tells me that we've got to be suffering 
After seein' everything
I can't believe we still don't know
What it is that we think we're searching for

After we go
It seems the same mistakes will carry on
That's what we get for giving up

I don't know how long this will last 
But I will keep on pushing 
I've gotta make all the time that has passed 
Turn into reasons to get me through it 

We walk around like we don't live with consequence
And still believing what we do is right
So how's it feel to run and hide for your defense
You're not the only one to face the fight

It's been a long time
Believe it or not
We've got a strong mind
But we never remember to use it
Something tells me that we've got to be suffering
After seein' everything
I can't believe we still don't know
What it is that we think we're searching for

After we go
It seems the same mistakes will carry on
That's what we get for giving up
But until then
We have to realize there's more to it 
Than we could ever see there was

After we go
It seems the same mistakes will carry on
That's what we get for giving up
But until then
We have to realize there's more to it 
Than we could ever see there was 

After we go
It seems the same mistakes will carry on
That's what we get for giving up
But until then
We have to realize there's more to it 
Than we could ever see there was



I will never give up hope that this isn't real...never

A poem from Billie to Stosh

2008-03-10T21:48:00.000-05:00

This message was posted to us through a different header and I thought it would be nice to post it for all to see. Thanks for the thoughts Billie, it is a nice tribute. He will be missed by all.

Billie has left a new comment on your post "Kayla's birthday":

This is so sweet! I worte a poem for Kris. I thought I would share.

(note: "" are Kris's words)

FOR STOSH:

I'll never know another "dago" like you and I mean that with all the sincerity in the world.
I'll never hear the words "snapperhead" or "sis"
spoken with your infliction again.
Although we weren't family in any conventional way,
you were a Raucci to the very core,
and as you lovingly called me "sis"
you were a big-little brother to me.
Now
I never see another tow truck and wonder if it's you driving.
I'll never hear your footsteps on my deck as I announce the "dago" is hear.
I don't even know how to begin to explain
what you meant to us,
what you meant to Tony,
what you meant to our little Alexis.
I'll never see you again on holidays, birthdays, weddings...
You'll never ask what "Mom and Pops" are up to and have me instantly know you are talking about Tom and Sue.
No more New Years with Petey.
No more gas spills in my driveway.
No more helping Tony burn down my kitchen.
And who is going to help us move if we ever get a new house?
You won't be at our wedding-
as much as you were against marriage-
I know Tony wanted you at ours!
We'll never understand this.
You saw what Pat put us through.
Didn't you know how much this would hurt?
Didn't you know we loved you?
I'll never get a chance to ask what you were thinking.
But if I had a chance,
I'd go back in time-
we all would-
and we would of called more often-
tried a little harder-
we would of wrapped you I our arms so tight and told you that although you are being a "dillweed", we still love you.
But we can't go back,
so "snapperhead" although you are a "dillweed dago", we will always cherish your memory
-especially "Grouchy Raucci"
and when I say cherish I don't mean "just a scotch"
I mean deep and wide.
And when we have our "hydraulic sandwiches", we'll think of you.
I hope in heaven you find your "juice box" and rest happily.
-your lil "sis", ("BJ")

You will be missed my little-bigger brother

2008-03-06T04:32:00.000-06:00

It is with the saddest regret, that I must report my younger brother has succumbed to his demons and taken his own life. Kris "Stosh" Larson, was found dead yesterday after committing suicide. Stosh had a long battle with drugs and alcohol. For the most part, he did a great job controlling his demons, and beating them into submission. But, as with all demons, they eventually fight back. Unfortunately for all of us, Stosh just could not keep them at bay any longer.

Those of us that were blessed with his presence, had an instant love for this kid. He was the biggest gentle giant ever. Strong as an ox, as gentle as a hummingbird. Remember McGyver from TV? Stosh was the original. I used to tell people, he was so smart and talented, he could pull the space shuttle apart and put it back together without directions. Not only would it not ever crash again, but it would fly faster and better. He was extremely intelligent.

He loved his nieces and nephews something fierce. Always the favorite uncle, always the rough houser with the boys, always the gentle protector with the girls. They sure loved him. They will surely miss him forever.

There was nothing better than to see my girls eyes light up when Uncle Stosh walked into the room. They would immediately jump up and run to him and literally jump into the big man's arms. You would not believe the tickle fights that went on between him and Kayla Renee and Becca. They absolutely loved rough housing with him and for you wrestling fans, they would go "top rope" on him and he would just crack up laughing at how much energy they had for him.

He was a good man who tried his very best at everything his hand touched. He was a good son who did his best to be that good son. He was a great uncle who prided himself on being the favorite uncle. Most of all to me, he was a great brother that I will miss terribly forever now. I miss you little brother. I love you. Your pain is over.

Kayla's birthday

2008-02-17T18:44:00.000-06:00

Kayla turned 12, yes you read it right, 12 on December 14, I know I'm a bit delayed in the posting but hey just keeps you anticipating what might come next. Kayla gets a little ripped off every year with her birthday so close to Christmas. This year Kayla wanted to go to the local ceramics store where you pick your piece to paint and then after you paint they fire it for you. Kayla wanted to take our neighbor Susie and of course Becca went too. The kids had lot of fun and even David got to paint too. Kayla painted a snowman coffee cup with a hat for a lid, Becca painted a coffee cup, Susie painted a kitty and David painted a frog and the nice lady that owns the shop gave us a tile to put Jenna's feet prints on it. We had a fun time at the ceramics store and had yummy cake and ice cream when we got home. Kayla and I have already started planning next years birthday since she will be 13, we have decided we will have a party in the summer so we can possibly do something outside.

2008-02-10T16:27:00.000-06:00

I'll get more posted on things that have been going on but thought everybody would enjoy some video's in the mean time. I have Jenna learning to walk, Jenna and Becca laughing and Jenna playing peak a boo. Make sure you have sound to hear her giggle.

Walking baby

2008-01-06T18:30:00.001-06:00

Just a couple of short clips so everybody can see Jenna walking with her new toy from Grandma at Christmas.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-06T17:57:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe 2008 is already here, 2007 was a crazy year for us. David was laid off 2 times, almost 3 but quit before risking another layoff, I was laid off 2 days before I was scheduled to return from having Jenna, which worked out ok as I was able to be home with Jenna for 10 months. The mortgage industry was good to us but man are we both glad to be out of it, we both changed fields, David with Sears and me with a computer laptop repair center. Jenna is being taken care of my Olivia's mom Kelly and she just loves it there from what I can tell and I don't have the worry about Jenna coming home smelling like smoke like she did from her first daycare. Our friends are all good, The Lee family welcomed the addition of Spencer on I believe December 20th, David tied the fantasy football with his best friend Randy which just killed Randy as he was always top dog, Kayla is now in middle school and doing very well, claims to have no boyfriend, thank God, Becca loves school and her teacher is expecting in the summer break, David's brother Ric and sister-in-law Diane are doing well way out in sunny California, hopefully he will find a new job in the new year, all other family members seem to be doing well. Jenna will be 1 on the 22'nd, it's hard to believe time has gone so fast. So lets just hope that 2008 is a great year for everyone.

We rung in the new year by just hanging out at home with the kids. We snacked and watched movies while David and I took turns nodding off in our chairs (man we're old). Becca tried to stay up until midnight but didn't make it, falling asleep by about 9:30 and of course Jenna was out by about 10 or so. Midnight came and we lit off a few fireworks in the snow(by the way it snowed for 2 days, new years eve and new years day), yelled a bit and Kayla hit a spoon on a pot for a few minutes to make some noise.

1st Christmas Eve with Girls and Jenna's First Christmas

2007-12-27T10:21:00.001-06:00

Wow what a Christmas, it was crazy at our house. Christmas Eve started out wrapping last minute gifts and making cookies for Santa (minus the frosting, lol). We went to Grandma Jan's house for dinner and gifts just us girls. David had to work so he came straight there just in time to eat dinner with us. After we ate we all opened our presents. Jenna was pretty funny, she couldn't figure out what was going on with all the boxes and wrapping paper but after she saw the Elmo from Grandma that kept her busy and the bottle of lotion she found under the table.

We left Grandma's to get ready for Santa. Becca had to get ready for Santa by putting some Reindeer treats on the front lawn made up of oats and some glitter to attract them and then put some cookies on a plate, it took her about 3 tries to keep the cookies on the plat, she kept loosing them on the floor, it was pretty funny. Then she had to put some carrots on the plat too so the reindeer had a snack too. Kayla had to help with the carrots and their Daddy loves to play jokes on them by telling them they had to bite off the tip of the carrots before they put them on the plat, that was pretty funny too. Jenna was already sleeping from our ride home so she didn't get to help get ready. So off to bed the girls went and of course Becca was to excited to go to sleep.David and I had to take care of some last minute Christmas stuff, wink, wink and he had a little snack of a Christmas Peep (marshmallow gingerbread man), I have to tell this story because it was just the funniest thing. He was being silly by squishing it through his teeth when it squished to hard and went in my ear, we laughed so hard we couldn't breathe and tears rolled down our face after about 15 minutes we finally stopped laughing and decided we better get to sleep, by this time it was about 1am. Of course as usual Jenna woke up in the middle of the night, which she seems to do alot lately, about 4am I think it was so not much sleep for me that night.We slept in a bit for us, about 7:30 am, which Becca was going crazy by then to do downstairs to see what Santa brought. We finally went downstairs but wouldn't let the girls come in the family room right away, aren't we mean. We let them in and they were really excited to see all the gifts and Becca was excited to see that Santa ate most of the cookies and drank the milk and saw the partially eaten carrots, Santa was a bit messy though by leaving several crumbs of cookies on the table.We started the way we usually do by opening our stocking gifts first. Then Kayla and Becca pass out the gifts that are under the tree. Usually the girls are the first to start opening their gifts as they can't wait. Jenna tried to open one but lost interest, she just wanted all the boxes and paper and things that we had in our hands until she opened the purple teddy bear from her Great Grandma, she got very excited and took it from daddy and started hugging it and saying "awww" as she hugged it, it was the cutest thing. David helped her open most of her other gifts both Christmas Even and morning where she got lots of clothes from Both grandmas.

The girls ripped through their gifts and then found a couple of gifts hidden in the tree from Santa, Kayla stared to open her's first but had to wait for Becca because she was so excited. Santa brought both of the girls Nindendo DS's and they each got a dog game to go with it, needless to say they didn't put them down the entire day, not even long enough to charge them. My mom had one of Jenna's gifts shipped directly to our house so I brought it out, it was a Fisher Price Lion that Jenna could either sit on or push, she was so excited she figured out if the nose was pushed that would start the music so after a bit I put it together for her and off she went with Becca pushing her around the house.

David got lots of shirts for work, a few movies, some yummy popcorn, backpack, umbrella and even a Vodka decanter with shot glasses, you can't have the decanter without the vodka so David's mom brought out a bottle for the decanter. I got a couple of shirts, slippers, money, and I am and have always been a big Gene Autry fan so mom got me the newest autobiography that I can't wait to start reading. We had Christmas dinner at our house in which Kayla helped her Daddy make the traditional meatballs to go in the homemade sauce for the ravioli.

It was very stressful getting ready for Christmas but overall it was well worth it to have Kayla and Becca there for Christmas morning for the first time and enjoying the look on their faces to see what Santa brought them. Now we get ready for New Year's eve, we are staying home with the kids and I beleive Grandma Jan will join us for a little while. We will have lots of snacks, watch some movies and maybe play some Wii.

So for those of you we missed with the Christmas cards (sorry I didn't order enough this year) we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and have a Safe New Years, if you live near us please feel free to join us if you like.

Christmas update

2007-12-21T10:34:00.000-06:00

Things have been so busy so sorry for no update lately. We were hurrying to get shopping done to ship packages out of town and finally got them packaged and shipped on Tuesday, nothing like waiting until the last minute. We were also a bit delayed in getting our Christmas tree so Jenna and I went after work on Wednesday, we picked out a great one, it's about 7 foot and really fat. Ever since I was a kid I have always had a fresh tree and I just couldn't see myself with a fake one just yet. David was off yesterday and got the lights on the tree and Jenna and I started to hang ornaments. I let Jenna put on her first ornament, that was pretty funny since she likes to shake everything to see if it makes noise. We got the boxes packaged and shipped out to my mom and David's brother in California so now we can focus on the rest of the shopping.

We are really excited for the first time in 7 years the girls will spend Christmas Eve at our house and will wake up to Santa gifts with us and it will be Jenna's first Christmas so it should be fun.

Sounds like a barking Seal, oh no it's Croup

2007-12-04T09:00:00.001-06:00

Our little Jenna is pretty sick right now with Croup. She started out with just a little cold and then she started getting a cough that turned into a deep seal type cough. David looked online for her symptoms and what she had sounded like Croup but we weren't doctors. I called her Doctor Sunday night and he suggested that we take her to the emergency room for a breathing treatment. But with our luck David's insurance with Countrywide ended on the 30th so we were without insurance so David suggested we keep a close eye on her that night and he would work out the insurance mess with Sears the next day. Well what a mess that was, he was on the phone for a total of about 4 hours with help from his boss also. David was finally able to get most of the bugs worked out and took her back to the doctor yesterday. They gave her a breathing treatment in the office and said her poor little throat is just raw from coughing. The doctors office loaned us a nebulizer so we can give her breathing treatments at home every 4 hours and they also gave her meds for her throat.

The poor little thing sounds just terrible and she won't eat much, except last night I guess she was hungry and ate about half of Daddy's pizza. Today is a different story, I can't get her to eat at all. She is very sleepy today so hopefully she will rest good. David and I have been taking turns staying home with her which is really hard for both us having new jobs.

New Jobs

2007-12-04T08:47:00.000-06:00

David and I both have new jobs, David has been at Sears now for abut 3 weeks I think. He is having some trouble getting the training he needs but I'm sure he will take care of that soon. He seems to like what he is doing except that he is having trouble keeping people employed, they all seem to not want to work. We took a visit to the McHenry store so he could see how it was set up and we both got some good ideas for his store.

He survived Black Friday without any trouble in his store but the K-Mart next door was a different story. There was some pushing, shoving, hair pulling (extensions left on the floor) and even a head went through a jewelry case.

I am on my second week at my job now. I have two great bosses and my co-workers so far seem really nice. It's pretty funny, I have always worked really hard in the mortgage industry and those of you who have been there can relate but this job seems really slow to me. I guess it will from the fast pase and hustle of the mortgage world.

Early Holiday Celebration

2007-11-25T15:46:00.000-06:00

Saturday all three girls and I braved the cold (about 25 degrees) and went to the anniual tree lighting celebration for the Village of Fox Lake. We had never been before and we were a little unsure on what it would be like but we thought it was probably going to be some singing, music and then the flip the switch that lights the tree, everybody says "ohhhh, Ahhhh" and we go home. Well that's exactly how it was but at least we can say that we have been to it "Once".Saturday morning we again decided to brave the cold, this time about 35 degrees and watch the Christmas Parade also put on by the village. We bundled up with jackets, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets. We waited in the car until about 5 minutes before the parade started then went out to the street to watch the parade.

Jenna was nice and toasty in her car seat with lots of layers of clothes and blankets on her.

The parade was the same as usual, lots of tow trucks, fire trucks, a few motorcycles, the Grand Marshall, Mayor, beauty queen and the normal people tossing candy to the kids. There were a few cool things this year, there was a GIANT shopping car powered by a super charged big block and a really big red shoe topped with Ronald McDonald and the Hamburgler.

The kids enjoyed the parade and I think even Jenna liked it once she heard music in the parade.

We won't be crazy enough next year for the tree lighting but we already decided that for the parade we will get there early, park in front so we can stay in thecar and pack a thermos with hot chocolate.

I GOT IT!!!!!!!

2007-11-15T19:01:00.000-06:00

I went for a second interview today with a company called Micro Medics.

The company is a laptop repair facility and I would be in customer service.
We talked, went over things about the company, they give me a little test to see if I could read their repair invoice and I passed it with flying colors, hello, it was only common sense to read the paper. Then I thought they were wrapping up the interview and they said "Well, we would like to extend and offer to you", I thought I almost fell out of my chair. I had never been offered a position right there in the interview. So of course I took it!

I will be starting full time on the 26th so that I can spend time with Jenna, Kayla and Becca next week while the girls are on Thanksgiving break.

Thank you all for saying a little prayer for me and now that David is off and running at his store hopefully things will start to look up for us. Now I just have the stress of leaving Jenna in daycare, I'm sure she will be fine, it's me we have to worry about, lol.

My first Stampin' Up! workshops

2007-11-12T19:57:00.000-06:00

I have some great friends who agreed to host a Stampin' Up! workshop for me. Thank you Liz Lee (shown rt with little Spencer soon to be) and Yvette Stauner so much. We made some great projects, a Halloween scrap page, fall card, winter thank you card and yummy candy bag holder.

I was a little nervous at first but then I just did what I love to do and everything went smooth, well except when I realized at Yvette's house that I forgot to cut some paper but luckily my house was just next door.

I am planning some classes for the holidays so look for an email soon.

Halloween

2007-11-11T17:31:00.000-06:00

We had a little trouble with Jenna's costume. We bought it before she was born thinking that by October she would for sure fit in 12month clothes. So as I said a few blogs down that it just didn't fit so I found the cute kitty headband and it was only $2.99 which made it even better.

Halloween came and I thought it would be cute to try to add a little nose and whiskers with a make up pencil to go along with the kitty headband I found a few weeks ago. Man did she look cute. While she was napping I even managed to carve a couple of pumpkins.
I think to blog site is having trouble so I'll re-align the pictures in a day or so after they fix the problem

Out at last and Becca did great

2007-11-09T17:14:00.000-06:00

So today was my final day at Countrywide. In normal mortgage world fashion, I was ushered out the door while everyone was distracted by a meeting. Nice real class act they are, right up to the end. NOT. What a relief it is to be out of that place. If anyone you know is thinking about going to work there, have them call me first! I start me new position this Monday and a new chapter in my life. I am excited about the challenges and learning something new.

On another note, you probably saw the report card results for Kayla, but we also just got Becca's as well. What a wonderful job she is going. She does not get grades yet, but she got almost all "exceeds expectation". What a fabulous job she did. We are very proud of her.

David is finally out of Countrywide!

2007-11-05T21:33:00.000-06:00

FROM DAVID:

I am finally out. I have finally given my notice to Countrywide, that Friday 11/05/07 will end my tenure and my career at Countrywide, FOREVER. I have taken a position in Management for Sears Holdings just north of Milwaukee. Although the drive will be long, the hours will be long, the pay isn’t much better, and the benefits are ok at best, it is a new start by going back to what I am good at, what I enjoy, and what got me my start in management. For those of you that read this, my brother Ric was possibly the best manager I ever worked for and I owe a lot to him. He taught me to put the people first. If they like you, trust you, and believe in you, they will follow you anywhere. Thank you Ric, you are the best brother anyone could ever have. As well, Thank you Tim. You taught me strength and resiliency. You helped me become strong in my heart and mind. I cannot thank you enough for your friendship and all that you have given to me and my family. Thank you for being my most trusted friend and advisor. Most of all, thank you to my wife. I would not be here, I would not have made it this far in my life, I would not have the strength to go on each day without you. I love you more every minute of my day. You make me stronger, better, and most of all, you complete me. I would be lost without you.

On another note; Kayla received her first report card as a big 6th grader. I am VERY PROUD to report that she achieved straight A's with many A+'s. As if that were not big news enough, this wonderful child also made, not only the honor role, but the HIGH honor role in her school. She has tested better than 95% of Illinois students in reading and better than 99% of Illinois students in math. UNBELIEVABLE. This is amazing news to me. We are very proud of her.

Tribute to Aunt Polly

2007-10-24T11:59:00.001-05:00

I got a call from my grandma today that my favorite Aunt, Polly passed away last week. To explain how she was related she was my mom's dad's brother's wife, lol, got all that. If you knew my family you would understand why I am just finding out about it.

Aunt Polly was such a fun person, always had a smile on her face and she had one of those laughs that was contagious. I first met Aunt Polly when I was about 9 or so, we went to their house in Anza, in the California dessert. I always remember having so much fun at their house, walking around outside and enjoying nature in the dessert or listening to stories of the family.

Aunt Polly had a favorite snack that always grossed me out, she liked Buttermilk with popcorn or even sometimes cornbread in it, yep you read it right. She would always try to get me to have a taste, knowing that I didn't like buttermilk. Also a favorite food of Aunt Polly's was a fried Egg sandwich with mayo on white bread (some here call it a pepper and egg sandwich), I had never tried one before until she made me one and I was hooked on them ever since.

I didn't speak to her often but always looked forward to her personalized Christmas card every year. After Jenna was born she was so excited for us that she called me to congratulate us and even though she wasn't feeling well then you could still tell that she had her usual smile. I am very glad that I got to talk to her. I will always have a place in my heart for Aunt Polly, I just wish I had some pictures of her to attach, so I'll have to ask the family for one so you can see just what I mean about her smile.

No new news really...

2007-10-23T15:30:00.000-05:00

Not much still going on around here. David hasn't been laid off yet but we feel it still may be possible at any time. He has a 2nd interview today so keep your fingers crossed. I have been interviewing all last week and today. I have had interviews all over the place and different fields. I may take a cashier job at Sam's part time in the evenings to help until I find something full time.

Below is Kayla who was recently in a play of Snow White at school, she played a palace guard, she didn't have a speaking part but played a very happy guard.

I have the house ready for Halloween, Kayla is going to be a bad fairy and Becca is going to be a pirate. Little Jenna is still so little that I don't think the sunflower costume we bought before she was born will fit her, it's 12 month and she is barely wearing 6 month clothes so I found her some really cute kitty ears as a headband. She wears them for a little bit before she wants them off. David found a Calderon to put the candy and we found that Jenna fits just right in it.

I've attached a few other pictures that I have taken lately. Jenna and I went to a baby shower on Sunday and Jenna really liked the chocolate frosting on the cupcakes. Picture below is Jenna in her new sale hat ($1.00)

Stuff

2007-10-04T12:03:00.000-05:00

Not much new going on around here. David still hates his job and is still looking for a new one so please if you know of anybody hiring let us know so we can get him out of that hell hole he is in. I am interviewing for a position at Kindercare tomorrow in some type of manager position and am interviewing a couple of places for daycare close by.

Jenna is getting so big, she weighs 16 lbs. 14 ozs now and has about 6 teeth. She is still pulling herself up on almost everything but getting hurt less every day. She has a new favorite food just like her big sister Becca, she likes Mac n Cheese.

I'm almost ready for my open house, have everything cut and ready just need to finish cleaning a bit.

Just wanted to get an update poasted and a few new pictures of Jenna, I don't have any updated ones of Kayla and Becca but their school pictures should be out soon. Becca seems to like her new teacher and Kayla is getting used to middle school and all of her activities. She is in band, choir, and even has a part in an upcomming play.

Stampin' Up! Open House

2007-09-27T16:30:00.000-05:00

Well it's official, I am now a Stampin' Up! deomonstrator I am very excited to get started. they have a lot of great products and I'm not just saying that. I have been using their stamps for about 4 years now and I'm spoiled, I don't even like to by store bought ones.

To get started I am having an Open House on Saturday, October 6th from 10am-2pm. You can stop by any time and make a card, scrapbook page or just look through the catalog. I will have doorprizes and some of Liz's yummy cookies that I will be making. So be sure to give me a call if you think you will be able to stop by.

Our little trouble maker

2007-09-21T13:43:00.000-05:00

Jenna is almost 8 months old already, I can't believe how the time is flying. She has just recently started to pull herself up on everything that she can get a hold of. The poor little thing has a few battle wounds already, two bruises on her face from the table in the pictures. Once she gets up she hasn't figured out how to get down but she sure is practicing, no sooner do I help her down to her bottom then she is back up again at the table.

Jenna is getting about 3 more teeth also. She was running a little fever and we thought it was from her teeth but I decided to take her to the doctor and good thing I did. Turns out she has a double ear infection and a very red throat. They gave her some antibiotics but they are not doing so well with her. The antibiotics have given her the worst diaper rash I have ever seen so I am waiting now for the doctors office to call back as I told them I am not giving her the meds any more and they needed to find a new one for her. I'll keep you posted on how she is doing.

A piece of history

2007-09-17T14:14:00.000-05:00

As one of my birthday gift's David arranged with a friend to use two of their Chicago White Sox Tickets so I could see the Anaheim Angles play. A friend was to take me but he got a softball injury so he couldn't go. I'm thinking who in the world would I take, David wasn't able to go as he was taking care of the kids so I could go, after thinking it over for several hours I thought of taking Eric our next door neighbor's son. We headed off to the game after being really tired from our party the night before and Jenna up all night teething and wondering how I would make it through the game but I was excited to see my home town hero's the Angels to I managed to stay awake.

Well not really being much of a Sox fan didn't really know what was going on with the Sox and I asked Eric after the Angels were up by 7 runs what the big deal was with all the signs people had showing "Thome 500", Eric explained that Jim's next home run would be his 500th home run. Over on the jumbo sign they were posting messages for people and I happened to snap a picture of the sign that said "Happy Birthday Michelle" hey, I'm sure it wasn't me but it was the same name and I was there for a birthday gift so as far as I was concerned it was for me, haha. Wow that made the game even more exciting for me. Around the 8 inning my precious Angels started to loose their lead and then by the bottom of the 9th inning the score was tied 7 to 7. Still no home run from Thome, he came up to bad again the bottom of the 9th, I believe it was 1 strike and 1 ball and then BLAM Thome hit is 500th home run(be sure to click on the link and watch the video, it was so awesome).

It was so COOL, fireworks went off all the Sox players left the bullpen and ran to the field, people where going nuts. I guess if my Angels had to loose I was ok for the loss like that. It was fun to be a part of history and see Jim Thome of the Chicago White Sox hit is 500th home run.

So thank you David for arranging the tickets and taking care of the girls so I could go, Eric for going and Billy man you missed it!

Turning 40, OUCH!

2007-09-07T15:42:00.000-05:00

So Sunday, September 2, I turned 40. Can you believe it, I can't, lol. If you saw my hair now you would say wow, you ARE 40, time to cover the gray I guess. I had a very nice birthday. I was asked the day before what I would like for breakfast, I requested Starbucks, Bagels and bacon, I know it sounds silly but that was the first thing that came to mind.

My morning started out by David and the kids letting me sleep, David got up and took the baby monitor downstairs with him. I slept until 9, got up and was greeted by Becca giving me a hug and birthday wish and Kayla was still asleep. David and Becca went off to get my Starbucks, White chocolate mocha of course, and fresh bagels.

They came back and David cooked the bacon and fixed my bagel for me while I was in heaven with my coffee. Breakfast was yummy. My other request was to go to Archivers for a couple of supplies but before we left I was given two of my birthday gifts. A bag of Bath and Body Sweet Pea items, my fav and a list of Archivers classes with two of them circled. David had given me a gift of two classes at Archivers, One called Organize in Style to make an Orginizer and another for Glistening Greetings. David gave it to me just in case I wanted to pick a different class to take while I was shopping.

I got to choose a place for dinner so I picked my favorite Mexican restaurant El Puerto which is right on the lake, where we remembered that we had a free dinner on them from an unpleasant experience we had a few months ago so we had a great FREE dinner. We came back and had yummy ice cream cake with the Stauner family joining us.

I'll have a few pictures to add later on.

Scrap Expo '07

2007-08-28T10:19:00.000-05:00

This past weekend Liz and I went to the
Scrapbook Expo held at Pheasant Run in St. Charles. We signed up for two classes that Liz suggested and I must say they were a great suggestion. Our first class was with Chipboard, what in the world is Chipboard you ask? It's like pressed cardboard and is one of the latest trends in Scrapbooking. The class was messy but fun, we both had lots of white paint on us by the time we were done. Below are the two pages we made from the class.

The next class we took was Bazzill BasicGrey, that class was even better. We made 4 pages that are really neat and found out about a new set of tools for sanding so as soon as the class was over we headed straight for their booth. Pictures of pages and stuff I bought are below.

At most of the booths they let you take photos of samples to "Scraplift" (borrow the layout to make one of your own). I took a few that are shown below so hopefully I can use them to make a few pages of my own.

Flooding around the lake

2007-08-28T09:52:00.000-05:00

The weather has been in the news all over, severe heat in the middle states, heavy flooding in the Midwest and many blazing fires on the West Coast and now even in Greece. I took a drive the other day and was amaized at some of the flooding around our area around the lake. I tried to get some pictures so you could see, it's hard not to just stop and look. The Chain of Lakes are closed around us which makes for a quiet Labor Day Weekend around our area. Be sure to look at the benches in the first picture, they are usually about I would say 3 feet from the edge of the lake and there are bleechers that were put out for a Cardboard Boat Race they had at Lake Front Park.

The Red house and store is CJ Smith's Bait shop, all of their boat docs are under water and you can see so is the parking lot and bait shop is also.

The first two pictures below are from a camp ground behind a pub and the third picture is the parking lot of Port of Blarney's (Local hot spot). The bottom photo is of a house that sits on the point that is on the way to Blarney's Island.

Jenna can Crawl & Scoot and You?

2007-08-28T09:33:00.000-05:00

Finally a way to include video on my blog. Here are a few videos of Jenna crawling. They are so cute I couldn't leave them out. Be sure you turn up the sound for the second one, you can hear her skin sliding across the floor and no it's not gas either, haha.

Hey Boo Boo Let's go to Jellystone

2007-08-17T08:29:00.001-05:00

Last weekend we suprised the girls with a camping trip to Yogi Bear's Jellystone campground. Jellystone is a great camping place for kids with a water park, pool, bounce pillow, movies, miniture golf and lots more. We met some friends, the Goldstien family up there who were camping right across from us.

Friday David took the day off so that he and the girls could get there a little earlier then usual. They started off with the bounce pillow then on to the pool and water park. The water park was really cool, there were I think 3 sets of water slides and a great big Pick-a-nic (those of you that have seen the Yogi cartoons will know how to pronounce it correctly) that filled up with water and about every 10 minutes there would be a wistle what would sound to let the kids know it was about to dump. All the kids (and adults) around would gather underneath and wait to get dumped on. Man does it dump on you.

Saturday morning we have a very sweet Breakfast of Cinnamon rolls from the Ice Cream shoppe, they were sure sweet.

After loading up on the sugar we went back to get ready to go swimming. I thought it would be fun to introduce Jenna to the pool but she had other ideas, ideas of sleep. So we put Jenna in her stroller for a little nap while the girls swam and had water balloon fights.

After swimming we started to head back to the tramper (for those of you who don't know that is Becca's name for the trailer, combination of trailer and camper) for a little r & r and some lunch but had to stop at the bounce pillow first (the little boy in the orange shorts and blue shirt is Max Goldstein in a few of the pictures). Becca and I wanted to go back to the pool so we left David and Kayla behind and went swimming with Jenna joining us again but this time she didn't take a nap.

Saturday night we had a yummy steak dinner then joined the Goldstiens by their campfire for some s'mores and some fun. Late Saturday night as usual we were greeted by a rain storm but luckily we were nice and dry in the tramper.

Sunday morning after breakfast we wanted to go back to the pool but thought it would be best to get the trailer ready for the road first. I thought it would be fun to give Jenna another try in the pool and this time she really liked it, we played in the pool while David, Kayla and Becca played basketball with the Goldsteins. We hated to get out of the pool but it was time to finish loading up and heading home.

Comments Welcome

2007-08-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Just wanted all of you to know to please feel free to post comments on our blog, we enjoy reading them. I have changed the settings so you don't have to have a Google account to post a comment.

It's easy and fun, just remember to keep it clean as other people can read what you wrote. We hope all of you enjoy our blog and also feel free to post requests if there is something you want to see. I am learning how to post video's so be sure to keep checking back.

Visit with some old friends

2007-08-08T10:42:00.000-05:00

After being up late the night before (getting our bird) we got up to go visit some of my old friends. I have known the Slosar's for many years in California but a couple of years before we moved to Illinois Rob, Lisa, Elliott and Kyle moved out here and Rob's parents Bob and Joanne had a "vacation house" out here. After Bob retired they moved to Illinois full time. After we moved to Illinois is was so good to know that I had some old friends nearby, it is like a little bit of home out here.

We had a nice time visiting with Bob, Joanne, Lisa and little Katlyn, Bob and Joanne's granddaughter and a little bit later Janise joined us (sorry if I have any names spelled wrong). Katlyn wasn't to sure if she liked Jenna stealing all of the attention and definitely didn't like sharing her Grandma.

photos above left to right: Lisa holding Jenna, , Joanne and Katlyn, Bob and Jenna, Katlyn, and Jenna and Katlyn

A New Addition to the Russo Family Zoo

2007-08-08T09:39:00.000-05:00

A few years ago we had a couple of birds but we really didn't have the time to spend with them so we found them new homes. We thought that maybe now was a good time to try again with a bird. David spent lots of time doing online research on different types of birds and we visited out local pet store and met a very sweet Blue and Gold Macaw who was just 2 months old but already sold and a Cockatoo named Charley. We really liked Charlie but he was a little to moody for our liking.

We did a little more research and found a bird store in nearby Rockford, about an hour away. Friday after David got home from work we decided to take a drive to go check it out, not really thinking we would find a bird to our liking. We got to the store to find it was a little crazy, a well know vet who specializes in birds was treating birds so we decided to wonder around and in the back behind some large cages we found some small green birds in tank type cages. We started talking to the owner, Gloria and met one of the green birds to find out it was a Hahns Macaw who was only 4 months old. Since it was a little crazy in the store the bird was a little timid.

David and I took turns holding the bird, talking to it and getting to know it. After a few minute with the bird we knew that was the bird we wanted to take home, not to big like the Blue & Gold Macaw. I think Gloria was surprised that we wanted the bird. We didn't know if the bird was a girl or a boy so while the vet was at her store we got the wings cut, nails trimmed and found out the bird is a little girl.

We finally got home 12:30am and David got her cage all set up and spent some time with her before putting her to bed. The bird is doing well but David is having trouble picking a name for her so if you have any suggestions just let us know. He is leaning toward Ripley for her name.

6 month check up

2007-08-08T09:27:00.001-05:00

Wow, Jenna has grown, she is in the 90 percentile for her height, funny since I am so short and is now 25.5 inches and weighs a whopping 15.11 pounds. She got two more shots that are, as usual, taking a toll on her with a low grade fever and today making her very sleepy. I wish there was a way that they could give all the shots at one time.

Two teeth

2007-08-06T09:39:00.000-05:00

Saturday Jenna was chewing on my finger and I discovered that she has two teeth that have popped through her gums. They are starting to become visible only if you look really close. I can't believe at 6 months she has two. She is also starting to scoot around on the floor, she's getting pretty quick. I have to watch her closely or I will find her under the coffee table on on the kitchen floor. The living room has been partially baby proofed but I need to get the rest done very soon. I'll post pictures as soon as you can see her pearly whites.

Royal Tea Party

2007-07-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

Our neighbor Susie spent the night last night and the day today while her brother Sammy is getting his tonsils out. The girls have been playing so well together that I thought it would be fun to have a tea party for them. Jenna and Olivia were napping so I started getting everything ready while they played and wouldn't let them in the kitchen.

I set up the table with linen table cloth, cloth napkins, good china and even candles floating in a bowl. I had the girls find some hats and scarves but didn't tell them why they needed them. I had them line up at the kitchen and allowed them one by one to enter to the kitchen table to be seated.

They were very excited when they saw the fancy table. They started by removing the napkin rings and placing the napkins on their laps. Very formally I starting serving each of them starting with sandwiches of Peanut Butter and Banana and cucumber with ranch in the shapes of stars and tea pots. We also had watermelon and sliced cucumbers with ranch to dip the cucumbers in.

We had Orange spice tea with a little twist, I don't own a tea pot, so we used the gravy boat to serve the tea in, Kayla was the only one to know what it really was. The girls really had a good time and liked the sandwiches so much that I had to make more. Jenna slept through our tea party but Olivia woke up in time to join us, hat and all.

Family Wedding

2007-07-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

Friday night we went to a wedding for Blair and Daniel ( I still have to download their picture), who are they you ask? Well, Blair is the daughter of Jan Schippits who is the cousin of David's mother Jan. Got that? I think I have it right. Anyway we all had a great time. We got to meet more of Jan's side of the family that we had never met and get to know some better that we already knew.

Kayla, Becca and Jenna went also and all of the kids did great, Jenna took several naps at the reception and Becca tried to hang in there but was just to tired so she laid down on some chairs and went to sleep. David took turns dancing with Kayla and Becca and they also got to dance with their uncle Stosh. David even got his mom to dance too. Jenna got to dance with her uncle Darrin. When it came time for the boquet to be tossed Kayla was the first to get out there and wouldn't you know it, she caught the boquet. She was so excited. I have some more pictures to add later.

Photos starting at top left to right:David, his cousin Kelly, Kayla & Becca: David with Jenna: Me with Jenna: Kayla looking grown up & Becca. Middle: Becca sleeping on Chair.

Below: Kayla with Boquet, Kayla dancing with Uncle Stosh, David's Sister Crissy & husband Darrin: "Aunt" Helen, Ger & Jan: David's mom with all her cousins: Uncle Darrin dancing with Jenna: Jenna posing on our hotel bed looking so cute: Immediate family with traditional finger pose.

Back from Camp

2007-07-19T11:22:00.000-05:00

Kayla is back from camp, her second one in a month and wow did she get taller while she was gone. We didn't see Kayla for almost 3 weeks I think and she got out of the car as was as tall as me. Well that doesn't say much considering that I am only 5" but pretty sad when an 11 1/2 year old is as tall as me. Becca is finally getting taller as well but she has spent some extra time with us this summer so it isn't as noticeable has her sister. It has been a fun summer so far hanging out with the girls.

Look No hands

2007-07-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Jenna is getting so big she is almost 6 months old now. She is learning how to sit up all by herself, of course she hasn't got it down completely yet as you can see from the picture below, haha and I couldn't resist taking a pictures of her "monkey feet".

Water Play

2007-07-06T15:48:00.000-05:00

Calvin came to play today so we thought it would be fun to fill up the Home Depot bucket with Water and have fun. Jenna and Olivia sat by and watched but both had a minute getting their feet wet and they both seemed to really like it. Even Sable joined us for the fun.

4Th of July

2007-07-06T09:44:00.000-05:00

Our 4th of July was alot of fun. We started out by a trip to Wisconsin a few days before to stock up on fireworks and boy did we stock up. We spent waaaayyyyyyy to much, so much that David wouldn't let me see the cash register for the total. Let's just say that we are now a "frequent buyer" and got a special discount card.

We had a bar-b-q in the front yard with the Stauners, we had steak, corn on the cob and even homemade ice cream. Finally it was dark enough to start the firework show and all the other neighbors joined us to watch the show. We had some really good ones and even some that went crazy and almost took out a few cars. Jenna did great, she watched most of the show and didn't cry or get scared at all. We were sad that Kayla and Becca missed a good show but we have nextyear to look forward to. I even took a picture of the mess in the street and the pile of trash of exploded fireworks.