A sad day for the family...

My grandfather passed away this morning. He had been battling many ailments in Idaho with my Aunt Bette and Uncle Woz watching over him. The decision was made to let him rest peacefully.....I don't know what to say. I think he was a great grandfather to me. He was always around with something funny to say. He was very interested in my sports and would bring his camcorder to videotape me playing, so that meant a lot to me. I haven't seen him since he moved to Idaho but I did get to talk to him a few times and he assured me he was fine. Always a tough guy! I want to thank Bette and Woz for being there with him and for taking such good care of him in his last few years.
Here are a few pics I found of him. Most of the pics I picked represent the way I remember him....



Behind his bar, entertaining the fellows (my dad and Bill), will all his sports memorabilia.


Resting on the couch with Stephanie after a family get together.


I think this was some type of anniversary party for my grandparents. At our fav party hall! 3 of his daughters stand behind him. Greg to the right.


We spent so many afternoons and 4th's of July out on this patio. This pic look to be from the early 80s or late 70s based on my grandma's hair.


I think this is a shot in front of Stephanie's first house she purchased with Uncle Dave. All four daughters came into town.


Probably his birthday party, his was on groundhog's day.


Is that Sophi on his lap or ME?? It's me. Driving the old boat.


De Ja Vu. But first Gregory got a turn to drive.


Mom says this pic is from his retirement party...again at our fav party hall.


This might be from the same party. 4 of his 8 grandchildren are present. Gregory, Robbie, Me, Olivia. I look to be around 8 so it must be around 1984.


You can't think about Grandfather without remembering all the cakes he made for everyone. I believe he was working on either Terry Melville's or Stephanie's in this pic.


A more recent pic. The girls were visiting grandfather in this pic as he is playing with a doll, I couldn't find my pics of him with the girls.


Another pleasant afternoon on the patio.


Stephanie's wedding.


Looking sharp for the big day of his youngest daughter.


Feeling cuddly. Grandfather and I pose before the nuptials. I was a bridesmaid.


Last but not least, a dance with Grandma.


Love you grandpa...

You'd Think With All This Free Time.....

....I'd be getting something done! I've had 3 days of summer and I have my job fair tomorrow. Very nervous about it, mostly because I'm not sure what is going to happen there other than I have to interview with a bunch of schools. Mike and I have been working on my resume trying to make me sound even more awesome than I normally am...and that's pretty hard work! When we are not doing that I am either swimming or working on my new garden and I squeezed in a beach visit or two as well...

Here is my new garden. We used some old fence pieces from the White's house and Mike put them together all pretty to sit behind my hammock (it's not up right now, I keep it inside unless I'm using it).


Here are my new plants. Mike says I have too many. I probably do, but I couldn't help it...They all looked so cute! Pepper are on the left. Then broccoli, squash, catnip, cucumber, fennel, tomato. I planted onion seeds, bean seeds and zucchini seeds. I threw in all the seeds from a cantelope and they started growing almost immediately, all the way to the right. Also, that is a big root in the bottom right hand corner, I still have to figure out how to rip it out of there.


This is my beautiful pond. Hopefully it will survive while I'm gone. The filter needs to be cleaned about every 3 days for that fountain to keep working so I am nervous about leaving it.

Beach Babes!

With only a few days left to spend in Florida we decided to hit the beach a couple of times. Here is Em (Bette, she is wearing Samantha's suit from last year), making me a glorious drip castle.


Sophi, showing off her tiny butt, as always! But my fav part of this pic is Paige's booty...FOUR butts in the house! That suit is so old but she loves it, and I can easily spot her on a crowded beach because it is bright yellow.


The girls, today. The surf was just perfect for them and they went out so far, until the water was up to Em's chest. Soph stayed with Grandma back on shore! Em really got the hang of it and caught some nice waves. Paige goofed off a lot but tried to stand on her board more than just ride it in.


Em built Soph a "birthday hot tub." Weird, I know.

Em surfing

Sleepy time

While Sophie and Paige were out with Mommy running errands, Emma stayed with Dad to play video games. Shortly after playing for about an hour, she crashed with kitty. She stayed asleep for a couple of hours and didn't wake up until Melissa got home from her Memorial Day Shopping Spree. Mo hit up Old Navy and Target so she could stock up on new clothes for her big trip on Friday to see all the Northern relations, plus she had to get some other things done before the trip. This week has been full of tire rotations, oil changes, and car cleaning so she can leave at the end of the week.

Pics from Sunday night, we tried to have the boys over for a sleepover but we're unsucessful. All set to slumber, but by 9pm the boys were ready to head home...


Noah and Paige.


Will and Em.


Ended up with just mommy....

I know you guys are always wondering how I get to be sooooo in shape and so fine.... well the video below is a small demonstration of how I take care of business and by business I mean my fat butt.

Mo-llerblading

Boda took Melissa for a walk this evening...

For some reason, my friends and family commented that I dance like this guy! He's back for another season of one of my fav shows. Fortunately he won't be back for long!

I know I'm the best.
I know I can dance.
Sex is back!

INTRODUCING OUR FIRST GRADER!!

Have you ever seen a prettier girl? I love this shot of her that I took today at her school party. I had tears in my eyes before they even started their singing because Mrs. Marple had their "all year" journals sitting out for parents to read. Looking at Em's work throughout the year made me so proud it started leaking out my eyes!


Here she is walking to get her award, the teacher chose an award for each student. Em received an "excellence in reading" award.


Here is Em with Mrs. Marple. She was a great teacher, I couldn't have asked for a nicer person to take care of my daughter for 9 months.


Em with Kaylee and Becky. All her friends dressed up in fancy dresses.


Em with Gigi.


Congrats Em!! We are so proud to have such a beautiful, well-behaved and intelligent daughter like you....and I can write this to you because YOU CAN READ IT!!!!
I'm feeling a little sappy tonight....so just bare with my thoughts!

The patient made it back home. Here he is enjoying some nice mushroom (ew) soup and some rolls. He is on a low residoo doo diet. Sike, RESIDUE. Either way, we don't really know what to make for him even though they sent us home with instructions... Kitty is so glad he is back! He is doing pretty good, a little pain and stiffness I guess. He has 3 holes in his belly that are nice and taped, the girls were impressed. I was grossed out cause one of the holes was through his belly button! He will be home alone (ahhhhhhhhhhh!) tomorrow while I work at the preschool so feel free to call him and make sure he hasn't fallen and not gotten up...


Random pick up Paige today putting on my chapstick....She wanted her bangs back in that barrett for some reason. Yeah, that lasted all of an hour!

So how does it feel to live without an appendix? Ask this guy! (BELOW). That's Mike for those of you who can't see him beneath the blanket! Mike had been sick all day Monday and didn't feel better today, so he decided it felt bad enough to go to the ER. He ended up having appendicitis and just had it taken out before this shot was taken. I of course, being the obnoxious wife, rushed the children up there to say goodnight. They were a little freaked but were very inquisitive at the house, so I figured they need to see for themselves what was going on. Mike did well, he looked awful under that blanket and probably won't remember us coming to see him but it's the thought that counts right?



Also, not to out-do Mike's surgery news, but Wednesday is Em's last day of her first year of school. We are so proud of her. She says she is staying another year in Mrs. Marple's class, but we are hoping to get her into Jen's school.

For those of you that haven't heard.....I PASSED MY TEST!!!!! Thanks to all those who had faith in my smarts, I was seriously doubting myself!! Now for the job fair that is next Thursday where I will be interviewing ALL day long. PEACE OUT!

Here you go Dad! I planted my flowers a few days ago, right outside my garage. I have another bush more in the front yard, but I think it gets too much sun. This one should receive more shade. Mike took some great close-ups for me with his fancy camera, we will post those soon...


Field Day at Read-Pat. Two of my fav teachers...Johnna and Jennifer!


For all you Tony Stewart Fans (there are none in this house), unfortunately Home Depot doesn't give you a choice.....

Contrary to popular belief, I do NOT carry my camera everywhere. ESPECIALLY when Uncle Greg is in town! He takes about 100 pics a day when he visits so I get my day covered, frame by frame. PLUS, they are usually good pics! So of the time Greg spent here, these are 5 out of 7 good shots I took ...
I made a chocolate cake, per Soph's request, topped with choc chips and BLUE icing (her new obsession is blue, watch out Kathy!). I don't know whose idea it was but Greg started painting a superman(girl) sign on the cake. Here he is with his model....


The cake. Almost done. He put more chips around the "S."


We then went to start the party and Grandma had bought everyone new bathing suits. Here is Soph opening hers...The other girls are wearing theirs.


The party crowd.


Sexiness...or so she thinks!


We had a great visit Uncle Beggie! Thanks for everything!

Sophia's 3rd B-Day

We had Sophia's 3rd birthday party on Saturday. There were about a dozen kids and we had a cookout/pool party at Bobbie's house. Sophie had a great time and got a TON of presents. Then after the party Melissa went to see Spiderman 3 and the girls and I snuck up to Baskin Robbins to get her an ice cream cake for Mothers Day. After that there was a little TV time and then the girls went to bed and the LONG day was finally over.


Paige checking out the gifts


Soph opening presents


More present opening


Static head Paige


Super Sophia Cake decorated by Greg


Just eatin' some cake


Paige spent all weekend in the pool


One of about 5 bathing suits that she got as gifts


More swimming


Em eating some lunch