Cast

OK - we have talked about it long enough. Here is Acacia with her cast. This was taken on the way to the DR. We were told that at this visit they would x-ray and then remove this old fashioned, super heavy, hot, plaster cast and put on the cast of her dreams, light weight, cool color ... But, the x-ray showed the bone was positioned perfectly and was healing great. So, they decided not to risk aggravating the bone by removing this cast. We have since decorated it with red and blue stars and some autographs. She seems fine with the cast now but when she sees someone for the first time is still VERY embarrassed about the entire thing and will shove her cast up my shirt. She is getting very agile with a chop stick (used for scratching down the cast). You can see it coming out of the top of the cast. The cast is due to come off this Friday (August 3rd). Then, back to soccer that Sunday, horse back riding lessons and swim lessons will start back up in Sept. As if nothing ever happened .... :)

The East Coast Tour '07

Acacia's last day of kindergarten
OK - are we ready to go? Sun screen? Check. Bathing suits? Check. Flip flops, sunglasses and hats? Check. I think we are ready. Massive yellow scrape to the passenger side of the van? Check. Ok - I guess we are all set. Two days before we took off for three weeks of vacation I took a turn in a parking garage I bit too close to one of those lovely yellow hazard poles. Quite literally the entire passenger side of the van was scratched up and yellow. But, no one got hurt and the engine still worked so off we went. Departed Madison at 11:30pm Friday the 15th of June. This was also Acacia's last day of kindergarten.

Don't forget - you can click on any photo to see it enlarged .... Enjoy!

If you want to see a few minute summary of what we did, click the play button to see a little movie. You can tell towards the end of the movie I realized how to set the camera to take better quality movies. Oh well. Live and learn as they say.



On the road
We drove straight through to Huntington, WV where we stopped to go to Camden Park amusement park. This was nice as there were no real lines (except for the only real ride - log ride) but the kids got to run around and burn off energy after being in the car for 12 hours. Click the link to see a slide show of Camden Park.

Slide show of Camden Park '07

Father's Day
Back in the van we arrived to Emme and Nono's around 2am Sunday the 17th (aka - Father's Day). In case you did not catch the exhausting truth - we never stopped to sleep. So, 11:30p Friday until 2a Sunday - Randy and I were driving. Needless to say, we slept well once we got to Emme and Nono's. We woke to beautiful NC weather. 90's and humid. Well, I guess it really was not all that humid. The guys (Randy, Chris, Bill and my Dad) hit the links while the women tended to the children, laundry and kitchen. Well, the truth here is that it was Father's Day. The kids spent the day preparing ties (complete with their photos on them), drawing pictures, writing notes and letters and hanging streamers and anything else that could be held up with tape all over the deck, house and garage. They made hand and foot prints pictures and assembled them in the shape of a house (the house the "dad's" built). They were busy! My sister Valerie rallied the women to do a little run every (almost) AM - so off we went for that. After the "run" we prepared the "meal". It is all a blur now but I do recall some confusion on how to keep the grill lit. As far as I know the meat was cooked. Click the link to see a slide show of Father's Day.

Slide show of Father's Day '07

Beach Action
Much time was spent at the beach. We visited a couple different beaches. The kids ended up liking the beach at the end of Holden Beach Island. When the tide was anything but high, the water was 1-2 feet deep. The kids could swim and play and walk for a lllllooooonnnnngggg way without it getting deep. We were able to walk to sandbars and hang out on them and watch the tide come in around us. Acacia collected about 113 broken pieces of sand dollars while Chris was thrilled with the fact that he could "swim" in the ocean. Once high tide was in the boogie boards came out and the kids took up body board surfing. Click the link to see a slide show of beach photos.

Slide show of Beach Action '07

Pool Action
The pool proved to be the perfect spot if you were looking to be tossed or rocketed out of the water! Click the link to see a slide show of pool photos.

Slide show of Pool Action '07

Boat Action
We went on a couple boat rides. The kids each got to drive Nono's boat. Click the link to see a slide show of Nono's boat photos.

Slide show of Baot Action '07


The "un-birthday"
Chris turned 4 on June 11th and we were so busy before we left we were not sure if we were going to be able to get a party in for him. So, Emme decided to celebrate all birthdays with the "un-birthday" party. The kids got to decorate ice cream cone cakes and then everyone got to open presents!! How cool is that!!?? Big Chris even got me a present. But, being the loving sister in law I am ... I decided that Yoli should have my present!! (Yoli's birthday was the 13th) Click the link to see a slide show of the un-birthday party.

Slide show of the Un Birthday Party '07

Racing
Randy spent some quality time with Chris and took him to the Myrtle Beach Speedway. Hooters was sponsoring the Greased Lighting 200. Chris can't wait until he is 16 and can drive one of these fast cars. Chris knows everything a 4 year old can possibly know about racing now. He has not stop talking about this race. Randy liked the Hooters girls .... We also went to an Indy car race in Richmond. This was loud and fast and no Hooters girls. Click the link to see a slide show of the car races.

Slide show of the Races '07

Lighthouse
Acacia school gave a list of all the field trips they would be taking during the summer and one was to a light house. She was going to miss this trip since we were on vacation. For some reason this really upset her. Soooo - being that we were on the coast we managed to find a light house for her to see!! Click the link to see a slide show of the trip to the light house.


Slide show of the Lighthouse '07

Myrtle Beach
Lastly, before we left NC we took a day and went to the Planetarium, Alligator Adventure and grabbed a little mini golf. A great time was had by all!! :) Click the link to see a slide show of our day in Myrtle Beach.

Slide show of our day in Myrtle Beach '07

Family Photos
During our two week stay at Emme and Nono's we saw a lot of people and took a lot of photos! Of course we got see Great Nani (my mom's mom) and Great Grandma (my dad's mom)! They are two pretty witty women and if you are not careful they will pull one over on you!! Great Auntie Kathy can for a day!! Sure wish it was longer! Tim Bettilyon and his family came for a week end and did some camping. I know Tim from our days in Singapore back in the early 80's!! And my mom's best friend Judy, two of her boys (Lane and Larry) and their kids all made it down for some time (sporadic as it may have been). I have not seen Larry or Lane since our days in LO back in the 70's!! And now they have kids ranging (in age) from 10 to 25!!! CRAZY!! It was great to see everyone - but the time together was way too short! I hope I did not miss anyone! Click the link to see a slide show of random photos of everyone!

Slide show of Family Shots '07

Kings Dominion
Well, Friday the 29th we packed up the big red van (which now is red and not half yellow - thanks to my brother spending an evening with some kind of magic compound that removed the yellow paint - he is the greatest brother ever!!). Of we went to Richmond, VA to spend a few days with Randy's sister, her family and Randy's brother Kevin, wife Glenda and son Ben. Staying with them is like staying at a resort! They have a nice big house with plenty of room for everyone, a pool, trampoline and play system, bikes, scooters and of course - close to Kings Dominion!! The guys did some golfing and the rest of us just chilled by the pool for the most part. Monday we all packed up and went to King's Dominion. Ben fully over came any fear of roller coasters he ever had and went on at least three different ones (several times)! Everyone had a great time! We ended up in the water park for the final cool down before we had to depart and go our separate ways. Click the link to see a slide show of Kings Dominion.

Slide show of Kings Dominion '07

Pgh and the Pirates
Our last but not least stop was at Randy's brother Sean's house in Pgh, PA. We did not arrive until pretty early Tuesday AM (like 1 or 2a). Sean was up folding laundry!! After a good nights sleep we had a great breakfast (complete with monkey bread) and got to visit with Dianne and Jenna and Karen and Bill. The kids got to make cookies with grandma and then Randy, Sean and Karen took the kids to a park for some exercise. After some traditional waffling the decision was made and tickets were purchases (commitment) to go to a Pirates game. Dianne was able to get a GREAT deal on tickets in a luxury suite (inside AC) and outside stadium seating. After the game the band Live played and after that there was a great fire works show! This was my first time in the new stadium since my days of working at Three Rivers. This was truly an amazing stadium! I want to work there!!! Well, after the long day of stadium activities it was time to pack (for the last time) and get to bed. We left around 11a Wednesday morning (July 4th) and actually had a pretty smooth ride home. Click the link to see a slide show of our Pgh visit and the Pirates game.

Slide show of Pgh and the Pirates Game '07

So, we are home now. Unpacking, trying to sell our house and find a new one, getting back to work, taking care of Nita .... ahhhh home!! It's always great to get away and it's even great to get home. Anyway - we are here for a while now. Time to come to Madison for a visit!! Madison is great from now until winter!! To be honest, winter is even nice if you like to ski, skate and sled!! Come see us!!

Bike Fund Raiser

Acacia's friend Rachel wanted some moral support on a one mile bike trip WITHOUT training wheels. I promised Acacia if she was able to complete the course without her training wheels she could get a new bike basket and a kick stand for her bike. Sooooo - off we went. We had to ride our bikes to the park, so that was about a half mile right there. Acacia and Rachel did a great job around the course and just as they were about to finish the first mile they both decided they wanted to do it again. So, off we go. As they were rounding the final turn a little competitiveness got the best of Acacia. She attempted to pass Rachel on the outside turn and just took her out. The two of them went flying. Rachel just got up and checked out her skinned knee and was ready to finish the race. But, Acacia being the drama queen had to make a bit more out of it. But, she did finish and they are still friends! We finished up the course and got some face painting. Today, I took Acacia to get her kick stand and basket. Chris did the course too. He got a hamburger bell and they both got lights for their bikes. All is good with the world.

Me and some tall guy.



Acacia warming up.



The family, ready for action.



Chris and Braden at the starting gate.



Chris and Braden after the race.



Chris with his yummy turkey sandwich.




Acacia's dog face.



Rachel's facial hair and Acacia dog face - after the make up.

Bowling

One of Chris' friends (Alex O) had a bowling party (just for fun - no birthday!!). Dad stayed home to "paint the house" and do an open house and we went bowling. Acacia did great, even with her cast. Chris did - well - he is Chris. Check out the video below.

Chris is 4 - well almost

Chris had a great birthday party. And we totally lucked out with the weather. It had been raining off and on for days and was supposed to be cloudy with 40-60% chance of rain on Sat. We watched the radar for hours. His party started at 2p. At 1:45p the clouds rolled away and the sun came out. It stayed sunny for the entire party! Sooooo - swimming, sprinkler fun, super fun Kaji blow-up jumper, the play system and the Grand Emme and Nono swing were the fun back yard activities of choice. Until the gifts were open. Then the deck was turned into a speed way. It was made clear that mom would make a Cars cake. Not as easy as you may think. It took two entire containers of red dye just to get the cake dark pink. But, Chris thought it was AWESOME and that is all that matters!! Although, I do think that Lightning McQueen was looking a little more like Mater (pink or no pink).




Click the link to see more photos of the party.

Chris is 4 - well almost '07

Roller Skating

It was Ellie's birthday party and we all were invited to go to her roller skating party. Acacia could not skate due to the cast, but Chris could. For whatever reason, I was the only one who skated. But, somehow everyone had fun anyway!!

Click the link to see more photos.

Ellie's Roller Skating Party '07

Soccer

Acacia finished her first soccer season in a cast. The Monday before her 2nd to last game she leap off her swing and landed on her arms instead of her feet. Apparetly, this gave her a buckle fracture .... but we did not know it until she fell off the rocking chair on Tuesday and went into tears over something that would normally have been thought of as fun and then on Wed was playing soccer (2nd to last game). She was one of three team mates (we were a little short of players that day). They were playing 4 on 3. Acacia goes down a lot during any game - she's just rough that way. With about 2 minutes left to play she went down and again went into tears. I forced her to finish out the game. "Your teammates need you!!" Even her coach convinced her she was OK. They ended up winning the game. I took her home and ask Randy to take her to get it x rayed. So, she's been in this cast ever since. Including her last game (which she was not allowed to play in). They got their team photos taken AND they each received very cool tropheys. Acacia received the award for the toughest player given that she played with a broken arm and even scored. Her coach was impressed with her skill enough that he hand selected her to play on a team he will be coaching this summer. Acacia is thrilled and has her soccer stuff all packed so she can practice at the beach with her Aunt Yoli and her cousins (and anyone else brave enough to take her on)!!

Too much going on ...

I have no idea where to begin here. Since Easter we have been non stop and our lives will not even slow down until the 15th of June when we will be departing for our East Coast Tour. Although, this year we got smart. We are not going to really tour, we are going to go to one place and chill. More on that trip when we return (mid July). In the meantime, we have been keeping up with the kids social lives. In May alone the kids have attended 7 birthday parties. I sat up one night wrapping gifts and if it were not for the Cars and Barbie wrapping paper I would have thought it was the night before Christmas. Both kids continue with their swim lessons. Acacia is back into soccer twice a week as well. Our life group's last official gathering was a little over a week ago so now we have one night a week that we do not have something going on after work. The house has been on the market for a month now and Randy continues to do more and more improvements to it. The most recent projects have been painting the deck and the house. I have no idea what is next. I am afraid to ask. The weather is finally warming up enough that we are able to be out doors and not have multiple layers on. This has allowed for kite flying, carnivals and cook outs. Both kids are able to ride their bikes without training wheels but both still like the security of having them. It's a day to day thing. No training wheels one day, back on the next day. Today Acacai asked how many days until we leave and I got a knot in my stomach when I told her it was 26. Only because we have soooo much yet to do before we leave. At least 3 more birthday parties (including Chris' 4 year party). A bowling outing, 3 open houses, at least 3 cook outs, 3 more swim lessons, 3 more soccer games, and the packing .... I love the packing. Randy will be teaching the entire week before we leave. Acacia last day of school is the 15th and we leave that night. Somehow, it will all come together. As soon as we pull out of the drive way on the 15th I just know my shoulders will relax and drop about 4 inches. OK - enough. Here are some photos of the past few weeks.

Although you can not really tell, this is Acacia and Carson flying kites.
Acacia lost her second tooth and Chris is showing off his cool aid mustache.

Acacia's kindergarten had a concert. Here she is with 8 of her classmates - all paying attention ... to what?? I just do not know.
Rocking a baby?? Carrying a large sack of flour? I can't remember.

Acacia and Rachel ride the dragon roller coaster ... front and center ...
Braden and Chris have their faces painted. They are so serious.
The finished products. A rainbow butterfly and a mango ... don't ask. I thought it was a pineapple..
Rachel's flower and Cacia's mango ...

How much fun can one have in a big blue bear?? Just ask Jamie (who stepped out for the photos). He had them spinning pretty good!
This is the gang in the "bouncy cars".
Chris and Braden choose the pink tea cup for what appears to be a pretty darn good time.








This is just a little video clip of the kids on the rides. It goes kind of fast so you can't see their faces that good.

The Last Hunt

Ah, the last hunt. HoiMing had us over for a great dinner and egg hunt. It was great to see everyone again and have some quality adult conversation ... well, you know - stuff like "How do you get your kids to not have accidents at night?" and "Do your kids still bite ... each other?" I think the only casualty of the evening was somehow the bathroom door got locked, with no one inside. Good thing they have two other bathrooms!!

Sorry there are so many of the same shot - but each kid looked their best in a different shot!























Here are a couple quick little videos ... Just click the play button (maybe twice) ...

Easter '07

7a. We hear the whispering! Time to get up. The bunny left two trails and their names in jelly beans to the room with the rest of their eggs and a little something special for each of them. Chris was convinced that Acacia's line of jelly beans was longer then his so he tried to take off with a few from her trail. Otherwise, all went well! After breakfast we packed up and headed off to Promega for showers. Our church service answered all my questions about the relationship between Jesus and the Easter bunny. If you are at all interested you should check it out on line! You know it will be good as the name of the sermon is "Peeps". Everyone's favorite Easter treat.

Click here if you want to see the service and understand the history of the peep! It's about 30 minutes long - but very good.

Peeps

Click here to see more photos from this AM's hunt!

Easter Egg Hunt '07

















Here is a little video clip ... Sorry, but part of it is side ways ....

The First Hunt

Take one. This is the first of maybe three Easter Egg hunts the kids will partake in this year. We skipped a couple already. The grocery store had one at 7a. Uh, I'll pass. This is by far the coldest we've had an Easter Egg hunt. I was kind of trying to convince the kids that they would not want to go since it was so cold. I guess that was a bit of a foolish thought. As in years past, Acacia will not go anywhere near the bunny and Chris will go racing up to him and almost take him out with his all powerful knee grab. We tried to get a photo of him with the bunny (an no other kids) buy this proved to be impossible. So, we just left him there to be in others family photos too.

The hunt started at 1:00:00 PM. It was over at 1:00:37 PM. Acacia's friend (Ellie) showed up so she did not have to hunt alone. Each year this event has been interesting for Acacia. This is the first year that did not involve tears. Last year she got 6 eggs and remembers "selecting" each one specifically. This years goal was to get more then 6. She almost did not succeed as when they blew the starting whistle she ran past all the eggs towards the tall grass and then over towards where the younger kids were hunting. But, with enough yelling - this was corrected and a large basket of eggs was obtained.

Randy had Chris in the younger kid section and I guess Chris had a similar start. For some reason they feel the need to run to the far edge and work their way back. But, Chris got plenty as well. After the hunt if you got special eggs (with star stickers on them) you got additional candy and if you got an egg with a pony (not a bunny) you got to pick a little stuffed bunny. Acacia got a pony so she also got a bunny. Did you follow that? One of the extra treats they got were those lovely 3 foot long pixie sticks filled with flavored sugar. Needless to say, no one had a nap - or quiet time today.

Tomorrows schedule .... Easter bunny arrives and leaves two jelly bean trails, candy, hard boiled decorate eggs, more candy, one special little game or something and, uh - candy. Chris wakes up (we all wake up) the hunt begins. Then we all pile in the van and go to Promega to shower. Church at 11a, run errands and then to our friend HoiMing's for another hunt. This is worse then Halloween. Jelly beans last forever.

More to come on the additional hunts. I have yet to have anyone explain to me what the Easter bunny and Jesus rising from the dead have to do with each other. Anyone??




Here is Chris and the bunny and some other unknown kid.























This is Acacia and her poker face - eyeing up where the star and pony eggs are.











Yeah!! Chris came over to say hello before the hunt!












This is Ellie! She went to the 7a hunt at the grocery store and will be at HoiMing's tomorrow too. I bet the dentist loves her!! (we also hear she'll do anything for a Mike n Ike ....)












The whistle is blow and the tape is down!














Yippy!! More then 6!!














AND NO TEARS!!














Success for Chris!













A good time was had by all!