Random

Flashback

Gone are the days that this will do or that we'll all even fit in such a thing. 

Lately

We've been making sure they don't stand right next to each other.

Summer will be over soon and we'll hopefully have other things to concentrate so hard upon. 

We Found Take Out!

Chicago Style

Girl's Weekend

Cirque Du Soleil!

 

Just the girls.

With an overnight in the city and breakfast room service the next morning.

Perfect.  I suspect there will be many more to come.

 

We were apparently so worn out, the girls just collapsed in their clothes at the end of the night.

The Actual Birthday

Man, that was a tall cake that we had to hold together with kabob skewers.

Gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Airplane.

 

Alida, you asked for wings and peas for dinner.  Because you always have to add something healthy mother, I know."

Elaine, big ole messy ribs for you.

 

Man, that was a large cake. 

Random Memories

Houston

Elaine came home with this platter of food from a crab boil down the street.

She didn't want to eat a single piece of it, but was proud of her gathering skills.

Important Work

We paused after for a family photo.

 

But that day, the kids all helped pin rank on their dad.

 

It was serious business.

 

And complicated, all those bells and whistles.

 

And we reaffirm again that we all will serve, but the children were already eyeing the cakes by this point.

Happy Birthday Ladies!

I look like I have it all under control that day, right?!

I recall laughing a lot when the nurse said they needed to test whether my water had actually broken.  Then, I think I wrenched that handle right off the side of the bed and attempted to beat someone with it.

 

We were prepared!

 

Really prepared.

 

And then we had the help of the nurses, and we stayed there in the hospital as long as allowed because we knew we could never really be prepared.

 

And soon, we did not have the help of the nurses any longer...

 

And we were so unprepared for your brightness and humor and magic.

You've added it every day for 10 years now (some days more than others),

and I cannot wait for the next 10 ladies.

 

Happy Birthday!

Vegetable Garden

At the school, definitely not our house.

At the school just across the park that the ladies will go to this fall.

We just need to get them registered.

One thing at a time.

Found While Unpacking

Nicholas's lotion with a threat:

"I'm coming for you."

 

Life at 10 and 11, fascinating. 

Congratulations Patric!

And during our first weekend here, we had our first houseguests!

 

For a very important ceremony.

 

Congratulations Lieutenant-Colonel Stuber.

We are so very proud of you.

You can tell because we even got all dressed up for the event!

 

To me, you are still the man who gives me the real chair when we have the choice of the chair or the bean bag, which make me smile 20 years into this journey.  That you will give me the chair and also that you can actually get out of a bean bag without falling over...

The Dog

Is settling in.

A little more inside time.

A lot less freedom to run.

Getting used to walks on a leash.

But he will always want more popcorn.

Before we Left

We used up some ammo on the Wetumpka property.

No immediate place for this in our new world.

Alida is an excellent shot.

And Then

He got the kids, while the dog and I unpacked for four days straight.

 

Elaine has her own room.  Alida too, but that one is still under construction...

 

Dining Room made for our furniture.

 

A kitchen.  It'll work.

 

An office space.

 

Boys still sharing. Which is just how Ben wishes it to be.  Nick maybe not so much, but he's being gracious.

 

We're looking forward to welcoming folks here in our rental for a couple of years. 

 

Someday, we'll grow-up and figure out where to land.  Someday.

Six Days in June

They went flying.

 

We waited.

 

They pet cows.

 

We waited

 

They had a garage sale.

 

We waited.

 

They built a patio.

 

We waited.

 

They went to the library.

 

We waited.

 

They went shooting.

 

 

Our stuff arrived!