Monday, July 31, 2006

Some Summer Projects

Supporting pet rescurers...



Take a look at this new Web site that includes "clothes" for your pet! I've been working on it with the woman whom we got Isabelle from over a year ago.

Go to http://doggiecloset.site.with.us/home and check it out!

Kids Scrapbooking...

It all started with Beth and Lil...then, their three friends got into it with them. Such fun! Although, our family albums look like they have large missing holes in them. And, the digital camera has been busy, busy, busy. Good project...keeps hands and minds occupied.

Sports Camp Starts Tomorrow!

Friday, July 28, 2006

The End of Summer is Approaching Fast!

Well, as usual plans change. Because Beth and Lil missed the Water Park at Six Flags, they've opted to go to Holiday World/Surfin' Safaari in Southern Indiana instead of going to Chicago before school starts. (See where we're going: http://www.holidayworld.com/.)

The girls school registration is August 10-11. Then, school starts on August 24 here...early!

Jim has spine surgery in Springfield scheduled on August 14. A dear friend from Steeleville will be staying in the house during that week to be with Beth and Lil, and of course, to be sure the animals are well taken care of.

Next week, the girls are off to the Christian Athletes Day Camp for three days. Last year both of them earned performance medals. This year they are participating in soccer, volleyball and cheerleading. (For more info, go to http://www.sifca.org/.)

All that activity will make Holiday World a welcome treat. There are sure to be lots of pictures on our upcoming posts.

Right now, the girls have revived their passion for Pokemon Trading Cards. It's hard to believe that there's such an obsession over these things. Besides having the entire den floor covered in cards, our watching list (not to mention the bidding list!) on eBay is jammed with them. The only thing I won't allow is anyone to place a bid, unless I do it for them. We're already getting carried away. It probably won't break us, though...at $.01 to $.50 each, their allowances handle most of the choices.

Gotta go...everyone is clammoring to get on the computer. Guess we've finally reached the stage where another computer is warranted.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Just a Few Photos...

Not too many pictures from Six Flags:

The Fountain.

Bethany ready to go shopping.


Lilly disappointed that the Water Park closed...soothing herself with an ice cream cone...what a look!

Lilly's cat, Callie, snoozing the day away.


Max the Eagle getting his daily neck rub... enjoy!

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Catching up on our summer activities....

Hi everyone! We are about half way through our many-event planned summer vacation. So far we've managed to stay pretty close to the original schedule. Here's a recap of our activities for your information and interest:


BETHANY'S BIRTHDAY
We started out celebrating Beth's 12th birthday at Ultimate Gymnastics with several friends - both kids and adults. It was a blast. Although, Beth sprained her ankle on the trampoline. It didn't dampen her spirits though. She loved the party, gifts and just having all her friends and family around. She has especially appreciated getting belated gifts from distant relatives - Great Grandparents Holland, Grandma Nancy, and Aunt Kristin.

LILLY'S BIRTHDAY
After camping a few times earlier in the spring, having a surprise camping birthday party for Lilly seemed to be a good idea. Well, it was, except for the surprise rain shower, the surprise massive bug bites, the surprise police raid of some other campers... Overall, Lilly's 11th birthday celebration was fun and a great time was had by all kids and adults who joined us at the Crab Orchard Campgrounds. She too has especially appreciated getting belated gifts from distant relatives - Great Grandparents Holland, Grandma Nancy, and Aunt Kristin.

JIM AND MARI'S 30TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
What more can be said...30 years. We made it this far, there's no turning back now! As we've been remembering the years, there are many of them we can't recall. What is crystal clear, our love has never wavered. In spite of all our tests and tragedies, we've worked together. There was no special celebration; although it would have been nice to have had a family reunion; but, we did have a nice dinner with Beth and Lill reminiscing about the last 10 years or so.

SIX FLAGS - ST. LOUIS
July 4th offered us the opportunity to get some fantastic discount tickets which we took advantage of to take the family to Six Flags. Unfortunately, we arrived so late that the Water Park was closing. We spent time window shopping and snacking...not much else. Thank goodness the tickets weren't full price. The fireworks weren't even a "blast."

HEARTLAND BAHA'I SUMMER SCHOOL
Following Six Flags, we went directly to Springfield, IL to attend the Heartland Baha'i Summer School. This year, we also managed the Bookstore. The girls met some old and new friends, as did we. We agreed that we're getting too old to be the entrepreneur-types anymore. Yet, it was fun...for a while.


Now, we're home getting ready for the next event on the summer schedule...which is the girls attending a 3-day Christian Sports Academy Camp; then they're off to a Cardinal's baseball game; we're off to Chicago in early August; then Jim has spinal surgery; and finally, we expect to go to the Greenlake Baha'i Conference in Greenlake, WI. Once summer is over and the girls are in the 6th and 7th grades, Jim and I will be taking a hiatus for a while. (Ya, right!)