Meet Sammy the Beta Fish

Lauren has a new friend named Sammy. She says he's cute and she loves him and always gives him a kiss before bed.

Lauren's Fifth Birthday

Firebird Lanes hosted a birthday for a big five year old and her many friends. There were hot dogs and chicken fingers and pizza, too. Lauren recieved many presents. Here below she demonstrates her great skill at bowling. (she had the highest score)



These kids are great eaters!

Valentines Day at the YMCA

Lauren and Delaney are celebrating Valentines Day at the YMCA. The Kool Aid was sublime and the goodies were numerous. A good time was had by all!

Happy New Year 2005

Happy New Year to our family and friends. Today we celebrated with Pam and Larry, Linda and Robert, and ourselves, Dawn, Lauren, Spencer and Max. As is tradition around here we start the year off with a Hoppin John, which is sure to bring good luck. In the picture above, Linda and Pam slave over a skillet full of fried chicken. What's that apron Pam is wearing?




Dawn,ready at the stove, tends yet another skillet of chicken. In the background, is a plate of fried okra and a mess of collards.



Time for a group shot, Sissy had to be hog-tied and drug into this shot.



Larry and Robert stand guard over the Brie.

Our menu:

Hoppin John (black-eyed peas with ham hocks served over rice)
Collards (more hocks)
Fried Green Beans (with peppered bacon and garlic)
Fried Okra (dipped in egg, dredged in cornmeal)
Cole Slaw (Dawn's recipe..totally addictive)
Fried Chicken (Southern Style ... is there any other way?)
Star Cookie Cutter Nija Throwing Bisquits
Black Tea (iced of course)
Sweet Potato Pie (with fresh whipped cream)
Peruvian coffee

Man, these fixins were good!

Christmas 2004

The family shot. We got up at 7:30, Spencer woke us and I immediately made the coffee. Lauren was in a frenzy (can you blame her?). We had gotten to bed at a reasonable time and were all relatively coherent. We exchanged half the presents and Erik called from the Philippines. We had a great time talking with him ... almost for an hour! During that time Andrew called from Taiwan and spoke to his mom til his card ran out. We were all very uplifted by the boys calls. We returned to the presents and then had a big breakfast.



After breakfast Sissy had to bake a cake with her new appliance. When her cake was finished she had chocolate icing all over her...I missed that Kodak moment! Drats!



Spencer poses with his new skateboard. Cool graphics, no?



Here's the food shot. Not seen were my cookie cutter tree bisquits. Erik wants us to send him home recipes and the products to make his mom's Marinara sauce and my Clams Carltonni. Expect a box, buddy!

I have been pacing myself with the food, but we all went overboard. I have yet to have a slice of the apple crumb pie with a generous scoop of Hagen-Daas ice cream.

Oh Christmas Tree

As the holiday approaches, we frantically drive back and forth to the malls. It's nice just to relax and look at the tree sitting brightly in the corner. We went to the lot and found this grand little noble. In its stand it nearly reached the ceiling. The girls attacked it with all our pretties past and present. I haven't noticed the smell of the tree this year!

Happy Birthday Dawn!

Here's mama as we celebrate her ** birthday. Earlier Linda came by and watched Lauren and the mom and dad went out for some Mexican seafood. Dawn had a shrimp and chilli pepper dish and I had crab enchiladas...yum! We also enjoyed a magarita, too.




When we returned to the house Linda, Lauren and Spencer had made plates full of Christmas cookies. We lit the candles on top of the Death by Chocolate cake I had made and sang Happy Birthday to mom. And... and... Erik called from the Philippines to wish his mom a happy birthday. What a good boy!

Erik's going to Thailand

Erik, Andre and Caio say their prayers for fun on the upcoming trip to Thailand. I hope the Thais take pity on this rambunchous group.



Here's the whole crew, in uniforms at Tato's house against the backdrop of the Philippines flag. School uniforms, prayer ... it's a long way from Kansas.



More like it. These dudes are ready to take a break from their 7am to 5pm school schedule. I hope I can get some great pictures of Erik's adventure.

Lauren's Ballet Practice

Aren't they precious? Every Wednesday the girls troop down to the dance studio and practice ballet. Lauren said she prefers gymnastics, but is warming up to ballet.

In Mom's Clothes

Earlier this evening Lauren decided to dress up. Althought the size may not be the best fit, she had the poise and charm of a New York model. She insisted that I take a picture and put it on the blog. What a kid!

Jackie's Fashion Show

Who are those gorgeous models! Purple velvet and all smiles. Dawn, Lauren and someone else's baby ready themselves for the runway at the Reid Opera House. This afternoon tea and fashion show was a great hit and the girls really strutted their stuff. Yea! You guys look great!

Thanksgiving at Pam and Larry's

Here's my cousin, Pam and her husband, Larry. They are such fun. Here poised above a delectable turkey, they "ham" it up for a shot against the backdrop of their gorgeous and functional kitchen.



Getting ready to sit down for our traditional dinner. We had, Turkey, cornbread stuffing with ham, yams with a berry,cilantro and jalepeno sauce, cranberries with a all spice type glaze, steamed spinach with roasted pine nuts and other fine dishes to boot. Later for dessert we enjoyed a berry cobler, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, Stohl bread and great coffee and tea.



Dawn and Pam capture this photo op against the backdrop of the atrium. Their home is beautiful. The craftsmanship and design of their 1925 home make it gorgeous, sensible and very Northwest. The atrium has a wet bar, heated stone floor and leads out onto a tiered deck and patio area.



Dawn looks at the photo album of the restoration. Pam and Larry lived in a motel for four months while the work was being done. The walls all have a different medium pastel tint which is very human and warm. Can't say enough about how nice a job was done there.

Checker Hitch & Bumper

This probably isn't a big deal to anyone but me. But...it's my blog..mine, mine, mine. After many attempts ending in failure, tonight I successfully removed these two royal pains. Now I can drop the gas tank and begin its' restoration. The back bumper is lousey with rust, but I will get some opinions and see if it can be saved. I earlier fired up the kerosene heater for the first time this winter, it wasn't long before I was down to my t-shirt.

Mary in Repose

Mary, Lauren and I spent the day at the house. Here Mary is calling back home to see if all is well. It was. We enjoyed the day with conversation and reminicing. I hope her trips out here aren't soo far apart. I am soo excited for her and Linda. They are leaving early Wednesday morning for a few days in London and then off to Paris for a week. E N V Y..... Fromage, vino ...

Pre-Thanksgiving Feast

Mhaire, Linda, Dawn, Mary and Lauren pose before a table of delectables. I had to name them for Erik's sake. We all had a great time. Timothy and Robert are absent and I am taking this picture. Beer, wine and conversation were abundant.


Mhaire and Timothy capture us in this shot. It felt like a press conference with all the flashs going off. After dinner we had fruitcake, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, ice cream and coffee.

Mary Visits From Charleston

Mary showed up with Linda and they brought a huge Chinese takeout feast. Both were a little tapped out from having airport delays, etc. Mary looks great and both are looking forward to their trip to England and France. Specifically, London and Paris.

Its great to sit and chat. Catching up on all the relations and situations. I have asked that they find me something very French to put into the Checker. An Eifel Tower or Beret would be cool.

We are looking forward to sharing an early Thanksgiving with them. (They leave early Wednesday morning) Spencer has requested leg of lamb and Mary wants salmon. Wow, sounds good to me!

Spencer's Band Concert

Here's our band man...Spencer. The group, a combination of South Salem High, Judson Middle and Leslie Middle regalled the audience with some rousing patriot tunes to commenmorate Vetrans Day. This is as close as we have ever gotten when he was playing. I could even hear his clairinet! No burps or honks were heard. Great job Spencer!!!

Post Election Payoff

Today in the mail arrived 12 coupons, each representing a free pint of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Our hard work in the campaign paid off! I'd hate to do the calories burned to calories received...B&J would lose.

Chocolate, Vanila, Peanut Butter Cup and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. 1/2 cup equals 350 calories. I tore into the Peanut Butter Cup and growled when anyone even looked at it.

Pictures of Erik...Friends

Erik at Pagsanjan Falls




All of the exchange students (but Lewis) at a resort in Mindoro L-R Bruna(Brazil) Andre(Brazil) Vanessa(Canada) Alejandra(Mexico) Victoria(Wisconsin) Me Camille(Brazil) Caralie(Canada) Caio(Brazil) Sheila(Canada)

Election Day in Precinct 0371

Joy, myself and George take a moment in door to door canvassing to strategize over a map. It was pouring rain. They are such troopers!




Sidney and friend in from the cold and wet. Friend locked his keys in the car. Dawn drove them home to get another set.

Many thanks to Laura, Benno, Cy, Xann, Kathy, David, Dale, Glenda, Dawn and Carol "Sunshine". We did our jobs and won our state!