First Day of School - Aug 2007

Luke and Rylee started school this week with Luke in the 2nd grade and Rylee starting Wee School at church. Luke’s first day was Tuesday and when everyone was ready to leave Ashley noticed that Rylee had her backpack on and was ready to go. She was so disappointed since her first day was not until Thursday. So, on Thursday she got ready again and had a great first day. The Wee School program is wonderful and they teach them so many things. Of course, with her being so smart (especially according to Grammy), she will do great. She has known her ABC’s for some time now and can count with the best of us so we will look forward to her coming home with new songs to sing and papers to show off. Luke still likes and excels in his classroom. He has decided not to play soccer this year and has narrowed his sports to basketball and baseball so far. Next year he will be able to play football. I hope they both have a great year…..

Audubon Aquarium 8/4/07

What a great weekend! Ashley, Pete, Luke, and Rylee came to New Orleans for the weekend for the sole purpose of going to the Audubon Aquarium. We had promised Luke for a year that we would go and it was so worth it. Luke touched a Stingray and also got to “pet” a shark. Afterwards we walked around Jackson Square and shopped a little while after eating lunch at Bubba Gumps Seafood Restaurant. I asked Luke last night what he thought was the best thing in the aquarium and naturally he said the sharks. Then I asked Rylee the same thing and she said “MY SHOES.” What a girly girl – thinking only about her new shoes!!!!!! I guess the sharks just didn’t compare with the same feeling as getting a new pair of shoes……

Luke & Rylee's Birthday Party 7/28/07

Luke and Rylee had a GREAT birthday (or should I say birthdays). They celebrated together with a swimming party at Pa’s house with lots of their friends and family. The kids all loved the pool and the big water slide. Afterwards, they both said they had a wonderful time and so much fun. They never did quite get the “blowing the candles out” thing figured out since they were sharing a cake and had to blow at the same time. Their blue underwater cake was made by none other than their beautiful Mom, Ashley.

Speaking of Ashley, she went for her 2nd ultrasound this past Friday. The ultrasound tech told them the baby was showing out by waving, and putting it’s foot in it’s mouth. Everything looked good and she and Pete didn’t get weak about their decision to not find out whether it is a girl or a boy. We will all have a big surprise this December and can’t wait! Luke got to see the ultrasound and was really impressed. He asked lots of questions and was excited to be involved. He wants to be in the room when the baby is born. We’ll see how that goes. Rylee won’t even talk about a new baby in the house.

Russ started his job at the prison on July 23 and was glad to finally get started. He will be going to Georgia sometime soon for three weeks of training. Everything has fallen into place for him since he came back from Iraq in April and then home for good in May. We are so happy to have him home!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Erin will start her last year of nursing school next month – YEA!!!

As for me, I have been in New Orleans for 11 months now and plan on being home no later than the end of October. This has been a long hard year for me and I will be so glad to get home to my family. It has never gotten any easier to be away from home……..

More Beach Pics 2007

Orange Beach June 23-30, 2007

There is never ever enough time! All year long our anticipation for our vacation grows and grows and then we leave for the beach and way too soon it is over and it seems like we just got there. We had an even greater vacation this year because we FINALLY had Russ along - something we had looked forward to for so long. Our days were filled with lounging in the sun (well, that's what the girls did) and eating lots of good food. While the girls did most of the lounging the guys played in the sand and the surf! Luke was even better this year on his skim board and Rylee was a tiny bit better about getting closer to the water. Pete and Russ played lots of paddle ball and their muscles grew by leaps and bounds but I'm not sure the body slams in the sand did them any good at all. I have to say they really put their heart into it (they are secretly hoping paddle ball will be added as a new Summer Olympics sport so they can compete)! Everyone enjoyed swimming in the pool. Also while there our activities included miniature golf, go-carts, deep sea fishing (Russ, Pete & Luke), and shopping (Ashley, Erin, Rylee & Me). Now we have to accept that it is over and start looking forward to next year where once again we will say "let's move down here" knowing all along that it wouldn't be a special place if we actually did live there. Until next year......