Boating Fun

Funny story behind this one: Ella was really brave and wanted to go in the little boat by herself. So, she got in and we let her out about 10 feet and tied it off to our boat. Within seconds, the rope came untied from the boat and she was set asail by herself. Within a split second of realizing that she was loose, she started to scream and cry. Of course we had to rub it in and wave goodbye to her. Eventually Dad had to jump in and swim after her. Does anyone realize how cold the Puget Sound is? Both Chuck and Ella were unhappy by the time they got back aboard.














Taylor working on his tan. Check out the sweet hair. Taylor is going into 10th grade this year. A big high schooler.













For some reason I think of the "White Wedding" Video when I see Ella in her headdress.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Photography by Ella at the M&M movie.


















AAARRGGGHH with some dracula teeth thrown in.


























Notice Taylor is still wearing jeans and it's only 100 degrees
















Ella and Daddy love the pool.

We all had a great time in Vegas. Taylor got to bring his longtime friend Jordan and Ella just had a great time by herself as she always does. The boys actually really played good with her and kept her entertained. I have to say that she is much tougher than them as she can walk for miles as they would just complain about how tired and hot they were. It was great to have really hot weather to unthaw us. When we came home, we were met by rain and cool wind --- booooo!

Stay OFF the Road.

Taylor is about to be driving. Can you believe it? I am not too worried about him, because he is so responsible and laid back. He tells me he will not be in any hurry to get where he is going and that he will just be cruising his ride. Ya Right.

Do you know how much it is to insure a child? At least $300 per month. OUCH!

So, Chuck is excited to look for a car- we were thinking that a nice smaller pickup would be good. (Better gas mileage and one seat- will not fit many friends. ) So he and Taylor went to look at cars the other day. After seeing some nice trucks Taylor informs him that he needs an SUV because they have leather and great stereos or that he really likes BMW's. Chuck came home kind of bummed and tells me this. I said, and you told him where to stick it right? I guess it did not occur to Chuck that the kid does not need to be spoiled all the time.

What will you do???

Here is a question for all of you that do not have teenagers yet. You think you are so smart, but just you wait... So last night, it is 11:00 pm. I am trying to sleep and my cell phone signals that I have a text message. Weird, I never get text messages. I look, and it is from Taylors girlfriend. Am I seeing things? I think I'm having a dream. As I read the first of three messages, She tells me that Taylor does not know she is texting me, but she would like to know if he can come to her house this weekend and attend her little brothers b-day party. As I lay there in a stupor, wondering what the hell is going on, I think back to when I was 15 and crushing on boys. All that I can recall is that I would have DIED before I ever asked a boys parents anything let alone even speak to them. What is happening? I think another woman is taking over MY son. I can't take it. So, I ignore the messages totally until I can talk to Taylor. The next morning I mention to him the text messages and he turned a slight color of green. He could not believe that she did it behind his back. I got the hint that he did not really want to go to this party, and just ignored the invite. Then she takes it in her own hands to get him there. I try to probe to see what he might do about it and he had no clue. I tried to explain to him that girls should be somewhat modest in their actions. Good God I feel old and it seems like my son has already turned into a typical man and lets his manhood be carried around in a purse. What to do?

HANG LOOSE

I found this old picture of Lonnie when we went to Hawaii when we were kids. He had met a buddy while on our trip. I do not however, remember him actually surfing. WOW, check out those calves on him- even when he was young they were huge.

He and I were laughing the other day because Ella has two bottom teeth that are loose and he told me he remembers me losing a tooth in Hawaii. I told him that I remembered him chasing me to our hotel room, and I barely made it in the door and slammed it on his big toe and ripped his toe nail off. Then, for fear of a sure pummeling, I would not let him in- bloody toe and all until my Dad got back to the room. I had a nice laugh about that. Those were fun times.

Superbowl Fun

Ella and Quinn had great fun during the Super Bowl. Kelly let Lonnie bring him up and we promised to watch him. He chased Ella around for hours - her on roller skates and Quinn with one slipper left on his little feet. She would run away screaming "Chucky's gonna get me" and Quinn would laugh and laugh. I thought for sure he would collapse at some point, but he kept going and going.

After a while, we thought we would play a joke on Mom, so we gave Quinn an empty beer bottle and took pictures. I was quite pleased that I caught one that actually looked drunk. I promptly emailed it to Kelly and told her not to worry, her son was in good hands. I really think it was the responsible Sister-in-law thing to do. Thanks to Lonnie for the GREAT Gumbo. I think we all ate way too much.

For Nicci

This one's for Nicci- Taylor and Ella running on the beach in Newport last year. Insert O and C and you have great times. How I wish that we could just jump in the car and be at a warm beach. Probably it is our month of freezing, snow and wind storms that is talking, but I just want summer. Good Luck with your move. When we go to Disneyland we for sure have to visit. Also, we jump in the car and you are in Cali. in 17 hours. It can be the same for you to come and visit.