Happy 2009 to all!
Yes, I have heard your complaints that I have not blogged for months. Yes, I am ashamed. Yes, I will try to do better.
General news. Thanksgiving went well. Drew came home from Colorado and showed us his new truck. Bob and I had our own little Thanksgiving dinner here. Then we had the annual Day after Thanksgiving Christmas Crafts night with Rachel and the kids and Drew here. This year we made visors and puppets.
We took Cash and Veronica up to visit Bob's parents before Christmas. Everyone had a great time. Cash was a little shy around Herman and Toni at first. But once Toni gave him candy, she was his BEST friend. He still looks at her picture in the living room and says, "Candy, ummm, good!"
We also went to see Santa. Veronica continued her long friendship with Santa. Cash did not care for him! Again, candy saved the day. We were able to get him to stay on Santa's lap long enough for a picture. Somebody was crying in the picture.
For Christmas, Drew came from Colorado again, my Mom came from Oklahoma, and Rachel and the kids came too. Christmas Eve we were all here with my sister Bev, my sister-in-law Debbie, and my friend Robin. My brother Bill had to work. We had fun and both Veronica and Cash were thrilled with their gifts. Cash's phrase for the night was, "Mo pesants!" Veronica just enjoyed it all. Rachel and the kids spent the night, so we got to have Christmas morning together. We really cut down on gifts, 1) because of the economy and 2) Rachel begged us not to add more toys to her house. Of course, we had to get some things.
On Christmas day, Veronica went to her Dad's for awhile to open presents with him and her grandpa and his family. Then Rachel, the kids, and Drew went to their paternal grandparents' house dinner where they met up with their dad and his family. Again, the kids loved the presents.
Bob, Mom, and I went to the casino to eat buffet and then drove around the corner to Bob's parents where we had a nice visit.
Then we all got together in the evening to play with the kids and their toys.
During the week Bob and Drew went to a gun show and shopping for man stuff. Mom and I went house hunting. We found one, but I don't know if she will buy it or not.
Then Drew returned to Colorado. Then right after that he left with his company to go for training in LA. Currently, he is in the low areas "fighting" in an actual practice Iraqi village. He has only been able to call once. Our conversation included this..."Yeah, today we got to shoot live rounds and have people shoot live rounds at us. And then Apache helicopters were dropping stuff down on us. It was cool!" Long pause on my part..."When you say people were shooting live rounds AT you, what exactly does that mean?" "Not really AT us, just toward us..." Sometimes you don't want to know the answer.
At the end of the month Drew is supposed to go to AR for actual sniper training. I won't be asking questions then either.
In the week before the new year, Bob, Veronica, and I followed Mom home and did a couple of repairs to her house, so she can get it listed. We also helped her sort. She is still doing that!
School started back and there was much drama between administration and staff. Somewhat smoother, but there are some hard feelings. It was nice to see the students after their break.
I have been very busy with some of the organizations I am in. I think I will be taking off the summer from any school duties.
Rachel has been working on her part of the textbook business. She was gone out of state for a couple of weeks and the kids stayed with me. It was fun to spoil them even more than normal. they were both very well behaved. Rachel goes out frequently with friends.
Bob has actually been home for weeks. He has appreciated the time to relax at home. He has gone out locally some days. He is leaving this week for New York and he might get to go see Mike and Ryan.
Bob has made LOTS of money this year! Teachers really are underpaid. I work much more often than he does. It was great to get some bills paid off, but this is the first year we don't have any kids to claim on our taxes. We are nervous.
Mike and Ryan has a nice Christmas too. They went over their aunt's for the day. Their Grandma Dolores sent us a picture and they both look mature and happy.
Some of our family have recently reached MAJOR milestones in their lives.
Big news for Ryan! He has now graduated from high school! Michael is scheduled to graduate in June. We don't know if they will choose to walk at graduation, but we want to go see them anyway.
Veronica has big news too! She is learning to write cursive letters. You probably aren't that excited, but she really is!
Cash has big news too! He can potty in the toilet. He is basically potty trained during the day. And if he wets at night, he gets up early yelling, "Get it off!" about his diaper.
Talk about progress!
That is about all I have. I hope you enjoy the pictures I am going to post.
Read more in 2010...just kidding...I will post again sooner than that!
Cash took this stunning picture of me!
Rachel is 27 and a half. Drew is 23 and a half. They are still children at heart!
