Isn't she lovely?!

She really thinks she's something special when she has "pig tails". I think she's something specail no matter what!

Whoops, Did I say that?

Dorea and I were watching the "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding" movie the other night and I was reminded of something that happened to me. When I was in high school, I had a part time evening job at a local Pizza restaurant. My manager was from Iran and of course was bilingual. His cousin, Navid, also worked with us and was a little deviant. My manager told me one evening that his family was in the U.S. and would be stopping by the restaurant to eat dinner. His family included his mother, father, cousins, grandparents, and several others. None of his family who were visiting spoke any English. I asked my manager's cousin, Navid how to say "Welcome to our restaurant. Please, make yourself at home." in their language. I was going to surprise the family with my newly learned words to help them feel welcome. So finally they arrived and I ran to the front of the restaurant with my hands in the air loudly proclaiming what I thought was "welcome". They looked really surprised once I shouted this phrase in their language, a little too surprised. Their reaction was not what I expected. It was more of a mouth open, silent stare at me. At the same time my manager runs to the front and says to me, with a scouring tone, "what are you saying that for?" My manager says, "why are you telling my family that we have rats and you like to wear ladies underwear?" I looked in the corner to see Navid laughing hysterically. I, too, thought it was pretty funny. I am still friends with that manager. His family just thought I was some fool.

6 months in pics continued

Luke decorated DeWayne's birthday cake. He did such a great job. DeWayne turned 39 on March 7th this year. One more year until the BIG 4-0!!!!!


Miranda loves her babies.



No real reason, just too cute not to post! Every day, she makes me laugh. She's the best.



On this particular Saturday, I was doing laundry, unloading and re-loading the dishwasher, cleaning the house, etc, etc, etc. This is what the rest of my family was doing!!! Yes, DeWayne moved a TV to the deck so he could watch the game from the hot tub.


DeWayne and Luke worked together making the Pinewood Derby car for Luke's first Pinewood Derby race. You'd be amazed at some of the work people put into their car to win! Luke had fun.


After 3 1/2 years since moving to the "house on the hill", we FINALLY had snow! Atleast enough to sled on. Of course, by about 1:00pm the snow had melted and that was that. We did have a blast for a little while!!!


DeWayne & Miranda about to take off.


March 2008 - We has some friends over to decorate and color easter eggs. It was lots of fun.


Miranda and Sarah going for a little drive.


Easter Morning - AHH - What goodies did the Easter Bunny leave for us this year?


It was quite cold out, but Luke did not want to take time putting on clothes. So the bath robe would have to do. Crazy child! How many eggs can you find?


Easter Morning - on our way to worship. Don't they look sweet?


The Cub Scouts have a Blue & Gold Banquet each year. To provide desserts, there is a cake decorating contest for the boys to compete in. This is the cake Luke decorated. I did the base icing and gave direction for decorating, but he did all the deco work and writing. Really, he did! And.....he won the contest!


Most recently, Luke has started this years Little League. He is on the Farm Bureau Indians team. They won the Spirit Parade at opening ceremonies and have won their first 2 games!! Go Indians!!

6 months in pics

Well, it has been a really long time since I have contributed to this blog. You know how Time Magazine does a "Year in Pictures"? I figured I would do "The last 6 months in pictures". So here we go:

October 2007 - Halloween. I decided last Halloween ('06) that I wanted Luke to be Darth Vader in '07. Obviously, Miranda needed to be Yoda. They even got their light sabers for Christmas '06. That's how sure I was they were going to be Yoda and Darth in '07. Sick, I know, I need help. The whole reason was that I was Darth for Halloween when I was in first grade so I made Luke follow suit. His therapy is going to cost me big in the future!



















Fortunately, when we got to "Trunk-or-Treat" at church, the whole Star Wars clan was there! So fun!

This cute little Ferry was not for Halloween, but just because she can!




















Next we have Luke. He is a proud member of the Cub Scouts. It truly is a "Boys Club". War paint around a bon fire - can I get a big manly grunt please?!!


















December 2007
Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade 2007. Need I say more?














Cookies for Santa! We make cookies every Christmas Eve. Everyone gets in on the decorating. Miranda basically spent her "decorating" time eating the icing.



Christmas 2007! Luke really wanted a guitar for Christmas. I really want him to have some lessons now. Who knows, maybe he'll be the next "Nashville Star". Miranda was excited but still sleepy. There is no sleeping late on Christmas morning!





Strike a Pose!
Note the single mitten on Miranda's hand - this is one of the Starbucks gift card holders, so she had just one.


Well, I have had the most dificult time putting the pics where I want them in this post, so I am going to stop for now. I would love any advice regarding layout for pics in the blog. I will work on the next 3 1/2 months in my next post.
Love to all, Dorea

Back to Normal.......Yeah, right.

Finally, the water bill is back to normal. It was only 40 bucks this month. What a relief. Paid off the debt on Thursday then on Friday... the A.C. went out on the minivan! How lovely, just before summer time. Estimated cost...1,000 to 1,200. Somehow though, it's really no big deal. We're all healthy, we still eat too much, and everytime I lie down on the living room floor the kids attack me like I'm some beached whale. Life is good.