The Girls New Room

For Christmas of 2007, the girls present was a "new room". Our friend, Amy Pottenger, who is the owner of an interior design firm, helped us out. Recently, she showcased the girl's on her blog....take a look:

http://refreshdesign.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/before-after/

Spring Break 2009 - Gatlinburg, TN

Spring Break this year was spent at the foothills of The Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, just outside of Gatlinburg. We avoided the "tourist" areas of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (except for one night at the Dixie Stampede). Mostly, we spent time in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Breathtakingly beautful. Very relaxing.
Would have loved to stay another week...

Our log cabin...

The view from right outside our cabin...


Nothing better than hanging in the jacuzzi, watching TV...

Wating to saddle up for a ride in the mountains...

Thrilled, isn't he?

Our most experienced rider...

Molly got to ride a horse named "Cadillac"

Jackie-boy on "Pumpkin". Half way through the ride, Jack's saddle slid off.
No harm done...whew!

Out on the trail

Dinner at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede (Dolly wasn't there)...

...so we settled for a picture with one of the "Cowgirls".

Grey shirt, blue hat. North or South? Hmmmm!

One day of shopping never hurt anyone...especially when the boys didn't have to go :-)

Behind "Grotto Falls" in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park

A shot from behnid the falls (yes, that's snow in the mountains)

The Fam at Grotto Falls

Trail side break on the way back from Grotto Falls...beautiful

Lunch in Cade's Cove...ahhhhh

Jack loves being a boy...we don't need no stinkin' bathrooms!

Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls

The Fam on the way back from Abrams Falls...5 mile round trip hike.


Stopped in Indianapolis on the way back to have dinner with Aunt Jean and Uncle Gorden

Winter is Over...I think

It looks like the worst of winter is gone. For most of January through March, there's not much excitement except what the kids are doing in school. Take a look at some of their winter activities from the past few months...

Elegant Day 2009
The kids dress up at school to celebrate Valentines Day.

100 Day
"ZERO THE HERO" makes an appearance to help the kindergarteners celebrate learning to count to 100!

Poetry Coffee House.
Jack's class dressed up as beatniks, and hosted a coffee house
while they recited their poems.

Jackie Boy's Kindergarten Program Highlights

Christmas 2008 in Dallas

Joey's Birthday Puzzle

Grand Rapids Men & Boys Choir

In September, Joey was invited to join the Grand Rapids Men and Boys Choir. Since then, he's been practicing twice each week in preparation for their Christmas Concerts. This is not just a singing group. Joey is learning liturgical music, music theory, and much much more.


Below are some pictures as well as a You Tube video from the concert on Monday. The YouTube video is 1 hour. You can get a good feel by watching the begining, when they sing Silent Night. Also, there are close ups of Joey at mintues 12, 19, 44:36 and 50:48.


Yes, we're gushing, proud parents!!! Enjoy

Joey getting ready for his Sunday concert

Getting ready for warm ups...

Mr. Bosscher lining up the Choir

Joey and his pal Sam "loosening up" before warm ups

Joey in his vestments

Warms ups at St. Andrews.

The choir performing


Joey's girlfriend Carley came to the concert on Monday night

Decorating The Tree

Thought you might like to see a few shots from the night we decorated the tree...

Lost Video of Jack Dancing at Stacey and Joe's Wedding 2007

Jack's First Visit to South Bend...

Last Saturday, through the generosity of a friend, I (Jay) was able to take Jack, Joey and Joey's friend Chris to the Notre Dame - Pitt Game. It was Jack's first trip to South Bend for a game. He was pretty excited (although the two hour car ride didn't thrill him much). Things got better when we got to campus, and I bought him a green #7 jersey. He's worn it 2 or 3 times since the game. After a dog and a coke outside the stadium, we got to our seats, and he just soaked it in...for all of 10 minutes. Then he asked, "When's the game gonna start?" "30 minutes" I said. "But watch the band, and watch the guys on the field kicking the ball". That pacified him for a few. After the national anthem, the two jets that did a fly-over got his attention. Then the game started. I had told him that we would be sitting for most of the time, watching the game. 5 minutes into the first quarter, he asked, "Are we going to stay for the whole game". As it turns out, we did...it was the longest game in Irish history. But Jack was a trooper, and a 2-hour nap on the way home was his reward.

Put on a football Jersey, and look what happens

Tailgating on a budget...

Dog and a Coke before the game.

Just before game time under the watchful eye of "Touchdown Jesus"

Halloween

Not much to report here...other than we dressed up and went around the neighborhood begging for candy. But other people came to our house and begged for candy too, so it all came out in the wash. The weather was perfect, and having Halloween on a Friday night was a bonus because the kids could stay up later.

Annual Pumpkin Carving at "Big" Grandma and Grandpa

Maggie digs in...



The artists and their work

Jack was an "Army Dude"...

...Molly, The Bride of Frankenstein...

...Maggie, the bridesmaid of Frankenstein

...and Joey was Two-Face from Batman.

Then, there's the Phantom of the Opera with ????




Hey Addams Family, Eat Your Hear Out!!!!!