St Charles West 10 - U. City 7

Making the "W"! We thought the guys
did a great job!

The St Charles West band has a new director,

Mr. Ben Meyers. He brings a high level of

energy and the kids were having a ball!

I do watch the game (not just the band!)

Pre Game Show - First time to be on the field!

Eric is a great fan! He is proudly displaying

his Warrior Wear!

Dad and Uncle Mike following the game. This

was the 1st time Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike had

seen the boys march! We were all impressed by

their pregame and halftime show!

Wisconsin Wanderings - Carolyn

Marlin and Carolyn on a boat tour of the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. Our favortie was Madeline Island and seeing the lighthouses on Raspberry and Devil's Island. We started our trip in Eagle River, WI with Lori, Rod, Jake and Matt. We went in early August for 10 days. We broke off from Lori's family and headed up to Lake Superior. The weather was so cool while it was SO hot here in St. Louis.

Scripture Writing @ Jeff and Marion's - Nancy

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. . Write them on the doorframes of your homes and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Jeff and Marion are building a new home but more than that they are stepping out in faith as their home will be a retreat center. A place for people to come for any number of reasons . .healing lives and hearts. I had the opportunity tonight to be with a group of individuals who wrote scripture and prayers on the framing of the house and asking for God's blessing as Jeff and Marion step out in faith. It is an incredible house but more incredible is Jeff and Marion's love for the Lord and their stepping out to open their home in such an amazing way! May God Bless Jeff and Marion and their new venture.

Cardinal Game and Kyle - That's A Winner - Nancy

Kyle and I went to the Cardinals game last night. We had wonderful weather and Kyle is so much fun! The Cardinals scored 5 runs in the 5th and beat Atlanta 5-4! Before the game we did a little shopping in the team store - Eric needed an Ankiel shirt. They were tough to find - the guy in the store told us they are selling 2 to 1 over Pujols shirts now! Kyle went with Wainwright. At the last game Colton got a Taguchi shirt (he is Grandma's favorite player)!

Kyle was a champ as he agreed to get our picture together - the usher who took it thought we would want the field - you can tell he doesn't scrapbook! Go Cardinals.

Colton's Senior Pictures

For a guy who doesn't like to have his picture taken, at least by Aunt Nancy, he has some really great senior pictures. Colton has been playing the trumpet for 7 or 8 years now! Friday night, August 31, the St Charles West Marching Warriors will take the field for their first performance of the season - oh there is a football game that night also! Their class theme is "Leavin' the Tribe but Keeping Our Pride! The ratty hat has been his favorite for several years now!

Celebrating 49!

We celebrated Mom and Dad's 49th anniversary tonight. We all went to Tequila in St. Charles for a Mexican dinner. Matt and Jake are here so all 5 grandsons were there to celebrate. We were joined by Uncle Mike and Aunt Carol. We laughed about the boys looking at the wedding pics and Uncle Mike looking so young - we figured out he was 18 in their wedding. A good time was had by all! Here are some pics from dinner!

Happy 49th Anniversary Mom and Dad

Marlin and Carolyn were married on August 16th, 1958. It was a typical August day - hot and humid. They were married at the Christopher, IL Church of Christ (Mom atteneded there growing up). The church was small and had no foyer so when you opened the doors you were in the aisle. Well . . . .. they had quite a crowd at the wedding and someone thought to set up folding chairs in the aisles - only problem was they used the sides and the center (kind of forgot the wedding party would need to come down the aisle) Needless to say there was some shuffling of seats. The church had no air conditioning and at one point the minister leaned over to Mom to let her know that she had a cricket in her veil. We are thankful for the priority they have put on raising a Godly family. It is their utmost desire that we would all remain faithful all the days of our lives. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! We love you!

At a Florida Beach - don't they look great!?! Fun fact: Did you know they met in first grade and went through third grade together (Dad moved) and then didn't meet again till December 1957 at a party at Dad's cousin's house! They were engaged by Easter and married in August. Mom was a senior at SIU-Carbondale and Dad a senior at Murray State, KY.

Rick is Rocking Cardinal Nation - Nancy

We are all fired up watching Rick Ankiel play these last few days. No we have not forgotten his meltdown on the mound but you have to love his come back. How hard it must have been to transform yourself from a pitcher to an outfielder. Two homeruns today and one on Tursday night. Rick Ankiel might be just the boost the Cardinals need to finish out the season with dignity!

My good friend Lisa was let's say less than thrilled that Ankiel was coming back to the Cardinals. She has quite the theory on why he is still part of the Cardinal organization. Eric wants an Ankiel shirt.

Speaking of Eric - we had a great b'day celebration with him last night. I'll get some pics posted in the next few days. Colt and Ky are working a double shift today at Pizza Street. If you are ever at Pizza Street off Cave Springs look for them - they might be register, bussing, cooking, cleaning or even dressed as "Cheddar" out on the street.

Mom and Dad have been in northern Wisconsin since Friday (8/3) and plan to be home on Monday. They have had a great time. They are at Madeline Island on Lake Superior today. Tomorrow they start the drive home. I told them to get ready for the HEAT! I'll get Mom to post some pics and info about their trip!

Eric is a teenager 8-10-07

Happy Birthday to Eric!!!!! Eric has joined the ranks of his brothers. He's a teenager!!!!!

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 !!!

I Hate The Cardinals!!- Colton

Wells: the worst pitcher ever

Reyes: the second worst ever

Maroth: the worst pickup the cardinals ever got

Man this season has been a total waste. Every night I go to bed wondering why I'm still a fan of these losers. This could be the worst bunch of players I have ever seen on one team. Albert is the only player on this team that is good and even he is having a down year. But the worst part of this team has to be the pitching rotation. Have you ever seen a worse rotation on one team ever? You have Looper and Wainwright who have been okay and then the Three Stooges Maroth , Reyes, and Wells. I mean come on these three could not win a game to save their lives. Only one thing can make this season better and that is if the Cubs miss the playoffs. So for the last months of the season I only have one thing to say.... Go Brewers!!!!

Jake's White Water Adventure - Nancy

Jake, 17 y/o nephew, from central Illinois went on a white water rafting and kayak trip to West Virginia a few weeks ago. I had ordered a print from the trip website (Jake thought it cost too much but not to an aunt who scrapbooks!) Here is Jake in the kayak!

Baby It's Hot Outside - Go to the Pool! - Nancy

Above - Colton in pool. Below: Eric coming up steps. Kyle coming off the diving board.

It is so hot here in St. Louis. JD, Carla, the boys and myself spent the afternoon at the Bridgeton Pool. It is supposed to be high 90's for the next several days and heat index in the 100's! We had a great time at the pool!

They wanted me to get their pictures coming down the drop slide but they all looked like this - obviously I need to get a better with the digital camera and timing!

A New Minister - Nancy

We have a new minister at Maryland Heights, Keith Brown. He has been here for a few months but last Sunday we officially welcomed them with a fellowship. We had an old-fashioned potluck and you have never seen so many crockpots in one place! We were plugging them in in the kitchen, fellowship hall and classrooms. Keith and Valerie and their three girls Sarah, Hannah and Rebekah were our guests of honor. We are excited about serving the Lord together at Maryland Heights.

They could pass for brothers! It has been quite amusing for folks as they see JD from the back and call him Keith! Come visit us at Maryland Heights and meet Keith and his family.

Ugh the Rain and the Cardinals - Nancy

Last Friday evening Colton and I went to the Cardinals game. Spending the evening with Colton was a joy but I can't say much for the game. We had two rain delays and the Cardinals ended up losing 12-2. Probably should have just called the game!

Band Camp - Nancy

Colton and Kyle are in the St. Charles West Marching Band. They both play the trumpet. Colton is a senior this year and Kyle a junior. Some people go to a football game to watch the team - me I go for the half time show! Go Warriors! Here are a couple pics from band camp. From Monday noon - Thursday evening they practiced "marching" on the field for 35.5 hours! Way to go guys!

Colton is in the brights green shorts and Kyle in the dark green shorts. Their first game is August 31st at SCW.

This is Kyle in the cafeteria area. I would post a picture of Colton but he was way too busy to pose for a picture. As a senior he had to practice for their lip sync show. Apparently he was quite the hit as he wore a tutu and tiara to perform! Wish I had a picture of that.