Jake's Prom - Monticello, IL High School

Tonight was Prom for Jake - it seems like the days are rushing by to his graduation on May 18th. The first picture is with his date . . Lauren G. The second picture is with his dearest friend Lauren F. Lori sent me these pics. They started at 2:30 pm with pictures, then a promenade at the high school (where they announce each couple and they walk out together, Prom and Dinner in Champaign and then they have an all night, school sponsored, after-prom party tonight.

Beautiful Flowers - Nancy

I have been at a Missouri Association of School Business Officials conference this week at Lake of the Ozarks - I know doesn't it sound like a good time :) I learned some new things, was reminded of some things I knew and spent some really good time networking with my colleagues from around the state. One thing I noticed is that the group I started with 16 years ago is starting to get gray hair - surely we are not aging! It was a very good conference - - -you know it is an election year for Governor when one of the government officials is willing to provide a keynote. This year was Jay Nixon - I found it interesting that he is from DeSoto ( I wanted to ask if he had heard of Camp Ne-O-tez but decided probably not the best venue!) Dad and Jason went to camp today to deliver new tables for the canteen area (check the NEOTEZ blog for pics) Ron also helped them build them. Mom was busy taking pictures of her flowers this week so here are a couple of them for your enjoyment.

Jake's Alternate Look - Lori

Here are the much awaited pictures of Jake...on Friday he won the contest
and raised over $300 for Relay for Life. His jar received the most money so
he had to dress as a woman for the entire day. Everyone told us he did a
great job...isn't this a hoot???

A Cardinal Game with E-Man

What is the difference between these two photos? The difference is a
trip to the Cardinal Team Store! Eric and Aunt Nancy were at the
Cardinal game today - let's just say the fellowship with Eric was great but
the game was pretty yucky!

You know you have Cardinal spirit when you have shoes and socks like these . . Way to go Eric!

7 Random Things (Kyle)

1. I hate sracpbooking
2. I like the Mets
3. I hate getting my picture taken
4. I HATE having 12 poses of one picture
5. My dream job is a Busch Stadium Vender
6. I enjoy reading the dictionary
7. I root for the oppisite team than Aunt Nancy

7 Random Things (Colton)

1. I hate when getting by picture made
2.I like SCW sports
3. I hate when Nancy takes my picture
4. I went to see SCW win
5. My least favorite city in MO. is Moberly
6. I HATE Nancy taking my pictures
7. I like blowing my minty breath in Nancy's face

Seven Random Things - Nancy

Angie tagged me to the "seven random things" so I am going to give it a whirl . . .

1. I don't like heat or bugs or public showers but I am still passionate about Camp Ne-O-Tez and love to be there!

2. I spent 13 weeks in Papua New Guinea as a missionary assistant the summer after I graduated from college. The Animal Kingdom, rainforest exhibits, etc hold no appeal for me after living in one for 13 weeks. Most kids go on a 2-3 week mission trip oh no not us. . Dad said if you and Lori are going to raise that much money (airfare was $2500 apiece in 1982) then you are going to stay the WHOLE summer. Lori came home and had about 4 days before she went back to Harding.

3. I have five nephews and I adore them! There is very little I would not do for them. My prayer is that they will all become Christians, be Godly men, if they choose to marry have Christain families and be faithful all the days of their lives.

4. I can't stand the taste or smell of anything mint! My nephews get a real kick out of blowing their minty breath my direction! In a car sometimes it overwhelms me so much that I have to roll down the window and gasp for fresh air! Goofy I know!

5. My work experience has been limited to two employers (outside a two week stint for Kelly Girl). I worked for northAmerican Van Lines in the summers of college and then for 8 years after graduation. The oddest work I did for northAmerican was managing a warehouse for about 6 months so I could write a training manual and warehouse procedures! I then went back to school to get a teaching degree and went to work for Pattonville (not teaching) and have been there ever since. I plan to retire from Pattonville!

6. I have been blessed with a great family. My mom and dad are the best. You can't beat my sister and brother! Then for them to have married and give me such an awesome s-i-l and b-i-l who have become treasured friends . . . . how did I get so lucky! Nothing is better than the time we spend together as the "12"!

7. Since a child I have loved to take pictures! I scrapbooked before it was cool (we have family vacations in scrapbooks and all my high school/college days) - - then when it became vogue I swore I would never do this because it took too much time . .well never say never. I love when you create a book and watch the wonder on the face of the person when they open the book and the story is all about them.

The Seven Random things seems to be making the rounds so I am just going to issue the challenge that you give it a try - - it is fun! I would love for JD and Carla to post about themselves.

SCW Concert Band Performance

Tonight was the SCW concert band performance. Several different bands played but of course Aunt Nancy's fav was the one Colton and Kyle play with! Here a few shots from the evening:

Doesn't Colton look absolutely thrilled for me to take his picture? At least we got a small smile out of Kyle. One more concert this year - join us May 13th for their concert on the St. Charles Riverfront.

It's that time of Year - School Performances!

Marlin and Carolyn went to Monticello, IL on Thursday for Jake's Concert Choir performance. Jake will graduate from Monticello High School on May 18th. Here are a few pictures from the evening . . .

Other happenings this week: Colton and Kyle took the ACT test today - Colton said it is a quick 4 hours! Eric and his middle school small group at church on Wednesday evening went to the Fee Fee Cemetery (Grandpa got to go as a chaperone). Lots of local history and graves as far back as Confederate soldiers. Friday night Mom, Dad, JD, Carla and Nancy played in the Community Helping Ministry trivia night. We didn't win but we didn't embarass ourselves. . good thing we had Ron, Becky and Stephanie Waldrop, Marsha Kloske and Connie Horton on our team! Dad and JD are busy working on the wooden fence in their back yard . . graduation party coming up for Colton. Matt played basketball in Matteson, IL. His team won the tournament. Matt had 12 points in one game and they won 63-15! Lori and Rod are with him. It has been a good week. Coming up next week: Camp Ne-O-Tez board meeting, Colton and Kyle's spring band concert on 4/16, bunko on the 17th, stamping club on the 18th and then Eric and I head to a Cardinal game on 4/20 - whew!

Signs of Spring

Grandpa and Grandma deemed today "backyard" leaf raking day! Colton, Kyle and Eric came over for Sunday afternoon and helped rake the backyard. They raked up at least 20 bags!

A Perfect Day for Baseball - Kyle/Nancy

Kyle and I went to the Cardinals game today. What a difference a few days can make in the weather. It was a beautiful spring day - sunny and mid-sixties! Kyle and I had a wonderful afternoon. The Cardinals beat the Nationals 5-4. We started the day with Colt/Ky/Eric and myself having breakfast at I-Hop and then Kyle and Aunt Nancy headed to the game. It was a 12:10 start. The game was fun but the trip home was horrid! I parked in a different lot that was closer to the entrance by our seats - Mistake! It took us over a hour to get off the lot, down 4th and on Hwy 70. Kyle was a good sport and I was about out of my head. Here are some pics from today. Note: the jerseys of Rolen and Edmonds on folks in front of us - you see lots of those and Eckstein at the stadium. You notice they are not on the field but these young birds will grow up!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame! Colton/Nancy

Tonight was our first game of the 2008 baseball season. Colton and Nancy went to see the Cardinals vs. Rockies! While the temp might have been 48 it was very cold and windy! We were neither one dressed warm enough but we stayed until the 8th inning was over. The funniest thing that happened was on our way out we went to the team store. Colton has become a Brian Barton fan and I wanted to see if he could get a shirt. Well . . . . we went in and looked around and then asked a 20ish guy working there if they had Barton shirts . . his reply, Who is that? Colton and I responded with a Cardinal player! I think they better make sure the workers in the team store know who is on the team! The Cardinals won 8-3! When you go with "the guys" you get there early. As you will note in the picture there is NO one seated around us for quite awhile! The new Stan Musial Plaza area is very nice. Saturday Kyle and I head to the game!