Slide Whistle Songs - $1.00

It can be a lonely job selling stuff on the golf course.

Mia has some artwork. Jill has a sign that says "Slide Wistle Songs - $1.00. The picture below is Jaime at about the same age selling golf balls (1987).

Our dog, Tip, and Jaime's friend, Brooke, are also in this picture.

School Field Trip - Lettuce Lake Park

A school field trip at Lettuce Lake Park on the Hillsborough River. Three classes full of fourth graders. What was I thinking? The trip had two main parts. First we walked on a path to the river, learning about the different types of wetlands and uplands and identifying plants (like poisin ivy) and trees. Then the children took turns scooping out mud from the river and identifying the critters they found - minnows, snails, water bugs, etc. Jonah LOVED this, of course. Then we went back to the starting point and walked the second half of the trip - a long loop of boardwalk that went out over the water. The kids were instructed on how to use binoculars. Lettuce Lake is not really a lake, but just a very wide part of the river where a tall tower is built for observing the wildlife. We saw several kinds of birds such as a white Ibis and a baby aligator who was about a foot long. Finally, we all had lunch and headed back to school. I was just glad to keep up the whole way.

A New Chapter

A few pictures of Jaime and Aaron's new house. Already a path is being beaten between my house and theirs. The double garage is becoming a party room. The huge back yard being cleared. Dark wall paper being peeled away for a new coat of paint. Then the dark red carpet will be replaced with a wood floor. A wall added to create a room for Jonah. The kitchen is cute but small. The house is a little quirky. See the door from Mia's room to what will be Jonah's? A little closet has become a vanity area for Jaime. The master bathroom lacks a door??? But there is a large covered car port and a basketball hoop in the driveway. Jonah has found friends from school on his street and he is only 2 blocks from his friend, Seth and 4 blocks from his grandma's house. Friends and family are dropping by to check out the new digs. They came home last night to find the water had been cut off. Oops! They forgot to switch the water bill since they didn't have one in the apartment. The old apartment is clean and empty. The new house overflowing with boxes. The beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Next goal, a wedding in October.

Zoo - DinoQuest

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Jonah, Seth and dinosaur

Jill and friend

Mia on merry-go-round
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We went to the zoo yesterday to see the special dinosaur exhibit -- animated, life-size dinosaurs who moved, roared and sometimes spit water at the guests. On the way to the zoo, Jonah told a joke. He said he needed a new butt because his old one had a crack in it. That got a lot of laughs and a stern comment from his grandma. At first, Jill was terrified, but not Mia. Seth and Jonah rode the flume ride and Jill and Mia stood at the end of the ride and got spashed again and again. We had a special reason for visiting the zoo because Jaime and Aaron were busy moving into their NEW HOUSE!

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Mia spent the night with me last night and as she was going to sleep, she said, "Remember my mommy putting my bed together in my new room?" Then she laughed and said, "Remember getting wet at the flume ride?" Then she turned on her side to go to sleep and said quietly, "And everybody loves me." What a happy day for our family.

School Visit

Jonah's self portrait is one of the featured pictures hanging in the hallway by the school office.

Mia drew a self portrait as well. It is called 'Rainy Day'

Jill and friends at lunch

Random Moments

Stephanie and Cory received a gift certificate for Bern's Steak House from her brother, Josh, and his girlfriend so they went out to celebrate their 5 month anniversary.

Jonah was Kid of the Month in his class at school and his art work was chosen to hang in the front office. I need to get a picture of that, too. You can tell he doesn't really like to pose for pictures.

Jaime stopped by one morning on her way to work. It had just gotten really warm and her boss just got the hot tub fixed so Jaime declared it a Hot Tub work day. I don't think it actually worked out, but she gave it a good try.
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Life goes by so fast. Sometimes I get a quick photograph. Many times I don't remember to grab the camera in time. Here are a few moments from the past couple of weeks.

A Sweet Valentine's Day

Valentines - from Jill to me and Roger, from Roger to me, from Cory to me and from me to Roger.

Jaime with a new dress. She and Aaron were going out for Valentine's Day

Jaime in her "Almost Famous" coat and Aaron.
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A nice Valentine's Day. I watched Jonah and Mia so Jaime and Aaron could have a night out. There was a Valentine's party at the park for the kids. Roger and I had dinner at home - steak and lobster from Omaha Steak. Karin and Alan joined us. Roger's sister was not able to make it. I made a chocolate bundt cake with a mocha glaze.