A Birthday Celebration

I was lucky enough to celebrate Dad's birthday with him last evening. Those of you in the family know that from the 1st of July until the 5th, this family is

chock full of anniversaries and birthdays. Dad had spent a couple of weeks in Maine working, but deserved a great dinner out. We went to Collierville to the most charming little restaraunt called, Pasta Italia. Dad raved about the food, but we had no idea just how great it would be. Between the seafood salad appetizer, Dad's Osso bucco, and my seafood ravioli, you just didn't get any better. This place is a treasure trove of good service and even better food. Dad really knocked this one out of the park!!! The chef and his staff had prepared the lucious little dessert tray for us and we shared a little bit of each of the chef's favorite desserts just for Dad. Talk about yum! The tiramasu was by far the best I've ever tasted and the fresh fruit and cream parfait...well it was amazing. Lastly, after a good bottle of chianti, great eats and awesome company, we toasted my little bro, Chris, because it was his birthday yesterday, but he couldn't join us seeing as though he lives in Maryland. We thought of you, guy, and toasted your birthday in style. Happy anniversary and birthday to Mom and Dad, Austin, Dad and Chris. You guys make the first week in July REALLY INTERESTING!!!!! I love you all.

Next Post...photos from Oregon and our visit with Uncle Lee and Aunt Donna...we CAN'T WAIT!!!! Take care....Karen

Expandable Contruction

Well, as you can see, the construction on the house is nearing completion...and not a moment too soon. Today, the electrician will finish his part, and when I return from vacation, the AC guy can complete his part. After that, it's up to us to finish the trim and floors. I am very happy with the results. For those of you wondering why it's such a dark color...this room will be a theatre room in the near future. I intend to put up a screen and projector for ultimate movie viewing. It really is gorgeous....and very soothing. We're going to LOVE our new room...and we know the dogs already do. More when it's done. Love, Karen and Peyton

A Weekend in Annapolis

What a treat it always is to go see Liz and Chris at their home in Annapolis, Maryland. I usually have a conference in Washington DC once per year, so I always try to hang with them for a few days before duty calls. This year was no different. I got to spend Father's Day with them. We had a wonderful, laid back weekend full of laughs and good memories. Lunch at the Amish Market is always fun. A huge treat this time was a visit to the National Arboretum in Washington DC...which I gotta say is one of this nation's best kept secrets. What an amazing display of gorgeous trees and plants (some I'd never seen, like the one above). If nothing else, it was a beautiful exhibit of what Chris and I have decided to aspire to for our own gardens! What was most amazing was just how much my handsome nephew has grown since I saw him in November. He's become an independent thinking, happy little guy who's brain is always on the go!! Sadly, I had to leave before his 2nd birthday party, but I know there is no shortage of loving friends and family on board to wish him a very happy one. Thanks Liz and Chris for letting me stay and have a great, relaxing weekend. I love you guys!!! Karen

Connecticut is AWESOME!!

We hit Connecticut in full force last week. OMG...we had such a great time!!!!! It took them a whopping 30 seconds to re-acquaint and begin their fun. With Club Penguin, building forts out of blankets and cushions and raiding Cathy's "snack drawer" the whole bunch of them had fun. The highlights were many, but we got to eat at Friendly's Ice Cream. We went to KB Toys across the parking lot where all the boys (including Jamie) went insane playing basketball. Benny found a cute little Baby Grand Piano with a microphone. It's an electric keyboard with all the sound attachments Cathy and I just had to buy it and he entertained us all week singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star at the top of his lungs. He LOVES HIS PIANO!!!! I have video to follow. We had lunch with Josh at school on Monday and got to buy books at the school's book fair. That was fun! We went out on the walking trail on Tuesday night. All the boys, minus Ben, took a dip in the freezing water of the Farmington River accompanied by Mika the Dog. I thought the kids were going to stop breathing the water was SO cold!! But they stuck it out and were true men...had shrinkage...but were manly men anyway!! We attending a display of the kid's art at Noah Wallace and had a family picnic. Sam made the coolest fairy house EVER with a snowman in the yard. It was awesome!! Joshy made a beautiful glittered picture of the Kremlin in Moscow. Our boys are so talented. We also got to attend the school's Field Day. Cathy and I spent 3 hours face painting in the courtyard. Sorry Liz, but those kids in CT are Red Sox fans through and through as witnessed by the number of them with big red "B"s on their cheeks!! Another highlight was our trip to see Mark Twain's home in Hartford. Everyone, adults included, LOVED that one. It had been a long time since I had been there. I do so love going to Connecticut to see Cathie and her family. It makes me realize just how much I miss those boys in my heart. Next week, I'm off to Chris and Liz's to spend some time with them, Miss Hannah and Little Man Austin. More to follow when I return. Love you. Karen

Peyton's First Schnauzer Haircut

Oh my little girl is growing up. Peyton received her first true schnauzer groom last week, and handled it quite well. She still amazes us when it comes to her energy and her love of "her" family. No doubt, we all belong to her and she reminds us often. She plays so hard during the day that we often find that she's put herself to sleep in her kennel without question. What a great puppy!!!

Hello From Alaska

Recently to a cruise to Alaska. Most of you have seen thephotos, but I really wanted to upload a few to our blog. There was much to be simply amazed about and we were all that. This is an amazing place!!! Definitely top of the list of places to see before you die. Love you, Karen

Life According to Peyton

Schnauzer Property Laws

1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my mouth, it’s mine.
3. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
4. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never be yours.
6. If it just looks like mine, it’s mine.
7. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
8. If you are playing with something else and put it down, it’s mine.
9. If I am chewing something up, all of the pieces are mine.
10. If it used to be yours, get over it.

11. If it’s broken, it’s yours.

Our Growing Baby Girl

Peyton is sure growing fast. Here are some recent photos at age 12 weeks. What an angel and demon all in one small package!

Peyton's First Haircut

Ok folks...I know what you're thinking... You all have your own kids. David and I-full-time we got dogs. It is what it is...so deal with it. Seriously, though. Miniature Schnauzer's are the kind of breed that doesn't shed much, but boy do they need grooming. Little Peyton had her first puppy grooming session on Saturday. We had to laugh at how incredibly pitiful she looked all wet and standing there. But she took it like a champ...she didn't like it, but she took it and the results were so cute that we just had to capture it on film. As you can see, it was quite a trying experience on the little girl, so she needed a nap for the rest of the afternoon. Suprisingly, the bow is still in her hair after two days, attached to a small little tuft of hair. It doesn't seem to bother her. She will need to be a little older before she will be allowed to get the typical Schnauzer haircut, but we love her just the way she is. Enjoy! Oh, by the way...Peyton also got her first trip to the Shelby Farms dog park on Sunday. She LOVED it, but was exhausted after so many new friends and smells and all that walking.

18 Months to 18 Years in a Blink of an Eye...

Did it ever occur to you that for one brief moment in time you are dealing in diapers, baby food and sippy cups, and in the miniscule blink of an eye, those once babies are grown? I never stopped being amazed at how my Charlee Bear was growing, until I really looked (I mean really LOOKED) at her on Sunday night. Folks, our baby was suddenly 18 and I couldn't do anything about it! I have yet, really, to find the words that describe the sudden realization of that FACT...and don't fool yourself, IT IS FACT. Somehow, I feel like I should be sad, and I'm not. Look at the lovely, smart, beautiful, funny, happy, full of life woman sitting in these pictures and ask yourself, "Why should I be sad?" She's all a mother (her own, or me) could possibly ask for in a once upon a time child. Yes, gone are the days of pink sponge rollers in her hair. The frilly dresses have been replaced by sleek fitting gowns, her cherub face replaced by a little make-up...but look inside and she's mature, sensitive, tender-hearted, and warm. She cares about others, she walks with her chin up, she makes well-thought out decisions and handles responsibility with integrity and enthusiasm. Do I miss the days of unlimited snuggles, and regurgitated peas, yes, of course. But do I love, even more, the daughter who has become my dear friend and confidante? You bet I do! And you know what?? I'm lucky, because even at 18 I still get unlimited snuggles and "I love yous." I still get to walk in open public, hand in hand with the grown up version of the child who did the same but with much smaller hands when we went to the zoo, or the park, or the movies. How did that happen? That remains the true mystery. Even in my absence from some of Charlee's life after her Dad and I divorced, we remained ever connected in spirit, soul and heart. I don't actually remember saying to myself that I needed to do that, but it happened all the same. Maybe it's because we had spent 10 years before the divorce building and fortifying a bridge to each other, but I like to think that only God, Himself, knew we would need each other later in life and His divine intervention kept us connected. With His help, Charlee's mother and I have become friends and partner for the benefit of this, now grown, child.

For her birthday, I made Charlee a memory scrapbook. It holds pictures from the time I met her to this past Sunday's 18th birthday party. I sorted pictures by age, event, day and vacation. Only after I had nearly finished, I looked over it, and something I had NEVER noticed before jumped out at me...in every photo I had, in every shot, in every picture, she was smiling her big happy smiles the kind that makes her eyes bluer than sapphires. In somewhat disbelief, I began to go through some of the photos I didn't use for the scrapbook, and guess what??? Yup, she was smiling in those too. I couldn't find one photo of an unhappy child...though I found one of her sleeping. hahaha. I'm not sure what to think of that, but I'd like to think it's because she knew all along that so many people, including many of you, loved her without reservation, without regard to society's sterotype of step-families, and like she'd always be a part of your lives. So everyone, today, pat yourselves on the back and be proud of the young woman in these photos. She carries a bit of you inside her, even from her memories. She remembers the "sick Pepere" and how sad we all were when he went to heaven. She remembers that Uncle Lee called her "Chuck". She remembers that Uncle Glenn took her snowmobiling with a helmet so big that she could barely hold her head up and that Chris and Erin took her skiing in Fort Kent. She remembers Santa coming to Memere and Pepere's house at the lake, and she remembers meeting Kenya for the first time certain he was a wolf. She remembers roasting marshmallows by the lake and the sound the train makes as it makes it's way along the other side of the lake. You were all there... So, no one should be sad. I'm not! I've got a dear, true friend in my once little girl. We have grown up talks now and share grown up interests. What a blessing this new woman is to me and to us all. Happy Birthday, Charlee! When God made you, he blessed us all.

A Welcome Addition!

We are so happy to tell everyone that we've added to our 4 legged brood. Little Peyton Lee arrived one week ago tomorrow. She is a beautiful and VERY active Miniature Schnauzer. So far, she has been the model baby and is sleeping through the night holding her bladder. We love her so much, though her sister Jessica Louise is less enthusiastic, while Petie the older, wiser hound, is tolerant. It is quite obvious she loves them very much as she selfishly hangs off of Petie's tail. She often looks like a lint ball. We love her so.

Charlee's Cheer Routine 2007 Nationals

To view Charlee's National Championship First Place routine, click the link below.




http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=507831298

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLEE!

Houston Junior Varsity Cheer does it again!!! Last weekend, Charlee Bear and her cheer squad from Houston High School took FIRST place at the National High School Cheer Competitions in Orlando for the second year in a row. Charlee has told me she doesn't plan to cheer next year in her Senior year, so this was definitely the way to go out...with a BANG! David and I attended her last cheer practice, along with her Mom, Mike and grandparents the night before they left. It's always amazing to see how high they can fling her up in the air. For those looking, that's Charlee right in the middle on the shoulders of the girl on the floor. Also, I found this photo of her in the middle of her back handspring on the NHSCCA website. We are all very excited about this accomplishment and the hard work and dedication it took from all the girls to get there and bring home the trophy. Way to go, Charlee We are all very proud of you!!!! Love, Karen

Head in the Clouds

If anyone ever questioned whether Charlee Bear actually did her skydive for her 17th birthday, well wonder no more. I have finally gotten the pictures that prove that my daredevil daughter had the guts to lead her to the glory. She said she enjoyed it and is actually quite humble about this personal experience I, for one, have no desire to perform. I still can't believe this is really her! Enjoy the photos!

Yes, the travel continues. I had the very distinct pleasure of spending two lovely weekends at Cathy and Jamie's with the boys. The first weekend, I got a chance to see Joshy's soccer game. Their losing streak was still quite prominent, and unfortunately I got to witness it. But it was a flurry of activity out on the field as the boys tried their best to score. On Sunday, Cathy and Jamie drove me to Boston, the site of my Right First Time global meeting. After much persuasion, we managed to get Joshy to drive along with us. He was determined to dislike Boston, but once there, both he and Sam decided it would be more fun to stay the week in Aunt Karen's hotel room than it would be to go to school. Well, Mom won that one and the boys reluctantly went home with the promise of returning the following Friday. Which, they did!! What fun!! First, we took the kids to their first dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. Sammy just thought it was really cool to be a rock star and both came home with souvenir drum sticks from the gift shop. He also thought it was cool that there was a car hanging out of the building over the front door. We took in the Boston Children's Museum on Saturday morning, followed by the New England Aquarium. If you've never been to the aquarium, it is an AMAZING site to visit with the largest fish tank I've ever seen...it's like 3 stories tall. There is a plethra of life inside with sharks, sea turtles (Myrtle) who's over 70 years old, and tons of other fish that would have been tasty if served on a plate! They also have the most unbelievable display of penguins and sea life from off the coast of Maine. We all loved it.

Afterwards, we took the subway...a real treat for Josh and Sam who decided it's the only way to travel, over to the MIT campus to view some handblown pumpkins by some of the art students. They were without a doubt incredible, but with some pretty hefty pricetags as well. Before the boys arrived, I managed to take in the history on the Freedom Trail tour which was most interesting and quite different than some of the things they tell you about in history class. It is quite obvious that at least some portion of history has been changed over the years...like the story of Paul Revere! I got to see where Samuel Adams was buried, and I learned that there really WAS A MOTHER GOOSE with 20 children. Overall, I've decided I LOVE BOSTON!! I will go back again without question as I know there is still so much to see. Next time, I'd also like to trek up to Salem, Massachusetts and watch the witch trial re-enactments. I'd also like to visit the Harvard campus and see the Boston Tea Party ship. This was quality time with Cathy and Jamie and the boys. For most of you, you know what happened Saturday afternoon to bring our visit to a close. I won't get into it now, but I don't wish to repeat it on our next visit to Boston, although I will tell you that The Boston Police Department and Emergency Services folks are a class act and a few are thought of very highly in my opinion. We were glad to have them around. As soon as I can find my camera battery charger, I'll send some pics of our new house. IF I ever find it. Much love and kisses to you all.