Happy Father's Day!

Shouldn't it be Chris relaxing in the hammock with the boys on Father's Day...not me???

p.s. I know the picture has a horizontal line on it. Weird.

Swim Lessons

We signed the boys up for swim lessons this summer. I wonder what they'll learn in 8 sessions...





Do you think they'll be swimming before school starts?

We Got Us Some Ed-je-cation

On June 14th Andrea and I graduated with our Master's Degrees in Education. We decided to grab the family and head down to Dayton in order to walk at Wright State's commencement. With over 1000 graduates we felt more like cattle than graduates (not a fat joke).

Julie, do you remember commencement being this way???


Do you see the boys peeking in the corner? They desperately wanted to be in every picture!

The fam...

The other fam...Dad, Michelle, Andrea, and Mom



Now if I could only find a job to fund the loans that will come due in the fall...

The Birthday Season

There are four birthdays within one week in our family. Mine is June 3rd, Austin's (Megan's future husband) is June 4th, and Drew and Bobby (Chris's dad) share a June 7th birthday. We had a whirlwind week of celebrations!

We started with mine (duh). After a rushed breakfast at Cracker Barrel, Andrea treated me to a cut and color from her stylist. I went a little darker (more like my natural color) with some highlights.

After my hair transformation Andrea and I met up with Mom, Chris, and the boys and we enjoyed Feta Chicken, Greek Potatoes, and Chocolate Fondue (including fruit and pound cake for dipping) at home. It was fantastic!!!

Unfortunately my dad could not join us...he was on a business trip. Stinkin' work.

Four days later it was time to celebrate Drew's birthday. He requested lunch at McDonald's then wanted everyone to go with him to see Kung Fu Panda. Dad, Mom, Andrea, and the four of us loaded into the Explorer and set off on our birthday adventure. After the movie we headed back to my parents' house for cake and ice cream (lemon cake with either butter pecan or cookies and cream ice cream...great flavor combos). When we combined our gifts with Nina Tripp's gifts Drew received everything he asked for this year.






It was really nice to have a low-key birthday celebration for Drew. I'm looking forward to doing the same thing for Jonathan. Big parties overwhelm me!!!

The day after Drew's birthday we headed over to see Austin at his parent's house. The boy's favorite part about Austin's party was playing in his parent's new RV...


The following picture of Pug was taken some time during the week
of birthdays. Notice how she is sitting? Crazy dog!

Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Good-Bye

So long First Baptist Friends!

Jonathan said good-bye to his preschool chums today. No tears from him but Chris said his teacher was crying (probably tears of joy).



In the car right before he went in for the last time...


Jonathan and Madison (one of the many girls infatuated with him).


Jonathan and Mac (his bestest buddy...who calls all the time).


Jonathan and Jack (they like to talk about Transformers...)


Gracie and some blonde girl who wanted me to take their picture.

It was a good two years but I guess it's time to move on...

Kindergarten here we come!!!

Memorial Day with Friends

We traveled down to Central Ohio over Memorial Day weekend.

Our first stop was one night at the Mabry residence. It was great to catch up with our long time friends. The boys think the world of the Mabry children and were in heaven.

Our next stop was the Heller residence. We were able to spend three days with them just being together and making memories. I miss you Beth...

Speaking of making memories, on our last day at the Heller's we split up and had 'girl time' and 'boy time'. The girls put on nail polish and sparkles while the boys used power tools and built things. Good times!




I think Chris has my flip-flops on. That's not very manly.


What a good looking group of guys (in spite of the flip-flop swicheroo).

Thanks, friends, for your hospitality!!!

Spiffy Men

The boys have been asked by Chris's sister to be in her wedding in June. I can't believe how excited I am to see them in their tuxedos. They are going to look so handsome!!! Jonathan will be the ring bearer and Drew will be the flower boy.

Preschool Graduation

Jonathan is officially done with preschool. Not that he had any problems or I was expecting another outcome, I just can't believe it's time for kindergarten. I'm not ready for him to be gone all day long.

I guess my camera isn't great at photographing things far away. Bummer. At least Jonathan doesn't look like a demon child. Well, now that I'm looking closely his eyes might be glowing a bit...

One of Jonathan's teachers got in the way of this otherwise decent picture.

I caught Jonathan mid-chew. What a silly face.

Drew simply makes silly faces. No chewing necessary...

Jonathan has been accepted for open enrollment at Knox Elementary school in the West Branch School District, so I will be driving him to and from school everyday.

Watch out Warriors...Jonathan's headed your way!!!

And...

Just when First Baptist Preschool thought they were rid of Michelle King, Drew starts in the Fall.

Two boys in school. What will I do with myself??? Well, the logical answer is get a job (I'm trying) but I'll probably end up being a volunteer for both boy's rooms. Room Mom Michelle. Nice.

Consequences

One day this Spring the boys decided to expand their chalk drawings to include the garage, the fence, and even the car. I was so angry at them but had to document their crimes for Chris, who was out of town for the weekend.







"It was time for a new color"

Pastor's Conference 2008

Our family headed back down to Gatlinburg, TN this year for pastor's conference. We haven't been there since Jonathan was a baby...




Gatlinburg is so pretty in the spring! Their flowers were blooming ahead of ours in Ohio so it was nice to enjoy spring a little early this year...


Bubba Gump's was a lunch stop one day. It had over-priced mediocre food and annoying servers that preyed on their guests' touristy spirit. We ended up buying each of the boys a 'slushie' that came in a large light-up keepsake cup. I think the drinks doubled our bill.

Thanks to some friends of ours, Chris and I enjoyed an evening on our own one night. I forget what we had for dinner (if anything) but I do remember getting some Ben and Jerry's ice cream and visiting a (hokey) wax museum. The boys came back to the hotel buzzing with sugar. They had an incredible time! Thanks Gil and Mary Beth!!!

We also went back to Ripley's Aquarium this year and got some great pictures. I included a picture of Jonathan and I that Chris took last time we were in the Aquarium. Times have sure changed...










Chris (the slightly Amish looking guy) decided it would be fun to hold a horseshoe crab (I think that's what it's called...)

The boys and I had a lot of fun swimming in the hotel's indoor/outdoor pool while Chris sat through meetings. It was an unfair arrangement but I was willing to sacrifice.

In spite of Gatlinburg's rather Carni-esque environment we had a nice time and look forward to when Pastor's Conference will bring us back.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

My family and Jonathan had the opportunity to head to a Tribe game on April 11th. My Dad got tickets from someone he works with and thought Jonathan would enjoy the trip. The tickets were for a loge (is that the right spelling??) so they were able to eat and drink (soda) to their hearts' content.





I've been told that the best part of the night was when the dessert tray was brought around. Loge guests were able to choose anything they wanted and the company paying for the loge was billed. Nice.

Go Tribe (Next Year...)!