CGC DAUNTLESS is home!!!

We had beautiful weather for the arrival of CGC DAUNTLESS. It is............. well, beyond words amazing to have Michael home again.

Many people helped us welcome DAUNTLESS and her crew home:
Even Aunt Carol Ann was there!
CG Airstation Houston did a fly-over:

A few more

We have a very musical house. Allen plays drums and piano. Emma plays piano, violin and french horn. Jess plays piano. Matt and Nick prefer drums, but will finger out a tune or two on the piano. Emma brought her violin to my parents' house for afternoon entertainment and mimicking Matt used a toy guitar and Emma's second bow as accompaniment.

Adding to our busy day, Mimi had a vet emergency Saturday evening and Emma was able to assist:

NOLA Weekend

In preparation for Michael's homecoming and our Alaska trip, the kids and I made a quick visit to LA to drop off the furry and feathered and spend time with family. We made tutus, hair bows, cookies, bread and lots of memories. Memere was able to join us for the day, which is always a great treat. I played around with the camera, still attempting to discover all it can do..... and at times feeling very overwhelmed. I'll get there, just like "Melinda Mae".

Mimi and Emma making pumpkin bread bears:

Emma working on her tutu:
Memere and the kids:
One of the many types of cookies we made:
Jessi:

I even forced Allen to let me play with the chair and camera:

Pop and the kids:

Back to your regularly scheduled program.....

We had a busy week with school holiday programs and more to come next week. Matt's was first. He attends a deaf co-op school and his grade performed the ABC's of Christmas. He can be seen at 1:45 and 3:15. Mr. Man had something important to share with the world and wasn't stopping until he was ready!

Emma played french horn in PJHE's holiday concert:

Pearland's Holiday Parade

Allen was on bass drum tonight with Pearland High School's marching band in the Holiday Parade. A brisk 44 degrees gave us practice for our trip to Anchorage later this month.

Summer Fun

Jess at Gulf Shores:

USCGC DAUNTLESS Change of Command:

Matt with soccer:
Camping visitor:
Kodiak friends now in AL:
Kodiak friends now in San Antonio:
Nick with Mimi's horse:
Four St. Scholastica Academy grads with 16 children:
Allen and mom:
Emma at Gulf Shores:

A long overdue update

Where has the time gone? I've wanted to update this blog countless times and found our life so busy, not allowing time, but today I was given a reason, an opportunity to share more of our lives....

So here we go!

School started with a bang this year. A loud timpani drum bang from Allen who is part of the Pearland High School marching band. Their opener game was in Reliant Stadium (how cool is that?) and band occupied our lives for several months. Texas is serious about football and anything that accompanies it, including the half time show. Allen also ran cross country along with taking all advanced, Pre-AP and one dual college credit course, so we haven't seen him much. LOL

Emma decided to take up the French horn along with continuation of violin and is a member of Pearland Junior High East's advanced band. She's also taking all advanced and Pre-AP courses and is doing excellent.

Jessi is enjoying second grade and now reads like a champ. She's taking piano this semester and proudly shows off her new talent to anyone that enters the house.

Nick is still Nick. Stubborn, determined and hasn't found a single person he doesn't love instantly. He started the school year with a walker, but is now walking much straighter with confidence. His love for football has increased tremendously with his game attendance and he'll demonstrate the quarterback, receiver, referee, cheerleader and dance team member in a hilarious 4 minute show.

Matt..... This kid is amazing. He's been given a fantastic, understanding teacher and aide who see him as the great little man that we do. Yes, he's full of energy at times and exhausts you, but he's so smart and will share all of his knowledge if you listen closely. He's reading, spelling, doing Math. All things I never thought possible even though we've always set the bar high. He's a total fish and will swim any chance he gets. He played soccer and excelled, but did anyone think different with a sport where you can run and kick a ball?

Thankfully, no hurricanes or flooding issues lately!

Michael has spent a good deal of time with the boat away from home and we look forward to his return this month. I'm still working on my thesis...... I hear the Little Engine That Could chant for some reason right now......

Life is good!