Summer is here!

Daughter home from college - check

First bike ride of the season with hubby and son - check

Papa's sailboat cleaned, waxed, and launched - check

Flower pots planted - check

Graduation gifts finished - check

Son's last day of school this week - check

Family vacation plans complete - check

Umbrella placed on patio - check

Yep! Summer IS here!! Enjoy!

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Flashback : 1969

Shortly after the family gathered around our 4-legged black & white TV set in the living room to watch video clips of Astronaut Neil Armstrong (Yay Purdue!) take his first steps on the moon, and just prior to Richard Nixon being elected our 37th president, the house on Forest View Drive was experiencing a flurry of activity....The Delaware Trail Elementary School Pumpkin Parade entries were being carefully crafted by the resident first and second graders. (With a little help from dad and mom, no doubt.)

What conscientious mother wouldn't dress in a lovely red dress with black heels to visit the grade school pumpkin extravaganza - and kneel down on the concrete front stoop (clearly interrupting the gutter cleaning operation by the man of the household as evidenced by the ladder to the left) to proudly pose by her children's creations?

Aaahh...those were the days!

He got it done! Congrats JR!

Life is good when you are surrounded by amazing people. J.R. is certainly one of those amazing people enhancing the lives of those around him. After serving the United States for 31 years, (retired as a USN Command Master Chief), he decided to bring to life history lessons for our high school youth - having travelled COMPLETELY around the world on more than one occasion helps of course! So back to school he went, earning his Masters of Education. WOW! Great accomplishment J.R! Thank you for being such a GREAT ROLE MODEL!!

(We all know...behind every great man, is a great woman! Yay Mo!)

In his spare time, he has great hobbies to keep him busy, like certifying Scuba Divers. Here is one such scuba diver, Master Eric, just a few weeks ago in the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks again to J.R!

Travellin' Fool

From Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico, to New England - all in a weeks time. Whew!

The destination wedding on the white Sand Key Beach was just lovely. Thank you Karen and Steve for inviting us to share in your special weekend. The whole family was together (REALLY together - as in - all in the SAME house together). Many laughs and good times were shared in addition to the wedding which could not have been a finer affair. The gorgeous weather, the touching vows, the great Best Man and Maid of Honor, the tasty food, and the fun party with loved ones, all made for a weekend to remember! I only took a few shots since the professional photographer was camera-ready all weekend. ( http://www.amiciphotoblog.com ).

Then on to Boston to witness Sarah's participation as a New England Division III Hepthathlete! Heptathalon - 100M Hurdles, Shot Put, High Jump, 200M, Long Jump, Javelin, and 800M.

My friend since 4th grade, Raci, joined me in the viewing adventure. Again, the weather cooperated wonderfully, had lots of laughs, and even got to enjoy a great Al Forno ( http://www.alforno.com/ )meal in Providence, RI with her cousin John who was a Purdue Boilermaker with me in the 80's! Sarah even achieved a new Personal Record in her event!