Homecoming Dance

Michelle and Michael

the couples that all went together.

the volleyball gals that went to the dance.

As previously reported, Shell was asked to the Homecoming Dance. What was not made clear was that she did, indeed, say "yes!" Here are some fun pictures from the evening.

Happy Birthday to Me!

It was fabulous! (except I am still waiting for that phone call, Rebecca...) love you!

Catching Leaves

Evie was determined to catch a falling leaf.

Didn't happen, but the leaves still provided much Autumn fun!

How to Eat Like a Child

Demonstrating her eating technique is the lovely Evie Gove.

Carefully place the macaroni on the handle of the spoon. Why? Using the right end is too easy.

Better yet, forgo all utensils and just tip bowl of food into mouth. It's faster.

Finally, pretend to be asleep when anyone notices you are dumping your food all over and making a mess. You look cute and might get in less trouble.

A super "Sweet" request!

Shell was asked to the Homecoming Dance today via cake.

The requesting young man, Michael, had "Happy Half Birthday! Will you go to Homecoming with me?" written on a huge cake for her and brought it, along with roses, to our house this afternoon.

(Shell is officially 17 1/2 today...and any of you who know her well, know that birthdays, even half ones!, are VERY important to her :) so that is a big plus for Michael that he also acknowledged her 1/2 birthday)

Unfortunately, I did not get a photo before it was partially eaten...but you get the idea!

Jeff did make good on a long standing threat to have any boy asking to date Shell fill out a detailed application before granting permission. Michael took it in stride and we should have the results back soon...of course, as it states on the application, he "must allow 5-7 years for processing" !!!

He, actually, has our initial stamp of approval--hey, he brought us cake, he can't be all bad :)

Well, at least it doesn't strike the same place twice!

Lightening hit a tree in our backyard last night at 6:05pm.

Jeff, Gabby and Ian were at Shell's volleyball game, so it was just Evie and I playing inside, when I realized that it was hailing really hard. I grabbed her and the camera and headed out onto our covered patio to get some shots of the accumulating hail (what can I say? I'm a photo junkie!) and just as I snapped a picture of our hail-covered hammock, there was a super bright flash, loud, LOUD boom and one of our trees exploded. There were tree chunks flying everywhere...and later we realized that some of them came within a couple of feet of where I was standing with Evie.

I was terrified to even go back in the house, I didn't know if I could touch the door knob. The air felt all "fuzzy" is the only way I can descibe it. My ears were not ringing, but Evie was super quiet for about 10 minutes (she seems just fine today, but we are still going to have her hearing checked). Once I worked up the courage to go inside, I discovered that the phone and computer were dead and I had left my cell phone in my car that Jeff drove to the volleyball game! I had his car, but no car seat for Evie--I felt so isolated that I just scooped Evie up and ran to the neighbor's house. I was more afraid of being alone in the house for another 2 hours than of being struck by lightening as we ran, because, afterall, it doesn't strike the same place twice, right?!

Aside from a blown out computer modem (replaced for free today by Qwest) and the neighbors' garage door openers not working, oh yes, and our poor tree....there does not seem to be any real damage. And, as we heard on the news later last night, there were funnel clouds spotted in the area! W feel very fortunate, Evie and I enjoyed an hour of conversation and play with neighbors that we rarely connect with (with the houses so spread out, it can be days between even seeing each other!), and we have quite a story to share :) --Praise God for His hand of protection!

On the first day, in the first grade...

So, I am a bit behind in getting this post up, but last week, Gabby's HomeChoice classes began.

She is taking Chess, Spanish, Adventures in Music, and World Crafts this year, along with the PE and swim lessons she is continuing through the YMCA and her ballet with On Your Toes Studios.

Her favorite class, so far is Chess. She wants to play all the time. Mommy does not know how to play, but plans to learn soon. Gabby has volunteered to teach me. Oh, to have the confidence of a six-year-old. Only 2 classes under her belt and she is already offering her expertise :)