Spring News

Spring has been in the air for quite a while this year. It's the first year EVER we did not have any snow in March! April was absolutely beautiful. May brought the rain we missed in April and got a little cooler, but I'm definitely not complaining. Martin turned 12 years old on May 14. He's an old dog!

James Patrick turned 19 on May 2nd. This was the first time we haven't spent his birthday with him as he is in IL in college. Fortunately, he was able to spend it with Grandma B. It was a Sunday so he went to church at Eastview and went out to lunch at Noodles with Aunt Nan, Tess, and Grandma. Gma even had a cake for him.

The other bit of news that I haven't reported yet is that 2 MORE GRANDBABIES are on the way! Holly is expecting a little girl around the first week of Oct. and Briana is expecting (don't know if boy or girl yet) around the first week of Nov. So that will double our number to 4! Yay!!!

Trip to the East

Recently, Mike and I went on a trip out east to see our kids and grandkids. We had two nights at each daughter's home. First we went to Michele and AJ's. We went to Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria and had a wonderful dinner! Then we went to Briana and Ryan's. Had a great time watching all the new things Delaney can do and say! Then we went to Holly and Luke's. Jael was full of stories and energy! Aren't our grandaughters the cutest? AND, two more are on the way this coming Fall!!!

Jael had fun playing in the snow with her daddy.

They built a huge fort, too!

Marty went out with me to play in the snow when we had a day off from school because of the snow storm. Actually, I thought it was a beautiful day. But there was a lot of snow on the roads.

Delaney discovered the wet snow, too!

My Grandaughters

My, how my girls have grown! Jael was 2 in December. She got a tea set. So she and Delaney (2 in October) are having a tea party. I can't wait to have a tea party with her, too! A lot has happened recently. Briana and Ryan now live in New Jersey where Ryan works for the FBI. Holly and Luke, in Edgewood, Maryland, will be new campus ministers for Mountain Christian Church beginning in March. Michele and AJ live in Centreville, Virginia with their cat, Gus. We have all been inundated with TONS of snow this Winter. Jimmy is in his second semester at Lincoln Christian University. 1/8th done - Yay!!! Mike is running for State Representative in our district here. The campaign is going very well. Hope your Winter is going well, wherever you may be!

Wondering...

Hi again, everyone! I've been thinking I should give up on this blog. Everyone is so much more into facebook these days. But I guess I'll give it another try. I'm at work right now. My student for this hour is absent today. I won't take much time. I'll find something productive to do, but just thought I'd check up on things. I'll try to post some new pics when I'm home. It's Feb. 11, 2010! How time flies! It's very cold and very snowy. We have sooo much snow, I'm not sure where we would put anymore. Our girls and families have lots of snow out east too, but ours doesn't melt. So, anyway. I'll check in later.

The Wedding

We had a great month of June. After Jim's graduation and school got out, we took off for the East. We traveled first to Baltimore (Edgewood) and stayed with Holly & Luke & Jael for a few days. Had a great time there and also went to DC to see the sights we hadn't yet seen, such as the WWII Memorial, and went to the inner harbor area of Baltimore. Then we moved on to Centreville, MD to prepare for the BIG DAY!

Michele and AJ were married in a beautiful ceremony at Heritage Hunt Country Club. Luke was the minister officiant. Briana and Holly were bridesmaids. Jimmy ushered. AJ's brothers were groomsmen. And the Moms & Dads had a wonderful time!

Then, we visited friends in Lancaster for the weekend. We traveled on to Ohio and stayed with Briana, Ryan, and Delaney for a few days. We went to the Columbus Conservatory and zoo, and also toured a chocolate factory, and took some walks, usually ending up at the park so Delaney could swing! We also found an Eddie Bauer outlet!!! woo hoo!

After all that, we went to Bloomington, IL and stayed with Grandma B. Visited with the Benson side of the fam. and then finally came home. Three weeks on the road. Jimmy flew out for just 4 days for the wedding. Otherwise, he stayed home to work and take care of Marty. Great June!!! But also good to be home!!!