regret

Well, today my oldest brother passed away at the age of 56.  We didn't get along very well the last couple of years.  In fact I think we only spoke a few times to each other in the last 10/15 years. 
This past summer I had taken our mother over to his house.  I had even gave him a hug and told him that I love him.  I feel very guilty that I didn't do more or make an effort to fix our relationship.  Things would never have been perfect, but he was still my brother. 

Let the Memories Begin

Our First full day at the Magic Kingdom.  It was a long day for the kids we got there before the gates opened and stayed long enough to be one of the last buses out of the park.  There was hardly any lines.  And with four kids under six, I think we visited every bathroom in the park.

Our first stop was to Tony's for a character breakfast. 

Dillon hid under the table almost the whole time.

After a breakfast the kids were too excited to eat we jumped on the the train to head to the back of the park.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving.  I hope yours was nice one.  Here is a picture of Pumpkin playing with Funny.

Having fun in the sun

We hit the beach on Sunday with some of the other Koch kids. I really thought the water was going to be to cold for the kids. I should have known better. It was perfectly mild so I didn't have to be on top of them at all times and I could back up a few feet and snap some picture. I have no idea what she was doing yoga?? Just look at the joy on this kids face. He had a such ball running through the water.
We did some kite flying too

Geocaching in Hartshorne Woods

After working on our house we took a break on Sunday and headed to Hartshorne Woods Park. Such a beautiful park. We completed 5 out of the 6 caches we set out to do. Not bad. Aunt Nancy, Uncle Ray and the boys joined us. I was very surprised that the little ones lasted as long as they did. I think we spent at least 2 1/2 -3 hours hiking with just a few small stops. I had taken my nephews camera with me, but of course I forgot to check to see if the battery was charged. That left me with just my camera phone. Uncle Ray videoed us climbing down this really steep trail down to the water. I couldn't wait to see what a bunch of goofball we looked like. I went to download the pictures and video he took and the disk was no good. Ugh! So you'll just have to trust me the views are just amazing. We'll have to go back again to make that last cache and take some pictures.

I should note that we have been to the park before (The other side). The last time we got so lost. This time I printed out my own map for the park with the trails so we would know the way out.

Last day working at Grandma Jane's

Yesterday we finished everything we could on Grandma Jane's house. That is until the final home inspection. Then we have to go back and fix all the problems they find. Since we've been spending most of our weekend there for a while, it will be nice to get a break to work on our house for a change.
Uncle Mike is here now helping lift the rest of the joists up. I was only able to help with five of them before my arms turned to mush. Besides I am not a fan of heights and climbing a ladder with huge i joist- just about scared the sh*t out of me.

Longstreet Farms

To prove Ed isn't a complete slave driver. We stopped for lunch and headed over to Longstreet Farm. It was very nice and much needed break. Click on the wagon and head over to see the photos of the animals- both the four legged and two legged kind.

Work has begun

The work has begun on our addition. I am so happy! We had a lot help from Uncle Ray, Aunt Nancy and Ben on Sunday. We got a late start, but the decking is on.

Yesterday Ed had a early day at work so I could go to the doctors. When I got home we put up the walls for the addition. It finally looks like we are getting somewhere.

I took lots of photos. You can see some of them on my flickr. I'm having the hardest time posting on my blog. I keep getting errors and my photos will not upload to blogger.

krazy kids

remembrance

I know I haven't really posted in a while but I wanted to take the time to say a little goodbye to Grandpa Vince. Grandpa Vince is Aunt Nancy's father and I just wanted to let Aunt Nancy and her family know that my thoughts and prayers are with them.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the floor painting the molding in his living room. Grandpa Vince did his little shuffle and sat down in a chair beside me and showed me a picture he had in his hand. It was a picture of him and Grandma Jane taken several years ago -before he had lost a lot of his weight. I pretended that it was the first time I saw it and not the fourth time that day. He sat back and examined at that photo, rubbing his thumb over it. "Ah," he sighed "That Jane, she's as beautiful today as the day I met her." He glanced up at me and said, "She's one amazing woman!"
When I think of Grandpa Vince, this is what I will always remember.

Todays Lesson

OK kids todays lesson includes why it is very important to get a job with a 401k and a great health plan, make over 100k a year and hire someone else to do this work.

I thought this was a great picture of the kids watching daddy paint the most vile thing in the world- tar.

We had a fun filled day with wheel barrel rides..

digging for treasure..

Cole even laid down in the dirt and make dirt angels.

Oh and we even managed to get some work done.

Happy Birthday Dad!

I made these great cupcakes last night. So, I thought I would share with you the only way I eat a cupcake. This is where I wish I had another hand.
First you peal off the paper.
then you break the top off, but be very careful not to mess up the icing
then you turn the top upside down and make a sandwich. Yummy!!
Happy Birthday Dad, I'm having this one for you!!!

the three hour tour

Checking the Map

Yesterday we went out geocaching with the mountain dawg crew. (Aunt Nancy, Uncle Ray, and the boys.) We kept losing the satellite reception and got lost. Daddy and Uncle Ray took off on their own and left us with the kids to fend for ourselves. It took us around three hours to complete this cache. We even had to ask someone how to get out of the park. The kids had a great time. The little ones were troopers they got a little tired and I took turns carrying them on my shoulders. Since it had rained for three days straight the trail was very muddy. They kids loved stomping through the mud.

Seasons Greetings

always watch what you say

Uncle Ray hard at work Uncle Ray spent the day yesterday helping with our foundation. So, he asks if we are going to get another dog soon. My first response was a loud-"NO!" I just can't go through that again. Then I started to revise my statement. I think my exact words were "Well, if a dog came into our life. I might consider it, but I'm not going out looking for one." "I think we'll just have goldfish!"

Then I swear, something like a half hour later this little guy waltzes into our back yard and bumps right into him. Thank God he was only around for a little while before his owner showed up. But, isn't he cute??? Now I'm trying to think up something clever to say about a bag of $100 showing up on my door step or like winning the lottery or something. You know that is never going to happen!

fun family foto

Bobbie, Russ, Dylan & DeanI took this photo when we went to Mi. Don't they look dashing in their suits. The boy were baptized the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Dean (on the right) is my new god son :)