This Is Not A Getaway, It's A Get Together.

VOLLEYBALL REUNION

It isn't obvious what volleyball has to do with this. That is ancient history now. But good friends have been together for many years. We've reared children and now they are rearing children. Thanks to those who put this together. We gathered most of the group in New Buffalo, Michigan for a day off catching up with the lives of everyone.

We enjoyed a day at the beach and park.

The beach front is very nice and picturesque.


The bubble wands came out for the kids came out and very soon it became clear who the 'kids' were.


Then we took a walk to the beach. Drew's family had a big day at Ashley's and Alex's school and couldn't come. Kyle had to work but Sarah and Logan came with us. Geoff and Julieanna brought Cora and enjoyed sitting on the warm rocks at the beach.

I don't think Geoff was really flipping me off.

Sally had a lot of time holding Logan. She was the best little traveler. We left Sarah's at 9:15 AM. We weren't much more than out of the drive and Logan was asleep. She slept all the way to New Buffalo, where we arrived about Noon CDT.

Sarah fed Logan and she slept the rest of the day. She just lay there like Sleeping Beauty. In spite of the umbrella and bonnet she got a flash of sun on her cheeks. Sarah out a little aloe on her and she slept the whole way home.

I think she has an on--off switch. When we got to Sarah's Kyle was home from work and Logan woke and was all smiles and charm.


Cora is quit the little lady now, at six months. In her jaunty hat and big smiles she is very observant. She is also very camera aware. She is pretty quick at picking up on little things and learning to do them. I did a little finger wave when I saw her watching me and she was serious and staring at me. Then, without her looking away, her fingers started moving down by her side. When I noticed I approached and started talking to her while waving and she kept looking back and forth be tween her hand and mine and in less than a minute she was able to wave.


It is amazing to me how much difference there is in just a few months of age. Logan is becoming very interactive. She recognizes people and reacts to us with jabber and smiles. They are going to be so much fun together in a very short time.

Apparently this all wore Neal and Anna out. They took time out in the sun.


It was a big day. We have a baby boom in the group now. Eleven children under three and two expectant mothers to be. There are about nineteen in the latest generation. Nineteen children in the middle generation and thirteen spouses. The original group has fourteen husbands and wives. What a life it has been!

Done At Last

They finally finished the house! I was busier that a one armed paper hanger on Saturday. I had to cut up a stack of deadwood from our tree and put the kitchen curtain back up. Then I painted the garage door to match the house.

That made it painfully apparent to me why I gave up and had the house sided. I thought my arm would fall off, painting over my head and moving the door down a wee bit then paint another strip, etc. I hadn't thought about it, but one cannot paint to the edge if the door is down. But I think it looks like a good match. And done in time for Mother's Day.


The kids all came to our house. They were all very good. This is Julieanna holding Logan, Kyle and Sarah's angel. Geoff had his lovely little lady Cora. Cora is four months older that Logan. At two months and six months there is a world of difference in their activities. But both are healthy and progressing wonderfully. It is hard to imagine that in another six to eight months there will be less and less separation.

They are both beautiful little girls. I feel so lucky that all my children are healthy and have healthy children and they are all so nurturing and involved.


Then in an evil spell ...
Julieanna decided to test her Cora. "Look at mommy loving another baby! No more love left for Cora."

Cora is self-confident and didn't care. She knows that of her minion of worshipers, the loss of one is insignificant.


Actually, Logan was upset at being used in such a crass plot.


Since Drew and Tricia and Ashley and Alex won't be able to go to Michigan this weekend, we took a picture to take with us. Aren't they a good looking family?


Then we have video!

Cora has begun to sit up by herself and she likes to exercise her voice. If she has an audience she is even louder. I think they call that being a ham. And on Mother's Day she started using her hands to modulate that voice.


That is enough CORASPEAK. It all sounds vaguely familiar in the Obama year.