So much excitement!

There's been so much happening of late...

Jamie arrived with a full truck of her stuff 2 weekends ago which we now have to find the room for. We're not worried about it - We'll figure it all out eventually. She still has to work for another 3 weeks in Chicago at her Architecture firm so she'll be back permanently around the end of August. We know she's just thrilled about being back home with Mom and Dad... Right.... And if you believe that, I have some land to sell you... She's become a true Chicagoan and will probably end up back there someday.

Congrats to Alex on his new Architecture job! We hope things are going well for him there and that it's everything they said it was!!! Know Alex that you're always welcome to come see us and stay with us anytime you want. You can come see Jamie too for that matter! hee hee...

Congrats to Niki on reaching the triple digits! Wow, to have hiked more than 1200 miles - I just can't begin to fathom! You're my hero and are definitely "Persistant"! I don't know of anyone else who would do what you're doing. Keep up the great work, keep away from the those nasty ticks and snakes, and keep us updated on your web page! I love reading about your adventures. See you very soon...

Congrats also to Melissa and Braden on being happy "unhomeowners"! That's a wierd thing to say, I know, but with today's economy, I'm glad I get to say it! We're thrilled that the closing took place without too much event after the recent thefts of your downspouts. Go figure! Now who would be desperate enough to steal downspouts the night before your closing??? No more dead squirrels, live snakes, or mice for me!!! Your backyard was a wild kingdom for the animals! That's one thing I won't miss!!! LOL!!! I will and do however miss your closeness more than you can imagine!

Ron was busy repairing the french drain from our side yard to the back alley this past weekend. With the last storm and the amount of flooding that occurred in the side yard again, we figured out that the grate we put in didn't fix the problem. It had to be something more. With a lot of digging in mucky clay and rocks, it turns out there were 3 something mores - 3 places where the buried drain pipe was completely busted open and Ron had to replace. Thank you to the people who installed the fence, caused us to be evacuated due to the busted open gas main, busted the french drain pipe, and then walked away. It's been 3 years of floods (one in our basement) and clay filled muddy shoes every time it rained hard. Not fun! Now, believe it or not, we think it's totally fixed and are praying for rain to see Ron's excellent work succeed. At least we have our fingers crossed! So much for maintenance free condo living!!! LOL!!!

Another 11 days and we'll be headed to see the Grupp Clan again! We're counting down the days! Not looking forward to the actual trip through those scary mountains - just the getting there!

Me, well I've been putting in a crazy amount of hours working as I now have 3 huge projects on my plate with more on the way. Funny how my team leader looked at my list of 48 things to be done at that time and told me that it would take me 5 years to get through them all. She's the one who gave me all these to-do's to begin with. Every time I turn around, I get more added and don't have any idea which one takes priority. Guess it's whoever screams the loudest! Ron had to drag me away yesterday just to get me out from in front of my computer. I totally felt guilty about not getting more done, but truly enjoyed the time we had in Brighton just walking in the park, together, alone.

Thankfully, Ron and I get to see Emma and Bela on a fairly regular basis via the computer camera. Today was no exception. What a trip those 2 are! They manage to make us laugh like you wouldn't believe. Today, Emma gave us a rather lengthy but hilarious rendition of a song she was making up on the spur of the moment. She did the dance moves (Irish jig) to it too! I wish Melissa could have taped it for everyone to see. Bela was rather quiet today but that's only because she had one thing after another in her mouth. That girl loves to eat anything and everything - computer cables included! She's awfully quick about it too. Melissa, you definitely have your hands full with those 2.

Well, it's back to work for me. My 10 minutes of relaxation of relating our recent lives is up and over. Talk to you all soon!

Wonderful Week!

Ron and I got to spend a wonderful week with the kids in South Carolina and although I tended to melt in their heat (I think I found every shady spot SC has), we came home with many wonderful memories...

Bela's beautiful big smile at all times, her falling asleep in my arms at Monkey Joes amidst all the music and kid noise, her Superman attempt at crawling (on her stomach with legs and arms up as if she's flying), and the total mess she turned out to be after her meals (Dominoes will never be the same). I still can't figure out how she sleeps with Emma running up and down the hallway squealing with surprise when her cat chases her... What a beautiful little baby she is!!!

As for Emma - she's a whirlwind unto herself! Her never ending energy and ability to run a hundred miles an hour or climb up and down steps - forever (the handrails will probably need to be repainted at Coldstones since Emma's hands were green from all her endless climbing!), how she was able to instantly use her new screwdriver, wrench, and cordless drill (you need to teach Grandpa how to use his... haha!), Emma's lit up face as she bit the pieces off of her candy necklace (yummy!), and watching her climb up to snuggle in her Grandpa's lap to watch her cartoons every morning.

Thank you Braden and Melissa for turning your heads and letting us spoil them just a little. It meant the world to us!!!

The week absolutely flew by and before you knew it, it was time to give our last kisses and say our good-byes. I don't think Ron and I talked for the first 2 hours after we left - it was just too hard...