Texas (Yee Haw!)

I am finally home from a week-long trip to Texas with Melissa, Verlyn, and little Ms. LaRee.  They have officially moved to TX now and I helped them make the drive from San Diego last week.  We left Monday night and drove to Yuma.  Tuesday we drove all the way past El Paso to a VERY small town in west Texas (with very scary motel rooms).  We made good time on Wednesday getting to Euless in time for dinner (or supper if you are from Wisconsin).  Here are a few of my favorite pics from the road:

 

This is my diet coke "beer" (looks like the silver bullet can).  I had never seen the tall can before and I got waaaaaay too excited about it.  So I enjoyed my snacks.  Melissa, on the other hand, was disappointed in her blizzard.  Chocolate ice cream with snickers when she thought it would be vanilla.  Oh well... I guess she'll just have to go back to DQ for another one!

LaRee was mostly great on the trip.  Although she was cutting a couple fangs, so there were miserable moments for her.  We found that it's always easier to calm a troubled child with food!  Donuts and cheetos did the trick! I love that little girl. ;-)

It was a bittersweet trip for me because I am so happy for them and, yet, I will miss them more than they know.  Melissa and I have known each other for almost 15 years and I have grown very attached to all of them (you, too, Junior).  They are family to me and it is always difficult to say goodbye to family, yet I want all the goodness and happiness and love the universe can give them.  I know this is a good move for them and they will settle in to a wonderful life for LaRee and future Latus.  But I left with a very heavy heart not knowing when I will see them again.  I couldn't even bring myself to see the little one in her crib that morning.  

The good news is that I like to travel, Junior works for an airline and Texas ain't that far away.  So I send big hugs and kisses to Euless until I see you again!!  I love you!

Nephews

Today is the end of 2 full weeks with Julie and the boys.  I am exhausted.  But I have enjoyed the boys more this trip than any other.  I think because it was pure summer fun with no stress of holidays or parties or anything.  Yesterday I literally spent 1/2 hour spraying water on Nathaniel from the backyard hose.  I will admit, however, that my enjoyment didn't always transfer over to the adult members of my family. ;-)  I wanted to post a few of my favorite pics of the boys.  Hope everyone is having a great summer!

I am home from Indiana and I already miss it.  It is way too hot here and brown... sandy brown.  No rolling hills, no fields of corn or wheat, no fireflies, no red barns.  But most of all, no deKock's and that is the saddest part.  I had a great time with the family and can't wait to go back for another visit!  Maybe Jaden will stop punching my breasts by then.  Maybe not.  Maybe in a few months I will actually miss the breast-punching.  Maybe by my next visit I will be in better shape to do karate kicks on the trampoline without injuring my knee.  Maybe I will FINALLY get to go to Navy Pier (just kidding, Jess).  Or maybe I will just hang out at my favorite vacation home and watch Camp Rock again.  And this time, maybe I will know all the words. ;-)  

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the trip.  

Indiana is for lovers (and single girls).....

I figured I should update and let you all know how converted I am to Indiana now. I am here visiting my friends Jessica and Daniel and their four kidlets. They have a beautiful home and it has been hard for me not to treat it like my personal vacation home. Sleep when I want, eat when and what I want, watch TV when I want. Except, of course, when I had to get up at 5am to go canoeing with Jessica and the YW from her ward. That was a treat - especially when I was dumped in the river! I pretended to be mad, but it was the most fun I've had in a long time.... like the good old days. Jess and I went to Chicago yesterday and I am pretty sure I could live there. I love the city, even though it was hot and sticky. But the rest of the time we have had fantastic weather! So it's been a great trip and I am already sad to think of leaving. I will update again when I get home - with pictures.

things that make me laugh....

Following the example of a friend, I will share with you a few things that have made me gut laugh lately:

1 - looking through old pictures, particularly the loop trip to Paula's in AZ for Halloween.  That could be the funnest trip EVER, but only because I didn't go to Vegas.

2 - the Irish commentator for Euro 2008.  He makes every play soooo much more exciting.

3 - when my dog hauls butt across the yard chasing after the birds.

4 - I said "tower/shub" the other day when discussing bathroom upgrades and it made me laugh so hard I snorted.  Apparently I crack myself up.

5 - when my mom totally burns my brother and, better still, burns his best friend.  Hilarious!

6 - Last Comic Standing.  Okay, they are funny to me mostly.  Some are just lame.

7 - when my nephew does his "crazy eyes" on command.

8 - my bank account.  (Although this involves much more nervous laughing than anything else)

family time

We had a great two weeks with all the family.  I thought you would enjoy a few pictures of everyone.  In order they are 1-walking in the Kensington Memorial Day Parade (you can see Julie with baby Nicholas in the bjorn, Matt is on the scooter, Dannie is pulling the wagon, and Jennie is hiding behind Dan with streamers.  
Here are the four grandkids.  Dannie and Matt holding Nathaniel and Nicholas.  You can imagine how proud Grandma Jackie is of this picture!!
Dannie and Matt are getting ready to feed stingrays at Sea World.
This is how we bath our kids. ;-)  Love the buttcrack.
A picture of the boys at Knotts Berry Farm.  Matt is in the middle, Dave is in the red shirt and his friend, Mike, is in the orange shirt.

Family on Fox News

Well, we are in the middle of the craziness.  We have gone to the beach, Sea World, USS Midway, Inflatable World, the movie Speed Racer, several eateries and ice cream shops, rode the ferry to Coronado Island, and walked in the Memorial Day Parade!  That is actually the reason for this blog.  Check out this link to the local Fox News and on the right side about half down the page you will see the story titled San Diego Remembers with the reporter next to a kid in a wagon.  That's Nathaniel!  The newscaster talking about all the celebrations around town, including the Kensington Parade.  At one point while a blond woman is talking, you can see my family in the background walking.  But the big star is Nathaniel in his wagon with flags all over it.  The reporter is kneeling next to him saying something about red, white, and blue.  Enjoy our superstar!!