The Easter Egg hunt was another great success. Many families, many kids and lots of fun. It was a beautiful sunny day, but cold and windy! Everyone made their way around the neighborhood and ended up in our cul-de-sac with snacks, prizes and conversation.

PICS HERE.

March turned out to be pretty cold. Had my birthday party early in the month. Spencer got Felix Jones, a Dallas Cowboy (and neighbor), to sign his football and that was his present to me. Cool gift that required some thought! The kids went to Great Wolf Lodge for spring break and had a great time.

Football and soccer are in full swing and the weather has improved. Flowers are planted and mulch has been applied (160 bags I might add). Easter egg hunt and pics coming next.

PICS HERE.

Just finished a 4 week fitness boot camp. Class starts at 5:30am and runs for an hour. They provide intense fitness workouts and nutritional advice. I dropped 9 pounds! I was simply hoping to lose some unwanted weight, but fared much better. Some of the mornings were somewhat chilly, upper 20's, lower 30's, but we warmed up quickly. Argyle Adventure Boot Camp.

On Sunday I competed in the Lifetime Indoor Triathlon. Swimming, cycling and running. My wave went off at 7:40am and of course it was time to turn the clocks ahead so it was 6:40 according to my body. Swimming was rough, but I ended up 22nd overall and 10th in the Master's division. (hard to believe I qualify for Masters, can't wait for aarp discounts to kick in...) Lifetime Indoor Triathlon Results. Sorry, no pics, I was somewhat busy.

Just added a couple of pics. The kids B.H. (before haircuts) in the heated spa on Jan 31 along with Jack and Kat sleeping. Kat also lost another tooth. The tooth fairy is worn out.

The kids had 2 consecutive days off from school due to icy weather. The first time we've seen 2 days off in any year let alone consecutively. Charles and Zach created a "nifty nerf" science project for school. The boys participated in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Saturday 1/31. Spencer entered his "toxic waste" crayola car and Charles had a silver midget racer. We melted crayons for Spencer's toxic effect.

PICS HERE.

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The Lamb's visited for an enjoyable Christmas Eve. Santa arrived later that evening and the children were thankful. The kids didn't wake us up very early Christmas morning and I was thankful. Charles got video games, Spencer a video spy remote control car and Kat a bike. The kids also received a PC from grandparents and aunts. I asked Kat what she liked best. Her reply and I quote "the lava lamp, the xbox game and the barbeque chips." Who, other than Santa, would have known that chips would be one of her favorite gifts. Kat also left Santa a note telling him where to leave her pet gerbil, Lola's gifts. In my next life, I will be a gerbil in the battery business (she received more gifts than I did).....

PICS HERE.

Just added 3 pics of kids in our new bonus room 12/21.

December has seen Christmas parades, school holiday parties, holiday bazaars and celebrating with the Jasso's. We purchased our $180.00 Christmas tree on the coldest day of the year. I got it home and the trunk would not fit into the stand. I had to get the chainsaw started and reduced the tree by a full foot. Everyone who goes about with Merry Christmas on their lips, should be boiled in their own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through their hearts, unless you are a child, at which point you will be recommended for clemency...

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Saturday, August 30, 2008. We just celebrated Kat's 7th birthday at home. Glass-bottom high heels and a birthday cake adorned with bbq chips and french fries were some of the highlights. School has begun and with it comes Scouts, Soccer and Flag Football.

PICS HERE.

OK, I said I would update more often, I lied. After a computer catastrophe, I am finally able to update again, no promises. The kids finished school months ago, the boys played flag football and Katherine finished another fine year with the Red Hots soccer team.

Charles had a fun 10th birthday sleepover with his friends. They swam, destroyed a Barney pinatta and stayed up waaaay too late

PICS HERE.

We drove from Flower Mound to Taos on Sunday, March 16 (10.5 hour trip). The kids had never been skiing, Margaret once and I had not been in over 25 years. We all went to ski school and it helped tremendously. The boys had a puke fest the 1st couple of days due to the altitude, exertion and cold (we're warm blooded low-landers), but recovered nicely. Everyone did exceptionally well and we let the kids ski by themselves.

Spencer participated in an historic event. He snowboarded on the very 1st day snowboarding was allowed at Taos, March 19, 2008. We are now looking forward to more skiing adventures.

PICS HERE.

We returned from Maine the 1st week of August. I included a few remaining Maine trip pics. We celebrated Charles 9th birthday in Texas (his 2nd party) and Katherine's 6th birthday (Aug 30). The kids started school on August 27 and all has gone well thus far.

PICS HERE.

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Haven't updated in awhile due to the digital camera's demise in a Georgia river. Margaret and the kids drove to Georgia in July to visit Mike, Melinda and kids. Looks like they had a great time despite the long trip. My kids have now been through states that I have not.

I bought a new Suzuki Boulevard C50 while everyone was away. Took a basic course prior to freshen up. Haven't owned a bike in 29 years. Phillip was the motivation if Margaret asks.

Just got back from Waco. It was the 1st anniversary of Domingo's passing. Father Steve held mass, we went to the cemetary and the family went to El Chico's after to enjoy the company. Kinda nice when large families get together.

PICS HERE.

June in Texas has brought rain and more rain. Not that we're complaining, but simply adjusting. The kids went through Religious Ed for 2 weeks. Spencer had his 1rst Communion and he did very well. We just returned from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and the Star Wars exhibit. Next up, Margaret and the kids head to Georgia.

PICS HERE.

Many PICS HERE.

We drove from Dallas to Galveston on Monday, March 19th, about a 5 hour trip. We stayed at the Moody Gardens hotel which includes 3 glass pyramids. The pyramids house an aquarium, a rainforest and a discovery area for kids. Lots of interesting stuff. Took a Mississippi style paddleboat ride and hung out at the pool. Took the Galveston ferry and saw dolphins swimming along side. We also got very wet on the way back from the splashing waves. This was free and one of the highlights for the kids. We headed to the beach on the Galveston seawall Wednesday afternoon. The kids had a ball and didn't want to leave.

PICS HERE.

On the way home Thursday, we stopped at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. We were there about 4 hours and didn't see everything. We did see Mission Control, astronaut training center and a Saturn rocket. It's amazing with the size and complexity, how these things work. We did shuttle landing simulations, experienced a shuttle "blast off" and the entire family learned a lot. A definite recommend for anyone of any age.

Christmas was a big success. We went to church Christmas Eve and Santa and Mrs Claus managed to finish setting up toys around 1:00am. The kids awoke Christmas morning to discover electric scooters, Barbie stuff, footballs and video games. Fortunately for us, the kids waited until 6:45 to alert us of Santa's arrival. I bought some BB gun targets and the boys practiced shooting (no one shot their eye out). They rode their scooters most of the day and Katherine assembled her doll toys. I got a new grill and an antique Afghanistan bone blow gun (for the person who has everything I guess). The house is a mess and we head to Maine on Wednesday, Dec 27.

The whole family participated in the Flower Mound Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec 9. There were well over 100 floats. Margaret was in charge of decorating our float early Saturday morning. It was cold and windy, but everyone had fun. The scouts threw candy to the onlookers and most everyone was in the holiday spirit.

We also bought our Christmas tree on Sunday at the local tree farm. The kids had fun and I actually got out of there in record time. The tree is setup and being decorated.

Margaret had the kid's photos taken in November. It included studio and outside shots. On one studio photo, we had them cut it horizontally and remove the middle. One includes the heads and the other includes the feet dangling. They'll be framed separately. The photos you'll see are digital pics of real photos, so the quality is not accurate. PICS HERE.

I spoke with Kendall prior to the elections and he mentioned that the "moon bats" might provide a favorable outcome for the republicans in Maine. I took hold of the term "moon bats" and cobbled together the following:

To the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies (also known as the Ballad of Jed Clampett)

Come and listen to my story 'bout a group of Moon Bats
Started stickin' their noses into to this and that
Next thing you know out goes the GOP
And in come the Bats headed by Pelosi
(spoken not sung) Nancy that is, left coast liberal

Well the first thing you know ol' George has had a scare
The right wing said "Bats get outta there"
They said Californy is the place you ought to be
but the Bats scared the public and are now in DC
(Spoken) Washington that is, pacifists, tree huggers
 
The Bats are in DC and you know they have a smile
'cause they're figurin' on staying for a while
But come '08 when the US votes again
America will be awake and Bats be gone my friend.

We opened Spencer's family gifts on his actual birthday, Wed Nov 1. He also earned another stripe on his belt for karate. The deer have been right next to our house for the last couple weeks. The boys had a night out since Margaret and Katherine went to Austin to accompany Irene on a "race for the cure". All the pics HERE.

The house was ready mid afternoon for Halloween. Pumpkins cut, decorations up, motion sensors waiting. We headed out trick or treating around 6pm and Jason, our neighbor, decorated a hay trailer and hauled the kids around with his ATV. The neighborhood looked great and a couple hours later we were home with loads of candy (my pockets were filled with the overflow).

I spent longer with one of the pumpkins trying to get it right. Shortly after putting them in their places, I looked out and it was gone. Katherine decided it was the best and should be at the end of the driveway for everyone to see. Unfortunately she dropped it and the face was in pieces. At least she got to see my fine work...

Spencer had a Werewolf themed birthday party on Friday Oct. 27. Margaret decorated the garage (wind gusts of 40mph) instead of having it outside. All kinds of costumes showed up. I wore a Werewolf mask and all the kids wanted to know why I had glasses on. I told them I was a far-sighted werewolf.  The cake was very cool. More PICS here.

We also went to the cub scout Rocket Camp early Saturday morning. The boys were tired from the party the night before, but we made it anyway. Setup the tent and campsite and headed to the archery range, BB gun range and lunch. I had to assemble 2 rockets and that was my adventure. Next time I want to attend the "assembled rocket academy". Camp fires, football and a pretty good haunted hayride. Spencer fell into the lake after the pontoon boat ride. Temps got down to 43 during the night. The boys slept and I kept waiting for morning to pack up. More PICS here.

The boys raced in the Raingutter Regatta on Saturday, Oct 14. They basically have a kit that can be modified and decorated which races down a gutter. For a 1st time out, the boats looked pretty good. Charles won 2 and lost 2 races. The kids had a good time.

The first of the Halloween stuff is appearing, must be October. We've been in the mid 90's lately, so it sure doesn't feel like fall. We had a fun weekend. Bought my first Fleet Enema and let Margaret apply to one of the kids (poor guy was in the bathroom for 2.5 hours)! I offered to get the camera.

Kendall reminded me that we saw the first home run from David Ortiz on Opening Day in his record setting season. I'll embellish the story as the years go by....

Our low budget party for Mamie. She even had to light her own candle. Pics here.

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Shoulder is getting better, everyone is in school and we've had visitors. Pita stayed with us a few days and the place looks like it did when we moved in. Mamie and Grampy came down from Maine to enjoy some nice weather and a Rangers game (lost in 11 to Angels). All the kids are in school (life is good). More Sept pics here including a mystery closeup and kids with tiger cubs...

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Kat had a great princess party at home. A bunch of friends and some party-crashing boys. Pics here or under Friends and Family.

Arrived Plano Surgery Center at 7:15am Friday, Aug 18 and was home by 12:30pm. Don't recall much in between, but it went well (all other appendages still in tact). 3 small incisions in front and rear of shoulder. Should be good as new in 3 months. No lawn care for remainder of summer and a great excuse to get out of most anything for a while. I'll milk this....

Unhappy SpongeGreg GymPants

Boys started school Aug 14. Couple of pics here.

I am adding pictures from holidays past to the newly designed web site. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Birthdays are uploaded. Christmas will take some time. I have all from the old site, but I'm attempting to improve the pics. Check Albums or click here.

Charles had his 1st communion at St. Francis in Grapevine on Sat. Aug 12. He did very well. Although he did correct the Priest, saying the proper pronunciation of "cannibal" was "carnivore". We didn't let him raise his hand after that. Pics available here.

p.s. replaced A/C unit for $2K, but it works. Kids are upstairs again and school starts Monday. Things are lookin' up.

We held the bowling-themed party at Main Event in Grapevine. Each of the kids received a shirt with "Charles Pin Pals" on the back and a nickname on the front. "Alley cat", "Kingpin", "Stryker", "Sparky", "Alley gator" and "Kit Kat" to name a few. The kids bowled, played games, ate hot dogs, cake and opened gifts. Click for pics.

Added from old web site the 2002 Nascar Race at Texas Motor Speedway. 80K+ Fri, 120K+ Sat, 220K+ Sun, and 180K+ lasted til Mon. Click Here.

I took the kids to the Rangers/Yankees game by myself on July 24th. The kids did very well, unlike the Rangers... Added a couple of pics here. Look for pictures added July 29.

Also added a couple of diving pics from July here.

Passed, or more appropriately, survived the KravMaga Orange belt test. Fortunately, I have so many other pains, that the shoulder is minor. Thanks to Instructor Jack and the other participants for a great Saturday.

Added some photo albums, but had some trouble. Fixed a few issues with the albums. Still getting used to photos with categories. I used to have a What's New page with the newest photos and provided links to the archived photos. You may have to look through the Categories to find what you're looking for.

Upstairs air conditioner is not working so the boys need to "sleep" downstairs (100 degree days in Texas). I get no sleep if they're in our room and no one gets any sleep if they're in Katherine's room. 7, 6 and 4 year olds consider this a slumber party with no slumber.

Spencer was thought to have chicken pox, but it turns out to be something else. What that is, no one including the Doctors are sure. Red bumps on his stomach that itch... He also has "swimmer's ear", so he now has ear plugs. We'll see how long that lasts. I suspect the cats will have eaten a plug before the weekend is over...