HOMECOMING HAS ARRIVED

Homecoming is always so much fun. Young people all excited about the evening ahead of them. Friends, pictures, dinner and then the big dance. They can't wait for it all to begin. And you can't help but be sucked into their enthusiasm. It is just weird not knowing any of the kids anymore. I really did feel like a grandma tonight instead of a mom.

Henrik looking dapper:

The group:


Henrik putting Katie's corsage on:

Henrik and Katie in various poses:

Mom and Dad in on the act:

Peace to all brothers and sisters HAPPY HOMECOMING!!!!!!!!

GHS Homecoming

Henrik is going to go to GHS's homecoming this weekend. He met this young lady at a high school football game and they became fast friends. Her name is Katie Hosteng. I will have lots of pictures after this weekend so stay tuned and enjoy the pictures to come. Boy, does this take me back to the days our boys went to homecoming. It was always such a fun time. Enjoy Henrik!!

Joah's Birthday and a Tennessee Football Game

We went to Tennessee to celebrate Joah's birthday. He had a party on Sunday September 14th is actual birthday. There were 5 little guys invited, John, John, John, Jonathan and Jack. Is that too funny. They are soooo cute at this age. They are all 3 or close to being 3. Joah got some great gifts.

There is nothing like the sound of little kids laughing.




Whatever this gift was he really liked it because you could tell by his facial expression.

Of course there is always room for some cake and ice cream.

And everyone left with a authentic Tennessee football from Joah which they thought was pretty cool!! :)


The day before we all went to the Tennessee football game. Jason of course showed Henrik the basketball facilities and Henrik was in awe. They are pretty impressive I must say. They just built a new practice facility called the "Pratt Pavilion" and it is nicer than some schools actual arena. Then it was on to tailgating (gotta love that) and the game. It would have been perfect but it was 90 degrees, a tad warm for a football game. But fun was had by all anyway.

Dad and daughter conversing

Peija and Joah in their Tennessee gear


Little brother sharing his new cars Grandma & Granpa brought him






The VOLS headed for the end zone

The great Tennessee fans

The Tennessee Marching Band forming the "Power T"

Another great trip to Tennessee. It is always great to see Jason and his beautiful family. Now it is on to Mississippi in October to see Zach and the Alcorn Braves!

HEADING SOUTH FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY

John, Henrik and myself will be heading out on Friday September 12th for Knoxville TN. for Mr. Joah Thomas Shay's birthday. Three years old, it is truly unbelievable to me that my baby is that old. He loves pre-school and was the only kid on the first day that didn't cry. That's our boy!!!

I am sure I will have lots of pictures when we get back to share with all of you.

Henrik is excited about see a large university and the basketball arena at UT. Jason I am sure will give him the grand tour.

NOT A GOOD WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not a good week for me. First I had to have a tooth extracted on Monday because it was abscessed and they couldn't do a root canal. Then Tuesday my back went out, off to the chiropractor I went. I was in extreme pain with my tooth on Tuesday as well, but figured it was just sore and my teeth around the socket were very tender but thought it was probably because the dentist had to work so hard to get the darn thing out of my mouth. Wednesday I had to take my Mom to St. Francis in Peoria for minor surgery, but we were there all day and I was miserable. On Thurs. I went back to the chiropractor for treatment, then on to the dentist to find out I have a dry socket. On Friday I just lie around and felt sorry for myself. Saturday morning I got up at 7:15 and had back spasms so bad John took me to the ER for some relief. They have me doped up with pain killers and muscle relaxers but I need to get myself on the road to recovery come Tuesday. I think the socket has finally turned the corner and I feel sooooooooooo much better in that area of my body. Where are these so-called "Golden Years?" This getting old is definitely for the birds!!!

Thank God for John and our sweet foreign exchange student Henrik. He has been compassionate and helpful. He must wonder what he got himself into. John took him to the first high school football game and he was surprised to see how many people were there. He doesn't quite understand the game yet but we are working with him and will get him acclimated to USA games. But he loves basketball obviously since that is what he plays. Not sold on the Cubs, thinks baseball is boring to watch, like millions of other people. It is a hard concept for me to wrap my brain around but I guess there are people who don't care for baseball or so I have been told?!@#*

Now that I have bored you with my pathetic problems, I wish you all a great week ahead. Hopefully next time I post I will have some happy news. Take care.

TODAY HENRIK COMES!!!

Today is the day that I pick Henrik Nielsen up at the airport. Henrik is a foreign exchange student who will be attending Carl Sandburg College this year and playing basketball for the Chargers. He will be living with John and myself. Henrik is 6'7" a height we are certainly not use to in our household. We are excited about Henrik's arrival. It will be nice to have young blood in the house once again. He is coming in at 11:00 tonight into Peoria. It is going to be a late night. I will keep everyone posted on our new experience.

PEIJA LEE TURNS 6

Last weekend Peija turned six years old, it is hard to believe. Here are some pictures from the weekend's events. Jason & Jana held a bowling party for Peija and some of her friends on Saturday. They also had a dance contest for the kids at the bowling alley. They had so much fun and she got such nice gifts. One of the gifts Dad and Mom got her was a set of real golf clubs and bag. Joah enjoyed the festivities as well.

On Sunday we all went to Gatlinburg. It is so pretty there. We all rode the ski lift which was cool because you got such a great view of the Smokey Mountains.

The girls showing off the light up necklaces...

Eating pizza!

Umm that cupcake sure tastes good!

Joah must have thought so, it was all over his face.

Jason helping Joah bowl and big sister looking on.

Peija and her friends warming up for the dance contest.

Lookin' good girls!!

Peija trying out those new golf clubs.

Father and daughter working on their computers.

He loves his daddy!

Looking so grown-up!!! :(

Harley dude!!

Showing off his new Spider Man backpack for pre-school.

BEAU FINALLY GETS TO A METS GAME

Beau and Jen and some friends went to a Mets game over the weekend. Beau has been a fan of the Mets for years. They had a great time. Jen is a David Wright fan so she got his shirt and Beau got some other players shirt. Jen said Beau was so excited. This is the last year for Shea Stadium they are tearing it down and building the new one right next to it, same as they are doing to Yankee Stadium. Funny both teams would get a new stadium the same year.

HEADIN' SOUTH

We are heading out to Tennessee on Friday (8/8/08) for Miss Peija's birthday on Sunday (8/10/08). Our baby girl will be 6 years old and starts first grade on Monday the 11th. We can't believe how old she is already. Time flies and these babies grow-up doggone it!!! Watch for pictures from the birthday party. They will be coming your way.

THEY DID IT!!!!!!!!

The Cubs swept the Milwaukee Brewers!!!!!!!!!! I know there is a lot of baseball left in the season, but so far so good. It has been and exciting season for us Cubs fans!! GO CUBBIES!!! CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!