Happy Birthday Aidan!

Happy Birthday to my sweet black haired baby boy, Aidan!!! I can't believe you are 11 today! What a wonderful fun birthday celebration you made for all of us!

Aidan decided to invite his friends to the "Zap Zone" for lazer tag and bumper car rides, pizza and cake. Tonight we had our traditional Wheeler/Addison-Kakela football watching, chili eating, birthday party celebration. At half time we sing Happy Birthday, eat cake and ice cream...then go back to the game!

Our sweet Aidan decided several weeks ago that he would like to celebrate his birthday with his friends, but he would like them to donate food to the local Red Cross food pantry instead of giving him gifts. He is worried about all of the people in our community who in need of food and clothing and homes and jobs.

We are so proud of him and his concern for others that we can't help sharing all of these fun pictures!

You're the best Aidan!!! We love you more than you will ever know!!!

Congratulations, Madame Secretary!

Pete, John and I just returned from a wonderful week-end in Washington where we were honored to witness the swearing in ceremony of our beloved friend Jo-Ellen as she became the second female Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
We were treated to a tour of the Pentagon before the ceremony which thrilled John....and gave me blisters on my toes. Jo-Ellen was surrounded by all of her family and many, many friends from near and far. We were so touched to be a part of it!
Saturday we watched the MSU/UofM game at Ellen Globokar and Bob Chlopak's with their son Jack. It was a great afternoon and we all had fun and certainly enjoyed the end of the game!
Jo-Ellen and her sister Margy, Pete, John and I stayed at the Dubliner until way too late last night, but it was great fun and well worth the tiredness this morning!
Congratulations and way to go, Jo-Jo! We love you!

First Day of School

I know I'm late on this one but here are the pictures of the first day of school. Pete and I returned from Ireland the night before so the morning was a funny one getting everyone off to school. John and Pasha didn't (wouldn't) have pictures taken for the blog,but everyone else was very cooperative. Nolan and Aidan go to a different building this year. Whitehills is a 5th & 6th grade building and Buffy, Alex, Ben, Jane and Lilly are all at Pinecrest. I'm finally getting used to EVERYONE being gone all day and Nolan and Aidan being at the BIG school---they all adjusted way before I did :)! The year is going great for everyone! Buffy is just beginning and John is ending---as in, he's a senior!

EAST LANSING TROJAN FOOTBALL UPDATE

The East Lansing Trojan Football Varsity team is looking better the last two weeks. Last week was their first win, beating Lansing Everett and last night they beat their big rival Okemos 27 to 21. It was a fun and exciting game. I forgot to take may camera again---I'm always a little nervous getting ready to leave and continue to forget something. I'll try to get pictures at the next home game---or maybe Pasha and his friends will just pose for me some afternoon after practice! Ha!

Happy Birthday Pete and Jane!

Happy Happy Birthday to Pete and Jane! We all hope the day and year are one of your best ever!
We just returned from a great celebration dinner with Doug and Susan, wedged in between soccer practices, football practice and many, many other important commitments! It seems as if getting this whole family together gets more difficult all the time!
We all enjoyed dinner, cake and lots of laughs----not only did Pete and I forget to take a camera, but Uncle Doug didn't bring one either! I guess we will all just have to commit it to memory without pictures!
Anyway, Happy Birthday you two!