Wedding Tag

1. Where did you meet? Hermiston, Oregon. Shocking isn't it. Who knew you had to go back home ;0)

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met? Um, do I have to say. Let's just say I was glad there were a few new people at Single Adult Activities, but didn't think he was my type.

3. Do you remember what he was wearing? I would guess jeans, cowboy boots and a ball cap. I wasn't looking to date at the time and didn't pay attention.

4. Where was the first time you kissed this person? Yeah, see I'm not that good at remembering stuff like that. I remember specific times, but not sure which is first. I think it was while watching that movie with Val Kilmer--can't remember what it's called, the medieval type one with the little brownie type people.

5. How did he ask you out? Informal: we went to go get pie at Shari's after some activity. I'm always up for pie. Formal: Asked me to dinner at Outback on Halloween.

7. How long did you know this person before you became a couple? A couple, define that. It was four or five months before we started dating from the time we met. In November, then a break then again in Februaryish, then a break, then for real Aprilish. Mike will deny it all.

8. Has this person ever proposed to you? Yep, the night of the Sienfeld finale. At his house in Umatilla after a date to Tri-Cities. That's all I'm telling ;0p

9. Do you and this person have kids together? We've added four to the family of three we were when we got married.

10. Have you ever broken the law together? Of course not. O.K., we've exceeded the speed limit and not come to complete stops on occasion.

11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person? Good question. I think I started to look at him differently after we played that water tag game with the other single adults in the area. He came to make me go shoot my people. Obviously I had fun.

12. Do you get along with this person ex's? Better and better.

13. What's the most expensive thing this person has given you? Engagement ring.

14. What is the one thing this person does that gets on your nerves? Mike, is always right. What's really annoying is he really is a lot of time.

15. What is the one thing you do that gets on his nerves? Eat chocolate when I get mad.

16. Where do you see each other in 15 years from now? No idea, but we'll be in the misdst of great things. Gunnar will be 29 and Delayna will be 15. Stay tuned I'm sure it will be a riot.

17. Wedding date? August 7, 1998

18. Wedding day memories? Mike was sick, my family was sick, and it was still a beautiful day. Loved the BBQ afterward.

I tag Jaime and Bethany.

Father's Day

The kids made a list of all the things they wanted to do in the two weeks we are going to be at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They had a hard time last week understanding that they didn't need to do them all in two days. We were able to get them to put off the fish viewing and picnic at McNary Dam until Sunday when Dad and Grandpa could go with us. They had a great time watching fish and trying to determine what kind of fish they are, checking out the "real" fish ladder, eating, and skipping rocks (or more appropriately attempting to skip rocks.) Cailah has the right attitude, if she gets it to the water she's excited. I'm right there with her. The phrase of the day was "stay off the hairy rocks." Alyssa was the first to learn that although they were cool looking they were very slippery. She crashed down and discovered that her pants were "hideously disgusting" when the hairy goo transfered to her pants.

P.S. family photos made possible by the very cool Father's Day present we got Dad, the gorilla pad tripod.

Kristin's Graduation

I don't know what I'm going to do now that there will be no more drafts of nursing papers to read but that's ok cause WHOO HOO Kristin. Graduating with high honors. Mike surprised us by showing up at the park between the pinning ceremony and graduation. Cailah's take on the event: "it wasn't a real graduation because they didn't throw their hats." Alyssa got to "pin" her mom following a nursing tradition and some of us dropped a tear or two. We are so proud. It would have been more fun only if it hadn't been cost prohibitive for the Utah folks to join us.

The Carnival

The kids are constantly preparing "productions" for us at Grandma's house. This week we were entertained by a Carnival, many musical dances, and a campout program. The Carnival and campout were complimented by maps, printed programs and masters of ceremonies. (Yes they are highly involved.) The Carnival included group shows and individual talent. Everyone was invited to try the individual talents after they perform. Abby was "The Human Pretzel." Dad was the only one who was willing to try that talent and was thwarted by Kristin screaming "No, Dad, NO." We think she was suffering from post tramatic stress related to a past incident regarding Dad and leg contortions. Alyssa's talent was singing the Star Spangled Banner and event organizing. Cailah favored us with a Dance. Delyana's talent was being "Darling Delyana." Her particular talent involved sitting in the bean bag surrounded by toys and being cute. Braydon was "Bouncing Braydon." We needed to share the video of Dad attempting Bray's talent. Notice the position of the pool table in relation to Dad and the Ball. It was nearly a AFV moment.

The Amazing 60 Minute Photo

Today Delyana had her first real photo shoot. She was NOT going to smile for the people. She didn't cry, she just wasn't going to smile. Then she thought about it for awhile. Then she flashed a few one second smiles and then the shoot was over. I picked her up and she grinned like Douglas and Randy on Christmas morning. I figured we'd have a couple of decent pictures, but would probably have to settle for very serious pictures, which would have been o.k. That's kind of Delayna anyway. So we went to veiw the pictures and lo and behold they were great. Her little face was darling and her big personality shone through. I'm totally impressed. Mom and I had a hard time narrowing it down to ten proofs. Here's a sampling.

It's hard to believe, but Delayna is 7 months old today.  Her exciting news this month is that she cut her first tooth and she is now sleeping in her crib.  She likes to make messes already and has emptied a tissue box, a bag of wipes and will take anything within reach.  She knows what she wants and she wants it right now thank you very much.  She loves to watch the kids play, listen to music, and have mom hold her.  She also enjoys teasing Dad by leaning in toward him then turning away when he goes to pick her up, and she loves to watch him.  I guess that is why she likes Mom to hold her.  She's a cutie and we like her! 

Tolman Jeapordy

Category: Fabulous Dancers

Clue: A wind up toy, a Turkey in the Straw and a cool cat.

If you answered "What was Abrielle Tolman in this year's recital?" you are correct. Here are a few pictoral highlights.

Now we will share comments from other parents. Because if we said it ourselves it would be bragging, but if they said it is just passing on the information ;0P

* "She's a natural."

* "She has such beautiful lines."

* "When I wasn't sure what they were supposed to be doing I looked at Abby and then I could tell."

*"She's really fun to watch."

OK, so Mike and I were surprised at how much she's improved this year. And she was fun to watch. She smiled, had a great time and knew the dances well (and she did hit some beautiful lines). She was also lucky enough to have her current teacher and her Kindergarten teacher there to watch. Go Abster!