wolfsburg

barbara and bernd picked me up at the hannover airport...we then drove an hour to wolfsburg, where they live...it is a very pretty city...it's a factory town, they say...vw has it's largest plant here...and i will say that about 9 out of 10 cars are volkswagens...i checked into my hotel, then they came back and they took me around the town...we drove to a little town about 1/2 hour away...this town was divided in half by the east germans when they put up the wall...amazing that they did that...these people couldn't be with there family if they lived on the wrong side...we went to this old farm where the owner has a little museum about the wall...very interesting to learn about it...then we went to this really nice park that has a lake for rowing, bike paths, a big indoor swimming area, waterpark, ice skating rink..very fun place...had dinner there...then, i was falling asleep...so they dropped me off and i went to sleep...really fast...

guten tag

hey i'm in germany! wow...i actually don't have any thing really to say except i'm sitting in the munich airport hoping to get on my next flight to hanover...they said it's overbooked...the flight from l.a. to atlanta was good...we were on a brand new plane which is fun...the seats were pretty cool...then flew from atlanta to munich...that flight was fine...just slept, watched a movie, ate, read etc...it's weird being alone...i've never flown this far by myself...i've always had someone...so, i'll be glad to meet up with barbara...i'm not sure i could be a traveler that's just on their own...too lonely...plus there is no one to share it with...so, you guys get to be my confidants...too bad you can't talk back...i'd call home, but, it's 2 a.m. probably the babies are up with their mothers...well, i will write more when i actually have something to say...the scenery just flying in was beautiful...patchwork greens, browns of farms, lots of forests of trees...really pretty...later...

kerry baby

happy birthday to my baby! kerry is 20! i can't believe it...for one thing...i'm not old enough to have a youngest child that is 20...ok, i guess i am...i just don't feel it...but, how can she be that old? kerry is such a beautiful person..inside and out...she is so much fun...so full of life...adds a spark where ever she goes...she's such a loyal person, her friends and family are lucky to have her around...she is so artistic...she loves painting, crafting, making something out of nothing...kerry has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh...i enjoy being with her...i'm so proud of her...she decides what she wants and then goes for it...i love you so much kerry...have a wonderful year...

babies, babies and more babies

the last few days have been full of babies...all of them! kelly and i brought gavin, owen and charlie over to colorado to see the newest baby in the family...alexis...she was born last tuesday...we have been staying at a hotel near their house with kate...tommy didn't make the cut...a bit too little..we've played at the park, gone to the zoo, gav and owen saw some other cousins tonight...we'v e seen little lexie...she and charlie are getting to know each other...a fun little cousin reunion..let's see what i've learned...gavin is the boy...he likes to play boy games like space man, cops, etc.etc...kate is the boss...she tells everyone what to do..and she loves girly games like princess etc..owen is quiet...and he bolts...his new name should be the 'bolter'...all he does is take off running...but,he's always happy, unless the two older ones take his toys...tommy is happy to be part of the gang...he loves his vaccuum...what a doll...the babies..well, they are still perfect you know...haven't got any bad habits yet...so all in all a fun time with some fun kids...

boys in the pool

the little boys love playing with russ in the pool...and they will do it for hours and hours...

10 years

so today was the 10th anniversary of tom's death...before he died he used to tell me...it won't be so long before we're together...and i'd say...yeah, only 40-50 years...so, it's whittling down...not that i'm ready to go...but, i do miss tom...he was a great man, a great husband, wonderful father, son etc. etc...tom would be turning 53 tomorrow...in my retrospect of the last 10 years...my kids have all graduated from high school, 3 from college (kerry's still at it), 2 with graduate degrees. (russ is starting his)...we've added a few people to our family...a daughter and son in law (they both have graduated, jeff as an attorney)...almost 6 grandbabies....our family has doubled in size! i think he is proud of all of them...i know that i am proud of all of them....they have turned out fantastic...and now we have this new generation to watch and be entertained by.... we've had alot of adventures...alot of fun times together...we've had fun traveling...working hard...enjoying our lives...i think that's one thing that i learned from tom dying so young...you have to enjoy what you're doing...you have to be thankful for the life you have...be grateful for everyday....life's an amazing thing..it's not always easy...it's not always fun....but, every day is worth living...tom loved life..he worked hard and he played hard....he loved going to work everyday, he loved working with his dad and brother...he loved to golf, play tennis, run, bike...he enjoyed every minute...that's what we have to all remember...one of my favorite sayings is 'live, love, laugh'....that's what we need to be doing every single day....thanks tom for being my love...

happy 4th everyone!

we are so lucky and blessed to live in this great country...i'm the first one to love going to another country to see the sites...but, there is no better place than the 'good old USA'....i love our flag, i love all the patriotic songs, i love seeing fireworks in red, white and blue...the 4th is a wonderful time....we can remember all those that went before us...that made this country what it is today...my flag is flying in salute to our wonderful America!

kelly and abba!

last night for kelly's b-day...we went to the "abba" concert at the hollywood bowl...no, abba has not gotten back together...this was a cover group...but, they thought they were abba...they had the exact costumes, dances everything...it was alot of fun...you can't beat abba's fun songs...they had everyone going....even sweet charlie...i think she was the youngest person there!

kel's b-day!

a few years ago...not too many, mind you....i was blessed to have my first baby...she was and is a joy to me...one of my best friends...she has grown up to be a beautiful woman ...kelly is gorgeous, fun, nice, smart, hardworking, creative...she's a great wife and wonderful mother...i'm so proud of her...i want to wish her the happiest of birthdays...love you and can't wait to celebrate tonight...

birthday....still

tonight lauren with some of my help threw russ a surprise birthday party...it was at sycamore beach...to get him there...randy asked him to ride to the beach...then, when they got there, we yelled 'surprise'...it was a fun party with fun friends...lauren did a good job with the party, she brought games to play...decorated...set up chairs, got the fire going...it was alot of fun...stay tuned for tomorrows birthday...it's kelly!

Happy 24 Russ!

Happy Happy Birthday to Russ....on his 24th birthday...where did the years go? He gave himself a birthday gift...a new look!

silly girls

silly girls and their funny pictures
at ty and melanie's wedding!

what a wedding!

we had a great weekend away..it was ty and melanie's wedding..a fun time to be with the despain's...the wedding day turned out beautiful, after days of 'june gloom', the sun decided to shine on their day...the wedding was really fun...every detail was perfect...they looked really happy...fun to be there and to see everyone

legoland

we went to legoland on friday...
the boys loved it..
not quite disneyland,
but, then what is?
we had a fun day together...
seeing all the fun things
they have made with legos....

my hat's off to you!

my hat's off to all of you young mothers...the ones that are up all night with a crying baby, playing with their little kids, cooking, cleaning, trying to have a spare moment to yourselves...my hats off to you! i'm proud of all of you...you want to do it all...you want to be the mommy, the bread winner, the athlete, the cook, whatever..it's a hard job and you do it well..just know that my hat's off to you! stay strong...the days are long, sometimes the nights are longer, but just know that one day those little babies will be grown up and off on their own adventures...so enjoy the moments of the sweet smelling baby, a grubby little hand, a kiss on a cheek, or a soft 'i love you'...those little babies grow up so fast...and then you'll be wishing that they were still with you...as the mother of fantastic kids (i did bring them up, right?) i have been there and know what's in your heart...so, i want you to know...my hat's off to you...for all that you do!