Rainbow Morn

I went outside early one morning to take the garbage can to the end of the driveway and noticed a beautiful celestial sight. My friend Stacey's daughter Erin say it also after seminary. I don't remember having ever seen a rainbow that was a full half circle before. It made a fram above my house. It was really cool. Note: pictures don't really do it justice.

Orlando-Lake Eola

I went to Orlando with my boys in the middle of October to visit my family and we celebrated my 33rd B-day. We had a lot of fun in just a couple of days. It was the last trip we took with the Rockin' Minivan because I got myself a Honda Pilot a week later. One highlight of the weekend was taking a boat out on Lake Eola. If you're not from Orlando: Lake Eola is pretty lake in the middle of downtown Orlando. There is a paved path that goes around the whole lake. There's a park for kids to play at, a small theatre, a Chinese pagoda (just for show), a cafe, and a place to rent swan-shaped paddle boats and gondola-looking small motor "watercraft." I have gone to Lake Eola many times over the years and have always wanted to go out on a boat. I finally got my little wish that weekend. My brother Will and I went out on the water with Chris and Ethan and my brother Steve stayed back with Matthew who wasn't interested in our little adventure. We chased real swans on the lake at which time Will exclaimed, "Ramming speed!" Very fun.

Boating

A friend named Travis has a boat and a few of us went out on it in early October. Before we got on the motorboat there was a little paddleboating which was fun but doesn't compare to the "big boat." We went to Crab Island which is a place on the Choctahatchee Bay very close to the Gulf. The water there is knee deep and very clear. It's a very popular place to hang out and BB-Q and play frisbee. On the way to Crab Island we say a bunch of dolphin swimming. They got so close to the boat and lookied like they swam right under us. Very Cool!

Mostaccolli and Murder

Everyone was such a ham that we needed eggs!

I was invited to a murder mystery and dinner with a bunch of friends. It was a 1920's theme and it was so fun to dress as a flapper. The murders took place at a new club called the Four Deuces where my character, MeMe Wannabe and her husband Don Wannabe are the proprieters.

I loved wearing fishnet stockings, the black wig, and fake eyelashes.

Bahama Mia!

I took a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas with my dear friend, Julie, her daughter Anna and our friend Adrienne. We all had fun but I think I enjoyed it the most of everyone!!!

The island of Nassau was interesting and the shopping stellar but stressful. If you've never been to the Straw Market, then you don't know what it's like to be propositioned every 5 seconds to but something. I got the cutest purse and matching wallet, I'm still happy about it. No buyer's remorse here!

The best and most memorable part about the Carribbean? Easy, the color of the water. We have some amazingly beautiful beaches here in NW Florida but the Carribbean holds its own too. The colors of blue are almost unreal. I loved it! I'm so glad I got to go!

P.S. Second most memorable thing about this trip the terry cloth sculptures done by Jamacian our stateroom attendant. We told him we loved them and he smiled from ear to ear and said it's all for our enjoyment. Very sincere.

My Boys

School is back in session. Summer is almost over and hurricane season is officially here. Since I am able to do this post you will note that I still have electricity and internet even as Tropical Storm Faye is making her way through my neck of the woods. Chris is doing well at RichbourgMiddle School and Ethan is a 2nd grader at Walker. His teacher told me yesterday what a good boy he is in class when I went to visit Ethan during his lunch time. Ethan proudly introduced me to his 3 new friends that he was eating with like they were his frat buddies. Hmm, I wonder where he gets his social "butterflyness" from?!

Biker Boys

We were at the Harley store at Downtown Disney while visiting everyone in Orlando and took some really good pictures last summer. Ethan really can ham it up. I love it.

Future Einsteins

Every nine weeks Walker Elementary does an awards ceremony for each grade. In the 2007-2008 school year Ethan was in 1st grade and Chris was in 5th grade. They both got the same award that week. The teachers from each classroom chose 1 boy and 1 girl who had done really well in science and gave them the "Future Einstein Award." The award came with a cool T-shirt. We have what is sometimes a small community here in Crestview. Once at the grocery store the cashier noticed Ethan's shirt and congratulated him. Her granddaughter had gotten the same award at some point last year. What can I say, I'm proud of my boys.

A Day at the Beach

We love the ocean. Fortunately that's a place all four of us like and can go to together. Matthew and Chris love the water and Ethan loves the sand. We spend a lot of fun time making sand castles and moats around them that always dry up in moments. My favorite beach on the Emerald Coast of Florida's Panhandle is Navarre Beach. They have the best sea shells. Even when it's crowded it's a wonderful, beautiful and serene place to be.

More Cousins

While in Illinois to see Baby Cassie, I was able to get together with my Grandmother, my Aunt Lana, and cousin Lisa and her family. Lisa and Mark have two adorable and sweet boys, Zachary and George. George is camera-shy as you will notice from the photos.

My Mom: Michelle Post

My mom is an author! She self-published her baby, The Spirits of Nature in 2006. It's a fantastic journey into the real and beautiful cuture of the Crow Indian tribe of Montana. Mom started this novel when I was about 9. She put it aside for about 20 years and then completed it in the summer of 2005. After numerous editings and the completion of the cover art by a good friend and amazingly talented artist, Lorita Atwell, the Spirits of Nature was ready for print. For more info please visit http://www.thespiritsofnature.net/

My New Cousin

In January I got a new cousin! My mom and I were fortunate enough to be able to go up to Chicago and meet the newly arrived Cassie Hochbaum. She was a really amazing newborn with such a sweet way about her. When she looked at you it was like she held the wisdom of a sage in her and that she wanted to share it with you. I haven't seen her since but I'm sure she's just adorable and doing the things that a 7 month old does.

Field Day May 2008 Walker Elementary

Oh, the joys of Field Day...I wish I could say I liked it more. I do love watching my kids in their events but the rest of the time is spent trying to keep Matthew happy and trying not to roast in the heat and sun. The PE teachers put a whole lot of effort into the weeklong event, and that is to be commended.

Ethan turns 7

Ethan, like all children, loves his birthday. I went to his school and surprised him and had lunch with him. That was fun. First graders are so cute and animated. I love the kids in his class. I help out for a few minutes three times a week in his class so I've gotten to know each child a little bit. They are precious. Matthew loves the classroom too. Most days he brings his own little multi-colored backpack. He looks so cute and little in the hallways. He waits until we get to the school to use the toilet. He likes the bathroom in the classroom for some reason. He's cute, I didn't say he wasn't a little strange!

Easter 2008

Easter was nice. My boys had to take a lot of pictures. It was hard to get one where all three were smiling and looking at the camera.