Kentucky Family

Last week we received somber news of the death of my uncle, Carroll Benedict. Carroll fought a short yet intense battle with lung cancer. As a family we mourned, yet as funerals do, his death brought many of us together for the first time in many years. Carroll will be remembered fondly.

Cousins, cousins, and more cousins.

A picnic in the kitchen.

Gus and Gabby crack themselves up. Must've been an inside joke.

For years Carroll gifted Derek with Chevron trucks, tankers, and semis every Christmas. They are still a favorite today as Owen, Gus, and Corinne scramble to make the next vroooommmm...

The ultimate playroom. Complete with no recalled toys dated 1971-1981.

Our hearts are with the Benedicts during this difficult time. Hopefully, the addition of little Marin, the Guatemalan baby girl that Jane Layton is adopting will help fill the void they all feel right now. Whenever God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. We love you all and keep you in our thoughts.

The Loser Chronicles

There have been some interesting developments this week in local and national news. These developments have highlighted the many flaws of the human race including stupidity, hypocrisy, and drunk beligerence. So we thought we'd enlighten you all on some things that you may, or may not be aware of that fit our "Loser" category.

Number 1

Miss Teen South Carolina

Oh I think I understand what she was trying to say....

"The Capital of France is Jupiter"

"7+7 is 24"

"100 degrees C is the boiling point of California"

Yes... IT IS ALL CLEAR

Number 2

Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho)

Can you believe that this guy didn't know the code to soliciting gay men in an airport bathroom? Unfortunately, I'm afraid he may "get off" these charges due to an impatient arresting officer. The case would have been "open and shut" if the officer would've just waited for three farts, a tinkle and a shake.

Finally, Number 3

On Sunday Night (11:30pm) we awoke to the dogs barking loudly, very loudly. After three trips into the living room to scold the dogs for possibly waking up Corinne, Mel comes running back to let me know that there is a potential fight between neighbors outside, and I was called to mediate. We went outside and the neighbors were not fighting at all, in fact they were in cohoots busting two young men for driving over mailboxes on the street (approximnately 17 total). Interestingly, several months ago our neighbor purchased the largest, gaudiest, most ridiculous faux stone monument and put it in our yard, next to our box. Well, this poor excuse for a freight elevator is responsible for stopping a 2 ton, chevy avalanche V6, and actually suspending the front tire off the ground causing the perps to flee on foot. Actually stumble-they were trashed and carrying their beers. They didn't make it a block and our neighbor tackled and subdued him with some body blows. The cops showed up soon after and arrested both perps. At 2:00 am, the doorbell rang, it was the officer. He filled out a police report and continued down the line. He informed us that we were #14.

Here are some photos of the damage...

The box that stopped the truck is in the background

Ours (foreground) didn't stand a chance

I put the link below for a laugh-apparently the local legislature has REALLY put in this habitat protection law in King County, Washington. They did this for an endangered species, Bipedus Giganticus--Go Figure

http://www.bigfootencounters.com/articles/kingcounty.htm

Corinne's crawling!

Sheeeee's mobile! Corinne is now crawling and showing her adventurous spirit. No longer is she afraid of doorways, steps, dogs. As I'm sure most babies do, Corinne ignores all of her bright, cute, SAFE toys lying around on the floor, opting instead for the dog bowls, Dad's floor tools, and other no-nos. Day-care has begun to take its toll on our immune systems also. Roman refers to Corinne as our little vector for disease since she's already brought home a nasty unknown virus, and an equallly nasty case of conjunctivitis (pink eye-actually pink eyes in her case).

This video shows Corinne playing and crawling. Thought you would enjoy seeing her on the move.

Asheville

We were hoping for some cool mountain weather in Asheville, but the heat seemed to follow the little black car everywhere we went. Betsy and Wells Harned from Glasgow joined in the fun for the weekend. Wells is so imaginative and entertained the younger two by reading (her version) of any storybook she could find. She'll be a librarian's dream someday :-)

Mr. H-Man takes us on a tour of his yard. He looks quite the tour-guide, doesn't he?! We were all envious that we couldn't romp around in the heat with just our undies!

Corinne would've been just fine if we'd left her in Asheville in this swing forever.
...and they were dancin' and singin' and movin' to the groovin'

and just then it hit me, somebody turned around and shouted....

A big 'THANK YOU' to Anna for joining us on our trip. I needed the extra hands on several occasions. Anna always wore a smile even when the volume got loud and crazy with so many little ones all week. Corinne gives her an extra little squeeze.

On the road again

Afer a brief stay in Charleston to do a few loads of laundry and stock the house with groceries for Roman, Corinne and I headed back out on the road with our good friend Anna to Greenville, SC to visit the Bensons. Brian's and Trina's newest addition, Maddox, turned out to be a cuddly bear! In addition to chasing a 2 year-old toddler, nursing an infant, and helping Brian decide on colors and specs for his new dentist office/practice, Trina showed us new areas of downtown Greenville that were just beautiful. The 'river walk' with waterfall, landscaped hillside and children's garden was worth romping around SC in the August heat.

The Bensons

"Ewwww....did you poot?"

Come catch me!

You won't be smiling at me after I pull this pretty earring out :-)

High-five, Max!

We wish the Bensons the best with the winter opening of Brian's practice. It was so good finally meeting Max, too. He already surpasses Corinne is size and is sure to keep brother Wesley in check in a few years. Congratulations you guys!

So far we haven't scared Anna away. She's still maintaining sanity as we travel and visit in 100 degree heat with multiple children. Next we're off to Asheville to visit the Dempseys.

Mo' Michigan

Still have some photos I'd like to share from Michigan. I had BIG PLANS to create 3 or 4 entries, but that isn't going to work. So here are some pics....

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Captain Aaron at the Helm...

Brudda, Yvonne, and the Kids...All Aboard!!

Left to right-Aunt Sal, Uncle Cork, Aunt Sandy, and Aunt Sharon

Left to right- Brett, Devon, Aaron, Ryan, Yvonne, Belle, and Trevor

A beautiful day for a reunion at the lake...

Brett is an Uncle for the first time-Congrats!

Devon-all grown up!!!!!!

"I caught a fish this big-Really"

Corinne being entertained by Aarons boys Drew and Ryan

Cousin Aaron and Me!!!

Momma and her pride

"Low-Ri-Der Don't Use No Gas NOW!"

"Take a little Trip"

Michigan Trip Binder Park Zoo

It's been a long time since I've ventured back north to the great white tundra. People often ask why, and my reply has been "last time I went home in Feb. '96 we set record lows every day". Well it was time to show off the little girl so we packed her up and flew north for the summer; at least a week out of the summer.

During this very short stay, I realized that when I left it all behind (not looking back) I did not retain many memories of the area. Things do not seem nearly as large: distances are much shorter, rivers and lakes smaller, and houses are more modest. With this realization I told everyone I saw that future visits would be much more frequent.

The trip started out with a visit to the Crumptons who live in Detroit. We flew into DTW on Tuesday, July 24th and went straight to Cousin Debbie's house. The following days were spent in Battle Creek at Mimi's house where we were visited frequently by family. On Saturday, July 28th (my birthday) we went to Aunt Sally and Uncle Bob's place on Blossom Lake where a Johnson family reunion ensued. Beer drinking, swimming, and pontoon boat rides made for a beautiful day, not to mention seeing all of the family amongst which I was raised.

One beautiful afternoon Melanie and I, my cousin Aaron, and a high school buddy Gary headed off to the Binder Park Zoo with all the kids (including Trevor's 2 daughters Liv and Belle) to experience "Wild Africa".

Drew, Belle, Ryan, Jane (Not seen but behind Ryan, one of Gary's twin daughters), Gary and Natalie

The twins scheming on how to get Corinne out and themselves in.

Interesting fact: twins are notorious for sibling conspiracy and will stop at nothing to accomplish a task-Good Luck Gary!!!

Speaking of... Where are the twins?????

"Carousel Belle"

Kaleb, stuck on the giraffe that didn't move up and down.

Liv...Ridin' a cheetah (Aaron left and Belle behind)