TRUE HAPPINESS

True happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment. Which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altrusim, of love and compassion and elimination of ignorance, selfishness and greed.
Dalai Lama

fall and the pumpkin patch

So come rain or shine, and we had both, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch....
Lucas has to pick one of the biggest pumpkins in the patch to try and take home.

on the wagon ride there was lots of snuggling to try and keep the chill off. The good news, we were about the only ones there, so there was no line anywhere.

Lucas and his daddy.

Whitney and her cousin Gabs. You girls look a little chilly, but still beautiful.

Johns induction

John was inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame. It was an absolute honor for him and our entire family for him to receive this honor. HIs basketball coach was the one to introduce him that evening, which brought us to tears. Almost his entire family was able to join us along with my parents. A special surprise was his friend that he played with during college, and after in Australia made the trip from Australia to be there for the dinner. It was wonderful to visit with so many old friends and experience the joy of the eveing.


John and his siblings and his mom.




Johns teammates that were able to join us that night. His coach to the far left.

First day of school

Lucas has 5 of his great friends in class. He said his teacher was nice today and he had fun. She let them have recess, so she started off on a good note.











Whitney has 11 girls in her class and is good friends with them all. She got the teacher she had wanted so all is good there.















Lucas and Whitney before school

Of course, Ruby had to get in on the gig, she was so sad to be left alone Whitney said she had a hard time sleeping last night, she was excited.. must get that from her mommy.

Lucs new room

While my parents took the kids to Canada, I needed a big project. So, I decided to paint Lucas' room. This is one of the only rooms left in the house that I have not painted and although he wasnt complaining, I felt it needed to be done. So he picked the colors and the idea and I got busy. So here you go, for those that visit, it is now the blue room.

time with family

Jackson and Lucas are two kindred spirits. They are both so laid back and so loving. They totally bonded in the few days they had together. Lucas would sit and play with him and be so kind and patient with him. Jackson would reach both hands out to Lucas for some love.

Boy are they handsome.

And then there are the two crazy chicks. Lucy is three and a half and is so full of business. She was bossing the kids around, giving everybody hell. Lucy and Whitney are sitting with Ruby on the back of Papaws boat. They swam and jumped off the dock for hours. And then slept really well. Funny how those two oldest girls are so similar also. HMMM.

Whitney turns 10!!!

Here Whitney is opening a necklace that her great grandmother had set aside for her over 9 years ago before she passed away. It is a little circle of pearls. Whitwas a little blown away by it. Very Special!!


A roller skating party with a few of her friends. They all had a blast.

Always a big milestone turning the double digits. She had lots of fun celebrating on several different days.
She went tubing with friends. Mimi created a taste test for the kids. This is something she used to do when I was little on rainy days at the lake in the summer. She and Papaw got a big laugh out of the girls trying out mayo, ketchup, syrup and finally horseradish. Then off to Aunt Trishs house for some fun. Went swimming, out to lunch, to the park with Gabs and her teenage friends. Just hanging out, laughing, having a great time.

It is hard to believe she is 10. So sappy, but I can remember the day so well the first time I held her in my arms. It has been a fun, joyous, crazy, bumpy road with her and I love her dearly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHITNEY!!!

Ruby, some new pics.

so here are some new pics of our cute little puppy Ruby. She is so much fun.

Our new puppy

So we got a new puppy two weeks ago. She is 12 weeks old and is a Lhaso Apso/King Charles Spaniel mix. Her name is Ruby. She is really sweet and well behaved. Of course she loves to chew on everything. She loves to play in the yard with the kids, chasing a ball, or them. She chased Lucas right up the slide the other day. It was the only place he said he could go to get away from her little puppy teeth.

She sleeps thru the night (because she knows I need my sleep) and is really sweet.

She is a great addition to our family. I was really dreading a puppy, but we are so glad we got her.

mother daughter time

Last weekend I went with Whitney and her brownie troop for an overnight. We spent the day walking around Greenfield Village. It is like Conner Prairie for you Hoosiers.


Whitney at the weiner mobile at the Henry Ford Museum.

The girls got to ride in an old Model T car, they thought it was great.

That night, we all stayed in a dorm type room. 12 girls and 11 parents from our troop and another troop. It was a ton of fun, and I actually got more sleep then I thought I would. There is no picture available to describe that scene. Lights were out at 10:30, girls asleep by 1:00 I think. The next morning we spent at the Henry Ford Museum. Unfortunately, we were all to tired to care to much by that point. Whitney and I had a great time together and that is all that matters.

Dana, are you proud of all my posts????

Party Like Rock Stars

That was the theme of this years Memorial Day Party in Canton. We could not have asked for more perfect weather with our 17 guests for the weekend! We had alot of cousins missing. They are getting older, and have lots of things going on in their lives. We missed them all and wished that they could have joined us.

WE rented a bounce house for the kids. Therefore, drawing every kid within a 2 mile radius of the house. We had corn hole and ladder ball (hillbilly golf to some) for the bigger kids. We grilled out, drank lots, had a campfire, laughed till there was liquid coming out of us, sorry Trish :) It was chilly at night, and sunny during the day, could it get more perfect for us to spend time with family, dont think so. We are so blessed that our family makes the trip each year. Here are some pics to show you the fun.

Laura and Gabs, my little Trinket.

Lucas and Lonnie playing a little ladder ball.

Whitney on the slide, Taylor inside.

The baby at the party, little Addison. Did she love the bounce house???? just a little.

John and Lonnie playing corn hole.

Whitney, not sure what she was doing, a little game of survivor maybe. Wait, that is my shirt that she has on. NICE!!!

All the cousins together.

Megan and Ashley playing cornhole.

Our superstar

Whitney is playing for the Braves this season. This is her first year on kid pitch. That sure adds an interesting twist to the game.

Whitney and her coach sitting on the bench.

Whitney up at bat.

She didnt pitch this first game, which was probably a good thing. She has been practicing alot and she hopes to soon.

She had two great hits and cleared the bases on one. She won 9-7

Come on RedWings we want another cup in Detroit. Ok, so we dont have alot going for us in the Motor city right now. A wings win would be a huge boost to this sagging town.
On a more personal level, Whitney is playing her first softball game of the season and she may be the pitcher. HUMMMMM.

hey out there!!!

So a good friend of mine told me the other day that I wasnt updating often enough. So here I am.
WE are in the midst of baseball/softball fever. M-F we have either a game or a practice. Needless to say, our family dinners are out the window. So my latest goal is that we shoot for two and two eating together. AT least you have somebody to share a meal with.
Whit has moved up this year to 10U on the Braves, so she is up to 2 games a week. She has the potential to be really good. Just have to harbor that. She has missed gymnastics. We just couldnt squeeze that in. So I know she is looking forward to adding that in when school is over.
Lucas is playing for the White Sox, a sore spot for a house of Cubbie fans, but what can you do. He is really good and spends hours practicing with his coach in the backyard. John is asst. coach for Lucas this year and Lucas is in heaven.
I am still doing my "no pay" job at Bentley volunteering for everything it seems. We had a run of activities at the school and it seemed I was up there all the time. It has slowed and now we are on a field trip kick. Tomorrow Lucas and I are headed to the Detroit Zoo YUCK!!!! and then next WEd. going to the Toldeo Zoo with Whit. A thousand times better zoo so looking forward to that.
WE still have 5 weeks of school, so summer vacation is not quite on our radar just yet. The weather up here proves that. Still hovering in the 60s.
I had a wonderful Mothers Day, showered with homemade gifts and cards from the kids that always brings a tear to my eye. Although it doesnt take to much. John was so generous with an Ipod touch for me. Loving it. I can download all kinds of songs for my workouts. Now I just have to find the time to do that. (download and workout)
Love to all!!!!

Meet my nephew Jackson.

I would like to introduce you (if you dont already know him).... Jackson Whitney Hannah. He was born Dec. 28th, a day easy for me to remember because it is also my niece Gabs bday. He is an absolute doll and we enjoyed spending time with him in Florida.

He is laid back, hardly cries, smiles more than any 3 month old I have ever met.WE had a great time with him. Lucas thinks he is great and can't wait until next year when he is chasing him around. Kindred spirits right there.

Lucas is 8!!!

We are so blessed by our little man. He is such a joy in our family. Funny, laughing, joking, playful and smart. The years have gone quickly, full of joy and laughter, maybe a few tears along the way. We celebrated his birthday in Florida with family, up here on his birthday with the four of us and he is having a friend party next Wed. We do tend to like to draw out the birthdays around here.

Lucas is 8!!!

It's been awhile.

I just noticed that I had not been online for more then a month. Time goes by, we get busy. Lucas has been playing pillo pollo after school. It is like floor hockey with soft balls and sticks. He loves it since gym is his fav. thing at school. Whit has advanced in her gymnastics and is loving her teacher right now.
The best things is we are off school untl April 22nd. We are all so glad for the break in our routine and heading south. WE may not come home.
Love to you all.

Can you say HEAVEN???

The kids and I took advantage of our midwinter break and headed south. We spent 5 days sunning it up!!! It was so amazing to be outside and not be cold!!! We rode bikes into town each day, played on the beach, swam for hours and rode on Papaws boat.

We took the boat to another island and had a picnic and played on the beach for the afternoon.

We all left with a little color on our cheeks, and now feel like we can make it until spring in Michigan. Unfortunately, John had to stay back and work. We missed him alot, especially Lucas who needs his daddy close by. We are looking forward to him joining us there in April.

My little gymnast

Whitney has advanced in gymnastics. She is doing great, and really has a talent for this sport. Anyone that has ever spent 10 min. with her has probably seen her doing some type of flip, cartwheel or walkover. So she has moved up to the silver level and is very excited. She has a great teacher that she likes and is very encouraging for Whitney. When she is 10 she is eligible for competitions.

Embracing Michigan

So we decided if you can't beat 'em join 'em.
Since we live in this winter wonderland, we decided to take advantage of the outdoor activity. Some good friends build an ice rink in their back yard every year, and Lucas wanted to learn to skate. So we headed over there today. We borrowed some skates, that were a little big, and he headed out. He took some hard falls, but within 10 minutes was cruising around on his own. He has never put skates on before and I was totally impressed.

Whitney is taking ice skating lessons and has a test tomorrow so she is practicing, or supposed to be at least.

Here she is doing some posing

so Lucas made it from one end of the rink to the other without falling down and doing alot of gliding. He skated for about an hour and when we left he said it was fun and wants to come back.

Next was sledding

So in the continuing effort of embracing the outdoors, we took the kids to this huge hill close by to go sledding. It was about 16 degrees outside, we knew it wouldnt last long. It was a blast, although the hill was packed and you had to watch out. Climbing the hill after your "ride" was the hardest part.

It just plum wore Whitney out, she snuggled up next to Zeke by the fire and was out.

Dear Friends

Whitney, Makayla, Lauren and Riley (the lone stud)

A new tradition that we started is visiting with our oldest friends from Brownsburg when we are in Indy after Christmas. The moms of these kids, I met when Whitney was less than a month old. We started our own playgroup, babysat each others kids, cooked together, etc. Then moved on to second kids and helped raise them up also. I however, stopped there, the rest all had thirds and in one case, she ended up with twins. My good friend Dana is so kind when I am in town, b/c we pretty much invite ourselves over. Tough in the winter with 12 kids in your house, but so fun to see them all just fall back into hanging out even though they rarely see each other.