13, 16, 18, 40, 50

The day has arrived...July 23, 2006 has been anticipated by our family for awhile.

Today begins birthday season. In a 10 week period, we all have our birthdays, and in the year 2006 they are big ones for all!

We officially have all teenagers in the house with Laura's kick-off of the season! Then on August 24, Emma is 16, followed by Katy on October 5 when she is a legal adult. (We don't need to mention me turning 40 on September 20 or Garland as a 50 year-old 4 days later! HA!)

Let me leave you with this:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAURA!! Celebrate the day to its fullest!

We love you!

Cars

We're looking for a car for Katy. We've been looking ALL SUMMER!! She has saved $2500 over the last 3 years.

Honda, Toyota, Nissan--

This is a daily search. Looking on craigslist, classifieds every day!
Then there is the incessant parking lots, sidestreets, word of mouth, etc.!

Any ideas? Her senior year begins 3 weeks from today!!! HELP! :o)

Anyone Interested?

Received this in my email this morning...

I thought the poem was funny.




Garrison Keillor cracks me up. If you haven't seen the movie, run to your local theater! (or watch the trailor and decide for yourself)

Ave Maria, and other songs along the way

It's time to get back to some more trip-talk...

We had the opportunity to sing in several remarkable venues while touring the British Isles. Altogether there were 35 singers, comprised of 2 RHS choirs and The Florida Voices (of which Garland and I are 2 of 18 members).

Our repertoire consisted of classical sacred (some dating back to the 1100's), American Gospel/Spirituals, and UK folk songs. We sang in cathedrals, abbeys, castles, and then of course, the impromptu moments...ya gotta sing Loch Lomond when you're on it's banks and Amazing Grace with the bagpiper in the Highlands!












I think my favorite concert was at St.Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, although singing in the Queen's chapel at Stirling Castle was also remarkable!





All in all, great sounds in incredible places!

We definitely like to eat

I look at the date of my last post and can hardly believe it's been 3 weeks! They've flown by with all three girls finally home at the same time! The first to arrive was Laura, and then a week later Emma and Katy. We are busy catching up, sharing stories, getting together with friends we haven't seen all summer, and learning our way around the YMCA with our new family membership. The last activity is a welcomed one because, as you can tell, we tend to eat when we get together with our friends!! (Don't we all?!)

Laura is adjusting to her new braces,

Emma is connecting with friends she doesn't get to see nearly enough,


Katy is assimilating into the US lifestyle. I think the most difficult habbit to break is the daily siesta she quickly became accustomed to!






I should be able to stay connected with you all a bit more now, and I promise I will get back to our trip before too long...

Have a happy Monday, Monday!

ps-had to include the "men at the grill"!