Working toward a Prius (or Pious, as Dan calls them)

Good morning, everyone. It has been a long time since I posted, and since it is a very quiet Sunday morning, I thought I would catch up. We have already had an eventful holiday week-end! Last night I ran to Meijers with Janneke and Anne. As usual, we had no time to spare because Mom and Dad were on their way to our house so that we could have dinner together. We stopped to pick up pizza for the kids when we finished at Meijers, and were headed home along Muskegon Lake when a young girl who was parked along the side of the road, pulled out to do a u-turn right in front of me. I hit her driver's side door good and hard. The girl in the other car complained of a sore neck, and was taken by ambulance, but I checked this morning, and she was released and is fine. Our car was towed, with air bags (and the stink that comes out with them) deployed and we will wait to hear if it is totaled. I've been dreaming of a hybrid for quite some time, and though unintentional, we are likely one car closer to getting one! Hope you are all well~the cottage is coming! Arlene

Two martini's later....:-)

I just want you to know that i have the best family...to be able to laugh with and to cry with, to know that we might not always agree or vote the same or hold the same views on a variety of topics, but in the end, we can be together, even if we were not sure we wanted to be together, and enjoy the time we have. I had a good time tonight, knowing the cousins were together and enjoying eachother, enjoying a good meal with parents, aunt and siblings and then sipping away on a good beverage and enjoying the conversation....life is good and you are all good to me and I want to say thank you and I love you. I hope you are having a great time together as a family L and M and N and O and S and JM. Love Trish

Golf clubs for kids

Our Mom had to work at a golf show in Chicago this weekend and we went along because our Dad needed some new clubs. But we found the coolest thing! They make golf clubs for kids that have extenders for when you grow! You use this allen wrench thing to unscrew the handle and add one inch at a time and they will last about 5 years or so. We got a putter, driver, 5 iron, 7 iron and a fairway wood. Now we get to learn what that all means! We also got a bag with a cool stand thingy build in and the shoulder strap is a backpack type of strap and our Mom's clubs don't have that! Now we get to golf at the cabin and go to the 50 best places to golf. We entered contests at the golf show too and got to spin wheels to see what we will win. Our Mom says that everyone should check out strengthenyourgame.com and get the cool tour packages that Fred Funk used to add 15 miles per hour to his club head speed and win tournaments on the PGA tour. But she can't help herself because she likes to sell things. Anyhow, Andrew won 3rd place in the chess tournament today and we had our basketball awards ceremony. Last night was the parent vs team basketball game and the team won by 1! 30 to 29!!! The ref may have been rooting for the team because he never called 3 seconds on any kids but he did on the dads every time. Sometimes he started counting 3 seconds at 2. :-) There was also a flagrant foul when a Dad picked up a kid to get him to drop the ball. Good thing our Dad never got called for that. Ryan got to drive all the way to the basket and scored!!! Andrew was the rebound king and it was a lot of fun. Who wants to go golfing with us?

No Travels to China for me

Hi there family, I wanted to jot a note since right now I am having trouble finding time to connect during the day via phone. I have decided not to go to China with Cathy. She did find out she is leaving May 2nd. It continues to be a sorting through of things for me and right now I don't quite have the emotional energy to offer her. I believe it will be best for both of us in different ways. I wanted to be sure you knew. Figured if I was going to take two weeks off, perhaps there is a place to go that offers sun and relaxation... Happy Birthday Ellie!

Good Morning from Len & family

I just wanted to thank Dad and Mom and Dan and Arlene and family for helping us get the house ready to rent last weekend. We had two renters get through the house and they both wanted to rent. Dan was going to close the deal with one of them this week. I really appreciate making progress on the house and then getting my tax return yesterday. It is amazing how financial stuff can add hidden and not so hidden stressers to your day. We went boat shopping but the price jumped from the advertesided $20K to $28K in first 10 minutes so we are back looking as far as that goes. Hope everybody is well Love Len

from henry

i would like to remind Noah, Andrew and Ryan to bring their airsoft guns to the cottage and a lot of ammo. Don't forget safety glasses and protection.

Anna and Liv,

Your contribtion is awesome. the color is so impressive. And thanks, too, for the drawing you left for me, Liv. It is on our frig! Love you lots, too. Beppe.