Merry Christams Everyone!

Nathan Allison & Santa 2007

Thanksgiving 2007

Halloween 2007

The plans were: Nathan would be a Karate Kid with a painted face by dad to be a scary pumpkin.
Allison was to be LSU Cheerleader. painted face.
1 hour to Trick or Treat they'd both decided to forgo all the plans and they dressed themselves. Allison was a "Barbie" cheerleader. No paint on face. No makeup... Nathan was a dinosaur (again) this was his old costume from last year. I dont even know where it was. He found it and insisted on wearing. Dispite the humid 70 degree temp that day. Anyway we started at dusk and GOD LOVE the Neighbors on Amanda Cove cause they loaded us up buckets half full on the first street .. .WHOOHOO!

We even saw a "baby elvis"

Halloween 2007

Brian I finally got my Fire wire installed and it works! I thought you might be proud. Here's the Halloween fun...

Dying Professor's Last Lecture

Very Inspirational Message here. After the video check out his website http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html
see how he's doing today.

Nathan....

I peek in at him late at night lying in bed, fast asleep; my no-longer-little guy sprawled out across his bed. I see his unruly mess of hair and I smile. I smile because he is incredibly full of personality. He is so different than me in many ways, different than what I expected, different than the little boy I had always imagined I would have. And for that I am grateful. He’s his own person, he is picky and he knows what he likes and doesn’t like. I look in at him, peaceful and innocent while he sleeps. His body and mind are resting. He’s gone full force for the last fourteen hours, he needs a break. Homework was hard..... AGAIN.
I like it that he pushes the limits, like it that he questions everything, because one day he’s going to do something magnificent. Along the way, he’s probably going to make some huge mistakes, but he’s going to live large and dream large. Underneath the spunk and goofiness is a heart not only lined with gold, but filled with it. It is large and feeling, and it wants to do good and have a good time doing it.
That is my son sleeping there. It is just now that I realize that I am the one who needs to change, because I am not going to change his nature and no one else will either. He is stubborn and strong willed. I have realized that he has certainly been given to me so that it would be me that will do some changing. He has taught me more about living than I ever thought anyone could do.
That is my son. He makes me angry sometimes, makes me frustrated. Then he makes me laugh outloud like no one else can, and as I look at him, he makes me cry. He is a wonderful creation. He is my son. He marches to the beat of a different drummer. Thank God

In Loving Memory of Gary

Gary lived a happy life—sleeping, grooming, getting petted, wheedling snacks (especially broccoli,carrot sticks, croutons, salad mix, and sunflower seeds), plotting escapes, running on his wheel, arranging everything in his cage just so, rummaging through his food dish to find all the best bits so he could carry them off to stash in his little plastic igloo, dashing around the house in his hamsterball (I’ve seen him do five or six circuits of the coffee table at top speed), and having random spells of passionate digging that left bits of cage litter scattered for several feet in all directions. He pursued all these activities with heartfelt diligence.

Unfortunately Friday morning I found him spread eagle in the bottom of his cage. Mortified I picked him up and pronounced him dead. Took him to Nathan and he said his good-byes. I wrapped him up and took him downstairs and began our morning as usual but with sadness. Allison wanted to kiss him good bye before she went to school so I unrapped him and he took a breath! I thought that maybe if I wrapped him up in a towel and lay him on a heating pad that he'd pull through. Amazingly he started breathing steadily for a while although very labored about an hour later he passed away. It was very sad. We got suprisingly close to him in the short amount of time we had him, He was a sweet little creature. Never bit us and was very playful.

Peter buried him in the common area behind our house and made a cross.

So True

This email was sent to me today from My Dear Friend Candi. I swear I do this ALL THE TIME it is SO SO TRUE!

I have always said you should learn something new every day. Unfortunately, many of us are at that age where what we learn today, we forget tomorrow.
But, give it a shot anyway!............


I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide my car needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox, when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only 1 check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

----the car isn't washed,

----the bills aren't paid,

----there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter,

----the flowers don't have enough water,

----there is still only 1 check in my check book,

----I can't find the remote,

----I can't find my glasses,

----and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled be cause I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Do me a favor, will you? Forward this message to everyone you know, because I don't remember to whom it has been sent.

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY

GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.

LAUGHING AT YOURSELF IS THERAPEUTIC.

P.S. I just remembered.

I LEFT THE WATER RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY!

Brian Angie & Hudson's Last Visit

Allison

Gary

This is Gary he is our hamster. HE eats ALL the time. He's very friendly and sweet. Dad doesn't like him at all.

How to eat sushi

This is my advice. First, while at work daydream as much as possible about food, eat a light lunch and try and do as little actual work as possible. When your boss is not looking, try picking up things on your desk with a pair of chop sticks for practice. In the afternoon, make a personal call to your significant other and tell them that you are taking them out to eat tonight. After work, it is important to first make sure your children, if applicable, are fed and provided for.

Now then, point your car in the direction of the nearest sushi eating establishment. Drive fast. If you get a ticket, it's ok, it will be worth it. As you enter the establishment, look at the sushi chef and say in very clear words "Chow Sabadi Bau", then smile. He will smile back not having any idea about what you just said because he is neither Japanese nor Laotian. But he will think you actually may have a clue why you are there. Once you have his attention, ask him what is good today. If he says sea urchin, make an ugly face and find a seat quickly.

If it is your first time, order the squid salad and maybe the soy pods. You eat the soy pods by putting the entire thing in your mouth and pulling out the seeds. For your entrée, order a California Roll (vegetarian), Magura (raw tuna), and Eel and Cucumber (cooked).

First mix the soy sauce and wasabi (the green stuff), to taste, dip the morsel and place the entire thing in your mouth. Then close your eyes and experience the taste but also the complex textures of this wonderful food.

As you leave, put a couple of bucks in his tip jar. This is in addition to your server tip, and say politely; "Deolay Chow High". He won't know what this means either. If possible learn the chef's name and call him by name the next time you visit. There is an eighty percent chance his name will be Joe. If all this is done correctly you not only will have a great meal, but during your next visit you will appear to be very cosmopolitan.

My Handsome Son

Nathan August 10,2007

Table I fell in love with in Oxford

First Day of School

Allison in her Kindergarten Class with her teacher and classmates. She was so excited. They both rode the bus home.

Nathan's first day in the second grade. He insisted on going on inside the school alone without assistance. He said he made it ok. "No problem MOM".

; ; ;

After hot hot bust ride home first day of School it was 108 degrees!

Allison Party stuff

http://photoshow.comcast.net/viewshow/TZ6VX9ge

4th Fun & Festivities

Tee Ball

Allison has completed her first year of Tee ball season.

Got a tee shirt, got a trophy. Not too sure if she'll be doing that again or not... I'll keep you posted..

Nathan is now in TaeKwondo.

SHould be interesting...

Seems to like it.

At least he looks cute doing it!!

June Trip to Grandma & Grandpa's House

We went to Grandma & Grandpas House for a week and had a great time. It didn t rain once. WE got to have lots of fun in the pool and lots of fun with Hudson.. Grandpa had the traditional bonfire weenie roast for the kids (per Nathan's request). We ate well....(Boudin!! YUMMM) Mom even stayed home from work.! Thanks MOM.... We're missing you guys already.

My kids...HAVIN A GOOD TIME

Kids went to spend the night with Sam & Reagan. They had a good time swimming at night. Slept well.. All is good here.

Allison room complete

Here's a look at Peter's handywork. He'll be available for hire soon!

Son??

Nathan ever the comedian. This is him at Reagan's Birthday Party. He had a blast. Swim class seems to be working. He is jumping off the edge of the pool on the deep end, however, much to our amazement manages to keep his head dry when he does it!!

Allison Graduation 2007

Allison & Mrs. Sherry
Allison and Adam
Preschool Graduation

Allison a Quarter & The ER

Allison successfully swallowed a quarter this afternoon. She had gotten a handful of change earlier in the day and I saw her put it in her mouth. I fussed at her and took the change away. Well apparently about an hour after that she found them on the counter went into the bedroom and put them in her mouth. She came to me all red faced and mouth open not saying anything for the longest time and then she started coughing and crying and saying she was so sorry so sorry..... I initially though she'd squished the hamster. But after a while she told me she swallowed a coin and her chest hurt. She screamed about her chest hurting all the way to the ER. . X-ray confirmed the diagnosis.... Quarter lodged in the esophagus...
Anyway 3 hours and a hand full of $250 crackers and apple juice later we're home. ( $50 copay to the ER plus $200 deductible........ "priceless") Tired and defeated.. All is well. Allison, the accident prone one..

PS Nathan got a hamster with His birthday money.. what a cutie he is... Nathan named him... Fur Bob.. Pictures to come later. Have a great week

eBible.com

eBible.com

The Lizard Story.

If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome including toilet flush burials for dead goldfish, the story below will have you laughing out LOUD!


Here's what happened:
Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was "something wrong" with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.
"He's just lying there looking sick," he told me. "I'm serious dad, can you help?"
I put my best lizard-healer statement on my face and followed him into his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back, looking stressed. I immediately knew what to do.
"Honey," I called, " come look at the lizard!"
"Oh my! Gosh," my wife diagnosed after a minute. "She's having babies."
"What?" my son demanded. "But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!"
I was equally outraged.
"Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to reproduce," I accused my wife.
"Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?" she inquired.(I actually think she said this sarcastically!)
"No, but you were supposed to get two boys!" I reminded her, (in my most loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth together).
"Yeah, Bert and Ernie!" my son agreed.
"Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know," she informed me. (again with the sarcasm, you think?)
By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.
"Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience, I announced. "We're about to witness the miracle of birth."
"Oh, gross!" they shrieked.
"Well, isn't THAT just great! What are we going to do with a litter of tiny little lizard babies?" my wife wanted to know. (I really do think she was being snotty here, too. Don't you?)
We peered at the patient. After much struggling, what looked like a tiny foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.
"We don't appear to be making much progress," I noted. "It's breech," my wife whispered, horrified.
"Do something, Dad!" my son urged.
"Okay, okay." Squeamishly , I reached in and grabbed the foot when it next appeared, giving it a gentle tug. It disappeared. I tried several more times with the same results.
"Should I call 911," my eldest daughter wanted to know. "Maybe they could talk us through the trauma." (You see a pattern here with the females in my house?)
"Let's get Ernie to the vet," I said grimly. We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap. "Breathe, Ernie, breathe," he urged.
"I don't think lizards do Lamaze," his mother noted to him. (Women can be so cruel to their own young. I mean what she does to me is one thing, but this boy is of her womb, for God's sake.)
The Vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little animal through a magnifying glass.
"What do you think, Doc, a C-section?" I suggested scientifically.
"Oh, very interesting," he murmured. "Mr. And Mrs. Cameron, may I speak to you privately for a moment?"
I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.
"Is Ernie going to be okay?" my wife asked.
"Oh, perfectly," the Vet assured us. "This lizard is not in labor. In fact, that isn't EVER going to happen... Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most male species, they um.... Um.... Masturbate. Just the way he did, lying on his back." He blushed, glancing at my wife.
"Well, you know what I'm saying, Mr. Cameron."
We were silent, absorbing this.
"So Ernie's just... Just... Excited," my wife offered.
"Exactly," the vet replied, relieved that we understood.
More silence. Then my viscous, cruel wife started to giggle. And giggle.
And then even laugh loudly.
"What's so funny?" I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness.
Tears were now running down her face. Laughing "It's just... that... I'm picturing you pulling on its... its... teeny little..." she gasped for more air to bellow in laughter once more.
"That's enough," I warned. We thanked the Vet and hurriedly bundled the lizards and our son back into the car. He was glad everything was going to be okay.
"I know Ernie's really thankful for what you've done, Dad," he told me.
"Oh, you have NO idea,"
Closed mouth, my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.
1 - Lizards - $140...
2 - Cage - $50...
3 - Trip to the Vet - $30...
4 - Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's winkie..... Priceless
Moral of the story - finish biology class - lizards lay eggs

Happy Birthday Nathan

Lucky number 7.

I cannot believe I have a child that old. Everyone seemed to have a great time bowling.

The Boat

We've upgraded..

This is Peter's new BABY, ( not the kid, the boat)

Kids

This picture taken on Nathan's Birthday Wednesday. Allison was feeling "lovable"
I guess. Anyway I thought it made a pretty good snapshot of the two of them. I don't get those moments very often. So I thought I'd share. We finally got some time to go to the lake Friday and begin breaking the boat in. It's real nice. Peter is in hog heaven. Nathan & Allison spent the night at Preston's house and the boys had a "camp-out" in the back yard. Much to my surprise they slept outside all night. I think when we were smaller we attempted it several times but never made it all night. Nathan really enjoyed himself. Now if Peter thinks we're gonna do that for real in a tent in the woods with the kids and me boy is he mistaken!
The weather here has been great. Peter has been busy working on Allison's upstairs "addition" and it is coming along beautifully. I'll take a snapshot of it when it's done. I am very impressed at how quickly it is coming along.

Spring Break 2007 (Mason, OH)

We took our Spring Break this year in a different direction than usual. Peter had heard of this place called Great Wolf Lodge. It's an indoor water park with constant warm temperatures regardless of the temp outside. They had a wave pool lots of water slides a lazy river hot tubs the works! We had lots and lots of fun and our fill of chlorine and "pooling" to last us I think until the summer. We're glad to be home and we had a great time.