The End

My amazing Dad lost a valiant fight against Lymphoma tonight....well, actually last night, Thursday, June 29, 2006. He died peacefully in his own bed at home, with his family right there. Not hooked up to a thing. He had enough painkillers to make him comfortable. Mom is a nurse so no need for hospice to come in & have strangers taking care of his personal needs. He simply stopped breathing. But not until we were all home. He stayed somewhat responsive until the last of the kids traveling arrived. I can't think of a better way to go. He even took his last breath after we were all in his room. It was amazing.

We are all sad that such a great man has passed. I am pissed that cancer exists to do such things. My mom looks so small in her bed all alone. We are all so tired having spent most of last night awake. And now there is much to do...

Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg




Busch Gardens

Water Country, USA

There are more pics from other cameras but I don't have the time, energy or inclination to deal with them right now!

Memorial weekend '06

Car photgraphy as we cut through Washington D.C. on our way south to Williamsburg, VA.

Pantomimes, etc.

Their music teacher is awesome. She taught each grade something & they came up with skits or whatever & then the teacher directed them in their own skits. Absolutely HYSTERICAL.

Shark Attack - Rebecca was a rower


Tug of War

Rags to Riches

Geriatric Olympics

Nicole at swimming which actually ended back in April?? Her bestest swim bud - they've been swimming together for years. All 6 of them, in fact.

Nicole's best buddy from school. It's so funny, in public they act like they hardly know each other but have had many playdates & he hides her when I come to get her.

Grandparent's Day

The 3rd grade teacher at Rebecca's school does a very big deal performance for Grandparent's Day.


Rebecca's Timeline, Family Tree, Self Portrait, Interview w/grandparents & "When I grow up..." story...





My beautiful baby!

Nicole played softball this spring

Food Network

I was at the Mall of America they day we were there doing a Challenge. The chefs had to create a city skyline with rice krispy treats. Now how cool is that?? One of my faves, Duff Goldman, owner/chef of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, won $10,000/1st place.

Emcee Keegan Gerhard


The Twin Towers kept threatening to fall. Sick irony.


The Las Vegas skyline entry

The NYC skyline entry


judges debating

contestants waiting

More pics while I'm at it.

Just talked to Mom & Dad's blood counts are borderline so they want him back in the AM to get blood parts. Which means I can breathe a little because I'm not leaving until morning. nicole gets to finish her softball season & her team pizza party serves as a nice lunch before we hit the road. On with the pictures. Did you know you can only upload so many pics per post?



This is from the General Mills factory in Minneapolis. I got myself a 1950 edition Betty Crocker cookbook!!!


Gotta love a mall with an amusement park inside, lol.


Piglets at the Minneapolis Zoo.

I need a break...

...from packing, so I'm leaving y'all with some pics. Hopefully, with my fancy new camera & laptop, I'll be able to post some good stuff over the summer. Oh, and for the record, I didn't know that crab sign was behind Jody & I until everybody commented on it!!! Jody, did YOU know? Did Marcus(rofl)? On with the show...

Camp in the winter..the kids had a blast!


Rebecca loves basketball & is claiming it's her favorite sport. More than ballet! I'm trying not to be sad.


They made gingerbread houses this year...would that be a Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas thing??? *sigh*


Our 1st stop on the April BitchTour/Easter in Minnesota thing was in Austintown, OH. Lovely town. see me do the touristy thing, rofl.