It's been a while....

i found edward.

The Purple and Red

Sig Ep & DZ ....23 years later!

BAND OF BROTHERS: biological and fraternal

John, Steve, Mike

Steve and Marylou

Mike's best friend, Jeff, and his wife Vicki

Mike's college love (well, that is before me.. :) ), Julie

Jeff, ?, Mike...looking more and more like Paul!

Sig Ep yell!

Those were the days! I would so love to have had the time to scan the pictures from the past to go along with this post! In some ways, especially the yell, it was just like old times. 100 Balanced Men gathering arm in arm to "He Ain't Heavy" and then chant their yell! Only difference...little slower, a lot grayer, and lot more pounds.

Come on, Tod, BE the next generation!

Pledge Sig Ep!

Baby's gone to Kindergarten!

I can't believe this time is here already! Reed started Kindergarten last Wednesday! And, I survived it! Shed some tears and went off to class myself! I

also never thought I would have a son who looked more like Mike than Tod....until Reed! Proud 3rd Grade Big Bro Cole and Reed!

Cole

Lady, Cole, Mom, and Reed

Mrs. Ashford (kindergarten aide), Reed, and Mrs. Strong

Reed's favorite MIS teachers...taken by Reed himself!

Papa JACK comes to visit!

Cole, Dad, Reed

Dad came through Texas on his way back to Florida from RAGBRAI! RAGRAI is a ride across the state of Iowa which Karen and Jay ride annually. He rode between 60 and 80 miles per day for two of the five days of RAGBRAI...on a five speed bike! Amazing. Following his ride, he brought his friend Gayle and Peanut for some R&R in blazing hot Texas!

Good times for all!

AZ Summer 2010

Big GREEN Machine

Cars are overrated. They cost a fortune either way....buying or keeping them up. And, recently we have spent WAY to much money maintaining one. Not any more! GONE. No tears or regrets. But this one is different. I have grown to love this one more and more with each road she has taken us down...all 164,000 miles of them. She could get herself to Florida or Arizona with her lights off! If her doors could talk, they would share countless memories. First rides home from hospitals, first road trips, camping stories, first loads to college, victory rides after sporting wins, first trips to the ocean, chariot rescues, she's been a closet...bathroom...and dinner table, and she has even had to be an ambulance a time or two. Some of the most intimate "family meetings" have taken place inside her doors during our long journeys. She has listened to our laughter, screams, cries, singing, snores, and our prayers. Once again, we will all (not many of these times left, we sadly realize) climb inside her doors, pray our traveling tradition Rosary, and journey to The Grand Canyon State.

We love you, Big Green Machine.

"Boring Blog"

I received a text message today. It said simply: "Your blog is boring." Boring! Please. While she is busy in her nephrology world, she takes time out in her "slammed" day to tell me our blog is boring! Sad thing is, I concur. It IS just the blog, however, that has been boring! Life still seems to flash by at lightning speed...and most of the times we don't even have the camera on hand! So Karen, I love how you look to those who are most dear to you, sitting lazily at the pool for the 100th time this summer, and miles away, to "destress" your day... this one is for you!

Summer began with Craig's scouting. He and Mike traveled down to Big Bend to hike, swim, look at stars, see the bats, and camp with his Troop. Craig is weeks away from becoming a LIFE scout on his journey to EAGLE. Like his Uncle Brad, he "spidermaned" up the mountain...7500 feet!! Amazing that with asthma and his "out of shape/summer mode" heart, he didn't hesitate on his journey up. We are so proud of his accomplishments.

Coming down...Craig is the one blazing a trail in front!

The view!

Craig's Troop

Craig, Matthew, Jacob
Craig and Dad in tent...BEFORE the snoring began!

Scout camp was followed by baseball. Reed had a fun time playing "low-key" t-ball (which was hard on Dad) and Cole's team, the Lugnuts, came in 2nd in the season, and 1st in the championship tournament.

Reed, Daddy, Cole Cole and Jacob
Coach "Dad", Cole, Jacob, Coach Mix (Jacob's dad)

Cole's baseball season led to All Stars where he played short stop and second base for the The Branch! He loved playing sports into July...and so did his coach! :)

Pfaff men a.k.a. Cole's Fan Club

And then, recently we celebrated the 4th of July with friends and family. Annual Irving parade and swim with the Arringtons, followed by celebrating with family! Fun times.

Reed and Max

Walter and daddy, Mike

Before and After...the jump!

Mike and mom

So, there you have it! Summer through mid July in one post. Boring...nah. Slacker..yes ma'am!