Next Stop US Open

Laura's hard work and practice paid off as she blew right through the field this week to win the Kirksville Junior Tennis Tournament.

Recent Photo Shoot with Lissy Early

Carter's vocabulary is forever growing. His newest phrase is "oh pleeeeease". (with emotion) Just check out this video since he has now learned to negotiate with Sissie. (she is always asking for something he does not want to give up.)

June 27th Storm Damage Report

Our home and land took a particularly heavy pounding from heavy winds (70-80 mph) Sunday night through Monday morning. Kirksville, had roughly 3 inches of rain overnight. At about midnight Sunday the deluge began, undoing trees, damaging our barn, fences, corrals and round pen. Debris is everywhere so clean up will take awhile. We feel fortunate again as the damage around us an in town was also significant.

Our visit to Bennett Spring State Park

For the first time in over 10 years, Mike and I drove to Bennett. BC (before children), we spent many weekends there fishing and watching races. We took Laura there about 10 years ago, but we haven't been since. So this weekend we took Laura and Carter, and we all survived!! Of course Mike was the star fisherman in the stream on Saturday morning, and then Laura put on my old waders and received a few fly fishing lessons Saturday afternoon. She caught one, and then on Sunday she caught five. Yeah, Laura:) We finished the day Saturday by watching the races at the I-44 Speedway, which was a big hit with Carter. He couldn't take his eyes off the cars as they were racing around the track.

Father's Day 2011

Laura, Carter, and I were in Old Monroe for the Father's Day weekend. We gave Daddy the best present by letting him stay home by himself to get things done that he never has time to do with us around. At Grandma's we had a fun time with family and a little birthday celebration for Carter. Of course Laura played several games of Monopoly, and Carter loved riding the Gator. Jillian was an excellent chauffeur!

Laura's 8th Grade Promotion

Kirksville Middle School had an 8th Grade Promotion on May 31, 2011. Laura was not feeling well, but I made her go so there aren't any close-up photos, but you might be able to see her receiving her certificate. She is in a white dress with big flowers. Congratulations, Laura!

Carter's First Visit to the Zoo

Mary Kay, Emily, Laura, Carter, Allison, and I went to the St. Louis Zoo today. We first took a train ride, and then saw a lot of animals. We had an up close look at the giraffes inside. Mary Kay saved the day with a ring pop, and the very last picture is of Carter as we are walking out of the zoo, but he still has the ring pop in his hand.

Carter is 2!

Carter turned 2 years old on June 10. We still can't get him to answer the question, "How old are you?", but he loves to talk about big trucks, racing cars, and trains. His favorite word is, "No!", unless he really wants to do something and then he will say, "OK!" He played with his train set Granny and Grampy gave him all day, and then after dinner we had his birthday celebration. Happy Birthday, Carter!