Wizard of Oz

Meg has been involved with the community theater. Here is her performance as a member of the Lullaby League. I love her big arms, loud voice, and huge facial expressions -- she was a joy to watch.

Ode to Father

John, Mark, Emily and I came up with these new lyrics to "Follow the Prophet." Our new song is "Follow the Ronald."
1. Ronald was our father, only one we knew. In a place called Highland lots of children grew. He made us lovely breakfasts: eggs, waffles, biscuits and blow. Teaching us to be righteous, keeping our ducks in a row.
2. Ronald was our jailer, throwing rocks was cruel. Every morning mush, mush, mushy, mushy, gruel. Grounding was an option, so was spanking bums; being sent to the office, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum.
3. Ronald was our yard boss, also known as Big Hass. Raking was his favorite game, working hard through all the rain. Every Saturday our world was filled with chores; didn't care a snit -- our hands were covered with sores.
4. Ronald was the dish maid, did them all his life. Asked all eleven to help him, but only did his wife. He could never find where all his children hid. They were in a wheat bucket underneath a lid.
5. Daddy is our favorite pal, knows most of us by name. Even with all his work he pauses to play games. He's the best example we kids could ever have. We just want to say, we really love you, Dad!
Chorus: Follow the Ronald. Follow the Ronald. Follow the Ronald, don't go astray. Follow the father. Follow the father. Follow the father. He knows the way.

Guymons

We've spent our visit with the Guymons at the waterpark and playing games. We wish they would stay until the wedding.

 

 

 

 

Maddie's 1st

Maddie turned one today. My sweet angel baby let me take pictures of her in her birthday suit. We spent the day playing nicely together; Nick sang her "Happy Birthday" at least a dozen times. Maddie loved her #1 cake.

 

 

 

 

We love our baby.

Oh, What Do YOU Do in the Summertime?

We play all sorts of games. I will attempt to explain the objects of our games.

 

1. Maisie's "CRAZY MAISIE" Game: Make crazy faces and ask to be photographed.
2. Andy's "SEA BREEZE" Game: Blow hot breathy air into your victim's face and rhetorically ask, "Doesn't this feel like fresh air?"
3. Maddie's "DUMP YOUR LOAD" Game: Part one, unload everything dirty from the dishwasher and dump it on the floor. Part two, well you can read what you want into the title.
4. Nick's "SUPER SMASH" Game: Run as fast as you can and jump on an unsuspecting person's back.
5. Meg's "DRUM BUSTER" Game: Sing every song from the "Wizard of Oz" and hold the last night as long and as loud as you can.
6. Perhaps the best game this week was Andy's "I SPY" Game: Empty dirty dishes from the dishwasher, then, try to remember which ones are dirty and reload the dishwasher again.
7. The "COUNTING CREWS" Game: Count the number of children a woman takes to Walmart, then ask if all four are hers. When she replies that yes all five belong to her, simply give her a compliment: "Well, what a nice, clean, handsome family you have."

 

Amber Waves of Grain

Our friends took our family pictures in the Kansas wheat.

 

 

 

 

Sleep Deprivation

Austin has been in Seattle the past few nights, so the children have been in bed with me. No wonder I haven't been sleeping well -- there was no room in my bed.

 

I should have joined Meg....

 

Best Friends

Maisie asked Andy, "Who are your best friends?" Andy replied, "Mickey, Matthew and Ronnie."

 

We can't wait to be with cousins in July.