The Wells Family

Colt

2011-02-23T18:51:00.000-05:00

He is such a loving, loyal and just a downright good dog. He thinks he is a lap dog and just plops right down on your lap not thinking he weighs 70 lbs! Just love that dog!!!

Our Handsome Boy

2011-02-05T12:36:00.000-05:00

Think this is the first tie that Dalton has ever worn. He was getting ready for his Junior High Band Concert where now they have to wear black on bottom and white on top and ties for boys. He really seemed like he enjoyed dressing up!

Madison and Mommy! :)

2011-01-30T16:01:00.000-05:00

Madison created this picture using Picnik. You so light up my life baby girl!! I love you!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T21:37:00.000-05:00

Colt

2010-12-14T10:09:00.000-05:00

Colt was the only one who was really loving the snow.

Clifton Gorge and Cedar Falls

2010-10-21T09:59:00.000-04:00

Madison and I took a trip over to Clifton Gorge and Cedar Falls to hopefully see some Autumn trees.

Homecoming 2010

2010-10-02T20:36:00.002-04:00

Beautiful, sweetheart. You are growing up too fast!

JAHS Marching Band: Don't Stop Believin' - 09/10/10

2010-10-02T20:29:00.000-04:00

Car Show #2

2010-10-02T20:20:00.002-04:00

On Labor Day, Kelley and Dalton took the C-10 to the Axes & Axles 2010 Firefighter's Car Show. Received two trophies for Top 30 and 1970's Decade Runner Up. YAY!

Cleveland Air Show

2010-10-02T20:16:00.003-04:00

Went to Cleveland Labor Day weekend and saw part of an air show. This was my favorite picture...really can't believe I got it.

F-15E Strike Eagle

Historic Roscoe Village

2010-09-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, Madison and I visited Roscoe Village, a restored canal era town, in Coshocton. It definitely was a step back in time to the 1800's.

Marching Band Show - First Game

2010-09-01T12:38:00.000-04:00

So cool to see Madison on the field at half-time of the football game. It was an away game so we went to the home side to watch and get pictures. She had a blast and can't wait for Fridays to get here!! Kelley and I are both proud of her, but something about it just makes her daddy smile the whole time! ;)

First Day of School

2010-08-31T16:02:00.003-04:00

First of all, can't believe that school started...so wanted them home a bit longer. Second, can't believe we have a freshman and a seventh grader. Yes, the years certainly are vanishing in an instant! And, Madison will be 15 1/2 next summer, you know what that means!!!! Where did those little kids go?

Car Show

2010-08-31T13:58:00.003-04:00

Took Kelley's toy to the Plain City Cruise-In in early August. Didn't win anything, but we had a good time!!

Fishing & Swimming

2010-08-30T23:05:00.003-04:00

Some were fishing and some were swimming at Aunt Mary's pond (end of July)...

Myrtle Beach

2010-08-30T22:04:00.010-04:00

We went back to Myrtle Beach in July. The weather was fantastic. We stayed at the Beach Cove Resort in North Myrtle Beach. It was a great place to stay and we loved it, but think we are done with Myrtle Beach for awhile...

Washington DC

2010-08-29T22:42:00.014-04:00

A little bit out of order on my posts...

Madison went to Washington DC the week after school was out in June with her 8th grade class.

Four students were invited to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Madison was one of the four selected for this high honor based on the winning essay she wrote, addressing, "thanking military men and women and their families for their service".

Marching Band Fitting

2010-08-04T20:31:00.003-04:00

In July, right before we left for vacation, Madison had her fitting for her Marching Band uniform. It went great actually, she fit into a departing seniors entire uniform, including the summer pants. No alterations needed.

Still can't believe she is a Freshman...

Me!

2010-08-03T15:15:00.006-04:00

I don't usually blog about myself, but I thought I would this time. This is me, I have lost 34 lbs. Yeah! Didn't do any fad diet, because I didn't want to gain the weight back when I added back any foods that the fad diet didn't allow. So, instead, I watched my calorie intake, didn't really count calories, just was really good watching what I ate. I still had the occasional cookie and McDonald's....just not as often. And I walked, and walked and walked. About 30 minutes every day for the first 30 days or so, then maybe 4 to 5 days a week. All this on the treadmill until the weather got nice this past Spring and I was walking 2 miles (down and up the road) every day or as often as I could. I still walk those 2 miles, if not more, almost 7 days a week now. Even walked the beach every morning at Myrtle Beach. I feel really good about myself. Clothes shopping is alot more fun!

Jeff & June's (June 20th)

2010-08-03T15:02:00.004-04:00

Betty
Jeff
Chris and Dillon
Dalton
Mary
Madison
Kelley
Madison and Betty

Colt -- 1 year old

2010-08-03T09:58:00.001-04:00

Evening of Excellence

2010-07-29T22:03:00.008-04:00

During the "Evening of Excellence" (in May) students receive recognition for the activities that they were involved in. Madison received recoginition for the following:

All A’s
Civic Oration Contest (third place)
Giraffe Community Service Program
Madison County Spelling Contest
Power of the Pen
Drama Club
President’s Award for Educational Excellence

JAJHS also gives special awards to certain eighth grade students (one boy and one girl in each category) such as:

Outstanding Citizenship
Outstanding Instrumental Music Award
Outstanding Vocal Music Award
American Citizenship Award
Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award

Here is the video of the last award of the evening.

Doing Awesome!

2010-07-01T16:16:00.003-04:00

As of May 9, 2010, Kelley has been CANCER FREE for 3 YEARS!!!! He is feeling great and doing awesome!

Birthdays

2010-06-24T22:39:00.004-04:00

A little late on some posts...

Madison turned 14 at the end of January. Hard to believe my first born will be in High School in the fall. She is still my little girl who was so tiny when she was born...

Dalton turned 12 in April. Even harder to believe that he will be in seventh grade and starting Junior High. Don't tell anyone, but he is still my baby!!

I won't tell how old I turned on my birthday, but I did have fun. A friend and I went to Nashville for my birthday weekend in April. It was the weekend before the flood hit!!

Power of the Pen Regional & State Competition

2010-06-22T13:03:00.007-04:00

The eighth grade POP team all qualified for Regional competition. They won the first place team event!!! So the eighth grade team brought first place home to JAJHS for Districts and Regionals. YAY!

Three of the students qualifed for State competition held at the College of Wooster in May. Only 10% of the original 7000 students make it to State competition. None of girls placed at State, but it was still a thrill for them to be there...and a thrill for their parents!

Power of the Pen District Competition

2010-03-06T19:09:00.007-05:00

Madison along with five other students in her eight grade class traveled to Yellow Springs Ohio last weekend to participate in the Power of the Pen District tournament. POP, is a series of interscholastic writing tournaments, designed for students in grades 7 and 8. POP encourages schools to develop writing teams, allows young writers to meet, compete, and receive recognition and awards for excellence in three rounds of impromptu writing, and offers immediate feedback from teacher coaches who act as judges on the quality of their written expression.

The students are given prompts in each of the three rounds. Each round they write for 40 minutes.

Awards are given to the top twelve writers in each grade. Madison placed 12th. Other Jonathan Alder eighth graders placed 11th, 10th, 9th and 2nd. Also, there is "Best of Round" for each of the three rounds and Madison won that award for the third round.

The entire 8th grade team also brought home the 1st place trophy and all six will go to the Regional competition on March 27th.

Way to go Jonathan Alder!!

Madison - we are so proud of you!!!

Cavaliers - 2nd place!

2010-03-05T19:27:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to the Cavaliers who ended the AYA Boys Major Basketball League with 2nd place! They aren't too happy in this picture because they lost by 2 points! They had an awesome season!

Colt @ 6 months

2009-12-22T10:57:00.003-05:00

Madison - 8th Grade Picture

2009-12-22T10:41:00.001-05:00

Sarah, Plain and Tall

2009-11-28T19:03:00.007-05:00

The High School play was a couple of weekends ago. Madison played Rose Nordstrom. She did an awesome job and had so much fun, even though the practices were grueling, especially the week of the play. Here she is in her five costume changes:

Dalton - 6th Grade Picture

2009-10-18T16:56:00.003-04:00

High School Play

2009-10-08T15:50:00.003-04:00

The High School play this year is Sarah, Plain and Tall.

“Set in the early 1900s, this play brings to life the charming, heartwarming story of a Kansas farmer, Jacob Witting, a widower with two children, Anna and Caleb, who places an ad in the newspapers seeking a wife. He receives a letter from a Sarah Wheaton of Maine who says she will visit the family for a month to see how things work out: "I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall." Narrated by Anna reminiscing on the eve of her wedding, the story unfolds in a fascinating flashback on that often exciting, sometimes tumultuous month when Sarah and the Wittings came to know one another and learned a few things about themselves as well. The joys and challenges of everyday life are richly depicted in this classic which the New York Times called "an exquisite, sometimes painfully touching tale."

There are four children in the play, the two mentioned above and then two neighbor girls. The High School sought out Junior High School students to audition for the children’s roles. Madison went to the auditions. She was very excited because she was one of the ones they kept calling back up to the stage, or having them stay on the stage for more readings. Then the teachers were scrutinizing how well the children looked and acted with each other. This was on a Friday, and the teachers said they would post the cast list on the High School door on Monday morning. Yes, it was a very stressful weekend. She thought about how well she did, how not so well she did, and everything in between. Come Monday morning, the JHS made an announcement that three people from the JHS made the HS play, and Madison was one of them. She plays Rose, one of the neighbor’s daughters. The part is one of the seven main characters. Yay! – She is ecstatic and so are we.

For the past couple weeks and up to the date of the play, she practices every day after school M-F from 2:30-5:30 and will have to put in a couple of all days Saturdays prior to the show. The play will be presented three different days, November 13, 14 & 15. She has been in school plays before but never more than one performance, so she is thrilled about that.

Way to go, Madison!

Colt - 14 weeks

2009-10-03T18:28:00.002-04:00

First Day of School

2009-08-25T22:52:00.007-04:00

Wow! Summer's over and school has begun. I still can't believe it. I really didn't want Summer to end so soon...we had such a good one this year. Everyone was healthy and just enjoying each other, the great weather and going fun places.

But back to the subject.

Here are the kids traditional first day pictures. Madison is starting 8th grade and her last year at the Junior High School. Dalton is in 6th grade and his last year at the Middle School.

Meet Colt!

2009-08-09T23:14:00.004-04:00

The newest addition to our family, our seven week old Golden Retriever, named Colt. Cute as a bug and oh so much fun so far. We just got him today so ask us in a week or so how we are really doing!!

Fort Walton Beach

2009-08-02T21:50:00.006-04:00

Sugar white sand beaches, emerald green water and amazing sunsets. We had a wonderful time at Florida's Emerald Coast.

Boating

2009-07-04T23:30:00.000-04:00

Fourth of July we took the Sea Ray out for the very first time. Some things are worth the wait, even when the weather wasn't cooperating as well as we would have liked.

The following week the weather was much better and the kids got to tube. Buck Creek was a little bit cold for mom and dad!

I'll try to get closer shots next time!

Savannah - Day Seven

2009-07-03T21:49:00.000-04:00

Fort Pulaski National Monument

On April 11, 1862, defense strategy changed worldwide when Union rifled cannon first overcame a masonry fortification after only 30 hours of bombardment. Named for Revolutionary War hero, Count Casimir Pulaski, Fort Pulaski took some 18 years to build and was the first military assignment for a young second lieutenant fresh from West Point - Robert E. Lee. It is estimated to have been built with 25 million bricks and has 7 1/2 foot thick walls.

We toured the Fort:

We saw a cannon and musket firing demonstration.

After visiting Fort Pulaski we went to Tybee beach one last time.

I did forget to mention that Miley Cyrus was filming her newest movie on Tybee Island the week we were there. One day earlier in the week a bunch of adults and kids went to walk on the beach in the evening, and walked toward the set. They did get to get a glimpse of Miley as she got out of her car and walked toward the movie production area. A highlight for some...

Well, that was our trip. An enjoyable trip, but very exhausting. I can't quite call it a vacation, since I think of vacations as more relaxing. The next day (Sunday), our car left at 5:53am while the rest left around 10:00am. We wanted to get home at a decent time. We pulled in the driveway at 5:30pm...record time!!

Savannah - Day Six

2009-07-03T09:05:00.000-04:00

Our first stop on Friday was to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, a historic rice plantation along the Altamaha River. We walked beneath live oak trees to the home furnished with fine antiques. We could gaze from the porch past magnolias and camellias to the marsh where rice once flourished.

Around 1807, William Brailsford of Charleston began carving a rice plantation from the virgin cypress swamps along the Altamaha River. His son-in-law, James M. Troup, acquired additional land along the river. By the time Troup passed away, he owned 7,300 acres of land, 357 slaves, and several homes.

Until the outbreak of the Civil War, the plantation produced rice steadily. War, hurricanes, and lack of abundant labor led to the fall of the rice empire in 1915. Brailsford's descendants converted the plantation into a dairy that distributed high-quality milk in Glynn County. Due to a combination of reasons, the dairy closed in 1942.

The house remains as Ophelia Troup Dent's granddaughter (also named Ophelia) left it when she died in 1973, willing the property to the state. Antiques collected over five generations of Brailsford's descendants remain in the house.

We then had a picnic lunch on the plantation grounds and then headed to Jekyll Island, Georgia's smallest barrier island, to swim.

The men and boys did not go to the plantation and Jekyll Island. However, they did rent bicycles back on Tybee Island. Sadly, I don't have any pictures of that as the men just didn't take pictures. Dalton did love riding on the beach!

Savannah - Day Five

2009-07-02T16:15:00.001-04:00

Juliette Gordon Low was a remarkable woman who contributed much to society. One of her many accomplishments and the reason for our trip, she was the Founder of Girl Scouts.

Our day at the birthplace began at 9:30 with a shopping spree at the gift shop. After about 30 minutes there we were then given a scavenger hunt to be completed in the two beautiful squares close by that are framed by quaint cobblestone streets lined with stunning oak trees strewn with Spanish moss.

Yes, I know the year on some of the pictures isn't correct. We had a couple of cameras and forgot to take the date option off of one. Rest assured the pictures were taken in June of 2009.

Chippewa Square is the sight where Forrest Gump was sitting on the bench waiting for the bus. There isn't actually a bench there (remember it's here). It was placed there for the movie only.

We then had our Scouts Own ceremony where each girl said what friendship means to them and then they each received a pin. We were on the beautiful back porch overlooking the gardens.

We then started our tour of the house with a power point presentation. Aah air-conditioning!

Her birthplace is spectacular. It is restored beautifully to represent 1886 and features original Gordon furnishings and art from Juliette herself. You get a real sense of what life was like for the Gordons. Juliette was well-educated and very artistic. Yet, her privileged life was marred by many personal tragedies. She was a survivor determined to give back in her own way.

After the tour and lunch we had a special activity in the afternoon, Parlor Games. We played alot of the Victorian parlor games the Gordon's would have played in their day. We dressed in a Victorian dress and learned lady-like ways to sit and hold our hands. We capped off our special activity by making yarn dolls. While the birthplace itself was beautiful the special activity was alot of fun and Miss Cissy, our instructor, was wonderful!!

Later that evening, near dusk we went on the Ghost Talk Ghost Walk tour in Savannah.

Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in America. The Ghost Tour walked us through the historic district and it featured local legends, and stories of ghosts and house hauntings. Apparently this is a very popular excursion and it really was quite interesting.

One stop on the tour was the Marshall House. It’s been used as a hospital three times --- twice during Savannah’s 19th century yellow fever epidemics and during the Civil War by the Union Army. “Ghosts” have been reported in the hallways and in the foyer.

Kehoe House was built in 1892. Hauntings perpetrated by twins that died while playing in a chimney in one of the rooms. The staff also has had several of their own incidents including hearing voices of children and doors unlocking and opening by themselves.

A few of the other stories we heard about:

Sarah, Juliette's Grandmother who still roams and protects her beloved house ... how she sits in her rocking chairs on the porch and how she still roams her beautiful garden ...

The Colonial Park Cemetery - Built in 1779, this beautiful yet creepy cemetary holds many Patriots of the Revolutionary War and victims of the great fires and yellow fevers that ravished Savannah three times over!

The Olde Pink House where patrons of this restaurant claim to have found themselves in conversation with James Habersham Jr., who supposedly hanged himself in the basement in 1799. It is said that his restless spirit frequently wonders around his old home on quiet Sunday afternoons.

Savannah - Day Four

2009-07-01T22:07:00.003-04:00

This day we didn't really have anything planned, but decided to go on a dolphin tour. On the tour we passed the Cockspur Lighthouse.

Just a short distance from Tybee Island, this sentinel rises from a tidal creek. Cockspur was established in 1849 marking the South Channel of the Savannah River. Another light marked the North Channel designating these lights as range lights. Boats were unable to navigate the South Channel and the beacon was discontinued in 1909 and abandoned in 1949. Restored in 1978, the light is part of Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Can't say this was very exciting. Yes, we did see dolphins, but just swimming. None would jump up in the air so you could get really good pictures. Plus, we didn't see a whole lot of dolphins. A handful at the most, just swimming around.

Probably the best part of the tour was seeing the huge cargo ship, the Yang Ming, out of New Jersey. Each of those rectangle shapes are actually individual semi-truck compartments. Not sure what they are called, but you get the idea of how big that ship was.

Savannah - Day Three

2009-06-30T09:57:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, we ventured to a couple of places. One was the University of Georgia Marine Education Center and Aquarium. It featured exhibits on tidal creek, salt marsh, ocean environments and 14 tanks containing native species. There was also an exhibit showing fossils of sharks, giant armadillos, whales, mastodons and wooly mammoths dredged from the Skidaway River.

We also took a hike on trails through forest and along the marsh.

A three hundred year old tree.

Housed in the former passenger station of the Central Georgia Railroad are both the Savannah Visitor Center and the Savannah History Museum, which we also visited. The structure, designed by Augustus Schwaab in 1860, includes the original train shed at the rear. We enjoyed an eighteen-minute film about Savannah, narrated by founder James Oglelthorp. A bit light-hearted but still enjoyable.

We wandered through the varied exhibits in no particular order and at no particular pace. The park bench from the movie Forrest Gump is here (a prop like in the movie, but still interesting), as is a steam locomotive from the Central of Georgia Railroad. An Oscar won by Johnny Mercer and Juliette Gordon Low's family carriage. Also an exhibit on fashion and history with a display of women's evening gowns from the late 1800s to the 1960s.

Savannah - Day Two

2009-06-29T10:15:00.000-04:00

On Monday June 22nd we visited the Tybee Lighthouse.

Tybee's Light Station, built in 1773, is Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, and one of America’s most complete historic light stations. It has been guiding mariners safely into the Savannah River for more than 270 years, although it has been rebuilt several times. All of its original support buildings are still located on the five-acre site off US-80 at Fort Screven. Still a functioning navigational aid, the station's light, courtesy of a first order Fresnel lens, can be seen 18 miles out to sea.

And yes, we did climb the 178 steps to the top of the recently restored lighthouse an enjoyed a spectacular view of the entire island.

Views from atop the Lighthouse.

The Head Keepers cottage, built in 1881 and restored, is the oldest building on Tybee Island. It is full of artifacts and information about the history of the lighthouse and the Keepers' family.

We also went down to Tybee beach after the Lighthouse Tour. It was only about a 3 block walk from the house. That was nothing after climbing 178 stairs! The beach was laid back, peaceful and not crowded at all. Very clean and the waves were good.

Savannah - Day One

2009-06-29T08:43:00.000-04:00

Our Girl Scout troop has worked a couple years to earn money for this trip to Savannah. Family members could go as well. Kelley had no desire to go (he went fishing in Michigan instead), but Dalton did go with us. We had 21 total people going, 17 staying in the house on Tybee Island.

We left at 6:23am on June 21. Madison, Dalton and I rode with fellow troop members and their mom. We stopped for lunch and dinner and several rest stops in between.

We arrived at our five bedroom house on Tybee Island around 8:00 pm.

Needless to say we were very tired after the drive. We didn't do much but get our things in order in the house and then go to sleep. I will create a post for each day...soon.

Warm enough to swim?

2009-06-06T18:39:00.002-04:00

We opened the pool last weekend but the weather just recently cooperated enough for the kids to go swimming. Still too cold for Kelley and me. It's like 68 degrees. Brrrrr.

Always have to take a picture but this year played around with PhotoShop. Love, love, love Photoshop. But I have a great teacher, Madison. She will sit and play around and learn many techniques and then even has the patience to show me. This was my first attempt.

I like it!

Evening of Excellence

2009-05-28T22:39:00.011-04:00

Jonathan Alder Junior High held their event where students received awards for their achievements throughout the year.

Madison received awards for:


Power of the Pen (district and regionals) and Drama Club

County Spelling Bee and County Math Bee

Straight A's

It was hot sitting in the gymnasium, but worth it! Great job, Madison.

Cousins

2009-05-27T21:24:00.005-04:00

Memorial Day weekend we got together with Mom's side of the family for a picnic at Wilson Park in Miamisburg. Great weather, good food and wonderful conversations with cousins we haven't seen in a few years. Wish the length of time between visits was shorter. Here are a few pictures from the day...

Dorothy and Family

Ed, Cristy, Barbara, Bob and Uncle Doran

Anita and Mom

Dalton swinging

Madison

Morgan

Look at that tongue!!

The Girl Scout motto: Be Prepared
Anita and Mom

Linda and her daughter Morgan

Finalist

2009-05-26T19:33:00.001-04:00

Madison is one of six finalists in 7th grade for her speech.
Madison - you have a passion for writing and speaking. It's a remarkable talent that you should be proud of. We sure are proud of you!!

OWjL Camp

2009-05-19T23:20:00.003-04:00

Madison was selected to go to OWjL (Ohio Wesleyan University Junior League) camp this summer. Way to go! You will have the time of your life!!

School Projects

2009-05-17T22:11:00.002-04:00

Well it is that time of year when it seems the kids are overloaded with school projects. It's also the time when our school district has some sort of declamation project. In Elementary School it was memorizing poems. In Middle School and Junior High it's writing and giving speeches.

Fifth grade speech (2-4 minutes long) is about an American Invention. Dalton chose Paintball. In addition to his speech he had to create a poster about his invention.

In seventh grade, speeches are about, "A person who has touched many lives". Madison chose Dr. Seuss. The speeches (3-5 minutes long) also need to be memorized.

Both speeches will be given during the coming week.

Madison also had to do a project for Pre-Algebra (nothing to do with Declamation) this weekend. She at least had a partner to share in this project. They had to make some type of game and figure out all the probability and statistics for it. Madison and friend chose "Ring Toss".

I think both kids did a great job on all their projects. Yes, I can honestly say I'm glad the weekend is over...except for the beautiful weather we had!!

Fishing

2009-05-17T22:06:00.002-04:00

Dalton fishing at Aunt Mary's pond.

Student of the Month

2009-05-12T17:40:00.002-04:00

Go-Kart Fun!

2009-05-10T22:59:00.003-04:00

Dalton and friend having fun riding the go-kart out back.

re-cit-al

2009-04-26T20:42:00.006-04:00

–noun
1. a musical entertainment given usually by a single performer or by a performer and one or more accompanists.
2. a program or concert by dance or music students to demonstrate their achievements or progress.

Dalton and Madison had their music recital today at the Plain City Presbyterian Church. Dalton switched over to trumpet in September after four years of playing piano. He totally blew us away. He hardly practices at home so we never hear him. He did practice yesterday and today, but his performance was SO much better. As was Madison's performance. She played "Mary, Did You Know?" Wow! They both stepped up to the plate and did their best when it counted most! Great job kids!!

Happy Birthday Dalton!

2009-04-18T22:36:00.003-04:00

I was going to wait to blog about Dalton’s birth when he turned 13 since that is when I wrote about Madison’s. However, she wanted me to write about it on his birthday today, so I did.

First off, Dalton’s due date was April 25, 1998. That is my birthday. When I found out his due date, I was a bit taken back. I figured I would never celebrate another birthday of mine as long as I lived. Now that I have kids, I do not seem to care much about the excitement of my birthday. Therefore, I guess it would have been ok if he was born on my birthday…but that did not happen. Here is the story.

My pregnancy was going just fine. I never had any morning sickness with either of my children so I really could not complain about anything. He was due in April, so I never had hot summer months to deal with, just smooth sailing. At 29 weeks along, I started having some pains. I called the doctor telling him about the severe pains in my back. He told me to go to the hospital. We took our two year old to Kelley’s Moms in Grandview and headed to Grant Hospital. They hooked me up to all sorts of monitors. After awhile of testing the results were that I was in preterm labor. I wasn’t ready for this baby to be born. They thought it was because of dehydration. Was I not drinking enough water? I wasn’t a big water drinker, but I did drink it. Well it wasn’t dehydration but they still didn’t know why I was having contractions. So they pumped me full of fluids and steroids (just in case this baby was going to be born they wanted to do everything they could to help the baby’s lungs) hoping the contractions would stop or at least prolong it long enough to let the baby grow. Each day in the womb would be better than having a baby right now. I spent the night in the hospital and the contractions eased off. The next day the contractions had stopped completely, but I was still getting steroids…just in case. Some co-workers thought I went into preterm labor because of the problems we had at work. We just found out a few weeks earlier that Fifth Third Bank acquired the privately owned The Ohio Company. Would we all still have our jobs? Was the labor caused by stress? I never found out. Later that evening I was released from the hospital but told I couldn’t work for the rest of my term. I can’t not work for 11 weeks! So, the doctor really did work with me and said I had to stay at home, not working, for the next two weeks then he will see how I was doing. If ANYTHING happens then I would have to be on bed rest after that. So, ok, I got the picture. I would be a good girl. In addition, I need to drink lots of water and take these pills every 4 hours. I don’t remember what the pills were for. I’m assuming either for my condition or the baby, but I had to set the alarm every four hours (night and day). That was a killer, to be awakened from a sound sleep to take a pill…every single night.

Staying home with Madison for two weeks was heaven, except I couldn’t pick her up, but she could climb up on my lap. I took naps with her, played with her…just plain fun. After two weeks I went back to see the doctor and I was doing very well. I wasn’t having any contractions. I could go back to work, but still had to take those pills every four hours and he still threatened me with bed rest if I didn’t take it easy. When I went back to work, I had to carry a travel alarm with me so I could remember to take those darn pills.

Work was ok, my department was saved with Fifth Third so we weren’t going to lose our jobs. That was weight off my shoulder.

Kelley was playing in a band a lot back then so a couple weeks before my due date Kelley’s mom would stay overnight with us when he played in the evening, just in case. He had a gig on Friday, April 17^th so she was at the house. The next morning was Saturday and I got up at 6:30am to use the restroom and my water broke. Wow, hadn’t experience that before. Kelley had a late night, but I woke him up anyway. He shot out of bed like a rocket. I called the doctor, but he said to wait until my contractions are 5-6 minutes apart (sort of heavy labor) before going to the hospital. If the contractions didn’t start by 2:00 in the afternoon, head to the hospital anyway. So, Kelley went back to bed. I had the luxury of having a great nights sleep and now I could take a shower and shave my legs before going to the hospital. It felt good. Well I had some contractions, but they weren’t regular. Some were 9 minutes apart, some 11 minutes apart, so I wasn’t worried because everything I read said that contractions would become regular, otherwise they were false. Yeah, right (I can say that now!).

At 8:40 am, the contractions were much more painful and A LOT closer together. I got Kelley up and we were out of the house by 9:10 am. Thank goodness, Kelley’s mom was there or we would have never made it. Kelley was going about 85 mph on the freeway (we are about 30 minutes away from Grant Hospital) and trying not to hit any bumps. At this time, my contractions were about 2 minutes apart and VERY painful. Kelley called the doctor on the cell phone to ask him what to do if we don’t make it? Dr. Koerner said, “Wrap the baby up in a blanket and get to the hospital as soon as we can”. We got to the hospital about 9:30 am. We parked in emergency and walk the short distance into the hospital. I was ~~screaming~~ very vocal at this time when I had a contraction. Kelley grabbed a wheelchair and we headed to the elevators. The door opened (no one was inside) and he pushed me in and banged the wheelchair right into the back of the elevator. OUCH! He thought the elevator was deeper that it really was! The nurses were waiting for us and rushed me into a room. I was fully dilated and the baby was crowning, so therefore I received NO painkillers. The nurses tell me to push but apparently I didn't push the way they wanted me to. How many ways is there to push? It was very painful and I was still ~~screaming~~ very vocal. They told me instead of ~~screaming~~ being VERY vocal to focus and push. The baby starts to tear me ( I didn’t feel this) so they gave me an episiotomy. One more push and our beautiful little prince was born. Robert Dalton Wells was born at 10:05 am. How’s that for having him fast and one week exactly before my birthday. He was 7 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches. Dalton was healthy and oh so much bigger than Madison had been (5 ½ lbs). We named him Robert after both my and Kelley’s dad. We had our little girl and now our little boy. We couldn’t have been blessed more!

Little boy, young man, with the baby blue eyes and chocolate brown hair, prince of my heart, a happy eleventh birthday to you. May we enjoy many more.

Newport Aquarium

2009-04-16T19:15:00.002-04:00

This past Monday was the last day of Spring Break. We decided to visit the Newport Aquarium. It was a very dismal day, rainy and just plain yucky outside. Would have loved to walk around the Riverwalk area, but guess will have to save that for some other time. The aquarium was nice. Everyone's favorite part was the shark area. Touching the sharks was cool too. Dalton was game to do it, but the rest of us just watched.

Easter

2009-04-12T20:49:00.005-04:00

After we got home from Church we went over to Mom's house and had a wonderful Easter meal. We had turkey and ham and all the trimmings! Cristy and Uncle Doran were there as well.

Late afternoon, Dalton, Madison and I went on a four mile bike ride at Rails to Trails. Harder on the way back to the car as we had a head wind. It was a bit brisk, but felt really good.

Spring Break

2009-04-10T23:27:00.007-04:00

We didn't do anything special this spring break as we are going to a couple of places this summer. Kelley did take the kids to Buck Creek in Springfield for the day. Couldn't boat or swim since it was too cold, but it was a nice day and pretty scenery.

I'm sure we'll venture back there this summer to go boating!

Sign of Spring

2009-03-27T18:09:00.001-04:00

Yes, I know we have had ice storms in April, but I can still be hopeful, right?

2009-03-20T20:39:00.001-04:00

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
~Mark Twain

What's the temperature?

2009-03-17T22:27:00.002-04:00

When warmer weather is upon us, Dalton will start asking daily what the temperature is going to be that day to decide if he can wear shorts. I told him it was going to be around 65 degrees today for a high, so shorts it was. It didn't matter that it was only 37 degrees when he left for school this morning. Nope, not at all. Shorts it was going to be.

The picture is Dalton getting ready to ride to a friends house -- two houses down.

Spelling Bee

2009-02-26T22:31:00.003-05:00

The Madison County Spelling Bee was held February 9th. The participating schools were Madison Plains, West Jefferson and Jonathan Alder. Madison and Dalton both competed at the school level and won a place on their classes team. The day of the Spelling Bee at Tolles, the kids first take a written test, and then the top five of each grade level (5th through 8th) go on to compete in the oral competition. Dalton didn't make it past the written round, but Madison did make it on stage for the oral round. She made it four rounds in the oral competition before missing her fifth word. But she was the last JA Junior High student on stage, and there were only seven competitors left out of 27 when she missed her word. We are so proud of both of you for making it as far as you did and sticking with it!!

Picture Pages

2009-02-07T11:03:00.004-05:00

A blog buddy tagged me for a photo meme. Like her, and many moms, I too have a mazillion photos. But here's the one and the rules.

1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

This is from Easter - April 2006, taken at my Mom's house. Our school district has spring break the week before Easter. Dalton wanted a Mohawk haircut, so his Dad gave him one (to the best of his ability) at the start of break. He did go to church with it, but the night before he went back to school I made his Dad cut it off and just have a buzz cut. He did look much better. :)

Fellow Bloggers being tagged are: Cristy & Madison

Madison's 13th birthday

2009-02-07T10:55:00.004-05:00

13 years ago today

2009-01-30T12:40:00.005-05:00

Today, I am officially the mother of a teenager. The years have flown by and I am a bit teary eyed that she has grown up, but she is a loving, sensitive, fun, bright young lady and am proud to call her my daughter. Let's revisit that day 13 years ago:

My due date was Feb 23, 1996. The day, however was Jan 30 (Tuesday) and I had my normal doctor's appointment at 11:30am. I was feeling just fine. I worked downtown at the time, close enough to walk to my doctor's appointment. The weather that day was nice, of course I had to wear my winter coat, but no snow or such that would hinder me from walking to the appointment as usual. When I got there they checked my blood pressure and I had to take a urine test. The normal routine. My blood pressure was a bit high, which it had been on previous visits, but I just had to lay on my left side and they would take it again and it would be ok. Today however, they could not get my blood pressure down. Also, my urine test had protein in it, so my doctor said I needed to go to the hospital so they can run more tests. He really didn't let on that anything was wrong, except the fact that he said I should call my husband and have him come to the hospital as well, "just so he could be with me". Now you would have thought that would have sent alarms up and it would have dawned on me that something was really wrong, but it didn't. I called Kelley's work, which they were conveniently downtown as well, and told them to get hold of Kelley and meet me at the hospital. Before I left the doctor's office, the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound to see the position of the baby. He thought it might be breach so he wanted to make sure. Yes, in fact the baby was breach. Once again you would have thought the doctor wanting to see if the baby was breach would make me wonder if something was up….alas it didn't.

Grant Hospital was right across the street from my doctors office, so you guessed it, I walked to the hospital. Kelley met me there and they drew blood for more tests. It was now about 2:00pm when the nurse came into the room and said my tests were "atypical" and I would be having the baby in about an hour. I had preeclampsia and the only way for me to get better was to get the baby out. Kelley and I just looked at each other and said together, "An hour!!". "No, I can't have the baby now, we aren't ready. I have my shower tonight". Of course, they just laughed and left the room. But you have to understand, I wanted to go to my shower. I had another shower schedule that the people at work gave me, but we had to cancel that because of a snow storm a few weeks earlier. So my Church was having a shower for me on this night and now I couldn't go to that!! My doctor came and asked me if I wanted an epidural or a spinal. I would be having a Cesarean section since the baby was breach. As I was pondering what to have, the anesthesiologist decided I would be put all the way under because my platelet's were so low. An inadequate number of platelets leads to uncontrolled bleeding. My doctor was very upset by the fact that I had to be put under, but he couldn't argue with the anesthesiologist. Kelley and I were scared as well, but what could we do?

Kelley was in the operating room with me and watched our baby being born at 3:30pm. The doctor lifted the baby out and said, "She is peeing!". Kelley said, "What did you say?" He then repeated it and Kelley was just glowing as our baby girl, Madison, was the first girl in a very long time in his family. She was 5 1/2 lbs, 18 inches long. I was brought out of the anesthesia, but I was very sick for a couple of days and couldn't completely love on my baby, as my platelets continued to drop. They would eventually bottom out and then start coming back up. Kelley fed Madison himself since I was unable to. My mom and sister still went to my shower the night she was born (after they saw her at the hospital) and of course my mom was all smiles as she had her first grandchild!! She was the smallest baby in the nursery so the nurses just loved on her so much. They couldn't get enough of her, which was great since I was feeling so bad and couldn't love on her myself. I slept most of the time. Eventually I was on the upswing and started feeling better. Holding my child (and actually aware of it) was the best feeling I have ever felt in my life. I wanted this to last forever!

Kelley had a lot of work to do, by himself before I got home. My mom brought over all my shower gifts and now Kelley had to wash everything so Madison could at least wear something home and have blankets. He had to get the car seat out of the box and fitted into the car. The crib was put together but had no bedding, so he had to see to that. We also had just gotten a puppy the month before (what were we thinking?) and still had to deal with "puppiness" in the midst of a new baby. What a trooper! We came home after four days and it has been a whirlwind ever since.

Thank you Madison for lighting up our lives!!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Sledding

2009-01-18T16:14:00.014-05:00

The boys down the street came over today to play with Dalton and they went way out back to sled down "Thistle Hill". You can guess why it's called Thistle Hill. In the summer time it is covered in Thistles! But today it is snow covered and perfect for backyard sledding. The boys had a good time.

Here is Dalton:

Parker and Hunter:

And all three and the top of the Hill:

Dalton - cold faced, but having way too much fun:

Merry Christmas to All! Love, The Wells Family

2008-12-25T17:34:00.001-05:00

Winter Dance

2008-12-05T22:57:00.002-05:00

Tonight was Madison's first Junior High dance. Here she is all dressed up!

School Newsletter Snippets

2008-12-05T15:31:00.002-05:00

Here are three snippets of Canaan Middle School and JAJHS newsletters this month. Way to go kids!

School Pictures

2008-11-10T18:56:00.003-05:00

Here are this years school pictures...the best the scanner can do.

Dalton - 5th grade

Madison - 7th grade

Happy Birthday Cash!

2008-11-01T18:02:00.003-04:00

Halloween Pasts

2008-10-30T20:58:00.013-04:00

The kids decided they didn't want to Trick or Treat anymore. For the past two years Madison has been a bit embarrassed on beggars night, but she said she would go this year for Dalton. Well, Dalton declared he didn't want to go trick or treating and then Madison said, "I'm fine with that". Mom is fine with that too. A person at work asked me if I would miss dressing the kids up for Halloween and going out traipsing thru neighborhoods (not my own), for candy? No, I won't. Yes, we had fun with the kids over the years, but I won't miss it. So, since I have no pictures this year, I thought I'd share some from the past. I don't have all of them handy (I scanned a couple). The other ones are bound in scrapbooks that I really didn't want to put any effort into posting. Enjoy!

1999

2001 (Mushu from the movie Mulan)

2002

2003

2004

2005 (Madison wanted to go as a beautiful witch, but Daddy painted her face scary...she wasn't happy!)

2006 (Dalton's mask oozed blood)

2007 (Daddy joined in the picture...he's the tall one *wink*)

October Outing

2008-10-18T15:41:00.016-04:00

Cedar Cliff Falls

Today we ventured not far from home to Cedar Cliff Falls in Cedarville. This natural resource is created with a blend of the gorge, meadow, woods, river and marsh...quite a view.

Clifton Gorge

Then we headed for Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. Located along the Little Miami Scenic River, Clifton Gorge is famous for its rushing waters that flow through a remarkable narrow gorge.

We headed down the trail towards the information kiosk—the kiosk, near a gathering place called the Bear’s Den, displays a map of the trails available for hiking. After reviewing our choices, we decided to take the John L. Rich Trail where the scenery really is beautiful.

It starts at the rim of the gorge via a wooden staircase with about 23 steps down.

Sheltered by long-reaching lush green branches, towering trees and cooled by the waters rush down the river, this canyon is home to hundreds of plants and wildflowers, many which are rare in the region. Once called one of the nation's 50 most beautiful places by National Geographic, the Clifton Gorge is a natural wonder steeped in history.

Hartman's Rock Garden

On the way home we stopped in Springfield at Hartman's Rock Garden.

Yes, this is actually someone's backyard. From 1932-1939, H.G. Hartman built a 35’ x 140’ rock garden in Springfield which contains approximately 20,000 individual stones. Hartman started with a fish pond and then filled his yard with statues, miniature stone castles, cathedrals, and other historic buildings. There are models of the White House, tributes to boxer Joe Louis and the Dionne Quintuplets, as well as religious scenes. Since his death in 1944, the property was maintained by Ben Hartman, H.G.'s youngest son. However, Ben passed away in 2007 and in 2008, the property was put up for sale. The place hasn't been kept up too much and it felt like we were trespassing...but we got a couple of pictures.

Flashback Fun!

2008-10-01T22:00:00.006-04:00

Remnants of Hurricane Ike

2008-09-14T20:15:00.007-04:00

Well what a day! It started out nice, but the wind gusts close to 70 mph in the afternoon and early evening gave us quite a scare. While thankfully, we and our house are OK, we had a couple close calls. The picture is one of two big branches that were blown from huge trees in our back yard. Kelley was able to tow them to the back of the property with the Allis Chalmers tractor. They did hit the house, but no real damage. We also lost one of our apple trees. Several branches broke from that. We lost power many times but it always came back on within a minute. All in all, we are blessed that we missed the worst and our hearts go out to the families in Texas who lost so much more than an apple tree.

End of Summer?

2008-09-01T23:22:00.004-04:00

It's supposed to be hot this week and we started it off by having fun swimming today. It may be our last week in the pool, who knows, but we all enjoyed the day. Here Kelley and Dalton are playing pool basketball.

First Day of School

2008-08-26T07:18:00.013-04:00

Well it's that time of year, and today was the first day of school. Traditional pictures were taken. Kids are getting to the age where this is becoming more of a hassle than something to look forward to, still I took their picture. Both kids are starting a new school this year and riding the same bus. The bus stops at our house about 7:05am.

Dalton is in the fifth grade this year and starting Canaan Middle School. He will be switching three classes this year, Language Arts, Math and Science/Social Studies. Dalton didn't want school to start too much, he was having too fun a summer. But I really think that riding the "early" bus is cool to him...that he seems older (even though he is the youngest grade on the bus).

Madison is in the seventh grade this year and starting Jonathan Alder Junior High School. She will be switching classes for all periods this year. Her first three classes are probably her biggest concern with Pre-Algebra, World History and Science. She ends her day with Honors English, but has a study hall right before that, so hopefully can work on homework in there. Madison is hesitant about school starting. While she really wants to see her friends, she is scared about switching all classes and not being caught by the tardy bell.

Fishing

2008-08-17T20:59:00.004-04:00

Kelley and Dalton went fishing today at Aunt Mary's house. They had a nice guys day out catching Large-Mouth Bass. Dalton caught four and Kelley caught two.

Sign

2008-08-17T20:45:00.006-04:00

This sign is located at the Truck stop near London @ I-70 and SR42. This Taco Bell does have a London address. Why is this sign picture worthy? Well I agree, it is the best Taco Bell in London. However, it is also the only Taco Bell in London!!

Air Force Museum

2008-08-11T08:05:00.004-04:00

We went to the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum back in July. Madison decided not to go with us this trip. We haven't been for five years and they have new displays from time to time and who could argue with the price of admission — free. Always a nice place to visit.

Summer Vacation 2008

2008-07-29T16:27:00.039-04:00

We headed for Maine with a stop in New York and a stay in Massachusetts for our trip this year. Rather a different vacation for us, as we generally go to one destination and stay the entire time. This was going to be a driving trip. The kids were extremely good, especially since we took a smaller car to save on gas (we usually take the F150 -- roomier).

Sylvan Beach, New York

The first stop was at Oneida Lake in New York. We had driven for about eight hours and to rest at the lake was nice. The water was a bit cold. Kelley and the kids got in the water - at least walked in waist deep. I sat on the beach and enjoyed the sun and took pictures. A women sitting nearby asked if we would all like our picture taken and took this picture. She was very nice. No one has ever asked that before..can't say I have either. Maybe I will start doing that since we don't have many vacation pictures where we are all together. I'm sure other families have the same problem.

Massachusetts

Got up the next morning, and it was raining. Kelley said, "I hope this doesn't follow us to the East Coast." We had a five hour drive to Plymouth Massachusetts. Plymouth was very nice, quaint and very New Englandish. I really liked the area and Madison said she wouldn't mind if we moved there (if she could bring her friends too!).

We toured the Mayflower II. It's a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower. Pretty cool, but very hot on board. Can't imagine how the costumed guides representing the passengers and crew can stand it.

National Monument to the Forefathers. The names of the 102 passengers who crossed over on the Mayflower are engraved into this 81-foot statue. It is one of the largest statues in the U.S.

We visited many other attractions in the area as well.

Cape Cod was a nice place to visit. Wouldn't want to live there.

We stayed at a hotel right on the beach with a balcony and it had an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

The ocean was very cold. We knew the ocean water in the New England states would be much cooler so the pools made up for it.

Maine

After a few days in Massachusetts we left for Maine, specifically Mount Desert Island. It was raining when we left that morning. Did the rain finally make it here? We drove six hours to Maine and stayed at Bass Harbor Cottages, in the Boat House. It was a nice change from the hotel rooms. We had two bedrooms, living room, kitchen with dining table, two full baths (thank goodness!!) and a balcony overlooking the tide pools and lobster fishermen.

After we got to Maine the news stated there was a huge storm in Massachusetts with a tornado in Cape Cod. There was also a tornado in New Hampshire. Maine got rain and fog from these storms. So, yes, the storms finally reached us. We had a brilliant light storm the first night we were there. I have never seen so much lightning as I did there.

Bass Harbor Head Light House.

Unfortunately, this was the only light house we got to see. Everyday we were there, the fog was so bad from the weather, that you could barely see out to sea. The whale watch, lighthouse and coastline cruises in Bar Harbor were cancelled each day as no one would be able to see anything.

Bar Harbor was fun. We enjoyed our time there.

But Acadia National Park was absolutely beautiful what we could see of it. Several trips up Cadillac Mountain were to no avail as fog covered everything and you could barely see 30 feet in front of you. But I hear the views are incredible from up there. Maybe another year...

The temperature probably was high 70's, maybe 80 degrees at the most during the day. We didn't have air conditioning in the boat house and never needed it. It got very cool at night. In Acadia National Park we observed the strangest thing. The ocean water was very cold and at one of the beaches in the park people were swimming in it like it was a heated pool. Then they would lay out on the beach like the sun was shining down (which it wasn't), while cold fog swirled all about them. We just couldn't get over that, and we still talk about it.

It rained the whole day the last day we were there. We have been blessed with wonderful weather in prior vacations, so we were only due. Despite the weather we truly had a great time. And we will return some day...maybe in the fall season next time.

Father's Day

2008-06-20T20:57:00.007-04:00

As always, we went to Jeff and June's place in Hocking Hills on Father's Day. The weather was gorgeous. It was a great time, except for the Trivial Pursuit game which the "girls" lost. I tried to get on Jeff's team, but he's not a girl!

Opening Day

2008-06-01T20:05:00.004-04:00

Well we opened up the pool this week. Water was crystal clear. All we had to do was top of the water that we let out for the winter and put some chlorine in and it was all set. This was the first time ever that our pool has been opened this early in the season. Though it does help to have a pool that is set up all year around. The kids went swimming today, but the water temperature was only 72 degrees so Mom and Dad stayed out. We won't venture in until the water reaches a temperature in the 80's!

Last Weekend of Sixth Grade!

2008-05-31T20:19:00.004-04:00

Madison created a chalk drawing on the driveway today. This is her last weekend of Middle School and Sixth Grade. She had alot of fun at Canaan and will really miss the teachers. But she is so looking forward to the fall...she will be going to the Junior High. Unbelievable!

From the first day of school to the last
The school year has gone by so fast
We are out of school 'til summer is done
Middle School was so much fun!
~Author Unknown

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T10:18:00.004-04:00

Memorial Day is the day to remember those who have paid the price for our freedom by laying down their life for their country.

Recorder Concert

2008-05-17T18:46:00.010-04:00

Monroe Elementary's fourth grade class had their recorder concert Thursday evening. They played several songs and we all sat patiently waiting for it to end.

The recorder, for those listening, can be a "stick your fingers in your ears" instrument but for the most part they did a great job.

Mr. Brunner, Jonathan Alder's Band Director (5th-12th grade!), was there to talk to the kids about 5th grade band. He then joined in playing "Be A Rock Star" with them, standing next to Dalton. I'm sure you can pick him out.

Loveland Castle

2008-05-13T07:32:00.002-04:00

We took a trip to Historic Loveland Castle this weekend.

School Play

2008-05-10T07:03:00.005-04:00

Last evening was the production of Canaan Middle School's first ever play, "Poultry in Motion", by Patrick Rainville Dorn. This play intertwines the two tales, "Chicken Little" and "The Little Red Hen" in an amusing story. Madison played the Little Red Hen. There were two performances. One during the day for the school, and the evening one for the community. The cast did a fantastic job.

Cousins

2008-05-04T20:21:00.014-04:00

"Cousins are different beautiful flowers in the same garden."

Saturday we went to Kelley's cousins Diana and Pat's house for a family reunion in Westerville. The furthest travelers were his cousins Susan and Eddie from Oregon. It turned out to be a great day weather wise late afternoon and spending it with family was great as well.

Piano Recital

2008-04-27T17:54:00.008-04:00

The kids had their piano recital today at the Plain City Presbyterian Church. They both did a wonderful job. Dalton played Calypso Carnival and Madison played Sonatina - Allegro.

Tractor

2008-04-27T17:03:00.000-04:00

Dalton driving the tractor with Daddy riding close by (on the back). They stopped for Mom to snap a picture.

OSU Basketball Clinic

2008-04-26T23:24:00.009-04:00

The Ohio State women's basketball team today hosted an annual clinic with the Girl Scouts Seal of Ohio Council.

The girls participated in drills coached by each member of the basketball team.

Then there was a question
and answer session.

And the day ended with a free t-shirt, packet of basketball cards of each player, a poster and an autograph session. Good times!

Declamation Contest

2008-04-21T21:45:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to Dalton for being one of the six top scorers from the fourth grade level for the Declamation Contest. He presented his memorization of the poem today in front of the whole school. His poem was Another Note from Mom by Diane Shore. Good job Dalton!!

A Decade Old!

2008-04-19T19:25:00.013-04:00

Happy Birthday Dalton!

Yesterday was Dalton's official 10th birthday in which we had his birthday dinner of choice, Donato's pizza, sub and wings. Today, however, we celebrated with family, Mamaw and Grandma. Aunt Cristy was out of state, but sent along her birthday wishes.

I asked Dalton yesterday how it feels to be ten years old and he said, "It doesn't feel any different than nine". I then asked him if it feels like he has been alive ten years, and he said, "It only feels like seven!" He said, "I remember running down the hall yelling, I'm three, I'm three, but don't remember much before that".

Today, Madison and I got out all the early pictures of Dalton and showed him his life before three!

Spring has Sprung

2008-04-18T07:47:00.003-04:00

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment. ~Ellis Peters

Poultry in Motion

2008-03-31T19:56:00.004-04:00

Canaan Middle School (fifth and sixth grade) had auditions for the play "Poultry in Motion". Eleven speaking parts. Over 50 people auditioned, and Madison was chosen for the part of the Little Red Hen. Play is May 9th.

Creative Dad

2008-03-23T20:08:00.003-04:00

So, after the cheaply made mini basketball hoop broke, Kelley decided to make one for Dalton's room. He welded the ring and hooks, created the backboard, added lights and made one neat hoop for his room that the whole family has enjoyed. Thanks Dad!!

Snow, Snow, Snow

2008-03-08T18:09:00.010-05:00

"If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"
-- Percy Bysshe Shelley

Well the 70 degree weather Monday was just a tease for what we had in store for us on the weekend. Piles and piles of snow, blizzard conditions and a level 3 snow emergency.

6th Grade Band Concert

2008-03-02T08:56:00.003-05:00

Madison plays percussion in the band. Always a challenge to get a picture of her since she is in the back. Here are two of her playing the snare and bass drums.

Member of the Family

2008-02-22T16:10:00.003-05:00

What would I do without you
My precious, furry friend?...
Part mischief, but all blessing,
And faithful to the end!

You look at me with eyes of love:
You never hold a grudge...
You think I'm far too wonderful
To criticize or judge.

It seems your greatest joy in life
Is being close to me...
I think God knew how comforting
Your warm, soft fur would be.

I know you think your human,
But I'm glad it isn't true...
The world would be a nicer place
If folks we're more like you!

A few short years is all we have:
One day we'll have to part...
But you my pet, will always have
A place within my heart.

- Hope Marrington Molb

Cash - 12 years old
He has had some seizures, but they seem to be under control with medication. Hopefully he will stick with us for awhile longer!