Hello from Maryland!

Now that summer is officially in full swing, I'm finding that I have a little more time on my hands (and I do mean just a little more).

The kids are growing like weeds! Jacob (14) will be a freshman next school year, Zachary (10) in 5th grade, and Madison (7) in 2nd grade. Since they've only been out of school since June 17th (the blizzard in February did us in), we've not had a lot of down time just yet. Between baseball games for all three kids (most being double headers), Cub Scout Day Camp with 700 boys in 90+ degree weather, and Boy Scout resident camp, we've been pretty busy in the last couple of weeks.

We're heading to Indianapolis for the North American Christian Convention soon and will meet up with Mom and Dad while there. Our minister is the president of the NACC this year, so that makes our church the host church--there will be a large contingency from Maryland there this year!


Unfortunately, once again, we won't be able to make it to the Kern Reunion. Our schedule is tight even in the summer--and since we would have just been west a few weeks earlier, it's not going to work out for us to be there. Please tell everyone "hello" for us!


Chris and Tammy, let us know when you're going to be in DC. We're only about 1 hour north and would love to see you if your schedule permits. We get to DC at least a couple of times a year (and Mike's always down that way on business), so we'd love to show you around if you'd like! To everyone else: please let us know if you're ever out this way. There's a ton to see and we're not fair from Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and other great historical places.


I hope this finds you all doing well--I'd love to read about and catch-up with more of you! :o)

Take care!

Julie



1/10 Celebrating Pirate Night on our Disney Cruise




4/10 Dad, Mom, Jacob, Mike, Zach & Maddie in Colonial Williamsburg, VA (guess who's taking the picture?!)

For your viewing pleasure, here's a link to Jacob and his friends performing at their Middle School Talent Show (Jacob's the guitar player in the plaid shirt): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZVZJGEdZ7s

Grandkids visit

Melanie brought Collin and Cody up to Colorado Memorial Weekend while she had enough time off. The following week Cody went to Camp with Jared. Then last week Collin went to camp with Titus and Alicia. The week in between was spent mostly at the Hardisons. (Grandma and Grandpa don't have all the video games etc at their house!) And I hear they had been banned at the Hamlin household until school was out, so they were soaking it up, as Melanie said. Besides camp, they went swimming, movies, bowling, Rockies game, and one day Grandpa put them all to work with him at the church trimming trees, and mowing. Melanie came after them this last week-end.
Boyd could not come as they are working with a guy to use his building for their church services. It is vacant and is up for sale. They are working out a deal to keep up the property, mowing, weeding, paying utiltities, etc. for use of the building until it sells. The church is meeting in Hamlin's house presently and it's beginning to be too small. Hopefully they can use this building for 6 months to a year at least. (If you'd like to receive their newsletter via e-mail contact Boyd at: swapministries@aol.com) swap stands for "service with a purpose"
Ashlyn will be here Tuesday and Wednesday while her parents have an anniversary get-away. (The boys are with their Dad for a week)
Gail and John and family are on vacation and will stop in here Wed. night before heading on home, so will get to see them for an evening.
I hear the Harp boys are finished with soccer for a short time, Josh is having Drivers Training this summer, Tammy is liking it that Jacob can drive his siblings to and from places now, and their vacation will be in July going to D.C.
Grandkids on the homefront...Alicia will be going to Ozark this fall. Nick may go too (haven't heard the final decision yet) Titus has driving permit and will be putting in his time this year before his 16th birthday next April. Both Jared and Titus are stretching up.
Today is our 46th anniversary. Thinking we will go to a movie and out to eat. By the way...Happy Birthday Stephanie!
Well, that's enough for now. Anxiously awaiting to see posts from those family members who haven't posted yet! Sandy

A Post From Olive!

Hello,

Well, here goes. I've decided to try to post to this blog, myself. I keep thinking that the only news I have is actually my children's news but I'll share some of that.

Memorial Day weekend my middle child, Bill and his lovely wife Molly, moved from Macomb IL to St. Louis MO. I was involved with the move and was able to see ther cute new home. Bill is completing his Master's Degree in Sports Information from Western IL University with an internship at Washington University in St. Louis. Molly will be working with her Mom's Miracle Ear franchise. Thanks to family and friends, the move went well. Thanks so much to Char and Jim for the use of their trailer. And to Justin (& Emily) for pulling it back home again on short notice.

Emily was home for the week end and she has only until June 4 to finish her internship and will have accomplished her Master's Degree in Public Affairs Reporting from University of IL Springfield. Then on June 7 she will start her new job as News Anchor (I think) at a radio station in Galesburg, IL AM1400 WGIL. Justin is working for BNSF Railroad in Galesburg. They're busy with that and planning their upcoming wedding (August 7, 2010) as well as planning a move to the home they have purchased. It was his Grandma and Grandpa Harden's home and they have yet to move out to their new home in Stronghurst. Justin and Emily are looking forward to starting their new life together in a house that has been in his family for so many years.

Charlie and Sandra are doing well. Charlie and Mark still have a lot of acres to plant due to all the rains we've received and continue to receive this year. They'll get there some day! Jeremy is great and is his grandma's pride and joy. I get to "baby sit" every other Monday on my day off work and volunteer to watch him when shopping needs done, etc. He's so much fun. Mark's dad (Buster) is living with us and doing well. Jeremy loves to see him when he comes for a visit. I tell Jeremy his name is Great-Grandpappy. Buster enjoys him too.

Well, I've rambled on enough. I've enjoyed all the posts and hope eveyone continues with the updates. By the way, Christopher and Ashleigh's wedding was beautiful and the party was fun. And--Jill--I saw the loot from the dollar dance and you better hurry and collect your 20 bucks before he finds somewhere to spend it all.

Love to All -- Olive