Julian's Tree

One year ago, Julian was born--and passed away. Our hearts go out to Heather and Scott today as they have struggled through this year. We would have loved to know our little nephew and cousin who has touched our lives in a way we never thought possible.

We all gathered at Jenny's to plant a Flowering Pear tree to memorialize Julian's birthday. Everyone pitched in to dig the hole and get the tree just right.

Putting you

In the past tense

Was, I'm afraid,

The hardest

Conjugation

I ever made.

--Carol Lynn Pearson

We love you, Julian.

Meet me in St. Louis

Spent the weekend in St. Louis at the Hilton Frontenac at the US Speedskating board meeting. Don't let the beautiful blue sky deceive you--it was gloomy, cold and rainy for most of my time there.

I did NOTHING in St. Louis and I wasn't close enough to see the famous arch--even from a distance. Here's how my weekend went:
Thursday: good Italian dinner in St. Louis
Friday: breakfast at 7 a.m. , meetings until 10 p.m. Ordered room service at 10:30 and scarfed it down like the starving person I was.
Saturday: meetings and more meetings. Spent some time crying in the bathroom. Hall of Fame banquet.
Sunday: you guessed it, more meetings. More crying in the bathroom. Flew home.

The next meeting will probably be in Chicago. I can't wait to not see that city, too.

Easter Afternoon

The gang met up at Jenny and Bob's on Easter for mass chaos--also known as the Easter Egg Hunt!

Laya and Ryon enjoyed the afternoon--especially the chocolate and jelly beans.

Kindra had some rockin' summer wedges. She survived the hunt without breaking either ankle.

Everyone had a great time--but we all missed Mom, Heather and Scott!

Making me an honest woman

Yes, Tom proposed and I happily accepted. We went to Log Haven for dinner last night. The canyon was gorgeous from the recent snowfall and we were seated next to the fireplace. Everything was beautiful and romantic and I was caught completely off-guard when he asked me to marry him.


I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have such a caring, thoughtful, romantic, intelligent, handsome and sweet man in love with ME!

We haven't set a date yet, but I do have the honeymoon all planned! A little Italy, a little Crete and a lot of Greece!

Laya Adriana Palma-Kinder turns 1 year old

Happy Birthday, Laya!

It's been one year since you came into our lives and we are so very lucky.

You're mischievous, funny, adventurous, delightful and beautiful.

With chocolate-colored eyes and hair, chubby cheeks and fat thighs, you charm your way out of any situation, and tease Diego mercilessly. He loves you dearly and watches out for you at all times. You're his Little Nina and he couldn't be more proud.

We celebrated your birthday with so many of the people who love you: me, Tom, Kelsee, McKenzie, Jenny, Bob, Austin, Jason, Laura, Gregor, Shelley, Scott, Heather, Ashley, Kindra, Payson, Dylon and Ryon.

But most of all, your mom, dad and brother think the world of you and are so glad you're in their lives.

Cookie Night

We've learned the hard way that cookie night can be vomitous if not balanced with some sort of protein. This year we celebrated cookie night with homemade soups and rolls. Cassi's Shrimp of the Devil was a big hit--and very spicy. Good stuff. Everyone brought soup and rolls to share and then we pigged out on cookies. Here Cassi, Oscar, Kelsee and Burro eat on the floor. Not sure why--except we didn't have extra chairs.

The grandkids and Austin loved playing together, eating soup, munching on cookies and painting ornaments. They each got a present from the advent calendar and spent the evening running through the house and screaming. Next year, Gregor, Ryon and Laya will be joining them on their quest to create unholy noise.

Jason demonstrated that fatherhood has increased his ability to look intimidating--even while eating soup. Even though it was snowy and cold outside, Dad, Virginia and Carol joined us and it was great fun having everyone together.

Meet Chalese

Tom's daughter Chalese came to visit from Arizona. It was a lot of fun meeting her and being around her. The gang got together for hamburgers and after mingling with the family she's probably trying to talk her dad out of being around me.

Laya got hot fudge on her face and spent the evening licking it off her cheeks. She has the tongue of a giraffe.