Snow Days

Megan and Destiny

Henry's clearing at Mom and Dad's - Here's where the deer gather

At the Peaks (She didn't spend all her time on the ground!)

We're now on day 4 of NO SCHOOL here in Paoli! We had about four inches of snow, then a whole day of icing, then more snow on top of that! Even the side roads in town are still hazardous; I can't imagine what the country roads are like. Megan and her friends have enjoyed time at the Peaks and sledding out at Mom and Dad's. They built an incredible ramp. David and I are going to try it later today! Anyone interested in skiing/snowboarding/sledding should come on down! The snow is perfect. How's the weather elsewhere?

A pic of the b'day girl (& some other people)

Party on!!!

Happy Birthday, Sheri!

Hope you have a great day!

This past weekend was the coldest weekend in Chicago in 54 weeks. Of course, we had to go visit Laura. She needs everyone of these scarves and mittens. The high for the weekend was 10. There are icicles everywhere with signs warning people to be aware of falling ice. These are just an example of the ones outside the back of Laura's apartment. We forgot to get pictures of the river and the lake. I don't think any of us wanted to stand outside and take our gloves off to get the picture.


For Christmas, Laura got Mort and I 2 nights at the Hyatt. It was very nice. This is our room which we really only slept in.
Another part of our gift was tickets to the Women in Public Policy (WIPP) follies production. Even though some skits were inside jokes, we really enjoyed it and it was put together really well. This is Laura in the opening "Everybody wants to rule the school"-they are supposed to be dressed as in the 80's.

Another skit, more Laura.


Laura mimicking the dean, risky but the dean is a good sport.
Mort and Laura on the bus. We visited Adler Planetarium Sat afternoon after a HUGE breakfast in Wicker Park and a run through a big sell of clothes by Chicago Designers( think$10 for items over $100)Later we took the El to Avec for dinner. There are places on the platform that have heated areas. The pigeons took most of the space.


(Laura liked this one)
We went to Spamalot on Saturday night. It was very funny and seemed to run too fast. Sunday, we have breakfast/brunch at Ann Sather's. One of the side dishes was 2 giant cinnamon rolls (yum!!!!) and you got to pick 2 sides. We ended up taking most of it with us. We had a great time, Laura is an excellent guide and it was a wonderful gift.

January Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday to Greg and Happy Belated Birthday to Eric...I just realized we didn't have a special post on January 2nd for you,Eric...so sorry! Aren't they cute?

Old Whitey is in the car hospital

Took Old Whitey to Jimmy Groomer's for a fix it job.

Stay tuned- maybe we'll find a bargain car for Tutu that will fit in the garage!

Keep your eyes open!

Oops......

the fire hydrant won.......

PHS Homecoming

Queen candidates Sam, Vanessa, Jenna, Elizabeth, and Megan

Last night was Paoli's Basketball Homecoming. After several dress and hair fiascos for Megan, the evening went smoothly. Dean Kingston and Samantha Bradbury were crowned King and Queen. Unfortunately, Paoli lost to Mitchell in a last minute collapse.

J.B. new email and phone

Because of the weather here in Florida and concerns about my health I have taken some time off - maybe do some traveling for a bit. Therefore a new email address and new phone numbers should you wish to find me. hoozr2@hotmail.com and 813-428-3789 === Mom always said that when she retired she was going to spend one month with each of us and rotate, that kinda sounds like a good idea so keep the sheets clean. With the election of our first mixed breed president and with the politicians asking for more of my money to support the people who have more money than they should - i have decided that i do not want to participate in the giving any longer but invest my P.H.S. degree in now working the political system.

Greg

This just reminded me of Greg. But clearly with some overreactions. Maybe you could provide some expert testimony?

Eric

Now that I have had a little more time to get used to the idea of Eric joining the Marines, I'll give you a little more info. May 18 he will go to San Diego for Boot Camp (Mom, plan on going to Graduation where he goes from a 'recruit' to a Marine). He can only write and receive letters and the only phone call is to let us know he has arrived. After that, he has 13 weeks of nothing but training. He will complete infantry training then go to Quantico for training for a security detail program. After he passes all the FBI clearances, etc. he will be one of the Marines who guards the president, visiting dignitaries, etc. He's excited and thinks this will be interesting. I think he will be bored if he's just standing around all the time but I am sure there are lots of things that I don't know about it. He will enter as a private first class (after boot camp) instead a just a private. I think this is just because he has a college degree but I'm not sure. Supposedly, the security detail is a coveted position. He keeps mentioning the president when he talks about it so I do not know if that is the area they specifically want him for or if that is an example of what he could do. I think they use them at all the embassies, as couriers, and to guard the higher ups.
For those interested, you can find info about everything at www.recruitparents.com. They have a booklet that details what they will be doing a boot camp every day and things we can do to support them, etc. On the left of the main screen, there is a section that tells all about what he will be doing. He is not considered a marine until he completes basic training. Now he is a "poolie", as in a pool of possible Marines. After that, www.marineparents.com has info on deployments, etc. so you can track them online.
I'm sure we will learn a lot more as we near May.

Eric is now a marine and goes to boot camp May 18.

J.J. and big equipment

J.J. took a morning from the beach for a day on big tractors. He sampled most every kind several times and ask lots of questions.

Last Day of 2008

The Big Truck headed for Tarpon Springs where there was an abundance of Greek food and souvenir shopping and of course the sponge docks. Then it was back to J.B.'s house for Turkey and the fixin's and games.