Big News

Big News - Drum Roll Please!!!! G PA and Maxie are engaged!! Last night we received a phone call from G PA which went something like this- what are you guys doing? Finishing watching stage 15 of the tour de france I replied- what are you doing?? Oh-- just cruising down Akers with my Fiancee!!!-Lots of giggling in the background. Congrats Congrats. The 2 Love Birds stopped by a few minutes later-- so proud to be together and looking forward to the next chapter of their lives - check out the pictures- beautiful rings-The family is hoping for a destination wedding somewhere tropical- Fiji , Bora Bora ? Back to reality- most likely a spot here in Visalia-KADALAK

10/30/10 Game Day!! Pumpkin Party

Saturday is game day here in the Valley. The Moons boys spent Friday night at our home in Quail Run-so the first pic is Campbell carrying on the tradition of the raising of the flags Saturday morning -USA first in the middle, Uof M next, then FSU Bulldogs. Big Blue did go down in a hard fought contest with Joe Pa's Penn State University- so the Uof M flag is flying at half staff this evening-thank God Fresno State had a bye!!! The next pic is of Miss Kensie in her Holloween garb

- followed by Judy ,Jackie, and Megan getting their hands dirty. We only had 2 pumpkin carving entries this year- Beau and Megan. The last picture is destined to be a classic-no- it is an instant classic Alicia- Beau - Kensie-and the Special K jack-o-lantern!!! We had a special evening with some great friends and neighbors-KADALAK

10-24-10

Sunday morning Missy - a cup of coffee and breakfast with the Poodle on the patio.
Kadalak out the door for a quick spin before church. Technical difficulties- will blog tomorrow-KADALAK

10-23-10 Moooons Visit

Marshall, Campbell and Carter Moons stopped by this afternoon after their soccer game. Marshall was the winning goalkeeper and Campbell scored 2 goals-the Titans won 8-0. Carter is shown with the tapes of the gambling activity at the game!! The boys played a lively game of

football with Jake.Marshall has his game face on!!! Romo who????? Baseball game tonight. KADALAK

10-22-10 Kensie comes home

Short post tonight-Kensie came home and is spending her first night at home. Abbey ,Jake, and Dizzy also came home from Calvin for a short visit. Enclosed are a few pictures-Kensie had a tummy ache -KADALAK

10-21-10 Happy B-Day Miss Kensie

Little Miss Kensie- Kensie Jae Mills arrived today-10-21-10 at 2:43 pm at Kaweah Delta Hospital-Visalia, CA. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 3 oz. 20 inches-Proud parents Beau and Alicia Mills. Alicia had an amazing pregnancy -exercised religiously and that preparation delivered in the clutch- a healthy ,beautiful Little KADALAK-the Doctor and nurses said- this gal is special-I have always said -she is a keeper!! We are amazed and thankful for this miracle- our bundle of joy-KADALAK

10-19-10

Sorry- it has been 52 days since my last post. Been kinda in a funk- only road my bicycle 5 times in 2 months-trying my best to turn a profit at the Cad Ranch- since I can't see my toes anymore- it is time for a new funk!! Velo Visalia will send several cyclists to Solvang for a 50 miler on November 6-I will be a part of this group. CVC is in the middle of Spirit Week. The kids dress up every day- enclosed is a pic of Missy as Little Bo Peep!! Beau and Alicia stopped by tonight with 2 special Holloween gifts- Carved pumpkins of my favorite college football teams- U of Michigan and Fresno State- I am impressed !! Alicia is very close to being a Mom-very close-will keep you posted. Missy won her singles and doubles tennis matches in Dinuba this afternoon-congrats!!! Tomorrow may turn out to be a very big day-KADALAK

All work and a litttle play!

Abbey is headed off to her last day of shadowing at Dr. Pott's office. She learned so much and enjoyed the Doctor's bedside manners, and of course his wife Suzie and the other office staff. Lizzy was stuck at home working thru the grain slips and matching up invoices which actually suits her just fine! After all the hard work, the kids got to head off to the coast with some friends in Jess's uncles limo! Life in CA is always an adventure!

Celebrating with the Moons!

A final dinner with the Moons family before all the Calvin students and engaged couple, Jake and Abbey head back to Michigan. What a feast we had prepared by the fine hands of John and Linda. Lamb chops and chicken, red potaoes, cauliflower, salad and finished off with a fresh peach cobbler and homemade icecream. UNBELIEVABLE It was a perfect night as the sun went down the temp. cooled off. We celebrated the couple with a few of there favorite things! The butterfly bag of course for Abbey as she begins planning for the big day. And for Jake, a selection of wine from John's private cellar! All the guests signed the bottle which will be saved for a special occasion! Matt, of course, is influencing all the young boys that white sunglasses are in style. Mr. Carter sports them quite well. Phil caught an early morning flight to Cleveland and is enjoying a baseball game tonight with Alicia and Kensie! Beau likes an audience and is already 2 for 3 with two more RBI's ( game still in progress) See you in Michigan soon!

G-PA is back in town

G-PA Bern is back in town after a 2 plus week motor home excursion up the Coast through Oregon-sooo- we had him and the boys over for dinner-the boys and Chef Lizzy were in charge of preparing the feast. We had the best steaks ever, stuffed mushrooms and peppers, twice baked potatoes, brats, and sweet corn-Matt was in charge of the sweet corn-soaked in sugar water-in husks - on the bbq-fantastic-with a surprise-green worms- a delicacy!! Astros win 3-2 vs Phillies. Congrats Brad !! The Pudah spent the day at the Coast with her adventure group. Jake and Abbey are having dinner -also at the Coast- not a bad place to be -it is 108 degrees here in Visalia. I travel to Akron on Saturday- will be great to see Beau,Alicia, Sadie, and the baby bump Kensie. HOT HOT HOT-KADALAK

Home Upgrade

The boys from Michigan continue to amaze me. The garage floor looks fantastic. Next project is the Datsun 280 Z . Beau hit a 3 run dinger -aka- jack. It is hot in the Valley-102 cooling soon. Herd check in the morning. I think the kids are heading for the Coast tomorrow- Life is good-KADALAK

End of summer must mean--First Day of School

August 16,2010 is not the date of the fall equinox, but it is the end of summer here in the Vannette home because today was the first day of school for Miss Emily-now a Junior at Central Valley Christian High School. Today was really big because she finally after all these years drove herself to school-she left home when she wanted to- listened to the music of her choice- windows open, closed- air conditioning on,off-parked where she wanted to-FINALLY- all her own choices. We have a picture of Emily next to the ABIZABA and then Emily @ PA. I will attempt to gather up all of the first day of school pictures and post-Sean will need to help. Next picture- a very empty and clean garage-where did all that stuff in the garage go?? Garage sale??? Not quite -the last picture explains. Jake @ Matt moved, cleaned, acid washed, and prepped the garage floor today. Tomorrow they paint- coat the floor with quikrite coating- a bit at a time-should be a very interesting endeavor. KADALAK

Fresh Peach Cobbler

Our family and extended family greeted at Tulare Community Church at the 8:00 service this morning. The greeting line extended almost to the parking lot and temporarily shut down the women's bathroom. No problem-great worship service. Matt, Jake,and I went to work at a local peach orchard slaving for hours at end to pack the box shown . Judy and the girls followed an age old Wigboldy recipe to produce this fantatsic peach cobbler-Jake went to the market for the perfect topping-vanilla ice cream-not a bad day-KADALAK

Life is Good at home

It is great to be back home.Marshall,Campbell and Carter Moons spent the night.Here is a picture of Campbell & Carter beating the California heat. We had the traditional fire-started by the magic key- and enjoyed golden brown marshmellows and smores with a new twist- peanut butter. Beau and Alicia will be headed home soon, so I am taking advantage of their traeger bbq-luv it!! We stuffed some fresh garden tomatoes for a change of pace. Jake had a little mishap on the basketball court-twisted ankle-ouch!! Ice and elevation with some advil were the Doctor's orders. Our garage is sporting a new fresh coat of paint after 9 years of abuse- dust,heat fog...The boys finished painting this afternoon. 1963 Pontiac Bonneville-a classic-beautiful lines-but it drives like a boat on Lake Macatawa. Team Velo Visalia met tonight and received our beautiful jersey's and bibs . Matt remarked-"Maize and Blue colors". We have 54 charter members in our new bicycle club. A big thank you goes out to Terry,Pete ,and Sean for all of their hard work getting the club off the ground. Not much else going on here-let's get some comments from the silent majority-KADALAK