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