Life on the Water

We decided to brave taking the boys skiing on the Kentucky River with Charley and his family. The first half of the day was a complete disaster so I wasn't feeling particularly confident as we drove out there. It's not like at the lake where you buzz around and then hang out on the beach...you are on the boat the whole time. Leighton loved riding in the boat, Ryland was a huge fan of swimming, and Paxton--well, he just struggled. He cried for awhile and didn't want to swim but finally found happiness in driving the boat and playing with Beth. All in all, it turned out to be a pretty nice day. Oh, and the water was complete glass! That's not something we'll likely see over the 4th at the lake.

A few pics of the boys as well

Philosophizing in the backyard over popsicles.

Pirating on the "pirate ship" over popsicles.

Hanging in the hammock after popsicles.

Graduating from preschool (popsicles to follow).

Had Grampa up to the lake this weekend and it was really a pleasure to see him relaxing and enjoying himself. We fished and he read while I was doing a few projects (getting ready for the family week) We caught some nice bass and bluegills on Friday and Saturday. Ii think he is really doing remarkably well. He talks freely of Gramma and how he misses her but wouldn't want her
to have to continue in the state she was before she died. It actually was a nice to have him up there and see how much he enjoyed it. Mom got up there late Sunday and we had dinner together before Dad and I left.

Wow, big news all around the family on the blog lately: dirk and Stacey with their kitchen project well underway (looks good, Diork), jack riding a two wheeler like it was his job (way to go, Jack) and Paxton making sure his brothers are not underfed. Great pics all!

Very anxious to have us all together soon
Love dad

Feeding the animals

So here is my first attempt at including video. I think it worked so I will proceed. This was Paxton's new hobby last week. It was very funny to watch. I have a few other good videos that I will include as well. Great footage of Jack on the bike--what an accomplishment!

Super Handyman!

Dirk that is really amazing. What a huge project and major changes. I can't wait to see the full collection of before and after pictures. You guys will have changed every last thing about that house. Kudos to you for all your hard work.

This picture gives you a bit of detail of the arch and doorway itself...

This is Before picture number 2, detailing the pantry area, and this is After picture 2.

After 1

Before 1

couple more pics

Check this out!

We were camping up north this weekend, spent couple of days in the RV. Lots of memorable events. Jack and Avery both spent their fare share riding on the ATV with the "big" kids. You couldn't get Avery off of the go-kart.

Yesterday we were playing in the lake throwing the soccer ball around and playing keep away. Unfortunately due to the cooler water and some slippery sun screen, my finger shrunk and then my wedding ring came flying off. I didn't know it at the time and noticed it when we came back in. I put out a $20 reward and nearly the entire beach was out wading around. At one point a lady said she saw it but we never did find it.

Today, Robin found a little two wheeled bike in the shed and asked if Jack wanted to try it. He said sure and on the very first try he was off the the races. He could turn, stop and even start again. And since they didn't need the bike anymore, the let us take it home for awhile. Yeah

Made an Offer

Yesterday Matt & I made an offer on a house near Butterworth and Hall. We made them a pretty low offer so we'll see if they go for it (hey, it worked with Edema's, right?). Anyway, here is a link to the virtual tour: http://www.planomatic.us/g/w/idx.pl?file=11537.html
It is cuter in the pictures than in real life (the bathrooms are quite ugly if you ask me) and the people are smokers so it is stinky, but the property is amazing and it definitely has real potential.

Retired Nurse Called Back into Service

Retired nurse, know by some as Nurse Hollebeek, has been called back into service for the care of Patient Hollebeek, aka The Big Guy, Grandpa, Poppa Mart, to name a few. After undergoing surgery this afternoon the patient is resting contendedly in bed since 8PM, with an automatic cooling device providing iced comfort to his elevated knee. Although advised to drink clear liquids at first, the patient refused and his hunger was alieviated only after consuming a large order of chicken with snow peas, shrimp with broccoli, an egg roll and a HUGE dish of moose tracks ice cream. With remote in hand he is watching an old Steve McQueen movie, since his antiquated bedroom TV set only plays VCR tapes, and there are almost no VCR tapes for rent
anymore. Such is life, but all seems to be going well in the Hollebeek Ward at 1702.
M. Hollebeek RN

Broken Helmet Woes

So, by now you all know that I wrecked a bit on my mountain bike. Nothing too out of the ordinary as I just clipped a tree and got hurled, but with my history, a few moments of forgetfulness becomes noteworthy and concerning. I spent Father's Day in and out of bed today (don't worry, I was never allowed to rest too long) fighting a nagging headache and a frustrating accent from time to time. The more I just relaxed and took it easy, the more the accent dissappeared. In the crash, I broke my old helmet that the folks had given me a few years ago (thanks Mom and Dad!) and have just now ordered a new one. Stacey told me that I can't ride until the new one arrives and of course, she told me that after I had already ordred it standard shipping. Maybe hers will fit me.....

Welcome to Wii Week

Hey all,
Sorry we've been silent on the blog for a bit. Our trip to MI and the week of yucky sickness pretty much kept us offline for a bit. But we are settled back in at home, the boys are feeling better, and we are all getting more sleep. Yippee! So we have an entertainment proposal for our week together...some Wii tourneys. Mom already mentioned it but I think it could be a riot. We could bowl, play tennis, and even have a few rock concerts with Guitar Hero. Mom played Guitar Hero last night and giggled her way through. She did pretty darn great! Anyhow, we look forward to some fun with you all once the kiddos are in bed.

Our house is sold!!!

Well, not officially. We received an offer on Tues, countered it and they accepted. Inspections are Monday and the closing is set for July 14. We have 1 week after the closing to move out.

So, we have plenty to do around here. Like find a house, Yikes

Matt