Family Day

Many of our relatives were stranded in NC due to a Northern snow storm/blizzard.  It worked out great as we had a wonderful family day at Karin/Steve's house.  Cathi and I went out to see the new 007 with my brother in-law and two cousins Vanessa and Susan. It was a great time had by all!

My mother said...

"About 30 family members traveled from afar. Due to the extreme weather conditions across the northeastern part of the country and Canada, most were not able to leave on schedule. Saturday, we enjoyed a house full of family. In fact, we think that Karin orchestrated this storm so that everyone was forced to spend more time together. Most were able to get out late Saturday or Sunday. Some were here until Monday and even Tuesday! :)"

The aunts made tons of food for the crowd.

My cousin Susan entertained my niece and her kitty.

The kitty, James, entertained Brandy.

Little Kien and Aria.  You can tell we are related!  Its the nose and eyes!

Cathi and Kevin get along great.  Kevin just loves his Aunt Cathi!

Aunt Cathi and Uncle Greg bought the kids toys for Christmas.  Here is Kien playing firefighter.

Yup!  the kids found the computers.  Kien just didnt understand what his cousins were doing, but it sure was fun to watch!

Back at the hotel...

None of our family lives in North Carolina.  They came from Ontario, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, etc.  We all got hotel rooms at the same hotel and we filled the lobby of the Cary LaQuinta with the sounds of laughter and the smell of Boston Market!  haha  Karin would have been very pleased the orchestrated this impromptu gathering. 

This is me and my little buddy Kien.  Hes my nephew.  He looks just like me!

My dad's sister Diane from Canada holding my cousin James little boy Seamus and my niece Aria.

From my mother's side.  My uncle Gary, my 1st cousin Kathy, My Aunts Ruth and Janet.

These are the Vanessas.  Well at least all three of my cousins named Vanessa.

Jeremy found a great spot to keep himself entertained with the gameboy.

Funeral Procession

The funeal procession was amazing as well.  Let me set the scene...  It was 4:30pm on a Friday in Cary, NC.  There were cars everywhere as it was time for the usual heavy rush hour traffic.  

After the church service, we walked outside to see Cary police cars.  Didnt think much about them and we loaded up to make the drive to the funeral.    As we went the police officers used five squad cars to play "leap frog" of sorts.  Two went up front and blocked the 1st intersection, then two more blocked the next, then the ones in the rear sped to the front to block again.  They did this the whole way.  It was a procession fit for royalty!!  Karin would have been pleased.

Karin's Funeral...

Karin's funeral was EXCELLENT!  She couldnt have asked for anything nicer and more enjoyable.  Its sounds terrible, but it was an enjoyable experience sharing stories with all the family and friends from all over North America.  What a great bunch we have!

I have got to tell you though, it is tough to place your sister's casket in the back of a hearse...  I know know firsthand.

Drive to North Carolina

We had a cold and rainy 1,250 mile drive to North Carolina to get to my sister's funeral.

Pregnant

Today while packing for my sister's funeral we learned that Cathi is pregnant and we are going to have a baby!!!!!!  Woooo!!  Im very excited!

Gone to heaven

karinupdates.blogspot.com

Off life support

karinupdates.blogspot.com

Sister in hospital

Very sick

karinupdates.blogspot.com

Kidney Stone

This morning Cathi woke up in extreme pain from her side/abdomen.  After some crawling around and vomiting we rushed her to the ER about 8am only to discover that it seemed she was passing a kidney stone!   We were leaving and on our way home by 3pm with Cathi feeling MUCH better.

My knee surgery

So today I had knee arthroscopic surgery to be exact.    the doctor needed to go in a clean up some torn cartilage I have had for quite some time.  Nothing like Cathi's hip, but a bit painful anyway.  The bad news is, the surgeon told me that in the next few years I'll probably need a partial replacement of my knee!  ACK!!

Karin's Birthday in North Carolina

Family Pictures in North Carolina

No time to breathe....

I apologize to those whom I haven't had an oppotunity to call recently. Our schedule has been extremely busy since school started.
I started back to work at full time hours from 8:30-5:00. Brandy and Jeremy have just enough time to get their homework done, chores and then we eat dinner and head out for whatever event is going on.
Monday's are Jeremy's gymnastics at the High School. (7-8 PM)
Tuesday's are FC Bible Studies in Downtown Fort Worth. (7-8:30 PM)
Wednesday is Brandy's Youth Group night at Downtown Fort Worth. Jeremy and I will be volunteering during that service too. (7- 8:30 PM)
Friday night's are the High School football games which Brandy has to attend every single game. She will soon have Saturday events too. (4pm-Midnight-ish-)
Sunday is Church day in which we volunteer as well. (9:30-11 AM)

I also still have Physical Therapy, so you know that on those days it's a bit rough. I really REALLY look forward to an early bedtime.
Thanks for understanding! I will talk to you soon!

Jeremy's new bike..

Jeremy had brought to our attention a couple things on his bike that needed to be tightened. Greg and Jeremy a couple weeks ago had a "maintenence bike day" together and basically dismantled the bike enough to spray paint the faded paint on the handlebars, replaced and tightened his chain, put a new tube in one of the tires, and tightened his loose bolts.
Well, one of the main bolts had shattered over time from the weather I am assuming. So, Greg and Jeremy went hunting for a new bike. Here's his new bike.