< HomeVacation- end of July/start of Aug, 2007 Emily, Bethany, Michael, Jessie, and I went on vaction to Disney World in Florida.
Jeridy, Jessie, Emily & Bethany in Florida
Jeridy & Michael at the resort
Magic Kingdom- Michael and the girls
All of us at Animal Kingdom
Mo and the astronaut
Playing in the ocean
T-Rex Restaurant in KC
July 2007 - The 4th was spent at home in Salina this year. We could view both fireworks shows as we sat in our back yard. This orange tinted sky was really the highlight of the evening. Michael has enjoyed taking time to work on the T-bird. Chase absolutely LOVES the TBird too. In fact, Michael lets him sit in it and mess with the steering wheel and gadgets. He got it out of gear ono day and it took off backward into the street. Luckily Michael was able to run out and catch the car before it got too far. Besides 'driving' Chase has also been quite the climber. He doesn't speak much at all. He says dah (daddy), guh (uses for truck or any kind of machinery), kuh (car) and some other things that we don't understand. He really seems to like the noise and fun times with two big sisters. The annual Oetken reunion was held in Larned once again. The highlight of the day was going to the city pool with the cousins.
Bethany on a beautiful July 4th evening
Daddy's T-Bird..
...and baby Chase likes to drive it too
Crazy climber Chase
Those three crazy kids on their 'stage'
The family & cousin Olivia at the pool in Larned after the reunion
June 20, 2007 - Michael has been doing a bunch of freelance again. He still has his ongoing work, but he has added a new band. Last night he had a photo shoot all evening for a new symphony project. He's doing well with keeping up with his homework for his summer classes so far. It's taxed him a bit, but I think he'll survive... hopefully. My Grandpa Hap passed away last night after a long bout with poor health. He had struggled over the past three years. The funeral will be held later this week.
June 17, 2007 - Father's Day This father's day was spent at home. Michael's parents came to visit. We all went out to eat and spent some time visiting. Grandma Carolyn brought the dresses she made the girls for their Disney trip. I saw my dad the day before when we went to Jennifer's house. Michael got a portable DVD player that he can fit his iPod into, so he was pretty happy.
the family, sans Bethany's face
Michael, Chase, Bethie, Gpa Dellane
Papa John & Chase June 16 , 2007 - We went to Wichita to celebrate Jennifer's birthday. We got to escape the kids together for a bit. The guys set up a little water park for the kids while we were out and got some really cute pictures of them (thankfully I made Michael take some pictures- I try to take the camera on all of our outings!). Later that evening we played volleyball. It was a fun time! The kids were exhausted by the time we coasted back into the driveway late that night.
Jennifer's Birthday: Jenn, Bethie, JT, Jeridy
Crazy Bethany
Smiley Emily Super Cutie Chase June 8 , 2007 - We all went to the River Festival. We hadn't gone before (except for mo and Emily). Luckily the weather cooperated- no wind and nice cool temperatures. We saw people we knew and visited a bit. We got to eat some really bad-for-us food (deep fried snickers bars??). There was some neat artwork and musicians playing in the theatre area. The best part was the playground equipment, which is of course, there all year long.
June 7 , 2007 - It was our 10th wedding anniversary. It wasn't all that wonderful. Michael spent it at work and I spent it in various medical offices. fun times! I guess we got our celebration over a few weeks ago. Michael got the wedding pictures out to share with Emily and Bethany. They really liked that. The didn't recognize a lot of the family members in the pictures. I guess ten years can make a big difference (just look at Michael!). I pulled out the box with my wedding dress in it, thinking that I'd try it on. When I opened the box, inside it was wrapped in plastic. Inside that was yet another box- like a gift box that was a shiny gold color. When I opened that there was a plastic cover with the dress and veil arranged like in a display case. Okay, so skip the idea of opening that! They girls said that looked like a PRINCESS dress!!! They really loved it.
Michael & Jeridy
View of the strip from the Eiffel Tower May 26-30, 2007 - LasVegas Michael and Jeridy got to go to Vegas for a trip to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversarty (a bit early). G&G Oetken came to the house to watch the kids (thanks!). It was a nice time. We stayed at a time share condo that was bigger than our first apartment in Manhattan was. We enjoyed all the bad things there then came back a few pounds heavier and a lot lighter in the pocketbook.
Top of the Stratosphere- after the ride!
Hooter's Girl with a Pimpin' ride
The Adult's "Magic Kingdom" May 23 , 2007 - My little Chase is now one and he has changed so much. I thought this was a cute picture of him. It was SO windy out last evening, but he loves to be outside. He was dressed so manly in khakis and a polo shirt with loafers. That new hair cut shows he's turned into a real blondie. The bib flapping in the wind gives him the whole cape look. He was so serious as he toddled around the back yard, keeping an eye on the Michael (mowing), Bethany (going in and out of the house), and the dog (running around the shed and barking at the neighbor's dog). Chase imitated the dogs as they barked at each other. It was too cute.
Chase, May 2007
Jeridy & Chase May 18 , 2007 - Chase had his one year well child check. He was 23 pounds (50th %ile) and 30.5 inches tall (75th %ile). He's remaining pretty steady and consistent with his growth. He is such a motor bug. He walks really well (he's had a lot of practice since he's been walking since January!). He picks things up on-the-go and loves to open things and climb. He points to stuff all the time. Instead of talking, he's more of a caveman. He has lots of grunts, variation in his pitch (various screams and squeels), and even these nasal emissions which sound sort of like a grunt too. He has said 'buh-buh' and waved (bye-bye). He jabbers and says dada, mama, nana but I don't think they really mean anything yet. He still only has his two lower center teeth. Chase is a happy little kid, but he gets whiny and wants to be held and snuggled when he's tired. The girls entertain him well. He gets a real kick out of throwing and chasing balls, riding in the play car, and running around outside, pushing around his toy vehicles, and sticking rocks and other foreign objects in his mouth whenver he gets a chance.
Big Boy Chase May 16, 2007 - Emily had her graduation from Angel Academy tonight. They had a little program then a ceremony. She participated (which is a far cry from her non-performances last summer!). She has learned so much. We looked through her pictures and writing samples in her portfolio and it's amazing how quickly things change.
Madison, Emily, & Bethany at the Graduation May 13, 2007 - Mother's day this year seemed better than years past. Maybe I'm settled in and it's hit me that I'm a mom and can't really change that now. I really am officially old. The kids made me some cute things. Michael designed a nice card and gave me some pretty earrings to match a necklace he gave me another holiday.
May 12, 2007 - Chase and Jordyn had a combo birthday party back home this year. A lot of the family members were there. It was a nice time. That night, we had a big bonfire at Dad's shed. Emily got to spend the night at Kelsi's house along with cousin Breonna too.
May 11, 2007 - Emily had a field trip to the zoo with her preschool class today. I went along. She had a fun time with the kids.
May 8, 2007 - Chase turned 1 year old today. His party will be held this weekend. Tonight we had take out Burger King with a DQ ice cream cake. SUPER deal!!
Chase after his messy ice cream cake April 28, 2007 - Kent and Konya took us up in their plane. It was such a beautiful day. After the ride, we had a BBQ picnic at their house. The kids ran around the yard and had such a nice time. Since we were close, we stopped by Manhattan for a little visit. It has been five years since we moved from there and it has changed so much!
4/28/07: Michael and Kent helping the girls getting set up in the plane
4/28/07: Jeridy & the kids before going up (shy Bethany wouldn't look)
4/28/07: Bethany at the picnic April 26, 2007 - The kids have been playing outside since the weather has become so nice outdoors. They enjoyed the huge machinery in the neighbor's back yard digging and moving large items. We don't really know what they were doing, but it was neat to watch.
4/26/07: Chase looking cool in his car
4/26/07: Bethany pointing at that crazy equipment
4/26/07: Emily looking like a lovely big girl April 16, 2007 - Michael has been busy lately. He has had a bunch going on at work. His newest project was a YouTube channel for K-State at Salina. The release was in the KSU campus news, on the Topeka evening news, and in the Manhattan Mercury. Here's a copy. He judged a national Case design competition recently at K-State as well. Michael's press release He's also a pretty popular guy on campus:
4/7/07:Landers girls & kids getting ready for the Easter egg hunt April 8, 2007 - Easter was spent back home. We got together for Karley's 2nd birthday party on Saturday. Since all four of us girls were there, we just had the Easter celebration while we were at it. Joni fed us all, then Michael and Chris went to the park and hid (ok, threw dozens of eggs) across a large stretch of lawn. The temp hoovered around freezing, which made for quite a shiver-y time. We got to see Grandma and Grandpa Horner as well. Grandma had a stroke last weekend but has recovered very well. They were both back home and doing well. Chase seems to love grandpa. The girls have a blast with grandma's doll collection. The girls colored eggs at Gma Carolyn's house then spent the night at the farm. We took Chase back to the Villa for a night of peaceful sleep. Of course, we got to pry ourselves out of bed to get to an early church service. Really, we got to sleep in since there was only one kid to prep- nice! It was so cold that the church egg hunt was held indoors in the sanctuary after the service. Grandma Carolyn made a nice lunch. The kids spent some time at the farm then back at the Villa for a bit before heading back home. The highlight of the weekend for me was fitting in Joni's jeans. That's right- actual jeans she wears. She sent some 27's home with me. That was my goal! I reached it- now hand me those chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies...
4/8/07: Emily, Bethany, Jeridy & Chase April 5, 2007 - We started the week with sunny weather. We even enjoyed an evening at the park on Monday- no jackets required. A few days later, we were pulling out the winter coats. The weather dipped into the teens, ruining grandpa's wheat crop. I'm pretty excited to get to work in town briefly. We're ending yet another school year, but looking forward to summer and fall assignments already. It's always like starting a new job every year, which is good for me since I get bored.
4/1/07- sunny Spring Weather: our blossoming tree & lovely green lawn 4/5/07- blink and the weather changes in KS! April 1 , 2007 - I had a Health Care conference in Washington D.C. Marianne and I went together and had a nice time. It was the peak of the Cherry Blossoms, complete with the Cherry Blossom Festival (which of course we did not attend since we were at a conference). We successfully navigated the subway system. The Surgeon General was the speaker at our opening session, which was pretty cool.
DC Cherry Blossoms
3/30/07: Marianne snapped Jeridy on the subway March 5, 2007 - Michael has now joined me in the 30-something decade. We went to Wichita and picked up a TiVo, which he was really excited about. While there, we spent some time with my sister's family. We attended Matthew's basketball game a first for our kids. Chase was very intrigued. We had some pizza for supper then loaded back up in the car (yes, we all fit in my little car!). Sunday we spent some time doing exciting things-- house cleaning, grocery shopping, napping, etc. The girls and I baked Michael a cake (this was also a new activity) and sang Happy Birthday to him after his lovely spaghetti supper. The kids said it was the best supper ever!
Michael is 30-- Happy Birthday!!
Blow out all those candles, Daddy!! Michael & Bethany
3/2/07: Bill Clinton at K-State - Michael got to see another President
3/1/07: Bethany loves to color. Isn't her hair cut cute? February 10, 2007 - Cousin Breonna turned 1. We all got together for her party and finally got a picture with all the sisters and the kids.
2/10/07: Landers girls and all the kids at Breonna's party
2/5/07: GQ Chase |
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