Gee Ray, What's Up With the Squirrel?

Some weeks ago we had a visit from the some wonderful friends that we had not seen in a long time.  They were on their way back home to South Carolina and stopped in to see us. The visit was long over due and much too short but we enjoyed the day. Just as our visit was long over due, so is this blog post! (I will spare you the details but suffice it to say that I have been a little under the weather as I battled what I thought was a really bad cold (turns out they think I have allergy induced asthma) and a bad ear infection. I've been to 3 doctors and am currently on a third antibiotic in about 6 weeks.)  
I am feeling better now.  And just as I am feeling better I get this message on Facebook from Kim.

"Dear Loretta, The only reason we came to visit was to become famous on your 'my little life'. We are very disappointed that we did not make the cut. Please visit soon, and we will work diligently to provide you with something to write about. Sincerely, The Hartrum Family. PS, your camera holds one of only 5 pictures of the Hartrum Family in existence. If possible, please post and tag me, or email. Thanks" I feel bad making Kim think she didn't make the cut. I feel even worse for snatching her dream of being famous.  So it is here I post rare pictures of Kim and her family.  We love you guys and so look forward to seeing you again.  Let's not wait so long to see each other again! Ray (is that a squirrel on your head??) and Kim (nice facial hair!) with their kids Shelby, Katelyn (like mother like daughters?) and Andrew (watch out for the south end of that bird!) and Gail (Kim's mother) (now we know where Kim gets it from!)

 

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We really meant to call that exterminator before the Hartrum's visit....oops!

Although they were a month late, they insisted on wearig their Derby hats.... :)

With really good friends you can go long periods of time without seeing

them but when you do reconnect it's like no time has passed at all. 

The Hartrum's and the Schlemmer's are those kind of friends. 

We love you!

Jacob's Excellent Adventure....

Jacob is off on a most excellent summer adventure -- a month long stint on the Hill Cumorah Work Crew in New York with 25 other boys!  I am excited that there is a blog being kept for the duration of the time spent there so it will be fun to get a peek into a little of what Jacob is up to over the next month and maybe get to see pictures of him if we are lucky! 

Questions? 

(I've provided some links, just click to view)

What is the Hill Cumorah Pageant?

When is the Hill Cumorah Pageant?  July 8,9, 12-16

What is the blog address for the work crew's adventures? 

You can also access it from the side bar on my blog under the title of

Jacob's Excellent Adventure on the Hill Cumorah Work Crew.:)

Where is Jacob in these pictures?  

If you look close all these boys are wet from a game of kickball in the rain!

(Jacob is on the far right, in front)

And what is Jacob working on? 

Assembling the stage. It's a huge job! 

Just wait until you see the end product! :)

Happy building, boys!

26 Years And Counting....

Yesterday Tim and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. 

 I don't know where the time has gone but somehow it has flown by. 

In our years together we have done a lot of things.  But among our biggest and best accomplishments are that we raised 6 great kids and have given them a forever family.

Of the temples we have been to this is my favorite, 
the Washington D.C. Temple,
because it is where we were married. That beautiful June day in 1985 was the beginning of our forever story.

And I love that I still think of us just like this.  The years may show on our faces but our hearts are unchanged. They are as full of love, hope and looking toward the future as the day we were married. 

Happy Anniversary, Tim.  I love you.  Here's to another 26.  :) 

Daddy/Daughter Nerds...

Tonight Tim and Annah are off to a Daddy/Daughter Activity and they had to dress as Nerds! Annah specially made their matching hot pink duck tape covered glasses for them to wear. :)   

Good Times, Good Times!

Cautious Cat Meets Musical Mouse

This is our grandkitty Taka (pronounced tah-ka).  Taka belongs to Tim and Lisa and is a year old.  This video of her hit YouTube on June 11 and now it is viral with over 11,000 hits!  It makes me laugh out loud every time I see it!  YAY Taka!  We have a famous grandkitty! 

Gotta Love First Graders.....and Jacob

For the past 5 weeks or so I have been doing a long term sub job for an instructional assistant that has been out with health issues.  I work with first grade classes and have really enjoyed my time in the classroom.  The things that kids say never fail to bring a smile. 

Like the day one boy announced, "You're not like the other subs. You know what you're doing and the other ones don't!"  (Okay, that made me feel good because everyone knows you can't fool a first grader!)

Today made me laugh out loud when a little girl came to show the teacher a story she was working on about how to grow fruit. 

She thrust the paper in front of the teacher to proudly show off her writing.  Peering over the teacher's shoulder I read the title:

"How to Grope Fruit" 

BWHAHAHAHAHAHA! 

I so wished I had my camera for a visual on that one!  I may pack my camera tomorrow.    

*This just in: Jacob has passed all his classes! I am out $50 this year :) 
(School can't end soon enough for those poor teachers. Bless them.)