Payton Turns 10

So today is Payton's big day! We had cinnamon rolls and birthday presents before Payton, Beth and Beth's boyfriend Todd went off to school with cookies for the class. This way Pay can show off her pretty, young mommy, and Beth can see what a nice learning environment Payton enjoys every day.

It will be a short day at school, though, because then everyone is off to the tattoo parlor for Beth's new tat. (Ozzie and Harriett, we're not, but that's OK too.)

Been Too Long

Today we got an overdue arrival -- Bethannie! She and her partner Todd drove straight-through from Colorado to Rockford, about 1,000 miles or so. The occasion is Payton's 10th birthday (tomorrow), and she was delighted to see Beth (and so were her dad, brother, and me). We haven't had a visit with Beth in a year-and-a-half ... where does the time go?

They brought along a surprise -- Jack, their lively and very bright Jack Russell terrier. Jack (a female) is keeping Lucky and Benji busy, leading them around by their noses.

Disappointing News

We were disappointed to learn that a long-awaited visit by Peter's parents was cancelled, due to Hurricane Ike. Paul and Elly were set to leave New Jersey Sunday, and arrive in Chicago yesterday ... that is, until the hurricane dumped 7" of rain on Chicago and headed east. Trains were cancelled for four days, and the folks' tickets were refunded. They would have to repurchase tickets, and trains have been full-full-full since the gasoline prices jumped. Who knows when they might get here?

Our plans had been to see a bit of Chicago and Rockford, and head up north to stay with my mother. Paul had hoped to see the beauty of the Wisconsin Dells, but that doesn't seem possible now. (Paul's health isn't the best.) We're thinking of driving back for a visit before Thanksgiving.

Payton and Raven

Well, this weekend was Payton's 10th birthday party -- she's hit the "double digits" now. Her good friends Stormy and Destiny spent the afternoon with her at the Coco Key Water Resort, and Raven (left) spent the night. Here's a photo of Raven and Payton on a visit to Wisconsin Dells last month, when they played Southern belles for the camera.

So What's the Point of All This?

I'm no technophobe ... I was an early adopter of PCs, and I love my DVR. But the charm of blogging had escaped me. Until I realized what a lazy correspondent I have become!

I have piles of school photos I've been meaning to distribute, and East Coast in-laws that have never been able to visit us. So I'm hoping that this blog will help me keep up with friends and family scattered far and wide, and let you all see what's up with us, from time to time.