Yes, We're Still Alive and Kicking!!

Well, I have been "mia" for a while now. My only excuse is that things have gotten so crazy with work that I have had to put a few things on the back burner, my blog being one of them! Since I have written last, the school year has ended, Allison finishing 7th grade and Lauren completing her sophomore year at MSSU.

Above is the picture Chris took at Allison's Spring Orchestra Concert. It's hard to believe that she only has one year left at South Middle School and then she will be in high school!

During the middle of May, we had a whirlwind weekend, which Chris referred to as our tour of Missouri! We started on Friday afternoon, heading to Kansas City, with our good friends, the Goulds (aka Tim, Deb, Kelsey and Krista) to attend the Gaither Homecoming concert, at the Sprint Center. Along with my mom, Shirley, a couple of friends from work and a some from church, we all sat together and had a really, enjoyable evening. Chris had never been to one before (this was my 4th and Lauren's 3rd concert) and he really had a great time (along with the rest of us!). The picture above is Lauren with 3/4 of Signature Sound. Ernie wasn't out taking pictures at this point. We are actually going to see this group in Tulsa on July 25, and we will be sitting of the 8th row!!!! Below is a picture of Signature Sound and the Gaither Vocal Band during one of their songs.

This is my "annual" picture with Russ Taff. Russ and I go way back (all the way back to the 80's!) I started to listen to his music just after he left the Imperials and went solo. I actually got to meet him about 5 years ago at a Gaither Homecoming and have had my picture taken every time!

After the concert, we headed back to the hotel (which we found out was the hotel that Michael Buble's sound techs had stayed at a couple of months ago, when he was at the Sprint Center for a concert!). The next morning, we headed off to St. Charles for a birthday celebration for Chris' dad, Larry. This was a "surprise" party for his 70th birthday. It was a quick trip but we enjoyed visiting with family and meeting some of barbershop friends. Judy did a wonderful job putting everything together and even though it rained, everyone still had a great time.

Above is Judy and her sister, who was visiting from the East Coast.
Above is Larry's brother, Don, who came up with his wife, Petra, from Houston, for the celebration.
Larry visiting with Don.

Megan and Allison taking pictures.

We've also done a little home maintenance. Below is a picture of Chris, who is tightening the faucet, with a little help from Mollie and myself.

We hit another milestone, or I shoud say that Lauren hit it. Lauren, along with one of her good friends, moved out and got an apartment. Lauren and Julia had been talking about it for a few months, and they finally took the plunge! Below is a picture of Lauren in her room at her apartment. Allison has already spent the night a few times. Along with a new apartment, Lauren also got a new job. She has started working as a server at Olive Garden. She is really enjoying the fast pace of it and is really doing well.

Below is a picture of Chris, just being Chris. He was actually playing with my parents at their church picnic. He'll use any excuse to wear that awful suit!!

In June, we went up to Chillicothe, for Grandma Haas' 90th birthday celebration. We got to visit with the other side of the family, that we don't get to see that often and also met some cousins that we hadn't met before. Below is a picture of Grandma with Lynn.

Above is Shirley (on the right) visiting with her brother Bob and wife Vickie.
We all took turns taking our family pictures with the birthday girl. Our picture was minus one, due to Lauren having to stay home and work.

Brian, Laurie and the boys with Grandma. Below is Bob, Vickie and Grandma.

Above is Adam, Wes, Grandma and Lynn. Below is Jim and Wilda's bunch.

Below is the "cousin" picture with Grandma.

Below is the picture we took which represents four generations.

Below is Walt, Shirley and Grandma.

Mom and the four kids.

Brian, Grandma, Walt, Shirley and Chris

Shirley, Brian and Chris

We learned a little known fact about Chillicothe. This is the home of Sliced Bread!!

I haven't seen a Piggly Wiggly store in years! I just had to make Chris pull over so I could take a picture.

Allison decided that she doesn't want to relocate to Chillicothe. She enjoyed visiting Grandma, but she was ready to head back to Joplin!

Still Busy!!

Well, we have moved from one sport to another! Just as Allison's volleyball season came to a close, track season started!! Right now, Allison is running the 800 (or for those like me who had to ask, that's 2 times around the track!). Each time she runs, she improves on her previous times. She really seems to enjoy it! The picture below is from the track meet in Webb City and this was taken on her second lap around. By the time we got done at this meet, we were all like
popsicles!! The temperature was around 50 but the wind was really blowing and boy, was it cold!! I didn't think they would get Allison's sweats off of her for her to run!

Lauren is still busy with school. She is in the process of figuring out her summer and fall schedule. She is also counting down to the end of the semester (last count was 5 weeks!). She is leaving this afternoon to go with the collage age group from church, on a retreat and will be gone till Sunday.

Things are really picking up with my job. The construction site for the surgery center is moving along on schedule. My stint at home should end around the middle of May. I have been having several meetings with sales reps, getting equipment quotes and such. I'm becoming a regular at Panera!!

Chris is still busy with work (as usual) and stuff at church. They are getting the bugs ironed out nicely at church, with the new auditorum and sound system. We actually get to see Chris on Saturdays now! Good thing, because before long, he'll have to start mowing the yard!

Well, just wanted to post a quick update, and now I better get back to work before I get "fired"!

Happy Easter!!!

Even though it doesn't seem like it should be here already, today is Easter. Spring started on Thursday with some beautiful weather for a day or two but today is a little nippy! On the way home from church, the car showed 38 degrees! After we got home, it was all I could do to get the girls to take pictures on the deck!! After I took this picture of the girls with the dogs, I noticed that Mollie looks like she is smiling!!

We are going to my parents for lunch, then home for a nice Sunday nap!! Allison was a little disappointed that we didn't hunt eggs this year, but you have to grow up sometime!

Allison finished up her volleyball season yesterday. Now she starts track meets for school, running long distance events. They have their first "practice" track meet on Tuesday. Both girls start back to school tomorrow and Spring Break is officially over!






Happy Easter!!

Playing Catch Up!

Lauren and her acceptance letter


Well, it's been a few days since my last post. But it isn't like I've been sitting around doing nothing!! To bring everyone up to speed, here is a brief recap. Allison has been playing more volleyball (her season is almost over!). School has been carrying on, although the girls are both on Spring Break this week. And I might mention that it has rained both Monday and Tuesday (figures!)! Lauren got her acceptance letter into the Junior Block Program at MSSU. This means that she will be able to get into the Teacher Ed Program her Jr. & Sr. years. She was "a little" excited!











Happy Birthday "PT"!

It didn't take me long after marrying Chris to realize that he was a little crazy! A good example of this is that he celebrates his car's birthday!! Here is a pic of the latest birthday party for "PT", cupcakes, hats and all! I think that next year, Chris is planning on sending out invitations!










Chris looking alot like his dad!

Well, Chris has finally arrived at middle age! He had an eye check up a few weeks ago and he is finally to the point that he needs a little help! This is his first pair of readers and he actually uses them!












It takes so little for these three!


You can bet that anytime that Allison, Kelsey and Olivia get together, it will be fun. We were on our way home from a Branson Volleyball tournament and stopped at Backyard Burger in Springfield. The girls were totally amazed at the "facilities" there-- a black "turlet" with the flushy knob on top!! What will they think of next!








First signs of spring


Spring is just around the corner. At least on the day I took this picture. My crocus that I planted in the front yard the first year we moved into our house (1995), have continued to come up every year and even spread. I know when I see them and the robins return, spring is not far!

I will try to be more timely with my posts. Till later, Pam

More Volleyball!

Well, it's been a few days since my last post. We have been busy with "everyday" life! My last three weekends have consisted of following Allison around while she has played volleyball. I have got quite a lot done on my knitting. Of course, I don't knit while she is playing!! We only have two tournaments left. Allison is running track at school, so she stays after school everyday till 5:00. Her first track meet is March 25 and she will doing long distance running.

Lauren is well into her spring semester. She has turned in her application for Junior Block, for next fall. Lauren has applied for a part time job at Arvest Bank. She has already had her interview and she feels it went well. Right now, she is still working at For All Bible Store at the mall, but since Christmas, her hours have really been cut.

I am getting busier with my new job. I seem to be on the phone alot! But things are coming along nicely.

I actually had a little time to do a layout of highlights from Allison's volleyball games. This is the first page of a two page layout. I wanted to get it posted, so as to not be outdone by my "little" brother. Steve just updated his blog so I had to do the same!!

That Crazy Missouri Weather!!

Well, as they say in Missouri, if you don't like the weather, stick around and it'll change! Today was proof of how crazy the weather here can be. This morning we were expecting sleet, which came in the form of white "dippin' dots"! Along with it came thunder and lightening! It seems strange to hear thunder in the middle of winter.
If you look close enough, you can see the sleet falling.



This is a close-up look at the "dippin' dots" sleet on the deck!



View from the front porch, with the trees all iced over, again!



The white stuff floating in the street is the sleet!



You've heard of a dog's life? Well this picture shows it! Mollie & Sadie were piled up on the couch during all of this morning's to-do! Life is sure rough!! (or should I say ruff!!).

Allison found out that she didn't have school after she had taken a shower and Lauren had to go to classes. She called later that morning to tell us that MSSU was closing the campus at noon. So, since I had taken her to school, Allison & I had to go get her. Chris got off work early, so we all were home for the afternoon. I worked till about 4:30, then we all went to the mall. Several of the stores had closed early and the crowd was definitely down. We went to Wal-mart then to Schlotsky's, followed by a trip a few doors down to Vintage Stock, then home.

Not sure what tonight will bring us as far as weather. I guess we'll just have to see in the morning!

Check out my Slide Show!