STADIUM OF FIRE - 13 yrs & counting!

Another great year of Stadium of Fire! For the family that has lived here and left without the experience of the Stadium of Fire song, you truly have missed out. We go every year with Judi & any brothers that live here or are visiting here on the 4th. Tonight, Ken, Brendan & Chris's families all were here (they all live here). All the other brothers were here in spirit though. The Osmond brothers - 2nd generation did not play this year - a miracle we are grateful for.
Corbin Bleu was the big attraction for my kids this year - HUGE! If any of you old folks don't know who he is, he is the new Micheal Jackson. (Star of high school musical & Jump In) The cousins all went crazy dancing on the bleacher seats when he came & started singing. I saw a glimpse of riley as a teenager. Also, Brooks & Dunn. I have to say, so far away from my Motown roots. EVERY year they get country (which I can't stand) but these guys actually put on a good show. I'm waiting for the day when The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire or Cool & the Gang come. I will fly dad out for that for sure! (We have seen all of those bands & they were absolutely incredible!!! I stormed the stage at The Temptations & the big guy leaned over on the stage & kissed me...that's a whole other story). The highlight of the evening was Andie. She just stared at the fireworks and didn't mind them at all. Her eyes were huge but she enjoyed them. Taylor & I enjoyed just watching her.


Many of you might not know this, but the 4th is probably the biggest holiday at our home (besides christmas although it comes close). My kids are obsessed with fireworks. Cole spends his own money, price compares, makes his purchase and then he will save them all year long. Sometimes, when the 4th rolls around, he still saves them until the next 4th. No joke. Hoards them. Well, the time has come. When william was over yesterday, they allowed Taylor to light a few up for Williams enjoyment. William has no idea what an act of love that was. Right now, it is 11:45 p.m. & my kids & Taylor are putting on their private show for themselves. I must go now - I am being summoned.

*A funny* - I overheard Cole talking to his 5th grade cousin the other day. Jaxson says to him, "Man, I have 7 girls that like me." Cole responds with a complete straight face, "that's nothing! Every girl in 3rd grade is in love with me!"

Alaskan Cruise

Eagles up in Alaska are like pigeons. They are everywhere! I know, you think this is a postcard - my skills are getting good. I chased this baldy down thinking that this was such a great find! Come to find out, hundreds. Seriously, we passed a garbage dump and they were definitely 100's of scavengers.



Here Taylor & I are going out to dinner on the cruise. You eat literally 24 hours a day. It was considered "freestyle" which means you can order as many appetizers, salads, soups, entree's & desserts at one meal. Taylor literally ordered 3 entrees & 3to4 desserts every meal. This picture is just a small portion of his brothers. All 11 brothers + wives + one ex sister-in-law & spouse (now that's a story!) + 1 sister + dad & his wife went cruising. Talk about one big party!

Here are once again a portion of the bro's. They sort of look like these totem poles...

Taylor & I boogying the night away. I believe this was "Motown Night".

This is a replica of our boat made out of white chocolate! One night, they had a chocolate lounge. You could either call it walking into chocolate heaven/hell.

Here is what greeted you when you walked into the chocolate lounge - the chocolate castle. The next picture is the gargoyles that protected the castle. (Sorry, my kids loved the pictures!)


I had to throw in one beauty picture because really, being on an Alaskan cruise really isn't known for bathing suits and sun. The cruise was absolutely breathtaking.

Stay tuned....I'm trying to learn how to upload a great video (one of a kind) of Disco Taylor at his best...I have to get over to the Millers so they can show me how...

Keeping Up With the Millers-I Mean Jones...

Well here I am. Both feet have jumped into the world of blogging. We all know that Taylor wasn't the techno geek behind this. We are so grateful that the Millers live 8 blocks away but trying to "keep up with the Millers" can be very intimidating! Kate just kept saying how easy, how painless and how fast this would be for us to journal our lives. She then proceeds to show us her "simple" site. It is the most professional site I've seen. All this being said, I will try it. Because of Aaron, I own a digital still camera, a digital camcorder, a Mac and now I have my own blog. I'm sure there will be come a day that an iphone will be added to that list.