North Carolina ~ Summer 2008

Emma and Nora baking cupcakes with Aunt Mindy

Meg lounging with the little 2 year old monkeys

I'm trying to backtrack with some of the events we've had within the last several months:)

Thankfully, our move gave us the extra benefit of spending more time with our NC family. Usually we get to see them once or twice a year, but not in 2008! These are pictures of this summer there. Meg and Michael rode Umpa's riding lawnmower all over the yard, Nora and Emma made cupcakes with Aunt Mindy, Michael and Nora went swimming at Emma's babysitter, Ms. Rhonda's house, and Meg was cousin Heather's Maid of Honor in her wedding to Tom. We took the children out to Bill and Sharon's house on the resavour to swim, ride jet skis and cookout. We don't get to see The Stephens' every time we're in NC, so it was a big plus for us to spend time with them. I could go on and on about everything we did while staying with The Matthews Clan. Luckily, we live closer to them now (7 hours!), but it's much better than 16...which is how far we are from The Kraus Clan:( Oh well...

Jamie leaves today for Hilton Head with some of his UNC boys. I suppose that I'll be on this blog to kill time at night. I'll post more photos from NC and of our 2008 adventures this weekend. Toodles...

Grandpa Kraus' Birthday

Our family was lucky enough to keep Grandpa and Grandma Kraus to ourselves on Grandpa's big day! They came to our house and we loved every minute of our time with them. We made fish tacos for his birthday dinner. I didn't know how they would take to them, but they LOVED THEM! I wanted to treat Grandma and Grandpa to something new and had hoped it would be a success...thankfully, it was. We also bought a beautiful carrot cake from our favorite bakery. (My Mom's favorite;) It was devine!

I'm glad that we had the privelage to spend this birthday with both Grandpa and Grandma. It was hard for us to get home to spend time with them, and we didn't know at the time that we would be moving away during the summer months. "Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for going the extra miles to be with our family. WE MISS YOU!"

Our New Dwelling

Well, we are finally settled into our new home! Even though we miss our old neighborhood, we love our new house. The curb appeal is amazing and WE HAVE A TREEHOUSE...w/electricity! LOL. The people are genuinely kind and the kids are...sit down for this one...actually respectful! Not that mine aren't, but they can certainly learn a few things from their new southern friends! WOW! The first time that a neighborhood boy greeted us, he actually initiated a conversation was interested in what this mom had to say. Then, he threw in a few "maam's". I wanted to kiss him on the forehead! I plan to use this opportunity to instill more good habits into my children:) Family up north will be so proud.

Now that we have a new computer (FINALLY!), we can update this blog more often. Please check back every now and then. I hope to be more faithful to this blog so that we can share our lives better with the many wonderful family and friends around the country. So, check back:)

P.S. People are always welcome!

XO, Melissa

Hola

Michael and I sit here together, bored OUT OF OUR MINDS! We have suffered from the flu, croup, colds....it's been a tough March in our household. It's Saturday, somewhat nice outside and yet, we sit here complaining that we either don't feel well or that we are bored to death. UGH! I want to go to a movie, but I don't think it would be a wise thing to do. We need to continue to quarantine our family. Again....UGH!

Not much for us to say. So, we will post a few pictures for WHOEVER to see. Enjoy!

XO, Melissa and Michael J.

I Fail To Blog, Again!

Once again, I have failed to blog. Our life is just so exhausting....it is hard for me to even think bout email. Yeah, it should be easier for me since I now have a laptop in the kitchen. Now that I am 1 less child to care for in the day time, and I have a little more time to spare, I will make yet another attempt to update this. I'm sure that I have plenty to share with all of you. (Or at least those of you that even check this blog. Is there anyone? LOL)

Here I go again.................