Alllllllllllllrighty then!

I found Ace Ventura's long-lost child! Andrew came walking in the door like this the other night. He was going for the mohawk look but ended up with this instead. Now we know what he can dress up as for Halloween. Can you tell he was thrilled with me taking his pics?

Mom's 60th

Better late than never. Mom's party was a lot of fun! We had a good turnout and we had more than enough food. That was a major stressor. Jen and I had never hosted a party before and we sweated the entire event. We have vowed to never do such foolishness again. he he! Well, we told Mom, if she was good, we'd have a 90th party for her. We better start planning now! Andrew and Alex spent the day at the amusement park. I think they had fun and I believe they stayed out of mischief. Either way, what I don't know won't hurt them. We ended up getting gorgeous weather although the shelter was swarming with bees. Chris spent the day creating bee-traps as he was one of the great white hunters in the group. He did a really good job of trapping but poor Helen got stung while eating. I don't believe there were any other casualties. Dave gave Mom some Depends adult diapers and some denture cream along with some other thoughtful gifts. His 'hideous' slippers didn't turn out as he had planned though because everyone loved them. Can't remember who got her the bright red lipstick but we made her put it on and she looked marvelous. Her cake was really nice although the picture turned out green. Leave it to Grandma to show up with a moldy cake!

Kids

Thought I would post some newer pics of the kids. Andrew is busy with school and cross country. He is in the 10th grade and the homework has increased considerably compared to last year. His cross country coach is so impressed with him that he has him running with the varsity team so that's pretty exciting! He's trying to talk me into letting him play hockey this year since he doesn't like the basketball coach. LOTS of money and time involved there so we'll see. Kaiti is doing so well. She has matured so much and is really getting to be quite the young lady. I'm very proud of her!

State Coed Touney

Well, we played our very last softball games of the year this weekend in Fargo. We recommend they hold the tournament in the summer next year. It was cold anyway but then we had to contend with an arctic blast too. Kind of hard to run bases in your snowsuits. Oh well. We ended up winning our first game, losing the second then coming back to win the final 3 games on Sunday. We took Roughrider championship! Hooray! So, despite the weather, it was a pretty good time. Now it's time to drag out the hunting gear. The boys have already gotten several geese in the early season but are looking forward to pheasant hunting. Everyone except Chris got shot down for buck tags this year but we have like 7 doe tags to fill. Joy! (I don't eat venison) I'm just looking forward to my nice quiet house on the weekends. he he! Good luck, Guys!

Jo Jock!

Chris and I just joined the new gym in town. It's a 24/7 facility so we can go 'power-lift' any time we get a wild hair to do so. he he! I'm bound and determined to get healthy this year. Figure if I put it our there for the world to see, I'll have to stick to it! Maybe I'll give Mitch a run for his money at the next marathon in Fargo?!?!?!? One of my life goals is to compete in a triathlon. Just don't know about that swimming in open water. Too many memories of 'Jaws' in my mind. That may work to my advantage. Feel something touch my toe and swim like hell. Either that or panic and drown. he he! Well, it's something to work toward and get me healthy if nothing else.

Old Pro State

Well, Old Pro State has come and gone without a trophy yet again this year. Wahhh! It's so disappointing. The guys lost every game by 1 lousy point. It was only 100+ degrees both days this year so it couldn't have been the heat! I couldn't imagine playing out there. I was dripping with sweat just watching them. Only 2 more tournaments to go. Rec IV State is in Fargo on August 19th and 20th. I can let you know where if anyone is interested in coming. Wish us luck!

McQuade Weekend

Well, I didn't get any pictures taken. I was too busy cheering on the team and forgot about it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. he he! Anyway, Chris's team didn't fair so well. They lost their first game 14-13. They played well but just couldn't pull it off. They ended up losing their second game as well 6-1. The other team scored all their runs in the first 2 innings so they held them off but just couldn't score against them. We tracked the team and they won a couple more by the same margins. Very tough defensive team. So better luck next year, I guess. It was a fun time as usual. Chris has 4 more tournaments plus coed yet so we're not near done. One tournament is in Bismarck, one in Grand Forks and I believe the rest are in Fargo. He plays with a bunch of kids in Jamestown as well as with his team in Valley City. The Jamestown team is doing really well. They are hoping to place at state. I will be taking pictures next tournament. Hopefully, we'll have trophy pics!

Grandpa Doering

I visited Grandpa Monday. He is doing pretty well considering. They got most of the bigger pieces of cancer out from around his spine. He isn't in as much pain and can walk around some. He's in a nursing home now. He's still got his sense of humor. Joked about his wheelchair rolling down the hill with him in it and not being able to steer it. Not sure if they plan to release him or not anytime soon. Dad, Patti and Kristi helped to move Grandma down to Bismarck so she can be closer to Grandpa. She's in an apartment north of the interstate. Grandpa seemed to really enjoy the company. Steve and his wife and the kids were also there. It was nice to see everyone.

May 14, 2006 - Happy Mother's Day!

Well, it's been an interesting month thus far. My new job at the South Central Adult Services is great! I love using my degree finally. I'm trying to get organized since getting married. You men have it so easy! We women have to change our entire lives after marriage. Name change, social security cards, driver's license, etc. What a pain! Oh well, as Chris would say, he's worth it. (eye-rolling)

Andrew is getting ready to take finals and is looking forward to summer vacation. He slacked most of the year though so he will get to go to summer school and will be taking driver's ed this summer as well. He's really looking forward to that as he can get his driver's license when he's done. Little does he know that he isn't going to be allowed to do so until he's old enough to hold down a job so he can help pay for gas and insurance. (I'm such a mean mom!) He turns 16 in March so it will be awhile before he can get a job anywhere. He's tried getting on at the grocery stores but they're reluctant to hire under 16 so he'll just have to wait.

Buddy is getting bigger. He's figured out how to undo his leash so we have to monitor him outside now until I can find a better system. He's quite the baby. Screams when he's left behind anywhere. He's getting pretty good at going on walks. Starting to get the hang of walking instead of sniffing out EVERYTHING. I've also got him trained to walk at the heal position so I'm not walking on top of him. He plays with Jake (our Springer) once in a while but Jake is pretty rough and he always ends up in Jake's water bowl so he's filthy by the time they're done playing.

Kaiti's classes don't end until the 26th. She gets one whole week break before her summer school begins. I'm glad they have summer school at the center as she needs lots of structure to keep from getting bored. If only they would start up the equestrian program again as she absolutely LOVES riding horses.

Jeff has quit his job with Remco. He's going or has gone to school to learn how to work at the oil rigs. He'll be working near Belfield when he's done training. Last I heard, he plans to save up to go to college so he can become a college professor teaching philosophy or physiology. I know. Huge difference. I'll let you know when I figure it out for sure. I'm very excited for him.

Jen has a new addition to her family. Poor Dakota had to be put down finally as he just got too sick. Montana was lonely as were Jen and Mike so they got another golden. Her name is Sheyenne and from the stories I've heard, she's a handful. Most pups are though. Mike passed the test for Captain. I think he just needs someone to retire so he can enter that position. If I heard correctly, I think there has been a large number of troopers retiring so we'll have a whole new younger group coming in. That's pretty exciting. Have to tease Mike about being an old guy on the force.

Mom is doing well. Her clinic has gone completely computerized now with charts being on computer and everything. She's having to learn the new technology whether she wants to or not. I think she's doing just fine. She's come a long way from when I was teaching her how to use a mouse. Boy, was that hilarious! She recently got a new garage door complete with opener so she's living in the lap of luxury now.

Well, that should bring everyone pretty up-to-date in our lives. I'll keep posting as I get new info and as new events happen. I HAVE to remember to take my camera with me everywhere as I am terrible at getting photos taken. My poor kids! Should be lots of things to shoot this summer.

Talk to you all later!

Jodi Elliott