Seven Years

Seven years sure can go by fast. Ben turned seven today. He woke me up at the dawn's early light saying, "I know it's not time to get up yet, but I just wanted to tell you that it's light out, so I'm seven now!" He has had a fun day filled with Lego Star Wars sets to put together, and a trip to Highland Pool with Dave, Andy, and Ben's friend, Lowell. Then back here for cake and ice cream (and a little help blowing out candles from Laura Kate). Tonight we'll crack open the Star Wars movie (original 1977 version). If you can't tell, he's kind of into Star Wars right now.

In other news, we had a wonderful time in Michigan. Had a great week with all the Spencers, and I especially loved hugging all my nephews again and seeing how they've grown. Time with Andy & Katie, Matt & Elaine is always cherished; I feel lucky to have gained two sisters over the years who are now so dear to me. Spent some time over on Golden Beach with Aunt Jana, Uncle Tim, Aunt Kate and The Liz. Went to the library and the beach and the dunes and the fruit stand and the children's museum and the outlets and the farmer's market. Saw Grandpa's new office. Went to Mr. Mike's (the barber) for summer hair cuts. Made lots of little and big memories to add to the story of our lives. A big thanks to my mom and dad for a wonderful visit!

This last week we have been busy getting everyone ready to start school - gathering school supplies, getting immunizations (poor Andy had 5), going to open houses, etc. Ben is starting at a new school this fall called Capitol Hill. He will ride the bus, which he is excited about and I am not so much. Andy and Laura Kate will be at Crocus Hill School, the preschool that all the kids have attended. I am looking forward to a few hours to myself each week. The first day, my big plan is to go to the bathroom all by myself with the door closed for the first time in seven years. Yahoo!

We have not sold our house yet, so we are still in the wait and see mode. The Experts say August is a slow month for home sales, but September and October pick up again. We'll see what happens.

That's about it for us. We love and miss you all, and were glad to see a few of you in Antrim County. Hoping to see a few more at Christmastime, but I don't know what our plans will be yet. Much love to all of you,

Molly & fam

Moved!

Hello my wonderful family,

I dont have much new information, I was hoping I would be able to tell everyone that I found a job in Michigan... but that doesnt look like it is going to happen.

My roommate bought a townhouse in Whitsett, NC so I am now paying my rent to her. The place is really nice and in a better area. Though it is a little further from work, I am sure that this new place will be great. Here is my new address

7320 Garett Park Dr.

Whitsett, NC 27377

I start back up at work tomorrow. Its so sad when the summer ends but I am also excited to see my co-workers and I am starting to not be so scared of 2nd graders anymore. It's going to be a challenging year for me, but I'll survive!

Lily is getting HUGE! Well, huge for a small dog. She is almost house-broken (thank goodness) and is settling well in the new house.

I was at home in MI for a couple of weeks in July. I got to spend time at the new Bay House. It was beautiful and relaxing. After that I went to Hungarian Folk Dance Camp in Brooklyn, MI. It was a lot of crazy fun, and it made me want to move home even more than I did before! Then I spent a few more relaxing days in Plymouth before coming back to NC. It was nice to see the people that I did get to see.

I guess I had a little more to report than I thought! Love to all!!

Julie

Back On-Line

Had to buy a new computer this week. The old one crashed. Lost some data but are now back up and running.

We had a great first vacation at our cottage this summer. Enjoyed spending time with my 2 sad bisters and their families. Gary and Michele were with us over the July 4th holiday and we took a boat ride nearly across the lake to Omena on the Leelanaw peninsula. Katie was worried we would run out of gas, so we cut the trip short. We actually did run out of gas the next day, but we had a gas can handy and were able to make it back to the harbor.

Lizard and I are learning to be quite the boaters... the hard way. We've had a few rough episodes launching the boat, but we improve each time. Right Liz? We also have been having troubles keeping the boat successfully moored in front of the cottage. We are hoping to make it through the season without destroying the boat completely. Wish us luck.

I have been taking a lot of pictures and some are truly spectacular.

I hope you all get a chance to come visit us up north before too long. while summer is close to being over, autumn is awesome in Antrim (County).

Hope to see some of you this weekend in Yale.

How many petosky stones can you find in this picture?

update

I've been feeling lately like I've traveled in time, back to 11th grade. I'm living in my parent's house, sleeping in my old bedroom, and working at The Hearing Clinic. But now, this doesn't seem so bad. I found out earlier this week that I got into the public health program in the college of human medicine at MSU. So starting in two weeks, I'll be a grad student. I'm very excited to begin classes.

Bryan is moving to South Bend next Monday and will also be starting classes in two weeks. My dad is still calling him "Byron" but bought some movie about a guy in law school for him...so that's something. I think Bryan's really anxious to begin law school.

Anyway, I hope all is well.
Love,

Jill(ie)

News from Minnesota

Hi Family,

Summer is cruising by - already almost the end of July. Andy turned five last week. He wore a polo shirt and a tie (his idea of dressing up) all day in honor of the day. We had a made-to-order party for the boy who loves to celebrate: balloons, lasagne, butterscotch cake. Somehow we got out of the pinata this year - whew. Here's a photo of our five year old boy.

In other news, we made an offer on a house over the weekend - a ranch style house with main floor laundry (good for a mom with arthritis). We'll see if it all comes to be.... the offer is contingent on the sale of our house, so now we're getting this place ready to sell. I have mixed emotions about it all. We love our current house and our neighborhood, and will be sad to leave it. But I also know a different house will be better for me, and by extension, for all of us.

Other than that, we've just been busy having a fun summer. Here's a photo of Laura Kate at the 4th of July parade:


(The reason I have no photos of Ben is that he's always running off to play with friends. We've had more than one interesting neighborhood-wide search for Ben Parker this summer. He swears, *swears* he was in the front yard the whole time! All part of the ever-widening circle of independence.)

Dave is well - busy with work and travel, but always a wonderful husband and dad when he's in town. He is extra busy with little projects to get the house ready to sell. Anyone want to come help install new storm doors this weekend? Next week, he goes somewhere for work - maybe Milpitas - I can never remember. Anyway, I hope it's a bit of a break for him - just one shift (worker bee) instead of three (worker bee, dad/husband, Mr. Fixit).

I was excited to be a finalist for a state-wide poetry contest, but did not end up winning. The winners participate in a year-long mentor program with accomplished writers - I would have loved it. Maybe next year. I felt good to make it as far as I did.

We are heading to Michigan on August 1st and will be at Torch for three weeks. Then, back here for the start of school....... and maybe a new house. Love to all of you,

Molly

Getting settled in Massachusetts

Hello family,

We moved to Massachusetts a couple of weeks ago, and it's lovely.  We're renting a nice little house in a quiet suburb of Worcester.  Gabe and I don't start back at work until August, so we're slacking off and having fun for all of July.    We found a nursery school for Ingrid.  In September, Audrey will be starting Kindergarten in the public schools.  For August, we're sending Audrey to an old-fashioned day camp, where she'll spend hardly any time in doors all day long.  It's got archery, bug hunts, and arts and crafts.  Day camp is going to be a big change for her; she has to ride a bus to get home and back, and she has to be responsible for putting on her own sunblock and taking care of all of her own things.  She'll do fine, I'm sure.  I have such vivid memories of going to day camp, and it is hard to believe that my baby has gotten old enough.  

Here's a picture of Audrey evading the pappar-

azzi on Cape Cod.  Then below, one of Ingrid.  We're hoping to go camping next week at Mount Monadnock, but if we can't get reservations, we may head up to the Presidential Range instead.  Or maybe we'll do both.  

Love to all,

Heather

July 4th!!

My birthday was a few days ago. It was a nice day. My friend held a BBQ at her house from which we can walk to the fireworks. We had some great food, but it rained HARD so no fireworks :-(

On the bright side, I bought myself a birthday present! Her name is Lilike (Hungarian for "Lilly Flower") but I call her Lily. She is a 6-week old, chocolate brown Cocker-Poo. She weighs about 3 pounds and has beautiful green eyes.

Enjoy the pictures!
Love to all!!
Julie

Gwen pictures

Baby Gwen

We have another member of our family. Her name is Gwen Catherine Lisenbee and she was born June 30, 2008 at 10:51pm. Weighing in at 8lbs. 14oz., and 20 inches in length, she is healthy and has a good set of lungs. Mother and daughter are doing well. So is Nate! She's got a head of black hair and right now her eyes are blue. I am going to try to attach some pictures here if possible.

Love,

Katie