First Day of School

August was an exciting month for us. All four kids went to school! Wow, now what will I do. Nicole started fifth grade. Jessica started third, Austin began a full day in first, and Jackson goes to Preschool three days a week from 8-12:45.

Christmas 2006

Last Christmas the whole family came into town. It was lots of fun having all my brothers and sisters here. Talk about too many gifts. My mom and dad's Christmas tree was packed full of gifts. Greg, Doug and Lisa stayed with Mom and Dad while Kim and her 5 children stayed at my house. We had a gingerbread decorating contest for the adults. Of course, Mark and I won! Each of the 11 grandchildren decorated a box car which ended up making a very long train. The sugar intake on that night was crazy!! Grandma had it all under control. The guys played and played ping-pong. I want to say that even my Dad got involved in one game...then of course he went back to the couch for some R&R. We took family photos in Folsom. That was an experience. The Dent family just keeps getting bigger and bigger. (Kim has 5 kids, I have 4, Greg has 3, Doug has 2 and Lisa is in holding pattern till Mr. Right shows up.)

Summer Vacation 2007

As soon as summer started to get going we had lot of fun days on our boat. I can't tell you how much joy I get watching my kids have a ball on our boat. My cheeks still hurt from laughing and smiling watching them. We spent most of our summer days on the lake. I am still frustrated over the fact that Mark can wake board (on his very first try) and I can't seem to figure it out. I'll get it sooner or later. Our favorite place to go is Lake Clemintine. Just a 15 minute drive from our driveway to the boat ramp. It's close and has a beach the kids love to play on. It's also nice that I can pack the car, the ice chest, and the kids then get the boat in the water and Mark joins us at the lake after work. We've also spent a few nights there camping. Lots-a-fun!

We also spent just over a week in So. Cal. We spent most of the week on Pacific Beach in San Diego. Mark and the kids had a great time riding the waves, skim boarding, and searching for dead jellyfish. I sat under the EZ-Up trying to get rid of a bad case of pneumonia, darn it. Mark was great though, he'd carry the ez-up to the beach every morning so that when we all got up we could have a nice spot on the beach. Uncle Mike, Aunt Donna, Lee and Ricky also came to visit and spend some time with us. Austin loved all the quality time with his cousins playing wiffle ball and smash ball. One of the best parts of San Diego was that our hotel room was just about on the beach itself. We could run up to the room to go potty or jump in the pool to wash off the salty sea water at any time.

After our week on the beach, we met Uncle Jimmy and crew at Lake Elsinore. It was HOT!!! The kids had a blast on Jimmy's boat. (That's Jackson jumping off the boat.) It was great to see everyone and the bar-b-q at Jessica's house was a great way to cool off after a day on the lake. Thanks Jessica. The house is beautiful!

Mark sustained an arm injury on vacation trying to wake board. He doesn't even know his own strength. He tore the tendon that holds his bicep down. He ended up having surgery to fix his arm. It included surgical rope, two holes through a bone and screws. OUCH! He's tough though. He didn't really complain about it. Well not too much. He has started physical therapy and should be good as new in three months.

My Dad

The summer of 2007 started off terribly sad. My dad lost his 8 month battle with liver cancer June 9. He was a wonderful father and friend. We are all still trying to get used to the idea that he isn't here. Time, I'm hoping, will ease the pain but we will never forget his loving ways. I miss him.