Finally!

Hey we bought a couch! As you can see, its gorgeous, but a monster! A little bigger than expected... Also new is the end table and tv stand (complete with Family Guy in the background).

A little distraction for this hard week I guess.

IT'S LEAH'S BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday to you L Diddy,
you sure have turned out pretty!
I've noticed that you get giddy
when those guys of yours do something witty.
You've moved away to a far city
and at times it makes me feel sad and sh----,
but your heart's not dirty or gritty,
you're loving and kind and show pity,
we could even find you on a committee
pointing others to the Celestial City.
So I hope you like this little ditty
that says my love for you is not itty-bitty!


Newborn Leah 1978

School Pics. Can you guess youngest to oldest?

Leah's early years.

Leah and Eric 1999.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Leah! I love you babe-
Mom

Must Read

I just finished reading Extremly Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. It was AMAZING. Its about a 9 year olds search for a lock to a key that he found in his dad's closet after his dad died in 9-11. Its real and sad but the saddness is tolerable and shouldn't scare you away for many reasons. I highly recommend it if for all.

For your convenience.

Thanksgiving

What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? Eric and were talking about having everyone up for the weekend. Would that be doable? We don't have tons of bedrooms like the sauna house in MO, but the basement will be done, so lots of people can crash there and Cal can crash with us. So, we'd have two extra bedrooms plus the recroom. What do you think?

Staceys' Shower!

Today Mom hosted Stacey's shower at their beautiful condo. I wasn't the photographer of the event so the following pictures are the "after party". (Tom was only part of the after party - he hung out at the beach while we invaded the condo). We stayed and enjoyed wine with Mom, Tom, Nurse Jackie and Cheryl. While we were enjoying this wine, Mom hatched the idea of having monthly Sunday dinners at her place which turned into Saturday night dinners with the McElroys coming maybe once every other month. Sounds fun, right??! What'd'ya say?
Miller's, maybe we can get you here once or twice!



Anyway, has anyone seen the movive "Jaws"?..... The one with the sharks?

Gavin Thomas

Kim & Lee had their baby this morning! Gavin Thomas, 8lbs, 3oz and everyone is doing great. Cheryl and I went to the hospital tonight to meet him. He has fuzz all over his body and a conehead! I love him already.

Title

Hey family! We had a ton of fun on vacation. I think we should do something like that every month or so. Maybe we could at least get together for a steak dinner? No? I miss everyone already.

It's Gonna Be HOT, HOT, HOT!!

Hey everyone, I just looked up Lake of the Ozarks weather and they are saying hot! Perfect swimming and boating weather. And if I'm as savvy as I think I am you'll be able to find out by clicking on weather. And if it didn't turn out I'm just a loser after all. FYI this is Sally (obviously) and not Dad no matter what this #&*% thing says.

5 Days!

I'm so freaking excited about vacation, I could pee my pants!

Das Tube.

UPDATE: Nevermind! It's losing air after all Richard's hard work. Sorry, guys! :*(

What do you guys think? Is the tube big enough or do we need to get a different one?

Games and Cereal

1. Please write down which games you will bring for the week so that we don't bring doubles.
2. What General Mills' cereals do you like? (HN cheerios, Oatmeal Crisp, Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams... go to the website for a complete list)

Hell Card

I can't stop laughing at this card. I'm posting this mainly for Eric, Richard, Kari and Scott. And I think Leah too. I showed my Mom at dinner and she said "All of your girls are going to heaven!"

I just found out that Jason actually reads this blog too! I'd like to include him above.

Becky's Birthday Dinner

Alright, where did Cheryl go?














Becky & Cheryl














Me & Beck














Cheryl, Julie, Stacy, Jackie, Becky, Tammy & Alisa















Jackie made a delicious vegan cake and Becky was too
high to eat it. JUST KIDDING!! Becky did one of her
"take my picture and I'll close my eyes" poses. Oh well,
it was her birthday and she can do whatever she wants!

I had a fun time w/Becky and all her great friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!!!

Today is Becky’s birthday and I’d like to say a word
About my middle child, in case you haven’t heard
Of just how great & fun she is, her talent & her fame,
A few of her adventures I’m gonna’ pause and name.

The time she jumped out of a plane, her dad & I did miss
When I ask if she’ll repeat for me, she says she’s now a wuss.

Or how about those cars she’s had from a T-bird to a Del Sol
But now she’s giving all them up cause biking is her goal.

She’s more in stores to buy some yarn than in the local bar
She knits with passion and she wants to be a fiber star!

She loves to cook and stir things up from soy she’ll make a treat
Just get outta’ the way when she gets hot and don’t ask her to eat meat.

Being an Aunt to Cal & Ike is something she enjoys
She waits for visits expectantly and buys them clothes & toys.

She loves her family & friends and to that circle she’s loyal
Just don’t do wrong to any of them or you’re gonna’ see her boil!

She’s so much fun to laugh with and we did till we felt pain
When I picked her up at Midway and was found in the cab lane.

She’s forgiving and forgetful and expects the same from you
She doesn’t hold the past in grudge and every day is new.

She grew up in a small hometown and camped and hiked for fun
Now city life has got her heart, a new era has begun.

So here’s to Becky at 32, my daughter and my friend,
My love and admiration of you is never going to end.
Have some fun, enjoy the day, give thanks and look around
All the good things brought your way, may this year they abound!!

I love you Beck!
Mom

Question.

I was trying to do the title of the post all Dwight Shrute style ("Fact . . . fact . . . question . . .") but I decided it would be too long. So, anyhoo. I do have a question to pose to all you McMiltons about vacation. My best friend since high school lives in Missouri and she planned to visit for one night while we're on vacation. Originally she was going to get a hotel room somewhere near the area, but she's run into some financial difficulties and asked if it would be all right if she could instead stay at our vacation house for a night. She and I both understand if you guys aren't comfortable with that, but I wanted to give it a shot. So, let me know your thoughts on the situation. :)

Harmony Info

Hi everyone!

I received this in the mail from the owner of Harmony. It has directions and all sorts of useful info. I hope you can somehow read it. I'm not very advanced with these "computers".

Items you may want to bring: seasonings for cooking, wine from TJ's, coolers, beach towels (not supplied), citronella candles, iPod and dock, beer can chicken cooker, fishing poles

I should be getting a call from someone regarding check-in, but so far the time is 5:00 p.m. on Sat.

Can't wait to see everyone in Missouri in less than 2 weeks!!

Boat, boat and more boat

Hey, family.

I put a 12 person deck boat on hold for the 13th-16th. The total is $1380 (plus gas and tax). We don't pay until we get there, but I suppose we could send mom and Tom the money whenever we have it.

$1380 + $110 (I'm assuming 8% tax) = 1490
1490/5 couples = $300.

I'm guessing about another $60/day in gas. 60 x 4 = 240
240/ 5 couples = 48

So, all that to say, save $350 for the boat! Woohoo!

It's Time.

Vacation is around the corner. The bill has been charged to our credit card and it's now time for everyone's final installment! Please remit asap.

We are gonna have such fun!

Party Hardy with Lisa on her 30th

Lisa and Me









All of Lisa's Mpls friends










Fancy raspberry dessert









Leah and Jess










Leah trying to be sexy. Lisa succeeding.

The whole table- 12 of us.

We all dressed up and went to eat at this super fancy French restaurant with awesome food. It was so fun. Lisa's husband flew in her two sisters and best friend as a surprise.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

I know I already sent this to a couple of you, but I just have to make sure you all can listen to it. It's so dang catchy, right?

Happy Birthday, Tom!

Today is the day to celebrate Tom.
He is absolutely da bomb.

He is friendly, fun and oh, so cool.
And what a substitute he was at school!

But that's nothing compared to the way
that he brews coffee. What more can I say?

I haven't even mentioned his awesome acting.
He blows everyone away! And that is a fact (ing).

We're glad you are part of the family- it's true.
So celebrate hard now that you're 52.

Vacation Update

Hi everyone!

7 Weeks till Family Vacation 2007!

Quick Update:

Our 2nd payment of $2026.25 ($405.25 per couple) is due July 11th. Mom and Tom have agreed to use their credit card again. Let's have it paid off before the trip!

New plan for the boat: We'll rent a boat large enough for everyone for 2 days (and everyone chips in) and then those interested (Becky & Cheryl, Leah & Eric and Mom & Tom) will rent a small ski boat for a few days. Eric is currently researching a deck boat for the larger boat, rather than the tri-toon.

Items to bring: cooler, beach towels, toiletries, fishing poles (need license)

Check in is at 5:00 p.m.

sites to check out: funlake.com, lakelinks.com

I'm pretty excited! Soon we'll be relaxin' and maxin' on the lake.

Boat!

Harmony, our awesome house, set me up with a boat rental company. We get a 10% discount and the boat is delivered to our dock. Here's the specs:

175 HP Tri-toon (highest HP of all rental boats on the lake)
Brand new
Fits 15 people
can pull water-skier's or tubes

Cost:
$300 per day for Monday - Friday = $1500
or
Sunday - Friday with week discount = $1500
($500 deposit via credit card required. I beleive Mom and Tom are going to front their card again. Thanks!)

The person I spoke to said that another rental co., Glencoe, charges $450 a day for this same boat and $375 per day for a boat with less HP. I beleive this. When I first started checking around the price was more like $500 per couple for the week.

Also, the boat does not come with water ski's or tubes. Leah & Eric - is your tube with your boat in AZ? I think we should consider buying one if we can't rent one. Scott will probaby spend the entire vacation on it.

That's $300 per couple. Give me your opinoins, I'd like to book it for Sunday-Friday - It sounds perfect for us.

Sarah Jane

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH JANE!!

Hope you had a great day in Charleston!

Tuesday Love

Well, I wanted to post on the McElory Experience but I'm not sure how or if I can. Either, way... I'm ready to Love.



I love that the weather is crazy but always goes back to warm and sunny. I L.O.V.E that our Family Vacation 2007 is sooner then any of us execpt. And that we'll have more fun than some of us may expect. I L.O.V.E that I finally get to see my nephews in June who I miss so much that I can't put into words. I also love that I get to see my sister and Eric whom I miss also, but maybe not as much as my nephews. I love that I get to be honest during Tuesday Love. I love my sister and wish we lived closer. I love that my family is so close (and lucky to be) but I miss that we don't see each other as much as we'd like. I love that love my job - I never thought it could happen! I love that I'm helping Leah get home with the boys after their visit and I love that Leah and Eric asked me to help. I love that I'm finally celebrating Mother's Day with Mom on Saturday and taking her to Over Easy. I love that the only thing Tom had to say when my Mom told him was "Sooo?!" (Tom, we'll take you soon!). I love that I have a few days alone (but I miss Cheryl!)


Also, and most importantly, I love wine.


Haha, mabye most importantly is my family's sense of humor!


Happy Tuesday Love (or late Monday Love)! Someone link me (Tom)!

Krazy Kristy

Familia Vacaciones 2007

Hey everyone - follow these instructions to check out the new pictures of our rental house:

go to lakerentals.com and and type in 13773 in the property ID box.

It looks pretty awesome....!

Bright Eyes

Eric and I got a babysitter last night and went to a concert- Bright Eyes. It was great. My only complaint is that I wore my contacts and couldn't see a thing once I got there. I'm not sure why. So, I drove back home to get my glasses and missed the first opening band. The second one was awesome, though. Oakley Hall for those of you interested.

Bright Eyes is funny. He's this amazingly talented 27 year old who is overly politically charged. And he wants to be British. For real. He says the word "bloody" and he has a funny accent when he sings and talks. He was born in Omaha. Anyway, good concert. Fun times.

To listen, go here:
http://www.myspace.com/brighteyes
Listen to Four Winds.

Softball

Um, so our team lost 16-2 in our first game last night. However, I didn't do too bad. I hit a double and ended up scoring. The other times I was up to bat, I got to first, but the person running to second got out, which apparantly is called a "Fielder's Choice" although I kept saying I hit two singles. Also, I caught two fly balls and no errors! Woohoo! I found my calling.

Regarding those shoes you got.....

I think they are way cool - but watch out:

From PostSecret

Jess' Shower

This is what I did last weekend. Three of us threw Jess a baby shower and it was so fun! The room I decorated fell down (third picture) and the candles popped the two lower balloons and made us all scream like girls. So, that's me looking like a loser. We all had a great time!

Well . . .

Since it's been a month since anything has been posted on here, I thought I'd do a little post to see how everyone is doing. What's going on in the lives of the McMiltons? :)

Fast Lane

I've been promoted!

After only 7 business days of working at the college, I've been promoted to the Registrar position! It all happened very quickly. I'm excited and nervous and am really enjoying being at work and taking on a new challenge. I started today and have 3 weeks of training here in Chicago then 1 week in San Diego at our parent college.

And you all thought I was a lost cause... :)

Formula 409

Hi Everyone!

Well - we did it. We charged our reservation for vacation and now we need wveryone to pony up! Yeah! It ciphers out to $409 per family group. Make all checks payable to Tom McElroy. But that's just the beginning. Don't forget to save your pennies because we will need the final payment upon arrival and then there's the boat.....

And don't forget we get to see the newly rehabed pictures of our little abode come sometime in April.

Lives of Cal & Isaac

Leah! We need new pics of the boys! Has Cal graduated? Is Ike playing soccer? What's going on?!

No more sleepin' in

I GOT A JOB!

I start Monday at 8:30. The Unemployment Party is over!

I'll be working in the front office and bookstore at an acupuncture school. I'm excited and I think its going to be a great change from the law offices!

Anne's Birthday Party

My friend, Anne, had her 30th birthday party (it was a surprise). We went to a fancy French place in Uptown and ate dessert. It was so good. And I had an awesome dessert wine. I can't even tell you how good that was. Here's a picture of all of us.

The other side of the world

Hey everyone! Cheryl and I are back from Hawaii and I wanted to show you a few pictures. We had a great time with Karin and Daniel and the ceremony was beautiful. We were lucky enough to go snorkeling and follow whales around on the boat watching them jump and wave their fins. I can't even put it into words! I can only hope to see whales (I'll settle for dolphins) on Family Vacation 2007!

Family Vacation Hawaii 2010!

We're Not The Only Ones

10 Reviews Of Amazing Grace

Public Service Announcement

I found this through an online friend who just got a job in the Media department. I'm one of his prayer partners as he steps out in this new area of ministry. I know some of our family has thought of missions at some point in life and I thought this might be of interest.

University Of The Nations

Weekend Plans

What's everyone doing this weekend? Tonight Kari and I are going to Ike and Jonesy's. And we may be helping a friend of Kari's move tomorrow. We saw a stupid movie last night, Reno 911!: Miami. We won free tickets to it, and have liked it on Comedy Central, but as a movie it didn't work very well at all. I laughed, but I probably could have found other ways to spend that hour and a half of me time.

So much to learn

So, here's my first try at cables. But what a disaster. Its a beanie. Sorta like Fat Man in a Little Coat, but its a hat.

hhhhmmmmm how sad.

Sorry about the picture. I'm old.

My Awesome Home-Made Fortune Cookies

Fun in MN 2

I had a great time with the Millers this week in MN. Cal is sooo hilarious and Ike is super cuddl-ey and soft. Alisa came over on Friday while I was babysitting and Cal was nice enough to show her his "scrotum" in the tub. He jumped on my face Friday morning yelling "I'm poopy!" (and stinky) What a kid.

Mom picked me up from the airport and got completly lost and kept passing the terminal entrance. We're talking about Midway here. So I'm waiting and waiting and looking around and after about 30 min. of her driving around on Cicero Ave., there she appears ---- in the TAXI LANE! I about P'eed my pants. I had to drag my bag across 2 lanes back to where she was and try to get my bag in the trunk without falling over from laughter and shock. We were laughing so hard we were both crying and meanwhile the cabbies were glaring at us something serious. Mom, I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of your driving career. Thanks for the ride.

Watch out Indianapolis!

Mom and I used Kool-aid to dye yarn tonight. Check it out!

(p.s. We know we have no hope in competing with Kari for creativity. But we like it.)