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.)

Harmony

Hey everyone. We are confirmed for the house on Lake of the Ozarks. I have been talking to the owner's friend but received an email from the owner today. Its a description of the property with pictures above that were taken before the remodel.

The total cost is $4052,50. Half, or $2026.25, has been charged to Sally & Tom's credit card. So as of right now, each couple owes $405.05 to T&S. The remaining half is due one month prior (July 11).

The dates reserved are August 11, 2007 to August 18, 2007 (Sat.-Sat.).

Sorry for the long post!

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Hi Becky,Debbie forwarded your e-mail address to me so that I could send you some information about our property, Harmony. The pictures enclosed are prior to the remodel. I will send you updated pictures as they become available, if you would like. I hope this answers your questions, but feel free to call me (805) 522-9729 if you have any others. This is very exciting for me, as you are our very first renter! I am looking forward to hearing about your vacation.Debbie Iverson

Harmony - 3400 sq ft of Rustic Charm with Modern Amenities
Location: Linn Creek, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, USA (located at the 28MM)
Accommodations: House, 5 BR/5 ½ BA (includes 4 master suites and bunk-room) (sleeps 12-14)

Rent this spacious 5 bedroom, 5 ½ bath lake-front home. We are located in a beautiful cove with a gorgeous view of the main channel. The gently sloping lot offers a path with 10 steps down to the lake and a 3-slip boat dock with swim platform.

Located in Linn Creek, between Osage Beach and Camdenton, at mile marker 28, we are just minutes from a variety of activities including a large selection of restaurants and shops, a 110-store Outlet Mall, water park, go-cart track, day spas, golf and miniature golf, just to name a few. It is privately owned and managed, newly remodeled and new to the rental market May 2007.

The main level consists of a large living room with vaulted ceilings, wood-burning fireplace, bar, big-screen TV with Cable programming and DVD, as well as full view of the lake. You can also relax on the spacious upper deck to enjoy the view and fresh air. The dining room has vaulted ceilings, table with seating for 12-14, and a beautiful view of the lake. The kitchen is very open, with vaulted ceilings, custom oak cabinets, dishwasher, stove, oven, refrigerator with ice-maker, microwave, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, bakeware, crockpot, coffee maker, blender and many other amenities to make you feel at home. The main level also has 2 master suites with queen-size beds, a third master suite with 2 extra-long twin beds, and a powder room. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, TV, alarm clock, bed linens, extra pillows and blankets.

The lower level has a grand game room with lake view, complete with bar, pub table, billiard table with ping-pong conversion top, air hockey, dart board, sleeper sofa, TV, and kitchen with refrigerator. Adjacent to the game room you will find another master suite with queen-size bed and bathroom, a kids' bunk-room (2 full-size futons with twin bunks), another full bathroom and laundry room with washer and dryer. The lower deck and patio has a hot tub, outdoor fireplace, gas and charcoal BBQ's, tables, chairs and a kids' sandbox.

Amenities: 3-slip Boat Dock with Swim Platform and Fish Cleaning Station, Phone, Air Conditioning, Central Heat, Wood-burning Fireplace, Cable TV, VCR, DVD, Stereo, CD Player, 2 Full Kitchens, Microwave, Dishwasher, 2 Refrigerators with ice makers, Blender, Coffee Maker, Crockpot, Cooking Utensils, Dishes and Silverware, Bed Linens, Pillows, Towels, Washer, Dryer,4 in-room Safes, Billiard Table with Ping-Pong Conversion, Dart Board, Air Hockey, Board games, Play Station, Gas and Charcoal BBQ Grills, Hot Tub, Outdoor Fire Pit, Sandbox, 2-car Garage with Circular Drive and parking for 6-8 vehicles.

Activities (on site or nearby): Golf, Miniature Golf, Water Parks, Go-Cart Track, Fishing, Shopping, Restaurants, Cinemas, tours of Bridal Caves and Ozark Caverns, Sightseeing Lake Cruises, Swimming, Boating, Waterskiing, Parasailing.

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The Millers

This is merely a rebuttal....

You may have seen this forward "Child Abuse." I don't know who these people are. And some day others won't know either.

Cove

Here is a picture of the view from the house next door. When looking at the lake, the house we are discussing is to the left.

Final Destination

First, please don't let this post take away from the 2 below. They are worth reading. Again and again.

I spoke to Debbie from Lake of the Ozarks and this is the info on the house we are renting. If you have any objections, please let me know, but it sounds like we're all ready to do this.

-The home will be finished mid-April and we will get pictures then.
-Cost is $500 per night - $3500 for the week - $700 per couple (Scott only owes $600 - get a
job. hahaha)
- 5 bed, 5.5 bath
- all bedrooms have their own bath
- Front hall is beautiful vaulted ceilings with all windows on first floor facing lake
- new deck
- new hot tub
- walk out basement to yard and dock
- game room in basement with bar, pool table, ping-pong top for pool table, air hockey, dart board, pull-out couch, kitchen with fridge
- master bed is in basement off game room
- bunk room is on opposite side of game room
- the house in in a large cove with another cove to the right that is good for waterskiing. to the Left is a view of the main channel. Beautiful view - best of both worlds. Debbie is forwarding me pictures of the view from the house next door. I will pass on.
- firepit or fireplace tbd
- no gazebo but yard is very flat and goes all the way to seawall.

$$$$$
$3500 per week + 8.5% taxes + $150 cleaning fee = $3947 = $789 per couple
%25 due now with %25 due March 1, or %50 due now.
Balance due 1 month prior to reservation.
taxes cover state taxes and lodging taxes

I guess this is a little expensive. Tell me your thoughts.
Remember, the boat is around $2000 a week, so $400 each.

The Morning After

After mulling things over in my head last night and in an effort not to seem too crazy I have a rebuttal of a few of Leah's points:

1. Raw ground beef - I love it and I'd still be eating it if I hadn't worked at Jewel and seen those crazy butcher's behind the scenes.
6. Leah started kindergarten at 4 - she was of the legal age. At least I didn't force her to drink at 21.
7. Eating off Leah (and Becky and Jason's) plate - it was less calories when all you got were the scraps.
8. Cracking Cal up - that was a momentous occasion for me!
9. Cousin Beth's wedding - can we all just try, as in put some effort, in to forgetting that one.
11. Fart/burp - that was mean!
14. Worm in salad - hey I thought I'd hidden that one from you but I probably started running around screaming. and dumping everyone's salad in the garbage. Eeek.
15. One Life to Live - it prepared you for seduction. Leah never would have landed Eric without it.
16. Pool kiss - yeah, that was fun.
17. Burning Leah and Becky's heads - just for the record, I cried.
18. Leah's sewing lesson - after taking the summer to teach Leah how to sew she stated "Isn't it easier just to go to the store and buy a skirt?". I don't think she's sewn since.
21. The pearl necklace - I will never live that down. Again, I'm sorry. I am a bad mom/person.
23. Becky's mouthwashes - she was a tough cookie.
25. The birth of both my grandkids - again, momentous occasions! Wouldn't miss it for the world.
26. Puke and poop plunge - OHMYGOSH!! It's true and as horrible as it sounds.
28. Taking the kids to school in my robe - is it as bad as it sounds?
30. The motorcycle trip - sun and wind will do strange things to your skin.
32. Sex in the car - yes, you are always to tell your kids about sex in the car specifically so that they cannot run away. Right Tom and Scott?
34. -Leah I cannot believe you put that in a public post. Can we not do that anymore and just keep it my dirty little family secret?!! Probably the one time I wonder "why didn't I just lie?". Surely I would have been justified.
39. Cuddling with your dad in a hospital bed - I'd do it again in a heart beat.
41. Mayonnaise next to the cheese - I knew it all along. I hated it but didn't want to hurt your feelings.
42. Talking stuffed animals - what are you talking about? That was really them talking. I visit them in storage once in awhile and they still talk to me.
45. Slaves - can't remember the context of that one. Was it a song?
49. Calling out of school - hmmmm...... Yeah, I told you Becky was a tough cookie.
52. Ice cream cake - Jason always told me how much he loved it!
54. Sweaters - I'm working on Easter. :)
55. Talking - I love our conversations.

It was too much fun to think about all these memories and they prompted many others since I've slowed down to think about all this. Too much fun Leah (and Eric too I just found out)!!!