Some Temptations Are Too Great

Every night the kitties get treats at brushing time. 

Really Marilyn gets brushed, the others just show up for the snacks. 

They know where we keep the treats and one evening the bag went missing. 

Macie has been spotted several times nosing into the cabinet and has tried to grab the treat bag and make off with it at brushing time so she was the prime suspect!

Maggie was sniffing around the stove and when Danielle looked under - there it was!

Pretty mutilated!

                             

Maggie did find them and after a few minutes was going for the treat cupboard herself!

Ahh new suspect, very incriminating!

We may never know. 

Everyone showed up to finish off the bag!

And YES- we moved the treats to a more secure location.

Gabby Home For Her Birthday

This past weekend Gabby came home for her 24th birthday. 

I know home is a realative term for us, but it's definitly come to mean- where the family is.

It was so great to be together but we really missed Heather, Andy, Benny, Justin & Katie.

She got in late Friday night so the next day we walked to the Ludlow bakery and bought 

(rediculously large) danish for breakfast.

She decided to go through her boxes while we waited for Danielle to get home. 

As you can imagine, that took all afternoon. 

She was actually looking for something, alas, we never found it!

There was some wig fun and silliness going on. 

Like a Gabby look alike endeavor.

Which one is the real Gabby?

 

Chris entertained us by putting on Gabby's footie pajamas and a long curly wig with a straw hat but would not allow us the capture it on film (so sad)

Even Macie had fun. `

Finished product- compact and organized. Although there must be a few more boxes somewhere around here; we couldn't find them.

We had a weekend full of family game times. Poor Gabby couldn't win a single game until finally the morning she left.

You don't have to win to have fun. 

Gabby was labeled T-Rex arms because she needed the board so close :)

New nickname: G-Rex.

Birthday day included: Church, Batman movie, homemade fetticinni with grilled chicken, my famous icecream cake, gifts, and of course more games. 

The game of Sorry is quickly becoming a birthday tradition.

The next morning the girls and I made homemade berry scones and played Parcheesie. 

We found it in our game box and I nagged everyone till we tried it. I thought Sorry was cut throat, this is 10 times worse.

 But, Gabby won her first game of the weekend (on her real birthdat yet)

But, we all know the real reason she came home, to see Marilyn (after a 4 mo. seperation)

Poor kid had to drive 6 hours home on her birthday. We are so glad she came. We miss you Gabby!

It's Happening

We finally found a house to rent!

After a ton of Internet searching and many house visits we finally made a decision on one!

This is a 3 bedroom raised ranch in Chicopee. 

My favorite features are: a wood burning fireplace, large bay window, hard wood floors, and a sun porch in back of the house.

Ken's favorite feature: the garage of course!

Move in date is the end of August and more pictures to come. 

Rock House

Ken and I took a drive Sunday, just to explore the area. 

We found this very cool place in West Brookfield Ma. called Rock House Reservation.

I didn't have my camera so I borrowed a few pictures from on line:)

The main event was this very large rock formation that was a cave like shelter. The kind of place you would search out for shelter if you were lost in the wild overnight being hunted by some wild creature. (sorry- got carried away) 

There was a beautiful pond on the property surrounded by woods with trails running through them. 

Every trip is an adventure.

Full Bird

This is Air Force slang for achieving the rank of colonel.

On July 15, 2012 my husband Kenneth Lute was officially promoted to Colonel.

doesn't he look handsome

Here is the bird to prove it!

And here is the official order from the Air Force. 

Ken is excellent at all he does in the Air Force. This is no surprise to me although he says he never dreamed he'd get here. This is just one area in his life that he excels with God's blessings and abilities.

Ken, I am so proud of you!

How many fans does it take to cool off a duplex?

Answer: Apparently at least 8

I couldn't sleep the other night and as I was sitting at the kitchen table I realized how rediculous all these fans are!

It has been so unbearably hot this summer and our duplex is higher than ground level and is warm. 

We have this little wall unit but it doesn't always cut it.

First, the most important fan, the one that pushes the cool air from the AC into the rest of the duplex.

It's counterpart, pushes the cool air down the hallway to the bedrooms.

A fan to push the air in to Danielle's room.

One to push the air in to my bedroom.

And one for Chris's room.

Of course, his Xbox needs its own personal fan

One at the end of our bed to help at night.

And one by Danielle's bed.

We have a lot of airflow and a lot of noise and I think are becoming a favorite of Western MA Electric!

btw Staying in MA

It occurred to me, that the word may not have gotten to everyone that we are staying in MA.

Ken was selected for the MSG CC in Air Force lingo (Missions Support Group Commander) 

here at Westover Air Reserve Base.

This is quite an honor because it's his first Group Commander position and Westover is one of the Air Force's largest reserve bases.

We are loving MA and have so much more to explore within it. 

Guess it's time to find a home and unpack these boxes. 2 yrs is a long time to be in transition.

Oh, and I should probably get a job now :)

More posts to come on that exciting adventure! 

Lunch With the Kids

One of the best things about going back to Lockport is seeing the kids and grand kid of course.

We got together for lunch at Chris & Tim's, our vacation resort, for the visit.

Danielle was off touring with her choir and Gabby- well, someone had to work!

Ken really was happy they were all there!

 Benny is always the star of the show, he didn't eat much because he couldn't wait to swim. 

Well, no pics of Benny swimming. He tuckered out after 5 min, 

I didn't even get a chance to see him swim. Next time!

Well, I'm sure he was glad to see us but I'm afraid Toby stole the show, Maybe I should grow a tail?

Crazy nap hair!

 While Benny slept, mom got to play. It was such a hot day, I'm so glad I have friends with a pool :)

Katie also enjoying the water

I'm pretty sure Ken did have a swim suit on under all that!

It's never too hot to snuggle. Nick really misses Justin.

 We had a good time, as usual, when we all get together. I really miss the kids. MA is far away, but we could be a lot farther. God had really blessed Ken and I with some really great kids (that includes Nick)

Grace Chapel's Anniversary 4th of July Picnic

Grace Chapel is officially 1 year old (plus a little) and we celebrated at Chris & Tim's house with a 

fun, food, and fellowship filled July 4th Picnic.

Ray & Peggy trying to stay cool

Ken & I miss Grace so much, although we have had many opportunities to visit this summer.

Tim & Chris were headed out of town the next day and they left us with their house, 

(great week to have a pool) Tim asked Ken to preach that Sunday. 

Gabby is staying with Chris & Tim so we got to stay with her!

Gabby, Tammie, & Ken (looking cool in his shades) 

I'm so glad my brother & his family decided to attend Grace, 

it was great being in church with them even if it was for a short time.

Tim, Cindy, & Eric (I think Eric is talking- hard to believe :)

We knew their was going to be a water baptism but the "who" was a surprise. 

Doug said he waited to be Baptized until he found a church where he felt he really belonged

Proof that he was water baptized, Tim dunked him!

This is Nick's last church picnic for a while, 

he's enlisted in the Navy and will be headed for basic training in a few weeks

Nick & Chris (my boys)

I miss teaching my kids at church. These are 2 of my sweethearts.

Skylar & Keara (my girls)

The pool got used thoroughly that day, lots of splashing and games.

Sandy & Chris decide that putting on a suit is too much trouble!
excellent shot- if I don't say so myself

I think David enjoyed the pool more than anyone

Happy Birthday Grace Chapel!