Elizabeth's family party

That afternoon, we had the family over to swim and have more
cupcakes. We also found out that Wayne and Jolene are having a second boy!
They will be about 22 months apart and I'm sure they will be the best of
friends.

Elizabeth's Build-A-Bear Party

Elizabeth turned 5 on September 2, 2014. She wanted
to have her birthday party at the Build-A-Bear store in the mall. We had
the party on Labor Day and everyone she invited was able to come. She had a
great time making her pony and watching her friends make their stuffed
animals. After the party we moved over to the food court and had cupcakes
and sang Happy Birthday to her.

First day of school 2014

The kids on the first day of school, which was August 19th.  Sarah is in 6th grade, Joshua is in 4th grade and Elizabeth is doing a Transitional Kindergarten program since she missed the cut off date for regular kindergarten which she will do next year.  

My 40th birthday

We met Donald for lunch, then went and played in the sand at the beach. It was a great way to spend the afternoon!

Swim Party

Joshua and Tommy

Elizabeth with her shave ice

Zoey, Sarah and Natalie

Elizabeth and Caytlyn

Naomi 

Emily

We had our annual shave ice and swim party on Saturday. It was fun, but
honestly, just not the same without all of our friends in Chico! It really
made me homesick for my "old friends" and made me realize, yet again, what a
great group of people we got to hang out with up there! We had some nice
families over and It seemed everyone had a good time! I have to say, the
water slide sure made a nice addition to the party!

Sheila turns 40!!!

I turned 40 on August 14th! I have to admit, it wasn't my best birthday, despite Donald's efforts! I always thought I'd have a bunch of friends over to swim and I'd go to lunch with this person
one day and this person the next and it would be a big celebration! Still, Donald tried so hard and put together a party for me and we even had two extra family members as Jessica and Matthew are both still in town. We had fun swimming, Donald cooked an excellent meal and we got to play with my
new, custom made corn hole game!!

My dad's family

My aunt, Linda Carpenter, passed away in August.  My dad had five sisters.  My Aunt Pat passed away in 1986 when she was killed in a car accident.  My Aunt Linda was the second one to pass.  She was the second to youngest, with my aunt Peggy, not pictured, who was not able to attend.  My mom and dad are on the far left followed by David and Donna (Donna is my dad's sister), then seated in the middle is my dad's only brother, Jim Goral.  Behind him is my Aunt Jackie and her husband Richard.  I got to know both my Aunt Donna and Aunt Jackie better when we lived in Michigan as they both live there.  My sister drove with my parents out to Missouri for the funeral then flew home while my parents drove to Michigan to visit with the relatives and old friends a bit longer.  

My birthday gift!

I asked my dad to make me a corn hole game because I knew he would do top notch work. He did, but wasn't here to finish it off as they went to Missouri to attend my aunts funeral. So, that meant Wayne was in charge of finishing it for me. He spent all afternoon with Donald painting, measuring and helping get our hand prints on it! I love it and will treasure it for a long time!