camping

I can hardly believe there was a day when I didn't like camping. I have to admit, I'm still relatively "new" to this, but I thoroughly enjoy it! About 15 years ago, Mike and I started talking about how we would like to take the kids camping. We didn't have much extra money then, so for Mother's Day that year, I received a tent! It ended up being a GREAT gift for the first 10 years because Mike would take the kids camping and I would get a weekend home ALONE! The only problem was.....they made many memories without me and *I* didn't know what I was missing! Mike and I camping
The *tent* that Kaitlyn, Julia and I shared.
I discovered as long as I was on an air mattress and brought along my fan, I get great sleep. Oh yeah....I also discovered ear plugs to drown out the loud people next door! ha

Mike (and Michael) usually does most of the cooking.

Michael and Kaitlyn sittin' around the campfire eating a S'more.

The GREAT part about camping.

Roastin' the marshmallows!

Precious Julia eating her S'more. *Notice* her dad gave her DOUBLE chocolate.

Tim.... fresh from the shower!

Kaitlyn also took some cool photos from the waterfall we went to! It was so much fun!

Now, I can't wait to plan our next trip.

A Wonderful Weekend

It began last Friday. Julia and I got up VERY early to drive to East Lansing to pick up the bulk of Nick's belongings from Michigan State. I thought it would be fun for both of us to go to Donley to visit during her grade's lunch time and for me to see many of my friends that I used to work with every day. And, was it ever fun. We were greeted so warmly with hugs and laughter. She got to see many of her friends at her former school and had time to play at recess and eat lunch with them. It did make her want to move back to EL. Julia has had many changes in her life and I wanted her to know they still remembered her. The photo above is of her best friend in EL, Anastasia. The reconnected very quickly and I promised that I would get them together this summer.

Here is a photo of Anastasia and her mom. It is because of Annie that we found out about Julia. Annie will always have a special place in my heart.

I didn't get many photos of Nick, but here are two of his friends, Sarah and Emilia. Nick has a wonderful group of "mentor" friends. Next year he will be a senior and it will be his last year of mentoring. He will have one year of student teaching after that.

Julia and Nastya at Tasty Twist. You just can't go to East Lansing without a stop at

Tasty Twist.

Easting Ice Cream.

Having Fun!

We left East Lansing around 6pm and headed to Ann Arbor to spend the night with Kaitlyn and Michael. They treated us to a wonderful dinner of Bar-B-Q Chicken. The next morning I had a very special time with my two daughters just hanging out at Kait's apartment. How I wish we lived closer to spend those types of moments together! (sorry, I didn't get any photos)

On one level, I cannot believe I am posting this photo, but it shows the wonderful breakfast Tim and Julia made for me. Breakfast in Bed with an omlette, toast and a Diet Coke! I was treated like a queen all day yesterday. Nick is now home for the summer...sort of. He's heading to Germany in mid-June for a summer "unpaid" teaching internship.

Pole Vaulting

Tim has really enjoyed Track & FIELD this year. It's been fun going to the meets and watching him. We'll find out today if he got invited to an Invitational meet on Monday

Sisters

I am so incredibly thankful for my sister and the three years she has been in our lives. I love you, Julia!

A houseful!

March was a fun month, especially two weekends ago. First Nick drove home on Friday night. Then Karla, Kelly, Haley, Kelsey, Kaylee and Kylee arrived on Saturday afternoon. My dad had called me the day before to say that he and Connie wanted to come and surprise Karla and Kelly. Well, they were very surprised. I wish I had taken more photos, but here are a

few from the weekend/week. I didn't get any pictures of Nick. Dad sitting on our deck. Spring is in the air.
Dad and his youngest grand-daughter, Kylee.

Kylee's twin, Kaylee, with Papa Jim.

Havin' fun with my sisters! (we were laughing at the

terrible picture of me...and no, I won't post it!)

Karla and Kylee - beofore she got her braids cut out! (see below)

Kelsey, Haley, Tim

Kaylee, Kylee and Julia

At Chuck E. Cheese celebrating Julia's Gotcha Day.

It's been THREE years!

We took a few trips to the Healthplex to swim.

Tim's angels!

Just before the Brown's and Kersten's hit the road to drive home.

The remnants of Kylee's hair...I told her it looked my dad's poodle, Rocky, in the bag.

A Little Update

Well oh well.....this blogging stuff is getting the best of me. I have the best of intentions, but can't seem to follow through. Just to keep you up to date, here are some things that have happened or will happen.

~This morning I drove to Columbus, Ohio. Why, you ask??? Well, we just completed Julia's Post-placement report for the three year mark (the last). I needed to get the report apostilled in C-town. That is a two hour drive, one way. So, I got all the way there and inside the "right" building. I had my 8x10 white envelope with me and was ready to get the document apostilled. Well, while I was waiting, I decided to pull out the report. Low and behold, I grabbed the *wrong* white envelope. What I pulled out was before and after pictures of women's breasts with the tattooing done. YIKES! I guess I will be driving back to Columbus tomorrow with the RIGHT envelope.

~Karla, Kelly, Haley, Kelsey, Kaylee and Kylee are coming to visit in TWO days! WooHoo. I am really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, Tim and Julia are not on Spring Break and will be going to school. Maybe they will be *sick* one day.

~Tim has gone to two workshops with Hollywood type people the past two Sundays. He got some positive feedback from one of them. Hoping for some auditions. Tim also started doing Track this spring. He was pretty sore the first few days, but is doing fine now. (or at least not complaining any longer)

~Julia starts fast pitch softball soon. She seems to have a lot of homework....or maybe isn't getting done in school what she should and brings it home for homework. Some days I feel like a big Ogre with all my requests for her to sit down and stay focused. SIGH! I had a long talk with her on Monday and informed her that I was no longer going to NAG her and that she was a responsible and smart girl and she would be in charge of budgeting her time appropriately. Hmmm...we'll see how it works. I don't remember ever having this problem with the other three. I'm thinking that a lot of their study skills were learned at a young age. Plus, they weren't as socially motivated as dear Julia.

~Mike is great and is so happy that today begins March Madness. We didn't organize a "pool" like we've done in years past, so it's up to the Michigan State Spartans to keep our interest...well, at least mine. Mike is looking forward to seeing his mom in April for Spring Break.

~So enjoying the spring weather. The daffodils are blooming and the Forsythia's aren't far behind. Survived another Midwest winter.

That's all for now!
Karen

13 Confessions of a 13 Year Old Boy

Hello, I'm Tim, the youngest son of the legendary Combes family. Unless you know me, you're a member of my family or both; the only thing you know about me is my tiny bio on the side of the blog or one of my quotes that my dad twists around and posts. I decided now that I have entered the teen years this would be the prime time to give the world what it wants: Tim by the gallon (much cheaper than gasoline by the gallon). So, with the new movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" coming out next week, I was wondering what sort of things I would confess about. Now, it's time for what we've all been waiting for: 13 CONFESSIONS OF A 13 YEAR OLD BOY

13. I'm reading "The Da Vinci Code" (Heathen!)

12. My father leaves the door open when he pees, what hope do I have?

11. I don't mind chick flicks

10. I binge on pretzels and chocolate milk, I must be Micheal Moore's twin

9. My favorite singer is Stephen Lynch

8. I once was dared to ask out a guy and he said yes

7. I can easily solve a Rubik's cube but I can't figure out Monopoly Junior

6. I once sleepwalked into the shower

5. I'm not sure what the past tense for sleepwalk is

4. My favorite actor dropped 50 F-bombs on a videographer (and to think his name is Christian)

3. A hobo asked me for money and I ran away (It was my dad's money)

2. I only watch "24" so i can try to synchronize the clock on the show with my clock

1. I just posted on a blog