Ouch

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

This is part of the window from Uncle Dave's humvee. It was hit with an IED on, or near, Easter. Luckily, he was able to walk away with minor injuries. It was quite emotional to see the damage up close.

Uncle Dave and Cath

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

He looks so skinny! It is good to have him home. We just wish it was for good. We are so proud of him.

Dad Wins!

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

Dave, Ed, Nate, Maddie and Dad decided to see who could jump or dive into the middle of the inflatable basketball hoop. Dad made it on the first try. This was after the rest of them tried MULTIPLE times to do it.

Ed

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

Ed is flipping out again!! He was showing Maddie the best way to do a flip. Thank goodness he actually landed it! Unlike Dave - be sure to ask him how is right eye is doing!!

Grandma & the girls

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

Mom got in the pool and was immediately surrounded by the girls. She loves having the kids over and manages to make it all look effortless.

Maddie

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

Even Maddie is mastering the flips off the diving board. She looks so grown up in her bikini.

Nate & Dave

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

Nate and Dave goofing off in the pool. Dave is a wonderful father and manages to make each child the center of attention without making the others feel neglected.

Em & her noodles

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Originally uploaded by fusionmonkey.

This is Emily just before she jumped into the deep end. She started with two noodles, the next jump was one noodle and she finished the afternoon with a few jumps without any noodles. She is becoming an amazing swimmer.

Family Weekend

What a great weekend. We finally headed home to Lansing for the first time since February. The last time we had been back was for Uncle Tim's funeral. This time, it was for a GREAT reason. Uncle Dave is home from Iraq!!! Unfortunately, it is only for 2 weeks.

We spent the day on Saturday at mom and dad's pool, hanging out with them and the Kurt family. The kids are getting so big. It is hard to believe that Nate is playing tackle football and little Emily is starting 1st grade in the fall. Maddie is turning into quite the young lady, with the teenager attitude right at the edges. That night, we headed over to Dave's and were able to visit with him. Grandpa & Grandma are visiting from Texas and Uncle Joe and Aunt Lea are up from Tennessee. It was really great to be around everyone and catch up.

We are sorry that we were not able to make it to Kalamazoo. The weekend seemed to just fly by and, before we knew it, it was time to head back to Ohio so that we could get back to work.

We did not take any pics, but Dave (Kurt) took alot of pics and I will try to get them from him to post here.

Oops

Forgot to update after last weekend. We went to the Strawberry Festival in Troy, Ohio. It is about 30 miles from our house. We drove all the way out there with Justice and then had to turn around because no pets were allowed. We stopped on the way home at Charleston Falls Preserve and took him for a nice walk. Once we dropped him off at home, we headed back to the festival. Oh my goodness!!!!!! Strawberries and food everywhere - strawberry donuts, strawberry lemonade, strawberry pizza and... DEEP FRIED STRAWBERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!! I am in love with this delectable treat.

We are heading to Lansing this weekend. Uncle Dave is coming home from Iraq!!!!!! There is a party at his house on Saturday.