My Talented Family

I'm constantly amazed at how each person shines in their own unique way and our children are no different. Whether it be academic, music, art, athletics, whatever it is, I'm so pleased to see my children try new things and develop their own talents.

There is one talent our whole family shares; we are really good at rolling/sliding down hills! The story goes, when I was dating Steve another guy was trying to win me over. He asked me, "What does this guy Steve have that I don't have?" I didn't know what to say exactly and I replied, "He rolls down hills!" So this other guys says, "I can roll down hills..." Sorry, it has to be spontaneous. As you can see, our kids are all good at going down hills. It's a family thing.

DJ Bids Farewell to Preschool!

DJ had a great time in preschool this year! He made friends, learned a lot, and enjoyed two days a week away from Mom--or was it Mom that enjoyed that?!?!

DJ took some awesome field trips this year: the San Antonio Zoo, Enchanted Springs, HEB, parks, fire department, Sea World, and more! What a lucky young man. He really enjoyed centers and playing on the playground. Singing was also one of DJ's favorite things about preschool. He felt it was "exercises for my throat, because I talk a lot." Needless to say, his graduation was full of singing and we had no idea he could sing that LOUD!

DJ is excited to start kindergarten and be a Kendall Knight. We are so happy for him.

Jesusita Fire

As one relative said "the Bohman family just escaped a total disaster." We left Santa Barbara on Sunday. By Tuesday, May 5, the horrible Jesusita Fire had begun in Santa Barbara. I received a call on Wednesday at 9pm that someone said Grandma and Grandpa's house had burned down. A half hour later, I was told we didn't know for sure, but it looked like the stables in the canyon had been burned. It was a long night.

That night (Wednesday)five fire trucks with crews fought off the fire from the driveway. They made my cousin Jason leave, but he had started the sprinklers and done everything in his power to help. He plead with the firefighters to save the house. They told him they were going to do everything in their power to save the house; Grandma and Grandpa (with Jason's help) did everything right as far as fire prevention on the property.

We were relieved to find out on Thursday that the house was still standing, despite the fire in the adjacent canyon. They let Grandpa on the property (to pick up his medicine) and he confirmed that the house was good, but the fire came within 15-20 feet from the house. We were all rejoicing in the wonderful news! The house we (the grandchildren) grew up in was saved!!

Friday morning brought horrible news. The fire had picked up and started coming from the other direction. Great Aunt Marian's house didn't make it. Their house is on the adjacent piece of property from Grandma and Grandpa's. The family in Santa Barbara watched the house burn down on TV. It was gone. Nobody was sure about Grandma and Grandpa's house. Our hearts went out to the Koonces. We waited nearly 48 hours to confirm the status of Grandma and Grandpa's house. Again we rejoiced that the house survived, but it was bitter-sweet, knowing Aunt Marian's did not.

My cousin reported, "the house was like an island with smoke on every side." Once the smoke had settled and family could see things, my aunt said, "it's like a volcano went off, but Grandma and Grandpa's house is like a little green oasis in the middle." The fire came from both directions. It truly is a miracle that the house only received some smoke and soot damage. Once again, we are counting our blessings!

Happy 65th Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa!

We had a GREAT spring trip to Sunny Santa Barbara to visit Grandma & Grandpa North. The kids and I stayed a whole week. Thanks to Stephen for driving us half way across country, just to hop on the first flight back home, so he could work all week while we played. What a man! We were happy to have him back with us Friday night to enjoy the family gatherings over the weekend.

Most of the week was spent visiting family, picking fruit in the orchard, swimming, and visiting the Natural History Museum. We are always so spoiled when we visit. Grandpa kept the pool heated, homemade lemonade was plentiful, and we never ran out of juicy oranges to snack on. When indoors, the kids watched Animal Planet, played on the computer, and put together a puzzle (for old time's sake) on Grandma's dining room table.

On Friday night a bunch of the family gathered at Jane's house for an enchilada making marathon. Someone suggested to skip the catering this time and have a sort of homemade enchildad buffet. I have to admit the food on Saturday was good! We had a variety of enchiladas, beans, rice, and tri-tip. YUM! All of Grandma & Grandpa's children and grandchildren were there. Almost all of their great-grandchildren were there. The weather was perfect and everyone had a wonderful time. We even managed to pull off a little lip-sync rendition of "We Are Family" from the younger kids.

We were sad to pack up and head back to Texas, but the kids still had four more weeks of school to finish up--life! We feel so blessed to have been able to spend this special time together, celebrating an accomplishment very few reach. Way to go Grandma & Grandpa! You're the best!