Alex is at school

Well, we took Alex out to BYU.  It was a long trip.  We took the scenic route and covered almost 4000 miles in 9 days.  It is about 1650 miles from Canton to Provo.  I am sad that he is not here but I know that he should be at school right now.  It is a good place for him.  I like Provo, it is very pretty and the mountains are great.

Tiger Cub Activity today - Police Department

Hannah, Benji (the Tiger Cub), Tucker & I went to the Canton Police Department today.  We went with Benji's Tiger Cubs.  It's always exciting visiting the Police (or Fire) Station.  The boys had a great time climbing in the police car.

Disney, here we come!!!

Well, the kids are in school and the time is going fast.  We have a lot going on over the next couple of months.  Only 8 days until we leave for Disney!  Next Tuesday (11/16) we will be flying down to Disney World for a week.  I can't believe we are actually going.  Not a typical vacation for us, but it is gong to be so much fun!

Then on 12/26, the day after Christmas we will be leaving to take Alex to BYU (in Provo, Utah) for school.  We will be home on January 4, 2011.  I can't believe it's going to be 2011!  I remember when Alex was just born....  Those were the days!  :)

We just had a family photo taken, as soon as I get the prints I'll post the pictures here.  We had a family shot and one with just the kids.

Also, if anyone wants to buy cookie dough Hannah is selling it for a band fundraiser.  I wish these were spread out over the year, this is the 4th fundraiser we've had since school started!!

Pat Buchanan sure knows how to explain my thoughts...

Pat Buchanan's latest thoughts about the whole "should we build a Mosque near ground-zero?" question is really on the mark.  I have been thinking a lot about how I feel about Muslims and how I SHOULD feel about Muslims.  I know that I am expected to love everybody and be tolerant, but I've had a hard time with the ones who think I should die because I don't believe in Allah.  Islam is supposed to be a religion of peace, yet the "terrorists" I hear about nowadays are mostly from the Islamic world.  That doesn't make sense.  I think that Pat Buchanan has explained how I feel about the issue better than I could explain it.  I especially liked this quote:


"Yet one would have to be obtuse not to understand that a Western nation that opens its doors to mass migration from the Islamic world is taking a grave risk with its unity and identity."

I really enjoy reading his articles.

Alex is going to BYU!!

Well, I can't believe this, Alex came home from EFY (a week long church summer camp for youth - Especially For Youth) and told me that he is reconsidering his college decision.  He is now thinking about going to Brigham Young University (it is an LDS-sponsored university in Utah).  This is so exciting!  I am all for the idea.  The only drawback is that he will not be able to go in September, he will have to wait until the winter term which starts in January.  He is not happy about waiting until then but he seems pretty committed to the idea so far.  Hopefully he will be able to continue working his current job at Roush until December.  Here are some pictures of my 2010 Eagle Scout/Graduate!!

More May happenings

Benji went to the Real Life Farm with his class at school.  He milked a cow and said that it felt "bumpy".  He learned about pasteurizing the milk from cows.  He also got a ride on Tank.  You can read more to see the pictures.

Other May Activities

We've had other activities this May besides the basement.  Click "read more" to look at the pictures.

Alex's Senior Prom

Alex went to his senior prom on Friday night (5/14/2010).  He went with a girl from our church who lives in the Dearborn Ward.  Her name is Emily.  They look so great!  The prom was at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.  These pictures are taken at an old schoolhouse that is just down the road from us here in Canton, it is The Cherry Hill School (that is where we're having his grad party).  They said they had a great time!

We have walls!!!

They took only 2 days to lay the block for the basement walls.  It was amazing watching them work.  Alex told me that we can NEVER move from this house, he now has a sentimental attachment to it, he helped build the basement.  The owner of the business that did the walls hired Alex to move block & mortar and anything else they needed done.  Alex asked if he would be hiring any summer help and the guy hired Alex on the spot.  He told Alex there may be some jobs this summer that he could work on, Alex will have to call him.  I guess it's better than working at Taco Bell!!


It rained the day the sewer line was inspected, the walls caved in and knocked it around.  John had to re-do it, bummer...

It was a cold and rainy day when they started putting in the block, not very good to be working outside.  The second day was better, still cold, but the sun was out and it wasn't rainy or windy.  In these pictures you can see the two big egress windows that are on the back (in addition to the glass block window which is where a bathroom is going).  There is also a Bilco door on the side, there will be a staircase leading to the outside right from the basement.  There are also three other smaller windows, 2 on one side and 1 on the side with the door.

We're almost done!!!

Moving right along...

Wow, it's been over a week since I've posted any pictures here.  They poured the footers and put down the gravel.  Also, John had to re-do the sewer line since it needs to go under the new basement floor.  We rented a backhoe and he did it himself.  They are starting to lay the block today, they were supposed to start yesterday but it was pouring rain so they couldn't do it.  It isn't raining now but it sure is cold and windy.  There are a lot of pictures this time.