What do you call a roommate's baby?

About four years ago, Andy and I invited one of our favorite students to live with us. For reasons yet to be completely understood, he was staying in Canton with friends who really didn't have room for him, so he was ultimately living out of his car. We decided our basement was a fairly decent step up from that.

Addison had just turned one and Jaelyn was just two when Erik moved in. It didn't take long for them to fall in love with him. We have a picture from the first night he was here for dinner and they are both cuddling on his lap, listening to a book he was reading. Erik didn't pay rent; however, he 'paid' us by babysitting our kids. He still remembers giving Addison his bottle before putting him to bed.



There are so many memories of having Erik live here. He was with us for a year and a half. Many of his friends came through and we would all sit around and talk about theory and thoughts. Andy and Erik picked up the guitar while he lived here, so there was a time when guitar chords were always heard. There were so many great conversations late into the night when all of us should have been sleeping; it was a great time.

One night the conversation centered on Laura Miller, the girl who had a pretty firm hold on Erik's heart. That hold eventually turned mutual and then we got to share their engagement and wedding. Jaelyn was their beautiful flowergirl (if I do say so myself), and Andy gave the homily at their wedding.



Today, Erik called to tell us that their daughter had entered the world. Beautiful, healthy, Allison Noel. Laura is doing great too. I'm not sure where to put my happy feelings for them. I feel so connected because of sharing our lives with Erik for so long. But, what exactly is this relationship? Roommate-once-removed? Second generation roommate? I'm not sure, but I'm really happy for them, and I feel really blessed that they continue to connect with us.

Welcome Allison!

Addison turns five...

Addison wanted a 'Superhero' party for his fifth birthday. Andy and I wanted to honor that desire without having an evening filled with small boys running crazily around the room like "Dash" and others pinning us against the wall with their spider webs. So......creative Dad to the rescue!

Andy created a myth....i.e. background story.... to how Addison got special super powers and how he chose three special boys to share his powers with--thus creating the "A-Team". Their super powers were the common superprowesses of flying and magical breath that could free victims who had been frozen by "Mean Man".

Andy created the above costumes himself. The boys thought they were the best! Addison's friend Luke had this to say, "Andrew, could we use these costumes for Halloween?"





Every superhero team needs a logo. This amazing logo, which actually captures the physical characteristics of the A-Team, was created by Aaron, a student at Malone whom Addison adores. (In case you're questioning our math. The original A-team did have five members; however, one member was not able to attend the party as planned.)



This is the extremely evil villain -- Mean Man.... Sexy, too, isn't he?




Mean Man was finally captured and subdued by the A-team flying in circles around him together as a team. Notice, the villian is captured without violence! A pacifist superhero....I wonder if a Disney franchise is in the cards?




The A-team has to get their super-energy somewhere. (I will tell you their other identities, just don't let Lois Lane know.....left to right--Luke, Addison, Noah, Phillip)

It was a fantastic night; Addison wore his costume, including his mask, throughout the entire next day. He actually turns 5 on Dec. 11. He loves superheros, his daddy's stories, playing with his sister, playing with any computer game, and writing/coloring. We feel really lucky!

Christmas Tree Day

Jaelyn with Michael and Kara



We finally find the perfect tree.



We sawed the tree ourselves -- counting the rings we decided that the tree was 13 years old.



I've got lumberjack in my blood. I carried our tree over my head. The other trees travelled by sleds and teams off carriers.



Finally -- a finished tree!