Goodbye, Sweet Summertime

I cannot believe that Summer 2007 is over. We had an awesome time, lotsa friends, food and fun! Now it is back to school for both Oliver girls - Yippee! Of course, we had to send off the summer with great fanfare! 1st a trip to Lake Erie and the beach of my youth - East Harbor. The waves were gently rolling and the water was warm. Both girls had a blast swimming, jumping waves and playing in the sand. We were blessed with a beautiful day and made the best of it. After the beach, it was onto to Phil's, the restaurant of my youth. All 4 of us gorged on spaghetti and meatballs. Yummy. Then we trekked over to the Kalahari Water Park Resort. The girls spent the next 22 hours completely waterlogged. It was so much fun. Monday brought more sunshine and we played most of the day in the water. As life goes, all good things must come to an end. We had to leave our water paradise to get home for open house at Kali's school. She met her teacher, got her schedule and found out who is in her class. With the exception of her BFF, Tatum, she has most of her friends in her room. Today is the last day of vacation and Jimmy took Kali fishing on the boat. I can't wait to hear all the fish stories.

From Indiana to Arkansas and Back

We definitely put some miles behind us this summer. A trip to Indiana to visit the Brummett's and then 14 hours to Arkansas (plus 14 hours back) to visit Jimmy's family.

We had a great time in Indiana. The girls love to visit Jimmy's "college family," Mrs. B spoils them and Mr. B messes with them. A trip filled with fresh veggies, fabulous food and farming, what's not to love?

The trip to Arkansas was a different story. The entire 8 days we were there the temperatures ranged from 102-107. Ouch. With indexes over 115, it was unbearable. Thank God our hotel had an indoor pool. The highlight of the week was a trip to Memphis to see friends and have some BBQ! Yummy.

Now we are facing the last week of summer vacation. I can't believe Kali will be a 3rd grader in Mrs. Porter's class and Peyton is going to Preschool with Miss Trish and Miss Mel. Time sure does fly.

The springs were almost boiling in Hot Springs this year!

Row, row, row your boat.....

We spent a relaxing Sunday morning canoeing down the Tuscarawrus River. It was the 1st canoe experience for both kids - they seemed to enjoy it. Especially the pit stops on the tiny islands in the river to look for crayfish. My kids truly love nature!?!? After a quick picnic, Jimmy and the girls spent some time fishing. I had a date with my new Oprah magazine, no fishing for me! Yes, Kali caught her own fish and yes, that is a handful of worms!!!!!

There's No Business Like Show Business

Kali's 10 day musical theater intensive ended with 2 performances. She worked for 8 1/2 hours a day on the original production called "Off the Page: Feud of the Fablers' Ink!"

For her 1st official foray into the musical theater genre, she did a good job. She was the youngest cast member and held her own, both on and off stage - she even had a couple of lines!!! She has now set her sights on Broadway!?!?!?

Kenyon Jones Dribble and Drive Foundation

Kenyon's Dad, Roy, and Jimmy recording the events for prosperity!Kyree reading the winning numbers for the raffle

Porsha, Kyree and Joli

Well, Jimmy and I survived the 12 hour trip to Savannah, Georgia. We had a very nice weekend, sans children. We were honored to support the foundation set up in our good friend's, Kenyon Jones', memory. It's hard to believe that he's been gone for 2 years. We were so pleased to see his widow, Porsha, and his son, Kyree. Porsha is a close friend and an amazing woman, we are so proud of her. Plus, it was an opportunity to meet up with some basketball friends we haven't seen since the funeral. The free basketball camp that was offered to the kids of inner city Savannah was successful and we are hoping to make it an annual event. Jimmy and I look forward to visiting that beautiful city every summer in Kenyon's name. We were reminded, once again, how fragile life is. We are blessed to wake everyday and enjoy the life God gave us. Jimmy and I marvel at just how blessed we are. Our lovely girls, our 14 year marriage, our many friends and beloved families. Our cup runneth over!Porsha, Joli, Avanti

Beach Bums

The Oliver family had a great time on Disney's private island - Castaway Cay. Kali's new "hobby" is snorkeling. She snorkeled in both Nassau and Castaway Cay. All Peyton wanted to do was play in the sand. Jimmy's snorkeling adventure yielded a huge starfish. The kids were so excited, as a matter of fact, Jimmy amassed quite a crowd with his treasure. He replaced it where he found it. I always pinned him as the Grizzly Adams type, not Jacques Cousteau.

Welcome Little Miss Amya

Our niece Sasha had her baby 3 weeks ago -- Amya Ruth!
We met her for the 1st time yesterday and it was love at 1st sight. She is so sweet and so tiny. Sasha is back in Akron and we are looking forward to spending as much time with Amya as possible!

What's a pirate's favorite letter?????

RRRRRR! That is currently Peyton's favorite jokes. Kali's new favorite goes something like this - Why does Piglet smell?

He plays with Pooh. So much for "Disney" humor.

We had a great time unwinding on the cruise. We swam with stingray's, celebrated like Pirates IN the Caribbean, and ate ourselves silly! No one wanted to leave. We were hoping for a 7 day cruise, but that ship is sailing in the Mediterranean this summer. We just left Greece, we didn't want to go back. We settled for 4 days and look forward to a longer one in the near future. I'll post some more pictures soon.

It's a Small World, After All

Well, the Oliver Family survived another 7 days at Disney! The weather was pretty good for mid-June in Orlando. Not too hot, not much rain. The girls had such a good time. I was just happy to leave the real world behind for a week. We could all use some time in Fantasyland, every now and then. We finished our 10 day vacation with a Bahamian cruise - Disney-style!

RIP Patrick Siml 1977-2007

I sit at my computer with such a heavy heart. It's been over a month since I lost my only cousin to a brain aneurysm and the reality still hasn't sunk in. Patrick was like a brother to me and my girls just adored him. He wasn't without his demons - but who is? He was a such a kind and gentle soul with an amazing talent for song writing. Through this all my Grandma has been a rock - she lost her youngest daughter (my Mom) and her youngest grandson (Patrick) seven months apart and was comforting us during the funeral. She's an amazing woman. Of course, my aunt and uncle are devastated, he was blessed to have them as his parents. July 4th would of been his 30th birthday - Rest in Peace, PT

Patrick and me, circa 1978