Recently in Nate Category

Gilligan's Island was one of my favorite TV shows as a kid. I used to think The Perfect Storm was a good movie.
Not anymore.......

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip 
That started from Lake Cumberland 
Aboard an 80-foot ship.

So join us somewhere next year my friends.
You're sure to get a smile
From our family of castaways, 
Known as the Grandstaff Gang.
 

In other words, we were towing my Malibu behind our 80-foot houseboat while we were headed back to the main dock when we were unexpectedly hit by a huge storm. Within minutes, the Malibu was dunking it's bow under water while thunder, lightening, wind, waves, and driving rain paralyzed us on the water. We drifted ashore, left the Malibu behind, and headed for the dock as the skies turned back to blue. (Reader's Digest version)

Earlier in the week, we also killed two jet skis.

The good news: The jet skis might actually be resuscitated.

The better news: The Malibu was saved (except for some seat cushions) and the motor should be fine.

The BEST news: It was an EPIC team-building exercise --- and I still have my family.
.
.
.

For the record, the Captain always goes down with the ship . . . so you will have to hang me before I let my boat sink.
(My husband will hang me if I ever mention houseboating again!!!)

Now THIS is a Sparkler!

Truly, truly grandkids are part of the American Dream

Clara and Tracy surprised us with a visit for the Fourth of July. Actually, they hitched a ride with the "hired" hand (Grampy Steve) after he spent the week in Atlanta working around the house for Tracy. Meanwhile, Sarah and Rachel were at church camp in Florida while I kept Shadow, Daisy and Duke company at home.

Clara and Duke face off while waiting for Sarah and Rachel to get home from camp.

Stop, drop and.........LOVE!!!!!

Bubby love

Grampy love

Grammy love

Girly love

Mommy love

Missin' Daddy's love (We missed you too, Nate)

Time for more imprinting :)

The Grand Finale of the weekend included our Five Weekend Warriors who decided they all wanted to ski together on the busiest weekend of the year.........just becuz!

I could be wrong, but I think you're supposed to huddle in football, not water skiing

Notice the spectators watching from shore in awe! Notice Angela on the far right. She had only skiied twice before --- and the second time was just before this photo! (What a great sport!)

The boat crew

Living, and loving, the American Dream

An ending . . . . . . . and a beginning

Sarah graduated with honors last week. It was bittersweet.

As part of a small Christian school, the Lakeland Christian Academy graduation ceremony was poignant and personal. The LCA staff chose a personal verse for each student that was read as they received their diploma. Sarah's verse was "Love: Giving to others' basic needs without having as my motive personal reward."

She honored us with her accomplishments inside and outside the classroom.

"Free the Knees" (No more dress code!!!!)

One of the best perks among all the wonderful chaos of events in the past month leading to graduation, was a visit from Clara, Tracy and Nate!

. . . and for one more day, "It's all about me"

The menu included many of Sarah's favorite foods: Pineapple Chicken, Crannberry Chicken, Spinach-Artichoke Rolls, Black Bean and Corn Salsa, Fresh Veggies with Gramma's Ginger-Soy Dip, Turtle Brownies, Cheesecake, White Chocolate-covered Strawberries, Raspberry Lemonade and a giant 2010 created by the Rice Cripsy Treat Queen, Rae.
(The infamous poppyseed chicken was served at the family celebration on Graduation Day)

Sarah . . . . We are proud of everything you have accomplished, but most importantly, by who you have become.

,

The beginning of another epic:

For better or worse, you are stuck with us Clara........and after an entire week with you on vacation, it's obvious that we are stuck on you!

Mesmerized:

Enamored (but still able to multi-task):

In ageless awe:

Grampy gaze:

Still amazed:

As you can see, my focus of this vacation was different than previous family vacations, but we did find some interesting foliage:

. . . and some Easter eggs:

. . . and some awesome cooks:

. . . and some sun:

. . . and some sleep:

. . . and time for a 4-gen family photo:

. . . and lots of Euchre:

. . . and lots more lovin':

In case you don't know, Mommy's not the only one that loves you, Clara.

. . . and you aren't the only one crying that our week together is over :o(

And an infinite number of hugs to GREAT Grampa and Gramma for bringing us all together!!!

Clara got to both see and talk to Great Gramma and Grampa today thanks to Skype. What a great invention!!!

(The dogs enjoyed Skyping too!)

Clara Lily Hilden

Thanks to Tracy and Nate, we are elated to announce that we became grandparents on February 6th!!!!

It's still hard to believe, but even though we have only seen Clara in pictures, we are in total AWE. Truly, love at first sight. We can't wait to see her in person............and I can't wait to get my own photos so I don't have to pirate them and give you "day-old bread."

Check out proud and protective Uncle Bubby's wonderful chronicle of Clara's grand entrance in The Jungbauer Family Journal.