Happy New Year!

Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Here's a photo of JT checking out the scenery from Paradise Point on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

We decided to go on a cruise just before Christmas this year. We haven't taken a vacation all year and just needed to get away and have some quality family time together. This was also a year that we decided that we were just not going to stress over everything that comes with celebrating Christmas... because after all, celebrating Christmas really isn't about buying presents for everyone and decorating inside and outside.

I like this photo I took - it looks like a postcard.

We had a very relaxing week and alot of good quality time together. Of course, being together 24/7 for 9 days did take it's toll on us a couple of times and there were occasions when one or two of us would get a bit cranky, but all in all we had a good time.

Here's a video of JT dancing on stage during one of the shows on the ship. That's him just to the right of the woman dancer.... at last for awhile, then he gets hidden behind her. We were surprised that he actually did the dance, and for a few moments, seemed to even have some rhythm! He had a blast and that's what was important!

View more photos from our trip by clicking here.

Watercolor Paintings

I was asked by a friend of mine from church if I would paint some lighthouses for her to give to her husband for Christmas. To be honest, I didn't really think I could do a good enough job that someone would actually want to hang them on their office wall. I was really afraid of being embarrassed so I thought about it and made her promise that if she didn't like them she would let me know and if I didn't like them - she wouldn't get them. I've only played with watercolors a little so I really wasn't feeling very confident as I picked up the paint brush and started painting. In the end though - I was pleased with the outcome.

Here they are - each painted at 11 x 14" size...

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

Michigan City Lighthouse

South Haven Lighthouse

St. Augustine Lighthouse

Christmas Photos

In a effort to get a good photo of JT to send out in Christmas cards this year, we took a trip downtown to the Riverwalk. JT loves to have his photo taken and has always been quite the poser, so taking photos was easy and fun. After 68 photos and some good family time walking around the Riverwalk and going across the river and eating at the Landing, I ended up with lots of good photos so choosing was difficult. I finally chose this one because of the background.

You can see all the other photos we took at http://picasaweb.google.com/rtungett/ChristmasShootWithJT

Halloween & George Washington

For almost 14 years Tim and I have been together. During all that time, I have never been able to get him to shave his moustache so that I could see what he would look like. Well, it looks like the people at his office have more pull than me. They dangled 1/2 day off in his face if he would shave and be George Washington for their office skit... and he jumped on it! He shaved for 1/2 day off! JT and I aren't so sure we like it, but it doesn't matter... I'm sure he's already growing it back and won't be shaving for awhile.

Oh well, it was funny to see him do it and fun that he finally dressed up for Halloween too.

JT was a scary Jester, but we didn't get any good pictures because he decided he didn't want to wear the hat or the mask. I was a Zombie. You can see the photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/rtungett/Halloween2007

Goodbye Winter

Just two months ago we said goodbye to Elkei. Sadly, this weekend we had to say goodbye to Winter as well. Everything seemed fine on Saturday morning when she woke Tim up to go outside. She was 17 years old and she had definitely slowed down, but we never expected this at this time.

We left or a few hours Saturday night and returned home that night and found her lying on the floor totally unresponsive. She would try to lift her head but couldn't and her breathing seemed labored. Fortunately, she didn't seem to be in any pain.

Tim put her by his bed and watched her throughout the night. Finally, at about 5 o'clock Sunday morning she had gotten worse and we couldn't stand to see her like that anymore. So, Tim made the decision to take her to the vet and have her put to sleep. We were fortunate to find out that the same vet we already used also was an Emergency vet with a Dr. in house 24 hours. Sunday morning around 6:30 we said our final goodbye to "Wee-Wee".

Hopefully, Elkei was there to greet her when she crossed over and they are running around playing and having fun again.

We love and miss you Winter and especially miss you and the way you "talked" to us!

J.T.'s 9th Birthday!

On Thursday, June 14th, we celebrated J.T.'s 9th birthday with the family at his favorite restaurant, Red Lobster. Mom, KD, Jenny & Joel joined us for dinner. Since it was his birthday we let him order off the "adult" menu. Of course, since he ate Lobster on the cruise, that is what he wanted to get. But being the mean parents we are, we told him no. So he ordered crab legs instead.

He is growing up too quickly! This birthday also marked his 6th year with us.... unbelievable in some ways, but in other ways, it feels like he's always been with us.

He celebrated his birthday with his friends the day before at the movie theatre. He and a few of his friends went to see Spiderman 3.

Happy Birthday little buddy! We love you BIG time!

Memorial Day Weekend in Tennessee

Vance graduated from High School on the Friday before Memorial Day so me, JT, Mom, KD and Mindy headed to Tennessee to attend his graduation. (Click photo for more photos)

As always, it was quite the fun adventure in the car with Mom. The trip went smooth both ways and it was nice to spend time with Shelly.

We met Vance's girlfriend and she seemed real nice. Of course, he didn't want to really hang out with us, afterall, he's a high school graduate with a girlfriend who just got a new apartment... so it's not hard to figure out where he really wanted to be and who he wanted to be with.

We also got a chance to see Allie and how great she looks.... beautiful as always, but she's lost alot of weight and is continuing to do well. We met her boyfriend Shane. He seemed like a nice guy and didn't seem to mind sitting around with a bunch of women chatting.

Bo showed himself a bit while we were there. I really feel sorry for him and his problems and wish that something could be figured out to help him do better.

All in all, it was a good trip, but as always, after being gone for 4 days, it was GREAT to get home! Tim stayed home so he was glad to see us when we returned.

J.T. Gets His Glasses

J.T. got his glasses today and as you can see from the photo, we are very fortunate that he's very excited about it. When he put them on he was excited to see a big difference right away in his vision. He immediately started comparing how things looked with them on and with them off. He got real excited on the way home because he could read the license plates on other cars.

Tim and I felt like bad parents because we hadn't known he was having vision problems. We trusted that the school had done a vision screen and would have expected them to catch it - especially now that we know it should have been obvious to whoever gave the eye test.

I've worn glasses since I was 6 years old and I know what a pain they can be. I hoped he would be able to forego glasses as a child. But, I'm excited for him now knowing that his vision is improved and he can see properly. We are hopeful this will also help with some of the problems he's had in school.

Goodbye Elkei

Two weeks ago, we said Goodbye to Elkei. Elkei was a great dog and at 16 years old had lived a good life. However, the quality of her life had been going downhill for quite some time. It was a hard decision, but we made plans to put her to sleep. It was hard on her "sister" Winter since she had been her lifelong companion too and she wandered the house for about a week looking for her.

Of course, it was hard on all of us and we still have a void in the house without her. These photos were taken the day before she left us.

You were a good dog Elkei, and we all miss you greatly!

JT's Eye Exam

At the suggestion of JT's teacher, we took him to get his eyes checked yesterday. I didn't think there was a problem because he had been screened at school and nothing was noted. However, it was obvious the moment the eye test started and JT couldn't even read the largest line on the eye chart.

It turns out he is nearsighted and will need to wear glasses. Fortunately, right now he is excited about wearing glasses and isn't the least bit worried. I hope it stays that way. Of course, the novelty will wear out quickly. I started wearing glasses at 6 and I know what a big responsibility it will be for him. But, the doctor said his sight will be so much better, we probably won't have a problem getting him to wear them.

Tim Gets His Motorcycle

Tim got his new motorcycle today and he's pretty excited and can't wait to go "Vroom, Vroom, Vroooooooooom...!"

See more photos here...

JT's first fish!

We went to visit Jenny at the lake in Melrose where she's now living and JT had a blast. First he went for a swim in the lake, although he was a little creeped out about it. Then Jenny took him on a ride on a 4-wheeler (another first!). He had an absolute blast doing that. Then she brought him back to the dock and he fished for a while. He ended up catching 3 fish. 2 bream and a shiner. Needless to say, this was very exciting for him since he had never caught a fish before. He was afraid of it though and Jenny had to take it off the hook and he wouldn't let her put the fish near him without squealing like a little girl. :)

Anyway, it was a fun day for him and he can't wait to go back and visit Jenny again!

Easter Sunday

Here are a couple of photos of us on Easter Sunday morning just before church. Tim's parents came to town for a few days after going on a cruise out of Jacksonville.

Note from Julian...

This morning, I woke up and my 8 year old son, Julian, handed me a letter and this is what it said...

Dear Mom,

I Love you and dad but I Love God most
and let God be with you on this nice day
and reameber with God nothing is't posbol.

Love, JT

New Years in Michigan

We traveled to Michigan and Indiana to visit Tim's family after Christmas. Click on the photo below to see more from that visit...

Christmas 2006