Christmas 2008

We spent Christmas at the Taylor's home - here is a picture of the whole crew less Charlie's girlfriend (Jessie) who graciously took the picture. Patrick, Matthew and Rachel were in Midland and John had to work - he came later.

Graduation / Baptism Day

On may 17th our second to last (Matt) Graduated from Highschool! One more to go. Matthew will join his older brother (Patrick) at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah.

Trish & Dusty's kids were also Baptised that day. Since everyone was together for a change, we seized the opportunity to get a new family photo...

 

Latest from Oklahoma Panhandle

We have a Granddaughter! Hadley Johannsen came into this world on March 11, 2008. Daughter of Trishis and Dusty, she was 7lbs 7oz. What a cutie.

Also on the news front - Matthew is joining his brother, Patrick, at Northeastern Oklahoma State University next Fall. Rachel made the 2008 - 2009 Cheerleading team. The cows are calving and the grass is greening. What a great time of year!

California Trip

My Mom always loved the Big Sur area and now I know why. Whe took her ashes there and spread them off the cliffs on her birthday this year. What a beautiful place. Leah and Aunt Linda met us and cousin Don & his wife came up from Paso Robles as well. We had a great time hiking and recalling old times. Don, a winemaker for a well known winery, brought up some of his latest creations. We also met up with Karen and Jeff - friends of Renee and toured the Hearst Castle and San Francisco. This was a nice getaway and look forward to a return trip someday.

Year in review

Well it sure has been a long time since I posted anything here. So much has happened in the last 14 months. We went to Red River last winter to ski - had a wonderful time - rented several snowmobiles and lucked into a huge snowfall that really made the trip.

Also, Last June, Renee & I went with her brother and sister in law to Florida. We stayed at our time share in Orlando, but also went to West Palm Beach to do some diving. Visibility wasn't the best, but any diving is good diving in my book. We went spearfishing too - I shot a HUGE hogfish. Rick didn't shoot anything! Not that he didn't try - he just isn't the hunter I am.

Along with all the softball, football, basketball, cheeerleading and schoolwork, Matt & Rachel have been going 100 miles per hour. They always have something going on. Trish and Dusty got married last Summer - Clay is expecting a little sister in March. Ryan and Amanda are getting married in June. He asked her Christmas. Charlie & Patty are in college. Chuck is planning to go to Texas Tech next Fall and Patty has been at Northeastern Oklahoma State for tha past year or so. John went in to the Army last Spring, but was released recently because of a back injury. He works for Beaver County now. Matt & Rach got certified to dive this past Fall, so we only have a few left and the whole family will be divers.

Renee & I just got back from a cruise to Central America. We dove Roatan, Belize & Cozumel. What a great trip. We are going back to Belize in June with Rick & Stella.
I will come back with more whan I have time. So long for now!

OK, Dixie - I'll add more stuff

You are right - I have gotten extremely lazy on adding to my blog... Well - we have a MySpace now too. My lovely wife will keep that one up - I have my hands full here.
All is well on the home front. Kids are doing good in school. We are going to Lampasas for Thanksgiving to see Granpa. We went to Orlando for summer vacation (Universal Studios). Was a lot of fun. Renee & I bought a timeshare. Now all we have to do is find the time to use it. Renee's boys have been doing alot of racing this summer - we just got back from Enid Sunday (Last Race). They didn't do too good, but we all had fun. Matthew and Patrick are playing football but neither team has seen a win yet (gulp). Patrick is moving off to Northeastern State for the Spring Semester. Matthew has been plagued with injuries so out virtually all of the season (broken hand, twisted ankle & dislocated shoulder. Rachel just started Basketball practice with the games starting really soon...
The new office is going good - we should be moving in early December (I hope). Can't think of much more to add now, so will close - Hasta La Vista... Mark & Renee'