this is pretty cool. you need to scroll down to find the info on the exhibition I'm in.

Last night Jen and I had a photo shoot with Barbara Bush. A pretty bizarre place to find myself. She was very very nice and afterwards gave a (rather good) speech and volunteering, family and community. Was very odd to see her talk about honesty and humanity knowing that her son is well.. the president. (by the way.. she is tiny and her son has her nose). Despite this, i liked her.... maybe like isnt' the right word but saw her as a human. she did make one joke about her family knowing they are not perfect except for one member.

Now that that job is done I am just getting ready for the 2 shows, finishing editing some photo's and getting ready for Italy. Aaron is getting pretty excited.

Our plans thus far:
day 1 arrive in Florence
day 2 visit Sienna
day 3 day in Florence
day 4 arrive in Ravenna
day 5 day in Ravenna
day 6 day in Ravenna
day 7 arrive in Venice
day 8 Venice
day 9 Verona
day 10 Venice

or somehitng like that.

You could win...

(please imagine game show music playing)

behind door number one a 50" plasma tv, door number 2 an 8 GB Ipod nano or behind door number 3 $100.00 cash!!

And... YOU would be supporting Portland Youth Football.

fine print:

tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00. contact your local PYFL dealer for offer details.

I have added another few letters to Michael's blog.

not so happy about the gas think. I do think our forces need competent people to handle the money but must they put him through this?

A few nights ago we went to parents night at Max's school. I am feeling so happy that he is there. (Who knew that inside my son was a prep school boy) I know that Chris's Jesuit education really had a positive impact on how he sees and interacts with the world. Knowing that Max's is going to get such a solid education and makes me happy. also, I really thought (though Chris told me over and over it was not true) it was a Catholic school like I went to. while the Jesuits are Catholic they are ultra educationed and socially/emotionaly aware. In one of his classrooms there were signs off all the major religions and how they express/work towards peace.

pretty cool really.

Michael

I have started a blog for Michael. I am posting letters as they come in. Please pass it on to other family members and friends http://michaeltg.blogspot.com/ I will post on my blog when I update.

whew...

All the first days of school are all done. Max is loving school, I am so relieved and happy. Aidan is in heaven, in the same house as most of his friends, is with his bff (see how hip i am with tween lingo, at least according to tv commercials) for all classes. Aa and G are sort of blase about school. no big changes.. just getting back on the horse.
so, all in all life is good.

i know you want a funny story from the subculture of my house.

Tommy has cooties. How do I know this? Because I must ad lib through their actions. Mica and Henry hate him. the other day Tommy gently touched Henry's face, Henry swiped the spot with his paw then rubbed his entire face on the rug for about 1 min. If he could speak human he would have been saying, "ew... Tommy cooties.. get 'em off me...get 'em off me.. Mica.. help...get me a towel, soap and water.."

I wave the white flag

I can resist sports any longer... I am surrounded. I surrender. I still may not understand football but I will try to enjoy it. A, A & G have their first game today (max next Friday)...G was in full uniform at 8am (his game is @ noon)... Aaron half in his. If it makes that this happy it must not be that bad. yes?




and....
last night a red sox pitcher pitched a no hitter.. even max, whose dedication to the Padres still stands strong, was excited. The realization that the sea dogs signed poster that chris brought home the other day was signed by this guy AND papa was at the game just escalated the excitement of the moment . Aidan was out of his little mind....

* oh me gosh... I was just writing down some last min items I need to get for Max and I wrote white sox rather than socks... I think my surrender took immediate effect on my brain.

Help Me

Michael

Since my dear brother is away at boot camp (how I feel about my brother joining the national guard is a subject worthy of it's own post. Since I do respect him and his choice to do what he believes I will not. He is going into the accounting dept so he should be fine..fingers crossed)

he is sending mail and Karin and I are posting it on our blogs so the family can all keep up him. Karin posted his first letter here . If you want his address e-mail me or Karin.

sorry I have been an absentee blogger lately. just been going so fast haven't' had time to write nor even process what going on. big things... max starts school on Tuesday.. everyone else on Thursday. I will really really miss them. I started bean. not so much fun but will help pay for Italy (my mom got the tickets...we leave on the 21 of October and get back on the 30th) and holidays.