In The News...

My mom excitedly called me today because my dad bought her a new car for her 38th wedding anniversary. She looked at (at least) two cars, the Pontiac Vibe and the Buick Century, and she like the Buick the most. My dad, the Professor, was honored at Michigan Tech yesterday because he has worked at Tech for 40 years. The President of Michigan Tech, Glenn Mroz, gave him beautiful clock with the Michigan Tech insignia. My dad wanted to say, "Where are the Ginsu knives?" Remember them? That was his joke. I am making arrangements for Finnfest in August. It will be held in Marquette this year. The last time we went, it was held in Marquette in 1996, and we had a fun time. Lots of dancing to polka music. It is really fun!

My Daughter's First Communion

Thea celebrated her first communion last Sunday. Our family - 10 people came - sat in one pew, and we were so crowded that Brian sat on my lap. The most special moment was when Thea took her first communion. As she ate the bread and drank the wine, the family gathered around her in a circle. In the past, I have heard, the first communicants sat in the front rows of the church - without family - and took communion with the nuns on either side of them. It is much more special with the family. After church, the family celebrated with a buffet at our house. Angela and Sara provided the entrees, including delicious and tender roast beef wraps. Sara made a floral cake. My mom provided the prune tarts. It was too bad that Grandma and Grandpa Givens couldn't visit. We wish Grandpa Clark a speedy recovery for the radiation and prostate cancer.

Brian's Birthday

Brian celebrated his seventh birthday with friends last Saturday. He and his friends designed doorknob signs. They played scavenger hunt and found everything, like pine cones, plastic forks, and red metal plates, so quickly. Brian called the numbers in BINGO! After Brian blew out the candles, they ate a sailboat cake (as shown on the photo) where Scooby Doo was the captain. At the end, Brian opened presents and got Legos and R/C Four Wheeler that he liked very much.

Grandma, Mom, and the Kids

My parents visited us before my dad had radiation therapy for this prostate cancer. The cancer is in the early stages, so it is not out of hand. My dad went from the U.P. to Beaumont Hospital, where he received good care. He really liked his doctor. It's hard to get five weeks of radiation, and he still is recuperating. But he is getting better, and that is what counts.

Nutcracker

Find more pictures at my Flickr account.