Amarillo for the weekend

Here are a few pictures from our visit to Amarillo two weekends ago.

The kids were so excited to make me a cake on my birthday, and put all 28 candles on it. Can you tell Peter is hoovering over the cake, anxious to not miss his chance to help blow. Paul Thomas, on the other hand, was a little concerned about such carelessness with flaming cakes and young children.

Daniel, on "Gia & Pop-pop's" counter. I am not really sure why he is there...

(and it appears, neither is he)

Gammy and her girls.

Finally, Daniel snuggled into the chair with Pop-pop to enjoy a cigar and glass of wine while saying the rosary.

(yes, you should be concerned about what Luci will be allowed to do at Daniel's age)

Oh sad day...

It is a sad day in the Ellis household. Daniel realized he can open doors today. Five objects and one sister were washed in the toilet as a consequence. The sister was a willing participant. On the bright side, an unaware mother was able to sweep the entire kitchen floor without interruption during the bathroom festivities... which almost made it a good day.

The long awaited Champ-EEZ

According to Isabelle, the definition of Champ-EEZ is "they swing on trees"

Thank you to all who participated in our poll, we are glad to discover almost half of our friends and family know Izzie Rue better than her daddy, or, at least, are better guessers.

The rest of you must be due for a visit!

Good bye Old Friend

1999 Chevrolet "Roomy-Lummy" Lumina became scrap metal Saturday, October 5th, 2008

A silent vigil was held Saturday afternoon in the family's front yard with Sammy of "Sammy's Towing" presiding over the ceremony. Roomy-Lummy will be laid to rest in the junk yard of highest bidding.

Roomy-Lummy was born in 1999 but did not join the Hoelscher family until 2001. He was a good and faithful friend to Tim, carrying him where ever work required until Family Dollar no longer desired his services and he was allowed to remain with the Hoelscher family, now as a faithful escort to Kim. When she no longer required his service, Roomy-Lummy was eager to assist Julia while she was in Amarillo, and even had the privilege of joining Matthew at UD for two years. Fearing the Midwest winters, he chose to remain a Texan, and joined the Ellis family when Matthew moved to IL.

Although he suffered much as he transitioned from family member to family member, never knowing with whom he would ride from year to year, he seldomly complained except to spit water on an unwitting passengers feet with every right turn. Though he lacked the sparkle and appeal of the newer models, Roomy-Lummy was never ashamed of his balding tires, chipped paint and door dings.

Last April Roomy-Lummy narrowly survived an encounter with a tree limb, only to meet his end at the hands of a faulty water pump. The lack of water was simply more than his weathered engine could bare and the stress blew a head gasket. He was never able to recover, nor was the family's pocket book, and he was allowed to die in peace in the family's driveway.

Roomy-Lummy is survived by Honda Odyssey and Mazda 626.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the "Preserve the remaining Ellis Vehicles" Fund in the form of checks, gas cards and oil change credits.