Candlewood in July!

I need to begin this post with a tribute to my Uncle Jay. He passed away on the first day of our vacation, July 24th, after a brave and noble fight against cancer. He had an amazing gift of playing the piano that he blessed us all with. I will always treasure many found memories of him and consider it a privilege to have known him. He knew Christ as his personal savior and I am confident that I will see him in eternity.

Despite that, another great week was had at Candlewood... though I was "resting" as my MS is flaring a bit, we still had a really sweet time. Kasey learned how to slalom! she also did her first solo driving the boat! Kristin wakeboarded and took her anual jump off the rock! Kath spent the week with us and learned how to slalom too! AND we were able to catch a Yankee game in hopes that A-Rod would hit his 600th Home Run... but, instead, he got hit with a pitch...Oh, well...

Enjoy the pictures!


I LOVE double skiing with my girl, KASE!

This past spring both of the girls got their boating licenses. This is a picture of Kasey's first "SOLO"... after spending the week driving for us, she took her first "SOLO". I was so proud of her. It made me recall when I got my license 30 years ago... OK... now I feel old!

Kasey and Kris tubin' like wild-women!

Lynnie and the girls came up for a great day at the lake!

Mike, Mark and Kristin @ Yankee Stadium!

Coach worked on slaloming ALL week and finally conquered it! Go Kath!

Kristin wake boarding!

This was the FIRST TIME EVER that Michael and I double slalomed! It was awesome!

Kris getting thrown in by her Dad...

I might be getting older, but I STILL love wakeboarding!

Oregon 2010!

Another GREAT time on the Oregon Coast! The pictures speak for themselves. God has so blessed us with wonderful family (and friends!) on the West Coast. For me (gayle) I think it was my 20th trip out... and even after my 20th trip, I still cry like a baby when I leave... not the place, but the people... We always come home with a "new perspective" and a challenge to live out our Christianity in a bigger way. Thanks for the challenges, Whittles' family. We love you BIG TIME!

A Tribute to my Dad... Apr 1, 1934 - Mar 10, 2010

Though my heart hurts in the loss of my dad, what a wonderful blessing to know that I'll see him again in eternity. He poured his heart into our family and for that I am forever grateful. My Dad loved us with every fiber in him. Dad knew a little bit about everything. He was an amazing resource to so many. He was our "go-to" guy...to figure out a broken plumbing fixture, help figure out a weird click in a car, or just there for a good chat. Oh, how I miss my Dad. His strength, his sappyness, his wacky sense of humor and his very visible love for us. I miss you Dad. Thanks for loving us fiercely and taking the time to teach us amazing things. You will be missed by us all.

This is my favorite picture of him. We were up at the lake...one of my favorite places...