An International House of Chaos

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse......Well, okay,.....I am sure one of the creatures "IS" stirring - Tamora the dog (let me out), Cleo the cat (I'll just eat some more), Snickers the kitten (Oh, is it time to play?), or Bartleby the old cat (don't know why).
2003 was certainly a busy year for us. Just when we thought things couldn't get busier, they did. So, just how busy were we? Let me tell you....(pictures to follow)
Cara graduated Kindergarten and started first grade this year at St. Thomas More School. She has been active playing soccer on the Shooting Stars team (her team placed second in the tournaments) and being a cheerleader with the West Clermont Mohawks. She is now enjoying tumbling class. She and her Mommy sweet-talked her Daddy into adopting a lovable long-haired Calico kitten, named Snickers ("Brother" helped). Matt has been active with the concert and marching band at West Clermont High School. He is in his Junior year, but has enough credits to be classified as a senior. He has been working at Krogers since this summer. And let me tell you - he has 6, yes 6, hours left to complete (out of 50) before he can take his driving test. YEAHHHHH! I will be so glad when he can drive. Bari is almost done with his PhD in eCommerce (now the hard part starts) and is beginning to work on his dissertation. He is also an online teacher with Indiana Wesleyan. He continues to be active with soccer, and participating in singing with the Southern Gateway Chorus and the Alliance Chorus, both whom went to International in Montreal this summer. Me, well, I pick up the pieces, clean, work, shuttle, pickup, clean, work, shuttle, etc. Actually, besides spending a lot of waking hours in my van, I have spent many hours devoted to scrapbooking. I still continue to play soccer. One of our goals this year was to spend a lot of time with the family. Many trips have been planned around getting the kids together on a regular basis, and to emphasize how important family really is. So, enjoy the pictures of our advantures and we look forward to seeing many of you in 2004.
See on the picture to hear more...

Easter Egg Hunt
Lesley Folan, Rosemary Courts, Me, Barb Neal and Karyn Byrd - all enjoy a moments rest to ham it up at the Easter Egg/Scavenger Hunt at Woodland Mount Park.

Easter Egg Hunt
The big spring event was the Easter Egg/Scavenger Hunt. Matt, Mitch and Bari organized and hid all the items to be found. Left to Right, front row - Ashley Byrd, Emma Byrd, Hunter Folan, Cara, Maxwll Folan, and Brittany Byrd. Left to Right, back row - Abby Skeens, Mitch Neal, Brandy Neal and Matt (what a pleasant smile!)

Swimming Party
Cara and Brandy at a local hotel enjoying swimming.

Swimming Party
The Girls all enjoying swimming at a local pool. Yes, that is Matt in the background. Left to Right - Cara, Brittany Byrd, Emma Byrd, Abby Skeens, Ashley Byrd, and Braidy Potrafke.

Swimming Party
All these girls enjoyed a night out with Bari and Dave Skeens. Left to Right - Emma Byrd, Ashley Byrd, Brittany Byrd, Cara Courts, Brandy Neal, and Abby Skeens.

Dowry Dad
Bari took these five girls - all cousins on a trip to Mammoth Cave and the to Kentucky Kingdom. Left to Right - Brandy Neal, Ashley Byrd, Cara Courts, Emma Byrd, and Brittany Byrd.

Kentucky Kingdom
Cousins Emma Byrd, Cara Courts and Ashley Byrd at Kentucky Kingdom.

Mammoth Cave Trip
This was part of the same trip the girls took with Bari and Dave Skeens. Left to Right - Emma Byrd, Brittany Byrd, Ashley Byrd, Brandy Neal, Cara Courts and Abby Skeens.

Snickers
Snickers passed out on the arm of the couch. What an amazing kitten. Not only does she purr (loudly) when you walk into a room, she clearly loves the dog, loves being held, and has Matt programmed so that every evening before bed, they play.

Snickers
Cara and Snickers sleeping together. We've know Snickers since she was 6 hours old. Cara watched over the weeks as they grew but it wasn't until later that we found out who she was promised to decided they didn't want her - So we (Matt, Cara and I) ganged up on Bari and brought her home. The other cats are adjusting. Cleo has shown a jealous side. Bartleby could care less as long as the kitten doesn't attack him from behind. Bartleby however has had several health issues this fall. At the grand age of 14, he is permanently on medication (he's a tough old guy)

Birthday Party
Mtich, Bari and Brandy hamming it up at my birthday party and eating yummy pumpkin roll.

3 Leos Birthday Party
Matt, Lee and Brandy all are Leos and celebrate their birthdays within two weeks of each other. So this year we had to plan around our trip to Florida, and Mom and Dad's trip overseas. We threw a big birthday party for all three. Notice the candles? 1175 - 11 for Brandy's age, 17 for Matt's age and 75 for Dad's age. How about them apples?

Cara and Tamora
Cara loves our dog Tamora.

Courts Family Reunion
Cara at the Courts Family Reunion. You go Goggle Girl!

Rafting
Matt and Bari went rafting in West Virginia. It was Matt's first time rafting. He came back excited and wanting to go back. They were tired though.

Flower & Garden Show
Cara and I went to the Cincinnati Flower and Garden Show. The best feature was the freshly squeezed Lemonade.

Marching Band
Matt marching in the annual Christmas Parade. Here he is playing the Baritone, but he normally plays the Trombone in concert band.

Cheerleading
Cara's first Cheeleading Competion. Her squad placed third. I love this picture - Look at her smile!

Cheerleading Competition
The trophy for third place at the cheeleading competition. The girl in the middle Cara now has tumbling class with.

Cheerleading
This was taken at Cara's first Cheerleading exhibition.

Florida Trip
Cara is testing the waves. Yes, that is a storm waay off in the distance.

Florida Trip
Matt and Mitch enjoying the waves in Florida.

Cape Canaveral
Bari took Matt and Mitch to Cape Canaveral while in Florida visiting his brother's family. I know they don't show it but they did have a good time.

Florida Trip
We brought Mitch with us to visit Bari's brother Darren and his family. Mitch enjoyed the afternoon boogy boarding, and getting a good sunburn. Cara was a little more timid at boogy boarding, and wasn't prepared for the undertow, even with bari at her side. She decided that shell collecting was much more fun.

Soccer

Our Bengal Snowman - yes, it does snow in Cincinnati!