Solar Powered Car

My cousin Jeff was in town, this is a guy who graduated from West Point and was a tank commander in Germany - he and I built this solar powered car, watch what it does when it hits the shade! What fun, we were like two kids - it is a good thing I made him read the directions! I am thinking we should be able to get some "stimulus" money for working with alternative power!

Jacob's Last Elementry School Fair

Today, was Jacob's last elementry school fair, he was excited to tell me that. Jenna enters this same school next year, so he will be going for the next 5 years too he just doesn't know it! The kids and I had a blast, bowled, played hockey, putted golf balls, ring toss, picked the floating duck, bean bag toss, and face painted! What fun we head!

Jenna's Time on the Trampoline

Well, the minute Jacob had an entry on the family blog Jenna felt the need to demonstrate her skills. So here you go! Jenna and Jacob are sleeping much better at night since the trampoline has been set up, thus Mom and Dad enjoy it too!

Spring - Trampoline!

Jacob anticipates the setting up of the trampoline every year! This year was no exception, he comes home from school takes off shoes and socks and starts leaping! He loves this and this year has already taught himself a new flip which is on this short video!

Air Show - Thanks Captain Joe!

Captain Joe Shetterly - showed the kids around his plane at the airshow last year in Traverse City. Joe is our cousin and flys an A10 Warhog. What a great day to see them fly and for the kids to see his plain up close!

Stylin Jenna!

I think she has quite a future in fashion design!

State of the State - Michigan

What a great evening for Jacob and I, getting to attend the State of the State address! We got to go because I wrote a letter to Senator Birkholz's office and Amanda Price called me back within 24 hours and let us know that she might be able to help us. In the end the Senator and Amanda helped us out and we were able to attend.

Prior to actual speech Jacob and I were invited onto the Senate floor and Jacob was able to sit at Senator Birkholz's desk and meet our Lt. Governor Cherry, both pictures above. We were also able to meet three other Senators. It was great that they took the time to come and meet Jacob - a special thanks to Senator McManus, Senator Jansen and I think the third Senator was Senator Switalski.

All in all it was a fun evening, party politics aside, it was fun for Jacob and I to watch the whole process unfold as the evening progressed.

Thank you very much to Senator Birkholz and Amanda for helping Jacob and I to attend, we hope to do so again next year!

An interesting fact for you. I wrote to Senator Birkholz and Representative Joan Bauer and Representative Rick Jones and heard back from everyone but Representative Jones. Rep. Bauer and I ended up having a great conversation on the phone, I appreciated her thoughtfulness in calling personally. I hope this is not indicative of how Rep. Jones listens to his constituency.