Well, I hate to say this, Joe & Lois, but it's about 19 degrees and snowing here. I've been watching Tiger Woods on TV and San Diego looks real nice about now. Everything got cancelled here today--Amanda's choir practice, Emily's and Caroline's basketball games--so we are having a nice snuggly day at home. Laura was supposed to leave for her senior Kairos retreat tonight at 5pm, but they have delayed it unitl 8 am tomorrow--she's disappointed, because it means one less night there. Oh, well--we just have to make due with what we get--I hope everyone else is well--Emily, Caroline, and Amanda are fighting some kind of sniffles/fever/cough illness, and feeling kind of tired.
Talk to you all later!...Tom

I just heard from Marianne that Uncle Bernie passed away yesterday evening (Sunday) at 5:40 pm. Visitation will be at Kutis in Affton from 2-9 pm on Tuesday, 2/4, with funeral Mass on Wednesday at 9:30 at St. Simon's.
May he rest in peace!

It's good to see everyone posting! Katie, apparently you neglected to click 'publish' after you posted, so I published your post for you. Let me know if you need any help.
Well, Laura and I left at 6:15 this morning to drive to Truman State University today--it's a 217 mile, 3.5 hour trip. Laura was going down to be interviewed as part of the competition for the General John J. Pershing scholarship--the most prestigious they offer! (Pardon my paternal bragging!) We had a good trip, the weather cooperated, not very cold, and no rain. Laura had her interview, and then we ate lunch with a Cor Jesu alum who is a sophomore at Truman now. She seems to like Truman a lot, says it is hard work but that she was well prepared by CJ. Laura met a girl from Bayless, also interviewing, who has French class with Amanda. Another girl interviewing for one of the scholarships is a girl Laura knows for Assumption Life team. Talk about old home week!
Whenever I go visit a college campus, I am ready to go back. I just love the academeic atmosphere (as a student!). I like the campus, it's pretty compact, and I would have no problems with Laura going there. Now she just has to wait and see what other offers come through. Please say a prayer that God will guide her to make a good choice. I'm really proud of my girl, and very happy for her. Talk to you all later.

heya folks, laura here! snow day today, although, i don't see why. it is barely snowing and the roads are not bad, seeing as how the street crews were out all night pre-treating them. but, i will not complain. no physics class today, no anatomy class, it's an even trade for missing study and design II. i'm between papers right now. just finished my lit paper, a literary memoir, and am taking a break before i start on my religion paper. all this and still working on scholarship applications. but it's not that bad. i know that i have a school (truman) where i will be going if i cannot get enough money other places, so it's a sense of relief -- i know i will be going somewhere next year. well, that's all for now, off to do more papers!

~laura

Hi, Amanda here. Happy New Year. Needless to say, things have been busy around here. I have finals next week. Laura is finishing off applications for scholarships. Emily and Caroline are studying Latin. I am going to start rehearsing with a chamber choir through the Variety Children's Chorus on Sunday. The Washington D.C. trip last month was a HUGE success!!!!! Again, happy New Year!!!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, Dear Laura!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!

Happy 18th birthday, Laura! May this year bring you happiness, joy and peace!

hey guys! laura here. well, it's christmas eve, only about 50 minutes until christmas day. we got snow today. at least four inches. so, it will be a white christmas. the girls went to bed not too long ago, they need to be asleep before santa will come. :) caroline sang at mass tonight with her homeschool choir. the family went, except for amanda and i, because of the weather and things needing to be done around the house. i heard it was very nice. tomorrow pappy and i need to sing at mass, so up early and presents, then church, and later in the afternoon our big family dinner. merry christmas everyone!

Aunt Nancy made it in safely last night. She will be driving to Indianapolis on Thursday to see Mike and Jenn. (Jenn's youngest sister is getting married.) Laura is excited to be going along to share the driving.
Speaking of Laura, her 18th birthday is next Monday. Who knows where the time goes?
We are all anxiously awaiting Christmas.
Caroline is waiting for Santa--she wants to sleep on the couch. Mom says 'NO!'.
Amanda and Emily are practicing their Christmas music. We look forward to the concert.

COME LORD JESUS!!!

Yesterday (12/1) was Caroline's birthday. She is now 9 years old. Very exciting!

Laura is finishing off applications for college.

Amanda was named a 'Golden Rule Honorable Mention Student of the Month' at Bayless.

Emily is starting her Metro volleyball.

So, a lot is going on with us.

Emily's favorite website is neopets. We have had to limit our kids' use of this site only because they have spent WAAAAY too much timie on it.---Dad