Lord of the Rings Exhibit

Kurt and Chris were turned into Hobbits at the Lord of the Rings Exhibit yesterday. It was a little intimidating to look up at giant Jesse, Maddie and Jim. I was sure hoping they got what they wanted for Christmas!

Luckiy you can't see our hairy Hobbit feet!

Santa gets a kiss from Mrs. Clause!
What a great Christmas!

Jesse and Mercury Rockin' at Maddie's Party

We had a big party in the back yard with Jesse's band playing for Maddie's friends. Jim helped with the trail and the bon fire, and Chris and I just sat back and watched the action. The weather was perfect that evening, but eventually turned into those tornados that hit Indiana so hard. No problems where we were, however, just lots of fun!

Maddie Elected President of St. Michael's Student Body

Maddie was elected President of St. Michaels School, which also got a national Blue Ribbon School Award from the Federal government. This is all pretty exciting. She was in a tight race with her friend Abby. I was so proud of her when I asked if she wanted to go get some Ritter's Ice Cream to celebrate, and she asked if she could bring Abby. Such a little lady!

Her tag line was "Little Person, Big Leader!" Congratulations Maddie!

Jimmy in Soccer Action

Jim's team has had a really good run this season. Here's Jimmy bringing in a pass before sending it off to Avery for a shot on goal!

Jimmy Wins United Cup in Louisville!

Jimmy's Striker Team U12 won their tournament in Louisville this weekend. Jim scored a goal in the semi-final and played very well! Go Strikers!

Hurricane Katrina Relief Truck 3

Hurricane Katrina Relief unloading at Plaquemine Caring Center. Jim Besinger, Bobby Freeman, and the gang of Cajun cons unloading 14 hospital beds, 700 blankets, and 1400 sheets, on Friday, two weeks after the hurricane.

This is the refugee center in Plaquemine. It does not describe at all the conditions inside. Lori Mayfield and I spoke at all three Masses and have coordinated through the parish an individual aid package to be sent to individuals there.  

We got back at 5 on Friday night, and loaded the next truck with more beds and sent that truck out that night with 2 new drivers. That truck arrived Saturday at noon with 4 more hospital beds and other supplies. 

Unloading the first truck in Plaquemine. We arrived Thursday morning after loading all day Wednesday in Indianapolis and drivbing all night. We were the only relief truck to arrive in Plaquemine all day.  

This is the team at Plaquemine Caring Center that received the three truckloads of medical supplies we sent down. They are wonderful people, Sonny, Johnny Gum and two of his staff with my co-driver Kirk Maddock. 

You can't really tell it from this picture, but these ladies were really happy with the cards the St. Michaels' kids sent down to Plaquemine for the refugees. I spoke with Barbara O'Beau last night and she passed them out to everyone at dinner and said it really brought a lot of joy to them.  

Jesse turns 16! 

Crusader Kickball Team! This picture is after their huge win in the opening game. They are starting their journey to the City Championship! 

Wild Family Reunion VI was a big success. I think the final count was 160 folks! This is the Grandpa Wild Family. We hosted it in Greenfield at St Mike's, so it was very busy for us, but a great time! 

Jenny and Omar got married Jul 30th and had a beautiful wedding. Omar's family were very gracious and fun to hang out with. My kids danced the night away at the reception! 

Our trip to St. Maarten was a blast, like a furnace blast! It was baking down there, but we did fiind a few ways to cool off. We went hiking in a rain forest, and got poured on, but we did get to fly over the bay! 

Maddie as Captain Brie of the Lady Pirates! 

I got to paint faces at the festival. Here's Bridget D. with Jim and his friend Logan. This was my first butterfly face and proved very popular. Who would have thought I'd enjoy doing that so much! 

Chris worked the dunk tank at the St, Michael Festival last night, and boy were the kids lined up to put Mrs. Vetters in the water! Jesse and Jim worked the tank the night beofre and almost froze to death, so Chris went and got wet suits! What a difference! She's a good sport and so fun!

The Cota Twins celebrated their 1 Year birthday by having all the boys run races with balls balanced on spoons. It was much harder for them to eat cake this way! 

Maddie and her friend Molly try their hand at inventing a new gourmet desert! Maddie ended her 7th grade year with a bang, raising $1200 for the Cystic Fibrosis Walk. She is a talented young lady! 

Jesse won Best Supporting Actor, Best Rookie Actor, and was awarded a chance to be the Student Director of next year's Children's Play, another great honor and unheard of for a Sophmore. Here he is with his friend Zane in the "Wizard of Oz." Jesse was the Mayor of Munchkin City. 

Chris and Kurt at the '05 Indy 500! It was a great race! We saw lots of action including 4-5 crashes and Danica Patrick, the best-finishing woman driver in history. It was a beautiful day and great fun! 

St. Michael's CYO Indianapolis Runners-Up Spring '05. Jimmy's team had a great season! 

Jeese's band Mercury has had two gigs in two weeks. They played an hour set Sunday at a fund raiser for a girl paralyzed from a drunk driver accident. See their website at: http://www.bandmercury.tk/ 

Not to be outdone by Jim, I just happened to get my picture made with Princesss Leia. You have to have seen Star Wars to really "get" this picture! Just call me Kurt the Hut! Too fun! 

Jim and I went to the National Star Wars convention in Indianapolis Saturday. Here is Jim with a Storm Trooper! 

Easter Egg coloring with Grandma Cota and the kids! What a great time! They made some really pretty eggs, especially since they ended up as Egg Salad sandwiches!