2 more graduations/promotions!

This past week was a busy one for our family. Not only was it the last week of school for Simon & Noah but they both also graduated from their schools. Simon graduated from 8th grade of his middle school & Noah graduated from 5th grade of his elementary school. It's hard to believe that I don't have anymore kids in elementary school - a school that has been a part of our lives for many years!! It's also hard to believe that Simon will be in high school! Only two schools to shuttle them to instead of three... yeah! I hadn't realized prior to last week that I would have 3 kids graduating from different schools/grades the same year (and two within two days). Of course both graduation/promotion ceremonies were held outside & we were having record breaking heat all week long!! It was hard to believe that at 8AM it could be so hot already - makes me glad that I don't live in Arizona (although they would have had their ceremonies indoors!!).
Next graduation will be Nate from high school in just two short years!! Where does the time go?

Father's day & photos of Gunner

Father's Day was last Sunday 6/15. Since we had the pool party the day before, I celebrated Father's Day with my Dad then. So it was nice to spend Sunday with just my immediate family. Mike's oldest son Brandan, his wife Crystal & our grandson Gunner came up from San Diego for the day.

Since Mike works down in San Diego he gets to see Gunner quite a bit. But I hadn't seen Gunner for about 2 months. So I was happy to spend some time with him. Gunner is getting so big. He is now 10 months old & starting to walk. In fact, he took his first steps today for all of us. It was quite exciting.

Taylor's Graduation

These are pictures from Taylor's Graduation Last Friday Night and pictures from the Party we had at Kim's house. ENJOY!!!


Addition by Kim: Here are Kim's photos from Taylor's graduation & parties.


Taylor is Eric's 3rd child. She graduated from High School on Friday the 13th!!! Eric & Jeannette had a party for her prior to her graduation at their house. We all were there except for Andrea's family. They were coming up the next day for the pool party. Taylor's grandparents & aunt from her mom's side came down from Tahoe. Jeannette's other sister came up from El Cajon. Taylor opened gifts & then we all went over to the high school for the graduation ceremony. Taylor was in the first group of names to be called. Jeannette's family all had to leave the ceremony early as they had to be back in Tahoe. In fact, most everyone left early except for Eric, Jeannette, Danica, Mike, Brandon & Kim. It was a long ceremony but at least they had fireworks at the end.

On Saturday 6/14 everyone came over to Kim's house for a pool party. We celebrated Taylor & Zak's graduation, Brandon's 25th birthday & Father's day. Taylor & Zak had some friends come. Everyone had fun.

Snake!!!

Last night around 7pm, Mike went out front to take something to the trash & a snake was crossing over our front walkway. Mike yelled for us to come quick. I was expecting to see a lizard. Boy was I surprised to see a snake instead.

It was huge. About 4 feet long. I ran to get my camera, but by the time I returned to take a photo, the snake had gone behind the bushes. I tried to take a photo, but the snake was too fast & I couldn't get a good shot.

From my recollection, the snake looked the snake pictured (I did not take this photo). From researching, my guess it was a California King snake. I was happy to hear that they are not venomous.

All I can say is that I hope that he kept on moving & didn't stop anywhere else in our yard (I'm assuming it was a he). I was a bit paranoid last night. I kept expecting to see it in my house.

Thinking about snakes reminds me of when we were kids & my dad would bring home the rattle from a rattlesnake he had killed while working in the back country. We thought it was so cool!!! Now it is against the law.

I haven't seen a snake for about 20 years (the zoo or someones pet doesn't count). How about you? When did you last see a snake in the wild or in your front yard? Put your response in comments. I would love to hear about your snake encounters.

Kim

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!!

Today is Brandon's 25th birthday. He was born on 6/15/1983 at 8:27am in Provo, Utah & weighed 8 lbs, 12 oz. This is Brandon's first photo. The photo had a crease in it, that is why the white line on his head.

This is Brandon at 25 years old. Can't believe he is that old. Seems like yesterday he was a tiny baby.

We had a little pool party yesterday with everyone to celebrate Brandon's birthday, Zak & Taylor's graduation & Father's Day. Eric's family was suppose to come back over today for dinner & cake, but they were so tired & sunburned from yesterday, they passed. So we just had a small get together with just our family. Mike's son Brandan & his wife Crystal came up from El Cajon with our grandson Gunner to celebrate my Brandon's birthday & Father's Day.

Happy Birthday Brandon. I am so proud to call you my son. I couldn't have asked for a better son than you. I love you with all my heart. (I know I am embarrassing him right now.)

Love,

Mom

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Friday the 13th!!!!!

Watch out for black cats, avoid mirrors & ladders and by all means, don't spill the salt!!!

Remember how superstitious Grandma Manning was? I can remember driving down the street and a black cat was crossing the road. Grandma stopped the car, turned around, and went the opposite direction.

Mom also told me that Grandma didn't want Mom born on the 13th of May. Grandma did everything in her power to make sure Mom wasn't born until it was the 14th.

Whenever it is Friday the 13th, I always think of Grandma and her superstitions. Do any of you have any superstitions?

I found a cool website you might want to look up if you want to know all about:
How the fear of Friday the 13th began
A few quirks about 13
Why is Friday so fearful
Friday the 13th phobia
Good Fridays & other 13 stuff
Silly rituals and cures to protect you on Friday the 13th


www.brownielocks.com/fridaythe13th.html


Check it out & you will learn alot of interesting things about Fridays, the number 13 & Friday the 13th.

I'm trying to think of my superstitions. I always "knock on wood". I really don't believe it, but why take any chances. Other than that, I really don't have any. Whenever I see a black cat crossing the road, walk under a ladder or are handling a mirror, I think about the superstition, but I don't worry about it so much that I alter my path. Instead I think of Grandma & smile.

What are your superstitions? Or what do you remember about Grandma being superstitious? Put you answers in the comments to this post. It will be fun to remember & share our memories of Grandma.

Kim

Beware of Walmart Scam

Watch for this Scam

I don't know how many of you shop at Walmarts, but this is how I became a victim of this scam. Two seriously good looking well-built cowboy type guys came over to your car as you are loading your purchases. They are both shirtless and start wiping your windshield with a rag and windex with their highly defined chest muscles and rock-hard abs. It's impossible not to look. When you offer them a tip, they say "No" and instead ask you for a ride to another store.

You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start talking dirty about what they want to do to you. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and begins kissing your neck and begs you to pull over so he can make love to you!!!

While this is going on the other guy steels your purse!!!!

I have had my purse stolen last Tuesday, Wednesday, twice on Thursday, again on Saturday, and also yesterday and most likely tomorrow.

Beware of Identy Theft

BEWARE OF IDENTITY THEFT

Welfare Poem

I was emailed this poem from a friend and thought you might enjoy it.

Welfare Poem - oh boy you will love this

...
I cross ocean, poor and broke, Take bus, see employment folk.

Nice man treat me good in there, Say I need to see welfare.

Welfare say, 'You come no more, We send cash right to your door.'

Welfare checks, they make you wealthy, Medicaid it keep you healthy!

By and by, I get plenty money, Thanks to you, American dummy.

Write to friends in motherland, Tell them 'come fast as you can.'

They come in turbans and Ford trucks, I buy big house with welfare bucks

They come here, we live together, More welfare checks, it gets better!

Fourteen families, they moving in, But neighbor's patience wearing thin.

Finally, white guy moves away, Now I buy his house, and then I say, 'Find more aliens
for house to rent.' And in the yard I put a tent.

Send for family they just trash, But they, too, draw the welfare cash!
Everything is very good, And soon we own the neighborhood.

We have hobby it's called breeding, Welfare pay for baby feeding.

Kid's need dentist? Wife's need pills? We get free! We got no bills!

American's crazy! He pay all year, To keep welfare running here.

We think America darn good place! Too darn good for the white man race.
If they no like us, they can scram,
Got lots of room in Pakistan .

It is interesting that the federal government provides a
single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890.00
and each can also get an additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of$2,470.00 .

This compares very well to a single pensioner who after contributing to the growth and development of America for 40 to 50 years can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012.00 in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.

Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!

Lets send this to all Americans, so we can all be ticked off
and maybe we can get the refugees cut back to
$1,012.00 and the pensioners up to $2,470 00 and enjoy some of the money we
were forced to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 years.

Color Code Personality Test

I found this fun website from another persons blog. It is a personality test that assigns you a color for your personality. If you want to try it out go to http://www.thecolorcode.com/abouthartman.html & click on "Take the color code personality test. Let me know what color you are.

I am WHITE.

WHITES are motivated by Peace. They seek independence and require kindness. They resist confrontation at all costs. To them, feeling good is more important than being good. They are typically quiet by nature (OK so I am not always quiet), process things very deeply and objectively with great clarity. Of all the colors, WHITES are the best listeners. They respect people who are direct but recoil from perceived hostility or verbal battle.

WHITES need their "alone time" and refuse to be controlled by others (I hate when people try to tell me what to do, ask my mom). WHITES want to do things their own way and in their own time (This is me!). They ask little of others and resent others demanding much of them (This is me big time!). WHITES are much stronger than people think, but are not often seen for their strength because they don't easily reveal their feelings.

WHITES are even-tempered, diplomatic, and the voice of reason, but can also be indecisive (I can't decide if this one is true, ha ha), unexpressive, and silently stubborn (me again).

When others interact with you, as a WHITE you respond to them best if they are kind, accepting and supporting of your individuality, and if they look for non-verbal clues to understand your feelings.

I am definitely a WHITE. It was a fun little test & a little insightful as well. The test is free, you answer about 45 multi choice questions based on when you were a child. Takes about 5-10 minutes.

Take the test & then let me know what color you are & qualities for that color. You can tell that I spend way too much time not working. What can I say, I'm a WHITE!!!

Kim

Happy Birthday Marti

Just wanted to wish Marti a "Happy birthday".

Enjoy your day!!!

Kim

Zak's high school graduation

Friday 6/6 was Zak's high school graduation at Mt Miguel High School. Zak is Andrea & Jamey's oldest son. The graduation was held in the stadium. Of course Andrea's family was there, my family, Mom, Dad, Jodi & most of Eric's family. Jase (Eric's oldest son) stayed home & Jeannette (Eric's wife was in Tahoe attending her niece Sarah's graduation). Also attending were a couple of Andrea's friends & their families, a couple of Zak's cousins from his Dad's side of the family & a couple of Zak's friends. There was about 30 of us in all.

We were quite loud cheering for Zak. In fact, we were so loud that another woman asked all the kids if they would cheer for her graduate as well, which they did. Luckily the actual graduation services were only about 1 hour long. We had to sit facing the sun as this was the side that Zak was to walk down.

Afterwards, we all went to Andrea's house for dessert. We ate cheesecake, brownies & cake. Zak opened presents & the kids jumped on the trampoline. The rest of us visited & had a good time.

Now we get to do it all over again this coming Friday for Taylor's graduation. Then this Saturday everyone is coming to my house to celebrate the 2 graduates, Brandon's 25th birthday & of course fathers day. June is a very busy month for the entire Langston family.

I'll post about these activities next week. Until then, have a good week.

Kim

Hello from the Langston's

Hello all !!! We are having a small birthday party for me!!! Happy birthday to Eric!!
Hope everyone is doing good. Well I have to go now, see ya later.

Eric


Revised by Kim. I added the photos from Eric's birthday. Danica decorated the cake.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary. But Mike & I have actually been together for 12 years. Seems like our wedding was like yesterday. Too bad it wasn't, as the weather was alot cooler than on our actual wedding date. For those of you who attended our wedding, remember how hot it was? It was about 105 degrees that day & wasn't much cooler in the evening.

I have such great memories thinking back to our wedding day. It was made even more special by those who came. It was especially great to see my Bunker cousins, especially John & Becky who had the farthest to travel. I hadn't seen Becky in probably at least 10 years prior to that day. I love when the cousins (and aunts) get together. Too bad it doesnt' happen more often. Ryan is right, we need to plan a reunion.

I just want Mike to know how happy I am to be married to him. He is the best husband in the world. I am lucky to have him in my life.

I also think it may be Rick & Tracy's wedding anniversary as well. If so, Happy Anniversary to them.

I'm not sure of anniversary's or birthdays for all of you who are not in the Langston family. I can remember Marti's b-day & Ryan's b-day, but everyone else, I seem to have forgotten. But if you let me know your special dates. I will put a "shout out" to you on your special day. Or someone in your family could actually post to this blog instead of just me & Andrea. Even if you don't feel like blogging, you can also leave comments on the blog. We would love to hear from you.

Kim

Happy Birthday Eric!!!!

Notice the resemblance?



I want to wish Eric a happy 48th birthday. Now everyone sing with me: "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Eric. Happy birthday to you."

Hope your birthday is a good one. UPDATE: I hear that Eric is not having a very good day at work today. Hopefully tonight when we come over for cake & ice cream things will have gone better.

Love,

Kim

Shop till you drop

Jeannette, Danica & I went shopping yesterday 5/31 in Old Town Temecula. We first started off meeting at the "Home Goods" store in Temecula about 12:30pm. Jeannette had never been. I love this store! Jeannette & Danica loved it as well. We spent between 1-2 hours just at this store.

Next we went to lunch at the Olive Garden. It was very yummy!!! We shopped at a couple of stores in this shopping center. Saw some cute puppies that we wanted to take home, but didn't.

Then we went to Old Town Temecula. There are lots of fun stores to shop at. We only went to a few. We stopped at the Temecula Olive Oil Company where you can sample different flavors of olive oils & vinegars. Very yummy as well. I had never done this before. We also went to a couple of antique stores & a garden store where I took the photos of the flowers. We also stopped in the Old Town Rootbeer Company. They have so many different varieties of rootbeer & other sodas. Everyone must visit here at least once.

After leaving Old Town, we went to the mall. Jeannette got a new outfit to go with her new smaller figure. She looked very cute. I left the mall at 7:30pm.

I haven't gone shopping for that long in years. My feet were so tired when I got home. Luckily I didn't spend very much money on our shopping trip (only because I didn't have much to spend).
All in all we had a fun time. Can't wait to do it again!!!