IN THE MONTH OF JULY

In the summer of 1970, a song was released by Mungo Jerry called “In The Summertime”, which has become one of the most popular and recognizable summertime songs ever. 

In the summer of 1952, nearly two decades earlier, my little brother was born.

In the summer of 2012, this summer, I honored my little brother by mocking him in a two-minute music video called “In The Month of July”, partially plagiarizing Mungo Jerry’s one and only hit tune.

Happy Birthday, Dean!

 

Sorry, Mungo.



View Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime" by clicking

HERE

View Dean's celebratory birthday video by clicking

HERE

ASHLEY'S BIG PURCHASE

Ashley has been driving an old clunker for the past five years, including her last year of high school, three years of college, and one year of full time employment as a teacher on the Oregon coast.

The clunker was my contribution to her transportation needs.  With a plethora of problems, it was time for the clunker to go.  I think I'll donate it to Kars4Kids.

Meanwhile, Ashley and her mom and I went to Heritage Motors last night and test drove a Chevy.  Today, Ashley signed the contract, coughed up the down payment, qualified for a loan, and drove it home.

The clunker gets a thumbs down.

The Chevy gets a thumbs up while the mom unsuccessfully tries to get out of the picture.

MAKIAH TURNS FIVE

Makiah turned five-years-old this week and today we celebrated with a party in our back yard.  The group of thirteen included six girls, both parents, both sets of grandparents and an aunt.

Makiah as she appears today.

Four sisters plus two friends.

The four big kids get ready to jump.

The four big kids in flight.

Gordon plays with the two little kids.

Debra and Ruth, both grandmothers, visit during the party.

Tom and Gordon, father and son, watch the kids from the side of the pool.



The crowd, including (clockwise from upper left) Rylie, Miranda, Debra, Baylee, Becky, Tom, Ruth, Gracie and Josie, gathers to watch Makiah open her gifts.



Makiah opens her first gift.

Makiah's jaw drops as a sign that she is pleased with her gift.

"Happy 5th Birthday Makiah!" displayed on a birthday cake made of cupcakes.

Makiah places her own candles on her cup-birthday-cakes.

Makiah blows out the candles with Josie and Gordon looking on.

Alexia eats her cupcake.

I hang out with the six girls in the pool.

Makiah has had a birthday party at our house every year since she was born.  When she turned one-year-old, we celebrated with a Hawaiian theme.