Ten Months and Boys back to School.

Hello everyone, My sister informed me it was time for me to update my blog.... I think she misses us! Well hopefully they all know how much we miss them. We returned safely from our Family Road trip - all in one piece, believe it or not. After we got home it was crazy busy with all of us trying to get things unpacked and then get things done so Jodie, Jan, James and Jenna could get packed to make their long trip back to Holland. They flew back on the 14th of August! Oh yeah, Rob and I celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on the 13th. I received a beautiful necklace with the parents and three kids in a circle. I love it! I love you honey! Here is to many, many, many more happy years together.

Now we are trying to get things back to a "normal" routine! I should probably tell you that Josh is now a Junior in Highschool and is going to Mountain View (not by his choice) He seems to be really liking his classes and has been a great help around the house. Bradley is now in the 8th grade at Taylor Junior High. He likes most of his classes but he does have a couple teachers he really does not care for. He is also doing well. Emmalee is pulling herself up on things and "furniture" walking... she will tell you what a Duck says "quack, quack" and last night she said Moo when we asked her what a cow said. Emmalee loves Nashoba and Nashoba is really warming up to Emmalee. Nashoba will allow Emmalee to climb on her (when Nashoba is in the mood). I tried to get some pictures of it and Nashoba hates cameras so she decided to run away while Emmalee was still holding on to her collar. Emmalee has not mastered riding on her Little Mermaid bike with out the assistance of her brothers but her balance is really good and she will sit on it. She loves to dance to the music and push it around (about 5 or 6 steps and then she sits). I am including a picture of everyone who was at the church for Emmalee's baptism in July and also a picture of Josh, Brad and Emmalee on the morning of Emmalee's baptism. I will try and update this more often. Our love to everyone! Love, Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad and Emmalee.

Greenlee, van Arkel and Sclease family Roadtrip!!!!!

On Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Papa Jim, Nana Phyllis, Jan, Jodie, James, Jenna, Rob, Joshua, Bradley, Emmalee and I climbed into a 15 seater van and headed North... actually Northeast. First we drove to Papa Jim and Nana's cabin near Blue Ridge Resoviour to check things out, it was figured out that they have owned the cabin for 30 years this year. Not much has changed it still is small but cozy!

From there we traveled to Winslow, Arizona for the night. We had dinner at Bojo's restaurant and found the man "Standing on the Corner" from the Eagles hit song "Take it Easy" We decided to take a closer look in the morning when we could get out of the van and look around.

After our brief stop at the corner we headed to Meteor Crater where we visited the site of the Crater and the museum attached. Following the Crater we headed to the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest in Northern Arizona. We had a great time driving through the National Park and looking at the wonderful scenery. We got out of the car and looked at Petrified Wood as big as 8 feet in circumfrance.

The rain followed us and we traveled further North to Chinle, Arizona. We stayed the night in Chinle and got up bright and early to go on a jeep tour of Canyon De Chelly. It had rained the day before and the wash was flowing but it did not stop the jeeps.

We had a great time looking at all of the Anazai Ruins and learning some of the history of the Canyon from our Navajo tour guide Harris. Nana, Jodie, Jan, James, Jenna, Josh and Brad were in one Jeep with Kenneth as their guide and Papa Jim, Rob, Emmalee and I were in another jeep with Harris as our guide. Harris took his time since we had Emmalee in the back of the jeep but Kenneth went 4 wheeling through mud as the kids hooped and hollered in the back of the jeep. We rested for the rest of the day - the kids went swimming while most of us took short naps. Today is Friday, August 3 and we got up fairly early and headed to the Four Corners.

It was cool to be able to stand in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Utah all at the same time. We walked around the Navajo shops and then headed to Blanding, Utah to see the Edge of Cedars ruins. We spent a little time there walking around and seeing the pottery and learning about the history of the area. Now we are at our hotel in Monticello, Utah. We have called it a night and will be heading out for more adventure tomorrow. I will update with more pictures later. Love from all of us!!!!

The Baptism of Emmalee Rose

On Sunday, July 29th we Baptized Emmalee Rose Sclease at St Peter Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona. Her God Mothers Jodie van Arkel & Sarah Homan and her God Father Dennis Sents

along with Papa Jim, Nana Phyllis, and her Grandmother Rosemary all joined us around the baptismal font. Emmalee loved being the center of attention. Emmalee even allowed Pastor Dave Thomas to carry her to the front of the congregation and introduce her as the newest member of Gods family. Emmalee really liked Pastor Dave's wooden cross and she showed it off to everyone! Following the service we all went to Papa Jim and Nana's house for food and swimming.... we counted about 57 people in and out of the house that day!! Emmalee was absolutly beautiful and the day was wonderful. Thank you to everyone who came and shared in our day!!!!! Love Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad and Emmalee