This is Kyle's best pick up line....

Kyle won 2nd runner up for Mr. Irresistible and he won Mr. Macho. Mr. Macho was voted on by the other contestants and Student Council. It was all very exciting. He had to dance with the Golden Girls, parade in beach wear and do a talent to make the top 5. His talent was spinning the basketball and he did well. He did it to the Harlem Globetrotter's theme song and spun the ball on different items. The crowd and the audience loved it.
After he made the top 5, it was formal wear time. He was the only one in a white tux so he really stood out. He had to answer a personality question and then they did a surprise category and Kyle had to find a woman in the audience and make her laugh. He pulled me up on stage and of course the laughing came naturally. I was a disaster of course. But Kyle did so well, he has so much personality, and man, he is so cute!
I am attempting to blog some videos of him and will try to get them up as soon as I can. I did have some camera problems but I did get some good videos of him. Congrats, Kyle. Good job and well done!

My friend, Leighton, came down from Chicago to visit and we went to the St. Louis Science Center to see the Body World 3 exhibit. He always gets me off the couch and doing something interesting. This show was quite fascinating. It is real bodies that this man has preserved to show the world how the body works. There was everything from the man above holding his skin to every organ in the body and how they work. I thought it would be really gross but it wasn't.
Which is a good thing since we went eat at Kitchen K afterwards. This was our appetizer. These were some of the best chips I ever ate and I know that Keith would have loved the guacamole and black bean dip. I had a shrimp pasta dish that was extremely delicious. It had all kinds of vegetables in it and bacon. That bacon made all the difference. It was a fun day despite the frigid temperatures!

P.S. Mr. Irresistible is tomorrow night, cross your fingers for Kyle.

My baby turned 18 today. That is so weird that all my kids can now legally leave me behind. We had the usual cookie cake. With us coming home just yesterday, we were all very busy today, however, we always have time for cake and presents.
Kyle is one the best 18 year olds I know. He has a good head on his shoulders, he is smart, creative and best of all, he loves his momma. I love how he shows great concern for me and how I am doing. He always makes sure that I am ok being alone. Not all 18 year olds are that caring. He has a really big heart. I think back 18 years ago and how lucky I am to have had this boy. He is absolutely perfect for our family. I love you baby!
Kyle got Guitar Hero, a video game on Xbox, that he is intently playing. Brandy is a pro at this game! Kyle is pretty good and with all the practice, will get better. The surprising player was Keith who is becoming addicted to the game pretty quickly.

Kyle's school is holding a contest for "Mr. Irresistible". Kyle entered and so far had to turn in a picture to make the top 20 and then interview to try and make the top 10. At the pep rally yesterday, the school announced the top 10 and Kyle made it. Now, he has to do all kinds of things like a talent appearance, something that requires wearing a tux and some kind of dance with the dancers. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in this contest win scholarship money. So, good luck, Kyle...we hope you win. I find you quite irresistible!

Michelle went home to Lafayette and spent some time with my family on Christmas Day.
William got out his magic camera and took lots and lots of pictures of my gorgeous daughter. Here are just a few.
What I like best about Michelle is her smile. It is so sweet and brings out her great personality.

This picture couldn't be any more perfect. Two of my favorite women in the world. They are strong, intelligent and beautiful and I couldn't be more proud of the two of them. How lucky am I to have them in my life? Thanks, William for the greats pics.

Keith and I went to Cape May, NJ last Thursday. Keith surprised me with this trip for my graduation. He booked three B & B's in victorian homes so that we could have three different experiences and it was a great trip. The first one was at Carroll's Villa and Hotel B & B and it was in a really old home. It was built in 1882 and had many antiques in it. It also had a restaurant but because it was winter it was closed so we missed out on the breakfast part but we went eat at a place called Dock Mikes and it was a wonderful pancake house.
Our next B & B was The Doctor's Inn that was built in 1854. This room was our favorite because it had a fireplace. It was cold there and we really appreciated the warmth. The Christmas tree below was set up in the house and I fell in love with it. I am now determined to replicate it for myself. I think I am going to need Mrs. Halle for that. She has provided me with a lot of the items, I need the creativity. This house was beautiful and we had afternoon tea and a terrific breakfast.

The last place we stayed was Beauclaires. This picture is not mine because I forgot to take a picture. But it was a real quaint place and the breakfast was the best. The woman in charge made blueberry strata and it was so good. There were other people staying there and they were very nice. They also had wine and cheese in the afternoon but we napped right through that. The little porch at top is the smallest one in Cape May.
While riding around, I saw this sign and made Keith back up. I looked it up on the computer and this is not a B & B but a condo they have for rent. I would love to go talk to the people and find out why that name though. Keith and I ate at some incredible places while here and Dad, I had the best Crab Au Gratin ever. When you come, we will make a trip here just for that. It was amazing. So, thank you Keith for the greatest present. You are the best husband ever!!!

Happy 2008! We went to a party with some of Keith's coworkers on New Years Eve. Keith promised we would only go for about an hour but of course that turned into 3 hours. I fall for that every time. You would think I would learn but it was pretty good and we were home by 10:00 so we finished watching some football and the ball drop in NY.
On New Years Day, we went to Washington DC to see the WW II memorial and the Holocaust museum. The WW II Memorial is beautiful and quite moving
It is right there by the reflecting pool and the Lincoln memorial. It made me think about my grandfather, Merrick, that died in Okinawa during the war and all the men that died during that time. The holocaust museum was amazing, we spent about 3 hours there and only hunger drove me out. We were not allowed to take pictures but there is so much to see. They had real video, tons of shoes from the Jews that were killed, hair from the Jews and a railroad car they were loaded in to. It was all very moving and I felt like crying the whole time. However, there is also many stories of bravery and courage that show duruing the worst of times, people were still good and had hope. I recommend it for everyone. Once again, it just shows me how blessed my life is everyday.
2008 is going to be an interesting year for our family. Lots of changes and moving around. I have no idea how it is going to turn out but the one thing we can always count on is each other. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope everyone's dreams come true.