The Tucker Fam!

Are you ready for some football (cooking!) ?

2009-01-31T16:57:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say hello and wish everyone a Happy Superbowl Sunday! I personally dont even know which two teams are playing, but Josh is pretty excited, so Im off to search for good chicken wing recipes! Have a happy week. :o)

Movie Recommendation

2009-01-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

Josh and I recently got a chance to see "Slumdog Millionaire" (finally!) and REALLY loved it. If you get a chance over the next weeks, its a must see! (Especially for those people who have a connection to India in any way!) It really brought the plight of the poor in India back to the forefront of our minds and just depicted everyday life there so beautifully and without embellishement or sensationalism. Such a lovely movie!

kisses :o*

2009-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

The average person spends about two weeks of their life kissing.......................

In my estimation, Ray and Jude have spent at least two weeks of their short lifetimes BEING kissed...thanks a lot, aunties. :o)

z's

2009-01-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

"A new baby typically results in 400-750 hours of lost sleep for parents in the first year."
--The National Sleep Research Project

After a beautiful (and exhausting) Christmas Eve/Day, this is how I found Ray Ray on the couch after popping in one of his new movies. At least someone around here is getting some rest! :o)

Happy 2009!

2009-01-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

We wish you all a New Year filled with......

Wonderful SURPRISES......

Happiness, peace and (brotherly) love...

xo, The Tuckers

Welcome Jude Daly Tucker

2008-07-12T19:45:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we finally welcomed our precious baby boy Jude Daly Tucker to our family this week! Jude was born on July 8th, 2008 at 1042am and is absolutely perfect! It was a bit of a scary delivery as his heart rate was getting pretty low as the contractions got stronger, but all ended well and beautifully. He weighed in a bit higher than his brother at 7 pounds 1 ounce and was 19 1/2 inches long. He looks a lot like Ray Ray with bigger eyes and a bigger nose! Ray has taken to him very well--he constantly wants to kiss him and touch him and help me burp him (his favorite!) and doesnt seem too jealous yet. Of course he is still getting TONS of attention from all the Aunties and his Bip so it hasnt been that large an adjustment. We are all so happy to have our Jude and it is such a blessing see our family grow. God is so good and we are thankful more and more each minute. We send our love to everyone..stop by soon and dont call first....we are happy to be dropped in on! Sorry not to have better photos. My camera was the last one used on the big day so good photos are not as easy to come by! More to come!

Our precious little man
Meeting my Jude for the first time
Big Brother and Jude's nostrils :o)

New York City!

2008-07-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

We decided to take one last long road trip before the new baby arrives and thought that there would be no better place to go than New York City! We wanted to see a Yankees game in the original Yankee Stadium and since they are replacing it starting next year, it was an easy choice to go there sooner rather than later. We ended up going with Ali and Susie and met Charlie (Susie's boyfriend) there. It was a great trip and the Yankees won the game we saw! Yay! We did some pretty touristy things (like going to the top of the Empire State Building) because we figured we should do the things that dad is always too embarrased to do as a REAL New Yorker when we go with him! We stayed right by Times Square so we spent time there, walked all through most of the famous districts, and ate at some really amazing restaurants and street carts. We got to spend part of an afternoon in Central Park which Ray LOVED! They had a fountain for kids to play in and Ray wasted NO time joining the fun...even though the water was really cold and the air temperature wasnt very hot! It ended up being a perfect "last hurrah" and a great start to the summer. Cant wait to go back and see a game in the NEW Yankee Stadium with our new little one. :o) Here are a few photographic highlights...

Almost time for Baby #2!

2008-07-03T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, a lot has happened since the last post (again, what is my problem!?) but the most exciting news of all is that a bunch of weeks have passed making us ALMOST ready to have baby number 2! We are anticipating this little one greater than ever now as we are pretty much at our duedate and the doctor has mentioned not wanting us to go too far over this time. Yeehaw! Here are a few photos of nine months pregant me and Tuck and Ray right around our 3 year (ah!) wedding anniversary. We hope that you are all well and send you our love and prayers as always. OH! And Maine is really beautiful in the summer and we love visitors sooooo...hint hint. :o)

India!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a rather blurry photo of our great friend Jeremiah and I at a party on the rooftop. We got to spend loads of time with him and his girlfriend Devon which was such a blessing as they are a beautiful couple and totally inspiring! Their travels are taking them all over the world in the next year or so until they get home to Seattle. This was our second (or third?) meeting in Calcutta--heres to many more!
Another blurry photo with the host of the party, Mickey...probably thats why the photo is blurry, Im sure there was beer involved. :o) Susie and Charlie have become very close with Mickey who is full of life and passion and love. We had such an amazing time getting to know him and hearing his MANY stories. Also, he immediately fell in love with Ali so it was quite fun to watch her squirm due to his numerous and VERY obvious advances. :o) We also got some video of Mickey (a professional Irish boxer) going a few rounds in the ring with Josh...priceless. :o)
Here is most of the crew (minus a really sick Charlie) with Sister Karina, SUCH a love!

Susie with her boyfriend, Charlie. It was so great to spend time with them in Calcutta. Susie has REALLY made it a home and although the city can be really frustrating at times, I know that she will always be really connected to it, as we are. Now to get the rest of the family there! It is also really wonderful to watch their relationship grow there...reminds us of how it was when we met and fell in love. Who would have thought that Calcutta was the place to be for singles. :o) Charlie is a great man and they are PERFECT for eachother...and having tons of fun. AND he likes her without makeup...who could ask for more?!
Protima and me at Kalsah, our favorite "restaurant." Always fun to share a meal with friends.... ...even when your attention (and shoulders!) is being pulled in numerous directions..by the way, look at how HUGE Sahil is!!!! I couldnt believe it!

I took this photo a bit on the sly but I figure it might be something like Mother Teresa looked like when she walked through Calcutta. I am not sure who the sister is in the photo but she was so sweet and teeny-tiny walking through the dirty streets in old sandals and with a smile. Puts things into really fast perspective. What we wouldnt give to have been there and seen Momma T walking the Calcutta streets!
A dear friend Chompa and me....last time I spent the day with her, I got a full Bollywood makeover. :o) It was perfect to get to see her again and hear about her life over the last few years.
This photo probably needs no introduction....its TUNA! (looking fly, might we add). Actually, he looked a bunch better than the last time we had seen him and seemed healthy. He was just as fun to interact with as ever and Josh and he picked right up where they left off, as if Josh had never left--in CLASSIC Tuna style. I think his first words to Josh were "Hi tuck, Kalsah?" PERFECT!

Here is a photo of a little girl living in the orphanage run by the Missionaries of Charity called Shishu Bhavan. She was absolutely precious and tiny. She suffers from a disorder which has made her leg bones very brittle and underdeveloped but she certainly gets around AND holds her own with the other kids. I loved her cheeks! The sister that helps to run the home allowed us in and introduced us to many of the children who are up for adoption in hopes that it would spark interest in someone here in the States. We have documentation for each child so if interested, let us know!

This is Robbie, another boy from Shishu Bhavan. He is blind and reminded a lot of the sisters of Sudeep. He is a bit less verbal than Sudeep was when I met him, but definitely has a BIG personality and LOTS of curiosity.
Another precious one from Shishu Bhavan. She is very smart and only mildly physically handicapped...people called her Harry Potter with her cute little glasses. :o)
I actually recognized this little one from previous visits to Calcutta. She is very affectionate and well known by all the volunteers. A little actress in the making, I think!

OK so this one is for you, Manus! I have been meaning to send it to you since I took it! Mags (along with lots of other volunteer women) shaved her head! She looked great and knew you would get a kick out of seeing her like this! haha! (couldnt talk me into it, not this trip, at least!)
Not quite sure why my face is blurred in this, but here we are with Sarah, a friend from Sudder Street.

Another try!

Crazy Maine Winter

2008-03-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

I wish I had some better photos of the snow this year, but it has been CRAZZZZY! I think the other day, we finally broke the 100 inch mark..something that Maine (or at least this, the southern part!) hasnt done for MANY years (over 100, I think?). Josh is totally ready to move to a warmer climate when all the things that come along with cold, snowy weather are taken into consideration--shoveling, roof-raking, heating oil, freezing temperatures--but it is finally starting to warm up and hit the 50's--melt snow, melt!
Here is another Christmas time pic--in a few days, we will be leaving for India so, OUT OF THE COLD!

Congrats to Lew and Irene Emery!

2008-03-30T11:10:00.001-07:00

Lew and Irene were married this fall/winter and it was such a beautiful ceremony...hard to believe that the "confirmed bachelor" is married but NOT after meeting and getting to know Irene. Congrats! We love you guys!

Ali and me at the wedding reception in York, Maine (celebrating the fact that we found the place!)

Fall Fun!

2008-03-30T10:55:00.001-07:00

Apple/pumpkin picking was super fun this year..Ray was really into it and literally took at least one bite from about 50 apples that he picked off the low tree branches or the ground, in this case!
Here are some photos of Josh and Ray at a Portland Pirates Hockey Game...Ray's lion suit (which was all he would wear for a while) won him "cute kid of the game" and a free haircut. :o)

Merry Christmas (and in some related news...)

2008-03-30T08:25:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas! Ray got a fish for Christmas from Auntie Juice--Calia and Ray were really impressed. :o)
All the girls minus Susie. :o(
Ray loves his (and Bop's) cowboy hat!

Adding a little extra excitement to the Christmas season is news that we are expecting again in late June/early July! A rather unexpected, beautiful surprise! This photo is at about 3 months I think? Funny how you lose track of the time when its #2! We decided not to find out the sex again, but Josh HAD to know this time so he is the only person who knows as of now. Originally, we had all given him about 2 weeks before he spoiled the surprise, but to everyones astonishment, he has been just about perfect in not giving anything away! We shall see!
Merry Christmas...we miss you, Saz!

Bip and Bop's 25th Wedding Anniversary

2008-03-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

As of August 28th, 2007, Mom and Dad have been married 25 years! In celebration, we all went out for a nice dinner together and when we got home, bunches of people were waiting to surprise them with a party! It took a LOT to pull off (especially since mom is a sneak and finds out about all surprises!) but ended up being a really beautiful celebration of a marriage that has blessed so many. We love you both!

Not quite 25 years for us...
All of us (for now!)
<3

Tuna Cup Run 2007!

2008-03-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some long overdue photos of the Tuna Cup Run 2007. It ended up that Josh scheduled himself to run on the hottest day of the summer--it was really close to 100 degrees and very humid. Because of that, he started really early (before it got to the heat of the day!) AND he wore a Speedo. :o) He actually had to wear the Speedo to make a bit of extra money from a few friends who said they would pledge more than double if he would run with a blue Speedo on with "I bleed Dodger Blue" written on his back. I think the chaffing effect made it so that only 5 miles or so was possible in the Speedo, but he did it! Ray Ray, Sudeep and I went to lend our support about halfway through. Also, a good friend of Josh's (an ACTUAL marathon runner!) ran with Josh the whole way for moral support! It was really beautiful of him and definitely pushed Josh through. All in all, he ran/walked 30 miles over the course of a bunch of hours and raised enough money to help support Tuna's eating habits and a few other projects in India. Thanks to everyone who pledged and offered support otherwise. Training for Tuna Cup 2008 is well underway. :o)

Ray was a little bored right from the start :o)
The "I Bleed Dodger Blue" speedo shot :o) Boy was I proud!
Ray joined in for a bit of the walk...he didnt get any pledges
Sudeep and I REALLY excited NOT to be running
Exhausted and refueling after 20 miles
Run Run Run Run
Speedo Time!

New Years Resolution....(made in February!)

2008-02-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

To update this blog more often (ie. at least once every couple of weeks!) I can't believe that it has been since July that I have had time to update this blog! What a slug! Things really haven't been THAT crazy....there is no excuse! I guess to start it would be easier to post a few summer photos and then go from there...here they are!
So nice to see photos were we look tan...and warm! Those times are LONG gone now as we are pretty much buried in the frozen tundra here. Maine has been pretty well smashed with winter this year..I think the worst on record for a long while. If global warming was real, I wish it would come to Maine every once in a while. :o) These are a few photos of Josh and me at Portland's Annual "Festival of Nations." Its this really cool gathering where many of the different immigrant populations in Portland are able to put up a display of their culture and..the best part...they all serve traditional meals from their original countries! It was pretty hard work convincing Josh NOT to go for the Indian food (as we eat at the restaurant pretty much anytime we go out to eat) . We ended up trying Somalian and Ethiopian cuisine and Josh had to try a gyro, too...as if he's not had one of those before being in my hugely Greek family. Any excuse to eat, I spose. :o) At one point, it started to rain quite badly so everyone huddled under the few tents that were available while a percussion band from Africa played in the rain...it was really beautiful! We met some amazing people "under the tents" who had developed lots of non-profit, privately funded programs to help the immigrant populations in tons of ways--whether providing assistance with heating oil bills in the winter time (killer!) or getting them involved in ESL courses or helping them to get connected to affordable, good health care. It was really a blessing to see that there is so much outreach going on right under our noses....especially where it is so easy to get discouraged and to start thinking that they aren't too many opportunities to help the disadvantaged in our predominately wealthy state and society! Anyhow, it was a great summer day and Ray even got to splash in puddles....how much better could it get!?

The Curell's Visit!

A one point in the summer, we were lucky enough to have Jenn and Craig Curell come to Maine for a quick visit! They were actually hear for a wedding so it worked out perfectly that we could spend some time with them. We had some really nice, leisurely days of sightseeing and spending time talking and hanging out (and eating, of course!)...it was hard to have them leave! Makes it hard not to want to move to Florida since there are so many people there who we love and miss! Nice place to visit, though!...and we have lots of really good excuses!
Here is another token photo of Mr. Ray with a little mohawk action going on! For a small part of the summer, daddy had a mohawk and Ray didn't want to be left out. :o)

I wanted to include this photo because FIRST, it makes us all miss SUSIE!--and second because it makes summer feel so close. There are probably 50 photos of each of us through the years with our "Mobis Lunkis" fish as dad would call them. :o) I guess we are rednecks and proud of it. :o)

OK! So more to come later. Time for work! xo!

Tuna Cup Run 2007!

2007-07-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

Just a quick posting to alert everyone about the upcoming 2007 TUNA CUP RUN! In case you don't know, this is the 2nd Annual TCR and it is a fundraiser that we have been doing to benefit all things India! It started off as a means to raise money for Tuna, Josh's best bud in Calcutta. Tuna is a homeless man who suffers from mental illness and he has been living on the streets for much of his adult life. He is alone and survives because of God and the volunteers who have a special place in their heart for him. Josh started a meal fund for him at one of the local restaurants so that he can get two meals a day (and endless amounts of tea) for free. Josh contributes to the meal fund partly through the donations raised during the Tuna Cup Run! This year, we also plan to use some of the money raised to begin another project in India. Because we will BOTH be nurses soon, we plan to go back to Calcutta to volunteer with Mother Teresa's sisters but also to start a health project for prostitutes in the Red Light District in Calcutta. We are taking a trip to Calcutta in January to plan for our mission there and to meet with a New Zealand couple who already have a project going in the Red Light District and may want to hire us to start a clinic. The extra money raised by the TCR will go towards financing that trip and towards other start up costs for our foundation!

The way the run works is this: my crazy husband Josh runs around Baxter Boulevard in Portland, Maine as many times as he can between 8am and noon. (the loop is 3.5 miles long) People pledge a certain amount per mile and after he completes his four hour torture fest, he will collect on the pledges! Last year he did 24 miles so be ready for even bigger numbers this year. :o) If you don't want to risk a large pay day, feel free to make a lump donation! You can contact Josh via his email at tucktuck02@yahoo.com or Kate at tucker. katherine@gmail.com to make a pledge or donation!

Thank you all for your support and friendship. We love you and will keep you posted on the 2007 TCR!

Dipankar "Tuna" Pal in Calcutta, India

An Update---FINALLY!

2007-07-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Sorry that it has taken us so long to get a few photos and information posted here! Things have been pretty crazy lately...but wonderful all the same! Ray Ray had his first birthday at the lake. His friends Amelia and Amelia came as well as lots of family and friends. It turned out to be a perfect day and a great way to celebrate such a special little man! He is running all over the place now and exploring like crazy. It has been such a blast watching him grow and learn and play. His personality is coming out now and it is SO adorable! He is sensitive (he cries immediately when someone else is hurt, sad, or mad) and strong willed (wonder where he gets that one from?!) and loving and CERTAINLY a momma's boy!
Josh has been super busy with work but that will soon be ending because I passed my nursing boards (yay!) and can get a job as an RN finally! I have a few interviews set up, so I'll keep updating as things change! Until then, lots of love and prayers to all...God bless and keep in touch!

All Stars

2007-07-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

Sam's All Star experience this year was really great--even though they didn't quite make it to the end! It was super fun going to the games--especially for Ray Ray who is literally OBSESSED with anything round like baseballs, tennis balls, soccer balls...you name it. Actually, when we get him out of bed in the morning, the FIRST thing out of his mouth is "ball, ball ball!" He can amuse himself for hours with the plastic ball that came with one of his toys. He is certainly easy to entertain! Daddy is thrilled as it is really good practice for a future career in sports!

Sammy pitching at his All Star Game
This method of containing and transporting Ray at the game was SO much easier!
And he just LOVES it! Cant you tell!?

2007-07-19T16:36:00.001-07:00

Conception Day 2007! Here are some photos to commemorate this year's Conception Day party in honor of Jill! A few years ago now, Jill was going through mom's drawer and found an old calendar that had a big circle on the thirtieth of June with the inscription "Jill conceived!" She started to FREAK out about how gross it was and from that day on, we all decided to celebrate the day that Jill was conceived! The celebrations always include family, friends, night-appropriate music (like, "Let's Get It On," or "Sex Bomb") a cake, and an artistic presentation (last year's was an interpretive dance!) This year we had a nice bbq and I read a poem composed for the evening (which I cant write here because that would be too much information). It was a really hilarious night--as always!

Orry with Jilly--the night's VIP
The "Conception Day 2007" cake
Ray Ray and his ghetto auntie Ria :o)
Susie and her boyfriend Charlie PEPS!
It was a beautiful night for some baby makin'!
Ray loved the poem!

This one I just threw in here because its so freakin cute!

:o)

2007-07-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

Ray Ray trying on Bop's hunting boots!

Nebraska Trip!

2007-07-19T16:14:00.001-07:00

Here are a few photos of our trip to Nebraska. We had a really great time there and actually loved Omaha! We had a chance to visit with tons of friends including a lunch date and office tour with the Word Made Flesh office staff! It was really a blessing to see where their mission comes to life! (www.wordmadeflesh.com) We spent a lot of time with John, Joy and their three boys as well as Adam and Winter. Everyone was so great and really made Omaha feel like home. I can see why Josh misses it so much. We also had a chance to go to Josh's old house--it was JUST as I had pictured it. There were fields and flat land as far as the eye could see on all sides and Josh's house was sitting right in the middle of it. I had always thought that a place like that would be terrible to me, but there was something really serene and peaceful about it. I can envision that life there would be very simple and beautiful and it was actually hard to leave! Also, it was SUCH a treat seeing Josh be brought down memory lane. I hope that we can go back again soon and watch how the place changes as our lives change!

The old Tucker Homestead in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska
Reminds me of Dumb and Dumber!
Ray Ray and I at the Omaha Zoo!

Ray Ray is touching the world and, as daddy would say, dreaming of social revolution!

2007-07-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

Josh and the windmill at his old farmhouse in Nebraska
Thankfully Ray doesn't quite have the coordination to climb up after Daddy--although he REALLY wanted to!
Ray and momma at Daddy's old house
The homemade basketball hoop that Josh and Joe put up so many years ago is still there!
Ray Ray and momma in the hotel room
These were some of the first few steps!
Ray Ray and Daddy in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska (don't most people go
to exotic locations for their vacations?!)

RayRay doesn't quite reach the potty yet, but he is trying!

Lake Michigan

2007-07-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if our trip to Lake Michigan was the first time Ray Ray had been to a "real" beach before or not, but it might as well have been! It took a little getting used to, but he LOVED the beach and the sand and the water--it was so much fun re-living that beautiful excitement with him again!

He wasnt so sure of what he thought of sand at the beginning...
But ended up loving it!
Ray Ray (with his too small hat) and Clare looking pretty in pink!
Daddy and Ray Ray

Michigan :o)

2007-07-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of our trip to Michigan to visit Trever, Lauren, and Clare! It was a perfect trip filled with tons of laughs, really beautiful friendships, and really good beer! Josh and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary there with a lovely trip to Lake Michigan--we caught it right at sunset! Pretty soon after we left, Trev and Lauren moved their family to Muncie, Indiana and we cant wait to visit them there! We miss you guys and send you tons of love!

Happy 2nd Anniversary--I LOVE LOVE LOVE you!
Trever and Lauren and the beautiful Lake Michigan sunset in the background--love you guys!
Clare Joy!!!

Ray turning on the charm for Clare Joy!

Just a few more photos to catch up!

2007-07-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Ray Ray eating some graduation cake--I couldnt wait for his first birthday!
Ray Ray with his BIP!
The Stauble Sisters(and mom)--sounds like a 40's singing group! haha

Mother's Day hike!

2007-07-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from our Mother's Day hike up Douglass Mountain. It was a really beautiful day and a great hike! (good exercise, too, thanks to having a 20 pound baby on my back!)

Ray Ray and Mommy

Happy Mother's Day!
Sammy (yes he is 12 AND smoking a cigar), Orry, Michael, and Tuck on Douglass Mountain!
Saz and Tater
Orry posing :o)
Maria and her boyfriend Orry at the top of the mountain
All the weary hikers after a job well done!

Ray Ray (as usual!)

2007-07-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of Ray Ray around Easter time (notice the easter egg headdress!). He keeps getting cuter and cuter, doesn't he?! Or maybe I'm just a bit biased!

Congratulations Cullum Family!

2007-05-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say CONGRATULATIONS to Kyle and Michelle, Prema and Isaac on the birth of Eli Joseph! We are so happy for you all and the photo of your little man is precious! We wish we could be there to meet him....someday soon we will make it down there again! Youre all in our thoughts and prayers..we send you our LOVE!

2007-04-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

The boys preparing for the first Yankees game of the season! (and Ray Ray learning to anticipate the flash!

Here are a bunch of random posts--I've managed to get behind....AGAIN! Imagine that!

2007-04-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is Bip with........a doll we found at Aunt Jo's house that Ray Ray wouldn't go NEAR! (can you blame him?!)
This is a lovely picture of what happens when you over-stuff a baby! Seconds before this photo was taken, Ray Ray and I were sleeping on the couch, all snuggled up and cozy. Two seconds later, he opened his mouth and emptied his tummy on my shirt! Seriously the most spit up I have ever experienced--and Ray doesn't even seem impressed with himself!

SUSIE IS HOME!!!!!!

2007-02-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

The one cute photo of Ray that was taken all day!
Welcome Home Susie! hahahaha
Abby with "The Head"---Ali was trying to take ugly pictures of Ray......
She succeeded!
Me and Ray Ray! (The red line in my hair is not blood--it means (in India) that I'm married!
Susie seeing Ray Ray for the first time in 5 months!
A lovely close up of Susie's feet!
JOY!

This past week has been really busy and REALLY beautiful! Susie finally came home from Calcutta, India after being gone for five months. We all packed into a rented 12 passenger van (the only thing big enough to fit our whole family) and made the memorized trip back to Logan Airport to get Sus! Being back at the arrival gate gave us all so many awesome memories--especially Josh and me! It was always such an amazing time seeing each other again and coming back home-sweet-home! When Susie walked off the plane she looked SO cute....like a bohemian traveler dude. :o) She looked like she could have just walked off Sudder Street. She wore the same sandals that she wore everyday in Calcutta off the plane and they had holes worn through the soles. Her feet were black and "Calcutta-fied" (she actually didn't scrub them the night before she came home just so she could show us how bad they get!) She told us all her stories the whole ride home and it just made Josh and me want to go back! (Believe it or not!) She made some really great, lifelong friends and was blessed with TONS of beautiful experiences--The Dirty City will always hold a special place in her heart! Here are some photos of her arriving at the airport and of her "welcome home party" a week later! God Bless Everyone!

Sorry.....

2007-02-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

that is has been SOO long since I updated this blog! I might be the biggest procrastinator in the entire world and for some reason, I kept putting an update off! I hope someone is still looking at this blog! haha. Yiayia..I hope you like all the new photos! Nothing too much is new here. School is going well (my last semester, yay!) and Josh is working hard as usual! We are SOO excited to have Susie back with us...she comes home in two days! The five months that she has been gone in India has FLOWN by and of course, this last week has gone by as slow as death! We rented a 12 passenger van so that we can all go and get her and drive in the same car. It will be so great to have her home. Something has certainly been missing for all of us...and it's her!! Hopefully the next photos/updating I do will be of her return!!! Until then, God bless and LOTS of love!

Ray's Latest!

2007-02-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the most recent picture we have had taken of Ray Ray. I had a coupon to Picture People for a free photo so we decided to drag Ray in to take advantage of it....little did we know that THIS was the happiest face we could get out of him! haha. The poor photographer was rolling all over the ground, making REALLY interesting sounds, and using every prop at her disposal and the little runt wouldn't even KINDA smile! We kept assuring her that he usually smiles no problem and that it would happen any minute, but it didn't! It ended up being a really hilarious session--Ray sat there staring at us (just like this picture shows) through all of our ridiculousness. Maybe he was trying to tell us something? Either way, it turned out cute even if it is the most serious he has ever looked!

Tampa Visit!

2007-02-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

Caramin and Prema, the Cullum's new addition!

After our time in Jacksonville at Craig and Jenn's wedding, we took a quick trip to the Tampa area to visit with Kyle and Michelle, Isaac and Prema and Drew, Caramin and Dillon! It was a really quick trip (too quick!) but great! The Cullum's recently adopted a little girl from Calcutta, India and it was such a treat to meet her. She even let us sleep in her room (thanks, Prema!) Isaac was as cute as ever and really into football--Josh has HIGH expectations of Ray now! Dillon has gotten so big since we last saw her (when she was two weeks old!) and hanging out with everyone was a blast--as always! Hopefully we can get down there again soon! Xo!

2007-02-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

Isaac Cullum!

Kyle with Ray Ray in Florida

Our Tattooed Son!

2007-02-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

Mommy's tattoos arent quite as intricate as the real ones!
Happy 28th (WOW!) Birthday, Daddy! (Ray is awfully excited for you)

2007-02-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Bath-time pictures are always so cute!

We inked him with some replicas of Daddy's tattoos! haha

2007-02-09T19:41:00.000-08:00

These are Ray's first attempts (and failures) at sitting up alone! This first one is the end product!
AND that's what came of that
This is where we started....YAY RAY!

Jacksonville, Florida for Craig and Jenn's wedding!

2007-02-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the photos from our time in Jacksonville, Florida for Craig and Jenn's wedding! It was an absolutely beautiful day and we were so blessed to be a part of it. Because Josh was in the wedding, (and because Maine is freezing in January) Ali came with us to Florida. It was really fun exploring Jacksonville with her (and sneaking her in and out of the hotel!) It was so great for me to meet tons of Josh's friends. I have heard so much about all of them that I felt like I knew them so it was really nice to put a face with the names and stories! The Greene's and the Curell's were so welcoming and kind--Craig's sister-in-law even stepped in for some "Ray Duty" so I could eat! The wedding day was SO wonderful--not only was the weather perfect, but Jenn and Craig were perfect! So filled with love and joy. We are so happy we could be a part of your special day...we send you our love and prayers for a beautiful marriage and life together! Keep in touch!

2007-02-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Bride and Groom!
Josh and some of his college friends
Josh and Carrie

2007-02-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

Craig and Jenn's Wedding Day....it was beautiful!
cutting the (really yummy!) cake

2007-02-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

The Curell Family
:o)
Ray Ray in the hotel room in Florida.....all smiles as always!

2007-02-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

Ali channeling her inner flamingo in Jacksonville, Florida
All of us at Craig and Jenn's Rehersal Dinner
Ray Ray, Josh and Ryan Kieffer at the rehersal dinner

Christmas In California with the Tuckers!

2007-02-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

Aunt Jean and Ray Ray! We miss you, Jean!

2007-02-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

Joe and Mandy!
This is a photo of the MASSIVE amount of food Josh ordered (and almost ate) in Santa Monica. Had to document it because in person it was so unbelievable!

2007-02-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

Whoops...that's a sideways Mandy...I cant figure out how to flip it. Tina, HELP! haha
Grandma Tucker with Ray Ray....see a family resemblance?!!
My mature hubby and me!

2007-02-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Just the three of us!
Jean, Mandy and me holding eachother up after wine tasting in Santa Monica
Believe it or not, the Nacho Libre Mask was Josh's favorite Christmas gift!

This Christmas we went to Los Angeles, California to spend Christmas with the Tucker Family! Not only was the weather PERFECT (about 70-75 degrees and crystal clear everyday) but we got to spend time with everyone all in the same place! Mandy spoiled everyone with her amazing cooking (homemade Eggs Benedict on Christmas morning!), we made some amazing outings (wine tasting in Santa Monica and Rodeo Drive), and the long flight wasn't that bad, either! All in all, it was a really blessed Christmas and Ray Ray loved spending time with his aunts, uncle, and Grandma and Grandpa Tucker! Here are some pictures....

2007-02-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

Craig, Stacey, Steph, Erica, Ria, Lew and me at Christmastime!
Stace, Craig, and Steph

2007-02-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

Ria is 21!!!! (This was the tame part of the celebration!)
Lew and me...Good luck in Seals, Lew..we love you!

2007-02-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

While Susie is in India, the photo of her will have to do. Ray looks VERY concerned. :o)
My two best boys....Josh doesn't count!
PAPPY! Still getting action!

December-Ria's Bday, Xmas Party and of course, RAY!

2007-02-09T14:59:00.000-08:00

Ray Ray with Craigy-with-the-red-head....We miss you, Craig! Come home soon!
Ria on her 21st Birthday!
We miss you, Saz! Only a few more months!

Family Time

2007-02-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

Ray Ray with Yia-yia at Bip's house!
Angel and Ray Ray at a Christmas Cookie Swap--note the similarity in head size!!haha!
Ray Ray with Cousin Calia and Yia-yia!

Bath Time!

2007-02-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

Ray's First Time Eating Food!

2007-02-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

Well, the first time didn't quite go as planned, but now he eats like CRAZY! He does make it look good, doesn't he?!

Ray's Christmas pictures!

2006-12-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here are the photos that we had taken of Ray Ray at Picture People a few days ago for Christmas. The whole picture taking process was really good--Ray was in a great mood and the woman taking the photos knew just what to do to make him laugh!

The holiday season is starting...and Ray's concerned!

2006-11-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! It is hard to believe that the holiday season is here again! It is all the more special this year because we can share it all with our little man (who looks super excited, as you can see!) We are planning a trip to L.A. this year for Christmas to visit with the Tuckers at Joe and Mandy's new home. It will be really different to be away from home for Christmas, but we are all really excited to see everyone again! Ray is going to get a lot of travelling in as we are headed to Florida right after Christmas for Craig Curell and Jenn Greene's wedding! We will try to keep up with these posts (and pictures!) now that we have started this blog. Happy Advent!

2006-11-28T12:58:00.000-08:00