The Wicklund Family Adventure

Off they went

2012-01-30T07:19:00.000-05:00

They both had a great time at Blake Shelton. Jay said Walker could not stop smiling the whole time!

Birthday dinner

2012-01-27T18:31:00.001-05:00

It is steak n shake for dinner with the family then jay and walker are off to see Blake Shelton.

Happy Birthday Walker

2012-01-27T06:54:00.000-05:00

Happy 11th birthday!!!!!

Grandma Koch

2012-01-23T16:13:00.000-05:00

I finally found a picture of Grandma Koch on one of our external hard drives. This is picture was taken at the Greenwood cemetary in 2008.

He did his own hair

2012-01-19T07:18:00.001-05:00

After

2012-01-16T21:16:00.002-05:00

After 4 years of braces as a kid it was time to put them back on again and fix my crazy teeth. They say only 6 months. We shall see. Right now my mouth hurts.

During

2012-01-16T21:15:00.003-05:00

Before

2012-01-16T21:15:00.001-05:00

It's Cotillion time!

2012-01-05T17:55:00.001-05:00

Walker started her month long cotillion class. Skirts, shirts or dresses for the girls and suits and ties for the boys. Don't forget the white gloves girls!

Quote of the day

2012-01-02T18:29:00.001-05:00

" if you put on pants you wouldn't have to sit under the blanket". Said Jay

"I know" said Quinn

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T07:46:00.001-05:00

Thank you Uncle Mitch

2011-12-24T21:22:00.001-05:00

Who needs a Christmas gift

2011-12-24T19:15:00.001-05:00

When you have this...

Christmas eve dinner

2011-12-24T18:24:00.001-05:00

We usually go to Outback Steak house for Christmas eve dinner but this year it's just the 4 of us. It's pizza on the grill! Yummy! The adults are already in their pj's and the kids are on their way!

Gingerbread decorating party

2011-12-22T13:25:00.001-05:00

Quick visit

2011-12-20T19:57:00.000-05:00

We had a quick visit today from Grandma and Grandpa Ike and Uncle Tim and Aunt Kay. They are on their way to visit Uncle Dick up in Clarkesville Ga. It was a short but sweet visit with dinner at Steak and Shake.

Gingerbread Man here we come

2011-12-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

Next up in the cookie making, gingerbread men. Look Walker is wearing the same clothes!

Uncle Mitch

2011-12-19T16:11:00.000-05:00

Uncle Mitch left on the 2nd of December aboard the Carl Vinson. We miss him but we are proud of him for continuing to protect our freedom.

Busy last few weeks

2011-12-19T16:09:00.000-05:00

Things have been busy around here since Thanksgiving, typical.

We had Walker's softball team over for dinner on the 8th. That started it all.

On Saturday the kids headed up to the Veterans cemetery in Canton. Jay helped build the cemetery a few years back. They all participated in wreaths across america where they lay wreaths on the veterans graves.

We also had our traditional Army Navy Party that Saturday. Congratulations to the Midshipmen for another victory. 10 years in a row!

Sunday we got our tree, a real one! This is the first real tree we have ever had. The kids were so excited. It is now decorated and ready for Santa!

The kids winter break began today, Monday. We plan on relaxing and enjoying ourselves, oh and staying in our pj's!

Next round

2011-12-19T16:02:00.000-05:00

Sugar cookies in the shape of candy canes. They don't even need my help! Walker is in charge of cookie making this year. I suggest what to make and she makes it!

Let the cookie making begin

2011-12-19T14:58:00.002-05:00

First batch, no bake peanut butter cookies, Matt's favorite

Notice the one missing...I could not resist.

Go Navy

2011-12-09T21:51:00.001-05:00

The elves are ready for the big game. Go Navy! Beat Army!

How do you take down a basketball goal?

2011-12-06T17:32:00.001-05:00

This is how we do it in the South...attach it to your car and hit reverse! Surprisingly quite easy. It took almost 2 years for it to happen but its done just in time for basketball season, which both kids are playing.

then and now

2011-11-30T19:52:00.001-05:00

Visitors

2011-11-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

Luke, Kristi, and Oz stopped by for a quick visit on their way back to DC.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T12:33:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving was a day of relaxation, yummy food, and shopping! Mary and I headed to Walmart at 9:45pm on Thursday to do some Black Friday shopping. It was my first time and I got a ton of deals and a lot of Christmas shopping out of the way.

Waiting for the turkey to finish frying.

My little baker finishing the apple pie.

The potato masher

Family

Aunt Sue Ike

2011-11-26T12:29:00.000-05:00

While we were in California my Aunt Sue from Minnesota passed away. She was my Mom's sister. When the kids and Jay flew home I flew to Minnesota for the funeral. I was lucky enough to be able to see a lot of family on my Mom's side that I had not seen in a while, especially my Grandparents. You will be missed Aunt Sue.

Our visit to California

2011-11-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

We had a great visit with Mitch, Laine, and Eli. We went to In-n-Out, The Fresno Zoo, and visited Mitch's squadron. Walker enjoyed bathing Eli and changing his diaper.We cannot wait to see you again!

Gpa Ike

2011-11-22T23:04:00.000-05:00

Modeling the latest fashion in scarves.

A visit to the motherland

2011-11-22T20:33:00.000-05:00

On our way to LAX airport we swung by "the motherland" where Walker was born. We drove by Pt.Hueneme, drove down the PCH, and had lunch at Neptune's Net. The best of all was seeing the Hollywood sign from miles away.

A visit with Eli

2011-11-22T20:30:00.000-05:00

We had a great time visiting Eli!

Uncle Mitch bought me ice cream

2011-11-19T19:15:00.000-05:00

So I had to jump in the pool. Air temp, 55, water temp 50.

VFA-113

2011-11-19T17:15:00.000-05:00

We are visiting Uncle Mitch, Aunt Laine, and Eli. We got to go and see Uncle Mitch's jets.

It's a single scoop

2011-11-19T17:10:00.001-05:00

Winning run!!

2011-11-13T11:46:00.002-05:00

Walker's game winning triple yesterday at the "It's Almost Over" softball tournament. They played 5 games, starting at 9am and the last game ended at 10:15. The team came in 2nd. Not bad for only their 3rd tournament! last weekend they came in 2nd also at the "Miracle in Marietta". This weekend was by far their best tournament. It will only get better in the Spring.

Thanks Aunt Suz for the video!

Rest in peace Grandma

2011-11-06T20:59:00.000-05:00

Below is my Grandma Koch's obituary. She passed away on Thursday morning.

We will miss you Grandma!

Pauline D. Koch October 28, 1928 - November 3, 2011

Pauline (Smith) Koch, 83, made her transition peacefully at her home on Thursday, November 3. Pauline was born in Akron,Indiana to George L. and Bernice (Creakbaum) Smith. Pauline was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.She is survived by her husband of 62 years, William; her children Dr. George (Terri) Koch of Durham, NC; Mark (Pat) Koch; Julie (Steve) Boese of Indianapolis; and Susan (Uldis) of Bloomington. Her joy and passion were knowing and loving her 14grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Pauline was preceded in death by her daughter Ann Koch Bassitt in 2004, her daughterin-law, Judith (Ike) Koch in 1997, her parents, and her only sibling, George L. Smith II. Pursuant to her wishes, a Celebration of Lifewill be held at a later date. G.H. Herrmann Funeral Home , 5141 Madison Ave, is handling the arrangements and cremation.

Happy Birthday Jay

2011-11-02T22:04:00.001-04:00

Hope you had a great 37th birthday!

Trading day

2011-11-01T16:56:00.001-04:00

Time to trade the candy to get why you want. Lots of bargaining going on.

Happy Halloween from Windhaven ct

2011-10-31T19:50:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin carving

2011-10-30T16:17:00.001-04:00

The kids are old enough to do it all on their own!

Our St. John trip

2011-10-25T19:41:00.000-04:00

Jay surprised me with a trip to St. John last Wednesday. He had the kids give me my boarding pass when I came home from my meeting on Wednesday. Thank goodness I got to pack for myself. We left early Thursday morning. Thanks to Bridget and Mary for taking great care of our kids! We landed in San Juan to catch a puddle jumper to St. Thomas and then drive over to the barge and then over to St. John.

We had a blast on St. John. Drinks at the Tap Room, dinner at the Majettes' and boating to the BVI's. It does not get much better than that! Thanks to the Majette's and Eric for planning such a wonderful 40th birthday weekend for me!

On our way home is when the trouble started. Our flight out of San Juan had some mechanical problems. After boarding the plane they had us deplane to try to fix the problem. We waited and then tried to get out on a flight to Charlotte with a connection to Atlanta. We were 2 minutes away from getting our seats when they said problem had been fixed and we were good to go. We got our tickets switched back expecting to leave minutes later. No such luck. The cancelled the flight due to mechanical issues and it was too late to get on the Charlotte flight. That meant we got to spend the night in the "airport hotel" also known as the Best Western. When Jay checked in they told him not to use the toilet because the water was not working! We had met another couple who were also travelling back to Atlanta so we all headed to Outback Steak house to celebrate my birthday!

We went to bed early in anticipation of our 7am flight to Atlanta. At 4:30 Jay got a call saying our flight was delayed till noon. He asked me what I thought we should do and I said "get me off of that plane" We ended up working with the couple we had met, Trey and Julie, to get out on an American flight to Miami with a connection to Atlanta. Departure time, 6:15. It didn't matter, we were up and the hotel was awful! All of those flights ended up going off without a hitch. It turns out they ended up cancelling the Delta flight we were supposed to be on, again. All that travelling Jay does paid off. He had a direct number to Delta and they were so helpful and accommodating.

It was a great birthday!

Happy 40th

2011-10-23T19:54:00.001-04:00

From the San Juan airport. Our plane was cancelled so we are stuck here untill tomorrow am.

Happy birthday to me

2011-10-23T14:46:00.001-04:00

Currently stuck in San Juan

Greetings from paradise

2011-10-21T16:50:00.000-04:00

Jay surprised me with a trip to St.John for my birthday. Thanks to Bridget and Mary for watching the kids!

19th company

2011-10-08T15:21:00.000-04:00

A fine day for Navy football at the 19th company reunion!!

Hello baby Oz!

2011-10-07T17:06:00.001-04:00

We are in DC/Annapolis for the weekend. We are visiting with baby Oz Norris and having a 14 year 19th company reunion. The kids are spending the weekend with Mawmaw and Pawpaw.

Hanging with Uncle Mitch

2011-10-01T11:48:00.000-04:00

Mitch came to visit for the weekend and we quickly broke him into the baseball/softball life. Quinn is in a tournament in Austell and Walker has Flames practice back at Murphey Candler. Who has time to move back into our house?!

Preparing for the maiden meal

2011-09-25T19:49:00.001-04:00

We still are not finished with the house but parts are usable(not many parts). We are having our first meal at the bar. Jay has spent the past 2 hours putting together the bar stools. We did get to use our new microwave drawer!

Quinn's birthday - same yet different

2011-09-18T20:54:00.001-04:00

Quinn had a great birthday, yet a different birthday. Normally we sing at the table, go out to dinner, have cake etc.. This year we sang happy birthday in our bedroom. Dinner, was at Waffle House where Quinn poured chocolate milk down his shirt. We did have a great time at the Braves game, even though the Braves lost. The ice cream place closed before he could get ice cream. He did get to run the bases, which was the highlight of the day. Oh I almost forgot, He got on the jumbo tron with his "It's my ninth birthday" sign.

Happy birthday Quinn!

2011-09-18T08:31:00.001-04:00

Breakfast on mom and dads bed(still no table), church, then the Braves game! Happy 9th birthday Quinn!

War wound

2011-09-15T06:32:00.001-04:00

In Walker's softball game last night she got hit with the ball, twice. The one on her thigh left a nice bruise. You can even see the seam from the ball on her thigh. They won 9-8.

Let there be cabinets!

2011-09-14T14:17:00.002-04:00

Peeping contractor

2011-09-10T13:03:00.001-04:00

Our contractor was watching the floors guys stain the floor yesterday. It looks awesome!! The unfortunate part is that we had to leave the house at 9am today and not go home until about 6. We do not have enough baseball and softball scheduled to fill that void. So we headed to the pool. Yes the water is freezing.

The latest in high fashion

2011-09-10T11:10:00.000-04:00

Feathers in your hair.

Let there be laundry!

2011-09-08T07:25:00.000-04:00

The Washer and dryer are hooked up and running. It will probably take a week to catch up on the laundry, it hasn't been done for 3 weeks.

Can I get a do over?

2011-09-06T20:25:00.000-04:00

The weekend that is! Don't get me wrong, we had a great weekend it was filled with crazy things happening and zero events at the ball field!. We could not do much in the house due to the renovations. First we headed to the Decatur Book Festival. I wont go into the details but we were there for less than 45 minutes and my day was ruined. Then we headed to a friends lake house for the day. While we were there Walker, who was on the jet ski with Jay, got bopped in the nose. The result, a bloody nose and a very sore tip of her nose. Sunday we headed to another friends lake house. We stopped at Costco on the way to get some food. While there Jay and I noticed the chip in Quinn's front tooth. Turns out he did it on Saturday on the boat. Monday was a rainy day which makes for lots of fun in a house that cannot be used unless everyone wants to hang out in the same room. We spent it shopping for lights, fans, and other misc items for the house.

Broken

2011-09-03T09:34:00.001-04:00

Quinn's first broken window. Thank goodness it is in the garage and not one of the new ones. He wasn't throwing the dirt at the house, he was throwing it over the house!

Bathroom and debris

2011-09-03T09:33:00.001-04:00

The first coat of paint is on. No this is not the color, just the prime coat.

The tile in the bathroom.

The giant pile of debris in our backyard.

House Update

2011-08-30T21:26:00.001-04:00

The house is coming along. The windows, trim and hardwoods are in. The floors will be stained sometime in the future. Painting will be done before the floors are stained. The stairs were put in today. The laundry room will be done in the next few days. Our contractor was kind enough to hook up the old washer and dryer so I could do some laundry. The real door outside finally came in and will be put in sometime. As you can tell everything will happen, when it the question! One thing I think I know is that the cabinets will be installed next week (I hope)?

A hot plate?

2011-08-26T07:25:00.001-04:00

It was in the middle of my front yard yesterday. It must have been the hardwood floor guys.

It's whats for dinner

2011-08-26T07:24:00.001-04:00

Sloppy joes an green beans. I'm getting desperate.

River Cats

2011-08-22T15:20:00.000-04:00

Quinn is on the River Cats this Fall. He is in AA. This is the first year of kid pitch. Quinn pitched yesterday and struck out the side! Of course after he said his shoulder hurt and he needed to ice it.

Push ups

2011-08-22T15:17:00.001-04:00

The family that does pushups togethers stays together.

Bobble head night and batting practice

2011-08-18T16:59:00.000-04:00

It's 4:58 and we are at Turner Field ready for the 7:10 game. It is Dan Uggla bobble head night so we had to get here early!

Let there be drywall!

2011-08-14T19:20:00.001-04:00

They started putting up the drywall on Saturday. The came back on Sunday to tape and mud the holes. They are coming tomorrow to continue. It is beginning to look like a house!

The view from the front door.

The family room fireplace.

From the dining room towards the stairs and office. Like my model!?

From the fireplace facing the kitchen/dining room.

Ladies night

2011-08-13T19:51:00.000-04:00

Quinn is loving his evening with the ladies, Charlsie and MaryMac, at the Gwinnett Braves game. The Braves are playing the Pawtucket Red Sox. Brian McCann the catcher for the Braves is doing his rehab assignment here.

Hanging at the laundromat

2011-08-12T10:12:00.001-04:00

It's how you do laundry when your washer/dryer is on your back porch.

I hate the recorder

2011-08-11T20:52:00.000-04:00

Let me say it again. I hate the recorder. The sounds coming from Quinn's room sound like a dying goose. He gets to play one all year for general Music. Walker's band playing days are in limbo at the moment. Since the school is now a K-5 and the band teacher is no longer there...They don't know what they are going to do. If we are lucky she will take up the recorder too!

????

2011-08-11T20:47:00.001-04:00

We were all set to go with the drywall on Wednesday until the inspector decided our family room "needed a little help". So all of the newly installed insulation had to be pulled out and foam insulation sprayed in. Allegedly the drywall is going up on Saturday/Sunday. A perfect time to come since no one will be in school!

Tacos on the Grill

2011-08-11T20:45:00.001-04:00

It's whats for dinner. Without a stove we are trying to do what we can. Roosie got the best of this meal. She licked the grease I decided to spill twice!

Construction update

2011-08-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

I wish I had a great picture to show you of our construction but not much has changed. We do have our sub floor. We passed the electrical inspection and have permnant power to our new pannel. What we do not have is drywall. I fell like I am back in the islands, soon come. There are still a few tweaks that have to be done. Meaning inspections that need to be passed before the drywall goes up. Rumor has it that will be this week. Like I said before, soon come.

More First Day of School

2011-08-08T12:38:00.001-04:00

Walker with Mrs. Wills, her homeroom and Math teacher.

Quinn with Mrs. Hollis, his homeroom and Language Arts teacher. Mrs. Hollis was Walker's teacher last year. We are very lucky to have her this year too!

Every year we took a picture in front of the other door. Since that door is gone we have moved the picture to the real front door, and now the only door going in and out of the house.

First day of school

2011-08-08T09:57:00.001-04:00

The Windhaven Ct kids on their first day of school!

Having fun at the Gwinnett Braves

2011-08-06T21:16:00.000-04:00

We had softball practice today then headed to the Gwinnett Braves game, the Braves minor Aaa league team. The Weatherly's joined us for a great evening before school starts on Monday.

Six Flags

2011-08-04T10:11:00.001-04:00

More vacation pictures

2011-07-27T20:10:00.003-04:00

The lovely Mr. and Mrs. Norris

Ryan enjoying the beach.

Love the matching outfits!

The bike riding family in front of the White House.

Renovation update

2011-07-27T09:50:00.001-04:00

We came home from our week in the Poconos to lots of changes in our house. When we left all of the demo had been done but none of the framing had been done. Now all of the framing is almost done as well as the electrical and plumbing. It still is a few months from compleation due to kitchen cabinets but we are working on it. Our porch is filled with all of the materials from the house and the garage is filled with all of our stuff. We are having makeshift meals on a piece of plywood in what will be the dining room. The framers are here today. Too much sawing and hammering for us to hang around the house!

The island of our new kitchen

The dining area facing the laundry room on the right and the family room.

The island and the new door leading outside. Well not the actual new door but a door will be there.

The stairs from the dining room looking into the office

The view of the family room.

The garage and all of our stuff!

Sweet Ride

2011-07-25T22:09:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to Mr. Luke for taking us around DC. This is how its done!

Slide

2011-07-25T22:04:00.000-04:00

The lake that we swam in had a slide that the kids and adults loved going down.

Pictures from The Poconos

2011-07-25T21:24:00.000-04:00

Busy week

2011-07-24T08:56:00.000-04:00

We all had a wonderful week in the
Poconos! The kids are exhausted. I wonder how the renovations are going in the house?

What to do in the Poconos

2011-07-20T16:26:00.001-04:00

Kickball after swimming, fishing, biking and cannot forget eating 3 meals a day. Someone is going to have to roll me home.

Poconos here we come!

2011-07-17T11:33:00.001-04:00

Fun in DC

2011-07-16T22:09:00.001-04:00

We rented bikes today and biked all around DC. Here is the list of what we saw in order... Capitol, Natural History Museum, Washington Monument, rode around the White House, stopped for drinks and tater tots, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, World War 2 Memorial, Stopped for ice cream, Air and Space Museum, Capitol on the way back.

It was a long, fun and great day. It was so much fun to see DC from a bike. We never would have made it to see all of the things we did if it had not been for Luke carrying the two kids on the back of his bike. Thanks Mr.Luke!

Off to the Poconos' tomorrow!

Sent from my new iPhone that my brother wants

More fun in DC

2011-07-16T21:58:00.001-04:00

From the Lincoln Memorial

White house

2011-07-16T15:26:00.001-04:00

The Capitol

2011-07-15T17:39:00.001-04:00

How to get around DC

2011-07-15T17:38:00.001-04:00

Who is that guy?

2011-07-15T15:02:00.001-04:00

While at the academy we found Jay's (and uncle mitch's) picture on the wall of fame. Bravo Zulu fellas!

Noon formation

2011-07-15T11:55:00.001-04:00

Tecumseh

2011-07-15T11:54:00.001-04:00

A day at the Naval Academy

2011-07-15T10:43:00.001-04:00

Bill the goat

Duh

2011-07-14T14:54:00.000-04:00

I left my purse in Atlanta.

When driving to Annapolis Jay likes to go the wrong way on 495.

Sent from my new iPhone that my brother wants

Truck

2011-07-13T22:26:00.001-04:00

We passed the same semi 3 times (bathroom breaks)...Hell won't freeze over -God

Should we take that as a sign?

Sent from my new iPhone that my brother wants

What we saved from the house

2011-07-09T21:59:00.003-04:00

The most important thing we saved from the house was our mesaurement chart from the the playroom doorframe. It has all of our kids measurements for as long as we have lived in the house. Some how while we were in the Virgin Islands the mesaurement chart never got alterted or painted over.

Before and During

2011-07-09T21:59:00.002-04:00

They started the demo of our downstairs this morning at 8:30am. All of the cabinet, drywall, and most of the flooring have been removed. The dumpster is full so our back deck is currently filled with the remnants of our house. It is a totally different looking with out the walls! Here are some before and after of the same areas of the house

Let the demo begin

2011-07-08T17:01:00.000-04:00

Sat 8:30 am demo starts, I hope!

Off to Paw Paw and Maw Maw's!

2011-07-07T18:46:00.001-04:00

The kids left on Tuesday for Dad and Terri's. Have fun kids, see you next week!

The boys at the parade

2011-07-04T14:00:00.003-04:00

How Walker ride in the 4th of July parade

2011-07-04T14:00:00.001-04:00