Ray's "BIG" Present

Ray kept hinting around about his intended late Christmas gift that he was going to give us. Mostly his hints were vague and very confusing. So we figured he was up to something when he told us that he was not going to attend church with us. Normally he is very courteous in doing so as we have done with him during our visits to Texas. So it was no surprise when we returned from church to find a big box covered in very non traditional gift wrap (a blanket). What was surprising was what was in the box, a HUGE 27" TV!

Ray must have strained his eye's watching our 12" screen and in an effort to promote good eye health he provided us with a TV we could easily see without straining our eyes. A gift he said that could be enjoyed by all who live here or visit. A gift that will certainly be well enjoyed. I must say, it sure is nice to be able to actually see the faces of the TV stars we watch.
We wish to send out a 27" HUGE Thanks to our Best Friend, who knows us well!

Molly Gives Up the Thumb and Celebrates "Chuck E. Cheese" Style

It has taken Molly nearly an entire year since she first set out to give up thumb sucking. To put this challenge in proper perspective, we have an ultrasound picture of Molly in the womb sucking her thumb. She was born doing it and it wasn't easy to stop. However, her motivation was a night at Chuck's place and she finally got to enjoy the reward.

Ray came in to town just in time to watch Molly enjoy this momentous occasion.

Of course we all got to benefit from Molly's accomplishment including Neleha who enjoyed the many rides offered at Chuck's.

Little Miss Molly was most excited about her big reward. She has done so well growing and learning and now overcoming her greatest habit. She is such a wonderful angel daughter.

It may just be me but I could have sworn that Ray enjoyed his first visit to Chuck E. Cheese as much as the girls did.

So Molly got to enjoy her grand reward of games, rides and of course pizza. Her smile was worth a million dollars in my book. Our little Molly is quickly growing up right before our eyes. What enjoyable times, indeed!

Our girls had such a great time hanging out with the big pizza eating mouse. I mean what kid wouldn't?


I too got to take in a game with one of Neleha's tokens. I think I may have had more fun than she did.

The best part of all of course is trading in their rewarded tickets for prizes. A well deserved reward for our Molly, the recovering thumb sucker.

Visting Fairborn and Miamisburg

Before we left Ohio we had to make a trip to Foy's in Fairborn. We brought Emily and Braden along for the ride.

The main attraction for kids at Foy's is of course the bulk candy. The kids each got to pick their favorite and then we sat outside the store and sugar'd up.

After we left Fairborn we headed down to Miamisburg to hang out with our good friends the Williams. Being in Miamisburg always comes with our obligatory stop at the Hamburger Wagon. Kristy and I can't get enough of those 95 cent burgers.

We had a great time with the Williams and Kristy's sister Sherry and our brother in-law Dale. We ate some food, enjoyed some good conversation, and enjoyed the time together. Good times with good people.....

"The Spot" for breakfast

There are few restaurants in this great world that hold a special place in my heart. The Spot Restaurant in Kristy's hometown of Sidney happens to be one of those restaurants. So on every visit to Sidney we make an attempt to gather everyone together for one great meal in a most historical place. So let me properly introduce you to one of my favorite places to eat.


1907 Spot Miller at The Spot

The Spot Restaurant made its beginnings from a man named Spot Miller. In 1907, Spot brought his chuckwagon into town and set-up business at the corner of Court Street and Ohio Avenue. The city would not allow him to sell meals this way. His solution was to remove the wheels, and add some awnings to create a permanent structure. Spot Miller owned the restaurant until his retirement in 1913.


1913 Joe Cook's first day

Joe Cook and Homer Spence purchased the restaurant for $5,000. It then became known as Cook’s Spot. Spence sold his interest in the restaurant to Ray Anderson in 1915, and together they started a chain of "Spot to Eat" restaurants in Athens, Urbana, Lima, and Bellefontaine, Ohio. Only the Sidney Spot continues to operate. One of the specials from the 1920’s lists "28 burgers for $1.00"!


1941 The Spot

1950 The Spot

In 1946, Anderson got out of the business and on July 1, 1950 Robert Hepler became the new owner. Under Hepler, the restaurant grew to include catering and steak sales, which continue to this day. On February 1, 1980, Robert and Barbara Eilert became the new owners of the Spot. The restaurant and catering business continued to grow under their ownership including exclusive catering rights at The Oaks Club banquet facility at Shelby Oaks Golf Course, and a new catering kitchen being constructed at 207 S. Ohio Avenue. On January 1, 1999, Barry Eilert and Michael Jannides became the new owners of The Spot Restaurant. On May 1, 2002, Michael Jannides became the sole owner of The Spot Restaurant.

The Chuckwagon was the restaurant between 1907 and 1934. In 1934, a more permanent building was erected at the Court and Ohio location. That structure was destroyed by a fire on New Year’s Eve in 1940. After its remodeling in 1941, the current facility is a fine example of the streamlined Art Moderne architectural style with its smooth, unornamented wall surface faced with gleaming white porcelain tile. A mid-century modern neon sign still hanging over the front door is still the Spot trademark.

The inside of the restaurant has been remodeled approximately 25 times over the years. The last major renovation occurred in 1976 giving the restaurant it’s current layout. The restaurant has been featured on the cover of the March 1994 issue of Ohio Magazine, and by Ann Heller, food critic of the Dayton Daily News, in their Go! Section on September 27, 1996.

During his reelection campaign President George W. Bush stopped in for lunch and a famous Spot Pie. I sure wish I could have been there that day.


After the President's visit, The Spot added the Presidential Platter to their menu which includes a Bush Burger (a burger with the works), fries and a coke. -historical information and photos obtained from www.thespottoeat.com

And so we gathered together for a most enjoyable and tasteful breakfast at The Spot.

Ginger Bread House.....a yummy treat

An annual tradition at Kristy's parents house during this time of year is the building of ginger bread houses. This year things got very sticky and things went bad from there....but much fun was still had by all. Jodie and I attempted to make the perfect adhesive frosting used to cement the walls and ceiling of the houses but the mixture was too thick which resulted in our need to continually add water until it could be properly used.

We eventually got the right consistency and then it was time to build and decorate. Ours didn't go so well but in the end the ginger bread house looked pretty good.......good tasting that is. We had fun and I think that is what is most important.

Of course for Neleha the most important thing appears to be being able to eat our ginger bread house. Which she had a real blast doing.

Molly and Braden did not hesitate in following Neleha's example.

Good fun and good treats....... a great ginger bread house building time!

Family Portraits 2006

Since we ended up all being gathered for the Christmas Holiday, Tove thought that it would be a great time for family portraits. We headed over to a place in the Piqua Mall called Portrait Avenue. This studio did a fantastic job! We were in and out, having gotten the large family as well as individual family poses, in less than 15 minutes. The results were fantastic! I would certainly recommend them to anyone. But what is most important is that we got a portrait of our ever growing family.... 16 and counting.....

Christmas Morning 2006

Christmas morning finally arrived and with a pristine and crisp day ahead the wonderful celebration officially began.

The tree bore colorfully wrapped gifts all around it which was certainly a most inviting scene for our sweet angel daughters.

Surprisingly enough however they slept well through 9:00am but once they awoke it was a time of smiles and joy as they unwrapped their many gifts. What a joy it is for Kristy and I to watch our beautiful girls enjoy the same experience we had when we were their age. It certainly provides a wonderful perspective in life to see Christmas through the eye's of a parent. The most wonderful time of the year, the best for last indeed!


After the gifts had all been unwrapped it was time to head to Eric & Jodie's for a bountiful Christmas Breakfast. They provided us a real spread of traditional home style breakfast items which we certainly enjoyed. This time of year is so perfect for family gatherings and this breakfast was a real integral part of our holiday experience. Family gathering around a smorgasbord of tasty food, now you can't beat that!

One item worthy of noting is Eric in his apron, he almost looked like a natural in the kitchen with that thing on. I think he really enjoyed being able to don that thing and cook up breakfast for all of us. Good times, for sure!

Later on in the afternoon I assisted our "Santa" with a visit to another family. I must say this guy sure loves playing the big man. Gary really loves sharing that Christmas joy to all children. I found it to be a real honor to be able to drive Chris Kringle around in his modernized red sleigh.



Santa made his visit with complete success and so the red suite will be retired for awhile but not for too long, I am sure.

Another great Christmas.........

Christmas Eve with Santa

As tradition has played for many years now, good ole' Saint Nick made his appearance on Christmas Eve to discuss with the kids how they have been through the year. He delivers a few early gifts, holds them on his knee, and bids them farewell to head out for his long night of worldwide delivery.

Our Santa sure enjoys this opportunity every year and what a joy the children have as they get to talk to the big man himself during the most festive time of the Season. I think Santa himself enjoys the opportunity, he is almost like a child himself as he prepares for this annual event. Donning the red suit is something he looks forward to each year, bringing such joy to these children whom he loves so much.

Sometimes some of the kids realize who is beneath the suit, but they understand that the little kids need to keep their innocents and so they do not share this insight. The joy of Christmas comes in many forms, I certainly enjoy each one.

Recalling the Christmas Story

With Christmas fast approaching we gathered the children for our tradition of reenacting the Nativity. This year we had some make-shift costumes and the kids were eager to dress up and participate. Molly had already decided long before we arrived that this year she wanted to play the part of Mary. As soon as we arrived she discussed the matter with her Grandma who ensured Molly that this would be her role this year. Needless to say Molly was a very excited little girl.

Eric read from the scriptures and the children played their roles perfectly. What a wonderful scene it was to watch these precious children enjoying the reenactment of the greatest event in all of history.

The live Nativity was a true success and perfectly set the stage for a most wonderful Christmas holiday.

A Great Gathering for Christmas Eve Dinner

Kristy's entire family gathered for a Christmas feast and this was no easy task. In fact her brother Eric's family was actually supposed to be in Utah for the holiday however, fate had other plans. The western states just happened to receive some severe winter weather which resulted in their flights to be rescheduled until after the holiday. Although I know Jodie missed her family back in Utah, it was so great to have everyone gathered together during this most wonderful time of the year.

So our grand feast got underway with all the traditional fixins', as well as some of our nontraditional favorites.

The kids are all growing so fast. They sure enjoyed spending time together, which is in many ways why holidays are so wonderful.

Leonard was looking as well as always, he has recovered most assuredly from his heart troubles back in July of 2005 and the holidays would not be the same without him. It is a true blessing to continue to have him with us to share his wisdom and love, which he certainly has much of both.

Tove sure knows how to feed us well, and we certainly enjoy taking advantage of the opportunity.

The babies in the family are growing faster than ever. It seems like just yesterday back in the holiday season of 1999 when we all gathered for the first time. Kristy was the last of her siblings to be married and so we all gathered together and celebrated as a family. At that time we had no children, it was just a bunch of married adults. A mere seven years later and there is now 8 children among us. Now that is a real Christmas gift if you ask me.





Good food, a great holiday, all spent with the ones we love, the making of wonderful memories indeed.