Catching Up with the O'Hara's

It's been weeks since we've been together with the O'Hara's unless just in passing at church or home school group, either due to weather, illness or just busy schedules. Tracey & Sean graciously made us a wonderful brunch. We arrived at 10, visited, had a great breakfast (Brooklyn ate 3 pieces of French Toast, PLUS some of mine!) and spent a morning visiting, letting the kids play and catching up. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful sunny day, and the kids enjoyed playing outside for a better part of the day. Brooklyn had a different mentor at different times during the day. Alexis & Tanya both did so well with her, watching her, playing with her, and enjoying her. Tanya said to me she wished she had a little sister like Brooklyn....I told her she needed to talk to her Dad, but that I thought 5 was enough! Of course Ryan & Kristin helped out as well--but they are old hat at caring for Brooklyn & Jason.

Jason exhausted himself today, playing outside, really enjoying Kim. They played so well together. He had so much fun playing on the play set, running in the field and playing with the big kids. Around nap time, I asked him if he wanted to go home with me for a nap with his sister, or if he wanted to stay--of course you know his choice. Brooklyn made things really easy by falling asleep in her car seat before I even started the car or left the driveway....and she was peaceful, warm and happy, so we all enjoyed a nice visit while the kids played and Brooklyn napped.

Sean & Bill did some playing of their own. They've been working on this project for weeks now on & off, changing things, modifying things, and today, they finally got it. The installed a contraption on Bill's truck today that will help with fuel economy. It seems I remember helping a friend install something similar many years ago. It was a can to hold dry ice, and boost nitrous through the system, helping the car run faster...and I'm sure it had nothing to do with fuel economy!! Oh how our times are changing--how our lives have changed. From 1966 Mustang Fastbacks to 2001 Chevy S-10's. From dumping our paychecks into our cars to cruise Telegraph on Saturday nights, living carelessly with no seat belts, to saving gas & car seats....oh boy, who would have ever thought!

Bill drove home tonight, with the "experimental apparatus" in place and did some further testing in the garage...he will drive the test vehicle all next week, and we'll see the the proof...and hopefully, it will be so cost effective, that we'll all have them in our cars!

We ended up staying for dinner the kids were having so much fun (OK, Tracey & I too), the guys were still working in the garage...and it was just a great day. Ryan teased me since I told him we weren't staying all day. He had the last laugh!! We came home a bit before 8, had quick baths, Brooklyn & Jason tucked in, and sleeping by 8:30--the other two by 9:30, and Bill by 10! A busy but fun day.

Thanks O'Hara's for having us, and making it such an enjoyable day!