MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We had a great year and hope that the next one is even better. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Great Daddy Dilemma

Riley has gotten into the habit of calling Matt "Mommy". It drives Matt crazy. I mean, it really bothers him. We correct Riley every time but it doesn't seem to sink in. It's actually pretty funny, but then again he gets my name right.

Happy Easter

Laughing with Ma Murtha, originally uploaded by gibj.

I hope that most everyone had a great Easter Weekend. I know that Alexis and Riley did.

On Saturday we went to an Easter party held by one of the families from church. There was a magician, balloon animals, an egg hunt, great food, and baskets for all the kids. Man can Sunia throw a party.

On Sunday after church we went to RI where the kids got more baskets and more candy and then we had a wonderful dinner with Matt's family. For us it was a great weekend.

For others I know the weekend was not so good. One of my friends that I grew up with, Zach Hawley, and his wife Hayley lost their daughter, Harper, on Saturday morning. It is hard for me to write this and I know it is even harder for them to go through this. Pray hard for them and their families during this time of great sorrow.

Insurance

Massachusetts is the only state in the union that does not allow free market insurance. The state sets what the rates are, not the market. They have long debated on rather this policy should change. Every time the legislature decides that it is more fair to everyone to keep things as they are. With the way rates are calculated this is only fair to the state. One of the main arguments I have heard lately as to why things shouls stay the way they are is this, of course rates would decrease for many people but it would skyrocket the rates of young drivers. These are the same young drivers whom the legislature is trying to say should no longer be able to drive because they are not responsible enough to have a license, they satate want to raise the legal driving age to 18 because young drivers are the worst drivers. Wouldn't it be nice if the People's Republic of Massachusetts actually thought about what was best for the people. Just to give you a comparison, we paid around $150 every month when we lived in Wichita, a city of over 450,000. We now pay over $370 every month, for the same two cars even though we are older and have children, which most insurance companies thinks makes you a safer driver, we also live in a city of just over 100,000 people. Also Matt was rated as a step 9 driver, which is the best rating anyone can receive, and I was rated a 10. The steps have now gone away and been replaced with a new points system that no one can understand. I will give them that Springfield has a higher crime rate than Wichita but the cost for our insurance is ridiculous. I hope that the legislature will wise up and consider what is best for the many and quit considering what is best for the few. Not that I think the few should be forgotten but the rest of us shouldn't be punished for their irresponsibility.

A dog Christmas

A dog Christmas
Originally uploaded by gibj.

I have pictures up through Christmas Day.


Coming Soon: Our trip to Kansas

Riley's first haircut.

Riley's first haircut.
Originally uploaded by gibj.

Riley got his first haricut in November right before Thanksgiving. He had a mullet and I couldn't deny it anymore. The haircut made him look so much older. He was also getting much more attention from all the ladies at the mall. I just goes to prove that women like a clean cut guy.

Halloween Night

Halloween Night
Originally uploaded by gibj.

Sure it's now Feb. but I have Halloween pictures up now.