Charlie's Post

I decided it would be appropriate to do my first ever blog entry on the art of being a "copy cat." I have this down to a T (pun intended since the person I copy the most is big brother Tyson). It's amazing how Mom can go from a sane individual to having a crazed look in her eye afterTyson starts throwing a fit and I manage to match him pitch for pitch. I find it a thing of beauty.

The great thing about being part of the Moore family is that there are SO many people I can copy. Right now, I've gotten a lot of practice copying my aunt Molly, Grandma, Grandpa, Tyson (of course), and a little bit of the Buyske Boys and my other aunts and uncles at Christmas. I really can't wait until the family picnic when I can truly show my skills. And now that I'm able to form some words, it makes it that much better. Now instead of just hearing Tyson say "Nooooo," Mom can hear it from me too - usually just a split second after Tyson. Everyone always wants surround sound, right?

The thing that saves me from getting into any real troublewith copying is the fact that I'm just so darn cute....and I know it. One bat of the eyelashes and a sly look, and I am off scott-free. Maybe Tyson should start copying ME......he would have less "chill out" times!

Look forward to seeing most of you this summer! Start practicing some fun mannerisms so I can copy you, too!

Love - Charlotte Ann Marie

A Note From New Jersey

Well Dez, Isaac and Connie have made it pretty difficult to follow up!  Gosh, a daily thought - there are so many rolling around in this head!  

After working in the high school these past four years, I have noticed that many of the words that Dez used to describe our family are just not as common in the everyday household.  The norm is to come from a three or four parent family; to have lots of stepbrothers or stepsisters; to bounce from place to place.  They come to us for a few weeks, months, a year and then back to the other parent.  My heart aches for these little lost lambs and makes me that much more thankful for my upbringing and the upbringing that we were able to give our children.   I am also thankful that I am in a place where we can have some impact on these kids and try to help them out.  It is easy to do this because I am secure in who I am thanks to my parents.  We have a beautiful extended family and I want to express how grateful I am for all of you!!!

The oldest Moore speaks

Boy, how does one follow those first 2 entries. As the oldest Moore sibling, I sometimes felt like a guinea pig as mom and dad were learning their parenting as I was growing up. But I think they learned well and all 6 of us succeeded beyond all expectations (which were rather high).
I can remember when I left for college and there were only 7 people at the dinner table (yes we did all eat dinner together) that dad was pretty bummed for a while. I think he got over it and as we all left home he began to realize how nice and quiet it was.
When the grandchildren started coming and everyone would come home to visit, mom and dad would let them all have the house and they would come over to our house for the night. It was a little quieter there!
Now with the great grandchildren coming in droves this family has grown beyond all expectations and, as Desi said, shows marvelous faith and resolution.

The world according to Isaac

My favorite food has to be ketchup. When Mom lets me, I eat it all by itself. So, I thought there would be no better subject for my inaugural blog posting than an ode to the best substance in the world...ketchup!

After doing a quick search on wikipedia, I learned that ketchup originated in the late 1600's in China, but the traditional tomato-based type did not appear until the 1800's. Tomato ketchup is considered a pseudoplastic which is why is is difficult to pour from a glass bottle. This is because the viscosity decreases with increasing sheer force which is why you have to provide sheer (such as hitting the Heinz bottle right at the #57) to get it to come out - the faster sheer is applied, the more fluid-like the ketchup becomes.

Hopefully you all learned a bit more about my favorite subject. I'm sure those of you who will be present at the family picnic this summer will see me covered in the stuff from head to toe!

One of Fifty-Four

Earlier today, Molly and I were talking (texting) about determination and faith and it got me thinking about where inner strength comes from – how determination and faith survive when you otherwise feel discouraged or defeated. For me, it is family (I owe my own family everything, but that is an aside). “Faith in your name,” as a college friend of mine used to say. I always understood this to mean, when you are in need of strength, have faith in what is behind your name, in who came before you, in who gave you your name. This seems like an nice topic to explore here, by family member number 51 holding court with Gramma Jeanne in Delaware, on the first of (hopefully) fifty-four-straight posts on the Moore Family Blog.

Since this is, without question, Gramma’s family, any inner strength, any faith in our names (Moore, Morris, Buyske, Wingerter, Waickman, Philpot, Coldiron, Wells, Borten, Menuier, Schulte – did I get them all?) in one way or another derives from her (and Grandpa John, for those who knew him, I’m sure). As a newer family member, I have fewer points of reference, but can nevertheless identify qualities in Gramma that lend strength, or faith, in my name, Moore. Loyalty, generosity, faith in God, thoughtfulness and perspective, among others. In regard to generosity, specifically, Kit shared a story with me that I will never forget – when she and John were younger and in need of some help, Gramma Jeanne and Grandpa John went out of their way to help them, even where this meant making sacrifices of their own. As for my own experiences with Gramma, I love the cards she sends – they are sweet and caring and reminiscent of when people used to write letters, in that she fills us in on the dinner she had with Connie or a get together with girlfriends at her church. I can picture her saying the things she has written. I also love Gramma’s attitude. She is so sassy. And funny. There’s something about her blasé attitude that is a good reminder not to sweat the small stuff. In any event, thanks, Gramma, for defining Moore.

Let's Start

Ok, Dez, it is going to be up to you to start this because Gramma doesn't do blogs.  She reads them but doesn't post.  Are we waiting for everyone to have post capability or just waiting?  I think since summer is approaching we would all have a daily tidbit to put on there and maybe just a tich more time to do it.  Come on, family!  Let's just do it!!

Congratulations to the Other New Doctor

We have to give a shout out to Dr. Mike!  We just spent a GREAT weekend in Oregon witnessing all the hoopla for Michael.  He had a hooding ceremony for the optometrists; then was commissioned into the Navy (again); then we went to the graduation for all of the "doctors" where they were actually hooded.  It was a so neat to be a part of it!  Matt actually got to come to the Friday night dinner in Portland as he was in Seattle and stretched his trip out one more day to take part in some of the festivities!  We wish everyone from the family could have been there but we are reaching that time when these things just aren't possible.  We are so proud of you, Michael!!

Cutest Kids - Try #2

Okay All - I realize this is two mass emails in two days, but forgive me!

I got some replies that said it was hard to find the link to the contest through the one I gave you.  Kaylin has two pages so it is kind of a maze.  Try the link below and that should take you directly to the pictures. 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.132178640190398.33077.127395617335367

THANKS YA'LL!!

Ryan is in the air somewhere so pray for safe travels. 

Love -Megs

Cutest Kids :)

Ok -

So we got pictures taken of Charlie and Tyson while Ryan was home and coincidentally it corresponded with our photographers cutest kid contest.  So go to her Facebook page and "Like" Charlie and Tyson's pictures.  The "likes" count as the votes; not the comments. 

WOOHOO!  VOTE VOTE VOTE

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000432924347

Love you all!  Pray for safe travels for Ryan as he headed out this morning. 

-- Meghan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATULATIONS!!

Today is Jake's 26th Birthday. Yay! And he gets to spend the day as a newly graduated Doctor of Medicine! Graduation was great, the Cardinals game was awesome and the birthday will rock today!

Congratulations Jake and we are so happy we can be here to celebrate your birthday and your great achievement with you.

We love you tons and are so proud of you!!

Mom and Dad

New zoo in Missoula

I was in Missoula over the weekend with the Wells crew. We observed Truman'a fifth birthday and enjoyed some windy, but sunny, weather. The crew has moved to a new address (take note: 640 Beverly, Missoula MT 59801). The family is settling in nicely in the new neighborhood.

Front view of the house ...


The patio in back ...

Moore Action On This Blog!

Last week when the Tom Moore family were out here visiting the Windy City, we all decided that it would be cool if we had some more action on this blog. Desiree posts one thing every day on her blog, and we thought that would be a good goal for this blog as well. Then we thought it would be great if we could just go down the list of states and everyone would take their turn posting something - anything - on their day. In other words, day one (Delaware) would be Grandma or Desiree's turn to post something. The next day would be Connie or Isaac's turn. Etc.

I've posted the list of states and folks over there on the right. What do y'all think? If people think this is a good idea, then we'll have Diz and/or Grandma kick this off...

Happy Birthday, Truman!

Truman turns five today! I hope he has a great birthday -- or even several days.

Another Happy 30th to Joey!

I hated to post on top of Michael's cute video, but I had to share the picture that one of Joey's co-workers took of him on Friday.  Joey did have a three day celebration heading into his 30's.  I sent a box full of decorations to his "next door neighbor" and she was so sweet and decorated his room after he left on Thursday and picked up the cake that Tommy had ordered at Costco.  We went down on Saturday and took him out to dinner and then to breakfast today and opened cards.  Hopefully he enjoyed his day!  He does just look so cute in this picture!  Love you Joey!!!

Happy 30th, Joey!

Not to post on top of the well wishes for the moms today, but today also marks Joey turning the big 3-0. I have plenty of good memories of him, but figured I'd mix it up a bit and post a video of a particularly funny one a couple Christmases ago.  Enjoy it along with my laughter at the end as a soundtrack.  Happy birthday, bro.

Happy Mothers Day!

I'll be visiting my mother to mark the occasion. First, she's volunteering at a Mothers Day brunch. She's golden.

I also want to extend all my love to these three young moms. They've made me a proud grandfather. Happy Mothers Day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIZZY-LOU!

It's Desiree's birthday, and we're lucky enough to have family in town to celebrate with us. It's now the end of the day and we're all at home hanging out and having a really nice time. Here's wishing Diz a fantastic 31st year. I love your guts, my dear.

Sia's Birthday

So little Miss Kesiah just turned Seven! I had to put this birthday picture of her on the blog because it embodies her sassy little self. She had a bunny party - she goes with some kind of animal theme each year. :) Her friends are such sweeties - the lone boy Ashtyn has been her BFF since they were little and he was such a trooper with his blue ears. She is always the lone girl at his birthday and he is the lone boy. Anyhoo, was a fun birthday - can't believe she is seven!

Happy Birthday Jim!!

Happy 50th birthday Jim! Here is a photo of him doing what he loves to do! This was at a tournament game in the old Central High School gym in Great Falls. Looking good for an old guy!

Love ya tons~

Mary

Jesus Rose Today... Oh yeah and......

SHANNON AND BIRCH are engaged! After 4 years of dating, Birch proposed to Shannon today during a solo Easter Egg hunt. They were able to spend the evening with family and made the official announcement after Easter dinner. Everyone is super excited for the two of them. Birch and Shannon are planning on a summer 2012 wedding date (which will be here quicker than you think). Join us in congratulating the two!