Office humor

This commercial made me laugh, because I say all those things probably 10 times on Mondays...

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm going to see if I can tie all posts back to the Bulls...

See below for heart felt thank you from NBA MVP Derrick Rose to his mother. Happy mother's day to all you mothers and potential mothers. We appreciate all you do!

Spring at the Indiana Homestead

Each of these trees on this side of the house are named for our five children. The two white-flowered ones are Karl's and Edward Russell's. The two pink-flowered ones are Betsey's and Margie's. You can just barely see Ryan's flowering apple tree at the northern-most end. They are arranged from oldest to youngest.

This is the area in front of the pool addition. That tallest red tree in the foreground is Margie and Brandon's wedding tree. We plant one for each kid as they marry.

Here's the front of the house. There are so many happy memories of when you all lived at home. We sure do miss 'the pitter-patter of little feet' (big feet, too).

How I wish I could have the grandkids here to share the flowers with, play in the grass, and enjoy happy times.


So I thought you might all be up for some pictures of the house as spring begins to blossom in all her most colorful finery. Sure hope you will join us one of these spring seasons!

Four Years of Wedded Bliss!

Happy Fourth Anniversary to Margie and Brandon. Here's to four to the fourth power more years of happiness and love!

More Hong Kong Pics

We loved the million of tiny narrow streets that fed into the main roads. These tiny streets were filled with all sorts of vendors and small market stores. Do you want to buy chicken feet? You will see them hanging in the meet stalls. Do you want to buy fresh produce? There it all is for the millions of residents that live close by. It is truly marvelous.

Here we are in Victoria Park on the western side of Hong Kong, not too far from the IKEA, and near the Causeway Bay area. Nora is constantly mobbed by locals who can't get over her blonde hair and blue eyes, and her sweet personality!

As you might imagine, Ed was enamored of the incredible architecture. I will have to look up the name of this building. Maybe Betsey or Richard will remember, but there were too many huge gigantic buildings to remember them all.

And this is me, riding the open-air bus. It was really, really fun (no walking!).

Ed and Claudia's Hong Kong Vacation

So here we are at the Hong Kong Disneyland. Betsey and Nora are in the teacup!

We were so impressed by the miles and miles and miles of high rise buildings. No wonder they can have so many people squeezed in to each square kilometer of the city.

We were also amazed by how many people there always are in the street. The people were so obedient to the stop signals, and always waited their turn to cross the busy streets.

Richard and Calvin enjoined the open air tour along with all the rest of us. I know that when you visit Hong Kong, Betsey and Richard will take you on the Red Bus Tour like they did for us. It was so incredible!
We also took the Star Ferry across the bay. It was so relaxing that Calvin and Nora fell asleep.

Too big, too strong, too fast, too good!

It's time to celebrate an amazing Bulls season. In their regular season finale tonight, the team will go for win number 62! It's only the 6th time in franchise history that they've won 60 games or more. They've already locked up the #1 seed in the Eastern conference and will go for the best record in the league tonight. Derrick Rose, by most accounts, will be named the league MVP (youngest MVP ever) and there is a chance the first year head coach Tom Thibodeau will win coach of the year.

Fambly Fun Times

Ed here. Check out the pics on our blog. Cutesville.



Click me!

What a great trip!

Just getting back from paying the Hong Kong Hawkins a visit. We had a great time. Hong Kong was wonderful and Bangkok was super fun. And let's not forget, it was so so so good to get to spend time with Betsey, Richard, Nora and Calvin. Love you guys so much.

Margie, It's YOUR day!

Happy Emily Day!

We love our Emily! Hope your birthday is just fantastic. Emily is full of style and fun.

Blonde or brunette, Emily is the best!

She's a natural with the babies. They all love her.

And she is the best employee of Urban Outfitters. This is an Urban in San Francisco. I took the picture for Emily because I love her and Urban reminds me of Emily.

We miss you so much and think that you should start saving your pennies for a trip to Hong Kong.

Thanks for always watching horrible movies with us. Thanks for being Claudia's Bestie. Thanks for always recommending wonderful foods and having an excellent appetite. Thanks for being the puzzle champion. We love you, Emily! Happy Birthday!

It's Your Birthday, Ryan

And we love you.

Not just because you are funny and are easy to make laugh. And good at making other people laugh.

Not just because you have three fantastic ladies in your family.

Not just because you are smart and good at fixing things.

Not just because you are rivaling dad for owning the most cars.

And not just because we are related to you.

We love you because you are GREAT and honestly, who couldn't love Ryan!?!?

Hope your day is wonderful. I'll never forget how you stood up for me in Elementary school when that bully was picking on me. You are the best older brother.

FYI, we need to take more pictures of you when we are together! This is the extent of my Ryan photos! LAME!

Happy Birthday, Daddy-O!

To the best Dad in the world. Happy Birthday! Thanks for playing grappling grizzlies. Thanks for making the best lasagna. Thanks for sending us all to college. Thanks for taking us all on bike rides, canoe rides, and walks. Thanks for loving your grandchildren. We all love you!

Thanks for installing a pool in the house. Even though it was after we all left. Thanks for reading us stories when we were little. Thanks for giving us all your great work ethic.

Hope you have a perfect day! I hope it includes a quiet day at work. A simple evening with mom, maybe some Papa Murphey's pizza, an episode of Seinfeld and Two and a Half Men, some time on the eliptical and then onto bed at 8:30 p.m. Maybe if your lucky, Claudia will make you a carrot cake!

WE sure love you and can't wait for your visit in a few weeks!

Happy Birthday, Brandon

Here's to Brandon! My favorite Brother-in-law! He's smart, kind, patient and funny. Happy Birthday, Brandon! I hope Margie spoils you today with lots of delicious food and thoughtful presents!

Happy Birthday, Brandon

Here's to Brandon! My favorite Brother-in-law! He's smart, kind, patient and funny. Happy Birthday, Brandon! I hope Margie spoils you today with lots of delicious food and thoughtful presents!