Trip to Sanibel Island, Florida

A day on an uninhabited island: it was so beautiful!

Dan and Sarah (far right) with Sarah's whole family.

Like father, like son!!!

Just chillin' out ...

New couch?

This is our old blue and white couch with a slipcover and pillows that
mom recovered for me. Isn't it such a change! :)

**I would also like to officially apologize for the lack of house
pics. Right now we are scheduled to get internet on the 22nd, but I
broke my camera in FL... So.. the best I can do is cell pics for now.
More to follow. **

Spring street in Washington

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Short haired boy!

Check out Will's new cut! Thanks Mima! :)

The *most* beautiful city

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The Important Thing

When you are two and very cool, it is of supreme importance to make
sure you have ALL your favorite trucks AND your pink bottle of juice
in the back of your bike for easy access.

Some of the real cousins with their Dad

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Congratulations Jonny and Sara

on your engagement! We are all very happy for you both, and are looking forward to the Block family expanding to include another special person! Much love to you both!! :)

Our painting

On Valentine's Day, Dan and I took a couple's painting class. This is
the result, which I am really happily surprised by!! It was really
quite fun. I did the sky and Dan did the water. It was supposed to be
the lake the night he proposed to me, but I think it looks more like
the ocean... But whatever! We had fun! :)

What did the lion say after it ate a clown?

That tasted funny!

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I'm a real big quadder

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Look what we got!!

We just got this train table, tracks, and trains-- for $60!! It is
super popular around here. (Shelley, we're not in the R2D2 stage quite
yet...) :)

Folks, Sara works at an organization that works to bring kids up to
grade level in reading and math through targeted, aggressive
after-school tutoring. She's been at the organization for one
semester. Recently, she gave some of her students diagnostic tests.
The results are below. (As you read them, keep in mind that these
kids see tutors for just a few hours a week and they've only been at
it for one semester.)

Of the 6 children tested in reading comprehension:
2 moved forward one-and-a-half grade levels
1 moved ahead one full grade level
2 moved ahead half a grade level
and 1 made no growth

Of the 3 children tested on word recognition:
1 moved forward 2 grade levels
2 moved forward 1 grade level

Mega props to Sara!

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www.theflatcousins.blogspot.com

New Blog!

Fam,

I am starting a new blog devoted to the adventures of the Flat Cousins. They traveled with me all over the country during the campaign trail and their adventures were posted to the family blog, but I thought now that the elections are over and I am trying to move to St. Louis, I'd let the cousins have their very own blog.

The website is www.theflatcousins.blogspot.com

Mark it today and be sure to subscribe so you can get all of our posts!

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Will and monkey in matching fur vests by Mima!

Beautiful red door

South City, StL.

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And Happy SEVENTH birthday to Noah!!!!!

I love you, buddy! May the Lord bless and keep you for another year (and many, many more!).
love kak

Two Beautiful girls

We miss you Cha and can't wait to see you in Feb or March! I love you, babe.

Christmas at the Block's

Uncle Jonny nearly herniates as Luke crawls on top of the 1 million dollar table.














Buddies: Noah and Will












8 out of 10 grandkids--prior to Kak and John's arrival

Pictures of the Blocks

Here are a couple of pages from our profile that features the family.
I love you guys.
Duke
P.S. Happy 7th birthday to Noah, our sweet fearless leader of the grandchildren! I love thee buddy and I'm very proud of thee and the young man thee's becoming. Thanks for being such a great big cousin to thy younger cousins. I'm glad they have thee to look up to.