Mom didn't post this picture, but this was the one that threw her off because she thought the braids were still connected. She said, oh Alienor looks like Pippy Longstocking! Then she saw the next picture with the braids farther away from her hair and she couldn't quite grasp it! It was funny. And yes mom, Alienor will need braces!

Yeah, glad to be able to post again!! Thanks Nathan for the invitation. Actually, could you tell me how to invite others to join the blog? I have a Duffort blog (no activity!) and now that we've 'discovered' the Duffort cousins I'd like to invite them to join. Of course I don't know how though! Anybody know where I can click?

About Alienor's hair. We've been planning on cutting it off for over 6 months. We planned on doing it at Christmas but that didn't work out. So we put it off til Easter vacation. The plan was to have it long enough (at least 10-12 inches) to be able to donate it to Locks of Love. It's a non-profit organization that makes wigs for children with cancer. So I have Alienor's braids in a bag ready to send out on Monday. I think we cut off about 14 inches. Hopefully some little girl will benefit from the hair. We're counting it also as a Faith in God 'activity' under service. Alienor really likes her short hair and it has added a bounce to her step. It's easier to take care of in a way, but needs more styling. She's happy to have short hair like Abby. She is planning on growing it out again to be able to donate it again. We'll see how long it takes.

Other news...? I attended my first youth dance as YW president. It was a half stake activity and there were about 20-25 youth there plus a few adults. It was just like any other church dance and it really took me back. It made me think about all the youth dances I attended in NJ and made me wonder where all the kids are from my ward. I'm in contact with a few, but there are only 2-3 that stayed active after all these years (almost 20!!!).

Well, now that I can post again, you might not be able to shut me up!

Oh, I found an old tape and listened to it. It was a tape that Jimmy made and sent to me, I think in the fall of 98. But no, it has to be from earlier because he says that he thinks Nathan is home from his mission but Bobby isn't. So when would that be? It was just before Thanksgiving because he talks about us all getting together for Thanksgiving. Plus he has just sent a box to Gramma with a cake mix in it - because she makes the best cakes. He sure is an interesting guy and listening to him reminded me a lot of Grampa. Any news from Jimmy lately?

I'll go now and dig up some recent pictures to post, just for fun.
Glad to be back on.

Jocelyn

HI EVERYONE!
THIS IS A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO NATHAN AND BRANDI
FOR SENDING ME AN INVITE TO GET BACK ON THE BLOG -
AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT WORKED!
HOPE I CAN KEEP IT UP!
IF ALL WORKS WELL,
I'LL MAKE MY NEXT POST SOME PICS OF NINHA, SHAWNNA AND DREW
ON THEIR VACATION HERE IN CALIFORNIA
LOVE YOU ALL!
CASSY

Well, as you all know from the few words from Ed, I have been very frustrated with the family blog. I am not able to get on and post any items myself, so I am FORCED to email Ed and have him post my news. It seems like a really ‘round about way of doing it. I probably wouldn’t be sending this post, except that Jocelyn isn’t able to get on the blog either and I promised her I would make the effort to get these new pics of Alienor posted, even if I had to go to Ed’s house and sit at his computer to do it. The next best thing was for me to email the info and pics and have Ed post it, which he was kind enough to do, so that’s the reason you are getting to see this post on the blog!

Jocelyn recently sent me these pics of Alienor, which I thought were really fun to get. As I was looking through them, I thought Jocelyn was sending them so I could see how really long Alienor’s hair has grown. As I flipped through them, I thought how nice her hair was in braids. Reminded me of how often I wore braids when I was little, mostly because Grandma Nana didn’t like my hair falling in my eyes or covering my face (was really tough during the ‘hippie’ days – heehee!). Anyway, suddenly I came to the pic with her hair short, and all I could think of was that she had pulled it back, away from her face (another way to keep it out of her eyes!). It took me forever and really looking HARD at the pic to realize that the pics were of the before and after of Alienor’s NEW AND STYLISH DO! I was so shocked and surprise – I really never thought she would ever cut her hair. I was really HAPPY TOO!! I think she looks ADORABLE and with so much STYLE, but of course I am such a SHORT HAIR-kinda gal, that it fits right in with my way of styling hair.

YEAH – ALIENOR
LONG HAIR OR SHORT HAIR – YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL!!
I LOVE YOU LOTS!!
GRANDMA CASS!!

Just so Jocy and Marion know-----I will be more than happy to post your email messages and pictures on this blog until we can get Nathan to figure out why you are having so much trouble. He is very busy so it may never happen but we can hope and pray and use this back door method to keep the Ginn family record current. And I love your short hair Alienor
Love to all Ed

HAPPY 18TH OF APRIL TO EVERYONE!

page 3
more beach and random Chris. We had a great time Pizza and In and Out. Sorry no pictures of Julie and Chris holding Grace over the sink as she puked she was sick for the first two days. Lovely thing young children. Well they are for the most part it is just that other part that wears moms and sometimes dads out!

page 2
The two pictures of chocolate Easter Bunnies. That mom got real cheap after Easter our just thrown in for effect. By the way one ear was eaten and the rest were left behind - I wonder why?

It was great having the Hillmans here for a few days. On Saturday morning we
went to the stables with 15 pounds of carrots and fed the horses. There were just enough carrots for each horse to have one, Emma and Abby were fearless because they had taken pony riding lessons before. So they did a lot of petting and patting the horses.
We came home and mom was home from work so packed up and went to north beach. The sun came out and the water temp was about 60 degrees so Emma and Abby played in the water and made sand castles. Grace and Liz just got a sun burn and chases pigeons

Well, being the competitive person that I am I´ve decided to give Bobby a run for his money in the "how many jobs can you have in a year" contest. After only three months at this job I have given my two weeks notice and will be starting a new job at the end of this month!!
Love you all.
mom and dad, waiting for more pics of your time with the Hillmans.

Hi Everyone,
The Hillman's arrived about 9pm last night. We didn't get to bed until after midnight.
Here are some photos from breakfast. Emma picked Oranges, Abby eating, Liz on daddys lap
and Mom saying bye on her way to work. I don't know where Grace was but no picture of her this time. I will catch her later. Hope all is well. I asked Nathan to re-invite Casy, Marion and Jocy last night. I think if you get a goggle address and you sign in with it after he has invited you you will be able to post again. I can't wait to see Marions pictures of their trip to France. Hope you all can get back on becaude this is a great way to record our family events.
love Ed

Sounds like fun Jeff!! Hope the antibiotics help. Love you lots.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/mesenteric-lymphadentitis

Go to the web site link. This is what the dr. is going to treat me for.

He said that my blood is clean as a newborn, but that my blood sugar level is at 103...which is in the high part of safe.

Only thing the cat scan showed was that I have swolen lymph nodes in my adbomen area; generally caused by appendicitus, but that is not my case as I am showing no signs of that problem.

He used these words as refereences:

**Mesenteric Adenitis
**Yersinia

So I am going to be taking anti biotics to see if it goes away. I will have another check up on the 24th.

He is unsure of what it is but the above is his best educated guess.

He said, "you are very healthy."

He told me to eat less sugar and make sure i do not gain weight and daibeties won't be a problem for a couple of decades if at all.

Pretty much...my lymph nodes in my abdomen are swollen because I have a bacterial infection (who knows what kind) that is generally killed by anti biotics. We will see in two weeks how I am doing.

Love you all. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers!

Thanks for the pictures. Ninha, you look beautiful and the kids look so grown up!!
Dad, looks like you´re having fun with the eggs!
Camp went well, sorry I haven´t posted pictures yet, our internet at home isn´t working right now. I´ll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.
Love and MISS you all.

If you didn’t know already, Ninha is now teaching full- time as school teacher
She was teaching part time at two different schools, but has accepted a full time position at one of the school.After school Shawnna gets to go and help her mommy teach. Drew is still too young to go to the same place. He enjoys spending time at his day care center.
Here are some pictures of Ninha’s classroom and Shawnna being a teacher for a day. She helps her in classroom reading for the kids and also the others teachers ask for her help.Left to right Miss Sharon, Ninha and Miss Lisa.

Easter has come and gone at the Normand house. Unfortunately the Easter Bunny was running out of hard-boiled eggs, so the eggs that were hidden were either real eggs or that of the artificial kind. As Shawnna learned the hard way when the real egg broke in her hand during the celebration. The kids look so cute in their new clothes provided by Gramma Tata while on their California Spring Break. They received many compliments at church from everyone! Thank you Gramma Tata! Enjoy the pictures and Happy Easter to everyone else!

Tje day before Easter and Dad is coloring the eggs!
We hope you all have agreat Easter. Cassy, Marie and I will be
at the Holsts after five for dinner. Before that is Church.

hi I was waiting for cass to get her pics on but she cant figure out the new googl thing so her goes the pics of Nina, Shawnna, Drew the visit!

Waiting for news and pictures from Cassy - time spent with Ninha and kids and the Norton family - trip to Paris!!
I hope all is well for everyone. Jeff, sounds like you´re having a great time!!!
If you could remember me in your prayers I would apreciate it...tomorrow I have girls camp and my nerves are causing a pain in my stomach, just like Jeff!! It´s been raining for 4 days straight and I´m getting calls from parents and leaders, "my kids don´t want to go if it´s raining...!" So remember me and pray for NO rain!! This weekend I´ll post pictures of camp!!
Love you all.
Keep smiling!

So, 50 is the new 30 huh?

My dr. whome is 50, told me that and then foolowed up with, "thats crap, you are 30 and you look 24, im 50 and i look 50." it was funy in person. The dr.'s name is Dr. John Ippollito, pretty cool. he has done some check ups for pre missionaries before, as he recognized the special underwear i was wearing before I even took off my shirt to have him do some tests...

Well as written prior, I have something bothering me in my left abdomen region. I have never been to a dr. for health rasons, so yesterday when I visited the dr. I became slightly worried that there was something seriously wrong. I feel great other than this pain in my side; I have been coaching 5 days a week and playing indoor once a week and been feeling good....except my left side. I a not sure if it is a muscle tear or if it is internally. But I went to see a dr. and he pushed around on my stomach, checked my heart rate and then asked me if I had insurance. I said yes, he said, "good, cecause cat scans are expensve." So Friday I will be doing that and getting blood work done.

Thank you for the pictures Bobby, they´re great!

Stacia at Dance Class and Check out the baby black bear that Gina is holding. Cabellas Sporting store had 6 baby bears form yellowstone down here so we went and saw them.

I posted this email so that Bobby can try to be a part of some of Jason's home coming activities. The rest of us should try to send a note of some kind to welcome him home. Just a NOT SO GENTAL reminder that he is family. Enjoyed the novel Jeff.
Love Dad

Hello Everyone, It is so close to the time of Jason returning. Just thought
I would forward his last email. As always, short and sweet! lol, Wow, he
is playing the organ, what a wonderful thing!

Life is going to be very full the next couple of weeks. Just to let you know
what is happening I am outlining activities, and please know that you are
all invited to participate. We will be celebrating the birthdays of Heather
- April 1, Jon April - 2 and Daniel-April 5 (Lawrence's sons) when we are
able to get everyone together. Oh yeah, Travis and Tyler too, their
birthdays were in February and March but they were not here, so when they
get here, it is party time!


April 1 - Conference - Our home is open for lunch to any who wants to come.
You are welcome to come for morning session of conference eat lunch, or eat
lunch and watch afternoon session with us, or both.

April 6 - JASON'S FLIGHT IS SUPPOSE TO ARRIVE AT 12:12. (DELTA 545 from
Atlanta) Anyone and everyone is invited to come and welcome him home. The
more the merrier!!! I have told Jason he gets to choose the restaurant of
his choice for lunch. If you want to eat lunch with us, you are welcome,
everybody pays for their own. (if I was rich I would buy, but I am still
working on that).

April 8 - Easter Sunday, Jason will be speaking in Sacrament meeting (starts
at 8:30 sharp) Don't be late!! Lunch will be served at our home around
12:30. We will be having a sandwich bar, hunting for Easter eggs and
enjoying sunshine (hopefully). If you would like to bring a salad, desert or
whatever to share that would be great but not required. Basically a replay
of his farewell!

Please forward this invitation to all family and friends! If you can just
let me know if you will be able to celebrate with us and how many. Thanks,
you are all awesome.

Delanie
374-1397
369-4373
delaniew@gmail.com




well,
it has been another week and i don´t even know what happened. but i liked
the emails that i read today. i have been playing the organ for the
choir.(as seen in the photo). but this week there are alot of things to do.
cassie asked what my plans are. my responce is ´´i dont know`` this last
couple of months i have learned to live in the time of the Lord. don´t
worry about a room for me. i just need a place to hang up my hammick, and a
place to take a shower. lol. i hope all of you are doing good. and will
watch canference. i will. the special wittnesses of christ will testify of
the living messia. its better than christmas!!!!!! have a good week and i
will see you all next week.
love jason

SSSSOOOOOOO good to hear from you Jeff!!! Sounds like you´re keeping busy!!
Have a happy day everyone!

O.K. So I begin a novel...

...I turned 30 over two weeks ago. It was not a big deal, but still, it sucks. One more year in the singles ward and I am done being single "young" adult status as far as the church is concerned...everyone pray and fast that my wife falls in my lap this year. Seriously though. The last two months I have gotten a bit of a break from soccer....at least the coaching part of things.

Dad mentioned that I have something bothering me in my abdomen area. I am not sure what it is, as I have never had to see the inside of a hospital as a patient, well at least for an illness...a broken bone, and knee surgery, but not illness. So, i am not sure what to think about this pain. WebMD says it could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome, dad thinks it could be an ulcer...

...the ulcer could make some sense, as me becoming a 30 year old just happened to bring along some different stresses. As the majority of you know I am the coaching dirctor (I coach the coaches) of a soccer club that I helped develop. It has been very rewarding, but it sure is difficult to change a community's customs, habits and mind sets. Truly, the soccer in this community has been solely recreational for over 20 years. In comes Coach Ginn and all of a sudden things are changing. Before i go on let me express how badly this communtiy needs a competitive club, how badly they need to evolve and that simply this city has the potnetial of having a very successful soccer community within itself. O.K. so there are "old schoolers" that dont want change, that don't want to evolve in to the 90's let alone the 21st century. So needless to say, we (I) have our enemies and they will do anything to stop us. SO I personllay have been accused of recruiting when i am not allowed to do so. It is a complicated matter, but when you are an honest person trying to be charitable and you are accused of doing something illegaly, it will bother you.

Some people ask why I care, whiy I even deal with the club stuff when I have a college program. It is difficult to explain, but to be honest it is not a question I ask myself. I love developing kids, not just in soccer, but as citizens. The kids in our club have seen drastic changes in their study habits and choice of vocabulary...I would even go as far as stating that they are learning morality, as short shorts and sleeveless shirts are not tolerated at training or soccer events. The parents have complimented on these aspects a ton to me. i am proud of that.

The last two weeks, disagreeing with other people (that I respect) within the club and having people outside of the club create accusations has been a step in to adulthood. I can no longer play the young and dumb ignorant card and i have been thrown a number of tirals the last month. Nothing is ever resolved with perfection, but I believe I have handled some stuff very well and stressed about somethings tons.

So the ulcer idea...not a bad thought. I will see a dr. if it persists.

I have been playing indoor soccer in an over 30's league the last few weeks. I enjoy it because i am one of the better players, however, I am used to playing with college kids, that move off the ball and make me look brilliant...so now I do the opposite role and have to do all of the moving...it is good for me, as I am using it as a work out. I am already feeling better from it. The only negative, my legs are sore the next day from being over wirght...so far, the knee has proved to be nimble and and agile, yet loose and ready to tear. Pretty much the dr. told me that the ligaments in both my acl and mcl are skinny...pretty much said, one day the acl will tear no matter how careful I am. SO I am careful, but lately I have been feeling a little testy and it has held strong. AND YES MOM, i am wearing the brace.

It was spring break last week for the kids and teachers, not the coaches. One day the coaches got away and went golfing. I was only 1 over par after three holes, I was gettig lucky! Anyway, after that the pain started up and by the 9th hole I could not swing anymore. I did not play the back 9. I shot a 51 in case anyone is wondering.

Friday was our one day off. I went out to west omaha, got a head and neck message and dyed my hair a deep brown and got it cut. I had a relaxing weekend, went to bed early and woke up late two days in a row. I have tried to relax a ton to see if the pain will reside.

O.K. so church was good today. After church I came home, watched some ncaa basketball and then pulled out my present from dad. Dad sent me a small train set for my birthday. I sat down for about 2 hours constructing it to see what it can do. The electrity works, as does the engine. In due time I will do as Grandpa Ginn used to do and build a platform and a small farming community for the train to venture through and around. It may take some time and trips to omaha (the nearest train shop) to develop a larger scale of ideas. Bout it will be fun.

Anyway, that is my life and now I am heading to bed.

Oh yeah, nate called Saturday to wish me a late happy birthday. It is good to hear from him. He is so busy and being so productive lately, it is difficult for the two of us to have time to chat! I can't wait until May when we all get to hang out!

Love you all!

well it looks as if this change is causing a serious case of constipation in the participation of family on this blog. Come on take a laxative and spew forth some info about your life. Cassy doesn't think she has anything but you know what Nina and the kids are coming out for a visit on the 27th of March for about 10 days. I hope we see some pictures posted Cass and some dialogue about what you all are doing. Bobby is shopping a part time coaching deal. Jeff has a medical problem in his gut, Marion should have lots to say about Paris Disney and cindi has a historic girls camp coming up and Nathan has lots of pictures of his kids and interesting things to say. come on open up and share.
I am still less than healthy. we went to Elsenor yesterday to see the wonder full trash pile and bird sanctuary Leslie has made of the place.
Later Dad

Well what do you know. I am now a new blogger
As the people at Staples say "That was easy"

Ninha, I hope you had a great day. You look BEAUTIFUL in the pictures!! Hugs and kisses, cindi

Nathan, I´ve already changed...just so you know.

Hi everyone,
I hope that this isn't too inconvienent for anyone, but the BLOGGER people have been bugging me for 6 months to convert our blog to the new format. This means that you will need to get a google account to post any new posts. It is very easy and quick. If anyone needs any help, just send me an email at nateginn@comcast.net

Thanks,
Nathan

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY NINHA!!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Love, MOM

Happy Father´s day!

Today is San José (Saint Joseph) who was Jesus' "father" therefore it is Father´s Day here in Spain. So, I hope all you fathers have a wonderful day.

Love you all.