I know it's been a long time since we posted anything, but we're still settling in here in Chicago. Andy has to go to training for his new position as VW Instructor. The training will take place between June 5th and June 9th in Phoenix, Arizona. What will Ninha do for 5 whole days without Andy to bug her? She'll probably just relax with a smile on her face from ear to ear!!!! One less kid in the house to take care of!!!
New updates at Church here for the Normands. Andy has received a calling that we think Uncle Ed and Tia Marie will be more than proud of. Scout Leader!!!! If you have any advice, please send it my way. Ninha has been asked to be the Secretary in the Primary Presidency. She does love the primary, but we asked when we got here if she didn't have to actually teach anymore. The time she worked at the pre-school, while she had the sunbeams, and our little kids at home she felt like it was kids 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!!! She was wondering if she she would ever get away from those kids. I guess she hasn't gotten away from them yet, but at least she won't be teaching for now.
Everything else is going great for now. We are planning a trip for Ninha and the kids to visit her family in Brazil sometime this year, maybe around September. It'll be a trip to visit her family and do some business as well, so it might last longer than just a couple weeks. We'll keep you posted. The kids are doing great and don't stop growing. We'll put up some more pictures in a while. We wish you all well.
With love, The Normands

Celabrating Memorial Day 2006 with a BBQ and 4 games of IDIOT.
Ken and Kathy Virgin, Ron and Shan Holst and Ed and Marie Ginn!

Fat Cindi with the Balls!!
David on his last day of his old job.
Tent race....3min 40sec

Hi All! Hope everyone is enjoying a safe and sane Memorial Holiday Weekend! Thought I would post a few more pics from my trip to Luxembourg. It seems that every little village in Europe has their 'quaint' little church, and this is the one in Leudelange, where Jocelyn, Patrice and the kids live. I didn't go inside, but I am sure that it is very beautiful and ornate, as they always seem to be. The next picture is the front of the old City Hall. Jocelyn might have to correct me on that, but hope that's correct. I don't normally take pics of the city hall's but this is actually the front of Alienor's school. The next picture shows that back of this building, and the entrance to Alienor's school. And what do you know, that is Alienor all bundled up in her pretty blue winter togs. If you look real closely, you can see the snow flakes falling. It was a beautiful, cold, crisp night for a walk around the town. I loved the crunch of my boots in the snow, and the way your breath shows in the air. So invigorating and makes you feel alive. It was wonderful! Oh, how I miss the winter weather! Love, Grandma Cass

Just a note about the peanut gallery.
dont listen to me do what you think makes this the happiest blogg.
As for me I really love it all lomg or short. It all makes for a great
family record. Love you all Champy.
ps havent heard much from the interior designers---Andy-- smile!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes. I had a great day and it was made that much better knowing that you were all thinking about me. One birthday note. I just have to say I have the best children. Talk about unselfish. Abby and Spencer each emptied their banks and gave me all the money they had and told me to go buy plants for my birthday. They know I am loving my garden these days and they wanted to make me happy. This was definitley an example of the thought counting more than the gift. Wow! I am one lucky lady.

Hi All! Well, when I had the episode with the hummingbird, I downloaded some other pics from my camera and thought I would share them. As you can tell, these first pics are of Alienor's baptism while I was in Luxembourg. Sorry to say, I must have had some really weird setting on the camera or it was soooo cold outside that the camera was all fogged up when I took these pics. The frosty appearance sort of makes Alienor look like an angel, which she was on this, her baptism day. The strange thing that's just all blue, was the baptismal font. I have to admit I was so naive, that I had never thought of a 'portable-type' font - sort of like an 'above-the-ground pool' Was very wonderful for me to experience this very special baptism of my first grandchild!
Love, Grandma Cass
PS: I have heard from the p-nut gallery that my messages are like 'epistles', so, I am making an effort to keep them short!

And you think you have it hard doing the wash!!!!!!
Here is Jason Webb doing his wash on his mission in Brazil

Hi Everyone! Just wanted you to see how the flowers Andy gave me for Mother's Day faired. I usually take all my flower gifts to work because I am hardly ever home, and I want to see them and enjoy them. So, this is me at my desk at work having a fun time with Dale taking the pictures. Also, Marion - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you heard my traditional rendition of 'Happy Birthday' on your message machine. Oh, to be 37 again! LOVE YOU LOTS!
Sassy Cassy

Marion, hope you have a happy day! Love you lots.

happy birthday Marion
I got up early to be first to say it but Jocy
beat me. oh wel,l We love you and hope you have a great day!
It would be wonderful to be 37 again..... We think???
Love Ed amd Marie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARION!
Hope you have a great day!
Sending our love from Luxembourg!

Cindi, how you keep track of all of this stuff is beyond me!

Regardless....HAPPY 39TH MOM AND DAD!

We love you dearly!

HAPPY 39TH ANIVERSARY!!

Love you mom and dad. Hope you have a fabulous day.

Lots of hugs and kisses.

The end of the story
We got home from Scout o Rama about 2pm so we could go to Jo's baptism at 4 pm
we got changed and ready to leave by 3:15. As we were getting into the car we noticed that Jo and the singles ward mission leader Dave were having an animated conversation. By the way, let me introduce the characters. Next door neighbor Stan,
current live in nephew jo, prior live in nephew Sylvester and Jo and Sylvesters Mom don't recall her name. Anyway seems that mom and Sylvester had left their home in Long Beach at 9 am by bus and had made it to the k-mart on Estrella by 1:30 pm bus travel is slow. They were supposed to get to the bus stop next to St. Margrets school by 3 pm and go to jo's baptism to be held at 4 pm. Jo an Dave went to the bus stop at 3:20 no one was there so they returned as we were pulling out. We made to the stop across from the Virgins and Marie said Ed lets go back and see if we can help. So we turned around and went back. Do you need help? we asked. yes! can you wait here for mom and Sylvester? Yes we can. They took off to the baptism and we waited by 3:40 I said we have to go . We went about to the end of the park and here came mom and Sylvester. I rolled down the window and asked if they would like a ride to a baptism. They hopped in and off we went. It would have been so sad if mom and Sylvestor had missed jo's baptism after being on a bus for over 6 hours. Your mom Marie's halo was really shinning that evening. It was the best day we had had for a long time becauses we were of service to others

Page two
The day gets better... we leave Cassy and pick up a webelo
and his older brother ( Lalo and Roberto ) and head off to
Wild Rivers where Scout-O-rama is being held. Marie loves
her scouts and especially the Spanish branch one. ENTERING

First a Pie Eating Contest

Getting wet

A great time with ONE scout and his brother! Remeber the ONE always
Marie and I had a good time renewing old Wood Badge friendships and singing the Gilwell song

The best is yet to come

Today was full fun day. Cassy called just before 9am and asked if i would come by and document that she really did have a garage sale.


the days take was about $30 but the best part she got ride of a third of the stuff and the rest will go to choc hospital thrift store. Best of all she gets her patio back!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea. NOw if we can just get to work on the GARAGE.......DUM DEE DUM DUM
MORE TO COME LATER

BARÇA, BARÇA, BAAARRRRÇA!!!
Not that most of you will care but I just wanted to let you all know that
BARÇA won the European Cup last night. It was an interesting game and there were about
5 minutes when I thought I was going to have to deal with a whinny, mad husband, but luckily
BARÇA got it´s groove on and in the last 15 minutes scored 2 goals. After the game I had a
good time talking to Jeff who had also watched the game. Love you all. GO BARÇA!!

Here is a picture of me at IWCC Graduation last week. I am with my two all americans, kaite on the left and Tiva on the right. They are awesome lds girls from Utah.

I know all of you wanted to see my long hair...so here it is...there are more to come from my current and on going Florida trip.

here is fingernail polish from Landon and Stacia
I really like it