Kira Departs, Thus Officially Ends Summer '07

A Proclamation: As of Sunday the ghastly, appalling, terrifying and trying summer of ’07 is gone! I will forevermore shudder within at the horror of the memories it conjures up. The Vegas trip was only somewhat edifying and mildly relieving in the midst of all the Spencerfam went through this summer. We ring down the curtain on this summer, and thank all our loving friends who gave us support and love when we were in despair. Thank you to the NIH for granting me the LRP funds. Thank you for the editorial board position, and the invitations for colloquia presentations. For me my Faith has strengthened. I fully believe that if one is entirely self-centered, it is akin to being limited by one’s range. This will be a guiding principle for all of us as we step into a fresh, crisp, autumn. We have full knowledge that the paths we will all take will meander, yet it is also certain that we will be guided by the eternal beauty of light. We, as always, are survivors.

Neil Arrives

The minstral on Trevor's right had a crush on him. Here she is in bliss to be by her "boy"

The Whole Fam Damily
three little fishies















Grandma is caught red-handed
















Our sweet Nathan is FAMOUS

UNCLE NEIL'S 75TH B-DAY...

Plane fare for Connor $200.00


Plane fare for Trevor and Kira $400.00








Plane fare for Nathan $200.00

Plae fare for Grandma $200.00

Plane fare for Susie (hey, we didn't have a photo of her!)
$200.00 Plane fare for Linda $200.00


The Look on Uncle Neil's Face......


PRICELESS !!!!

Pneumonia Kicks Connor's butt!

Wow what a week we had with our sweet C-man! He got so so so sick with pneumonia and it was 5 (count 'em) 5 days before I FINALLY got a doctor to believe me. He had skyrocketing fevers (peaking at 104.6), a febrile seizure, a trip to the ER, IV's, chest X-rays and bloodwork. One Dr. Kildare who insisted it was a virus, and two other doctors who spanked Dr. Kildare. All along, I KNEW it was the same damn thing that Trevor had. SHEESH, will Doctors NEVER realize that mother's always know???? Anyway Connor lost 8 days there with a harrowing experience. Today was the first day he made it all day without a nap.
Sweet boy. NOW he can prepare for the Harry Potter Movie and his summer can REALLY begin.

Connor Long Jumping

at the Elementary Track meet

Connor Qualifies

Qualifying for the finals in the 70

Trevor Kicks Pneumonia's Butt

With the help of a Z-pak

Letter to the Editor

I was so nostalgic for Rapid City that I sent a letter to the editor. It was published on May 22, but here it is...
Both have grown through Rapid City experiences

I said good-bye to Rapid City in the fall of 1980 to go to college at the University of Iowa. I was armed with support from this wonderful community such as: a solid education from the Rapid City Schools from K-12, scholarships from generous local branches of national organizations such as PEO and the Elks Lodge, a rich high-school band experience from Jack Knowles of Rapid City Central and optimism fueled by a community of forward-thinkers.Returning for a visit in 2007, I am now armed with a doctorate degree, a beautiful family and many fond memories. Now I see in his beautiful city that great changes have taken place, yet core things can be depended upon. Now Pat Jones is running Central High for real, a brown-haired Paluch kid is still cleaning up on the tennis courts, and there are wonderful facilities for our retired parents such as Holiday Hills. Storybook Island is going strong. Also, your high schools are still churning out well-prepared students ready to conquer the world.Thank You Rapid City. My, how we both have grown. LINDA J. SPENCER Iowa City, Iowa

Our Spring Trip

Began on Saturday May 12. Connor and I made it to St.Paul,just in time to see Macalester Graduates lining up to the tune of Bagpipes. We loaded up all of Kira's belongings from her dorm room and started on our way to Collegeville, MN to watch the finals of the Conference track meet at ST. JOHNS college. After that, we drove to Willmar,MN and spent the night. Started out for Rapid at 8:00 on Mother's day. Windy, HOT and Dry conditions met us as we hit I-90. Prairie Home Companion on the radio and we were set until....KADOKA. Just outside of Kadoka, at the 1880 town, the spedometer plummets to ZERO, then fluctuates between Zero and 180 mph. YIKES. As the RPMs hit 6,7,then 8, I slow her down and pull into the 1880 TOWN, where there is no help available. Cool off the vehicle and think. What could this be??? Transmission? Hmmm. We got back on the road, called my brother-in-law in Rapid and got his advice to put 'er in third gear and ride her into Rapid (about 90 miles) that way. We made it, two hours later, hot and very tired. The temperatures were in the low 90's and the vehicle was strained. Alas, we got Gramma, went to Sue and Bob's and had a great, mother's day dinner. Come to find, we had a relay that went bad, and it took about $140 bucks to fix. Could have been a lot worse! (like it could have happened before MURDO or even at PUKWANA).

Connor illustrates that the average 5th grader was
knee high to a Mammoth.








This knee-biter is a cutie












The Ladies and Connor
This Buffalo was really rooting for something...

Crazy Horse is coming along

Markey, Connor, Kira, Grams, Linda
Connor holds a Wooly Mammoth Mandible

A Mammoth

Black Hills, Rapid City, we LOVE you!

GG(Great-Gramma), Steph and Amelia
Connor exuberates











Kira, Connor and President Ford
Kira plants one on William Henry Harrison

Connor and Uncle Mark.

We be seeing ya!

Buffalo? There are NO Buffalo in them hills? The heck you say. Homeward bound. This is just the beginning of what is going to be the BEST summer EVER!

Another year, another Oto party

Nathan stayed awake the whole party this time! February's ice storm resulted in a postponement of the Oto holiday party but despite the timing, a good time was had by all.

Linda and Brian in Sea Grove

This is me with my most favorite cousin B for Brian. He was sweet enough to drive to SeaGrove, NC from his home and we had a day of browsing. The BEST day of the trip!

Hoppy Easter from the Spencer and Finkenstaedt Households!

Another Easter, another Bunny Cake