Oh boy, where do we start? 
We've had both happy and sad in these 8 months, so let's start witht he sad so we can end on a happy note.
Melanie lost her father two months before our wedding, and then we lost her mother the month after our wedding. The day after her mother's passing, Melanie's "paw-paw" (Jimmy Bennett) unexpectedly passed away. Bonita's funeral in Riverside was amazing. People came from all round to pay tribute to this angel of a woman who touched so many lives. We then flew to Baton Rouge for her second, also well attended, funeral. It was there in Baton Rouge, that her mortal body was laid to rest alongside that of her recently departed husband. The following day we attended the funeral of Jimmy Bennett--war hero, gourmet chef, enthralling storyteller, and perhaps most importantly role model and patriarch of the Bennett clan. He was laid to rest next to his two dear wives and close to his recently departed son and daughter-in-law.
With the notable exception of Snowy the Hampster (nee: Snowball-Snow White-Cotton Candy), there have thankfully been no more deaths in the family.
OK, back to happy times.
Melanie and I spent a wonderful week in Kauai for our Honeymoon. We toured the island by car, boat, AVT, and helicopter! If they'd had horse-drawn carriages and/or hovercraft we'd have tried that too!
We spent the first six months of marriage in Riverside. This was so we could take care of Bonita in her final days and so Jamesie and Melanie could finish their respective school years (the former learning and the latter teaching). Then it was back to Huntington Beach for Melanie and me, while Jamesie went to his dad and stepmom's place for the summer.
The Sunday before last Melanie and I got back from an almost three week vacation in New York, France and Italy (with a night in Germany thrown in to boot).
Oh yeah, somewhere along the we got pregnant and the baby boy is due on Dec 17 or Dec 9, depending on which doctor to talk to ;)
Wow, that was quicker than I thought! OK, maybe if you're nice, we'll fill you in with more details on the trip, the little one on the way, Jamesie fun summer in San Francisco, etc.
Kenny
In our cool Hawaiin threads.
Here's the little guy at 7 Weeks 5 Day. Taken on May 4, 2007. He hasn't learned to smile yet, but he has his dad's vestigial tail!