Claire finished first year middle school with straight A’s. All total she earned an iPod mini and 40 iTunes songs. And I do mean earned. (Hard work.) She finished soccer and then joined a summer swim team. Danny has been giving her stroke lessons.

Danny finished his sophomore year at Spring Hill getting in some good innings on the baseball team (Badgers.) He came home for the summer, went to life guard school, and is now managing a pool not too far away. He is learning how hard it is to depend on teenage staff. (Of course he’ll be a teenager himself for a few more weeks… then boom! He’s 20!) He and his girlfriend Amanda have traded a couple of visits, with a relatively short drive between Chattanooga and Snellville. We have enjoyed her visits.

Nicole is constantly finding ways to save money, and has added a third housemate to help share rent in Athens. She continues to sell “retro” items through her booth in a local flea market, including some purses Kathy made. She loves finding things that cost $1 and selling them for $10. Her Honda got a bad dent from a friend who backed into her. They are still friends. Her band has been able to perform in a few shows, and they are getting ready to do a 16-track recording session, which is moving up (from 8 track?)

Kelly finished her freshman year earning a second letter, this time in Track & Field. She remains active in LIfe Teen at church, and turned in a pretty solid academic year. She is already training for cross country, so while Claire gets up early for swim practice, Kelly gets up early to run 4 or 5 miles.

Kathy put in several weeks of class time and hard study to pass (with high marks) her state license exam for real estate. She can now sell our house and pay herself commission. (We’re not moving.) If you know anyone who wants to leave or move into the Lilburn / Snellville / Lawrenceville area, there is an expert in the family.

My company was officially acquired. The new company is Harland Clarke, and is nearly twice the size. While it has been strange to watch most of leadership change over, there are plenty of good people from both companies working hard together. You can see an example of my work (see lead article) at www.harlandclarke.com/dv.

I also got to play in the B.S.R.C. golf tournament this year which was a lot of fun. I’m hoping Grant will join the Knights of Columbus soon so that he, too, can get invited. Like the Knights, most of what happens at B.S.R.C. is secret, so I can’t write much more.

Father’s day was fun. Kathy and the girls headed up to the mountains to visit her dad, and go dancing of all things. Meanwhile three of us Cashin dads and a variety of family joined for grilling out in Snellville which included a swim and cigars. See Julie’s photos on the Tucker blog at mac.fiveforks.com.