This past weekend we finally got to go see Elliott, my new nephew!

A not-so-up-to-date but oh-so-classic picture of the Nichols' family.

See what I mean?

Evan is the most photogenic-while-swinging person I know.

Evan's first day of school;

Valerie's first day of teaching.

Here is Valerie with her newest niece, Olivia.

Here is what the new flooring looks like!

Just a bit nicer than the old flooring.

This November was "Home Improvement Month"

for us, as we put down new wood laminate

flooring in our kitchen and dining room.

While on a Youth Group Trip, we stopped

at Starbucks (one of those luxuries we do

without while Lost In Middle America).

You're looking at one of the best corn-hole players

this side of the Mason Jar Line.

Here am I skeet-shooting for the first time.

My accuracy is around 50%.

Recently, we made a trip out to Oklahoma City

for the funeral of a very close friend. Here is a picture

we took while going through St. Louis.

Luckily, Mom was looking on and reprimanded

Dad before Adam's neck was severed.

After working for a while, Dad momentarily

snapped, catching Adam by surprise.

After the tornado went through town, there was plenty of clean-up to do.

It was nice having Mom and Dad around to help "earn their keep." j/k

The amount of work we got done was amazing!

Mom and Dad visited at the beginning of their

summer break, and will be back at the end of the summer.

While in Cincinnati, we visited Carew Tower.

Here are the responsible parties of our clan.

The Bengals' practice stadium is in the background.

Aaron and Adam have since configured

a simpler form of communication.

Here you see Aaron and Adam in

a state of shocked confusion in

downtown Cincinnati.

Here we are with some of our best

friends (even Carlton in the background).

And however much Valerie may look pregnant, she isn't.

Here is Mom's favorite shot from graduation day.

Notice the sheer relief on our faces. Or maybe that was hunger...

Here is Adam with one of his professors, Mr. Profitt,

demonstrating the effects of much knowledge.

Here is Adam minutes before the ceremony began.

Here is Valerie minutes before commencement.

Adam really tried to pick up everything he could.

Try as he might, however, he just couldn't

figure out a way to bag up this sign.

At the end of a long day, it's all these guys

can do to stay on the tailgate of the Bailey truck.

Here is a group of girls with their

four-legged new-found friend.

During the month of April, our church youth group picked up trash in Auglaize County. We had 61 miles of road to cover in four Saturdays, and we got it done! Here are a few pictures from the trash picking experience.

Adam, Ryan, Evan, and Nathan take a

breather from trash picking and drink a coke.

Here's a pic of Val and her favorite niece...

Here is a pic of Greg, Adam, and Kaitlynn playing "catch."

Home, sweet home. (currently)

Home, sweet home. (formerly)

Here are the three stooges having

a very Merry Christmas! (2004)

Here is a picture of Adam and Grandma (Profitt) Ballard

at Anthony Sellers' wedding in Fairborn, Ohio.