Happy Birthday, Erin!

Erin's my twin sister. That's what people used to think when they saw us. Mom made us the clothes from the same material, and we both had dark hair and skin and blue eyes. She's the one who would write letters on my back until I would fall asleep. I'd sneak across into her room so she could tell me stories, and she'd spell her name or the alphabet.

Happy Birthday, Erin. I hope your day was great. Love, your twin.

The Speras and the Bats...go way, way back

The Speras have woven their lives into ours in a lot of different ways. Keith had a unrequited crush on Erin in grade school, played on basketball and football teams with me, and his dad coached me. Keith's limp is the result of me running my head into the corner of a huge something or the other that fell on Keith's foot. Keith's brother, Craig, was one of Tari's closest friends in New Orleans and passed away tragically some years ago.

But that's just one generation. Keith's dad and Christa and Bat double dated. If I have the story right...Dad dated my aunt, and Keith's dad dated mom on that date.

So, Keith just had a baby. He wrote about it in his column at the New Orleans Times Picayune.

N.E.W., Alexis Finish A Spectacular Season With A Loss

Alexis, Erin and Jeff's oldest, helped lead her volleyball team to state tournament competition. Unfortunately, they fell short. But Alexis has a few years of experience left in her tank. It's good to know those Filipino-German genes are still hopping and competing out there.

Alexis, know your family - even Black Sheep Uncle Greg - is proud of you. Never doubt that.

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Today Jeff, Erin's husband, celebrates his birthday. Erin and Jeff live outside of Green Bay. He's a hard-working, busy guy: raising his three kids and working outdoors, along with extensive coaching duties.

Our thoughts and best birthday wishes go out to Jeff!