LJ's 5th Grade Culmination

LJ is on his way to middle school. The family celebrated at his 5th Grade Culmination.

LJ and Lila's First Music Recital

The kids decided to take up music this year. LJ chose the guitar and Lila picked the piano. Armed with their new instruments, they started music lessons in January. Their first recital was in May.

Lila played The Song of the Volga Boatmen. LJ played Freire Jacques.

As always, many family members were attendance.

Happy Holidays from The Gilliams

We just returned from a holiday trip to Michigan. It was great to catch up with friends and family. The kids got a chance to hang with new friends and see cousins that they haven't seen for awhile. They also got to hang with Auntie Rika, Aunt Debbie and Auntie Gale. Nikki introduced them to White Castle burgers (they loved them; I can't stomach them).

We took a quick road trip to Cincinnati to visit the Johnson family and the Cummings family. While there, we stopped by the Cincinnati Children's Museum and made a pilgrimage to Skyline Chili.


Pics below from the holiday period.

Stanford Reunion

We made the trek up to The Farm for Lawrence's 15 year reunion. As always, we had a great time. As much as we didn't want to like it, the new Stanford Stadium was kinda cool. It was great to catch up to all the classmates.

Nikki Receives Teacher of The Year Recognition

Nikki was recognized by Educators of America at their Annual Jazz Lunch Celebration. Andre and Cheralind joined in the festivities.

Lila and the hot comb

While Nikki and I were vacationing with Festival at Sea, LJ and Lila hung out with Idear and Melvin (my grandparents).

Idear pressed Lila's hair, and in true diva in training form, Lila had an impromptu photo shoot.

Festival at Sea

Nikki and I just returned from the 2007 Festival at Sea cruise. Festival at Sea is an African American themed cruise. Everything from the on-board entertainment to the elevator music is from an African American perspective (food notwithstanding - no Collards in the dining room).

We had a blast. We went with a group with 16 friends and family members. The ports of call included: Key West, Nassau, Ocho Rios, and Grand Cayman. We were fortunate to dodge Hurricane Dean all week.

We didn't take the kids this year but we'll definitely include them in the fun next year.

If anyone is interested in booking, let me know. The good cabins typically sell out by mid Oct.

A few pics below.



LG, Nikki, Mom, Summer, and Aunt Birdie getting their Cupid Shuffle on.



LG takes time out to enjoy a Cuban



Nikki made friends with the Sushi guy



Nikki sang back up in the Gospel Concert




Dunn's River Falls






LG and Summer


We miss the water already


White Linen Night


Cali Roots Crew Cruisers brought the party to the boat




Mom and Jimmy took first prize in the costume contest