WEDDING BELLS

We are back from up north for my cousin Jill and her new husband Jerry's wedding. It was held at a botanical garden. . . outside. We were a little nervous when it rained during the rehersal the day before, but the day of was perfect. The sun was setting and there was a gentle breeze. It was so VERY beautiful. The reception followed at the gardens, indoors, and we ate like royalty and had fun dancing too.

We enjoyed seeing many relatives we seldom see....and hope we do better staying in touch. Note the photo of the cousins that were able to attend....I was the youngest hehehe

We spent a day at the cemetary which is VERY old and beautiful. We spent an evening with my aunt Frances, her granddaughter and new great grandson....and to be honest, there was not enough time in the day to catch up....I must make this trip again and maybe next year.

School begins...for athletes

This is the second week into the conditioning training for the kids in athletics at school. It is 3 weeks for 1 1/2 hrs in the am....optional. Of course, it is in the best choice to attend to get into favor with the coaches. This is something new this year and I am seeing that sports is getting moves further ahead in importance each year. Ruth will begin tomorrow because I had not gotten her physical yet. Of course, I am doing the carpool for this....all my kids are in athletics and such good girls too.

Mission trip

This week the girls went to the church mission trip. There were about 1500 youths from central Texas in many small towns, then all coming together on the last Friday for worship. Jeff and I both shed a few tears as we said good by. They worked really hard and Sara come home with a huge bruise and scratches, and Ruth still has paint under her fingernails, but they had a great time and are already talking about the trip next year. They also met some new friends from our own church, even a boy or two.....oh my gosh!

HANDS

Thought we would get a look at these beauties another way....their hands. It is funny that you can tell the Marshall Island girls by their deeper tans....Baby V, Little S, Sara and Ruth....what beauties!

visiting friends from afar

My dear friend Erin and family drove from "the north" for a visit with us and her extended family and friends. We got to meet her new daughter also from the Marshall Islands. She is almost 9 months. She is so cute and loves to smile. Favorite toy>>>empty 2 liter soda bottle so those of you spending so much money on toys.....go simple!

We spent the first day at Hawaiian Falls water park and came out tired and burnt. The girls came home and fell asleep!!!!

Erin's older daughter, also from China, had her first sleep over with the girls, sharing a bed with Sara. They did crafts in the evening first. In the morning, I found that Little one is not a morning person.

Of course we went to the Chinese market and had to get some goodies. That also goes for our favorite restaurant China King.....yummy!

July 4th....hurricane

I decided to go to houston to visit my parents for a week over the July 4th timeframe......of course it is the only free time we have this summer and of course a hurricane was coming onshore just south......can you say cabin fever! Of course whenever we are at my parent's we eat well. On the 4th we had a get together with the family that was local and stayed up for the usual Nertz card game. I think Sara's team won.....AGAIN.