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.

Jessie's anniversary

Today is the one year anniversary of adding Jessie to our family. He came to us from the local pound and is a great dog.

He has not grown much, but is now comfortable ~~ stealing Cooper's toy all the time and taking over Sara's pink blanket.

Summertime fun

This spring/summer we tried growing onions. The girls were so faithful to make sure they were watered. Today they pulled them, pealed and chopped some and created a wonderful recipe. At first they had eye protection for the splattering grease, but then the onion smell was making Ruth cry a lot, so she stuffed tissue into her mask to help with this. We had so much fun, and the dish was really good. Next year we will grow onions again.

Sara attended soccer camp again. Ruth attended volleyball camp. The crepe myrtle bushes are in full bloom in the yard.

We are really chowing down on watermelon. Sara created this watermelon bowl.

This is our huge pool....complete with our own alligator. It is small, but it is cool!

This is Daisy and she did not make it into the pool. She has become Sara's personal lounge chair.

Father's Day

Today was a great day for us. I made Jeff breakfast. We had a lot of family game playing time. Due to the heat, we blew up the pool and swam (sat) in it~~anything to cool off. The girls took Jeff out to Starbucks for drinks. We also took Jeff out to Chili's for dinner. How lucky that he found a gift card for there while cleaning out his wallet.....

I called my dad and he had a good time with my sisters living near him. This included a bbq dinner and my BIL makes some great grilled meat....really wish I was there.

Jeff's father also had a great day.

Getting home

This morning we wanted to get an early start, but the girls were not cooperating, but they were very funny!

NOAH...we need your ARK!

We are off for the long trip home. We decided to divide the trip in half. The first day was going well until we were almost to the hotel, then the sky opened up and the deluge began, literally. We were suddenly driving 10 mph, wipers on full, flasher on, not being able to see the car in front of us.....literally! Luckily our exit was 1 1/2 miles and we got off, only to pull into the nearest parking lot and watched it flood. Then it slowed and we thought we would drive the remaining 3 miles to the hotel, but that took a full hour........the road was flooded and blocked with stalled out cars. I drove over the medium into a closeby shopping center that did not have a flooding problem, we ate, and WAITED.

We finally made it to the hotel and it was very nice. Sara insisted on the top floor because she wanted to be far away from the flood. We were very careful where we parked, on the highest spot and no where near a drain. Luckily there was no further rain.

The days after

Sunday we went to sister Lydia's house for a visit with the remaining family. Bless Lydia, the girls spent the night. This was two sided goodness: the girls have not seen these cousings aunt/uncle for 2 years and they needed to reconnect. Also, after so many days in VERY close quarters, we DESPERETLY needed a break from THEM! So, Jeff and I went out to dinner, where else, but Chinese hehehe.

The next morning we went to Top Sail beach and had a great time. The beach was beautiful, mostly empty, and the water was great. We toasted for a little while, ate lunch, then headed back to the hotel for a dip in the pool to wash the salt off. We stopped at a cool souvinere shop and had to walk through a shark to enter......

Then off to the family favorite past time,,,,,out to dinner. We went to Tx Roadhouse and were shocked to find that no one had thrown their peanut shells on the floor there, but do not worry because we definately took care of that problem!!!!

WEDDING DAY

Wedding day finally arrived. The families made the church and reception area so beautiful. Tessa was stunning and her new husband Brandon is very nice. They had a full service w/ sermon followed by many wonderful finger foods. The cake was made by the groom's mother and was beautiful. There was dancing which I chose to only observe. The fruit that we helped with came out beautiful and so yummy. Love the family group

preparations for the big day

After 20 VERY long hours of driving, we finally landed at Jacksonville, NC. We did find that doing 12 hours the first day only leads to wanting to sell the children, and maybe a spouse. We arrived in the rain and dark. The second day was much better! After settling in, we went to the church to assist in the preparations. S & R did a ton of carrots, followed by all 4 of us wishing we were little mice as we attempted to dice perfectly a cart load of cheese. The girls and Jeff also assisted in making many types of mellon balls. It was a long day, but fun. Jeff's parents arrived from FL and we went out to eat in the pm.

going..going..gone

Heading to wedding #1......will be a very long drive. Love our neighbor who dog/cat/house sits for us.