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Doesn't this picture say it all???

Time with Auntie AJ

Auntie AJ sure did enjoy the time we had with Chloe Mae. It's amazing what fun the Aunt, the Mom and Grandmother had with Chloe at a park and she's only 5 months old. We are gonna love it when she's 2, or 3, or... Parks are just fun!

Last week Annie and I got to meet Chloe and her sweet Mama for lunch and play time at the park. Chloe either did not want her picture taken OR she wanted to tease her Gram. We had a fun visit and ate some good Mexican food. Fun times. I'm so thankful that they are living closer to us and we can squeeze in visits like these!

A very somber Chloe and her sweet Mama

Hmm... what do I see over there?

Whee - flying in the sky with Auntie AJ

Snuggling my sweet Mama

Gram and Chloe Mae

Celebrating Pamela

A few weeks ago, our daughter celebrated her 29th (really) birthday and we were privileged to spend it with her.

On Friday night a bunch of us (friends and family) met at the ballpark for a Royals/Twins baseball game. Pamela played musical chairs so she could visit a little with all of her well-wishers.

Saturday we had a birthday cook-out compete with Bob's homemade ice cream. It was a beautiful day and we just kind of took it easy and enjoyed being together.

Tea Party

This was Peyton's first Tea Party - every time she has come to visit in the last 1 1/2 years I've been out of town. Over Rodeo weekend we (Meg, Brenda & I) were able to have a Tea Party with Peyton and my granddaughter, Chloe Mae. Bonus guests were my grown-up nieces Becky and Libby along with Jacqueline. I didn't realize how often Megan, Clint & I have tea parties with Grammy (Brenda) and MaMaw (my Mother). It was nice to have the Mommies join us!



Peyton loved drinking out of the little cups and she seemed to like the cold Peach tea. Megan prefers chocolate milk in her tea cup and Chloe just observed all that went on.



Hosting a Tea Party is one of my favorite things. Sometimes I choose a theme for the food and decorations and sometimes I have a devotional or sharing time to fit the "theme" of the party. Often we just visit and catch up, which is espcially enjoyable with my young nieces and nephew.

Sixty Four Years

This past weekend a couple from our church celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. They also celebrated the husband's birthday. I don't know how they marked the day, but I know how they live. My memories of them span 33 of those 64 years and I have to smile when I begin to think back. They are such a cute couple, Dean is tall and slim and Betty is "short" which only describes her stature.

Many people would say they are old-fashioned - they believe in God, in marriage, and in loving others, and they live what they believe. Dean was in the military and Betty & their children followed him all over the world in his career.

They have taught Bible Classes, helped with VBS and supported missions in various countries. They encouraged and supported our girls in their trips to various mission fields and were a great encouragement to me when I went to Japan last summer.
I think you could say their "middle name" is "encourager".

They have opened their home to a variety of church activities over the years - youth activities, ladies Bible classes, and kept visitors. Their children have brought home dozens of hunters for pheasant and quail seasons over the years. Another "middle name" they could have is "hospitable".

For many years they were our girls' favorite people to visit on May Day. Betty would always chase them and let them know how much their basket and visit meant to them. One year Dean and Betty were out of town for May Day and the florist delivered a special May Basket to Annie, Pamela and Jacqueline. What a wonderful surprise!"

It's wonderful to watch them and you can see their love for each other in their eyes, their words and their actions. Their lives and their marriage have been a blessing to many during their 64 years together. Thank you God for putting Dean and Betty into my life!

Family pic

These pictures were taken on July 4th at Jordan & Jacqueline's. We weren't officially a family of 9 yet but we are now!

This picture was taken with my camera and between the time Jeremy set the timer and the picture was taken Zoey must have decided the family picture wouldn't be complete without the family dog. She is Pamela and Jeremy's dog. Zoey is very regal, gentle, and well-behaved. The other 3 dogs must not have cared about being in the family pic!