Family Reunion 2009

For Labor Day weekend we went to our family reunion. Each year, my family plans a weekend camping trip together. This year was our 25th anniversary of this tradition. I LOVE IT!! We took our 4-wheelers this year, which added to the fun.
Our grandbaby, Andrew, loved the 4-wheelers.
Our daughters Angela and Jessica enjoyed the outdoors, with Andrew and Mike on the 4-wheeler.
My favorite time was spent holding my precious grandson. I love him so much.
Ryan is such a good daddy. He has fun with his kiddos.
Our first family campout/reunion was in 1984 at Ragged Mountain with about 10 people in attendance. This year I counted 47 people. We really missed those who couldn't come.
I love my family more than anything and I'm so glad we continue this wonderful tradition.

San Antonio (Chapter Two)

It has been a long time since I updated my blog. I discovered Facebook and have neglected my blog ever since, but I do still like blogging and I'm still lurking around out here.

We got to go back to San Antonio this week, since we had free lodging and we still had our raincheck tickets for SeaWorld. When we went in March, we froze and when we went this time, we roasted. It was VERY hot and humid, but we had fun anyway. Here we are at SeaWorld waiting for the Shamoo Killer Whale show to start.
The pictures are mixed up, like I usually do on my blog, but anyway, here is the Riverwalk side of our condo. Ours is the first rounded balcony.
Back at SeaWorld. I was so moved by the killer whales that I nearly cried. Silly, I know. I don't know why they affected me that way. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that these majestic beasts weigh between 8000 and 12,000 pounds and they follow their trainers around and obey them like puppies. They are gorgeous and very thrilling.
The view out our balcony. San Antonio's famous Riverwalk is right below and the Hard Rock Cafe is right across the river.

Joey eating at a restaurant on the Riverwalk.
Joey and Mike played video games at the Buckhorn Saloon. They're still arguing over who actually won.
This is a house in the German historical district of San Antonio. Those early Germans sure knew how to build! Their houses were beautiful!
This is the laundry room of the gorgeous house pictured above. It was in a small separate building. I took a picture of it so when I start complaining about laundry, I can look at this and be grateful for my Whirlpool washer and dryer.

A Wonderful Wedding

Friday, May 29, my beautiful daughter Mindy married Jake Hawks. He is a wonderful man and we feel so blessed. All of our daughters chose great husbands. We are happy to have them all in our family. The wedding was absolutely beautiful! I'm still not getting the hang of blogging the pictures in the right order, so these are kind of backwards, but here's a look at the gift table at the end of the evening. Thank you to everyone for supporting our kids.
Jake's car was decorated very tastefully by some of the girls in the wedding.
The food tasted as good as it looked. Yum! (by the way, Hi to Mike B. and thanks for coming!)
Mr. and Mrs. Hawks. May they always be as happy and in love as they are in this picture.
They held hands all through the ceremony.
Walking our little girl down the isle.
Joey was ring bearer and Megan was flower girl. They did a great job and they looked so precious.
Mindy waiting for the ceremony to start. She seemed very calm.
I am so happy for my girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy birthday to Mindy, Jessie and Joey!!!!! I love you all.

Baby Rachel & Wedding Preparations

A couple of weeks ago, we went to see Rachel. She is growing so fast and is doing great! We love her so much!

She really has a thing about her tongue. I bet she could touch the tip of her nose with it if she tried.
Joey loves Rachel, but she looks like she's not too sure of him. She is so precious!

On another topic, we are busy, busy, busy with wedding preparations. Here is what used to be the top of my desk, which is now covered with flowers. The corsages and boutineers are in the box, ready and waiting.

Mindy's hair was pretty wild after Great Clips was finished with it.

We met our friend and photographer Kelli at the park for bridal portraits. It was so much fun, even though the wind didn't cooperate very well.


Mindy and Kelli discuss strategy to keep the veil from blowing over the face.

The worst was when the wind blew the veil right off. It was a good dress rehearsal for what to do with the hair to make the veil stay on next Friday.

Mindy and Kelli look at the pictures that have been taken so far. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!
I'm busily sewing. Nine tablecloths yesterday... only eleven to go.
Now the big question is will the groom return from a business trip to Arkansas in time for the wedding???

Aunt Ruby Lee

Yesterday a wonderful person left this world very suddenly. Mike's Aunt Ruby had a sudden heart attack and went home to be with the rest of her family. She has spent her life serving others and she will be sorely missed. I'm remembering all the times that Ruby was there for us during special events in our lives. She was often the only family member that Mike had to be with him. She was a second mother to him.
Ruby was the person people called when they were in need. When someone had surgery or an accident or when someone died, Ruby was first on the scene to see what was needed and to provide help. She often coordinated the efforts of others to help also. No more will my phone ring and that pleasant voice say, "Kathy, this is Aunt Ruby. Can you help with food for (someone in need)?"
What will we do when no one is there to direct the music in Sacramant Meeting? Ruby was always the first one to stand up and volunteer. She did the same for Relief Society just last week.
Ruby left this world while in the service of others. She mowed her sister's lawn shortly before she went and she was going to her car to take her sister to an appointment when the heart attack hit. My heart goes out to Aunt Betty, who will miss Ruby so much, I'm sure.
Ruby leaves a beautiful legacy for the rest of us to aspire to. I love her so much and I will miss her and think of her often. I can only imagine the joy she is experiencing right now, in the arms of her loved ones that she has been missing, and in the arms of our Savior.

Mindy's Bridal Shower

Last weekend we had a shower for Mindy. It was so much fun! Big THANK YOUs to all who came to show her your love and support.Jake even attended via video. Mindy had to put a piece of bubble gum in her mouth for each question she answered differently than Jake had answered. She had so much gum in her mouth she couldn't even talk.
She got some very nice presents. Here are Jake's sisters sitting next to Mindy.
The food was yummy.
The three most beautiful women in the entire world!
Anyone know what kind of bird this is? He came to visit and I thought he was very pretty.