Texas to Texas

Our month started out in Texas and pretty near finished in Texas but we went a few other places in between.  And we even had some visitors!

Summer and Andy stopped through here two weeks in a row!!!

That put a smile on Doug's face.

The times we were at home Doug and I worked on building a planter.  Finished product blog coming soon.

This is for Tyler:  I caught this little guy who was hiding in my wood pile.  So TooT!

We headed to Illinois so we could devour some of Minnie's good cooking!

You better believe the diet was put on hold for this!

We helped out by documenting the arrowheads for Minnie.  There's lots more just ask Krista...

We cleaned out the gutters and other fun stuff.

We even crashed a Shaklee gig in Chicago.

We were home for a couple days then off to California to see these cutie pies.  It was Ally's open house.

This kid is SO funny!  And SO cute but you can see that.  Great hair!

On our way to the open house (I just love Jamie's shoes!)

Ally was so excited to show off all her stuff.  She had a great year.  Daniel was so patient but he just can't wait till it's his turn!

All about Ally poster by Ally.

You better believe we saw each and every item complete with narration.

We went from CA to TX for Memorial Day weekend.

Two VERY handsome dudes!

So happy to be home from church.

I'm not the only "poser" in the family!

And that's how we went from Texas to Texas in the month of May!

This is just a funny addendum-while in Japan we had this mirror that was framed in lights and they reflected really cool in my eyes!  Large target!

This is this and that is that...

So, since it's been such a long time since I've made a post I figure I'll just do it the "little mermaid" way.  (Think Scuttle and Ariel)  

So it all starts in Illinois at the wedding of Georgianna Kassing(Dad's cousin Suzy's daughter) and Drew Simpson.  It was a fun and pretty wedding and reception in Peoria.  They had a photo booth and great food and dancing and we had a great time.

A pretty good looking couple!

Dad dancing with Georgie in the $ dance. (you give the bride money to dance with her)

Bride, Groom and Aunt Minnie

We had a bit of trouble getting home (weather delays, etc) and so got to Denver too late to catch a COS flight so this is what we look like after sleeping on the floor behind Gate 43!

Next we headed for a long awaited trip to Cottonwood, AZ to see Grandpa and Grandma.  It was so relaxing and there was great food as always.  We had a great adventure with Dale and Cherri.

On the trail to Jerome, an old mining town.  L to R: Cherri, Vic, Bill

Dad was lovin' it.

Me too and what a view!

We had a great BBQ lunch and then headed back.  We had such a fun time.  Thanks everyone!

 Bill was scheduled to go to Japan and then China for work.  I hadn't planned on going cause United didn't fly to where he was going but then I realized just a few days before that it flew to Tokyo, so off we went!

It was cherry blossom season.  If only these trees produced fruit.

I was a freakishly tall white woman.  The hand holders on the subway were at my eye level.

Dad marveling at the construction of this castle wall built in 650 BC

I took this picture with my camera at eye level looking straight forward.  Very few people are taller than me!

Nice!

Japan is a mix of the old, very old and new.

There's interesting shrines and stuff all over.

We went to the fish market.  I guess these guys were too big for their boxes.

Tokyo is a BIG city.  It was fun but I wouldn't want to live in a big city.

 I came back to America and loaded up the van with the dogs as Dad headed on to China.  We were going to be the reward for CharlyAnn getting potty trained. (And other celebrations)

My driving companion. 

CharlyAnn was so happy.  She was in dog heaven.  Now if Sydney would only go there!

We had fun at the Carters.  There's never a dull moment.

Especially cause there are 4 extra kids at any given time cause CJ babysits (raises) them.  Lucky kids!

We went to Eric's graduation.  Master's DEGREE!!  Way to go!

 The best part of the graduation (besides the hooding ceremony, but for a MeeMaw it's a toss up) was the after party spontaneous Frozen show out in front of the building.

Viana knows E V E R Y word!

Brooke sings her heart out.

And you bet CharlyAnn belts it OUT!

Hanging around the "hood"

BLISS!

Congrats!

 We headed back north after graduation in Ephraim.  Then we had more adventures on all the great trails around those parts.

Doug even made it to the top of the "Y".

Bill and Billy in the great shed Billy made.

Kris and Janie gave Summer a great baby shower.

Hostesses and guest of honor (and Andy too)

We had a most delicious BBQ.

Easter morning the Easter Bunny had come!

Then when Sum and Andy came we discovered he hid some outside too!

We got to visit Krista at work.  It is one of the prettiest places to work I've ever seen.

Kris' own cubicle.

 Then Dad headed to California to see these peeps.

Those are some cute boys!

And one crazy girl!

 Then Dad came back just in time for graduation.

It's so nice the twins still like to dress alike. haha

Matching bellies.  Janie is due the end of July.

Billy and Krista had to share their space with us for a LONG time. THANKS!!!!!

 Then we went back to Monroe on our way home.

How can we resist these cute faces.

or these?

Eleph-I-know!

We had a great drive home and then I went to Texas.

Charina soaking up the sun.  It was gorgeous and not humid.

Jimmy working on a ceiling fan.

Tyler was so FUN!

The guest room painted "agreeable grey"

And we'll end on Tyler looking for bunnies in the yard!