Cousins ~~~ Aunts and Uncles ~~~ Wonderful

 My cousin and her husband came down from Wisconsin to visit last week.  They "kidnapped and wrangled" my Aunt & Uncle to come along!  "wink"  We had a blast.  Oh my . . . . . .

Ken, Randy, Jeri and Denise

 Mom got her photo albums out.  That sparked all kinds of stories!  Matthew was with us and he got a glimpse of my life he hadn't heard of before! 

Mom, Uncle Dave & Aunt Dody

 

Seeing my Aunt and Uncle was a special treat.  Aunt Dody looks so much like my dad.  They have some of the same mannerisms too.  Imagine, after all these years living away from each other and you can still see the family resemblances. 

Thank you, thank you, to Denise for going to all the trouble to get us together!  Hugs!

Finished !!

 Sigh.  It feels good to finish something.  (Especially since I'm not even close to being finished with the unpacking from our move in February)  Even so I started this quilt after we moved and actually got it mostly done by Stephen's 2nd birthday in August!! I "gave" it to him then but didn't let him take it home..

Gretchen and her family came up over the weekend and I relinquished custody to Stephen. 

He loves trains, train tracks, railroad crossings and train whistles!  When he visits our house all activity stops if he happens to hear a train.  By looking at it you can tell that the quilt is a BIG hit.  I am most gratified.  "grin" 

Here is my most recent photo of our engineer.  I sure do love this little man!

Grandma's Garden

This year Mom (Grandma to everyone else) had a few plants put in her raised garden bed.  You know, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini.  They thrived under her care.

She kept us STOCKED with cherry tomatoes and occasionally a zucchini. I think she picked tomatoes by the gallon.  We loved it.  Thanks Mom!

Company !!!

We love to have people visit us, stay with us, work with us, eat with us, play with us!  We love company!  "grin" 
Since the end of the convention we've been blessed with the visits of lots of friends and family. 
I wish I had more pictures to post, but here's what I have. 

 We can't get enough of these girls.  Oh my they are sooooo much fun. 

 Here is our diminutive swimming visitor!  Alaina loved being in the pool.  She's learning little by little how all this works.  It took a while, but she did let go of Daddy and float a bit, brave girl!!

We set this little pool up on the deck for Stephen.  Notice he has swim noodles conveniently located  so he can float if he chooses.  "wink"

When you asked him what he was doing he'd hardly look up and just said "swimming, swimming". 

 
Our Mexican relative Matthew stopped in for a brief time.  HA! Boy can he eat a relative out of house & home. He didn't stay too long though.   "wink"

He who finds a wife . . . . .

We are incredibly blessed!  Our whole family is excited to announce Andrew's engagement to Fiona Forster!  
(picture taken in Kampala at the restaurant where they had their first date)

 Thanks to Skype -- Andrew has been able to introduce us to this sweet, beautiful, sparkling woman. We already love her and look forward to welcoming her into our family!!

 Here is Fiona enjoying a game reserve in Kenya.

Fiona is a CPA.  She and Andrew met through his work with EarthWise Ferries.  
She loves the Lord and has a heart of caring for others. 

Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves and Fiona has walked this out in personal sacrifice and service.

They plan to marry here in the States and we can't wait to meet her in person. 

Imagine - - - the Lord taking Andrew all the way to Uganda to meet his wife.  WOW

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 18: 22

May Happenings

May had some wonderful happenings.  One of the happenings was Andrew. 

He made a quick visit home!

 We always celebrate with food.  Actually that is more important than usual when Andrew comes home, because he can't get many of our foods in Uganda.  example - watermelon, blueberries

{Of course we have to feed everyone else as well. } "wink"

"Partners in crime." -- according to Haley

You did notice my beautiful Mother's Day flowers from the kids, Ken and my sweet Mom?! 

I must have forgotten to say "smile". 

We love you Andrew.  XOXOXOX

Those Thomas Sisters !

We had a wonderful visit from my Aunt Marylyn.  She is Mom's younger and only sister. 

She calls us all honey, says ya'll and speaks with a warm southern accent.  (I love to listen to her talk.)She stayed with Mom for 2 1/2 weeks and they had a blast.  (Such a blessing to have a sister!)

We headed up to a large green house in Sturtevant that has a cute little sandwich cafe' and gift shop.  That's not even mentioning the rows and rows of beautiful plants.  (Boy, talk about temptation.  You'd be proud of me ----- I only came home with one Caladium plant.)

Is it true that you go through a second childhood when you are mature enough that you don't care what others think??  YES  They were so much fun!  We laughed at all their remembrances.  Oh the stories.  They ate their chocolate first and didn't hesitate to joyfully encourage and love on each one of us.  Wish I'd gotten more pictures.

Thank you Mom and Marylyn for all the fun.  We hope this Texan can come up again soon.  XOXOX

The Incredible Inflating Baby!

 

 This is what James looked like when I saw him last.  (Grandma commentary:  Cute isn't he?)
 

This is James now!!!  (Look at that double chin!  Those rolls!  smooch) 

 When we were there he got his first bath.  He did great.  He scrunched up his face but didn't cry!  (marvelous child)

Look at him  now!!  (Old Pro)  He's really doing well and Gretchen says that he's started smiling!!  I think he looks like a balloon that someone has started blowing up.  (Isn't he darling.  Can't wait to get my hands on this baby again!)