Stony Creek

The cattails above remind me of Andrew Peterson's words "And the cattails seem to wave just like they know me" (from "Alaska or Bust")

Andrew's Boots

I forgot to show you this picture from Austin. Here are Andrew's senior boots. If, like me, you miss the significance of these boots, read a little about them here. I'm sure our Aggie relatives can enlighten us more!

Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

55 Years

Congratulations to Mary Ellen and John William, celebrating 55 years of marriage. (Mary Ellen is Granny's 1st cousin, being the daughter of Uncle Henry and Aunt Essie, Uncle Henry being Big Daddy's brother (at least, I think so!)

Mawidge.
Mawidge is what bwings us togever today.
Mawidge, the bwessed awangement.
That dweam wiffin a dweam.
Ven wuv, twu wuv, wiw fowwow you fowever..

Granny & Papa celebrated 58 years of marriage just a few weeks ago. (Just in case you have forgotten, I have included a Cousin Tree below. Click on it to make it larger.)(Granny & Mary Ellen are 1st cousins, which makes Mary Ellen my 1st cousin, once removed, since she is one generation from mine. Mary Ellen's kids are my 2nd cousins, since we share great grandparents.)(Furthermore, Mary Ellen's grandkids are the 3rd cousins of my children, sharing great great grandparents. So maybe Mary Ellen is their 1st cousin twice removed??? It does get rather confusing, doesn't it. I think maybe we can just say we're kin.)

I'm the mom, I'm the mom, I'm the mom, mom, mom

It's everything a mom says in 24 hours condensed to 2 minutes and 55 seconds and sung to the William Tell Overture.

Baby Eagles

Remember the baby eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden? Check out this story done by some 1st grade journalists.

Father's Day in Austin

Happy Father's Day to my dad!
Check out the 4 generations -- Papa, Pappy Jack, Daddy Mark, and Peyton

Ruth Bell Graham

Farewell to Ruth Bell Graham, wife of Billy Graham, who died this past week. I remember how my mom admired her. I found some interesting tidbits about her this week. From Christianity Today

Ruth was known for being a woman of grace but also of outspoken forthrightness and wit.

When asked if she and her husband always agreed on everything, she said, "My goodness, no! If we did, there would be no need for one of us!"

From the Charlotte Observer:

It was Ruth Graham who counseled her husband to steer clear of politics so as not to narrow his ministry.During the Democratic National Convention in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson sought Graham's advice on whom he might choose as a running mate.

Before Graham could answer, Ruth Graham kicked him under the table and said, "You are supposed to limit your advice to moral and spiritual issues and stay out of politics."

Then there was the story about her legendary stoicism in the face of illness -- especially when compared with a husband, who felt every ache and pain. Loved ones would joke that when he died, Billy would have carved on his tombstone, "I told you so." When Ruth died, her tombstone would declare, "Never felt better."

Austin

This was the first blue SWA plane I ever saw. Kinda pretty, huh? These guys are in the Midway airport, and they look so real, it's surprising when they don't move. I enjoyed watching the clouds out the window. However, I did not enjoy the turbulence as we descended for the landing. I got to see Granny & Papa both today. Granny didn't know me, but she seems really content. Aunt Kelsey is back from camp, and Peyton is very glad to see her! Erica & Mark gave Pappy Jack a new hat for Father's Day. We saw 4 little bunny rabbits when we got home. One was tiny enough to fit in your hand! I don't think bunnies really have blue eyes, but the flash caught his little eye just so. Peyton was definitely the star -- he's changed so much since we were here in March! He's getting very mobile, and it's so much fun to watch him.

Babysitting Carolyn

Here's a few shots from last weekend. There were lots and lots of stories. . . (a girl after my own heart!!!)































Carolyn got to try her first Starbucks, much to her grandfather's delight. She started out with an orange creme frappacino, and though it was cold, her reaction was favorable.
At the park, there were too many big kids on the play structure, but Carolyn was quite content to play with the bark.

























She also enjoyed exploring the little ant hills in the sidewalk cracks. This girl is into details! Maybe one day she'll watch the nature channel with her papa!





















All that dirt meant we had to wash hands before we left the park. This was also a game for LMC and she was fascinated with the water splashing up out of the little hole.

Happy Blogiversary!

Happy Blogiversary to Me! This blog is one year old today. I remember my very first post. I was ready for a different way to post pictures, and making the webpage had just gotten to be too much work! This has been more fun than work. I have learned some interesting things, including a whole new language!

• Blogathy - I do not want to post today and I do not care about it
• Blogopotamus - A long long blog post
• Blogorrhea - unusually high output of articles
• Bleg - To use one’s blog to beg for assistance etc.
• Hitnosis - Refreshing your browser repeatedly to see if your hit counter or comments have increased
• Blogoholic - addicted to blogging
• Blogorific = blogtastic - something which a blogger says is terrific
• Blogsit - maintaining a blog while the primary blogger is on leave
• Blogvertising - Also called blogvert. Advertising on a blog.
• Blurker - a blog reader not posting comments, just lurking around quietly.
• Blogstorm - a large amount of blogosphere activity due to particular controversy. Also called Blog Swarm.

To see more uselss blogging information, go to the Blogging Glossary.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

The Help Desk

Thanks, Dave, for this great video! I believe it is in Norwegian.

Boatwerks

We had dinner with Laura at Boatwerks where she is working as a server this summer. It's right on Lake Macatawa and we ate outside so it was very pleasant.
We saw this little Mazda Miata in the parking lot, and I figured this one had the perfect license plate! Laura showed Craig her house, and he noted that her room was decorated in "Early Cereal." For what it's worth, most of the boxes are empty.