Larry often comments that my treasure is my family. I could not agree with him more. Because of my extensive wealth in the love of my husband, children, grandchildren, parents, sister, extended family, church family and dear friends...I am the richest woman in the world.
June has been a lovely time of visits from some of our family and friends. Our good friends Howard and Erika spent a few days with us traveling from London and Washington D.C. It was so nice to catch up on our life's events since we last visited in November. We had our traditional Sam Moon day and this time our menfolk came along to see what all the drama was about. Ten minutes in the store convinced them to head for the nearest bar.
Erika adores Sassy
I love Sam Moon, but I love more listening to Erika's exclamations of joy as she views the merchandise on each aisle. She makes every aisle experience delightful. I cannot resist the urge to look a bit for myself and after several hours of Sam Moon shopping drama we head home to check on Miss Sassy and then enjoyed a very nice evening at St. Martin's. Erika convinced me to try a champagne I cannot pronounce but I so love to hear her say it in beautifully spoken French. She is from Austria and her accent is music to anyone's ears. We gave a toast to our friendship and promised to return on another trip. Howard kept us laughing with his stories laced with a bit of adventure and intrigue and all too soon our time with them ended.
Howard & Erika when they visited with us in November
Hostess gift from Howard and Erika
It is a tea towel and mint chocolates from
the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!
Erika loves the purple sage bush by our
front door. This is for you Erika.
Purple Sage showing off in full bloom
Native Yellow Lantana
Purslane always happy to oblige
We didn't have long to be sad about their departure because Larry's sister Brenda and her new family were on their way from Tennessee. They arrived late and after settling everyone in we all headed to bed for some rest anticipating days of fun and family.
Hostess gift from Brenda, Taylor and the girls
The next morning over breakfast we had some quality time with Taylor and his 11 year old daughter Mallory. I have retold many times my introduction to Mallory. She walked right in the front door and parted the crowd like the Red Sea and wrapped her little arms around my waist in a big hug and said I am so glad to finally meet you Aunt Elaine. I melted on the spot of course and fell instantly in love with this beautiful child. I will always cherish that memory. My other Mallory story is when she asked if she could take a peek at my Craft room before she went to bed. Brittnie told her about our special time together working in the craft room on her last trip and Mallory had great hopes of her own creations. I love the way her eyes glazed over in eager anticipation and hopes of a little time spent in that glorious room. Of course to a non crafter it is a cluttered room filled with "things" waiting to be turned into something. To a crafter it is heaven. It was wonderful to share with Brenda and Brittnie through out the day and we ended with good ole Tex Mex at Matt's for the best chili relleno in town.
Mallory, Larry, Brenda, Taylor and Brittnie
Saturday we decided to give Taylor and Mallory a bit of a tour of Big D. Lots of good photo opps at the convention center and the bronze cattle drive. We toured lower Greenville, Lakewood, White Rock Lake and dinner at El Fenix. Later at home Brittnie, Mallory and I designed a Father's Day gift and card for their gift giving. That night I had plenty of help with the food prep for Sunday's Father's Day gathering and then we were off to bed for some beauty rest for our big family day.
Brenda and Mallory reading the history
Larry gives the bronze bull a little sip
Brit, Mallory and Brenda
Good Longhorn...easy there podner.
Walking the trail of the bronze cattle drive
Beautiful!
A little pose from Brittnie
Taylor is a very good photographer...as
evidenced by the size of the zoom lens.
Couldn't resist a shot. Taylor said the bird
rinsed off the bug it caught and was about to eat. Wow!
Yee Haw!
Sunday I began the day with my re arranging the house.... party routine. As people woke up they joined in until we were a hive of industry. Guests began to trickle in by afternoon. We enjoyed meeting Taylor's oldest daughter Micah. She is currently working at a youth camp at Glen Rose and was able to drive over to spend Father's day with her dad. We learned of her upcoming marriage plans and enjoyed getting to know her.
After everyone arrived ( with the exception of Missy, Wes and Katie Bug...who sadly has the chicken pox and Jimmy away at college and my Mom and Dad who were not able to attend ) we prayed a blessing over our Dads and let them begin our meal of spiral honey ham, my family recipe of baked beans, tossed salad, cheeses and crackers, dips and chips, strawberry shortcake, key lime pie, lemon bundt cake and the favorite dessert of the day.... cake pops.
Father's Day Meal
Dee, Ashton, Micah, Brenda and Mallory
Pierson with his iphone.
Katelyn, Justin and Ashton
Micah, Mallory, Brenda and Lara
Dee Dee
My expressive daughter
Jeff, Taylor, James, Christina and Josh
Grandpa Alvarez and Big Daddy Abbott
In honor of Father's Day our dads are first in line
Dessert!
Micah checks it out
Luisa, Justin and Lara
Katelyn, Pierson, Josh and Jeff
Pierson and Katelyn
Lara, Micah, Mallory, Taylor and Brenda
Micah and Mallory
Luisa's dad Carl Alvarez...alias Grandpa
Pierson and Katelyn
James
Taylor
Mimi, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Jeff listening to
Christina sing her ABC's
Christina singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Christina
Jeff
Dee
Christina and Luisa
Christina's pose
Luisa's mom Reggie ...alias Grandma Alvarez,Jeff
Christina and Luisa
Dee, Ashton and
Elaine (also known
as Mimi )
My beautiful Grandchildren
A hug for Aunt Dee
Johnathan ( also a good photographer) gets a pic too
Sweet Mallory reads a book to a very tired Christina
Christina's cup
Christina's look
Our Father's Day gathering
And don't forget Katie Bug
or her shoes ( she picked out this combo herself :)
Mappy Hour
now where have we seen a pose
like this....why that would be our Missy
when she was little. :)
Our little poser with Jessie
K Bug
Missy, K Bug and Wes
Happy Father's Day Love to you Wes!
Our sad little girl. We love
you Katie Bug and praying you are
over your chicken pox soon!
Justin, Katelyn and Jimmy
We love and miss you Jim!
Jimmy, Katelyn and Justin
Mimi, Jimmy and Big Daddy
A very special Father's Day wish for my Dad.
I Love You Dad!
My Mom
Mom and Dad you were missed
and we love you both very much!
After last summer's brutal heat I admit to a bit of anxiety about the house heating up and as it continued to feel delightfully cool throughout the day I was not only thanking the Lord for our time of fellowship but also for a cool house to enjoy it in. :) All too soon our time with family ended and we are left with our hearts full of love and happy memories and photos.
"We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending love letters to the world."
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
Elaine and Larry
One thing I
ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the
days of my life. Psalm 27:4
