Fun ~ Full Weekend

What a fun weekend we had ~ content!

• Steve, Alden and I got to watch some football on tv together (unfortunately the Redskins had a by this weekend)
• Hannah breezed through the area heading to Annapolis to visit with friends and see the AF/Navy football game (Go Air Force....even if they did lose)
• Watched Andrea's soccer game on Saturday and what a great job she did. It sure brought back fun memories for us of our kids' soccer games. We then did lunch with Phill, Christy and the girls ~ what a fun time we had together.
• Watched Courtney do her FIRST triathlon and oh my did she WOW us! This girl is in shape and did an amazing job! We got to see some of her neighbor friends and some Richmond friends who also did this with her. She swam 300 yards, rode her bike 18 miles and then ran 2 miles to the finish line! Impressive! It started at 6:30 a.m., so as you will see in the first picture it is still DARK! Way to go Courtney. We loved spending time with Pat and our precious grandkids while being spectators!!!!!!

It was a gorgeous weekend weather-wise ~ beautiful days to have spent so much time outside.

Enjoy the pictures of all the events. :)

Hannah, Kate and Sarah

Andrea ~ #5 Quite the soccer player

Go Team!

The spectators! :)

Remember the "tunnel"?!!! Too fun!

What fun memories this brought back of our own kids playing soccer....

now we enjoy our grandchildren playing soccer! Ahhhhhhhhh.....

What a joy to be with Courtney in her first triathlon! This is her after her swim.....just beginning her 18 mile bike ride. Not even light out yet!!!!!! Look at that smile!

Finishing the 18 mile bike ride.....still the smile!

Beginning the last part......2 mile run. Family cheering her on!

She said she couldn't feel her legs or feet......after the bike ride.

Coming into the finish line......STILL the smile!

Finished!!!!!!!!! Enjoying it with her college friend.......and yes, THE winner of the whole triathlon! Go Cary and Courtney! We are soooooooo proud of you!

Rebekah, Joshua and Bailey enjoying some fun while Mom is running!

Sorry this is a bit late getting posted.....the blog wouldn't accept pictures for some reason.

Busy days..........but full of fun!

Fun Visit With Heather

We have had a good weekend ~ meetings, working in the yard, great church service, beautiful weather, Redskin game (unfortunately a loss) and to top off the weekend a wonderful visit with Heather (our niece)! Alden, Heather and I sat outside at a deli for a few hours just getting caught up with each other and laughing together ~ very special for us. Heather you bring us all much joy. Thanks for taking the time to be with us.

Susan, it was great seeing your beach pictures! What a fun, relaxing time that was for the Richmond crew ~ we're thankful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Have a good start to your week everyone ~ here comes Monday.

thinking of family tonight

I have been a bit melancholy these days....and the last few days I have been thinking of family ~ immediate family and extended family. I am so thankful for all of you....in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Fresno CA, Selma CA, Fayetteville NC, and Johnstown PA. The heritage we have, the memories, the relationships, the fun, the encouragement of each other, the roles we play in each others lives. Very special. Can't do without you. Simple as that. I love you.

Alden, Courtney, Pat, Rebekah, Joshua, Bailey.........Phill, Christy, Brittany, Andrea......Steve.....Hannah....Dianne, Chuck, Leah, Jeff.......Richard, Susan, Derek, Rachel, Katherine, Sarah.......Chris.....Kim, Heather, Brandon, Jackie.......Audrey, Jennifer, Melinda and Bill, Marsha, David, Beverly.......Steve and Sheila.........Ken, Lynne, Kenneth, Alden.......Cecil and Louise......Foy.......Elma.....Jerry and Jean......MR and Jean........Peggy..........Britts...........Gretchen....Jack....

Randy, Barbara, Stephanie, Colin,

Tim, Cindy, Nate.......

family.

In memory: Mother and Daddy, Mom and Dad Smith

Gary....... Allan..........

Laura and Ferrald...... Dick and Ruby.... Dub...... Jack..... Vernon...... Ed

I have had the privilege of being with Alden, Hannah, Courtney and kiddos, Steve, Christy and Andrea in the last 24 hours. A few pictures to share.

We met half way from home to JMU to spend some time with Hannah ~ so fun!

A senior in college! Wow!

Lunch with Joshua and Bailey (yay McD!) while mom was at the dentist.

Welcome Home from school Rebekah ~ 1st grade!

Grandma got to go to her school, see her teacher and see what dismissal is all about.

Visited with Christy and Andrea this afternoon ~ special.

We hear Fresno is getting an unusual rain storm and hail, Kenneth in NC is a senior in high school.....applying to colleges, the Richmond crew just got back from a week at the beach, Nate is recovering from mono, Courtney is in the midst of dental work, and .........

we care about each and every one of you.

Goodnight ~ Rest Good. We love you.

Happy Birthday Rebekah and Bailey

What fun we had celebrating two of our precious granddaughters birthdays!

Happy Birthday Rebekah (6) and Bailey (2).

Courtney and Pat had the family over to their house ~

and as usual they threw the best party.

Phill and Christy we missed you all (they were at a wedding in PA)

Enjoy it with us through these pictures.

The birthday girls!

Rebekah with her new doll ~ Kathleen

Alden made this bed for Courtney when she was a little girl.

I repainted it for Rebekah. The pillows on the bed were made by Alden's Mom.....

sweet memories..........and new ones to be made.

Grandmommy and Grandma

Randy, Barbara, Stephanie, Colin

Happy Birthday girls ~ what a joy you are to all of us!

"Guys Day Out" ~ Golfing

The guys ~ Alden, Phill, Steve and Pat have been trying to do something together all summer and TODAY they went golfing! It was well worth the wait.........they enjoyed the golf, eating lunch at the grill, and just enjoyed time together. The weather was perfect for a day outside!

Welcome to your Senior Year at JMU Hannah

Hannah left today for JMU ~ her senior year! Classes start August 27, but she has gone back a little early for IV (Inter Varsity ~ a christian organization) responsibilities and to settle back into her house there. Hannah worked as a nurse extern at INOVA this summer and did a GREAT job in Labor and Delivery and with the night shift.

It definitely confirmed her decision to become a nurse!

I head back to work Monday..................so we are in the last days of "Summer 2007".

What a wonderful summer we have had!

Packing up her truck

Have a good trip!

Nurse Hannah

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh......summer sunsets!

Fun Weekend ~ still summer!!!

The days are numbered before I head back to work and Hannah heads back to JMU ~ thus, we're still enjoying summer............yet readying for the Fall schedules. Our wonderful friends (and in laws!) Randy and Barbara Cassada (Pat's parents) invited us to their lake house on Saturday. Courtney, Pat and the kids were there for the weekend. What fun we all had! We were very grateful our "heat wave" was behind us by one day and what gorgeous weather we had! We rode on their pontoon boat, played in the water at their "beach", took turns riding the jet ski, had barbecue and potato salad at the pavilion right there on the lake, played with the grandkids, visited, rested, sunbathed and ended the evening back at the house for ice cream. What a fun day was had by all. Thank you Randy and Barbara. Family is treasured!

Sunday we went to church..........ate a light lunch,

then headed to see "Bourne Ultimatum". Wow, was it ever good!

We ended the day grilling burgers.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................summer. We're thankful.