Erica's wedding

Mom and I went to Erica Howard's (Joel & Robin) wedding last weekend, so I thought I'd send you a few pictures. Next weekend we're going to Lindsey's wedding (Bill & Becca). How did these kids get so old! We use to change their diapers!

How this all began! Druci, Becca, Joel, Jael, & Pris

Erica & James

Cousins! Nicole (Rick & Druci),
Lindsey (Bill & Becca), Bria, Shaya,
Natasha (Bob & Pris), Janea (Rick & Druci)

Me & my girls - Janea & Nicole

Lindsey & her fiance' Steve

Elaine & Robin

I'll do my best to get more pictures of the other kids at Lindsey's wedding! Also, believe it or not, one of James' groomsmen was Michael Whitney! Eldon, his email is either whitneybubba@hotmail.com or michaelbubba@hotmail.com try em both, he'd love to hear from you. Also, Mo, one of Melody's girls, Courtney (the oldest 19), is pregnant (not married) her little girl (Emily Brooke) is due in January. Mel looked tired....
Anyway it was fun seeing everybody. All of the Howard kids and grandkids were at Erica's wedding. WOW! As you can see, Elaine was there. So was Darryl & Joyce and their 2 boys. Also, lots of other people from the past. Kinda like a youth group reunion.

Got other stuff to do!

Family

I know this may not be like my usual blogs, but I saw this awesome saying today as I was out shopping, and thought I'd share it with you, so I searched through my old pictures of trees and came up with this one.

FAMILY
"We may GROW in different directions,
yet our ROOTS remain as one."

I thought that was so true...I hope you enjoy! Yes, I miss and love my family, but remember, no matter how far we all live away from each other (some days it seems farther than others), we still all have the same roots and remain as one. Love you guys!

I Guess This is a 2 Parter...so read the 1st one 1st

This little guy welcomed us when we got home from Marc and Laura's on Sun. evening. As you can see, he's still wet and Belle is still eating the after birth. Andy is one proud papa!

Of course, a trip to Michigan would not be complete without a trip to Shipshewana. Laura & Evie, Sara & Israel, Chrissy (Sara's friend), Zion & Angel, Ryleigh (Amber's), Romaine, Brenda, Amber & Blaike, Mom & Me

Homeward Bound! Mom and our fun car attendant, Andrew.

Oh yes, how could I forget, in the midst of all the craziness of July, Heather came to stay with us for a week and a half while our students were here. We took "our girls" Heidi, Heather & Emily to Red Robin for Heidi's 12th birthday American style.






Here they are all 31 Chinese plus a few Americanos. This was my crew! They were great, but can you imagine that many 10-13ish students for 2 weeks. YIKES!

And last, but certainly not least! My wonderful new friend, Sally. Sally was one of the teachers who came over with the students. She is 3rd generation Christian and not ashamed to admit it. She was only allowed to come over, however, because there were Buddhist and Communists in the group, otherwise, she would not have been allowed out of China alone, because she is a Christian. God did some awesome things while the students were here.

Okay, I think I'll finish and post this thing and go to bed!

YES, I am still alive and YES I've been busy!

No, I haven't fallen off the planet.. Once we got back from California it was time to finish finding the rest of my host families for my group of exchange students. This year, not only did we host 2 girls, but I was also the PC (Program Coordinator). That means, I do all their scheduling while they are here for 2 weeks, find host families for 25 students and 6 escorts, and keep the program running smoothly while they are here. Yikes, that means 31 Chinese people, 14 families, and 3 American teachers! All went well, you'll see pictures when I get there. However, in the midst of finding families, Mom & I took the train to Michigan and back. We were gone from June 30-July 13. My students arrived the 16th. You do the math.....fortunately I had all my students and escorts placed before I left, except for the 2 that I found out were coming after I got back! Okay, so I panicked abit, prayed alot, and found a wonderful home! Whew!

Alright let's head to Michigan!

One of the fun things about riding the train is you get to meet new people. We rode from Seattle to LaCrosse, WI with our new friends Jan & Ann. They were on a Grandma/Granddaughter trip.








Our newest cousin, Evie Christine! She belongs to Marc & Laura. Yes, she is always this happy!

Swimming on the 4th of July! Angel, Israel & Ariel (Greg & Sara's) with a broken arm.

Even Mom got in on the fun!

Next stop in MI! A day at the zoo with the giraffes!

Kalamazoo Kings game
with Andy & Brenda,
Marc, Laura & Evie,
Amie & Cameron.

Time for the actually reunion...
you know when more than just
Uncle Kenny's family is there.
Aunt Sharon & Uncle Norman,
Ashley & Holden.

Okay, so we all have favorite cousins.
Besides Andy & Brenda. Mike & Romaine!

Burton...he was suppose to wear PURPLE, but he didn't
so we were just trying to help him out a little...!

And we thought Angel was bad..at least she doesn't SCREAM constantly.
And yes, the leash is the best
method of containing Zion! (Greg & Sara's)

The 3 Aunts..Naomi, Sharon, Jackie

Oregon, California & back to Oregon

Okay, so it's either feast or famine...yes, I'm a terrible blogger! Let's see, life has been busy, busy, busy with the day to day, but we scheduled in a trip to Shannon's. We (that would be, Matt, Mom, Copper & Me!) left last Sunday (5/25) and drove as far as Corvallis, OR. We then got up Monday morning and headed to Winston, OR to see and spend the night with old friends from Bethel A/G, Tari, Bryant & Marissa Perez. We all got in our van & headed to Crater Lake. Oh what a glorious place.

Of course, every trip must include a few cute critters......

Of course, there was a lot of playing in the snow
and snowball fights as demonstrated by
Bryant & Marissa.

Once we left Winston we headed south. We stopped in Medford, OR for lunch and to show Mom where Kristy used to live. Then it was onward and forward via a million rest stops along the way, don't forget we had Mom with us....however at the Yreka, CA stop there was a very cute VERY pregnant squirrel, who was just waiting to have her picture taken.

We finally arrived at our motel in Redding, CA (about 10 min. South of Shasta Lake City, where Shannon lives) about 7:45 p.m. Tues. called Shannon, ordered pizza in, went swimming & crashed for the rest of the evening.

The next morning we headed with Shanni, Kelly & Kenny Alan to Shasta Lake Dam. Heather was in school. Okay, so is Kelly too cute, or what? And oh so precocious!

Then it was time to pick up Heather (7) from school, head over to Shannon's, give the kids the quilts that Great-grandma Laurel made them. Both girls got quilts, but wanted their picture taken on Kelly's (3) bed
.

Kenny says snuggle time with Gram Grams is a must.

We then headed to lunch/dinner at HomeTown Buffet.

It was then time to grab swimsuits and head to our pool. Before the evening was over, Papa had Heather swimming like a fish, mermaid, shark.....you never knew which one. That includes in the deep end and BaNana (Kelly's name for me) had Kelly "swimming" in the shallow end, jumping off the edge and being fearless. Did I say, she is full of it! Sorry no swimming pictures, but I was in the pool soaking up the sun &

playing with my favorite 3 year old...!

After Shannon & the kids went home we went to Starbucks and to see the Sundial Bridge. Here is a view of it at night and the next day when we went back so we could see it in the day light.

The next day we drove up to one of the many lakes around Shasta Lake. And yes, BaNana did come on vacation!

Then it was time to pick Heather up from school and more swimming. Now not only in Heather swimming in the deep end, but now she's doing cannon balls too. And then there is little Miss Fearless...fortunately she still is made to wear a swimming jacket... "BaNana, don't catch me, I can jump in by myself," and in she goes. Reminds me of Calvin. She so badly wanted to go in the deep end, but there are boundaries... And then it was time to say good-bye....not an easy thing to do.

The next day we headed out, first stop, Mount
Shasta City for pictures and shopping.

Then it was back to the motel we stayed in in Corvallis on the way down. While there, we decided to ditch church on Sunday and spend one more night on vacation. So...Saturday morning we headed to the ocean for a day on the beach....HA! Try a day of shopping, due to fog. However, when we headed home on Sunday, the sun decided to come out...of course, hey at least I got another pretty OR coast picture.

As everything in life, all good things must come to an end. I bet you wish this would!!! We got home last night at 1o:00 exhausted, but having had a wonderful refreshing vacation. Now it's back to work, routine, and kitties & piggies who missed us.

In Trouble with the kitties & the pup!

Okay, so I am in trouble with Copper, Peter & Annie! They all have new pictures to share and I forgot to blog them the first time around. Oops! Oreo, Thunder & the piggies will get picture time later!

Okay so I'm finally a blogger!

It's pretty bad when I'm married to a computer geek and I'm the last one to have a blog...!

My life is quite boring...it's taking Mom to buy shoes, drugs & old people stuff (oh yipee!)

Ain't I lucky...? Can I ship her to you guys for awhile? Just kidding...

Actually she's usually pretty well behaved. You'll have to ask her about Ozzie!

Anyway it's stamping as usual or at least should be. Here's some pictures of the tulip fields, thought I'd let you miss them. Especially Eldon...hahaha!

We took the Seniors from church.

Also thought you'd like to see who Mom & I met...
EDGAR MARTINEZ!!!!






Well I've got other stuff to do, so as Tigger would say tata for now..