Its BBQ time!

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Originally uploaded by Amah

Thanks to Clint's suggestion on Monday afternoon - we are having a BBQ on the Sunday before Labor Day. Here is Keith and Sallie deciding what the layout of their "stuff" is going to be. Clint spent 2 days hauling tables, chairs, bbq's, dishes, canopies, and even a firepit, and to much other stuff to even identify - over from thier garage and Sallie's "party box".

Sallie cooked a bushel of oysters and the salmon and bottomfish that Art and Lucy brought. Clint cooked the 3 dozen crab that they also brought with them (they had just spent 2 days fishing and crabbing in their new boat). Sallie raided her garden and brought a HUGE veggie tray and a hollowed out watermelon filled with melon balls, a 3 bean salad to die for., and I don't know how many homemade dips (both for the chips and for the fish) . . I fixed a potato and a macaroni salad, baked 2 apple crisps (from our apples), and I don't even remember what else, and Keith manned the other bbq with hot dogs, hot links, and hamburgers. Other than the meat and chips - everything we ate was home caught, home grown, or home made. . . it was fit for a King (several, matter of fact!!)

Our longtime friend, Alice Faye, just happened to be visiting from North Carolina, so we were really happy to see her here!! My Cousin Robin brought part of her family and I was truly excited to see her!! I've not seen her since she got married - somewhere near 25 years ago!! Aunt Nita got the days mixed up so they weren't here to enjoy our largess!! In the end run - we had about 25 people show up. Wwe had lots of friends here - and a really good time!! Can't beat that for a 5 day notice -

The weather cooperated wonderfully with a nice 79 high and just enough breeze to keep everyone cool!! Some played darts, the kids had fun with lawn darts and even got the croquet set up. It was just a wonderful day. The only way it could've been better would've been if our children lived close enough to visit us for times to share. . .

Hope your weekend was as wonderful!!

As usual: click here for the slideshow

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday we kinda split up and went different ways. The Elmore clan went with Papa and I over to Coronado while the Orf's side went to SeaWorld. We've been to SeaWorld several times and S'te wanted to see where we hang out on Sunday afternoons. Needless to say, we each had a great time on whichever trail was chosen!!

At Coronado the kids played in the water and in the sand. Rod and S'te sat in the shade or up on the dock and watched them. Baby and Tetee pretty much stayed over on the blanket with Papa and I. We had a blast watching the people dance. It was a beautiful day!!

From the pictures it looks like Elizabeth, Brennan, and Ginger also had a great time at SeaWorld. Brennan had hurt his foot not long before the trip - and he had it casted - so he pretty much had to do things that didn't involve getting that foot wet. Hard to do in Southern Califronia!! It was managed well and he stayed entertained for the whole trip. Him and Mak struck a good friendship and they "hung together" alot.

We got home rather late in the afternoon and it was time to PACK for the big trip. We were all excited and the kids had a really hard time getting to sleep.

So this was the end of a great togetherness weekend. After looking forward to the Cruise for months - it's almost time!!

When I don't get any comments - I wonder if anyone is even reading all of this. . . . .

Beautiful

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Today was a fun day. After the kids got back from school and reading club we had all the hair and nail paraphanelia out. They girls (including Tetee) all took turns working on my and Ladaria's hair. We had some wild styles!! I have more mouse and hairspray and "leave in conditioner" in my hair right now than I've had in years put together!! We had lots of fun while Mom rested. Rod is underway and she has been having those wonderful charley horses at night - so she was exhausted. We all also practiced walking like her - to her dismay :)

The older girls are now sporting white tipped nails but I just had to take the "pretty" yellow off of mine - they just got all scrateched up - even before they dried.

Then it was dinner and off to bed!! All is well here and we are having lots of fun. Am so blessed by being able to be here - It's so hard to even describe how happy I am to be here with everyone.

Only a week until Kiah's surgery. We pray nightly for a good outcome. The little guy has already had so many medical problems!!

So it's off to say my prayers - for me and all the others that are in need>