June was spelled B-U-S-Y in 2010!

And a good thing it was, too, because on the 2nd of the month we said our good-byes to our children, Lisa and Dan. We had a wonderful visit while they were here. And while it might be cliche to say it, it is so true when I say that the only problem with their visit was that it was much. too. short. I can hear the collective family murmurs of agreement and see the heads nodding as you read this.

We had had the chance to be together as one BIG happy family on Memorial Day on the last day of May. That's the picture in my previous post. If you want to know what blessings are, then take a look at that photo again. My in-laws hosted a cookout that was attended by each of their children and grandchildren plus spouses. They host the cookout every year but I think this might be the first time that there has been 100% attendance. Stars on the attendance chart for everyone!!!!

And I was seriously remiss in not thanking Kelly for taking the picture that appeared on the blog. I was in the picture so obviously I was not taking it. And I'm not quick enough for one of those timer thingies. Kelly took many, many shots of our group. Thanks again, Kelly!


The week after Dan and Lisa returned to Vegas we had VBS at church. It was a good week, but not without problems. It isn't unusual for us to have "issues" with children - and we expect that to happen - but this time our visiting guest speaker and family had problems. Our speaker was a missionary back in the States for a few months and he and his family graciously consented to help us out. In other years we've had a different chapel speaker for the older kids each night but thought that a bit of continuity might be nice for a change. It wasn't to be. One of the family's married children collapsed in a distant state midweek and was taken to the hospital. That meant worried traveling for our friends and scurrying around to fill the voids they left when they departed so quickly for us. The good news is that their son's illness was diagnosed quickly and the proper course of treatment was begun in a timely manner. We've heard that he is to be off work for at least another 6 weeks but that he should experience a full recovery.

After the fun and "not fun" parts of VBS we capped off the week by celebrating Fen's first birthday. It was supposed to be a swimming party but the weather didn't cooperate. All the festivities were moved inside. As you can see, the Birthday Boy seemed to have a good time regardless.

Here was his cake:

These next two pictures are of him thoroughly devouring Oscar the Grouch. Thankfully, Fen showed no signs of being a grouch himself as he was a perfectly charming little recipient of all the gifts and attention showered upon him that day.

Soon the little guy was in need of a nap and we were in need of the opportunity of departing for another party, this time for a young gentleman who recently graduated from high school. That party was also to be a cookout/pool party that got relocated inside due to the weather, but I noticed that even bad weather cannot diminish the party spirit when one has achieved one of life's major milestones. So congratulations again to our little Fen and the Bear's friend, Eric.

And that brings us up through just the first 2 weeks of the month. From there, things got even busier!

(To be continued...)