Rachell's engagement party

We spent yesterday at my brothers' lake house. (Two of my brothers own it together) We were celebrating Al's daughter, Rachell's engagement. The party had an Hawaiian luau theme so we each were handed a lei when we walked in. Rachell, who is in the marine reserves is being deployed to Iraq in September for six months but plans an April wedding when she comes back.

Graduation Day

We had such a great couple of days watching Allison graduate from the University of Texas. We drove down Friday afternoon, went to dinner at Hula Hut and then went to the Congress Street to watch the bats fly. Graduation was Saturday at noon followed by pictures in front of the tower (of course) and a very late lunch at Chuy's.

Mother's Day shots and other stuff

I have not been very good about blogging. I have been very busy with other things. I'm taking a photography class once a week at UTA. I have been asked to be the Design Team Coordinator at Memorable Seasons. Work has been stressful, to say the least. I also think that life has conspired to make me a little less tolerable lately. I am short tempered and impatient with those around me. I definitely need a vacation. I am tired.

However, my kids have been a source of joy. They make me proud. Karen, as I already mentioned, is expecting a baby on December 10. That is our wedding anniversary. Wouldn't that be fun if he or she actually arrived on that day? Allison has finished college. She has had a few interviews and is waiting to hear if she has a teaching job waiting for her in the fall. Graduation is next weekend and then, she leaves for France the next day for two weeks. She is in a student teacher exchange program. She had a French teacher stay with her for two weeks in March to shadow her while she taught and now she is going to stay with the same young woman to do the same thing. Seth has been playing teeball and is quite serious about the whole thing. He does not smile during games, he is so focused.

Allison came home for Mother's Day last weekend and for her interviews. Curtis turned 50 last week, too. We had the whole crew over for dinner on Saturday night. Curtis cooked out and we had German Chocolate cake. On Sunday, Karen went to Joe's family. Curtis, Allison and I took my mom to dinner. I had to hand my camera over to others so I could be in these pictures, so I put it on auto and hoped for the best. It was also raining on Saturday, so taking pictures outside was not going to happen.

Isn't she pretty? Baby number 2 is on the way. Seth will be a big brother in December. We are all very excited.