June's Family Celebration

I find myself especially thankful this month to have all the Gherkins nearby. This is almost unheard of for military families...to retire and have 10 kids living within easy driving distance? It's a miracle.  Once a month we pull away and celebrate. This month Bre and Krista have birthdays (I think a new year is to be celebrated but haven't asked them how they feel about me publishing their ages these days. I'll ask first. LOL) We also celebrated Father's Day - and we had no anniversaries this month.

Singing Happy Birthday to each other. 

A funny thing happened when it came time to blow out all the candles. Krista did it in one (possibly 2) shots. Bre got the giggles...and the candles burned...she finally got them all out. Seventy-four candles makes a lot of smoke. 

We have done different things for the meal portion of our celebrations. This month Allie suggested everyone bring their favorite casserole dish. I think this was the easiest yet...and there was plenty of food. We had Pigs in a Blanket Casserole, cinnamon roll casserole, pasta/ham/cheese casserole, chicken alfredo casserole, green bean casserole, tater-tot casserole, chips, potato salad, macaroni salad....dirt cake and ice cream cake.  I also had to face that fact that we need TWO ice cream cakes for these celebrations in the future. I even wrote in my hospitality journal so I remember. 

We weren't sure what the weather was going to do - it turned out great and we were able to play and eat outside. The ThermaCell's seem to have been working well today. 

Some of the tribe

Papa and Benny 

Bre, Trudy, Alex, Liv, Ava

I was happy Jamin could make it. He ran out and showed a home here in Palmer but was able to spend most the time with us. As a realtor this is his busiest time of the year.  We were also thrilled Krista, Luke and the kids were here. 

Carrie, "the boys", Krista and Jamin 

I am happy to report July's family gathering will be dip netting...and we won't have to be careful to catch rear shots of Little Buddy or blank out his face. We will be his. Yep...all official and legal. THAT is going to be an awesome celebration. 

Little Buddy

Liv brought her friend, Ava.

Danny is a meticulous driver

Noah - 5 months

Hello sunshine!

Larissa, Noah, Carrie, Cy, Bre & Trudy

Allie, Stacia, Alex, Nolan, Jared

A Very Good Friday

 It worked better the next couple of weeks for the girls and I meet together, rather than one on one on two separate days.  This week we had friends over Thursday morning and next Friday I will be flying - Lord willing. I love the insights these two share, the heart discussions we get involved with during our studies...good stuff. I'm savoring the minutes as I know it won't be too long and they'll both be out and about in the big world. 

We had plenty of time for discussion during ladies' study on Wed night and so I was relaxed with our time, and we barely made it home in time for Stacia's Japanese class. She was taking off her shoes as she logged on to her class. 

We ran out after her class. She is working on car training with Millie, so we took her with us. We headed for the river so Stacia could collect some props for Sunday's children's church. She'll be teaching the lesson this week. 

A pupacino gives Millie incentive to like the van. She used to not want to get in at all. 

Jenni dropped by to proctor Stacia's final exam in her Old Testament Prophets Global class. She made a 94%. She is figuring out the test taking schtick. She has decided not to enroll in further classes until Mid-August. She needs a bit of a break between high school and more college. She went through her Sunday lesson for Jenni and a congregation of stuffed animals.

I was glad we had an hour or so to sit and chat together before Jenni had to rush to the airport to pick up friends. 

Michael and I rounded out the day by meeting up with Ray and Donna in Anchorage. This was the perfect time to touch base with old ministry partners/friends. It was fun to catch up....they are now in Alabama...We met when Ray and Michael were chaplains at Elmendorf AFB. These visits are precious and rare.