Sunday, June 21, 2009

Family Reunion '09






Several years ago, our family agreed to gather together for one week during the odd numbered years. So far, we have held 3 family reunions. The first was in '05 at Mt. View, Arkansas. The second was in '07 at Petit Jean State Park, also in Arkansas. Arkansas is the most centrally located state for most of the family. This year we had intended to return to Petit Jean, but due to scheduling conflicts, our original reservations had to be canceled and a new location was necessary. What a pain that turned out to be! Anyway, to make a long story short, we ended up having a traveling reunion. It began on June 13th in Ft. Worth, TX at my brother Bob's home. He has a very nice pool so most of the day was spent splashing and talking. My brother David and his family met my family there and we spent the evening talking and laughing as we caught up on all the family happenings.
On Sunday evening, most of the family then moved on down to central TX to spend a couple of days with my parents. We just crashed at either my house or my daughter Rebecca's house, which gave us even more opportunities to spend time together while sunburns healed a little. By Tuesday, we were ready for the sun and water again, so we all headed to Schliterbahn. It was a blast! That is truly the one vacation spot in TX where you can be outside all day and remain cool. That evening we returned to Temple totally exhausted, but thankful we had been able to spend so much time together. Wednesday was spent playing board games, eating, talking, laughing, and having a wonderful time. Unfortunately, it all had to come to an end on Thursday with families returning to their various homes. Sadly, no one from Larry's branch of the family could attend. But, there is always the next reunion. I wanted to post a group picture from each reunion, but couldn't find one taken in '05. So, here are the group shots from '07 and '09.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

End of another school year...



As each school year ends, for some reason parents feel obligated to purchase thank you gifts for me. As a teacher, I have to admit I have received some very nice parting gifts. I know that they are sincere expressions of appreciation for the time and energy I put into teaching their children. However, every now and then I get a gift that really means a lot to me. It usually isn't one of those gift cards to my favorite restaurant, a certificate at the teachers' store, or luxurious lotions and shower gels. It is always the gift that was given to me by one of my students. I can always tell that a lot of time and effort was put into those gifts, and they always make me chuckle or bring tears to my eyes. I thought I would share one of my all time favorites. It was given to me by the same character that showered the bathroom with ketchup and tried to mend the hole in his shirt with tape.
Here is the text:
"Roses are red vilets are blue my feet smell stinky, you are cool to play baskit ball. I shuld stop talkig and here is a special someting for you love ben A I will miss you. for being a graet teacher."
It also has an illustration of me shooting baskets with him during recess.
Who would have thought a few basketball shots at recess would have stuck in his memory!
Enjoy!
p.s. those are coins that are attached with scotch tape.