The Weekend

This was the first year Dana, Blake and Lily Kate and Colin and Ronnie

joined us for the 4th of July celebrations

on the Concho River in downtown San Angelo.

Half of us staked out our spot for the evening

while the rest of us went by

Papa John's and picked up 6 pizzas.

Also on the menu - watermelon and cherrys,

Doritos and M&M's,

and

lots of cold water

THIS is how Lily Kate watched the fireworks. She did watch for a while,
but soon had the "when you've seen one fireworks, you've seen 'em all "
attitude.
She was worn out and it was past her bedtime, so
she got comfy with Pops covering her ears and
she just took a little snooze.
The following night at Freedom Fest fireworks,
she brought her stethoscope
with her and it served as earplugs.
Then, she leaned back on her Daddy and took
a little nap.
Too cute !!!

The wait from 5:30 until fireworks begins is quite long, so we
brought along games and activities to occupy.
The girls played a little Fancy Nancy game
and then chased bubbles.

The group

Kidsitting a sweet baby goat named Winnie

for the weekend was really very fun.

Lily Kate loved !!!! the goat.

Feeding Winnie her morning bottle

THIS was too cute!! Lily Kate had already had her bath but

before we could get her into her pjs, she

decided that Baby Winnie, who was crying pitifully,

(all baby goats cry pitifully)

needed someone to sleep with.

Then she wouldn't cry and be sad.

So, Lily Kate gave her one of her own

stuffed bears so she would feel better.

Here she is -- comforting Winnie and telling her

"it be awwight."

We had a wonderful time with family this week.

We totally enjoyed every minute!!!

William and I are both moving much slower this morning,

wishing we could just sleep in a bit,

but...he's at work and I am too -- doing

laundry and dishes and floors.

Hope your 4th was blessed!

Gwynie Pie

July 1st

Happy first day of July !

What kind of fun things happen at your house

to celebrate our country's Independence Day?

William and I usually go down to the Concho River

in downtown San Angelo with quilt, lawn chairs

and ice chest in tow.

The SA Symphony presents a wonderful

program of patriotic songs,

we spread out the quilt and lay out the food

we brought.

Lots of people (over 30,000) come to town

for this annual event

and we always see lots of folks

and get to catch up with friends.

Some years we do it the easy way and go by and pick up a pizza

or a bucket of chicken.

Haven't figured out the menu for this year --

something fun and different.

And COOL !

We sit on the riverbank and eat and visit

and listen to the music and

then the evening ends with a spectacular

fireworks display.

Oh -- and the flyover. There is almost always

a fantastic flyover. That's usually when I start to get emotional.

I am always moved to tears at some point

in the evening -- try as I might to remain in control.

It's just so moving --- I mean,

here we are -- living in the greatest country

in the world, in the greatest state in the country

(I do hope you love your state as much

as I love mine).

I'm blessed to be living in the kind of

community where life is slow and

friends are forever,

and where we still get choked up

over the presentation of the flag

and the playing of patriotic songs.

It's a powerful thing to reflect on our country,

the people who settled it and

founded this way of life and

then fought with all they had to

make this country great

and to keep this country free.

Happy July everyone!

May your celebrations be fun and safe --

Gwynie Pie