Memorial "Work" Day!

Trip to MA!

We got back yesterday from a really nice visit in Brockton, MA. We were treated royally and enjoyed getting to know the people and the area a little. On Saturday the Pastor and his family took us to Plymouth where we enjoyed a historical tour of the important Pilgrim sites. We ended our tour with a lunch overlooking the bay eating the catch of the day!
From top to bottom these are the sites in the pictures.
1. Memorial to Adoniram Judson, One of his wives and some other family members are buried there.
2. Monument to the Founding Fathers.
3. Grave of William Bradford.
4. First Pilgrim fort.
5-6. Replica of the Mayflower.
7. Plymouth Rock
8. The pastor's family--John and Robin Beals, Zachary (10) and Alexandra (9).
9. View of beautiful Plymouth Bay.

Memorial Day Weekend

I had the teen and junior high girls over for the weekend. Several others joined us to go see the hot air balloons. Not nearly as impressive as last year, but we had fun none-the-less. Notice my apron.... I should post a better picture. Forgive the wet hair! Hope you all are doing something fun. I'm getting ready to go help T & R with mulch!

Corban Laughing

Bob multitasking: napping/babysitting/educating himself on LaCross

Mommy's favorite shots of the week!

Our Week...

Most of our week has been the three of us trying to get over some cold that Bob so loving passed on to us.
But even with that we have had some highlights.
Although it pales in comparison to Jo and Brians big news....

Our big guy learned to roll over!

He isn't as impressed with his new move as his Mom and sister are!
Our back yard is in bloom! Picture compliments of our little photographer.


Corban is enjoying his Dad being home this Saturday.

Au Revoir, Girls!

Alicia and Joy both left this morning and the house is seeming unusually quiet! Friday night the students had a farewell for them. Lianala decorated the cake in the class with Alicia. Last night we had cheese fondue for the big send-off. I nearly caused some heart attacks when I brought out the snails! I thought they needed one more cultural experience before leaving :-) Joy was the only girl to give it a try. Derek had never had them before either but is not eager for seconds! The girls both left their mark and will be greatly missed. Alicia has been part of the family for a year and a half so the room downstairs will probably remain "Alicia's room" for a while. Don't worry about our solitude--we leave in 30 min. to pick up another girl at the airport!

Strawberry Pickin'--Strawberry Jam

Cheese Fondue

Johanna and Brian had us over for dinner the other night so that she could use her fine china for the first time. The meal was delicious, the table beautiful, and the fellowship wonderful. The so-very-cool pitcher is a grduation gift from T&R. (And the bowl is a graduation gift from me!! :-) ) It was a fun evening. She wanted you all to see her china in use.

Monday outing

Today we enjoyed the simple things of life. Like taking only back roads from Taylors all the way to Flat Rock, N.C., finding another covered bridge along the way, throwing twigs into a little river and watching them float downstream, stopping at Family Dollar to buy Micaiah a new pair of shorts after he fell into the mud, following signs to a waterfall (which just so happened to be closed to visitors on Mondays), driving down a long dirt road in the mountains with the kids on our laps in the front seats, picnicing at the Carl Sandburg home, visiting its barnyard and petting the goats, and ambling about the property like we hadn't a care in the world. It's been a good Monday.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Okay, Mom beat me to the draw,but I already had this prepared. I couldn't find a good pic of you alone, Jen, hence yours is the only one with a baby. I hope you all are treated royally as you are the best mothers in the world. Thank you for being you and giving me such beautiful nieces and nephews. Mom, thank you for the million little things you have done and still do. I love you so much.

Happy Mother's Day---

to our three wonderful daughters-in-law. You are the best moms around! We love you.

Work Day in Pessac!

Today was our annual work day here at the church. We weren't as numerous as we have been in the past, but we managed to get a lot accomplished. We had some great little helpers as well as the big ones. We all enjoyed our time together and the "indoor picnic" because of the cool weather. We ended at 4pm with an early prayer meeting and then a snack. We are all tired and ready to hit the sack.

Chinese Chocolate Fountain!

Monday night Derek took us and the three girls out to eat at a new Chinese Buffet. The food was super, but the biggest hit was the chocolate fountain! It was seven levals and oh, so good. It was eat all you want, so we all left over fed. Dad rode Derek's bike home--that was his way to fight cholesterol :-) It was a real treat for all of us. Oh yes, Dad is eating some kind of a fried fish in the first picture--we females let that one pass.

Some short video shots for G'ma and Papa Bixby!

and

Toy Joy!

Saturday night I got out some of Patience's baby toys to see if Corban was "toy ready". He was delighted with the buzzing and noise makers the most. And to chew on a bug... delightful!!

One more!

Mom didn't think there was a good one of Jo and Brian--hope this meets approval!

Hope I'm not overdosing you!

And a few more!

More Pics!

GRADUATION 2007!

An Afternoon of Shakespeare

Johanna and I went to our last Artist Series as students. We enjoyed our afternoon together seeing Henry IV.