Father's (and Daughter's) Day Reviewed

We have definitely set the new standard for Father's Day gifts.  Wanna know what we got him?

"A no-ice cooler!  Just what I wanted!"

Great asset for the truck. In a conventional cooler, ice eventually melts and gets messy.  Then food inside the cooler gets gross.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  We love you.

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A close-up look at Maura's graduation ring.  Mamaw gave her this piece, with a gorgeous Opal inset (Opal is Maura's birth stone).  Thanks, Mamaw!

Presentation of the diploma.

The perfect graduation gift is...


...Humm.

    "It appears to run on some form of electriciy."

    "That's...not wrong."

We got her an MP3 player.

Yeah, folks, we have officially upgraded to twenty-first century electronics.

That day, we packed off to see our Aunt Nancy and Uncle Gene; to celebrate the day, they had kindly invited us to dine at their restaurant.  

While visiting, we took a peek at the progress they've made on their new house.

Their hogar is going to be filled with such beautiful wood paneling!

Uncle Gene's tools, artistically scattered about.

Our handsome Père.

Katie, about to crown herself with the chandelier.

When opening time came, we had the best time feasting and fellowshipping.

"Methinks the entrée will never arrive."

(Sorry, Emori, but Candid Camera Cal couldn't resist capturing that aristocratic pose!)

This tree in their yard, I was informed, is around a century old. 

One of the restaurant greeters on duty.

Thanks, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Gene!  We enjoyed seeing you both.

Thanks, blog readers, for stopping in!

Yours,

Callie

A Day of It

Emori's birthday was last week!  And yes, I'm only now getting around to documenting it. 

But first, I'd like to insert a quick word....
...warning: I may wax sentimental:

I couldn't wish for a better eldest sister than Emori.  From the time I was born, she's always looked out for me.  When I was little, she made sure I stayed safe (except that one little mishap that involved a swing being used as a volleyball... but that's another story); when I was in school, she helped me understand math (no small achievement, let me assure you); and now that we're both graduated and facing Adulthood, I often depend on her wise advice to help me through my frequent muddles.  

Everybody that knows Emori would say that she's quiet.  She's that way at home, too.  But behind her quiet rests a firm will, and good sense that has been my anchor so many times.  

I've watched my sister grow to be a considerate and wise person, and I constantly see the working of Christ in her life.   

I hope I can be as much of a help to her as she is to me.

Okay, I'm done. 

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Here is a disorganized pictorial tour of the day:

Emori, helping Katie make lunch.

Katie, helping Emori make lunch.

Callie, helping Katie and Emori eat lunch.

"It's called: leftover chicken, pepperoni, and cheese mush a la Katie!"

It tasted a lot better than it looked.  Trust me.

Even as these comfortable preparations were under way, a not-so-comfortable situation confronted us - namely, pump trouble.  Daddy selflessly spent the morning repairing the well.

"Need help?"

Before lunch break, Emori squeezed in some cello practice.  Sound'n really good there, by the way!

Above, you see the "Mush a la Katie" miraculously transformed into scrumptious burrito filling.  

Chocolate Poundcake.  I need say no more.

       Maura: "Whoa, these gifts are heavy!"

Mama: "Let's just dance!"

                        Callie: "Uhh...what are we doing again?"

                                             

Nice bracelet, Emori.  Your sisters have good taste.

                                 
 
                                   

Yeah, she had that embarrassed smile on the whole time.  I think Emori felt guilty getting all those gifts.  She sat in the back seat, as penance, on the ride to the theater.

The only decent picture I managed to squeeze in of the sisters au cinéma.

Mama and us girls had a blast watching "The Avengers."

Ummm....here are some semi random pics of us in the car.

We stopped by Sonic after the movie, taking advantage of the "half-price shakes after 8 p.m."

Maura, displaying her new graduation ring (gift from our darling Mamaw).

While waiting for our orders, Katie gave us her best "Frodo and the Ring" impersonation (can you see the crimson glow of Mt. Doom in the background?).

                                      

All this time, the dishes had been appropriately left in a state of neglect.  I'm afraid we had our work cut out for us when we got back home... but it was worth it.

In Which Irish Steppers and Their Clans Make Merry

The P. family threw a positively perfect pool party (sorry, I couldn't resist the cheesy alliteration) for the families of our Irish Step class, marking the end of the season.  Everybody was able to come but Alexis' fam.  We missed you, Lexy!

But before we get into the details of the brilliant fête, I must insert a quick prologue:

Katie and Emori each prepared a surprise for the class....

...Katie's surprise was crocheting this pile of CUTE FUZZY FLIP FLOPS!!!  

 Sorry, was I shouting?

Emori's surprise was a t-shirt for Shanley.  In "hush hush" fashion, she secured the autographs of the entire dance class for the back of the shirt.  Then she designed a stencil for Shanley and Mrs. Shannon's cute message - "We Dance to Reel Music."

I wish I could have thought to photograph the cool logo she did for the front (Katie, where were you?). But you'll just have to picture it: a streamlined drawing of a girl doing an "over-two-three" step.  Looked absolutely pro.  Emori, stop blushing.

Homemade stencil, after the fabric paint's been globbed over it. 

The artist at work.

*   *   *   *

Anyhow, on we go to the party!

Snapshot of Emily, who was taking a snapshot of the mothers, who were all very excited (Mrs. Shannon especially).

Miss Emily and Miss Anna, in the midst of a witty exchange that was quite over my head.

"Good one."

This spinach dip (crunch)....did not (chew)...last long (swallow).

It was an overcast, but still warm, day.  Ideal pool weather. 

"Right this way, please."

"Hi, Shanley!"

The P. family's pool is crazy fun.  

Pool rules: All horse play reserved for the barnyard.

          Must try the Slip'n Slid at least once.

"Come on up!"

Abby is demonstrating the most popular sliding position.

"Is that Naomi, or an extension of the slide?"

"Nice poise.  See how Kourtney manages to slide, look at the camera, and laugh at the same time?"

"Great form!  Ten stars!"

"Umm, what's she doing?  Just sliding?"

"I believe I'm missing two noodles from my collection."

Nice pose.

Shanley, doing an "over-two-three" into the pool.

Kevin, executing the "Twirl around in mid air" maneuver.

Meredith, going in airplane style.

She's so cute!

Honing our underwater handstand skills.

"The slide makes people happy."

"All's well below, captain."

So, what is it I'm doing here?  

Am I about to break this noodle in half for a couple of littles...or take a big bite out of that delicious looking foam?

Shipwrecked mariners...stranded on a pink floaty.

Don't you just love that fresh out of the water feeling?  Super refreshed, a little cold, and ravenously hungry?  So great.

"Let's find some chips."

Meanwhile, Micah and Austin passed the time doing stuff in the woods, talking, playing ping-pong...they totally missed out on the fun.

Austin, horse whisperer.

Abby and Rob.

Lydia, who I've managed to behead in both the following photos (sorry), was so sweet to take everybody out for a ride.

Great seats, girls!

Enna, mounting up like a pro.

"That horse told me he likes Justin Bieber."

Horse riding makes people hungry.   We eventually gathered at the pavilion, where Mr. Blaine stacked delicious burgers and hotdogs.  The sides were awesome too, featuring homegrown tomatoes de le jardin of Mrs. Carol, potato salad, baked beans...and lots of desserts.

I wish I knew what they were giggling about. It must have been pretty hilarious.

Okay, does there exist a picture in which Mrs. Shannon doesn't have that joyful expression on her face?

Emori and Maura

Hmmm....Susanna looks worried, and Naomi looks mischievous.  What's go'n on here?

Guess who.

It's time for gifts!   

Don't the flip flops look so Shanley-ish!

"Oh, it's so cool!"

Emori, I think she likes it. 

We love you, Shanley!

Abby, I dig those slippers.  And your long golden hair.

Happy feet, all in unique colors.  Thanks for the wonderful gift, Katie.

Best buddies.

Eventually, everybody gravitated to the cargo net...that thing is so much fun.

Enna, gone opossum.

"Hey, Paw, look whut I found in the varmit trap!"

 This girl has drama.

"Harder! Faster!"

We finally shook'em down.

Shanley's Irish dance class of 2011-2012.

Thanks, Shanley and Mrs. Shannon, for being such awesome teachers!

And thank you, P. family, for being such gracious hosts!  We all had a wonderful and refreshing time.

Yours truly,

Callie