Anniversary Celebration

We all met for church on Sunday morning. We managed to get the three carloads there at the same time so all 13 of us entered church together. Our normal pews were reserved for the RCIA people so we had to cross over to the other section. We filled up two pews. Afterwards people we know stopped us to say what a beautiful family we have. So many knew our family was coming for a visit and they said they enjoyed the "parade."

Afterwards we went to the country club for brunch. We had the private room and 14 of Terry & Carol's friends (ours too for that matter), joined us. To help facilitate introductions we used name tags with first names and position in the family. Ted was #4 (his birth order) and I was 4A. That way the friends knew who went with whom. Our family knew the friends' names that way too. Lots of joking went on and everyone had the best time. Afterwards, our friend Tommy came and took photos of the entire group, the family group, the remaining seven kids and then couples. He has posted them already but they are proofs so when I have the go ahead, I'll post a couple.

In the afternoon a carload went to the Texas Prison Museum while Barb and I went to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville. After a few hours we all met up and went to the 7 story statue of Sam Houston together.

Then it was back to Terry & Carol's for burgers on the grill and a hilarious night of joking around and reminiscing. Finally the yawns were starting so our group came back here and after watching the DVR of Amazing Race (my cowboys are still in it) headed to bed.

We traveled today to Brenham to see the bluebonnets blooming and to visit the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory for a tour. We're a bit early for the bluebonnets. Enough were visible to be enjoyable but the fields and fields of them were just taking on a purplish hue. In a few weeks they'll be beautiful. Everyone enjoyed the factory tour and the ice cream afterwards. There was lots of passing around to taste the many flavors. A stop at Washington on the Brazos Historic Site rounded out the day.

We made our way back to my house where I had two trays of lasagna ready to pop in the oven. Barb (best helper out there!) and I scrambled to put out queso, salsa, chips and what was left of the tasty appetizer our sister-in-law had made earlier in the week. Our second refrigerator was getting a workout in the drinks department. Carol brought a salad and we baked some garlic bread.

While the lasagna was cooking there was a Wii bowling tournament of sorts. Jeanne, who last bowled about 60 years ago and got a whopping score of "13" on a real alley, won with a 144. When they finshed, we all sat down to eat and everyone enjoyed it.

Our out-of-town sister-in-laws were interested in bunco and asked us to teach them to play. So we had the first Family Bunco Night. After three rounds, Ted won bunco, Jeanne had wins and the bunco baby and Kevin won losses. Barb got the consolation prize. I e-mailed the rules and score sheets to Kathy so when they get home, they can teach their Ohio friends how to play.

I took a few pictures but I've been too busy to download them so I'll post a bunch when the dust settles!