Get ready, set, retire!

Grandpa is retiring ! We've been planning this for several years now, and had been planning on retiring in Jan., but then, the company generously offered a package deal to downsize its workforce. The timing was so perfect. Monday, July 13 is the big day! We'll be joining the ranks of the blissfully unemployed.

I'm looking forward to not getting up every morning at 5:30 to pack a lunch for Carl. Now he'll finally get around to completing the never-ending "honey do" list, the things he's been promising me for 20 years he'd do (like shelving units for upstairs playroom). Although we'll have more freedom to go places whenever we want, we'll still be grounded until "little" Carl graduates from high school next year. I do have a few concerns, such as sharing this computer, and I'm sure we'll be driving each other crazy during the adjustment period. I'm wondering how long it will take for Carl to get bored being at home. He has a car project going on in the garage that will keep him busy for a while. There are several other big projects, such as replacing the siding on the house. If he gets really bored of being a home body, there is already a company that wants to hire him part time, or as much time as he wants, to help them with stuff.

A week ago, Carl got it in his brain that he wants to get one of these for retirement.

It would save on hotel bills, if we decide to travel a bit. However, it is scary thinking of pulling into an RV park full of old retired people! I'm not too enthused when he shows me photos of these travel trailers on the Internet.

Stay tuned for future episodes of "Retirement".

more on a busy month

We finished off the month of June by celebrating this sweet grandson's 5th birthday. He and cousin Kyla (standing right next to him), will be entering kindergarten in Aug. They are such good buddies. We had so much fun at Aiden's house, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and just being together. We were treated to Brian's delicious barbecue, a new side dish Emily made --Emeril Lagassie's (sp?) corn pudding (a real treat), and Emily's homemade coconut cake.

a busy month

So much going on this month! Busy but fun. Relatives flew in from Utah, Virginia, Pennsylvania,Tennessee, California, Arizona, for a family reunion. We enjoyed meeting some relatives for the very first time, and others whom we hadn't seen since the last reunion back when Granny Maxine was still alive. These are the descendants (many of whom couldn't make it for the reunion) of grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother Dolly Taylor.

graduation!

It was a happy occasion for the entire family to witness Mark's graduation (in May) from U.T. San Antonio Dental School. Four years of very hard work flew by quickly. In a few short weeks Mark and his family will be moving to Minnesota, where he'll be practicing for at least 4 years.

Mothers Day

Baby Evan (2 months old) was blessed on Mother's day, so we had a special gathering over Lauren's house, with his two grandmothers (Diane flew in from Utah),Grandpa, several aunties and uncles, one Utah auntie and cousin, and his Texas cousins (he missed cousin Colby, unable to come because his Dad was checking things out in Minnesota.).

Aiden and Dario think Uncle Dan is so much fun.

Whoops! Sorry Lauren (I promised her I wouldn't post this, because she thought she looked awful with no make-up on. I disagree; she looks way better than I do , and I have make-up on). I couldn't resist including this photo of me with my two daughters who are mommies.

and here's our favorite dentist!

Finally, Mark is officially Dr. Mark Ellis,D.D.S., graduating this month from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Grandpa and I spent last weekend in San Antonio hanging out with cute Colby while Mark took the last of his clinical board exams for his licensing. Mama Courtney was Mark's dental assistant. Colby was so good for us while his mom and dad were at the dental school clinic for a good part of the day Sat. and Sun.

Here's some cute things Courtney made for Colby's nursery. She did these very neat paintings, using the animals that are in the quilt and bumper pad material. She also made this cute bumper pad. I didn't realize she was an artist, like her husband.

another kids'(or kid-in-law) birthday!

Happy Birthday (26th) to son-in-law Walter whom we've seen grow from boy to man. Our family first met Walter when he was 18 yrs. old. Walter and Jessica live pretty hectic lives. Walter's finishing up at U. of H. (in Dec.) and getting ready to apply to med. school, while Jessica is teaching school. (Sorry, Walter, I had wanted to post a photo showing how you've gracefully aged since your marriage, but in my haste (getting ready for San Antonio), all I could find was your engagement photo!) Have a fun birthday!