Claire on Skype

We got to see Claire on Skype tonight.  Gotta' love technology!

We saw Carrie and Ryan too!

Claire "read" to us briefly from her Bible.  How special!

Leo's 6 a.m. outdoor wedding!

A wedding like no other I've ever attended happened here yesterday morning, Aug. 24, at 6 a.m.  Leo and Hilary (Prandl) Macias were married in his mom's front yard.  Leo was in Amy's CA graduating class, and his mom teaches with us, AND was Randy's student the first year we were at Kingsway!  The light of the flash in these pictures shows more of the setting than we saw that morning.  It was dark, cool/cold, and our feet were wet.  But before the wedding started all of these chairs were full AND people were standing in the back!  Here's a link to a News Channel 9 video where the bride and groom are interviewed, she tells why they chose 6 a.m., and several snips of the brief wedding event are included.  

Tanya Musgrave was the brave photographer.  You can see behind her little candles in mason jars (that were favors for guests to take) hanging on a rope that outlined the wedding area in the yard.

Leo after walking in his step mom and dad.

Leo's brother, David, was his best man.  David's wife (who was not in the wedding) and Hilary are from the same town in Idaho.

It was the shortest wedding ceremony I've ever attended - you can see the sun was still nowhere in sight.

Panera Bread bagels and some home-made rolls, yogurt parfait cups, fresh fruit and OJ were the fare at the reception.

The hot chocolate that was available was very much of a hit on the nippy morning!

Hilary's family - in the daylight!

Hillary - about to throw her bouquet

Boating with our Workers

Sunday was a gorgeous day for boating with our readers. One of mine couldn't come but both of Randy's were able to.  Rachel graduated in May and I'm missing her help this year!

Emily - what an answer to prayer her help is, my newest reader, a very sweet Freshman.

Alex, faster?

Katie

our captain!

Rachel was rather relaxed - and the towels felt good she said - it was a little cool when we were moving.

After the tubing and wake boarding and skiing fun, we cruised up towards the dam and by the state park. 

Riverwalk Biking and Picnic

We started our 18 mi. bike ride at the dam today - what a gorgeous day it was!  All the floodgates were open due to our heavy rain this week probably.  For my birthday I got new brakes and tires and tubes on my bike, so it was a real treat today to ride it without the screaming brakes!

The swamp was SO green!  Yuk.  We expected to see the eyes of an alligator looking at us. but instead we only saw a poor frog in the "soup."

Our favorite spot on the ride, across from the golf course.  This is where we were when you called us today, Jaclyn.

The scene of a proposal a few years ago!  We had our picnic lunch here today in the shade, and enjoyed a breeze too.

Trying to find a more comfortable perch on my bike seat?  I never found it.

The marsh is so full of lily pads - more than ever before.

Randy enjoyed the old cars here at a car rally.  Some were muscle cars.  Most were gone when we got back, but this one he liked was still there. 

NAD Teachers' Convention in Nashville

We were pleasantly surprised to run into Nina at church Sabbath, Aug. 3.  We enjoyed having Nina, Curtis and their son Markus over Sabbath.  Nina worked for Randy at Kingsway over 25 years ago.  They were headed to Nashville Sunday too, so we invited them to stay overnight with us.

It was great seeing Jo-Anne at the convention.  The AU alumni dinner at the Spaghetti Factory Sunday was fun.  Connie and Phil, Sue Smith and her sisters were there at our table with us too. 

Leaving the Spaghetti Factory to head to the convention.

Claire added a lot of spice to the convention!

Kim and Oliver at breakfast before other teachers had seen the light of day!

At the table waiting on her dinner

in the exhibit hall

Carrie is showing Claire her new Nathan Greene picture, signed by him!

We took time Wednesday to enjoy the gardens and get some pictures with Claire.  Carrie went to the meeting - so that's why she's not in these pictures.

Once we quit taking pictures here, Claire loved climbing these stairs in the lovely Magnolia lobby.

Wed. evening after the meetings ended we went to Claire's house for a little more Claire time and supper.

Watching the Ticket to Ride game with some books to entertain me.

"Buh buh buh bubbly bubbles"

Time to get out?

On our way home I picked up books and DVD's for my Personal Finance class in Brentwood, a Nashville suburb.