Katie's Graduation

In a flury of activity over a few days, family from Texas, Arizona, and California met in Southern California to witness Katie's graduation from high school. Just 3 days later, she & Tom pulled into our driveway in Texas. It's so nice to have her home :) She had a great year living with the Gloudes who were the best "fake" family she/we could have hoped for. I expect they will be a permanent part of her life, and I hope that's the case. While graduation was exciting for Katie, I'm sure she views it as just one more step closer to University of Michigan. She has contacted her roommate, a track sprinter from Detroit. Go Blue!


This is Katie and Hillary, immediately after graduation. (I have no clue who the guy in the back is!) Hillary will be moving on to Biola after a missions trip to Africa this summer. Great kid, great family. I miss them. Hopefully Hillary can visit us in Texas this summer. We're thinking a mini quilting/baking retreat would be too much fun.

My parents drove 6 hrs to see Katie's graduation, celebrate with us afterwards, and sleep in a hotel bed. They were up early to start their 6-hr drive home. They always leave me wanting more! We were so glad they came though. And the girls got a chance to meet Melody.

Katie and her Dad. He's still representing ASU. Guess he's going to need some Michigan gear soon! Katie came home with a UMich pizza cutter that plays their fight song. TJ has already tried to disassemble it. I'm guessing navy/maize t-shirts would be a lot less annoying than the pizza cutter!

The day before Katie came home, Harley left with his friend Ryan for 2 weeks in Colorado. They have a full schedule of fun activities planned. I'm sure he's having a ball. So, I'm still at 2 kids at home, just different two. TJ thinks this is a great trade--Katie for Harley. Guess I should expect that from the big brother. They've got plans to see the new Transformers movie tonight. Katie's wasting no time acclimating to her summer in Texas. She has already canvassed the area for job possibilities, picking up several applications along the way. She went with TJ to polo practice last night and seemed to have a great time. She's enjoying playing with the dogs...and of course, sleeping in :)

The Woodlands Area Quilt Guild Quilt Show

The quilt show was Friday and Saturday. Hadn't been to a guild show in awhile and I really enjoyed this one. "Worked" Thursday, checking in quilts--but really didn't see them because they were folded and in bags. Saw a few being hung that evening. I wish there would have been more vendors (like I need more quilting stuff!)--always fun to shop though.

The following quilt is a miniature made by Kumiko. She's a guild member and is known for her exquisite miniature quilts. She's won many awards. I had Tom put his hand in this picture so the scale would be more evident. The flowers were done with ribbon embroidery. Can you believe it?! Just gorgeous.


This quilt would have won my vote for "best quilting". Just loved it. There was quite a bit of beautiful quilting in the show...and, of course, some not so good.

Most quilts look better in person and the following quilt is no exception. The quilt maker used 3 different dot fabrics--white, red, and black. Loved the way they worked with the plaids and the Christmas-y applique.

There was something about this block that I really liked--probably the colors. There was a whole room (small room) with quilts containing photographs. This was one of the best. I have yet to try that technique.

And, this is my quilt :) Still love it. Not very often do you open a box with a quilt you've started years ago and still love it as much as you did when you started it. Wish I could see Marg Gair and thank her for designing such a beautiful quilt.

Annual Haircut Day

The first day of summer, well, technically the first day of summer break, was deemed "Harley Haircut Day". I don't think anyone was looking forward to it more than Tom! This picture shows the "evil" haircut lady with clippers in hand.

Putting the finishing touches on Harley's new 'do.

For moral support, Harley convinced his friend Ryan that he needed a haircut too. Apparently his parents agreed because he arrived with his whole family minutes after Harley's phone call telling him it was time for the haircuts. Hard to resist a willing teenager and a free haircut!

Ryan was sound asleep on the couch (after a "sleep" over that was actually an "awake" over the night before), when his parents brought him over to our house for his haircut. He was so tired I wasn't sure he'd even remember it the next day!

Can't tell here if he's just mid-haircut, or sneaking in a little shut-eye in the process! You wouldn't have believed the piles of hair these boys left behind. Enough to make many grown men cry!

Way to go, TJ!

Now, you'd think an experienced rider would know better... Harley & his friend were riding the dirtbikes in the front yard and TJ couldn't resist taking a couple turns. There really was no reason to change into jeans, right? The soft dirt gave way and somehow TJ ended up under a hot pipe which burned the back of his right thigh and calf.

I'm not sure he'd try the same stunt again, but it did earn him a parking spot at the front of the school, and a pass to leave each class early until the end of the school year. Oh yeah, and LOTS of attention!

Surprisingly, it's healing well and quickly. I'm sure he'll have a gnarly scar...and along with it a great story to tell!

Melody

We were so lucky to have my parents visit along with their foster daughter, Melody. I started getting excited as soon as their plane tickets were purchased! This was our first time to meet Melody who was 14 months old when they were here. They've had her since she was 3 months old. She's such a sweetheart. Thanks, Mom & Dad for coming to Texas! The following picture is Melody with my Dad in the backyard.

Harley's teaching Melody how to text on his new phone. I guess it's never too soon to learn :)

This is Melody's typical hairstyle...wild and crazy! Come to think of it...that describes Harley's hair pretty well too!

World's Smallest Frog

While I suppose I am unauthorized to officially announce having seen the world's smallest frog, this little guy is certainly the smallest frog I've ever seen! And, he was just one of many hopping all over our front yard and driveway a couple weeks ago. Yeah, we let him go. No clue where they all went. I'm sure they are contributing to all the ruckus that goes on every night--lately it's louder outside than inside! In an area known for insects, I'm sure he's a happy little fellow...just probably not so little anymore due to the amount of available frog food. Don't get me started on bugs. Let's just say we're all covered in mosquito bites, and the deer flies would eat this frog for a snack!