Jessie & Cathlena's European Trip-Day 1

Cathlena and Jessie are on an adventure - a trip to Paris!  Friday afternoon they left Allen to spend the night in OKC where they were catching a plane for Europe on Saturday June 9th at 6 am!  First stop was London, England,  they had an 8 hour layover so they hired a driver and took a quick tour of London stopping at the Tower Bridge, Big Ben the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and London night life.

After the tour it was time to head back to the airport and on to Paris!

OBU Super Summer 2012

For the last few years Jessie has attend Super Summer at Oklahoma Baptist University.  It is a leadership camp-you are in a family group, teens from other churches and usually there is no one in the group that you know.  Jessie looks forward to attending every year.  This year we had 13 teens attend from Allen.  Plus our youth pastor and his wife.

Allen's Super Summer group

During the week you spend time with your family-getting to know each....

At night there is a service with a band and speaker.  I attended the Thursday night service and it was such a blessing....it was wonderful to watch so many young people worshiping and praising the Lord! 

 

Landscaping-Back of House

Last year we did some landscaping in the back yard and we have one more major project to do....gravel around the picnic table and fire pit.  Mike has to do some grading and install a drain and then I can call for the gravel and finish decorating!

Finished projects are:

The rock garden

Around the pool

My Carolina Jasmin

Earlier this year it was covered in blooms

The dogwood tree and the new hammock 

Not really a lot has changed, just added a few things.    Now it is time to enjoy my back yard!

Picture room make over

After how many years???? the picture room as we lovingly call it (because there are pictures of family hanging on all the walls) has had a make over.  The wallpaper has been stripped off,  the walls textured and painted, the old carpet removed and a wood floor installed, molding and base boards in.  Picture frames have all been painted black and many of the pictures that had been hanging  have been put in a scrapbook and a select few are rehung.  New curtains have been hung and the room has received the seal of approval from Mike, Caitlin and Jessie.  

Trip to the Cemetery

Today Mike and I drove to Durant to the cemetery.  We put flowers on Dad's grave and on the grave of mom and dad's baby girl who died shortly after her birth.  

Dad's Head Stone

Landscaping!-Front of House

Last year we had a LONG draught, temperatures in the triple digits and a hot south wind and no matter how much I watered I lost most of my shrubs at the front of the house.  I gave up on trying to grow flowers and bought some artificial flowers and put them in pots on the porch.    At the start of this spring I decided to put flowers in pots so if we have another bad summer I can move the plants to shade and keep them watered.  Mike suggested I could set the pots on rocks and that got me started.  We went out on the property and I found rock after rock that I liked.   I kept Mike busy for several days bring the rocks up and helping me clean out the flower beds.  I think I can say the front of the house make over is a success.   

Front porch

West side of house

East side of house

Night view....I added some solar lights !

One of our friends does rock carving.....he gave us a rock with SANDERS carved in it and I decided it would look good greeting everyone as they came up the drive.   We went rock hunting again......and yes I found some  rocks and Mike graciously moved some very large rocks around several times (of course he was using the backhoe) until I was satisfied with the arrangement.  Added some flowers in pots and we have a new entry display.   

Now on to the next landscaping project....the back yard!

Memorial Day 2012 - Allen Style

Every year Allen has a Memorial Day celebration:   At short ceremony is held at the cemetery at 11:00 am  and then the Masonic Lodge serves hamburgers/hot dogs with all the fixings and home made desserts.  It was a very nice event.

The Pledge of Allegiance at Memorial Service

Opening Prayer

Our Veterans......Thanks for your service and sacrifice

Veteran's Memorial

Papa's name is on the Vietnam Pillar 

Ronnie M. Sanders

After enjoying lunch and visiting with friends it was back home for some pool time and relaxing!

Happy Memorial Day!