This and That and Fathers' Day

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY, JIM--

Lucky Dad gets an "Underarmour" shirt or two.

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A DADS' DAY BAR-B-QUE AT HAMMANNS...

Sam, Natalie and Brett...
Nancy's cooking is pretty darn good--we all agree.

Jim tells Brett and Sam about the Birds and the Trees....

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Sadie's boyfriend Saint stops by often with Kathleen...

She told us that one day when Sadie didn't come outside...

Saint sat in the middle of the yard whining....True Love!!

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My newspaper staff surprised me with this Tee---

Custom designed and signed by all......

This is how teachers get choked up---

I love these kids!!

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If you are a busy doctor and need a vacation, what do you do??

Drive up from Florida & build a deck for your daughter...

John gets lots of good help from Chung Hae, Christina...

& a little from me.

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Checking out Sam's new College Park abode...

A pretty fancy dorm---unlike the one I lived in 40 years ago.

Family and Friends and Fun Fellowship

The past week has been full of company and fun times.

Don came to stay a couple of days while his twins

were at the USNA conference.

Thankfully, he helped me drive up to retrieve Jim

after the big accident.

We always look forward to June visits from Ann and Bill

when they make their annual visit to Richmond.

This year the REASONS they visit Richmond
made the trip up to see us also.

William & Shelby keep their parents Sam & Tricia
busy and full of joy.
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Here's another Before & After picture with the 2 cousins...

First and Second Samuel NOW---

And 20 years ago!! Boy have these guys changed!!!

Love the glasses, Big Sam!!

Hydroplaning Prevention

When water on the roadway accumulates in front of

a vehicle's tires faster than the weight of the vehicle

can push it out of the way, it's called hydroplaning.

And it is a very bad thing...

While hydroplaning a car rides on top of the water,

like a water skier on a lake. In less than a second, you

can completely lose contact with the road.

And it is a very bad thing...

Last week Jim was on his way to Philadelphia when a really horrific thunder storm hit about 35 miles north of Baltimore. He was following a semi, & wanted to avoid the splashing so decided to pass the truck on the left. In passing he hit a patch of water on the road & began hydroplaning.

In trying to regain control of the car he began spinning---three 360 degree spins which caused him to bounce like a ping pong ball between the concrete jersey barrier and the semi truck...hitting both at least twice. At one point he saw that he was about to be hurled under the semi between the front and back tires. Jim truly believed his life was probably over. Praise be to God, he hit its tires instead, which probably saved his life.

The state trooper & everyone that saw him or the vehicle could not believe he was able to walk away without a scratch. I am thankful that Don, our friend from Portland was in town that night. He drove me up to Perryville to retrieve a very sore, but alive husband.

What a Weekend...

Fifty-eight final exams administered & graded...

A beautiful Covenant Life School Graduation Saturday
The summer is about to begin!!

I love having Brett raid my fridge

once again.

It makes me nostalgic for the old days.

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Speaking of the OLD days....

Sam came downstairs wearing a pink polo
I recognize that shirt...

It's the same one Jim wore the day Sam was born.

How many people keep shirts around for 2 decades??
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DATE NIGHT ORDEAL
So the original plan (mine) was to

ride the metro to D.C. yesterday,

take a leisurely Sunday walk

across the mall and

then see Night at the Museum 2

on the IMAX at the Smithsonian.

Well, that was my plan.

Jim had a better idea.

He would ride his bike from Rockville to D.C.

I would drive down in the van

and we would meet in time for the show.

To make a long story short---think flat bike tire, a big kick ball tournament on the mall, parking issues and hot temperatures.

Then add to those issues...being 25 minutes late... only 2 seats left --front row--- being 10 feet from an IMAX screen = not a good idea.

Oh, and did I mention that I lost my wallet at the Air & Space, but didn't realize it until later that night?

God is good. The Smithsonian contacted me this morning. My wallet is in the mail. And the head of security offered me 2 free movie tickets.

Next time the bike stays at home!!!

Dorms, Dancing and Depascent

DORMS~

After two years of great fellowship and fun

Sam is moving out on his housemates for a college dorm!!

He has been hired as an R.A.

Resident Assistant--(think free room and board)

His new abode is close to the Business School...(think walk not drive)
Jim & I helped him re-locate and I got to
"Mom" him a bit....put sheets on the bed---
give him advice about furniture arrangement...
A new season of life for him and us...
He starts his R.A. job this week...
next week he starts his internship at UnderArmor...

DANCING~
Last night we took our last "beginners" Swing Dance Lesson.
We've made a lot of progress in 8 weeks
We've got some new moves....
And we're trying to keep up with Sara and Bill!!


DEPASCENT (eating)~
Fellowship and Food were the
focus of our Memorial Day Weekend...

A wonderful time at Bowers on Sunday

Sadly, it did get a little out of hand...

Kathy decided to "cream" Bill...

On Monday we joined Hilda in Georgetown

for Tapas and Sangria

and a delightful group of her friends.

I forgot to take pictures!!!