HAPPY BIRTHDAY VJ!

Today we helped VJ celebrate his 21st birthday, since he has no family here in Oklahoma. Katie and VJ started off the day with church (such good kids).

Next Katie took him out to lunch to Olive Garden, where he works. It was nice to be a customer for a change.

After a trip to the mall they hung out here at home. Dave made VJ a terrific birthday dinner. Then it was time for presents.

Here's my contribution to his finally being legal -- a grownup beach towel. Now he won't have to borrow Barney or Barbie anymore. After dinner they went with Kellie and Chris to watch fireworks. It was a very nice day! I'm pretty sure he enjoyed his birthday.

Week in Review

Wow, what a week! After watching this week's episode of John & Kate Plus 8 Katie and I have decided it was our last. It's not a fun show anymore. Ed McMahon, Farrah Faucett and Michael Jackson -- all gone. There was a pileup on the Oklahoma turnpike yesterday afternoon that left 9 people dead. Last night I shed a few tears as I watched Farrah's Story. I don't know why I do that to myself, especially after spending some time at chemo with Drew yesterday afternoon. He got an extra-tight bedtime hug last night.

On a happier note, Katie played with Tulsa's semi-pro soccer team last night in Oklahoma City. She played great and made several big-time saves. They ended up tied 1-1. Tonight she plays again here in Tulsa. I'm really looking forward to it. She also got extra bedtime hugs. :)

Kellie has been helping Dave out at work this week, earning some extra cash. Pogo has terrible allergies and is such an itcy boy. :(

The pool is 87 degrees. Hardly refreshing, but still wet. We've mostly been swimming at night, when the scorching temperatures fall down below 100. I dread receiving our new electric bill. Ugggg!

I think we'll have to find something FUN to do today.

Finally, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Debi and Bryan who are celebrating 11 years of marital bliss today.

Country Girl?

I've come to the realization that, although I have avoided it most of my life, I really like country music. Whenever Drew borrows my car he leaves the country music station on. I started listening and now I'm hooked. They are such catchy tunes, usually with really good stories. I've never listened to the words of songs and had them stick in my head like country music does.

Today is another heat alert day, with temperatures expected to be in the triple digits again. Along with that comes our first ozone alert day of the year. Temperatures in the 100's are expected all week. Thank God for air conditioning and swimming pools. :)

Katie has been taking summer school classes all month long. She's looking forward to being done on Friday. Good luck with finals Katie!

Happy Father's Day

We've all come a long way thanks, in part, to our Daddy.

Happy Father's Day to my Daddy, and to all the other fathers out there too! I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!!!

Back from San Antonio

Kellie and Chris made it safely back from San Antonio to reclaim their naughty beagle. He wasn't too bad. We are minus one pool noodle, which Pogo says are very fun to shred!

Here they are along the riverwalk in San Antonio.

They also visited a couple of the San Antonio missions.

And, of course, THE ALAMO!

One Year Ago - June 14, 2008

One year ago today we were celebrating Kellie & Chris's wedding with lots of family and friends. It was such a fun wedding. How time flies!

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY KELLIE & CHRIS!

They are celebrating their anniversary in San Antonio, Texas. This morning they went to a mariachi mass at the San Jose Mission. When the congregation as asked if anyone was celebrating an anniversary only Kellie and Chris responded. Then they had to dance in front of the whole congregation. We're taking care of their baby (Pogo) while they enjoy a nice little vacation.

My Parents' Big Fat Greek Wedding

This past weekend I made a quick trip to Wisconsin to attend my parents' renewal of their wedding vows in the Greek Orthodox Church. The church was beautiful and the "wedding" was extra special. Having been brought up in the Greek Orthodox Church, this was something that my mom had wanted to do for a long time.

During the ceremony crowns were placed on my parents' heads which the priest had blessed. They were linked by a silk ribbon, showing that they are queen and king of their home. The Koumbara (kind of like a maid of honor) exchanged the crowns between their heads three times.

The priest then lead them around the altar two times (usually three) to symbolize the trinity and their first walk as a "married couple."

Zoe was their Koumbara. She is my mother's friend who was her Greek teacher for many years and helped her to find relatives in Greece she didn't even know existed.

After the ceremony we went to Panos for a nice dinner together.

It was a great weekend and it was nice to see my parents renew their vows to each other. It was a dream come true for my mother and my dad seemed to enjoy the day too.