A baby shower for Erika

Last Saturday, May 3, 2008, we had Erika's first baby shower. Jenni wanted to be able to give her sister a shower before she left for Kanakuk for the summer, since Baby Boy Wiese is due right around the time the Cribbs family returns from Kamp in August. The shower brunch was hosted by Jenni and Erika's friends Amy Cheatham (at her house), Sarah Valor, Charla Dixon, Shannon Flanagan, and me. Sarah, Charla, and Shannon are treasured college friends of Erika, and they were her bridesmaids. Amy lives behind Erika and Josh, and her husband Dennis works with Josh at Irving Bible Church. We had a great time of fellowship and wonderful food, and Erika received a ton of gifts for the Wieselet. She now has many of the important items she will need when she and Josh bring their son home for the first time. Thanks to everyone who participated in the shower and honored Erika in such a kind and generous fashion. Enjoy the pictures posted on Flickr.

Adieu, Big Blue!

On April 30, 2008, Tony became an IBM retiree after 34 1/2 years with the company. It was a bittersweet farewell. He wasn't really ready to retire, but he felt led in that direction. He's still in the "I'm on vacation" phase of his first week of retirement, and so far he hasn't bugged me too much :) . Seriously, he's been helping me with chores and honey-do's around the house. I'm nowhere near ready to quit working, and it's nice having him home with me, knowing he's just in the next room, playing with Millie. Our kids recently gave us a nice barbecue at Erika's and Josh's in celebration of Tony's retirement, my birthday, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. We had to combine the events because Jenni, Dave, and Zoey will be leaving for Kanakuk in a couple of weeks, and we were running out of time. Here are some pictures from the party--the rest of the pictures are on Flickr.

A week with Zoey

Tony and I had the greatest privilege a few weeks ago when we took care of Zoey for a whole week while our kids took a Caribbean cruise together. It was a wonderful experience, and Zoey made it fun and easy. She's such a good baby, and she loves to entertain us with her antics. She soaks up new experiences like a sponge. We didn't do a whole lot, but I made sure we got out somewhere every day, just for a change of scenery. She ate well, slept well, and never gave us any indication that she was lonely for her parents. I'm sure she was, but she didn't act it. I documented the entire week for Jenni and Dave in pictures, so click on the Flickr link to see the chronology. There are 6 full pages of photos. Yes, I got carried away, but she's so darn cute and photogenic! I warned you I was going to be an obnoxious grandmother. It was so good to be able to help our kids take a well deserved vacation. They had always wanted to cruise together, and with Erika's and Josh's baby due in 3 1/2 months, this was a good opportunity for them to get away before their lives change in August. They all had a great time and came back tanned and relaxed. Check Jenni's blog, The Cribbies, for lots of pictures and narrative of their cruise.