For Ronnie

Ronnie sent a package from Australia to us that arrived today - she has been anxiously awaiting it's arrival, as it was mostly for our boys. I video taped them getting it for her to see on my blog. I took two videos, but it takes FOREVER to post a video to my blog, so I'll send the other one to you some other way Ronnie. :) They loved LOVED their dinosaur bones, and their TMNT pens, and Luke wants his Yoda picture laminated. They don't quite understand the coolness of the Aboriginal rock, but Dail and I certainly do. I read them your letter, and Luke had many many questions. All in all - it was so great! What a fun Friday surprise!!! Hope you get my package to you soon!

First day of Second grade

Yesterday was the first day of school. It is my last year to have only one in grade school...as next year Aidan goes to Kindergarten!! (I need to buy stock in Kleenex NOW!). Anyway - there was nothing sad about yesterday, as Luke was ready to go, and we met his teacher at the "Meet the Teacher" last week - and just loved her! She is kind, engaging, fun, and everything I would imagine a grade school teacher should be. Luke liked her right away - which is a big deal, because it usually takes him a bit to warm up. When he came home yesterday, he said "Second grade is EASIER than first" (he doesn't know that they are reviewing now, the new stuff is still to come!) and "My teacher is so much fun! She gives us tickets like at Chuck E Cheese and you can earn enough to BUY stuff with them" (she found his weakness - counting and spending money!) He apparently earned 3 tickets yesterday, and was ready to go earn more today. They also built a gym at his school, so they don't have to use the cafeteria any longer. As any good boy - his favorite subject in school is PE, so he is excited about the gym. I'm so relieved that it all started out so well!

Turner Falls with the CCC

Aidan and Marcus - swinging like Tarzan!

Luke and his cave of spiders

On Friday, I took some of my students to Turner Falls for a break before classes start. We had a small group - but SO much fun! The weather was perfect - not too hot or cold. The place wasn't crowded, as apparently Oklahoma schools started last week. My kids had a blast! Luke, ever the apprehensive curious one found a cave of creepy spiders (it looked like millions of black daddy long legs crawling on the ceiling!) among other things. Aidan, on the other hand, stuck to Marcus like glue. They are two peas in a pod - dare devil free spirits! He and Marcus jumped off the rope swing together, went down the fast TALL slide together, and Marcus showed off some of his tricks on the diving board, with Aidan right behind! They both seem to enjoy life to the fullest. Luke is my detailed son, not missing the tiniest bug or spider, but never going down a slide, swing, etc. It amazes me how differently my boys encounter the exact same situation. I love it though - their polar opposite nature makes life so interesting in the Neely world!

Another beautiful wedding

One of my former students and CCC student workers, Cassie Hoffman, was married last night. She married Hugo Erazo, whom she has loved for a long long time! I watched their relationship grow over the years, and it is amazing what began in Honduras is now a marriage in the Falls. It was a beautiful wedding, and a fun reception (as you can see by my students Michele and Francisco above!). I got to see many CCC alumni, like Jen and Fernando, also pictured above. It was a blessed evening!

Tis the season

I think it is funny how life goes sometimes. It always seems when you know one person pregnant, suddenly you know 10 people pregnant! I feel the same about weddings - if one person you know is getting married, suddenly 10 are! I went to a beautiful wedding today for one of my students who just graduated. Kelly is a wonderful, sweet person with such a kind spirit. She married Bo, who is kind, quiet, and very loving to her. They make a cute pair and I was so glad to be invited to their wedding! I ended up getting to be IN their wedding in a way, as when I arrived at church, I was asked by Judy (our church wedding coordinator) if I could be a eucharistic minister (for those of you non-Catholics - that is someone who assists the priest in giving out the bread/host and wine). They had forgotten to choose any. I was glad to help out, and I loved the huge smile on Kelly's face when I approached the altar. Kelly and Bo - I'm praying for you and know you will have a beautiful marriage!

Theirs is the first of many, as I alluded to in the beginning. I have another former student's wedding next weekend, and then a few in the fall too. I always enjoy weddings - it is so sweet to watch a couple in that stage of their relationship. Can't believe it will be 14 years for Dail and I next month!!

Houston trip

We had SOO much fun on our little getaway to Houston! I have TONS of pictures I will post - bear with me - but I want to share a bit about each place we went...

After stopping at Crickett's for a night, we drove to Houston to see Steph and Greg. The first thing we did was explored the Houston Museum of Natural Science (which would become Luke's favorite spot of the trip!)

Aidan exploring the dinosaur exhibit

Dail explaining the intricacies of oil field supplies to Luke

Aidan's favorite animal - the giant squid!!

Steph showing Aidan a bit about weight

That evening, we sent to the Houston Aquarium downtown. It wasn't too big, but was still very fun with the Houston skyline behind us. This was probably Aidan's #1 spot....

Aidan and Luke under the stingray tank

Aidan was determined to pet a stingray!

They actually have a real bengal tiger exhibit too!

From the top of the ferris wheel!
Palm trees at night - I love it!


The next day we went to NASA Space Center. It was a very educational place, but a bit too scientific for my boys at their age (even Luke, surprisingly!). It would have been better had then been in 4th or 5th grade I think. They were too hyped up about the Star Wars exhibit too, which didn't end up being as grand as we thought. But, it was still fun, and I learned a lot!!! Did you know we are going back to Mars in 2010??

OK - I may be corrected, but I believe this is the Apollo A lunar rover
This guy wasn't real - but he looked freakishly so!

Astronaut Aidan
My Yoda loversAnd yes, Vader's REAL lightsaber
Aidan all tuckered out on the tram tour

Then we went to what was probably MY fav of the trip - Kemah Boardwalk. Kemah is a cute little area south of Houston, right on the water, with shops, restaurants, rides, and games. We strolled, ate, and played there!

They ended most days looking like they do in the picture above - all tuckered out! Our next day was spent at the beach - it has been Luke's dream to see the ocean, and while Galveston is not the greatest beach town, it still qualifies as ocean, and we had a great time! Dail brought his bike and rode along the ocean, and we packed a picnic lunch. We ate, played, and splashed all day. It was SOO hot that day too - I cannot imagine anything else but to be in the water!

Yes, the water was a bit...murky. This is Steph's adorable house. It is literally a tree house! It has as cute loft upstairs, where the boys and Dail and I slept. And it is simply full of character! I think it could be featured on HGTV!

And when we were at her loft, we were playing Star Wars Wii or with Star Wars characters (well, not WE as in me, but WE as in all the boys!)
Greg was on duty the last 24+ hours we were there, so the boys didn't get to play with him. We did go to the Coast Guard station and meet him for dinner. The last couple of pictures were taken there...

Thanks Steph and Greg for a fabulous time!!!!!!!