Memorial Day picnic

We had a wonderful time at our ward Memorial Day picnic. Of course it wouldn't be Memorial Day without the scouts presenting the colors.

The Pledge of allegiance

The national anthem sung by Jeremy Boaz. Oops! Looks like I didn't record the beginning of the song. Still pretty amazing anyway !

The missionaries didn't have to worry about going hungry!

Stephen took a 2 hour shift to help keep the fire going in the BBQ pit before the picnic. His weather report ...HOT and HUMID!!!

Bishop and Sister McPherson ...Looking good!

After preparing the meat the night before, Cade Stephens started smoking the meat at 4:00 am at our neighborhood park so every thing would be ready to eat by 6:00 pm. Now that's what I call going the extra mile in order to serve!!!

And here he is ...still hard at work!

Gary helping to serve the smoked brisket, sausage and chicken.

Yummmm ...was it good!

As you can see we had a great turn out for our Memorial Day picnic.

Besides the barbecued meat we had lots of other tasty side dishes. I brought one of our favorites. Gary's Moms potato salad.

Gary finally made his escape so he could grab a bite to eat.

Lori Stephens organized a short program to honor those who had served in the military or who have family members currently serving.

These are the flowers Gary and I received in honor of our son who is currently serving as a Sgt. in the army.

So here's to you Eric. We are proud of you. Thank you for your service to our country.

She's got the "bling"

Due to Whitney's tiny fingers (size 4) they had to have her new ring made in just her size. Who knew you can't find rings that small! She received it on the day after her birthday when Cody got down on one knee and asked, "Will you marry me ...again?!?" I gleaned the pictures of her sparkly and very gorgeous wedding ring from her facebook page. Good choice Whit (and Cody) it looks perfect on you.

It's Official!

Whitney called me yesterday to share the exciting news ...she and Cody are engaged! They will be sealed by her grandpa Richards in the Salt Lake temple on August 21st. We are so happy for them and can't wait until their special day. Congratulations to you both and welcome to the family Cody!

Take me out to the ball game

Whitney and her friend Cody came home at the end of the semester for a quick visit. Stephen came home too and will be here until he leaves for his mission. One of the things we did while they were here was watch the Houston Astros take a whipping from the Florida Marlins. Nope, it has not been one of our better seasons. We are now at 0 and 9. That's right ...zero wins and 9 losses! No matter ...it was fun in spite of the beating and gave us all a chance to get to know Cody a little better. As you will soon get to see he was very entertaining! On the other hand Whitney and Stephen took awhile to get their groove on!

"Bull goes wild at Reliant Stadium" Houston ...you've gotta love it!

"You expect to see bulls at the rodeo but not like Sunday night. A rampaging bull ran loose in the parking lot of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo."I've been working here for thirty seven years and this has never happened," said Leroy Schafer, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Chief Operations Officer.Leroy Schafer said the bull was waiting in a loading docking area. Chuck wagons came racing by the bull startling it before it broke through two fences."The bull actually broke its gate and it got into the chuck wagon and it was running behind in between the chuck wagons and went out the door," said Schafer.The bull went out the door and into the crowd, cutting across two parking lots and nearly missing people. A police officer even tried to use his taser on the bull. Several wranglers tried to stop the bull but it was one wrangler who happened to be at the right place at the right time. He borrowed a horse and a rope and managed to stop him. Schafer said they are now beefing up security."Number one, we won't be moving any bulls when the chuck wagons are coming out. Number two, another fence layer will be added at the end of the loading dock area so even if one does get loose it wont get out of the loading dock area," said Schafer.A rampaging bull in a parking lot might have been the first, and may also be the last. Rodeo officials vow it will never happen again."
Copyright © 2010, KIAH-TV

HARDBALL'S RUN FOR FREEDOM
A rodeo bull's wild escape: Hardball breaks free on Jonas Brothers day
By Chris Baldwin

"The bull broke out of two gates, due to a gate malfunction, around 5:20 p.m. and ran through the parking lot, sending families running for cover. "People were screaming and running, it was a mess," said Scott Berrett, who was with his children heading to see the Jonas Brothers perform. Berrett caught the entire incident on camera. "Police were trying to Taser him, but that's like trying to hit an alligator with a fly swatter," Berrett said. "It just made him angrier, but it wasn't until the real cowboys came out that got the bull."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLbGyBOig3Q

Runaway Bull Taken Down With Taser

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

I've been remiss in writing on my blog lately. Partly to blame is the fact that I haven't had much to write about. That is ...until now!

Drum roll please ... For the very first time since moving to Texas 12 years ago, my sweetie and I finally attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Our good friends Joy and Scott invited us to go along with them so they could show us the "ropes". So now it's official! We can legally say we are from Texas! Of course I forgot my camera but Joy was kind enough to send me some of the pictures she took of all the festivities. I found some additional ones on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo web site. It's amazing! Be sure to check it out. There's more where these came from.

Who knew these little calves could be so strong and stubborn! The teenagers were trying to catch one. If they were successful and could drag it back into a circle in the middle of the arena they got to keep and raise it for next years livestock competition.

Awhhh ...the Mutton Bustin'. One of my favorites!

It's hard to see but on the right side of this sheep a little 5 or 6 year old child is hanging on with all they've got and being taken for the ride of their life! They didn't last long and most were pretty brave in spite of being slightly trampled. Thank goodness for the protective gear! Most of them "cowboy'ed up as only a few were crying when the dust finally settled.

What a cutie!

Boy I would hate to have to change this tire!

It's amazing what the "cowboys" have to go through to earn a living. I'd have to say that the bull riders fared the worst on the night we were there. Only one managed to stay on for more than a few seconds. The night before we attended the rodeo, one of the bulls managed to escape into the parking lot and several wranglers had to round him up and get him back into his pen. Only two people suffered minor injuries along with two others who had to be taken to the hospital after suffering heart problems in all of the excitement. Yeah ...that would definitely give me a heart attack!

This is NOT a carnival pony ride!

After the rodeo ended the real fun began. Tim McGraw was the featured entertainer. He did a great job and we couldn't believe that he shook hands with every person along the entire perimeter of the arena while singing a couple of his songs. Yes ...it took that long! Course Joy and I were both thinking the same thing ...Yikes! Imagine all of the germs that were being passed along, from one hand to another, and another, and another. It is cold and flu season after all. Shudder!!! If I had been down there instead of shaking his hand I would have passed him a bottle of hand sanitizer!

We had a great time and the Houston Rodeo lived up to all of the hype it receives year in and year out. Which means ...I don't think we'll wait another 12 years until we go again!

An Army of One

Jump School - Fort Benning, GA

"At Jump School, you'll be introduced to your best friend - your parachute. You'll get to know everything about it. How to wear it, adjust it, use it, the works. You'll also learn all the techniques needed to accomplish your mission with absolute confidence. How to stay loose; get ready for impact; let your legs absorb the shock; roll and collapse your chute quickly; release your harness; unsling your weapon; and deploy into position."

Well ...at least that's how it's supposed to work. Unfortunately for Eric on his 3rd jump (just two short of earning his wings) something went awry and he ended up with a broken leg. He broke both his tibia and fibula. Yup, it wasn't pretty so now he will be undergoing surgery today so they can put him back together. I'm not sure what this will do to his future plans but I believe that God is watching over him and that everything will work out for the best. Keep him in your prayers.