Terrier Football

While Steve and I were in California for Mia's birthday we attended a Redlands High School football game. Christina and Samantha play in the Cope Middle School band and they were scheduled to perform at the football game.

This was the first football game in the high school's new stadium. RHS has been around since 1891, but never had a football stadium. When I went there all football games were held at the UofR's old stadium.

If you look real close at the photo below you can see Stina in the middle.

Something they didn't have when I went to school was this guy that runs up and down the sidelines with this flag that reads, "The Long Blue Line Est. 1891." That was different, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

This next photo is for Sarah. For those of you who don't know, when Sarah went to RHS she was the mascot. I have to tell you, she was much better at it than this person. So, this one's for you, Sarah.

At half time, after the girls were done playing Cathy and I visited them where they were sitting in the stands. We wanted to get some photos of them as they would turn their heads every time they marched by us.

Samantha and her friends were very eager to pose, but not so much for Christina. I told her if she didn't look at the camera I would stand there and sing the alma mater. Her mother convinced her I would so I at least got her to look up for one photo.

Oklahoma

I figured the kids had posted about going to Dad's funeral in Oklahoma, so there wasn't really a need for me to post about it. But I got to looking at the photos I had and decided I would post.
As anyone who knows our family is aware, we have a different way of coping with situations such as funerals. We all look at it as a natural part of life and deal with it in our usual "no one can handle the details as well as I can" attitude. I was in charge of hotel reservations, so we would all be at the same place and we wouldn't need to decide whose location best suited our needs. So, as is our usual modus operandi we took over the "breakfast area" our first night to begin our work on the funeral arrangements and program.

You can tell the worker bees by the fact that they have a computer in front of them. Anyone without a computer in front of them is a supervisor. One would think with all these people and equipment we would have completed our tasks in short order. But, the way we second guess ourselves and the fact that it was only Wednesday and the funeral wasn't until Friday meant we had more than enough time to work on everything.

So, the next night after we returned from the funeral home we moved our merry little (though expanding) band to one of the conference rooms in the motel. Needless to say, we were able to finish our tasks, even though some spent their time snacking, watching NASCAR on TV and simply sitting around talking.

The next day we all caravanned to Gotebo, where the funeral was held. Considering the size of the town (don't blink takes on a whole new meaning) the Baptist Church there was lovely.

After a very nice service, we went to the Gotebo Cemetery for the interment.

As I said, we have a different way of dealing with death. I think it's more relaxed than some because, as with Dad, we know he's in a better place and that we will see him again some day. I know that he always wanted his grandchildren to be comfortable with these things, because the cemetery is where he used to take some of them to play when they were young.

After the funeral we were all invited back to the church where we had lunch. The church in Oklahoma City Dad and Phyl attended sent some of the most delicious food, and since it was about a two hour drive for them, it was no easy accomplishment.

Traveling Pig came to Oklahoma with Cathy, Kelly and Nic. He went everywhere with the family and he was most upset by the luncheon. In the photo you can see he is grieving the loss of his kindred and is just one step away from joining them.

On our way back to Weatherford (where we were staying) we made a couple of stops. The first stop was at the Odessa Cemetery where we thought some of our relatives might have been buried.

We saw quite a few old gravesites. It was strange trying to figure out how some members of a particular family could have died within days of one another. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have medicines that can save so many lives, especially the children. We did find a couple of Harris family names that sounded familiar. My grandmother was a Harris and we know there were a number of Georges in the bunch. It would be interesting to find out if this one is related.

When my mother's family lived in Gotebo they attended Sharon Missionary Baptist Church. It is where they got the name for the church the family organized in Long Beach many years ago. This building was built after the family went to California, but it is on the same property as the original church built in 1909.

Friday night after we returned from dinner we decided to observe a custom that the family started when we used to go to the races in Long Beach. At the races there was always a concession selling all types of cigars. I would buy a variety and then in the evening we would usually go the jacuzzi and whoever wanted to, would light up. I never smoke one, but I like the smell. Kelly, however, has become quite the cigar aficionado. It was quite a task finding some place in this small town to buy cigars. Once again, we made a request of the motel staff and they allowed us to move furniture from the inside pool area to the outside patio area so those that wanted to could smoke. So if you're ever in the Weatherford, Oklahoma area and need a room for the night, please go the Holiday Inn Express -- the staff is wonderful.

Saturday morning everyone that hadn't left yet decided since we had the time we should really go to the Oklahoma City Memorial. It was quite an experience and we were lucky enough to get there in time for the Park Ranger's talk about the site and what all the different elements stood for. They have left up a part of the fence that was initially there because some of the families requested it so they could leave up some of the momentos originally posted.

When we finished at the memorial it was lunch time and, of course, Scott knew just the place to go. It was in an area of town called, Bricktown, and it was the Bricktown Brewery. I've yet to figure out how, no matter what city we find ourselves in, Scott always knows a place to go. Well, why we were waiting to be seated I tried to get a picture of these three:

I told Brian to put his head down, because it looked like he was being Mr. Snutty with his nose in up in the air and this is the picture I got:
Once we were seated I tried to get a nice group picture, but you know how that goes. Would you believe this was the best of the bunch I took.

After lunch we all went our separate ways and I'm sure that some of us won't see each other again for quite a while. It was good too see those that could come and get to spend time together just reminiscing and catching up.

Mia's Birthday

I came to California a few days ago to attend Mia's birthday party. Needless to say, the word of the day was "Dora."
She got a lot of really nice gifts, but, of course, she spent most of the night wanting to play, and not so interested in actually opening the gifts.

Here she is allowing her mom to show her the Mr. Potato Head her Uncle Ken and Aunt Amanda got her. Kelly got her a Dora cake of her own...

... but, once again, she wasn't terribly impressed.

Wedding Extravaganza

Well, it's finally over and I think, for the most part, everyone survived. Ken and I drove to Wisconsin the Sunday before the wedding, even though Amanda thought we weren't leaving until that Monday. We had to try to get there before she thought we left home because Ken was driving her wedding gift to surprise her at the gift opening the day after the wedding. I thought the hardest part would be keeping the secret from Amanda, but it turns out the hardest part was getting the car across the street from the parking structure to the front of the hotel. Ken and I had parked the car at a business Greg had made arrangements with previously. Later that week Ken took the car to get it detailed and in the process of him giving me keys and me giving them back we lost track of where the keys were. So, on the morning of the gift opening Ken couldn't find a key to give Greg, So Greg had to call AAA and tell some pretty tall tales to get them to come out immediately and open the car since Ken knew the key he was giving Amanda was in the glove box. Well, to make a long story short (I know, too late), after all is said and done it would seem that I actually had a key to the car in my purse the whole time -- LOL!!! I tried to pass it off as no big deal and think of the story you'll have to tell. Well, I wanted to get that out of the way first, since I'm sure when others tell the story it will take on a completely different spin.

I thought the Moosetwin's twins should have their picture taken with a moose. The decor of this place was truly something the Farrar family could identify with. Between all the moose and the fishing paraphenalia they fit right in.

Since Uncle Scott was going to be the DJ for the wedding, I figured he might just as well be the "voice" of the groom's family. I will acquiesce to his ability to speak in public (or to "sling it" as we in the family refer to it). It allowed Steve and I the chance to talk with Amanda's parents, but I'm not too sure how the bride and groom felt. The "game" Uncle Scott had them play was to go from table to table and attach an adjective to everyone there (and not repeat themselves). They did real well and demonstrated that they did, in fact, know all those in attendance.

The morning of the wedding Kelly and I went down to the reception hall to see if everything was done the way Amanda wanted and what we needed to do next. Amanda was there with her dad and I got this great picture of the colonel smiling. Those in attendance will attest to the fact that John spent most of the time leading up to the ceremony in tears. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that this was truly Daddy's girl and he was going to miss her.

Amanda's Aunt Christy (hope I spelled that right) is a beautician and volunteered her services for the day. We took the girls down to get their hair done in Amanda's room and my hat goes off to Aunt Christy. Christina was first and she was under the impression that a ribbon would be put in her hair and voile -- she'd be done. She was oh so surprised to see just how curly her hair could be. Annie was next, and holy mackerel, the trauma she has suffered in the past was quite evident when she was approached with a curling iron. Every single curl Christy had to assure her she wouldn't burn her, so you can see how long it took to get all those curls done. Of course, Samantha being Samantha just sat and basked in the wonderfulness that is Samantha.

While the girls were finishing up their hair, Amanda got dressed and was propped in a chair to await the photographer.

During the wedding I tried to be stealth and take a couple of pictures, but it's kind of difficult when you're in the front row. You can't really hold the camera up for the whole world to see, so I tried to get a couple of shots while the camera was on my lap. Oh well, if nothing else you can see what a beautiful evening it was.

Right after the ceremony I tried to get a couple of shots before the photographer drug them all outside again.

Amanda and her brother Mathew, the ring bearer.

The happy couple.

The girls relaxing.

While the photographer was taking pictures I tried to get a couple, including some candids.

Since we were going to have all the girls in their pretty dresses I knew we couldn't forget Miss Mia in her party dress.

The pictures I took at the reception didn't turn out (guess I was too busy having fun). You'll have to check some of the other blogs for any of those photos. (You can also check out the wedding photographer's website http://www.almariphoto.net/ and click "client gallery" at the bottom of the page. In the next window click on "Amanda and Ken" and the password is amanda8.) There is one thing I would like to say about the reception: I will never forget Kay's reaction when Nic caught the garter. Even if I did have a photo it could never convey that reaction. I didn't know the girl had it in her, but I witnessed a whole different side to her I had never seen. It almost matched her actions when she caught the boquet, but not quite. Next time you see me I will be happy to recreate this event for you and believe me, you will never forget it.

The next morning was the gift opening which is a traditional event in Wisconsin. Ken and Amanda opened the gifts they had received at the wedding and when they were done Ken gave Amanda her wedding gift. Christina took pictures for me at the gift opening, so I need to talk to her about her decision process for the pictures she took.

After the gift opening we went out to lunch at Famous Dave's before Al and Peggy had to fly out. We really had a great time and I know that those three days wouldn't have been half as much fun if Al and Peggy hadn't been there.

We decided that evening we'd kind of relax and just play some games. Greg, Sarah and I went to WalMart and got some games and snacks. At the hotel there were a number of seating areas where we thought we might play, but we were afraid of getting too loud for other guests. So, we asked the folks at the front desk if we could use the area set aside for breakfast and they said, sure. We played some games and had sandwiches delivered and watched some of the Olympics. Needless to say, we were all pretty pooped when we finally decided to call it a night. Little did we know that we would all be getting a very early wake-up call. Some time around 5:00 I thought I heard my alarm going off and I thought it was REALLY loud. Once I came out of my sleepy haze I realized it was the fire alarm. Luckily, Steve and I were on the ground floor, so we just grabbed a jacket and went out. Kelly and her crew were on the second floor and by this time Cathy's group was on the third floor. We met out front and just kind of hung out until the firemen (who eventually showed up) said we could go back to our rooms.

Of course, while we were wandering around the parking lot, I came across Amanda's new car.

I asked Nic to come over and see what he thought it smelled like. We both decided it smelled like shaving cream, which most people are aware is something you do not want to apply to a paint job you wish to keep. I let Amanda know and assured her it was not anyone in Ken's family (as none of them have a death wish). So, this was one of her first wifely things to handle and she came through like a champ. Ken never saw the car and she made sure the mess was cleaned up and the culprits were identified.

On Sunday Greg had made arrangements for us to have brunch on a paddlewheel boat on the Mississippi. We went up the river, through a lock and them turned around and came back down. It was a really nice excursion and gave people a chance to just sit and talk.

These two can't pass a display of hats without trying on something.

Breckley Table No. 1

Breckley Table No. 2

The whole crowd.

So, on Monday morning most of us took off for our respective homes. Steve went with the girls to Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport for flights home and I got in my trusty van to drive back to Texas. I got home that night about 10:00 p.m. and was, needless to say, totally spent. Most of my trip through Iowa was spent crying and I was hoping to have gotten it all out of my system (which I didn't). My last assignment as far as wedding things were concerned was to take Ken and Amanda to the airport for their honeymoon and then pick them up when they returned. Well, they finally got home last night (or should I say this morning). Their flight was originally due in at 10:55 at DFW. The flight finally made it in at 12:18 a.m. and the bags finally arrived at 1:00 a.m. So, here's the happy couple refreshed and relaxed from their honeymoon and by all accounts they had a great time.
Well, that's it for the wedding extravaganza -- and now the marriage can begin.