This past weekend we had a great family time. Some of you probably heard about some of it on facebook but this is the expanded version. A bunch of our family gather in Topeka, KS last Saturday from WI, IL, CO and FL Miriam's graduation from nursing school. Seven of the nine boys made it, two with their wives (one apiece!) and one with kids. A few of us stayed at a motel which gave us access to a swimming pool and a couple more bathrooms! It was a great place to destress and work off excess energy. One added bonus to the weekend was the Christmas program at Miriam's girls' school on Friday night that most of us went to. What fun for all of us. "The Uncles" were able to appropriately embarrass their nieces in front of their friends! The program put the emphasis right where it belongs at this time of year - on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Saturday morning was the long-awaited graduation. It was long and kind of boring (think pinning 60 pins on shirts and waiting while the pinee shakes hands with 5 instructors, then calling out 59 more names and reading a short bio on each.) but when "our" graduate crossed the stage it was worth it! If anyone needs to be in the hospital in Topeka, definitely choose Stormont-Vail. The best nurse in the city works there! Saturday afternoon one of Miriam's friends from church held an open house for her so that was our hang-out place for the late afternoon/early evening. We even had table games to pass the time there. That is so what our family is. Then it was back to the pool and motel rooms for the rest of the evening. Sunday morning those of us that were still there went to church with Miriam and the girls and saw their toddlers Christmas program. We also heard a much needed message giving us ideas for Biblical Christmas gifts: service, forgiveness, encouragement, acceptance, and love. None cost money but all are needed by others from us. Giving them will grow us as Christians. Thanks, Pastor Mark. Everyone but Dad and I had left by lunchtime Sunday but we stayed til Monday morning to have a bit more time to spend with Mo and the girls. |