Elder Woodward update

Alex was transferred South last week to the northern edge of Sacramento. He is excited to attend Church in the twin of our big building of his youth in South Sacramento, and to be 10 minutes from the Mission office. He enjoyed his first interview with his new Mission President, John G. Weston.

He continues to sound great and happy with his service.

When he rides his bike like this then I'm not surprised when he crashes and looks like this --- LOL!

Love you Favorite Son!

Roy in Houston

Roy spent a sometimes busy and sometimes not, week back home after our holiday in Virginia. Doctor and dentist appointments. He ate Mexican every chance he could. (you know you're craving when Taco Bell sound good). Dinner with friends. Taught a lesson at Church. Backed up both computers. Did a massive yard clean up with some hired help. Took several long naps. Watched lots of baseball on TV. Made friends with my cats. Got beaten in cribbage and Sequence by his gleeful wife. (I don't win very often so I am pretty happy when I do! tee-hee). Went to the movies to see the last "Harry Potter" and "Buck" and enjoyed both; especially Buck, which is a documentary about the real "Horse Whisperer". Played his beloved piano several times. Walked the dog with me a few times. Drove the car and managed to stay on the right side of the road. He didn't even turn on the wind shield wipers when he wanted to make a turn! Attended a session at our beautiful Temple with me. Went through an organized pile of mail on his desk. Enjoyed a home cooked meatloaf dinner and several meatloaf sandwiches. Re-organized our garage. Ran errands with me. Got a haircut at his favorite barber. Helped me stock up our pantry. Enjoyed eating too much at our favorite Texas BBQ. Regrets missing some live country music at our favorite cafe in Old Town Spring. Had his return flight to Auz cancelled right in front of him when he checked in at the airport. We didn't complain about an extra day together.

Probably his (or our) biggest project was to update our 72 hr. kits. I'm embarrassed to tell you how long it has been since we last did this. 5 years? Also video taped our house. I don't want to say this out loud (whispering) but I think we are ready for hurricane season.

Do you want to appreciate your husband more? Send him away for several weeks at a time! Thank you My Love for all our hard work here at home during your "break".

Family Reunion

--let me apologize again for messed up pictures --
We rendezvoused in Northern Virginia for a family reunion the last week in June and had an absolutely GREAT time!

We missed Alex but are confident he is exactly where he should be and doing what the Lord would have him do at this time in his life.

We enjoyed a day at a local small water park, a day in Washington DC, lunch at Chuck E. Cheese,

swimming at our motel pool, attending Scout's swim meet, and Roy finally got to visit the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland (it has been on his Bucket list for years). And yes, the Woodward travel curse (rain) caught up with us as we walked down to see Burnside Bridge.

On July 4th Roy and I were lucky to see the Show and Fireworks on the Mall seated on the steps of the US Capitol - a HUGH thank you to Chris and Jen Dean for sharing their great seats with us! :)

Happy cousins and ice cream; life doesn't get much better than this!

The #1 reason we all happily gathered together was to attend a special baptism on July 1st; it was truly a wonderful evening. Roy played the piano, Mary conducted the music, both Grandpa's spoke, Grandma's said prayers and Gerald baptized his daughter, Lucy Abigail Fowkes, aka Scout, our oldest grandchild.

I Survived!

"Survivor" was the theme for our 2011 Stake Girls Camp at BSA Camp Bovay and I'm proud to say I again survived another year even with record breaking heat - 105* every day! - and less than great food; something that looked like a corn dog one morning for breakfast? really?!

I tagged along with the First years and organized the heart pillow (for the Breast Cancer surgery unit at a local hospital) sewing/stuffing free time activity. (the girls stuffed and sewed closed 60 pillows! well done!)

A special thanks to:

our wonderful Bishop for his delivery of some "medicinal" beverages and Dove Dark Chocolate; what a great guy!

Karen, my partner in crime. Did I say crime? my lips are sealed.

and Lissette for helping me load the trailer :)