Merry Christmas from the Growing Rantal Family

Reformation Celebration

Susannah (16 month)

Sophie (almost 3) and Jenna (4) in Monterey.

" Somewhere over the Rainbow" little bumblebees fly.

Susannah is very independent and loves to roam around on her own. Our favorite pass time is just to walk the mall letting her choose where we go. Occasionally she will look back to see if I am there and then continue on her way. Reminds me of Mark, only he never looked back!

Granddaughter #4 is due in February

Corrie and Sean live in gorgeous Monterey ,California while Sean is attending the Naval Post Graduate school. The sun finally came out one Saturday and they were able to have a fabulous family hike.

Sophie is turning 3 in November. Jenna will be 5 in March. They are really excited to have a new baby sister.

Susannah loves the outdoors. She would rather play in a mud puddle than in her room with her toys. We are having fall weather and can finally wear a sweater,

Susannah turned 16 months this month. We are working on the words flower, blue, light, airplane and rain. She really isn't talking yet. I still remember that Mark only said "duck" until he was over two. When they are ready, they are ready. I still get to keep her on the days that Heather teaches piano. She has quite a group of students. She will be having her first recital in November.

My new students-Pioneer Club- Town North PCA

I need my kid fix, so I am teaching the 3rd and fourth graders in pioneer club at our new church.

I love these children already and it feels good once again to have the hugs on Sunday morning.

John's parents

John's mom had knee replacement surgery at the end of September. One of the sweet parts are all the internationaly nurses. Dorothy is from Cameroon. This has been a very hard journey for all of us, yet meeting all these wonderful people has taken the sting out a bit.

The Rehab center is just gorgeous. It is only two years old. I have found myself driving there daily to encourage Ruth. Physical therapy is key to her recovery as we all know.

John was at the door when we arrived from the hospital. Kinda looked like St. Peter at the Pearly Gates!

Looking quite good considering all she has been through. Ruth has been so sweet to me and so appreciative for the fact that John and I have moved to Dallas. The timing could not have been more perfect.

A new place to call home.
Papa will be turning 90 in January. He still manages to care for his beloved Benji. He does have a caretaker living at the house so he can stay in their lovely home. I have loved hearing all his childhood stories, some new, some I have heard before. Growing up in Wisconsin was just like being a character in "Little House on the Prairie". Papa was a WWII navigator in the Air Force.

He retired with all sorts of medals. What a priviledge to relive the history of our country first hand.

60 times around the Sun

My sister-in-law, Ellen and brother Mike threw me a fabulous birthday party at their home in Kemah, Texas. They have just recently moved back into it after an extensive remodel after devasting damage from Ike. Having my adorable little great nephew there was an added bonus. Mom's fourth great grand child and his dad, Sam. Sam and Cherie live in Fort Collins. Sam and Heather are three months apart and now their children are also three months apart.

Grandmother Mojo and her precious Samuel. They announced that baby #2 is due in May. They will be 20 months apart, the same as Jenna and Sophie.

My brother Mike invited me to his dental office the next day and cleaned my teeth and gave me an appliance for sleep apnea. Thanks so much Mike. It is great to have you as my dentist again.

When I got home ,Heather had a wonderful dinner for me and showered me with cards from so many friends and family. Thanks, Heather. It was the most encouraging gift. I am still waiting to see what 60 really feels like.

Cruisin'with my Mom

My brother Todd met Mom and I at Galveston for a delightful lunch on the pier. We later left on the cruise ship in the background.

Our first stop was in Jamaica. That water looked like blue Koolaid. It was really hot so we just took and peek and went back to our luxurious ship to graze, and graze, and graze.

Here we are in Cozemel, Mexico. We managed not to gain any weight by walking the very empty jogging deck every night. Mom is in amazingly good shape.

We enjoyed dressing up every night and eating all those fancy dining things on the menu.

They even had a huge all chocolate buffet one afternoon. Thanks, Mom for a wonderful time.

A Visit from Lisa and Emily

My brother Pat's wife brought her daughter Emily to a Taylor Swift Concert in Dallas. Once again breakfast at our house with Troy this time.

Lisa has free tickets to the Texas State Fair. We went and saw this adorable little dog who actually made it to the top 50 on American's Got Talent. He has also been on Martha Stewart.

Not sure if he baked a pie or made a linen pillow case. Lisa drove me back to Houston for the cruise you saw pictures of in the post before.

Ladybugs and Pumpkins

Susannah and I visited the Colleyville Farmers Market.

Gorgeous ornamental pumpkins. We loved looking all the varieties.

I made Susannah this little ladybug backpack pillow for a Ladybug birthday party she was invited to. She was more interested in eating dirt than the cake. Much better for you I am sure. She kept the ladybug back on the entire afternoon.

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Connections

My wonderful friend and prayer partner from Colorado Springs flew in to be with her newest granddaughter. She had a layover here in Dallas. We live only 10 minutes from the airport.
I took her a little picnic "Texas Style" to the baggage claim. We had a delightful visit.

John sister and great aunt to Susannah, Susan, came in to be with his mom for her knee surgery.

Three peas in a pod! Susan was so surprised.

Troy is officially ordained in the PCA

What a time of thanksgiving as Troy has completed all his requirements to be ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. They attend Colleyville PCA. Heather has started and children's choir and they have a youth group meeting in their home weekly. We are so proud of both of them.

A Special Visit from Mark

Early in September, Mark and his friend Andy came to Dallas for a former ECA's friend wedding here in Dallas. We had a wonderful breakfast with Heather and Susannah. Uncle Mok is the best uncle in the world. Mark loves his new job at First Pres in Colorado Springs. He is their resident graphic artist. He also has his own children's choir of first and second graders. He keeps their attention by playing his ukelele. Cracks me up!

Celebrating John and Kristin's wedding in Nashville

Kristin is the daughter of my dearest friend and bridesmaid. I was able to go to Nashville and jump into all the wedding preparations. It was a perfect night outside at a farm under a beautiful tent. Kristin and John are active in RUF at Belmont where Kristin graduated in graphic arts.

Carol and I were in each other's weddings and have been friends for nearly 40 years.

Kristin's decorations were rustic and fallish. Her friends made tiny pumpkin and pecan pies.

The wedding cake was a giant cupcake on top tiers of little pies. After the wedding we all danced the Virginia Reel. For more fabulous pictures go to http://www.rachelwilliamsonphotography.com/index2.php?v=v1#/featured/. They are the first couple under weddings.

Mark makes the front page of the Denver Post

Monday night Mark and Alicia went to the Bronco game as babies. It made NBC, and a couple of other sports shows. It also made the front page of the Denver Post. You can read the article to see why they were dressed like babies. The boy creates entertainment wherever he goes.

Highlights in July- Whew! What a month.

We celebrated my brother Todd's birthday at our place in Dallas. John has really mastered this chicken beef combo.

My mom and my Burk cousins came for a fun dinner.

For the past 3 years we have had a cousin reunion with my cousins on my mom's side. This year we drove to Harlingen, Texas.Thanks Jack, Missy and Mary for hosting and feeding us this year.

We next went to California to take part in a wedding of Margarit and Bryon from Redeemer. We stayed with the family I worked for as a tutor. McKenna and I had a wonderful day at the park. I loved this"pizza" swing.

Our wonderful beach volleyball team got together for a great reunion and game. This is my all time favorite beach, Manhattan Beach, California.

The Bride and Groom

Sean babysat the girls and Corrie came to LA from Monterey and helped me give the bride a shower. Margarit is Armenian and the reception was just incredible.

Corrie and I then went back to Monterey. Heather and Susannah came for a week. This is the only picture we got with all three of the girls looking at the camera.

We love our Major McClure. Sean is attending graduated school at the Post Naval Graduate School in Monterey. He is challenged and loves it. It is the longest time they have even had together since they have been married. They are expecting in February!

Jenna (age 4) loved giving her cousin Susannah (14 months )a ride to the park.

Our girls

Our dear friends from Redeemer came to dinner at Corrie's house while on vacation in Monterey.

One day it even warmed up enough to go to the beach. Pacific Grove is a beautiful little beach about 15 minutes from Corrie's house.

Sophie is growing up so big. She will be three in November.

I think this will always be my favorite California flower. When I told Sophie it was a boooganvillia. She said, "Is it a monster?"

I missed my connecting flight from Denver to Dallas. Mark came to Denver, took me home to his very clean apartment, and introduced me to his new coon dog. Mark is now working at First Pres Colorado Springs in the Graphic Arts department. He loves it! We are so happy that he is getting to work in his field with a great bunch of people.

I surprised Monnie's girls in Dallas and crashed Cayla's wedding shower. She is the second on the left. What a shock that my little Shelby in red, who I taught in third grade, is not only taller than I am, but is starting college this fall at Abilene Christian here in Texas. It was so great to see Trish ( in black). She is Monnie's daughter and we have done so many wonderful plays and school activities together through the years.