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.

Town North Presbyterian Church- Richardson, Texas

John will start officially as the interim pastor at Town North PCA. September 1. It is about 35 minutes from where we live in Grapevine. We have already started attending. We will not move so we can be by Troy, Heather and Susannah. It is good to finally have a church home again.

Susannah wants to be President

Many of you know, that as a teacher, the presidents were my passion. She is starting her research.

So far her approval rating is excellent. Afterall, isn't that all that is important these days?

Enjoy her campaign speech. We would appreciate your votes!

The Cheese stands alone!

Today, while Susannah was at my house, she stood alone for almost a minute. When Heather and Troy came to pick her up, we were able to get this video.

Happy First Birthday Susannah

She woke up early from a nap today, while Heather was picking up Troy from the airport. More will be coming of her real sunshine smile.

Celebrating our 35th Anniversary in NYC

Of course, you have to take the free Staten Island Ferry for the NYC picture of the Statue of Liberty. It was my first time to see it.
I cried through the first half. It was so precious. I so wish I could give each of you a "spoonful of sugar" to help the medicine go down easier.
Our room was on the top in the dormers of this iconic brownstone. The Hepzibah House just a block from Central Park on 75nd street, is a boarding house for pastors and missionaries staying in New York. It is very very cheap to stay there. There is not an elevator and the bathroom is down the hall. We got lots of exercise daily. It also has an International Student ministry. Each night when we returned home there were students in the living room praying.
Griffin Park next to the New York Public Library.
Sean and Corrie gave us a boat ride in Central Park for our anniversary. The weather was perfect and it was amazing to see the swans and turtles. Very romantic!
Our boarding house was right behind that twin building. Central Park was my favorite part of the city.
John loved the remote control boats in Central Park. It was so relaxing.
Joseph, the young man at the dock was fresh from Brasil. He was a believer. John took the time to pray for him. He had not found a church yet. We are hoping that he will go to Redeemer. John and I went there and it was wonderful. Tim Keller spoke and it was great to finally hear him in person.

Surprising Emily in NYC

Emily, another graduating niece, living in Atlanta, is a wonderful bassoon player. Her youth symphony was invited to play in Carnegie Hall. We surprised her by showing up at a pizza place the day before her concert. She will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.
I loved NYC ,taxi rides, flower shops and concerts.
After the concert.
Aunt Jill and John's sister were chaperones for the trip. We surprised them also. Susan actually made all the arrangements for 60 students and their parents to come to NYC for the concert. It was quite an amazing experience for us all.

More June favorite moments

Katherine graduated Valedictorian of Louise High. She will be attending Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton,Texas.
Christina, her older sister and our niece came in from South Florida where she attends the university.
John hung Christmas lights on my brother's gazebo. We had an open mic. About 50 attended a great celebration in their back yard in Louise.
Lisa, Pat's new wife of 4 years did an amazing job of pulling it all together. Pat lost his first wife to cancer almost 6 years ago. Lisa has taken on the mothering of seven children. Four of her own and 3 of Pat's. We praise God for her everyday.
I couldn't resist this American Gothic Johnson style. We all worked hard to pull off Katherine's celebration.

A few more of my favorite June Moments

My brother Mike, son Nathan, graduating senior Katherine and sister-in-law, Ellen all gathering in Louise, Texas outside of Houston for the graduation celebration.

My Mom's gorgeous yard in her new home outside of Houston. She is ordering square dancing shoes and is back on the dance floor.

Susannah is picking out her first car. She celebrates her first birthday, June 18th.

John preached in Paris last weekend. Texas that is! Yes, they do have an Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat on top. Afterall, this is Texas.