Anne and Zach's Wedding

In spite of the obstacles of severe storms, power outages, broken water mains and record setting heat and humidity, Anne and Zach's wedding ceremony was beautiful and the reception was outstanding.

Plan B went into play after the garden wedding needed to be transported to a new site due to the heat and humidity. Jennifer's florist adapted  and the theater exterior and lobby where the wedding took place (and reception was held afterward)was transformed to accommodate the change.

 Anne and Zach were radiant and everyone had a ball!
Thanks to Tiffany and Jenn K. for allowing us to use their pictures for this blog entry.

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Anne's Shower

Thanks to photographer Tiffany, here are some photos from Anne's wedding shower, hosted by Barb, Myra, Carly and Sarah. The shower was held at David and Myra's on a hot but sunny day in June. We had a great time celebrating the upcoming nuptials of Anne and Zach - great food, lovely gifts, sparkling conversation (and sparkling wine) and the entertainment of learning the "flash mob" dance for the wedding reception.

New Digs

Carly and Tiffany have officially moved in to their new home - and before the week was over, already had unpacked and organized the entire house. Even Scout is settled in! This picture was taken the day of the closing.

Camden Yard

Our visits to Virginia are always memorable, and the evening we returned Michaela was no exception. The storm that blew through (see Lexi's blog for details) left us without power. However, we planned to go to Baltimore the next day to catch the Tribe taking on the Orioles, there was power at Camden Yards, so off to Maryland we headed, decked out in Indians gear. In spite of the intense heat, the Tribe prevailed. We were very impressed with Camden Yards, and had a great time.

Michaela Visits Ohio

We were thrilled to have Michaela with us for the last week in June. School was over, her parents thought she might enjoy a week away on her very own, and we had a blast! Here are a few pictures from our week together.

Other activities: reading to the new doll she received from Great Grandmama, a manicure, sharks in the sea tube at the aquarium, and watching the waves crash at Edgewater Park.

Jim and Michaela checked out the Memphis Kiddie Park, which has been around since 1952. She is in training for Cedar Point - maybe next summer?

Michaela LOVED taking care of Orphie, and he is already missing all the great care she gave him. She also found a robin's egg in the back yard (newly hatched?) and really enjoyed a fantasy exhibit at the Museum of Natural History.

Visit to Branson

Ray and Birgitta graciously hosted us for a week's vacation in Branson, Missouri. There we saw five terrific musical shows, visited the beautiful campus of College of the Ozarks, toured the Titanic museum, and visited the famous Thorncrown Chapel in nearby Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Each performance offered a unique blend of music, comedy and a patriotic salute to veterans. Many of the acts consist of generations of family members who make musical theater a true family business. More than 8 million people annually visit Branson's many musical theaters and other attractions. The Marriott resort where we stayed hosted a dinner for guests featuring a review of 14 Branson acts.

One of Branson's top attractions, the highly talented Dutton family performs in their own theater. They also own a hotel and gift store.

The Titanic museum exceeded our expectations. It features many interesting artifacts and a reproduction of the famous ship's grand staircase. We were told that the flooring of the staircase was the most expensive component. New at the time, it was called linoleum.(Yes, that is an "iceberg" in the foreground.)

Keeter Center at the Presbyterian College of the Ozarks. This building houses the College's student-run restaurant. We ate there twice because the cuisine was so divine!

Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, AK opened in 1980. It is the 4th greatest building constructed in the 20th century according to the American Institute of Architects. Its 425 windows and forest setting gives the Chapel a unique spiritual quality.

Appetizers and dinner on our balcony added immensely to our enjoyment of the Branson experience.

Ray greets a cow after dinner at College of the Ozarks. The entire herd later stopped by to return his greeting.