Football, wedding, cousin lunch

Just as planned, we left Dick's shop shortly after 4:30 on Friday afternoon.  Everything had gone as planned for me that day.  UNTIL a few minutes after we left the shop.  We did not know there had been a four-vehicle accident just south of town on 322, and we were suddenly in stand-still traffic.  Ugh!!!  They were V.E.R.Y. slowly taking everyone off at the nearest exit onto a detour.  That detour eventually got us to where we cross Seven Mountains - one hour and forty-five minutes later.  That stretch usually takes us 20 minutes!

No question, we would miss the first half of the game.  It was homecoming, and I really hoped to make it for half time.  Meanwhile we were communicating with Jeremy and Mike, who had left DC at 2:30 and were making very slow progress as well.   They had their dogs along and needed to take them to Sam and Jenn's house before going to the game.  As it turned out, after they dropped off the dogs and headed toward Manheim, they were near the PA turnpike exit just as we were getting off!  We met up and carpooled the last few miles to the game!!  How funny is that?

We just missed half time, but got there for the VERY tense, exciting second half of the game.  The other team was ahead, then the Barons caught up, the other team pulled ahead, and the Barons A.L.M.O.S.T. caught up.  24-26.  There just wasn't quite enough time.  Great big sigh of disappointment!

Bjorn was a very, very disappointed boy after the game.  His mama talked some stern Swedish to him and told him he had worked HARD, he had done his BEST, and he'd better be PROUD, because SHE was PROUD!  She even got him to smile!

We had fun gathering near the field with Sam and Sammy, some of Dick's brothers and their families, Jeremy and Mike, Miki and her friend Kicki.  How COOL that Bjorn brings us together like that!

We went to Fred and Deb's house for a while before heading home.  Bjorn was HUNGRY after all that hard work and was eating right out of a casserole dish, haha!

Deb was getting out some grub for everyone.  Dear Deb.  She was the substitute mom for my kids many times before she had any of her own.  And now she's substitute mom for my grandson.  She gets the sister-in-law award!

We hated to leave.  How I would have loved to have more time with Miki.  How I wanted to go to Sam and Jenn's and have more fun with Sammy and snuggle Bianca and hang out with Sam, Jenn, Jeremy, and Mike.  But duty called and we headed home.  I drove the last half so Dick could sleep since he was the one that had to be at work by 7:30 am.  We finally got home at 1:30.

When Dick got home from work at 12:15, he quickly cleaned up and we were off to our little Fillmore church for a very special wedding.  Two of our dear friends in the choir, Kristine and Mel, were getting married.  What an absolutely joyous, fun occasion!  Two first class individuals who so deserve the love they have for each other. 

I asked Dick to snap a picture for me, and this is the sweet moment he caught.  "You may kiss the bride" is fun at any age!

There was a lovely, relaxed reception at Kris's home afterward.  I really enjoyed getting to know some of their family members.

From there I went to Anthony and Lori's to pick up Austin and his cousin William.   Will discovered Destiny's DVD of Tom and Jerry episodes and wanted to watch it.  Oh, the laughter!  I wish I had recorded it!

After Anthony and Lori picked them up, we had a very quiet evening here at home.  I think I was in bed by 9:30.  I was BEAT!

We had our two church services this morning, then went to Hoss's for lunch.  My cousin Lori and her husband Chuck were in State College to celebrate their anniversary this weekend, and we weren't sure if it would work out to meet up or not.  But it did!  We had the greatest time together!

Thanks to Facebook, I know so many of my cousins better than I ever did before.  It's so wonderful to be able to connect like we do. Lori's dad and my mom were brother and sister. 

Austin is at a super easy stage for eating out.  While we waited, he spent time coloring, writing his numbers, doing the maize on the placemat, then a game on Grandpa's phone.   He is loving school and doing great.  And growing up.  As he says it, he is now five-and-three-quarters.

Now a few pictures I've taken around here.  My hanging petunias are still showing off.  I SO do not want a frost to ruin everything.  But it's inevitable.  So I feast my eyes on these while I can.

I love the colorful combination of summer flowers and autumn leaves.

The street in Anthony and Lori's neighborhood where I used to walk Austin when he was a baby.

Another view outside my office window.  Be sure to check my header photo for my annual fall shot.

Have a great week!