Visitors

 Rachel and the kids made a quick visit after our Texas trip.  We had intended to go to the Missouri Botanical Garden but there were no parking places. (Note one behind the gas pump of a converted gas station)  So, we went to The Hill for lunch before returning to the Gardens.  The kids had a great time and Rachel and I enjoyed the beauty of the gardens.

 After we got home, our neighbors and their dog entertained the kids. With the gorgeous weather we have had the summer, we had a great visit.

Eli's Star Wars Birthday

 Although Eli's Fourth Birthday had a Star Wars theme, this one really expanded it at their local pool.  Originally they were all going to dress in costume; Anna had her hair braided like Queen Amidala.  Sam was supposed to wear a Yoda costume, but he was excused.

 Other than the delicious, gluten-free, cleverly named food, the highlight was when Todd trained all of the kids into Jedi ways.

Fry Family Reunion Part III

 Sandra, Dave, Carolyn, Arlene, Tom, Buddy were the first cousins who attended this reunion which began in 1951.  They were later joined by their families in the lobby of Phoenix X.  We had intended to have our pot luck and photo outside, but it was too windy.  The management graciously let us set up in the lobby and even brought out extra tables and chairs.

This was followed by watching the memorial for cousin Marilyn and the meeting---with reports on the trust and discussions about where to meet in 2015. The next evening some of us went to LuLu's for dinner.  Now, this is a place that knows what to do when there is a 1-2 hour wait to get in.

Once inside, the food was delicious and the entertainment was very good (although we were a little too close)

Family Reunion Part II

 So many fun activities near Phoenix X!  Across the street was jet-skiing, a dolphin cruise, and a restaurant and hermit crabs.  Roman brought home what he thought was a shell from this area, but when it crawled away, we discovered it had a crab inside.

 Game night found cousins of several generations playing Mad Gab one night.

 Our team of just 5 of us (versus 8 on the other time) was victorious.  A sample card is below---the team needed to read it and figure out what it really said.

 With so many teachers on our team, this one was a piece of cake (attention deficit disorder)

On one of our early morning walks, we met Austin a fisherman.  He had already caught one flounder and whiting.  He was so sweet and let Roman help him reel fish in.

 Then, on our way back, we saw another hermit crab crawling across the dunes with a rhinestone glued to his shell---Bling became his name.  Other items found on that morning walk were a quarter with all of the silver buffed off and a can opener with the point up! (Yes, we found shells, too, but. . . )

The next day, we went across the street again and found even more hermit crabs.  All but one were returned to the canal before leaving.  Although all were offered to cousins, only one was taken home.

Fry Family Reunion Part I

We love going to Phoenix X where we have stayed about 6 times over the past 8-10 years.  We have never stayed in the same unit twice which makes life interesting.  While this condo had an abundance of sharp knives (at least 20) and remotes that we had no ideas what they went to all lined up in the master bed room, it was lacking containers for left-overs.

I could use each of the compartments of the Snowman Servette or store food in bags. . . .We were solo in the 3-bedroom condo until the Lewis' family came around midnight.  The next morning Roman, Rebecca and I went walking on the beach and around the condo---Tom and Donna came that afternoon.