The Great Texas Update

Once again it has taken me a while to update the blog, but here are our Texas Pictures.

We had so much fun visiting the Petty's. We really missed seeing Lorna, as she left the day we arrived to go on a fun Mediterranean Cruise with her sisters. But the house was by no means empty! In addition to Joe, Ashley, Beth, Cameron, Brynn and Carissa we added Duane, Anne, Jordan, Jo (Duane's sister) and Riley (our neice). Wow was the house a busy place! I bet Joe wished he had gone out of town for our visit, but he was a trooper and never let it show.

The weather was great, cooler than in years past since we were a little earlier this year. It was in the mid-upper 80's with a lot of humidity. The best part about it was that we could sit outside and just relax. We were able to see the Petty's property (or their "land" as the Texan's call it) where they are going to build their house. I knew that 10 acres sounded big, but had NO IDEA how big it really is! What an undertaking, especially since Ashley is clearing the land himself. No wonder the tractor and bulldozer were necessary purchases.

We got to eat at Bay Town and Elmo's and visited the Sea Center in Lake Jackson. It was our first time to the Sea Center and it was a lot of fun! My favorite part was the turtles, and seeing Jordan trying to "pet" the crabs in the hands-on tank. **FYI to the Petty's: the salsa from Elmo's made it home safe and sound. Freezing it in water bottles and then ziplocking it did the trick, no spills at all! (Just in case you might ever want to bring some to Utah on your next visit....)**

Riley had a ton of fun chasing lizards around the yard, and caught quite a few. She even caught a frog the day before we had to come home. And this year, out of all of the times I've been there, I was finally able to live my dream and see an armadillo up close and personal. We saw quite a few actually, but I wasn't able to get pictures of them. I still think they are cute, although I probably wouldn't like them digging up my yard.

We were also able to go out on Joe and Lorna's new boat for the first time (the river was too high last year). We went down the river and ate at Dido's, which was awesome! Believe it or not Jordan fell asleep on the boat. I thought he would be scared or excited, but no...just slept pretty much the whole time. Too bad I don't have a boat at home!

I really miss the Petty's and it was so good to spend a whole week with them. The kids all seem to have grown so much in just a few months. Cam's hair is long now, and he is getting so good at diving! Brynn and Carissa are both little fish now too, and I even got to see them swim in the deep end. Jordan had so much fun playing with them. Carissa colored us each a picture to bring home with us, because she "didn't know when she'd see us again". (man she can really tug at your heart!). I have them on my fridge and look at them every day. We really love you guys. Thanks for having us and putting up with the noise! We hope to see you soon!

China Pictures

Well for everyone waiting to see China Pictures, I have finally downloaded them for you. No Captions yet, as Duane will have to help me identify most everything, but those will be updated soon.

Introducing Duane Koford, Alumni of Weber State University!!!

I know that everyone has been waiting for pictures from China, or just any updates at all. Sorry it's been so long since I updated the blog, but we have been so busy since getting back! Our focus was on just staying sane, and getting at least some sleep, while Duane worked night and day on his senior projects and finals. I am happy to say, the last 3 years of hard work finally paid off last Friday! Duane is a graduate!!!

It was an awesome day! Jordan did really great considering we were up at Weber by 7:00 am, and by the time both the main campus graduation, and Duane's individual college graduation were done, it was 12:30. He was a little cranky from being held that long, but he was a trooper! Afterward we went to lunch at Lonestar to celebrate. Then, it was home for a short nap before a graduation party at Jeff's house. (Thanks Jeff, it was awesome! You are the host with the most!)

Things are a little unsettled now, as we try to figure out what our normal life with no homework is going to be like. It is so great to have Duane home at night, and be able to play with Jordan without the stress of studying on his mind. Duane has already been busy helping around the house (I think mostly because he doesn't know what to do ;-) He has already done yardwork, fixed the sprinklers, and even cleaned a bathroom! It is really great. It definitely takes two to keep everything running at home, since one of us is always following Jordan around. The extra set of hands is really awesome.

Now that things have eased up a bit, I will be posting China pics and info, as well as other pictures. We will also have lots coming up during our Texas visit to the Petty's. Stay tuned for tales from the first post-graduation Koford Family Summer!!!!