Some Sweet Friends Get Married

This is the story of Janet and Tim.  It is a story that would require lots of time and explanation, but I will focus on the very happy outcome of the long story.  Janet and Tim got married on Halloween.

They had known each other and then dated for about 4 years and are really perfect for each other.  

We were delighted to make the trip back down to the DC temple for this happy day!!

A beautiful morning

She accidentally left her wedding dress home, but looked so happy anyway.  

The happy couple

And there's the kiss!!

And another......Best of luck, Tim and Janet!!

Energi Convention - October 2016

Steve is a shareholder in a company called Energi.  They insure companies based primarily in the energy segment.  He has won several awards with the company for safe business practices, etc, but last year was the first time we attended their Risk Management Summit to receive the award.  We got hooked!!  They really know how to take care of their people and show them a wonderful time.  Last year, the conference was in San Antonio.  Great fun.  This year, it was right in our back yard....Washington, DC.  That made it a no-brainer to attend.  

The opening night dinner took place at Mt. Vernon.  No, not at some hotel nearby, but at the actual estate.  We had the whole place to ourselves!!  We even got to go up to the third floor of the mansion where we had never been before.  It was lovely!!

Here is a shot of the back of Mt Vernon that faces the Potomac River.  They served hors d'voeuvres on the back lawn and then we went into a big dining tent for dinner.  So nice!!

A view of the dining tent...

....and straight on from the back of the mansion.

The evening ended with fireworks over the Potomac.  So amazing!!

One afternoon, we took a boat ride from Alexandria up to Georgetown. We saw tons of sights on the way up and back.  Reagan airport, the Washington  Monument,  Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian, and the Kennedy Center, to name a few.

From the boat dock in Alexandria you could see the Gaylord Convention Center, our home for the Energi Summit.

Our keynote speaker for the Summit was former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.  She was so fun to listen to.  

Just a selfie during the conference....

As we headed for home on the last morning, we were able to stop and attend a temple session at the DC Temple.  Such a great way to end our few days away in Washington!!

Welcome Baby Dawson!!!

I was thankful that I had plans to head to Chicago a week after Nathan left.  Stephanie was expecting to deliver her new baby on October 3rd so I scheduled September 30th to fly out.  I had been to their home yet, so it was fun to have a few days to get acclimatized to the house and with Karsten.  We had a lot of fun getting reacquainted  before the new baby came.

Here's Karsten with his Simba

And with Uncle Geoffrey added to the mix.  These two are pretty good friends!!  Geoff had just moved to Chicago to start his new assignment with Exxon Mobile.  In fact, he flew in the same day as I did in the morning, and picked me up in the evening.  He had arranged to stay in one bedroom of an apartment for a month while he looked for a home to buy.  

The only glitch in my trip to Chicago was that they lost my luggage on the way there.  It took them 2 1/2 days to locate it and get it to me.  Not very convenient, but we managed.  

Steph and Marc scheduled her induction for the morning of October 3rd.  While  they were in the hospital, Karsten and I went with Geoff to look for a home.  There was a little communication problem with regard to how long we were going to look at condos, so Karsten and grandma ended up taking an Uber home.  But, it all turned out well.  

Karsten waiting on his front steps for the real estate agent to pick us up

There were some delays at the hospital when they went in that morning but finally, that evening, we got the word that little Dawson had arrived.  Geoff was so nice to stay at Steph's apartment for a few hours so that I could go up to the hospital.  And this was the sweet little man that greeted me...

Dawson Tucker Oxborrow just chilling with Daddy

Such a sweetheart!!  

I got to watch them clean him and take all his vitals  Pretty cool!!

Opening his eyes just a little for Grandma....Hi Dawson!!

Karsten and I got to explore the park near their home.  We had tons of fun on the swings, the slide, and just generally watching people's dogs, etc.

And here are Grandma Jill and Baby Dawson

Stephanie and Dawson at their home

A proud big brother 

Sleeping so peacefully

Karsten in his new Thomas the Tank Engine pajamas

Dawson, Stephanie, and Karsten

At the doctor's office

Karsten helping Daddy to mow the grass wearing his new Exxon Mobile hat that uncle Geoff gave him.  What a dude!!

One of the pictures from our photo shoot that we attempted one day

Steph, Dawson, and Karsten

Dawson stretched out in his crib

Trying out feeding him a bottle.  What a good big brother

Good job, Karsten!!

Awww, such sweet little loves.  Nothing like a new baby to put things into perspective.

So grateful I was able to go out and be with them during this special time.

Saying Farewell to Elder Foulk

Well, we knew the day would come...and it did.  Time to bid farewell to our Elder Foulk!!

Looking all missionaryish

The pre-pack photo.  We were amazed that he easily fit all his things in the suitcases.  He even bought his big boots here and fit them in.  Good job, Elder Foulk!!

Some little treats that Em and the kids made for Nate.  So cute!!

Lots of people were here to listen to his farewell talk.  Here he is with Parker and Tamra Casper.

And the family shot.  It was so nice to have Janelle and family come from Boston.

Nate with the Robertsons

...and with Emily and her two kids.

Nate with his proud Grandma Foulk

The sibling shot

With Mom and Dad....sure love this boy!!

And....the attempted grandchildren photo....pretty hilarious!!

Nate with future missionaries, Alan and Jimmie

And with Evan.  These guys fight like cats and dogs, but they are sure going to miss each other!

Jimmie enjoying Sunday dinner

Nate and Lorelei with Grandma in the background

Tracey's family came down for dinner and to say goodbye

Lorelei is going to miss this uncle of hers

A little St Basils for a farewell photo

At the airport....Nathan, Steve, and a not so sure about this, Evan

The brothers and chess enthusiasts 

And another for good measure

Saying goodbye for two years.....never an easy thing to do

Waiting in the security line

Just about out of sight

And there he goes

Nate was lucky enough to be able to meet up with Megan....

...and Grandma and Grandpa Tucker at the Salt Lake airport.  They picked up his best friend, Chloe, and then took them to get some lunch and then off to the MTC.  

Nate and Chloe saying goodbye

We will miss you, Elder Foulk, but are so excited to hear of your amazing experiences in Russia!!