After our week in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area we headed to the Panhandle. Jason's grandmother, aunt and uncle, and many of our friends live there. We stayed in Jason's Mama's house the whole week and saw friends there and drove into Amarillo to see others. We caught up with several college friends and their families and some of my high school friends. We went one night to Wonderland (the local amusement park) and encountered a typical panhandle creature!

At the water play area in Borger with a college roomate of mine and her in-laws who came to take care of the kids a couple years ago for a retreat here in Dresden!

Here is a pic with the aforementioned creature. I (Cheryl) found him at the local shopping area and brought him home for the family to see. Logan was the only kid who would hold him.

Popsicles, a great summer treat!

Meeting with my friend Stephanie from high school and her mom, who was like a mom to me for a few years in high school and college. Good friends and a good time at Chilis!

Stephanie and her girls, Cora (12) and Sydney (10)

After a week in Houston with my family, we traveled up to Snyder to talk at FBC and then off to the metroplex to spend a week or so with the Dietz clan. We spent two days at a cabin in east Texas with the entire Mike Dietz family and let the cousins play, get to know each other and waterslide. We then went and spent a few days with Jason's sister Emily and her family. One day we went down to Nacogdoches to visit Jason's grandparents.

Eating, which we did a lot of! Luke and Emily Panter, Jeff Dietz

All of the cousins. Trying to get a good picture of everyone was very difficult. 5 of these cuties were new to us (had been born in the 4 years we were away).

The Mike Dietz Family, Mike, Jeff, Jason, Emily, Jonathan, Janis, and Joel

Papa Bill Kimsey and family

Mema Kimsey and family

Our newest niece, Loralei Dietz. Isn't she precious? She was just a month old when we got to see and hold her. It was wonderful!

After two weeks in NM and a shortened trip to Virginia for work, we headed to Houston for a week to attend my grandfather's funeral. He died before I had a chance to see him, so it was a very difficult thing to be there knowing that if I had made different plans I would have been able to say "goodbye". I hadn't seen him in over four years and my grandmother told me he had "held on" to see me. So, after the funeral, we decided to change our plans and stay in Houston for a week to spend time with my family and help with funeral things. During the week we went to NASA, visited with my brother and his family, my other grandmother and just relaxed.

My grandmother and I after the funeral.

NASA

Visiting my other grandmother (Hawkins)

Cousin Joshua

Cousin Morgan and Jenna

Well, we are now back home in Germany! After 2 months in Texas and New Mexico, 12 days spent driving at least 4 hours, one funeral, meeting 5 new nieces and nephews, eating out too much and sweating a lot, we are glad to be home and settled into a routine. Here are a few pics of the highlights from our first two weeks in New Mexico...

the Rockies

Soda Springs

Santa Fe

Albuquerque Aquarium

Indian Cave Dwellings

Albuquerque Zoo

Museum of Natural History