Daddy's back home!!

Look who I picked up at the airport in the wee hours of the morn! We are so excited he had such a blessed trip, but we are even more excited that our man is back with us!

SLEEPFEST

I look forward to our annual Sleepfest with friends each year.  It helps to know we have time to enjoy each other without the stresses of work and families.  This year was an added bonus that Echo was able to visit from Idaho.  We laughed until we cried, played games, had a white elephant gift exchange and caught up on each other’s journeys this past year.  I just love my girls so much.

Charles leaves for Germany

Today we said goodbye to our favorite person. Charles and I have not been apart for more than 4 days in 15 years. It will be a LONG 9 days without him, but we are proud of him for serving God in Germany.  For a few years now, Charles has been wanting to do a sports mission trip.  So, when David Upchurch emailed and asked if he would be interested, we were.  As is with most things God plans, the dates worked out perfectly for our family.  With nothing on our calendar and a sponsor to assist with funding, we quickly responded to God’s request.  Thus, Charles left today for a 9 day trip to Germany to assist with a baseball camp.  We are so excited for what God will do through him and what he will learn personally.  Praying for safe travels and for all the students that are enrolled in the baseball camp there.

McCharen Family Reunion

What a great weekend with family!  There is nothing like relaxing while being surrounded by family and those that love you.  Yesterday we got up and visited a smaller version of Stonehenge with all the LeCour cousins.  After some nature, we ate a Chick-fil-a before heading to the hotel for a swim with cousins and some family games that Gamee had put together.  For dinner that night we all ate at Mamacitas and then had the auction/family song/sharing time.  Of course, thanks to Brenda Johnston, I somehow earned the "family jumpsuit" again off the auction.  At least I know I won't have it next year, Ha!  Just to look around the room and see friendly faces meant the world to us.  One added bonus is that we volunteered to be in charge of the reunion next year…so get ready for the McCharen “Aloha” reunion in 2019.  Sunday morning was spent geocaching along the way home to Nana's and stopping for Peach ice cream at Wildseed Farms in Fredricksburg.  Such great memories this past week!

A day in old town San Antonio...

After sleeping in at the hotel, we made our way to the Riverwalk area in San Antonio where we visited the “Battle of the Alamo” Exhibit and learned a bit of history.  After the museum, we ate lunch on the Riverwalk before heading to the actual Alamo.  It was so interesting to know the history behind the walls and what took place in TX territory during that time period.  The kids seem fascinated by it all, which made us proud.  After the Alamo, we walked across the street to “Guinness Book of World’s Record” where we had fun laughing at some of the funny records that were broke.  Cade was in heaven laughing and reading everything.  Caelin enjoyed the challenges and trying to break records of her own.  When we left, we headed to a chocolate store named Chocollazo.  One of my childhood best friends growing up, Mary Petrone Collazo, opened this business and has such a creative spirit.  I was so excited to see how she was doing her chocolate business.  Her artistic skills are simply amazing and the kids were in Heaven eating candy/chocolates!  After a few hours of catching up, we headed to Kerrville for the McCharen Family Reunion at Inn of the Hills Hotel.