Family visit

We enjoyed a quick visit from Kerry, Candace, and Susanna.  They came up for Downing Appreciation Days but we were able to have a family dinner together one evening.  We celebrated Kerry's birthday (that was the end of August) and had a great time together.

Kerry reading a birthday card

Hannah, Kerry, Candace 

Daddy showed off his new pen and pencil set, a special gift from John O'B.  John's wife, Andrea, made the quilt for Brianna and on the day she delivered the quilt, John came with her to present this set to Daddy.  John is a Chemistry professor at Truman (who Daddy hired many years ago) and he is also an expert woodworker/craftsman.  He makes beautiful creations, and he made this pen and pencil set.  But that isn't the end of the story.  The wood he used to make this set came from a bench that was removed from Magruder Hall. He was able to salvage the wood and uses it to make items for people with a connection to that place.  Certainly, that applies to Daddy.  Then John went even further to customize this set for Daddy.  You can see there is a darker piece of wood that almost looks purple.  That is to represent Truman (school colors are purple and white).  But then you will see the blue and white circle.  That is to represent ATSU (school colors are blue and white).  Wow.  What a wonderfully thoughtful and lovely gift.  Daddy was touched, and so are we.

Daddy telling us all about the special pen and pencil set. 

beautiful!

I took this photo the day John presented them to Daddy.  

Brianna was snuggling under her new quilt.  :)

Hannah, Brianna, Jackson, Marvin, Jonathan