Family Reunion - Finally

The Thompsons are not known for their family reunions. We rarely all get together. We don't live near one another. We email now and then. My niece and nephews keep up a little bit on Facebook. But that's about it. We're just not close - and for the most part I think we're ok with that. It's the Thompson way.

We tried to have a reunion two years ago for Dad's 90th birthday. But Hurricane Ike completely messed that up and we never rescheduled it. While I was down during Spring Break, Betty (my sis-in-law) came up with the idea that we could have a 4th of July party out at the Bayou. And...it actually worked out! Except for Hurricane Alex which threatened, but ended up making landfall south of Brownsville. Bryan isn't sure if it's my fault or Sharon's fault that hurricanes seem to make themselves known when we're both going to be there. Or maybe it's Richard's. LOL

Anyway, following are just a few pictures from our 4th of July Family Reunion. It was a fun time and good to be together. Only two nephews were missing. That's pretty good for our family.

Kristy and Ryan

My nephew Matt, his wife Lori, their baby Calista (the newest member of the family), Rylee and my sister-in-law Betty

Rylee (Kristy's daughter) enjoying the battleaxe.

L-R: Richard, Chris, my brother Bryan, my brother-in-law Kichoon, my daddy Ralph

L-R: Bryan, Kichoon, Dad, my sister Sharon

Rylee and James - They share a name

This is what happens when you try to take a picture and someone who just can't stand to not be a part of something. Can you guess who this is?

There's a Lesson or Two Here Somewhere

We were on our way home from Texas City last week. We left really late that afternoon, so somewhere in the Conroe area, we decided to pull off for some dinner. There was a sign that said there was a Chili's off a certain exit and off we went. Then another sign said that Chili's was to the right. So we turned right. Crossed a railroad track and curved right again. That's when we saw this sign.

Seriously? Better not get lost down this road. You'll never get home again. Once we had u-turned anyway (we've never been much for following traffic laws, doncha know), Richard insisted on getting out of the car and taking a picture. At first I thought it was silly, but the more I've looked at this picture, I'm really glad he took it.

There are so many lessons here. The silliness of government at times - or at least bureaucracy. And I'm absolutely sure there are some gospel lessons in this picture. I haven't really sat and pondered them, but I know they're there. Is there really a point of no return? Where is that point? Or maybe Satan just wants you to think there's a point of no return - hence the sign. But you don't have to do what the sign says. You can u-turn anyway. Hmmm...this is going somewhere. I'm going to have to think on this some more. (Why do I have a feeling a talk or lesson is coming up in my future?)