My handsome son-in-law and two of his "favorite" sisters-in-law

I'm not sure what's with all the shades and posing, but you never know with my creative kids!!!

My baby and her baby!

Dafne

Best buds!

My little buddy and his cousin, Owen Schaper

Bruce and Mandie's engagement picture

My Honey is Home!!!!

Manuel and Noel went to Midland, TX last week to visit Manuel's mom and then went on down to Mexico for their "annual" father/son trip. I'm sure they didn't share all the details with Mom, but it does sound like they had a very good trip and had a lot of fun: sleeping under the stars most nights, swimming in the irrigation canal, horseback riding, herding cattle, and just hanging out with family and loved ones in Mexico. I'm sure, from what I heard, that Manuel was also taking every advantage to share the gospel with whomever was interested. They came back refreshed, encouraged, and invigorated! It is so great to have them home. I think Noel grew an inch while he was gone, although Dafne declares that if he would just take off his boots he would be shorter than she is. I'm not sure how that discussion turned out . . . We are starting the process of wedding plans! It really is so much fun! I love seeing Mandie's eyes light up when she has a great idea to make her wedding special and she does have a lot of great ideas! And I love seeing the light in Bruce's eyes when he looks at her. I'm telling you, there is nothing better for a mother than to see the man her daughter plans to marry serving God and loving her daughter! We are so blessed! Our "baby" will be home tomorrow evening from visiting his other Grandpa and Grandma in Idaho. We are so glad that he and his mommy and daddy will be staying a few days with us. Well, I guess we will see some of you at Independence Camp. I am praying for a refilling spiritually and to see many people encouraged, saved and sanctified during this camp. We need revival! Hasta luego!

Happy Birthday to my sister, Becky!

I am so blessed to have two wonderful sisters that love me unconditionally! (I didn't say they always like me!!!!!!) We've been without our parents for almost 16 years (Daddy) and just over 7 years (Mother) and that has drawn us closer together. You know, you have to have roots to feel anchored. At least I do. Today is Becky's birthday and I wish her the best birthday possible. She is always there for me when I need to vent, cry, laugh, share, or just whatever and she and Bev are two of my very best friends. So, Happy Birthday, Becky! I love you!

Sons-in-Law!!!!!

Okay, for those who read the comments under these pictures, you'll find an interesting back and forth between Bianca and Mandie regarding their "honeys". What's a mother-in-law to do????? And to think I will have another one when Dafne finally grows up! And then the daughter-in-law! I guess I could tie Binky and Mandie's braids together like my daddy used to do my sisters until they agree and smile! Actually I'm sure they are both smiling (Bianca's still in Idaho and Mandie is in Oklahoma) because they both think their man is the best! (Good thing, huh?) Ho-hum! Another day--another issue settled! (I hope!)

More from Dafne's Quince!

Crystal (Schenck) Schaper took Dafne's pictures and did a wonderful job! Thanks again, Crystal!

Dafne's Quinceanera

Here are a few pictures from Dafne's party.

Another one of our daughters is "flying the coop"!

Bruce and Mandie. . . . Mandie and Bruce! Seems like those names just go together and I guess they will from now on because Bruce proposed to Mandie Saturday and she said. . . . . you guessed it! She said, "YES!" So, are we losing a daughter or gaining a son? We choose to gain a son! Mandie's family loves Bruce and he gets along very well with her dad (which is very important!!!) since they both dabble in lawn work! (Of course he gets along very well with me, too, also important!) Early on in their dating he started wearing a T-shirt that said something like, "Your mom would love me!" That turned out to be true! Guess Scott won't be my favorite son-in-law any more, but I still love him the same! He's great, too! I tried to explain to Bianca the other day how your love grows with each additional family member who comes along and that goes for sons-in-law, too. God has blessed us with men who love our daughters and that and serving God is all parents could ask for, really. So, be glad for them and look for an invitation in a few ??? months! Their date is still undecided!

Our Grandson!

Isn't he a doll? He is such a smiley baby and so happy! We've enjoyed having him and his mommy and daddy with us for about two weeks and now they are on their way to Idaho to Scott's brother's wedding, so Baby Wyatt will get to meet lots of other family! We are so very blessed to have a healthy, happy baby!

Update!

Here are the thirteen "babies" in our family! Aren't they adorable? I won't even try to tell you who is who ( I do know!), but just know that they are all of Mother and Daddy's great-grand children.

Other events that happened the 5th and 6th were Dafne's quinceanera and Wyatt's baby dedication. I don't have pictures from that yet, so keep checking back! :-)

Hazelwood Family-in-laws and out-laws included!!

Here we all are, except for my brother-in-law, Wayne, who was with his dad.

Family Reunion on the Fourth of July!

We had pretty much the typical Fourth of July in Ochelata, even though we were also having the reunion, but it was fun! Ball games all day with towns people and a scrumptuous cook out at Becky's. Becky and Jerry have nine of the little great grands and so Jerry fixed a float for them to ride on in the parade. Zach, Chad's son, also rode on the float. They had so much fun! Noel and a team mate were King and Queen of the Trojan team of Little League 12 and under! He looked cute, too!

We all had fun! Chad wasn't too old or sophisticated to ride on one of the kiddy rides even if he is a doctor!

2008 Hazelwood Family Reunion

This year our immediate family reunion took place on July 3-6 in Ochelata. We combined various family events, which made for an interesting and lively reunion, but so much fun and with so much family bonding going on. Here are some of the pictures. Mother and Daddy would have been surprised to see all the little "Hazelwoods" who generated from the original family of three little girls!

On the 3rd we went to the Independence Riverside Park and kind of had a stroll down history lane! It was fun taking all the "13" great-grandchildren of Mother and Daddy's to play where we three girls used to play!

What a week!

We had quite a week last week, actually about two weeks! We went with our kids to Branson to our timeshare for four nights for some R & R and had such a good time! We went to Noah's The Musical, which by the way is well worth the money! Other than that we didn't go to any other of the shows, just kind of hung out at the condo and did some shopping. (Sorry some of these pictures are on their sides. I couldn't figure out how to rotate them.)