Memorial Day

 In celebration of Memorial Day, we went up to the cemetery where one of Darren's grandpas is buried.  We hadn't been there in a long time & it was good to go.

 Fr. S celebrated Mass & it was very nice despite the crazy wind.  I've never seen an acolyte have the main duty of holding the ciborium & chalice so they don't fly away!  My brother Fr. Jon joined us as well & concelebrated.  It was beautiful.

 There were at least 100 people there, which was really impressive.  The crowd grew afterwards as the military service began.

 Lots of flags, veterans, American Legion Band, roll calls of those buried there, patriotic singing, Taps, & even a 21 gun salute followed.  (I had neglected to give Rebecca a heads up on the shooting... oops!... slight freak out.)

 Darren's dad also took us to see the graves of Great Grandma & Grandpa.

After a simple but tasty lunch with other family members at Grandma's, we headed out to the pond for some fun. 

Teresa caught her first fish! It was the first of three little bluegill that she caught that afternoon.

 We enjoyed birds, fish, frogs, & turtles who kept popping up their heads out of the water.

Rebecca: "Ooh.  Shiny but slimy!"

 Everyone caught a few fish (except for poor Rebecca... ZERO) but Andrew was on some sort of crazy roll.  We lost official count, but it was definitely over 20!  Most were just little guys, but this big one was bending his little rod.  Such a thrill!

 After a couple hours of fishing, we hopped in the back of Grandpa's pick-up for a ride through "the forest".  We've had a small cruise through there before on the hayrack, but they went crazy & cleared out a huge path through the whole game reserve on their farm.  It was very pretty with some huge cottonwood trees.  The kids were simply giddy to ride in the back of the pick-up!

 This little archway was already there, but it looks like it was just aching for a path under it.  Such a beautiful, prayerful, & peaceful day!