The day started with my usual 6'ish roll out and after my routines we did a few housekeeping measures as we knew it would be late getting back home later in the evening and we were expecting a house full of family and friends. I vacuumed again and Nancy made ready all that goes into getting ready for company. We headed out around 10:30 for the east side of Tampa using the crosstown toll road for as much as possible. The roads were just full both of vehicles at that time of the day and then again when we headed back later around 6:30. We were meeting at the grandparents of Katie and all of the family on her moms side. The day featured the engagement of Katie and Bobby with her family and us present as well as Annsley and Gabe. The moment was solemn and joyous as well as we now have a whole new family to love. We are so happy for the both of them and she is an extra ordinary person to help raise two step children and from what we have seen they both adore Katie. We are so pleased Bobby will have a helpmate who loves and honors him and his kiddos. Her family seems to be very enthralled with her decision as well as she accepted his proposal with an April wedding planned.
The Miller House is on a very desirable piece of land nestled among old Oaks. The house is very large and decorated to the nines and while they are up in years they seem to be very interested in our family history. We met Don Korte who is the paternal grand father and who presented the engagement ring that was his wife's(who is deceased) ring for Katie. She and Katie were very close before her passing. All of Katie's parents, brother and sisters were present as well as their kiddos and uncles and aunts. This is a very close knit family and we were made to feel very much a part of the family. We were honored throughout the get together to be an integral part of these who are now our family as well. Our friends Patrick and Katherine are also very close with Katie's parents as they were neighbors for years in the Brandon Area; such a small world and we truly feel blessed to have such greats friends and now a new family that will be so supportive for Bobby and our grand kiddos.
Well we attended the candle light service at FB Riverview and the shortly thereafter headed out for Seminole. It was after 7 before we got back and then got ready for the Ross Family and our three grand kiddos who were wired waiting for today. We had tons of soup, sandwiches, dips, salsa and chips and then the Tracy's showed up a couple hours later with more dips. They were at their daughters boyfriend house with his parents so there maybe some love in the air between those two as well. Well It was going on 10'ish when everyone started saying their good-byes and then we put the house in order for today's get together as well that starts with a huge breakfast at 10'ish. Bobby, Katie and the kiddos will come from Brandon, the Botbyl's and Tracy's withh attend along with the Roos Family and GG. We will once again have a house full with some fine eatin' as well.
The weather here is as if you were in the Caribbean with temps in the 80's and the humidity that high as well. We are sorrowful for those in the nation who had some extreme weather in the South that caused loss of life and damaged their Christmas spirits. We are happy to hear our brother in law Keith is rehabbing from his open heart surgery. We wish all the best to those who are on the front lines wearing both military and police uniforms who help keep us safe from the radical terrorist that are ever present. May GOD continue to bless our nation and those who honor and revere Him, LATER
Here are a few pics from yesterday's occasions.
