Nichols Family Reunion - Day 1

So far we've been swimming in the pool, kayaking and wading in the bay
and playing volleyball in the yard. We've eaten like kings.

For the 1st cousins
Uncle Tommy and Aunt Nancy are hosting. Dad and Eileen are here.
Uncle Nicky joined us last night. Aunt Wanda will be over in the
morning.

For the second cousins
Sid and I arrived first and spent the day hanging with Ronni. Keith is
working but will join us eith tonight or tomorrow. Leslie and Frankie
made it. At the last minute Cliff and Jenny were able to join Cheri
and John. Paul and Susie will be over in the morning.

For the third cousins
More or less in order of age we have: Luke 14, Sheela 12, Shay 10,
Joey 10, Katie 9, Lindsay 9, Sunil 9, Tommy 7, Lana 7 with more to
arrive today. The kids hit it off instantly.

Today the plan is more of the same with a winery tour and a World Cup
soccer game on the TV to change it up.

Cat nap

First photo with new glasses

I swear they are different.

Last photo with old glasses

Gypsy takes a swim

Zoo day

TAKS 2010

Sunil's first TAKS scores came home today. 3rd graders test in Math
and Reading. He scored 100% in both putting him in the 99th percentile
for his age.

Allen Philharmonic Orchestra

Mom, John, Sid and I ventured out last night to the outdoor amphitheater near the rec center for a Memorial Day concert.  They do live music most Monday nights thru-out the summer but we’ve never gone.  In fact I’ve been up to, and around the rec center dozens of times and I’ve never seen an amphitheater.  But we took our folding chairs a jug of wine and a sense of adventure and set out in search of music.  The amphitheater, as it turns out, is the back porch of the center which faces a nice steep hill.  The music was pleasant, and the evening perfect.  They even threw in some fireworks.  Very enjoyable all the way around.  While walking towards the crowd we came across a very large Memorial right in the middle of the park that I’ve never seen before.  I don’t feel so bad now though because after the concert when we went to check it out we discovered that it had been dedicated just that morning.

Wax job

Putting Grammylyn to work.

Hotel gym

Sheela checks out the treadmill while Sunil swims in the pool.

Free shirt

Bday ball night

Just hanging out

Sid and his trophy

 

Monkey skeleton

Zoo service

Sheela's volunteer stint is over. She received credit for 56 hours of
service; the combined total for all of the JZs and JCs was 7000
hours. She plans to return next Spring.

Customer Service Quarterly Award

Sid had the highest customer service rating of any of the claims
adjusters in the first quarter. The rating is based on client surveys.
He vets to keep the trophy at his desk until the next winner is
announced. He promised me a picture.

Concert

Superior Award 2010

Sandy Lake Orchestra Festival (Funfest). Sheela's orchestra scored a
pretty nice trophy. It's on display at their year end concert tonight.

20 years later

Virginia and Ed have been married 20 years; that means we graduated from college 20 years ago.  To celebrate their anniversary they returned to NOLA for a visit.  This is Virginia standing in front of our Zimple St. apartment.  We lived on the first floor with Jackie and Maria, or with Jackie and Wendy, depending on the year.  It was not much more attractive than this 20 years ago but the location was prime.