Work and a New Son

 There is a tradition in our family which every man who wants to be a part of our family needs to be aware of.  If he wishes to join our family by marrying one of our daughters, there is work involved.  Clint painted and split firewood.  On Saturday that tradition continued.

Jeff came for a visit on Thursday and Pat was so busy working that the poor guy didn't have an opportunity to "talk" to Sammi's dad.  Pat put in a lot of hours.  The earliest he got home was 9pm and was up and gone by 5am the next day.  On Saturday morning Jeff finally got the chance to work and talk. 

We have a maple tree on the south side of our house that needed to come down due to the fact that it has been slowly dying over the past couple of years.  The following are pictures of the tree coming down a little at a time.

Pat is cutting up some of the larger limbs and making firewood while Tom was waiting for the next branches to fall. 

 Pat borrowed the "bucket" truck to get up high.  Jeff began on the ground with the pole saw and then headed up to get the higher limbs.

 A closer photo of Jeff up in the air.  Too bad I didn't get a shot of him with the saw in hand.  I believe he was busy maneuvering the bucket to get a better position to cut.

 After all that work and some lunch, we all went to the lake to swim.  Then to my in-laws to visit.  Jeff took Sammi on a gator ride to the pines where he officially proposed.  Upon getting home, the ring was put in place.

 Erin was crazy all weekend waiting for the official announcement of the engagement.  That's who Sammi is on the phone with during this re-enacted moment.

 More pictures after church on Sunday.  As a mother, I'm really happy for them.  They are so well suited for one another.  Our Father in Heaven sure knew what he was doing when he brought them together.  I took more candid shots which capture how happy they are and how much in love they are. 

Obviously not a candid, but looking so happy together.

 
A long 6 hour car trip home for Jeff and lots of hours on the phone during that trip.  They won't see one another until a day or two before the wedding.  It's going to be a long month.  Invites are in the mail today and tomorrow.  August 18th, here we come!