NOV 2008

Well, A lot has happened in the short time since our last post.

First was Halloween. This is Helen's second most favorite holiday. We bought her an outfit this year rather than having Bonnie sew one. This year Helen was Princes Padme from the Star Wars movies. Here is the princess with a " 'tude" before we went out (it is an act for the picture).


Of course, the goal at Halloween is maximum candy haul. Evidently, this was achieved. It has still not been completely consumed, as we only dole out two pieces a day until it starts to go bad (which happens on the day that Dad can't find any other junk food in the house).


The next thing that happened is that David volunteered to go to Afghanistan. To David's surprise, it did not take much to convince Bonnie. But, it was not to be, the mission was canceled. Fortunately we found out before David ordered another couple of thousand of dollars worth of field gear (there isn't much use for velcro grenade pouches and gortex underwear unless you actually go to the field).

Then some sad news. Bonnie's father passed away. So we went to Dallas for the funeral and to see Bonnie's family. We love going to Dallas, especially since Bonnie's brother and sister in law allow us to stay at their immaculate mansion. I don't have any photos to post of the place because I cannot fit it into the picture frame of the camera.

Here is a nice photo of Bonnie as we went out with her family in Dallas.


It was really great to see all of Bonnie's family, it is so unfortunate that it took such a sad event.

Many of her Dad's relatives came for the funeral, and we learned some new information about her Dad from Bonnie's uncle. This is a picture of Bonnie with her Uncle Gene and his family.


Seems that Bonnie's Dad at one time had an appointment to West Point, but quit the Prep School to go to Airborne and Ranger school during the Korean War. David has now seen the certificates, and all of this is indeed true. Her father never talked about this, nor of his Korean War experiences.

We took lots of family pictures while we were together. Here is the Guinn Clan, centered around Bonnie's mom, Marlene.


In the picture are Brian, Jen, and little Raegan Guinn (Bonnie's brother's family), Eric McGuire and his parents Bud and Barbara (Bonnie's cousin, aunt, and uncle), Barbara (Bonnie's sister), Brent (Bonnie's brother, behind Marlene) and then the two of us. Helen is in front of Eric, mugging for the camera.

After the funeral, Marlene took us all out to Dinner. There we got a nice picture of two Helen's (the other Helen is Bonnie's Aunt).


Here is another picture of the extended Guinn family once we got back to Brian and Jen's.


And here is a good one of Bonnie, her mother, and siblings



And, finally, one of the three of us.


More coming soon for Christmas!