Life’s special moments and times
Brian and Brittney (Johanson) Moreland will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary Nov. 8. Before their wedding, Brittney and her mom Tracy went to the George Bush Library in College Station to take pictures of her in her wedding gown. As they were doing so, an elderly couple in old clothes and wide brimmed hats with fishing poles were walking towards them down to the pond. The couple stopped to chat with them, it was George and Barbara Bush. Brittney asked if they would take a picture with her. Apologizing for their attire, they did so. One of the pictures featured at the wedding reception was this priceless photo with the Bush’s. Such a classy couple no matter what they wore.
This year Brian and Brittney were blessed with the birth of their first child, Raelyn Grace Moreland. Raelyn was born April 18 at 3:41 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Hospital in College Station weighing 5 pounds, 15.6 ounces and measuring 18-1/2 inches long. She was definitely a long-awaited blessing for this sweet couple. Proud grandparents are John and Beverly Moreland, Tracy McCready and Vastine Hughes and the late Tom Johanson.
Friday evening Don set up the waterslide for some of the children of our family and friends to enjoy. We had pizza, watermelon, ice pops and homemade brownies. Children enjoying the slide were our grandchildren Luke and Colton Waitz, Brooklyn Branch and Case Krause, great niece Audrey Bankston and friends Sebastian LaFlash and twins Kayson and Sutton Barcak. All the adults enjoyed relaxing and visiting. Summer fun for sure.
Our neighbor Andrea Merola turned 35 July 15. She moved here recently after living in Spain over 10 years, we started the day out taking her to Cow Talk for breakfast. We were joined by my daughter and her family, Brandi, Dave, Luke and Colton Waitz. On full stomachs we all headed to the annual gun show at the Fairgrounds where she met lots of people and we enjoyed visiting with them all.Andrea and I then headed to College Station to run a few errands and check out the route she would be taking July 17, as she begins a new job at Texas A&M in the Education Abroad department. Later that evening, we celebrated her birthday at the White Hall Icehouse and Café, joined by Don’s sister and her family, Joe and Denise Shead and Holly, Kaytryn and Audrey Bankston.
On Sunday, July 16, Don and I, as well as his sister Denise Shead and her family, traveled to Madisonville for the annual Sowell Family Reunion. As usual the potluck dinner was delicious, and the history lessons were interesting.
Happy Birthday to those celebrating this week: July 20 – Kristi Cleere, Denise Grube; July 21 – Ricky Schroeder, Jared Schroeder; July 22 – Norma Molitor, Tucker Foster, Chandler Katkoski, Nikki Sechelski, Bridget Kelley, Rheaghan Meyer; July 23 – LaNell Szymczak, Sharon Matney, Raley Nienstedt, Morgan Hitchcock, Stephanie Lowry, Cole Hacker, Lucia Core, Dennis Zonneveld, Quinten Schweitz; July 24 – Nikki Zonneveld; July 25 – Darlene Lavender, Elizabeth Nowak, Halle Hargrove, Jacie McCarty, Rhonda Hare, Brandon Core; July 26 – John Williams.
Happy Anniversary to those celebrating this week: July 22 – Donald and Mary Yargo, 45 years; July 23 – Don and Gail Sowell, 35 years; July 23 – Brian and Talitta Coleman, 29 years; July 23 – Jason and Ashley Andruss, 7 years; July 25 – Jim and Pat Moran, 59 years; and July 25 – Herb and Georgia Abraham, 53 years.
If you have special news about what goes on in your family or life, let me know by calling 936-870-6842 or email me at gailmsowell@yahoo. com. I would love to share with others.