Joshua's Sixteenth Birthday!

Joshua celebrated his birthday in style in beautiful Guntersville, Alabama.

He was born in the Chinese Year of the Mouse, explaining the mice on his cake.

He will get more gifts when he returns to Virginia but he did manage t get a few

nice things including a new wallet, candy, and a sweet underwater video camera.

He also seems to have grown a large mustache; he has been gone a while...

Meanwhile, in Guntersville

After spending their days on the water (and up in the air), Zarina and Sholpan

challenged their minds indoors by working on their zillion piece puzzle.

Living the dream in Guntersville, Alabama

Fresh Water Thompsons

Zarina, fishing for something...

Sholpan the bass master

The big one got away

Hauling in the fish

Zarina and Sholpan have fun on the Sea Doo

Luke, carving donuts in the lake

Joshua, making a splash

Luke, Zarina, Joshua, and Sholpan flew to Huntsville last Sunday and are spending the rest of the summer at my parents' lake house in Guntersville, Alabama. They are having a great time riding Sea Doos, swimming, fishing, and eating. Joshua is liking the spicy Chinese rice and was like a kid in a candy store when he caught some fish (something ha had apparently never done). Meanwhile, back in Virginia, Matthew is working at a kayak camp and seeing some beautiful sights. He took these photos at sunset, not sure where but probably Back Creek, a tributary of the York River. 

Chesapeake Experience, Yorktown, Virginia

Guntersville, Alabama

Toots and Paw Paw: 50 Years!

This scene brings back memories of ski boats and laughter.

Toots (aka Mom)

Paw Paw (aka Dad)

Thompson House, Guntersville, Alabama

Walking Cape, the youngest of their three Scotties

Cape is a Goose herder. These belong in the lake.

The damage from all the tornadoes is still quite evident.

I guess Mother Nature will do the clean-up.

My nephew Kevin Thompson, with Kayla

Oh, and there was a wedding...

The sanctuary at nearby Henryville UMC

The Bride

The Groom

Each gave a speech: funny and sweet

My brother, Scott, dentist, Fort Payne Alabama

My niece, Rachael Thompson, sang at the wedding

with her friend Mark. Very nice.

Kiva Jump, in from sunny Glendale, California

Spencer Turner

The Reception

The Cake: Dubya and Joy on Top

Cape Circling Beneath

Keith, with Nan Nan (Toots' mom) and long time friend

Emma Evans

Together Again

Andy Lemons, John Beard, and Keith

A great time was had by all. Somehow I escaped without photos of Dale Windle or Elana and Xan Ingram. Hopefully someone else will e-mail me some of their pictures from the reception.