Cross

This was in this weeks bulletin at church:

'Piety Shop-carvings on sale. Some olive wood artefacts-crucifixes, rosaries, and crosses are now available for purchase in the Piety Shop. These have been made by the Bethlehem Olive Wood Carvers who are experiencing many difficulties-80% unemployment, political turmoil and violence. (One of the carvers was recently beaten up in his own home in front of his family by the local police force. The reason was that they demanded money and he had none to give). Your support is making a difference. In a community of more than 300, selling carvings means food, heat, medical care and a roof over their families heads. This is a real achievement'

The picture here is of one that I bought. I put it next to a teaspoon so you could see it's size. It's thick, and I think unique. If anyone wants one, I'll bring them over in October and get it to you. It cost £3.50 or about $6.50 USD. If anyone is looking for a gift for someone, communion coming up, or you'd like one for any reason, let me know and send over your donations.

Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards

Hayle and Antonia had so much fun (and ME)!! The 1st picture was taken after the show, you can see the slime and confetti all over the stage. All the kids had the foam fingers. Everyone had seats, but all around the stage, anyone could stand there. So Hayle and Antonia were up agains the stage but not together. You may see them on the show, it airs here on the 20th. Hayle stood against the runway that the stars ran up to the stageon, so she touched every single person! I could see her, even if she wasn't sure who they were, she put her hand on their arm, so funny. The 2nd picture was taken at the 'After Show Party' we got to go to. They are sitting on the ICarly couch, and last one, they did Sponge Bob karaoke. They pretty much screamed the sponge bob song. They got pictures and autographs of alot of people, but most of them I don't think you'd know.

Jonas Brothers Premier

Here's Hayle from Wednesday at the Jonas Brothers Premier! She was SO excited to ride in the limo! There were 6 girls in with her and they had drinks and everything. The other mom's and I ran over to the premier and got there b4 them. So 2nd pic is Hayle arriving and walking up the 'purple' carpet. Then, the 'boys' came over by us and I got their autographs for Hayle. I'm sure I looked like an idiot, a 45 y.o. woman asking for an autograph! Good Grief! But it was for Hayle, so. But they were so cute and really nice to all the girls out there. They stood out there over an hour talking to all the press and the kids. Hayle had a great time!! I'll give it a couple days and then post about the kids choice awards!!

Jada & Gerry's Engagement Party

We had a great time at the engagement party. Jada's family & friends were incredibly warm and welcoming and the food was awesome. They know how to throw a party and have a good time. Gerry is very lucky to be marring into such a great family. There is no doubt that everyone will have a fantastic time at the wedding. I just can't wait.

MY Summer

This was in this weekends paper, take a second to see what we've been dealing with and why I'm so grumpy!

It was supposed to be the stay-at-home year, when millions of Britons chose not to fly abroad but to bask in the British sunshine – but of course it didn’t turn out like that.
For those left in any doubt about this summer’s weather, the release of official figures yesterday proved that it has been one of the wettest and dullest on record.
Met Office statistics show rainfall this summer is already up to 50 per cent higher than normal and August is on course to have the fewest hours of sunshine since records began.
The average rainfall across the UK from June 1 to August 26 is 317.7mm, 40 per cent more than normal, with five days of readings still to be considered. (If we get 40mm more in the next 5 days, it will be the most on record since 1914-already 2 0f those 5 were constant rainy days!)
This month is also expected to be one of the dullest since sunshine records began in 1929. The national average of 96.3 sunshine hours up to August 26 is already 40 per cent below the month’s average. The previous dullest August was in 1942, with 111.4 hours.

History of Labor Day

How much do you know about the history of Labor Day? Here is a little history lesson on Labor Day as we all enjoy this holiday with family and loved ones.

You might need to click on the article to enlarge it for reading.

Hayle's We Rock Video

ok, here's the video she won with. we now know she is one of 17 winners!! Wow!

Hayle WON!!!

OMG! Hayle and her friend entered the Disney 'U Rock' competition and WON!!!! I cannot believe it! She gets to go to the Jonas Brothers Camp Rock movie premiere in London, in a limo, watch them perform, and MAYBE meet them! Here is Hayle finding out she won!

Mexican Fiesta

It's a Mexican Fiesta Celebration. I know there is a lot of traveling in everyone's future, so let me know if you will be able to make it.

Leeman's Genius film work

I don't mean to overwhelm the blog with costa rican stuff......but leeman's film work is impressive

Lake Garda

This is Hayle and I standing in Juliets balcony. There truly is the Montegues and Capulets from Verona, and this was her balcony! Cool! Then we went on a wine tour. OMG! delicious wine, olive oil and snacks! of course we bought too much crap to take home with us, our luggage will be way overweight. And then there is Hayle in the vineyard. It is amazing here! Tomorrow we will hang by the lake. (ok, boys, stop reading now) That is, if I can find tampons, because of course, I got my period a week early and I am not prepared. I know, TMI, but I'm really annoyed right now.

Banana Pancakes

pura vida con leche

Yes...Yes...Yes...

Just another wedding to plan for the Braun family! It doesn't get more exciting than this!!!!!!!!!

Costa Rica

We did the zip lines through the Costa Rican forest. We LOVED it and had so much FUN! Some of the lines were really high...like flying with wonderful views of the forest below. We also did the TARZAN swing which was amazing! A few in the group were scared though. We were pushed off a platform to swing out over the forest. The initial jump was scary but then the swinging was so much fun. That was everybody's favorite. We are off to another adventure tomorrow...adios!

Foam Party!

OMG!! We went into the Bay tonight for what we thought was a little 'Wow!' Festival. It was music and guys on stiltsm acrobatics and stuff. We kind of walked around, then chose a spot by the fence to watch the show. they did fireworks and we thought it was over. THEN, they picked up this bag looking thing, and FOAM came FLYING out at us!! And it did NOT stop! Literally, it was up to our waists!! we were soaking wet, at some points we were wiping the foam from hayle's face so she could breath!! OMG, it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

Go Away

New Date - Friday, August 8th

Fun at the Park

Yesterday we had fun with friends at the park. #Hayle hopped on this contraption. then Pete went over and spun it around for her. then 3 other kids came over and got on. after that our friend helped pete spin it. of course they got going too fast, and you see what happened to pete!! OH, I am still laughing!! In the 3rd picture, it looks like our friend is trying to get away saying 'I didn't make him fall'. and I just showed this to hayle, she laughs and says, can't you make the picture bigger?........so funny!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTY!

Message in a Bottle

ANOTHER BRAUN ENGAGEMENT

Gerry and Jada took a walk Tuesday, July 1st on Panama City Beach as the sun began to set. As they walked down the beach they heard some music coming from one of the night clubs and began to dance on the beach. As they strolled back they noticed a bottle sitting in the sand. Jada opened it to read the love letter as fireworks went off Gerry bent down to his knee and asked Jada to marry him (with cheers coming from up the beach). They went back up the beach to where all of Jada's family and friends were, they formed a tunnel for them to walk through as they all hummed hear comes the bride.

CONGRATULATIONS GERRY & JADA