With Moore Family in Dallas

With Family in Dallas  

Having finally arrived here in Dallas Texas we now have met our daughter-in-law, Daena, and their dear little 7 month old son, Levi.

He's a dear wee boy with a very ready smile.  I had been concerned that it might have taken a while for him to like us but having been on facebook for over a year this was no trouble for him.  He is roly-poly and enjoys playing by himself on his play mat when all the grown-ups will give him the space.

His other grandparents, Rich and Jill Stanek, Grandma and Grandpa, were down from Chicago for 4 days to celebrate Thanksgiving here since Jill had to tape a TV show in Denton, a town nearby.  So Levi was totally swamped with attention and loved it all.  

Andrew and Daena's home is a well appointed two bedroom brick house that is part of a duplex.  They live in a leafy and pleasant neighbourhood surrounded mainly by lots of condominium complexes.  Their street is near a main road, 40 minutes from the airport and about15-30 minutes from down town Dallas.  Their lounge/living room is larger than ours and both bedrooms are what we would call large doubles.  It has a bathroom and an ensuite as well as a small internal room for a laundry.  The kitchen is well designed and is a little bigger than ours.  Andrew's desk is usually in the bay window facing the street with a great outlook.  There is a large fireplace with  a strong mantlepiece above it.  They keep the house at 22 degrees so it is T-shirt territory even in late fall.

Church on Sunday morning was quite an experience.  The almost new building was a complex much larger than the Christchurch Town Hall!  It is built in Wood and stone and to a high standard.

Seven thousand people attend there in a series of services throughout the day.  They have various out-reach programmes and seem very committed to their community.  The teaching was presented in a modern way by the youth pastor using concrete blocks to build a cross on stage to act as a teaching tool.  The singing was louder than I could have wished for but all in all it was  fine.  After the service we had our family pictures taken.

During their stay Jill and Daena made the Thanksgiving dinner that we enjoyed early, on Sunday evening.  It was delicious, all set out on the big table (actually Andrew's desk), and nicely finished with Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream and our own inimitable Hot Apple Punch.

I have contacted a Dickens group which is also in nearby Denton and we may be able to go up there for their December meeting.  We are looking at other possibilities for side trips while we are here so if anyone has suggestions that would be great.  At present all we have booked is Christmas in Chicago. 

We have a house-sit just now and although we are back and forth it does give the family some space.  

So as you can see we are really having a great time and are most thankful.