cousins

"1...2...3...Aidan wins!"

Vaughn 'Aidan' Van Liew, III, and Jonathan David Dumas are cousins. The first time they met, they laughed together and enjoyed themselves. We got these and other pictures done today at The Picture People at the Arrowhead Towncentre Mall in Glendale, AZ. Aren't they a good looking bunch? They don't look anything alike, but they're cousins.

"We're man enough to hold hands."

van liew family reunion 07

The George Charles Van Liew, Jr, family (my dad's dad's side) got together today at Sunburst Park, located at 47th Ave & Paradise Ln. We got a picture of the whole family on the jungle gym. The whole family included the following: Grandma Irene (Van Liew) Betts; Vaughn & Kathy Van Liew; Adam, Amy, & Aidan Van Liew; Joseph, Bethany, & Jonathan Dumas; Larry, Susan, Cody, Caleb, Audrey, & Ashley (w/boyfriend Tyler) Van Liew; Jim, Marcie, & Ethan Caughey; Chuck & Brenda Van Liew; Nathan & Courtney Steinmann; Susan Irene Van Liew; Howard, Valene, Violet, BJ, & Levi Hays; and Kris, Becky, Justin, Lynnsae, Curtis, Peter, & Joshua Van Liew. 36 Van Liews (+1). The only ones we were missing were Grandma Irene's husband, Howard Betts, and the newly weds of last night: Charles & Allison Van Liew.

After we took pictures, we went to the open field and played kickball: yellow versus green (see picture). Yellow won 18 - 15 over the Green. GO YELLOW! It was a blast to play around with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins that came together for this reunion. I got to talk with Kris' kids more this time than ever before (since this is the second time I've seen the whole family and I didn't get to hang with them much the first time). What a great time with family. The Lord is good.

claim to fame

I have a new claim to fame: my cousin Charles had never been kissed on the lips before...ever...not by anyone. It was his wedding day, and just because I felt like it, I kissed Charles on the lips before the wedding. I didn't know that he'd never been kissed on the lips. So, instead of his first kiss on the lips by anyone being his new bride, I went in and stole it! w00t! Hence, my new claim to fame is that I was the first one to ever kiss Charles Phillip Van Liew on the lips. Charles, if I'd known, I wouldn't have. But since I did, please don't forget our moment. Heh heh.

sick day

Well, I took today off from work. It's a good thing I did, too. I have a cold, my family's in town (with Beth, Joe, and JD staying with us), and I am in a wedding today at 5:30pm or so. Charles and Allison finally have everyone behind them for this pushed-up wedding. I am looking forward to what the Lord is going to do in their lives and in the friendships they will create with us and other married couples along the way. They are going to have an incredible impact that I could never have. That's why we're a Body, not individuals.

thrity-nine and thirteen

Back on Wednesday, February 14 (Valentine's Day), the Suns (39 - 13) faced the Seattle Supersonics (20 - 32). The Suns missed Steve Nash, Boris Diaw, and Kurt Thomas, all still sidelined because of injuries. The Suns lost by more points they they've lost by all season long, and that by far. The final score was 114 - 90, Sonics over Suns. The Suns go into the All-Star break without hitting 40 wins, while the Dallas Mavericks are now up to 44 - 9, with the best record bar four and a half games in the NBA. The Suns have now lost their last 3, while the Mavericks have won their last 9 and the Jazz their last 6 (who've now taken the third highest record over San Antonio). The Suns will take on a 25 - 28 Clippers team in LA next Tuesday at 7:30 AZ time. GO SUNS! Win number forty on the way!