We hugged and talked in "baby language".
We got ready. (Chicks, you know how this goes--I am ready first and is rushing the other two out of the hotel room! Some things will never change.)
We rushed out the door (see above).
We made it to the wedding with about 5 minutes to spare. (All we cared is that we made it before Gina walked down the aisle, and it was a success!)
We laughed a lot.
We danced even more.
We were pooped by 9pm.
I took this photo with you in mind, my chicks.
In case you were not there or you forgot the words, here they are for your enjoyment. Make sure that you sing them in your head to "The Brady Bunch" theme song.
Here's the story, Of Claire and Sarah,
Of Lauren, Hayley, Jessica and Brooke.
They were co-eds, each on their own,
To Aggieland they looked.
Here's the storyOf 6 lovely ladies,
Who all, we're sure, were just a bit homesick.
But they soon would all come together
And before we knew it they were the Six Chicks.
The Six Chicks, The Six Chicks
This is how they became the Six Chicks.
A few short years ago they all left high school.
As anxious parents waved good-bye and cried,
They all headed out to College Station
Pumped full of Aggie Pride.
That whole freshman year was quite a struggle
With roommates, cafeterias and dorms.
The Chicks were spread out all over campus.
The bus became the norm.
Next came houses and apartment living.
The Zone or Walton was the place to start.
One was even a Carnation Cutie.
They were closer to each other yet apart.
The Six Chicks, The Six Chicks
This is how they became the Six Chicks
Then one day they had an inspiration!
It all began with 6 parent phone calls.
A truly hair-brained scheme to live together
In a 2 bathroom house for them all!
All of the parents were invited
To inspect the future nest of the Chicks.
So they came, and the Chicks were all excited.
The house on Eagle Pass would not be nixed!
The Six Chicks, The Six Chicks
This is how they became the Six Chicks
Soon came "the Boys " and their Prank Wars,
And the game of one-upmanship began.
But they did not realize with whom they battled,
And the Chicks finished with the upper hand.
Then came the trips to all their home town
Where their bond of friendship stretched out to include
Parents, siblings, grandparents and others,
And so the Chick family grew.
And of course there was “A Simple Glimpse”,
Which we checked religiously come high or low,
For the Chicks were always up to something.
The blog became our way to know.
Two years later,The party's over.
Their futures they are anxious to start.
But the bonds of Eagle Pass will never leave them,
Locked forever in each precious Chick’s heart.
The Six Chicks, The Six Chicks
Now you know how they became the Six Chicks.
Happy Easter, World (should that be capitalized? It is the only one of its kind)! 
One of my favorite people turns 80 on Wednesday. John William Schmale! This past weekend my family traveled to grandma and grandpa's house. As long as I can remember we have made the 14 hour drive annually. We argue some, sleep a lot and read books on the long drive. Mom has always read to dad as he drove all that way and fussed at him when his eyelids got heavy. He never would share the driver's seat.
My grandpa (front right) is the oldest of 10 kids. His siblings seldom see one another or talk each other for that matter. I was so excited that 4 of them made it to the party (front left is a spouse). Can you believe it? These are all SCHMALES!
Two of the Schmale brothers. These are my great uncles - Charlie and Bob. Boy did they tell me stories - tryin to rag on their big brother on his 80th birthday. 
From left: Sister Rachel, Granny (mom's stepmother), Papa (mom's dad) - both also live in tiny Fredericktown, and way cool 16-year old brother Ben. Apparently Rachel didn't care that Granny had something real important to tell her. 
Rachel and Papa - I just thought this photo was too good not to post. 
