Oh, what a beautiful day!

Through a variety of conflicting schedules, my Booker cousins didn't get together over any of the holiday season this past year, so we were overdue a get-together.  As most of us are in the DFW area, we decided to convene at one of Ft. Worth's restaurant treasures - Joe T. Garcia's!  As Joe T's boasts seating for 1000 people, I think it's possible I've been to 2 of the largest Texas restaurants this month!!  (Post re: Oasis# in Austin coming soon)     

And it was truly a beautiful day!

We were a couple cousins short, but had a good time catching up (and getting to know some of the newest additions - both through birth and marriage!) Lots of laughing - which is always my opinion of a great time.   Being the oldest grandchild on this side of the family, I earned early on the reputation of....well, bossy.  There's also been this rumor that I always made up rules to games...I always claim I was just the one who READ all the rules - and maybe conveniently forgot to mention some of those rules until I needed them!  So I don't think anyone was surprised when I "made" everyone share something going on their life as we went around the table :)  Long live bossy!  I was blessed to hear lots of good news shared about new jobs, new houses, new experiences, dogs, babies...and general happiness. 

I pray my Pa-Pa was looking down and enjoying watching the legacy he began. 



There was a time when I was the tallest...but we're still "stairsteps" by age :)



And we're so happy for the brave souls like Leigh Ann who have joined us by marriage!

What a nice posed picture of Michelle & Derek...

...as opposed to candid - Sorry, Jules!  Documenting Heath was there!

And Scot, too!

And, of course, the youngest addition -
but soon to be joined by Booker great-grand #2 - (From another cousin - not my brother!!!)
He fit right in snacking on (tiny) chips and tortilla with beans!!!

Here's to many more cousin get-togethers to come!

p.s. Post title from the 2nd line of "O what a beautiful morning" - from Oklahoma, of course. What else do you sing when you step out and the sun is shining and the sky is blue, but it's not too hot yet?!