Sunday, October 1 –
The church of Christ in Slaton where Laredo preaches hosted a baby shower for little Cyrus. There were so many darling gifts and the refreshments were very well done. Daniella stole the show as was to be expected (click here for video).
Thursday, November 24 –
Lots of food (esp. desserts) and lots of fun was had at Laredo & Andrea’s house at Afton. The weather wasn’t very nice but it was cozy inside by the woodstove.
We had an Italian theme this year. Lazagne and gnocci with sausage, homemade pizza, yummy sour dough rolls, ham and salad. Plus 8 pies and two cobblers! So no one went home hungry.
Daniella with Aunt Courtney
Friday, April 16 –
Sweet Magnus turned two on April 17th. Laredo and Andrea hosted a get-together at their newly completed home in Afton to celebrate the occasion. Andrea’s family came from Midland to join all the rest of us from Motley and Dickens county for lots of good food and fun. Andrea made an Argentinian specialty called “Cannelones” which was delicious and followed this wood board appetizer dish called “Picadillas”.
Laredo had just finished making this amazing table. Perfect for homeschooling and large group meals.
Everyone wanted their turn holding the newest babies, Daniella and Mia.
Later, we helped Magnus eat his apple spice birthday cake.
Later, I loaned my cell phone camera to Bella who managed to get some interesting pictures of the party from a different perspective.
Because of the recent Covid-19 lockdowns, Laredo began making available a series of video Bible Studies on YouTube. Laredo is the pulpit minister at the Hearts Together church of Christ in Slaton, Texas. His first series was a three-part series on the book of Habakkuk that he published mainly for his home congregation as a substitute for gathering as a congregation. After this series, his congregation began having “drive up” church in the parking lot, but he continued the videos featuring a study of the book of Joshua for his weekly Wednesday night class. Now he is several videos into this series.
Each lesson is about 15 – 20 minutes long and very interesting and informative. Laredo loves history, so he brings a lot of extra information about the subject matter into each lesson. He also manages to bring a bit of a life lesson into each session. The name of his channel is Biblical Musings. I hope you will check it out and see if you can fit an extra few minutes of Biblical musings into your life each week.
Click here to visit Laredo’s channel, and be sure to subscribe if you like what you see so you won’t miss each installment.
Saturday, May 18 –
This morning at the Sunset Church of Christ, graduates of the 2019 class of the Sunset International Bible Institute were presented with their hard-earned diplomas. Laredo had actually finished his classes last December, but returned to officially get his diploma with his class. He’s been preaching at Slaton, Texas at the Hearts Together church of Christ for a year or so.
Following is a short video of the highlights of Laredo’s
graduation.
Callahan checking out the program, scanning for names he might recognize..
Everyone is so proud of Laredo and Andrea.
They had a hard two years with lots of studying but stayed with it to the end.
The Kerux award is so named because Kerux is the Greek word used in the New Testament for a herald or messenger of the Gospel. It is called the Ed Wharton Kerux Award because of Ed’s Bible knowledge and ability to clearly deliver the gospel message. The plaque is awarded every year to the student selected by the faculty as being an exemplary speaker. Laredo is pictured on the left with Ed Wharton and on the right with Andrea’s uncle Brad Buxton of Oklahoma City.
Former Sunset graduate and grandfather of Andrea, Mike Crowley congratulates Laredo.(also the preacher at the Matador church of Christ where the Shannon’s attend)
Granny with Laredo.
Afterwards we celebrated at Fuddrucker’s restaurant. I was so busy eating that I forgot to take pictures, except for a couple of Magnus enjoying time with Andrea’s mom, Rut.
Friday, May 17 –
We traveled to Lubbock to attend a banquet in honor of the graduates of the Sunset International Bible Institute. It was held in the life building at the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock.
During a humorous presentation during the program, part of one of the jokes was about Laredo.
Receiving their SIBI lapel pins
Monday, October 16 –
Since Laredo had a week off between classes, he and Andrea and little Cal got to spend some time at the ranch. We loved having them here close enough to really get to know Cal. He’s so darling and sweet.
We also discovered he likes dirt.
Sunday, July 9 –
We got up early and traveled to Midland in order to attend a baby shower for Courtney that the Fairmont Park church of Christ was giving her for her expected baby boy in September. After the shower we got to visit with both our Midland grand babies and then attend church with them on Sunday night before returning home.
The first thing we did was meet for lunch at Cracker Barrel.
Then it was on to the shower for the girls. The Fairmont ladies really outdid themselves with a darling outdoorsy hunting theme for the decor.
Courtney got so many cute and useful things at the shower.
Afterwards, we went back to Cim and Courtney’s and played with the grand babies again.
Cim gave us a demonstration of lifting using his homemade atlas stone.
The evening brought another fine sermon from Laredo at Fairmont Park church of Christ. It also gave us a little more time to spoil Callahan and Bella.
Thursday, May 18 –
Early on the morning of May 12, Andrea and Laredo, had a sweet little boy. He weighed 7 lb., 14 oz. and was 21 1/4″ long. He was born in Midland, Texas at a natural birthing center.
This was the picture Laredo texted me a few minutes after Callahan was born with this message “Just had a boy Callahan Michael”
After a long night of labor…
Just look at the love in Andrea’s eyes on her first Mother’s Day on May 14
Sadly, some of our group were sick when Callahan first made his appearance and it took a few days before we felt that we should be around a newborn. But, finally, on Thursday the 18th, we got to see Cal in person.
Great Granny welcomes great grandchild #14
Isn’t he just a doll?
Sunday, March 12 –
Laredo and Andrea are celebrating their first anniversary today. This picture was taken yesterday when they were out and about.
Andrea has been such a wonderful addition to the Shannon’s. She and Laredo make the sweetest couple. We can’t wait for the baby that is due in May and I know they’re getting so excited. If you missed my post on their wedding, well, it’s not your fault…I just did get it posted. See it here.
Monday, January 9 –
Laredo began a two-year program at the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock today. Since he’s starting in January, he’s having to jump in with the second semester students that started in August of 2016. We’re so proud of him and know he’ll do well.
September 2017 Update –
Laredo completed his first semester and spent the summer doing an internship at Midland, Texas with the Fairmont Park church of Christ, working with Mike Crowley, Jr., his father-in-law. He’s back at Sunset now and seems to be really enjoying the work but reports that a lot of study time is required. He’s done quite a bit of public speaking among other things since he first started. He’s now preaching on every first Sunday at the Matador church of Christ and doing a great job. Please join us anytime you are in the area and hear him for yourself. If you can’t come in person, you can watch him online by going to the church website and clicking on “watch a sermon online”. www.matadorchurchofchrist.org
The Power of the Cross on Vimeo.
Saturday, March 12 –
In a beautiful ceremony this afternoon, Laredo married Andrea Crowley at the historic old school in Turkey, Texas. Many friends and relatives of both families were in attendance. The large vintage room was cleverly sectioned off by a huge gold satin curtain made by friends of the Crowley family in Midland. It was the perfect backdrop to the ceremony. The maid of honor was Amber, childhood friend of Andrea who traveled from California to participate. Laredo chose Caleb Phipps of Turkey. Carolina, sister of the groom and Brandi, youngest cousin of the bride were the flower girls. Andrea’s grandfather, Mike Crowley, Sr. and father, Mike Crowley, Jr. officiated.
The couple exited the room to the main theme from Star Wars.
Andrea’s family – Mike, Rut and Byron Crowley
The Shannon’s – Cim, Courtney, Aspen, Carolina, Nathan, Windy, Laredo, Andrea and Stockton on the end. Atlanta and Jordan’s family, Marian and Alan finish out the group.
The wedding party.
Following the wedding. Guests were encouraged to stay for a BBQ supper, coffee and cake.
Videographers, Caleb and Anthony Phipps, put together this footage.