Halloween visitors

Of course, the best part of Halloween is when little grandchildren come to show off their costumes - and get some candy.

We had a snow princess...

a cuddly bear that likes football....

a serious Minnesota Vikings football player...

and a sweet little leopard honey....

October 29, 1920

This is an amazing story. I don't know if you can read the newspaper clipping above this post, but it was posted in the New York Daily News on October 13, 1920.

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My grandmother was a single mom and made the difficult decision to allow my father to be adopted into a family that could care for him better then she.

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I can't imagine how difficult that decision was for her.

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But a widower in New Jersey saw the newspaper article and choose to become my father's daddy - by marrying my grandmother!

Here is the proof of their marriage: dated October 29, 1920...



I would say that a 16 day courtship was rather brief...




Shortly thereafter they took this family picture.


I treasure it.
And every October I think about my grandmother, my grandfather and my father.

Big Day for Emersyn Anne

Yesterday was the baptism for our precious new granddaughter.

Here is a picture of the event; you can see her godparents, Norman and Martha, as well as the large picture of Emersyn on the power point screen.

There were many of us there to share the day.

Following the baptism we had a nice afternoon together to celebrate.

Here are the pleased parents and the not-so-pleased infant...

This picture is special as she is being held by two great grandma's.
(My mom, who is almost 92, makes it three great-grandma's for Emme!)

The proud grandparents. Emersyn is wearing a baptism gown that was brought from Norway years ago. It is well over 100 years old.

Here are our three granddaughters.

Brooklyn is a very attentive and caring sister to Emersyn.

And the SIX grandsons!

How about this bow?

I just love it!

Oh, the girly thing... the girly thing...

Worth the wait....

Finally! 9 days after this little girl was born, we get to meet her!

It was a long ride back from the East, knowing she was waiting to meet us!

Sisters.


The proud siblings show off their new baby sister to Grandpa!

A kiss from brother...

Oh, so sweet in pink!

90 years of life and still perky...

r Last evening in Rhode Island my relatives gathered from New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Minnesota to celebrate the 90th birthday of my Aunt, along with her "adopted" Rhode Island family.

We enjoyed a great evening together at a nice restaurant.

Then today, Sunday, following the morning church service my Aunt's church gave her a surprise 90th birthday party. She thought it was just a potluck meal following church but it really was her birthday party.

Here is the wonderful cake they made for her.

This is my Aunt Bea on the left, who is 90 on Wednesday, and my mom, her sister, on the right, who will be 92 in December. 90 looks pretty good!

These are the Crater girls; my sister Marlane on the left;, then me, then my sister-in-laws, Debbie and Ann-Margret.

A picture with my sister.

My oldest brother John.

Ah, my youngest brother, Jeffrey.

It's a girl! Emersyn Anne!

yeah! It's a girl! At 1:26 a.m., central time, Meghan gave birth to a little girl, 8 lbs 2 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. Long of dark hair and totally adorable! Congratulations to Meghan and Daniel!
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Her name is Emersyn Anne!

It's time.

Finally. Soon.

Adam's installation at Westby

One of the members of Adam's church took these wonderful pictures of today's installation.

How thrilled I am to get them! Thank you Jerry for taking these pictures and burning them on a CD so fast!

The bulletin.

Adam begins the service and we sang a hymn.


Adam and I sang a duet - the first time since 1997, I think.
We sang "Unfailing Love."



Yup, we were singing out!

Pastor Boe from our seminary came to Westby today, presented the message and performed the

Installation Writ.

Adam was asked questions and answered accordingly.

He said "yes" "yes" "yes" and "yes"...

Andrea and the children were invited to come forward.

The members of the congregation were standing.

A closing prayer was offered for Adam and his family.

Pastor Adam Berge and his lovely wife Andrea posed with the cake.

Adam's installation

This morning Adam was officially installed as the Pastor of Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Westby, Wisconsin. Hannah was dressed for the occasion.

I didn't take too many pictures, sorry.

The interior of the church.

Adam and I sang a duet today. That was pretty special for both of us.

Here is the lovely cake the church had for the potluck meal and celebration following the morning service.


A quick view of the church potluck.
It felt so much like our years in the church in Hagen.
A warm fellowship.
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A good time was had by all.

A little Westby

This weekend Wally and I came to Westby for the first time. We got to see the church that Adam serves and the Parsonage in which they live.

This is the cute little church.

Right next door to the brown church is the large white house that is the parsonage. Andrea has decorated it so lovely!

We drove the short few blocks to downtown and I took a few pictures.
This large Victorian home is a bed and breakfast.

I loved the sign on the window advertising fresh made lefse.

I wanted to go have coffee at Ole & Lena's but they had closed.

I'll have to do it next time.

This will only make sense to Scandinavians.

"uff-da" is an expression that Scandinavians say that sort of means.."good grief!"

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Need I say that this is very Scandinavian community?

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Uff-dah.

Ya, sure, ya betcha...

Still waiting...

In case you have been stalking this blog (along with Meghan & Daniel's blog) I thought I'd report that there is no baby yet and no signs of one in the near future...

When I was due with Daniel, the due date was the end of October. But since I had gone early with the other two sons, and, in fact, was SO much larger with Daniel, I told folks I was due "the middle of October."

He was born November 7th. He was 9 lbs 3 oz.

AHH. I think this baby is taking after Daddy.

Happy 13th birthday to Alison!!

This is birthday week for three of my nieces!

And this is one very special birthday - a teenager has arrived!

Alison is 13 today!

Happy birthday dear Ali - I hope to see you in about 2 weeks!

Until then, have a wonderful day!!!!

Happy Birthday Jill!

Happy Birthday today to my dear niece Jill (pictured here with her daughter Courtney at Courtney's first communion). I hope you have a wonderful day today Jill!

I wonder if you will get to share your birthdate with a new first cousin once removed? Doubtful...

Brooklyn's riding lesson

Today was lesson 3 for Brooklyn. I took a little video clip so she could see what she looks like on Pistol, the horse she rides. This part of her lesson was for her to get used to a slightly faster movement of the horse - each week she becomes more confident. She sits up nice and tall in the saddle. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Stacey!

Happy birthday today to my dear niece Stacey!

If it's too warm in California for you, just hop on a plane and come visit!

We can offer nice cool weather!!!

Have a wonderful day!!