Happy 4th!

 Living here in the land of 10,000 lakes, it is only fitting that any good Minnesotan would find a lake to enjoy on the 4th of July.  We were happy to get out on the water with some of the grands.. the weather was hot and humid and we had some fun together!

Hubby celebrates!

My cowboy had a pretty big birthday this past month and we had a little western themed party because getting together with friends is always a good time!  Thanks to our friend Ray for making this little composite of some pictures he snapped. 

Sedona...

We arrived in Sedona, Arizona, a place that we totally enjoy.  Beautiful scenery, blue sky, fresh air and lots of hiking trails.  We had good family time as well and lots of fun!

Yosemite is fantastic!

 

On our long drive from Oregon to Arizona we enjoyed the beauty of Yosemite National Park!

A little beach...

 

In February we drove to Oregon to visit Daniel and Meghan and the grandchildren.  We spent two nights out at the Pacific Ocean, enjoying great weather and the freedom to run!

 



 

One of the beaches was full of driftwood and lots of "structures" that creative people assembled with the driftwood.  Of course, our crew had to build their own structure too!

 

 

We sat and waited for the sun to set.  It never gets old watching the sunset!

 



The girls did a little exploring.

And a lovely Christmas to you... and a Happy New Year in 2015!

Here is our sweet family... this photograph was taken in July of 2014 when we all gathered to attend our family camp at Inspiration Point Bible Camp.  What a great time together as family, enjoying the benefits of being together while relaxing at such a lovely facility...

  time together, time in God's word, time with family and friends...

 

Our thirteen precious grandchildren. 

We are so thankful for all our blessings!

Family Farm Day in New Jersey

 On September 28th many members of my family met at my brother's farm for a day of celebration and fun.  It was great to be with my mom and my siblings as well as the rest of my family.

 

 We also celebrated my Aunt's 95th birthday; she is pictured here in the front row, in the middle. 

 

 My mom is amazing as she will celebrate her 97th birthday in December.  Wow!

 



My sweet sister and her two daughters, both "favorite" nieces.  ha ha. 

 

 My two handsome brothers.  We miss our third brother, who died in 2004.  It just doesn't seem right to not have him here still.

 

The horses are harnessed up ready to give us our wonderful wagon ride.

The day was perfect too.

 What a pretty view.

 

My little Auntie opens some of her gifts. 

 



What happened to February?

Dear lonely blog... What happened to February? Well... The temperatures went down, the propane prices went up, the layers went on and discouragement set in. And the road trip commenced.

That seems to sum it up.  And I can't figure out how to post pictures from my ipad.  If I could, they would be of Arizona sunshine!!

What's up in 2014?

 What's been happening in 2014?   Brrrr.......... too cold to do much more then stay inside!

 

 We felt sorry for those who lived outdoors and we did our best to provide them some food so they could keep their energy up and keep their bodies warm.

 

The deer were thankful for the help.

 

 

Just for fun I decided to pose wearing a sweater that was a gift from my oldest brother when I was a teenager.... which would mean this sweater is 50 years old.... and I am older still!  (It was not bitterly cold the day I posed for this - and it was a quick-take-a-picture moment.)
 



This pretty much sums up January for us. 

Works for me.

Stay warm!

Christmas 2013

 We enjoyed a quiet Christmas eve fondue for two.  Our sons were having Christmas with their wives families so we made the best of it.  A cozy and blessed Christmas knowing our families were all well.

 

 Breakfast was a rich cherry and cream cheese stuffed French toast; similar to a breakfast we were served this past summer at the White Gull Inn in Door county, Wisconsin. 

 

In the mid-morning we noticed beautiful swans on the river behind our home.  I managed to capture this picture using a zoom lens.  Our Christmas swan.

 

The weekend following Christmas the sons, daughter-in-laws and 13 grandchildren joined us for some food, fun and chaos.

 

We tried to maintain/establish a tradition of the children acting out the Christmas story. This year I had some costumes and, happily, we had a real live baby to play the most important role!

 

I choose to think all our grandchildren are perfect angels.

(well, they are, aren't they?)

 

Thankful for family Thanksgiving

 We did something different this past Thanksgiving and that was to rent a large rental cabin that was central to our family members; we are presently spread from St. Louis, Missouri to Fargo, ND.  This cabin was in Iowa and one that we found on the internet.  It had 6 bedrooms, lots of room and games, etc. and was perfect for our growing, active family.

 

 Of course, we had the requisite family photo; they are just great at doing it too!  We put the camera on a timer and away we go! Snap, snap snap!  (And it is usually the very first photo that is the best, but I can't stop at one, just in case!)

 

 We are a happy family....  or a a nutty one?

 

 This was the first time for the 13 grandchildren to pose for a picture together since the new grandchild was less then 3 months old and most were just meeting him for the first time!  13 in 2013. 

 

 Looking down at the group from the balcony.

 

 Little brothers.

 

 Mr. Handsome was really studying the toys in front of him.. so fun to see all those stages of development.

 

 Most family gatherings include these cards.... ROOK.

 

Looking at grandma...

 

 Lots of table/chair space for eating and playing games.

 

 Making rubber band bracelots.

 

 Puzzle time.

 

 Controlled wrestling contests.

 

 Berge tricks; the "toothpick" game requires a little balance, some patience and some strength.

 

 The kitchen was nicely laid out and each family took a turn preparing a meal, which is always a fun way to do things.

 

 There were some (few) quiet moments to enjoy the grandeur of the big room and the view.

 

 

Always time for a snuggle.

 

Nothing like being together!

 

We are so thankful for our family.