Someone had a birthday!

Yesterday family and friends gathered for a special surprise birthday party.

Greatpap (as Evan calls him) turned 100 last week!

He still lives independently in his own house.

He's got a sharp mind, keen eyes, can still entertain us with his musical talent,

and just recently bought himself a brand new red Ford Ranger Truck to celebrate his birthday.

According to Greatpap, he's working on the next 100.

According to us, we are privililaged to have him in our lives.

Just a few more pictures tonight.

Having a bit of trouble loading them to blogger.

More to follow.

Hopefully...

There's more than one way to cut a cake.

Okay, the week is almost over.

And, I promised some more wedding photos.

So, here are a few random shots.

More to follow when I can finish editing.

The special handkerchief,

prettily added to the bride's bouquet,

was carried by my mother,

myself, and my sisters on our wedding days.

The old Saint Stephens Church was beautifully decorated and waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The bride and her daughter arrive.


Bride and Groom.
(but I guess these didn't really need a caption)

A kiss, or two, or three, right after the ceremony.

Wedding Teaser

There was another wedding in the family...

More pictures to follow next week.

Stay tuned.

Birthdays Past, Present, and Future

We recently celebrated Pa's birthday with a dinner and cake at our house.

Thanks to my sister Lois for picking up the delicious cake.

We are still enjoying

the last

few

crumbs... Cowgirl Emma turned 8 in March. I flubbed up a section of the horse's neck but none of the cowgirls seemed to notice. Princess Rachel turned 6 in January.

The sparkly pink cake was just what the princess ordered.

Thank goodness for Family Fun magazine.

They have saved me more than once with simple to make cakes!

And Evan the Builder became a 2 year old last October.

Thanks to my sister Julia for creating this cake.

We were invited to a party for Ken's Grandpap last August.

And we're looking forward to celebrating his big 100th birthday with him summer.

Aunt Esther

My Aunt Esther's funeral will be Wednesday at 10:00 AM.

Esther's life has touched several generations, who all have fond memories we now hold dear. Memories of stories about Germany and school (she was a school teacher and principle for many years), delicious German foods she introduced us to, and her spirited yet practical personality. My own children have good memories of visits to Great Aunt Esther who on our arrival,would always bring out the Little People Toys, sometimes stickers, and almost always a cup of animal crackers to take home. I don't have any pictures ready to post today, but there are some lovely ones of Aunt Esther on each of my sisters' blogs.

http://www.loisblogspot.blogspot.com/

http://www.deb-paradisefound.blogspot.com/

http://www.eyesoftheblind.blogspot.com/

Rachel is FIVE today! Our little girl is growing up.

This third and final picture is Rachel's favorite.

No, I really DON'T have too much time on my hands!

I just let the silly birthday girl side track me with her fun Photoshop requests.

Seems as though there are a lot of significant numbers floating around lately.

1, 5, 40, 40, 50, 50, 70.

I won't attach any names to those numbers...

except to say that one of those fifties belongs to my in-law's anniversary

which they celebrated in December.

We surprised them by having this picture and an announcement printed in two local papers.

Thankfully, they were cooperative and didn't question, too much, why I wanted them to pose for me.

Birthday Boy

Fishing Trip

A fun day of fishing this summer with some of Ken's family.

Last week Great-Grandma passed away.

Emma and Rachel both said,

"It is a good thing and a sad thing".

A funeral is not somewhere I usually take my camera but, some family members that haven't been in the area for quite a few years came for the funeral and Ken thought some of the family might like a few pictures. I was glad to able to document a little part of the day.

Some Long Awaited Pictures

Rachel has been symptom free for 24 hours so Evan and I came home to our house today. I haven't downloaded all the pictures yet but at least these are the latest.

Rachel has been symptom free for 24 hours so Evan and I came home to our house today. I haven't downloaded all the pictures yet but at least these are the latest.