Girls Only - Family Game Night

Some members of my family enjoy playing games. So when Charity and Colleen are in town, it's fun to get together with other family memebers who are free to come and play games for the evening. Just bring your favorite snack and drink. Apples to Apples is a great game to voice your own opinion.

Now and then we would take time out to eat!

Above we have Tammy, Charity, Kara and Hannah.

Have you ever played Catch Phrase? It's lots of fun, but you have to think very fast because you don't want the timer to stop when it's your turn. So as the instruction says, "TALK FAST...PAST FAST."

As always the evening went by fast. But it was soooo much fun.

The Day Before Christmas

It was the day before Christmas and my phone kept ringing. Jan calling from Watertown, Wisconsin. "It's snowing here. What's it doing there?" she asked. "It's snowing here." was my reply. "We plan to leave here around 3:00 p.m. Keep me posted."

Next phone call was from my neice Tammy. "Well, Uncle Dave is sick (he usually is our Santa), so they won't be coming. Aunt Venita said the weather was to dip down thirty degrees and the winds were to pick-up. What do you think we should do?"

I can't remember any year that we have cancelled a Rehfeldt Christmas Eve.

I talked to my brothers, Bruce in Chicago and Tim here in Rockford...Tim was willing to be Santa if no one wanted the job. Do you know who are Santa was? It wasn't Tim. At any rate they both felt the show should go on. And even when Tammy talked to her Aunt Sheila, her reply was, "We can't cancel a Rehfeldt Christmas Eve Party."

We did forego our caroling and had our dinner earlier.

We had around 60 people. And we are so thankful for everyone who came. Thanks to the Berean Baptist Church in Beloit for letting us use their church.

Take the time and read my three-part blogging about this yearly event. The ENDING IS GREAT!!!!

Rehfeldt Christmas Eve - Part 1 - WOW

Rehfeldt Christmas Eve - Part 2 - Santa

Ryan & Santa
Molly & Santa

Mikayla & Santa

Ali and Santa

Adam & Santa

What a great kind face our Santa has!

Rehfeldt Christmas Eve- Part 3- Best Part

"I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA! I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!" That's all I remember saying when I unwrapped a gift from our traditional Santa. Normally only the younger members of our families receive gifts from Santa, but somethimes we like to pull a prank on an older member. Well I did threw in a gift from Santa for Dr. Sturgill. At first I thought my sister was getting back at me. Mine was the last gift to be given out that evening.

Judi, my sister-in-law informed me that my mother begin to cry. Since I was standing and she was sitting behind me, I didn't know this. Then Charity, Colleen and Candice were crying. The whole family were so happy for Ann-Marie and Brett!

What a way to end our Rehfeldt Annual Christmas Eve Gathering. I'm still on cloud nine. And oh so thankful to the Lord for answered prayer.

Christmas with the Grandkids!

We met Dave, Camille, Andrew and Brigitte at Red Lobster for lunch on December 22, 2008. An earlier date had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

After lunch we came back to our home to open gifts. On the way over, Dave and Camille stopped and picked up two pies. One was pumpkin and the other was one of my favorite, Lemon Meringue.

We had such a wonderful relaxed time with them. Time always goes too fast when you are with your loved ones. I hope they enjoy their gifts as much as we will enjoy ours. Merry Christmas!

Fun Night With Great Niece & Nephews!

I'm so far behind in my blogging, but I will try to post events that have happened to me even it's for my own benefit.

On December 20th we had Megan, Caleb and Jacob stay with us while their mom and dad attended a Christmas Party at their church. I asked Tammy if they could bring some games they would enjoy playing. They came well prepared.

We all enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate with some cupcakes I had made in advance. Just enjoy the photos. It was a fun night.

I Have Been Tagged

Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I have a phobia of heights. Yep, can't sit in a balcony! Afraid to go down escalator. I'm real fun to go shopping with. Always looking for an elevator or stairs.

2. In the summer of 1963 I lived in Manhattan, New York for about six months. That was the same year that President Kennedy was assassinated. Worked in Brooklyn, New Jersey for a government agency.

3. Met my first husband, Robert Lawrence Trotter at Moody Bible Institute. We were married for 32 wonderful years.

4. Believe it or not but I took piano lessons at MBI. Don't know why, but I did. Not at all good at playing the piano.

5. One sad event for me was a miscarriage when Ann-Marie was around five years old.

6. Thankful that Gary, my second husband was willing to take the plunge and marry me. We have been married for six years.

7. I never use to be a reader of books. Now I'm always reading something. Ranging from biographical to a simple love story. Of course the Bible is my favorite. It is God's Word and I am constantly growing in the things of the Lord.


So I will tag 7 people:

Linda, my sister
Michelle
Deborah
Alex
Tammy
Danielle
Charity

Soup Weather

It's that time of year when you enjoy having soup. Since my sister, Jan was coming down along with her family...husband and dog, she asked my mother what she would like for supper. At first we thought we would just pick up some fast food items, but mother said that she would like some homemade potato soup. Being the wonderful daughter that she is, Jan made her delicious homemade potato soup....mmmm good. We did not plan our outfits for that evening, but as you can see, our tops were all in different shades of red.

I don't know how many of you have seen my mother wear glasses, but here she is! Great looking pair of glasses, don't you think?

I told Jan that we needed to get a picture of Darryl with Mom. And just look at the bowl of potato soup! I wished you all could have been with us to enjoy it.

Thanksgiving in South Elgin

The day always goes by so fast. We had a great time with Ben & Nick playing a word game.

Ann-Marie and I played on opposite teams. And the team I was on, never got ahead.

Bill, Brett's brother-in-law cooked the turkey on the grill. It was very tender. And even Ann-Marie enjoyed it. I'm not a pie eater, but Gary enjoyed a slice of pecan and pumpkin pie. But Lisa remembered that Ann-Marie and I enjoy anything chocolate, so she had included a chocolate silk pie. We were very good, we only had one piece.

They have this beautiful dog named Shelby. And you could tell right away that she loves people.

In the background is Brett's father, Al. It looks like Shelby is saying "Hi!" to Al.

It was a wonderful time with Brett's family. It's always a joy to visit with his family.

Thanks, Thanks and Thanks!

Today is November 27, THANKSGIVING DAY!In church last night, the pastor asked us several questions about being thankful. He asked how many of our thankful for family and friends. (We all raised our hands.) Then he asked how many were thankful for their salvation. (Again, we all raised our hands.) He then wanted us to think of ONE THING we were thankful for and we were to be specific. ONE THING! My mind is racing. So many things to be thankful for this year. But as I raised my hand, I knew I was so very thankful for this:
My 91 year old Mother who prays for her children, their spouses, grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandkids. Now if you know the Rehfeldt family, that's a long time in prayer. I loved what the pastor said after my comment. "And don't you just feel the effect of those prayers." And I just had to said, "Yes, I do."

So here's my challenge to each of you that are reading this post. What is ONE THING you are thankful for this year?

(The first picture of my mother was taken at my daughter's wedding. The second picture was taken this year in Watertown, Wisconsin celebrating my birthday.)

It's That Time of Year - Lang Sale

On Thurday, Gary took me up to Watertown to spend the night at my sisterJan's home. Before Gary headed back, we enjoyed a delicious Pork Chop dinner. Apple filling on the bottom, pork chops in the middle and topped with stuffing...mmmm good.

On Friday morning with Betty at the wheel, we headed for New Berlin, WI. We three amigos had so much fun looking at all the bargins. This year their calendars were the lowest prices we had even seen. So I just couldn't resist getting a few extras for friends.

Betty and Jan discussed the issue of: "How many cups can one person own?" As you can see from the photo, it didn't stop Betty from getting more for gifts.


I am so thankful for having more than one sister. Since Gary took me to Watertown, I would need to figure out how I was going to get home. Well, my sister Louise came to my rescue. From New Berlin, we drove to Jansville, WI. and Louise met us there for lunch. And since we ate inside the mall, we had to go shopping.

The day was just great! Lots of sunshine! Lots of fun! Thanks Betty, Jan and Louise! I had a great time. Let's do a repeat next year.

Brielle Visit her Great Aunt!

Well she arrived with toothbrush in hand. And yes , she will have some teeth soon.

What a real joy to have her if only for a few hours. She slept most of the time, but before she left we has some fun playing peek-a-boo(See the video below.) and waving good-bye. Enjoy wataching them as much I as did taping them.

Peek-A--Boo

Oh what fun it is to see Brielle grow!

Life in a small town.

I guess I never thought about it before, but I do live in the small town of Rockton. And loving it.
We have some really neat old buildings. The Talcott Library is great. Any book you want, they will find it for you even if it means from far away libraries.

One thing I really love is the Country Cottage. It reminds me of what Annies use to be. So when they had their annual Christmas Open House I couldn't wait for my sisters and I to attend. If you know one thing about me, it is that I collect snowmen. I try every year to at least find one unique snowman. I have many from A Wobler, a few of Williraye Studio and just some from craft shows

As always, my sisters and I have a great time just looking at all of the new items for Christmas. Of course, I couldn't leave the store without adding a new snowman to my collection.

If you get a chance, stop by and enjoy the many displays they have put up for Christmas. If you are not in the Christmas mood before you come, I assure you that when you leave you will be in the Christimas spirit.

Listen Closely!

The Waddler

Priviledges

As far back as I can remember, the words "Aunt" and "Uncle" before someone's name, meant that these people were very special people in my life.



When my brothers and sister got married and started having children of their own, it was a priviledge for their children to address me as "Aunt Juliet." And I must say I have enjoyed getting to know ALL my nieces and nephews.



With the fast passing of time, and belonging to a large family, I'm also a GREAT AUNT.




Like any relationships, you want to spend time with them if it is at all possible. So when opportunties come to watch any of my great nieces and nephews, I am honored to be asked. On October 25, Gary and I were able to watch Megan, Caleb, and Jacob. We had a great time playing Apples to Apples. (Megan will agree with me that the answers the boys picked were somewhat different than what we would have chosen.) In the evening, we took a nice long walk in the dark. (We have nice street lights.) The stars shone brightly, and we all enjoyed going around several blocks twice on this nice cool Fall evening.




Then yesterday evening, Candice stopped by with that beautiful great niece Brielle. I was so glad they could stay for supper. I enjoyed holding Brielle on my knee and feeding her green beans....mmmm good.

With any relationship come responsibilities. I pray - although we can have lots of fun - my deepest desire is to be a godly aunt. So when Brielle was getting into my books, Ann-Marie was able to get a photo of her holding the book, A Woman's Walk with God by Elizabeth George. For me, there is no greater joy than to see each of my family member walking with the Lord.

Celebrate!

It's official: GARY IS NOW 65!

With my hand out of commission, his birthday was very low- key. We had breakfast at Stockhome Inn, where they gave him a balloon, sang "Happy Birthday" plus gave him a hugh cinnamon roll with a lighted candle in the middle. (He even shared the roll with me...mmmm good.)

For his birthday gift, we went to Bergner's to purchase a new suit for him. Gary rarely shops for clothes, so we just enjoyed the sales and suited him up with much needed items.

Since Gary is a Bears fan, his daughter purchased a sweatshirt and pajamas with their logo. He will enjoy wearing these items.

I just want to wish my hubby a very Happy Birthday...along with my brother-in-law, Frank G.

Visiting the Parks Narrative - Part 3 of 3

First, let me thank my beautiful, talented daughter for acting as my personal assistant and typing my blog entries. She also helped put my Slide shows together (see below). Isn’t she the greatest?

On to my post:
With bike riding out of the question due to my hand injury, we decided to visit some new parks, along with an old favorite.

Our Pastor’s wife had mentioned the spectacular Cave Point Park to us last year. We decided to check it out and enjoyed the rocky and rustic scenery.

Our next park was Ellison Park which was suggested by our hostess, Charlene. This is a truly amazing park! We saw a walkway that would have left us suspended over a wide canyon-like expanse. I couldn’t go out on the walkway, due to my injury. But Gary did and appreciated the amazing view! We also took a walking trail through the park with another couple we had met.

Our third park visit was to Peninsula State Park, one of our most favorite parks in Door County. We normally love to go bike riding on the trails in the park, but (thanks again to my hand) that wasn’t going to happen this year. :-( Instead, we walked through the park, taking photos of the beautiful fall scenes (see below).

During our trip, we also ate in the town of Egg Harbor where we tasted homemade brats, ice cream, and various pies (Gary especially enjoyed the pies!). We tried two new restaurants unique to Door County, the famous Al Johnson’s (with the goats on the roof), and Second Story (which Gary kept referring to as “Second Level” – that’s my guy!).

On our way back, we stopped in Appleton, Wisconsin, to visit with my dear friend, Judy Waggoner. We took her out for lunch at Applebee's and had a good time talking and catching up!

All in all, we had an…interesting…and good…trip to Door County. Coming home, it started to rain, and we began to see more leaves fall off the vividly colored autumn trees.

Once my hand is well, I plan to blog on “Blessings in Disguise,” along with my new appreciation for people with disabilities!

Visiting the Parks