Celebrating Louise's Birthday - Belated

On June 22, Judi, Carol, Louise and I headed to Johnson Creek to meet our sister Jan. Due to circumstances in all of our lives we were going to celebrate Louise's birthday. She was born on June 1...so we were somewhat late in celebrating her birthday.

The only thing I had to remember to bring was the salad by Rachel Ray. Jan had lasagna in her crockpot going while we were shopping. Yum! Yum!

This picture is out of order but that's the way it happened. Before we left to go back home, I had Jan dig up a plant that is overtaking her flower garden. Now I hope it will overtake an area in my flower garden.

It is always fun to shop at Bath and Body Works! So many bargains.

And as you can see...we ALL took advantage of that. We also went to Harry and David's right next door to the bath place. They always have good sweets!!

What event would not be complete without us being silly at some point or another.

The meal was soooo good! Then it was time to sing to the birthday girl. Jan ended up getting a cake from Wal-Mart. Louise loves chocolate! And this cake was so delicious.

Then it was time for the birthday girl to open all her great gifts from all her great sister. She got money, she got a pencil sharpner, she got a ton of bath and body products from Jan and then Jan surprised her with a nice photo of the family from Mom's Memorial.

Then I was also glad that she finally got from me something she had been wanting for over a month....

pictures that our nephew BJ had taken out at her farm!! I owe a debt to BJ. He downloaded them for me and I was able to purchase them from Walgreens. Thanks BJ!!!

As always, it was a day of shopping, talking, laughing, and eating. And once again, it was time to head home.

Happy 62nd birthday Louise!

Father's Day 2010 - Dixon

We had planned to go to Dixon on Friday, but due to Camille's schedule, we went to Dixon on Saturday afternoon. In the early afternoon, we had a new home to see that David Thompson has just purchased. Then off to a graudation open house. It was indeed a busy day. Then we headed for Dixon, had supper and then went on A nice bike ride. Here's a great statue of Lincoln when he was young. I had never seen this one before.
It was a good thing that we didn't to to Dixon on Friday. There was a terrible storm that came through and knocked not only trees down, but power lines. Above was a tree that was knocked down in the park we were riding our bikes.


As always, one must check the air in their tires. Camille's tires needed a little more air.


Sunday morning Camille and the grandkids had gifts for the dads. Above we have Andrew and his dad, Dave.

And of course nothing like a father and her daughter.

We attended church. Ate out. And then headed home. It always go too fast.

Father's Day always has very mixed emotions for me. Since Gary and I now have a blended family things will never be the same. I always think of Ann-Marie's dad...that is he is not here. Now I think of Brett as now being a dad. There are many "WHYS" in my life. Both Ann-Marie and I will always miss her dad . We accept God's path. It would not have been one that we would have chosen but we always know that His way is best.

But we both wish Gary, Dave and Brett a very Happy Father's Day!!

Brigitte Feeds Sam

One thing both Gary and I love about our grands...they love to help. When I got ready to feed Sam, Brigitte wanted to do it. Just enjoy the photos. Sometimes Sam won't let go of the spoon!
Here he looks like he has a long colored mustache! Sorta Chinese style!!

Now you can write your own caption for that photo!!

Strawberry Picking with Grandkids 2010

It's that's time of year...strawberry picking time!! We always look forward to seeing our grandkids, Andrew and Brigitte from Dixon. Because Gary was not doing well last year, we missed picking strawberries with the kids. But last week we got the grands for five days. Wednesday Gary took the kids bike riding. When he phoned me from Poplar Grove saying Brigitte bike had a blown tire I knew we needed help. Great that my sister Carol was on call. She picked me up and we drove to Poplar Grove to get both Brigitte and her bike. Gary and Andrew came home by bike...a long ride from our home to Poplar Grove. But they made it.

On Thursday June 10, we did some morning garage sales. Then we headed for the Hazeltines Strawberry farm in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Here you have the four of us with our empty white basket. We were ready to fill them to the brim.
Brigitte decided to only pick the really BIG ones!

Andrew just got down on his knees and pick any size strawberry to fill his basket.

The strawberries were so ready to be picked. In no time our baskets were full.

Coming home we passed a drive-in place that Gary and his brother use to go to when he was sixteen. Well, since that was over FIFTY years ago, I said we must take the grands to this place.

Gary wasn't too hungry so he just ordered a vanilla malt.

While we waited for our sandwiches, Brigitte played on a small playground they had in the back. Since Brigitte doesn't like people to take pictures of her, I have to just sneak one in.

Finally our food came and we enjoyed just relaxing and talking about when Grandpa used to come to Circus Drive-In.

Upon arriving home it was time for me to get busy and clean and cut the strawberries up. That week we had strawberry smoothies, strawberry shakes and strawberry shortcake. Which I did share with my sister, Carol and two of her grandsons, Zachery and Issac. And I am happy to report that I was able to freeze some too.

Just so thankful that we were able to do our annual strawberry picking with Andrew and Brigitte.

Enjoying My Friend Judy's Party

It was a last minute thought, but a great one. Dan had emailed me that they would be in the Chicago area to meet up with their daughter Amy and son-in-law Eric who live in Michigan (This was half-way for the both of them.) to give them an old TV they had. And since their son Jerry and his family live in Chicago they were all going to have lunch at Lou Malnati's. Wouldn't it be fun to surprise Judy ahead of time. (Her birthday is June 2.) We would be meeting on May 29th! Dan had already talked to Marsha and she would be able to come. Dan also invited Ann-Marie and Brett.

What a great idea! So after checking with everyone, we were looking forward to surprising Judy. And surprised She was!!!


I have known Dan and Judy ever since Bob and I were married. In our first apartment in Chicago, they lived above us. We all shared our love for the Chicago Bears! Did a lot of traveling together. So Judy and I go along ways back.

Marsha is a dear friend of Judy's. Judy and Marsha both attended Edgewater Baptist Church in Chicago when Dr Erwin Lutzer was their pastor. Marsha is still going there. And of course Judy is in Appleton, WI. The three of us use to go on weekend Christian events. Judy even named us at one time THE THREE MUSKETEERS!

I was a great time catching up with each other's life. I even got to meet Marsha's daughter Rebeccca and her husband Peter. And Judy's daughter Amy who had recently been made a VP of Citizen's Bank after working for them for over twelve years.

As always great fun, food and fellowship. Then it was time to head home. So thankful for Brett who did all the driving. And Sam was so good during the party! On the way home he just sleep like a baby should.

Enjoy the video below. And a BIG thanks to Dan who paid for the whole meal!!! I even had a leftover piece of Lou Malnati's pizza today for lunch.

Surprise Party For My Friend Judy