Grandkids at Berg Farm 8-19-10

This year our grandson Andrew turned 13 on August 18. We picked up Brigitte in Byron in the evening and sorta celebrated his birthday at a family restaurant. Brigitte had been wanting to visit Aunt Louise and Uncle Bruce's farm for a long time. Since school was going to start soon for the both of them we wanted to make sure we could have them enjoy a day at the Farm. So along with Tammy's kids, Megan, Caleb and Jacob they played outside ALL day. There is always a lot to do on the farm. They all love the rope. They can jump from one bail to another in the barn.
They chase after all the cats. Sometimes you will see one carrying a cat around if they were able to catch one.

And of course Uncle Bruce with get one of the horse out and let the kids have a ride

Us old folks just sit around and talk.

The guys got the grill going and Tammy put the hot dogs and brats on to cook.

And since Louise is such a great cook, we always have plenty of food. Carol made a delicious potatoe salad and I of course being the great cook that I am brought Mrs. Fischer's Chips.

The kids were having such fun that Brigitte didn't want to stop and eat. But since she ate nothing for breakfast, I told her that she had to a least have one hot dog. Which she did. I didn't have to ask her twice about having a delicious brownie that Tammy had made.

Thanks once again Bruce and Louise for having our grandkids out! Can't wait till Sam will ask me, "Can we go out to Uncle Bruce and Aunt Louise's Farm?"

Jan Back From China - Sisters off to Garage Sales

On August, Friday thr 13th, it was time for the sisters to go to Garage Sales. Jan had in been in China for about three weeks, and when she got home she needed to get some well deserved rest. But enough is enough. Time for her to see her sister and enjoy going garage sailing. Garage Sale do vary! So many times it can consist of kids clothes and lots of baby toys. Others may have books and tools. And as in the photo above...lots of stuffed animals. We didn't purchase any of the above stuffed animals, we just loved that green bird! And the fact that it matched Louise's outfit.

And another item you will find at most garage sales are purses! Louise loves little purses with short handles. And here again, she didn't purchase this one with the letter "L" on it. She has as many purses as shoes...I think!

As always it was great to see Jan again and see pictures from her trip to China. And I must post the video I was able to do will seating in the backseat of Louise's car.

We enjoyed the full day and even got some plants at a nursery.

Oh and so I will remember this day, Friday the 13th (I know it's just another day.) but when replanting some flowers I got stung by a bee. Never can remember that ever happing to me. It was liking get a shot from a big needle without a pain killer.

8--08-10 Heilman 60th Reunion

As long as I have been married to Gary, the Heilman reunion is held at Bill and Esther Dickman's home. It's located on Highway 75. They have a big farm house with lots of out buildings. Here we have Esther getting the quilt for each family to sign. The front part is now all filled up that you now have to sign on the back side.
Gary & I arrived early enough so we could help setup.

Then one by one the families start arriving, bringing lots of food.

This year for the kids they had this hugh slide they could all enjoy.

And also a jumping tent!

Last year Sam was just a wee baby! This year he was able to crawl around on the blanket we had on the ground for him.

Because it was the Heilman's 60th reunion, they took group photos. The one above is for the Arthur Heilman's offspring.

The photo above is from the Daniel Heilman's offspring.

This photo is from the John Heilman's offspring...the largest group there.

Then of course it time to end the day. Pack up any food and dishes you brought and head home.

There were a lot of people attending this year than ever before. Gary didn't even know some of the people. As always there was plenty of food. I'm still getting to know just the regular Heilmans. But I was happy for those Heilmans who got to see people they hadn't seen for years.

Annual Game Night - 7-26-10

It's just part of belonging to a big family. Again when Charity and Colleen come home we try to get together for a game night. It can be anyone's home. This year we had it at our home. Everyone brings something to munch on. It all works out...always enough food. Hannah enjoys playing Guesstures. She is quite good at it.
Candice trys her hands at Guesstures!! A lot depends upon the word. You can chose one point words all the way up to four point words. And just so you know, sometimes the four point words are easier than a one point word.

Above we are all playing Apples to Apples. It's the only game my sister, Louise will play. She didn't like any games until the sisters went to Door County and persauded her to play the game. She got hooked. You ALWAYS knew which word was her!!!!

Since we didn't have a stranger wondering around my house, Candice took the first photo and I took the one above.

Always look forward to bonding more with family members on these smaller group activities. Even if it's not that small. But it surly is smaller than our Christmas Eve gathering...60 or more people.

Thanking God once again for my wonderful family.

Sam's Birthday Party Part #1

For some reason, my computer will not let me download some of the pictures from Sam's party. I for one am not a happy camper...I didn't take any photos of Sam's party except for the one where he doesn't like his cupcake. But the computer did let me download two photos. One by my nephew BJ and one that I had taken before everyone arrived...THE CAKE!!! BJ took some great photos..some are in part #2 of this blog. But the ones I wanted to include in this section, the computer won't copy them????? Above we have Samuel Robert Alan Soderstrom born on a Sunday the same day of the week as his mother. Sam was born on July 26, 2009. It truly is hard to believe that a year has gone by.

Ann-Marie was only going to make cupcakes for Sam's party, but Grandpa Heilman wanted a cake. So I just told Gary that Granpas can do anything they like when it comes to grandchildren. So we went to Hilander's and order his cake.

I have great photos taken by BJ of Sam with his mom and dad. Another was Grandpa Soderstrom with Sam. But that's the way life goes sometimes...not getting done what you wanted.

But we sure all enjoyed the cake! I believe that there was one piece left, that Grandpa Heilman ate the next day.

Sam's Birthday Party - July 24, 2010 Part 2

We love all the little people at Sam's party! There was Dawson!! BJ got a great photo of him playing out in our yard. Then we had Brielle ...she and Sam shared his toys that I have at my house.


And of course I had to hold the birthday boy!

Ann-Marie had made cupcakes. Below we have Ann-Marie holding the cupcake while Brett lights the candle.

None of were sure how Sam would react to his first try at a frosted cupcake.

Well the picture tells the whole story!! Didn't like it one bite.

Well, while Ann-Marie opened the gifts, Charity kept track of all his great presents. Since it was getting late, I was feeding Sam his bottle while his mom opened his gifts...hence no photos from me. Sad state of affairs!!

But it was so fun to celebrate his birthday with his great Aunts, Uncles and cousins...plus his two grandpas and especially this grandmother.

There are many things I desire for my grandson Samuel but the one that is so close to my heart is that he comes to know the Lord at an early age and walk with Him throughout his life time on this earth.

Happy first birthday Samuel!!

Annual Family Garage Sale - July 22, 2010

Whenever my nieces, Charity and Colleen come home from their home in Springfield, TN., they always want to know when their aunts will be out doing garage sales. So we all look forward to getting together come rain or come shine. Well, the morning started out rainy. Even had some phone calls wondering if we were still going to go garage saling.
But nothing can stop us...even Brielle came prepared!!!

We usually have GIRLS ONLY...but we found out that some of the nephews just love to join us!! Like Tony staniding behind his sister Elizabeth!




It's so much fun also to see the cousins getting together too!

One thing you can enjoy is getting imput from family members...sometimes. LOL

Well, it looks like there wasn't anything for some of the younger group. They look bored.

But even if you didn't purchase anything, you always enjoyed catching up with each other's life.

One never knows what type of garage sale you might find. One was all records. Louise and Elizabeth started dancing to the beat. Elizabeth first approached me wanting to dance. I told her if she wanted someone with the right moves...you better find Aunt Louise. And I was right as you can tell from the picture above.

Jacob find a nice addition to his collection.

Well, here we all are...total of sixteen!! I believe that we had three vehicles.

We always end the event with lunch somewhere. Beef-a-Roo in Roscoe was the place this time. Some had other engagements and so left while others continued on to some more garage sales.

Fun day. It started out rainy and ended up sunny and very humid.