Strawberry Picking - Grandkid 2008

Tradtions! Strawberry picking has been an event that Gary and I enjoy doing every summer. And for the last several years or so, it has included our grandkids Brigitte and Andrew. On June 10 we drove to Bryon to pickup the grandkids. Their parents Dave and Camille live in Dixon and with gas prices being ridiculous we usually met them halfway. The next morning, June 11 while waiting for Grandpa (Gary), Brigitte age 6 and Andrew who will be 11 in August, went outside to blow bubbles.
I had found these new type of bubbles...pop-up bubbles. To get the bubbles out of the bottle, all you have to do is gently squeeze the middle of the bottle and the bubble wand come up and all the kids had to do was blow thru the wand....Loads of bubbles just pour out..very large ones and also very small ones.
We were not even sure if we would be able to pick strawberries this time. When we phoned the Hazeltine Farm we got a recording that said due to so much rain, picking strawberries would come later this year. But we went ahead and got the grandkids anyway. The evening before we were scheduled to go I phoned one more time and to my surprise there was a recorded message saying that tomorrow they would be open for the first time. "Thank you Lord!", was my response. While driving in WI we finally got near the farm only to read a sign: CLOSED!
"How could this be?" was my response. Well there were a few cars out by the berry patch so we drove in anyway. Here again I see the hand of our heavenly Father...One customer had not finished the two rows that they usually assign to each party. So she told us that we could start there. And to our surprise she added, "When you are done with these two rows, you may go anywhere in this patch." We had the whole place to ourselves. FUN! FUN! FUN! Andrew always win when it comes to who will fill their basket first. Usually Brigitte picks all her own. But this year she started something new...taking a few from her Grandpa and Grandma basket to fill her basket. (Not fair Brigitte)
Since the weather had been bad for the great big berries, it took us longer to gather them. I think the picture of Brigitte above tells the whole story.

I must also add that the owners made the comment that they had never seen two kids work so hard at picking berries. (Of course they were not aware of little Brigitte's method.) But I know for a fact, they both are hard workers. Always wanting to help us with anything we are doing.
We did end up with four full baskets but the owners said they won't as full as perhaps they should have been and gave us a discount on our purchase. Again...thank you Lord for blessings untold.
As always when we have the grandkid, we must has a visit to the Dairyhaus in Rockton. Grandpa and Andrew enjoyed their banana splits.
While Brigitte and I enjoyed a chocolate chip ice cream cone. I think after a hard day picking strawberries, it was a great way to end the evening.
As always the time flies by and on Thursday, it was time for our halfway trip. We were thankful to have them for a few days and safely return them to their parents...perhaps they were tired but we trust they enjoyed their time with Grandpa and Grandma.

Never, Never, Give-Up

You may be thinking that I will have a story relating to Winston Churchill. SORRY to disappoint you....well maybe not eveyone. This year some robbin has been trying to build a nest in the corner of our deck that has a very nice outside light. However, we (both Gary & I) did not want this to take place. First of all it would involve alot of bird traffic. And as we all know what comes with alot of bird traffic. You know...that white stuff. Got the picture? Would you truly believe that Gary has gone out FOUR TIMES and took the starting nest down! Yes FOUR TIMES!!!!
One morning while I'm eating breakfast, low and behold outside the patio doors on the railing of our deck is Mrs. Robin with the making of nest materials in her beck. I rush to look at the outside light...sure enough a new nest has the makings of nest number 5.
Can't you just hear Mrs. Robin say, "Never, Never Give Up!"
Well as of this posting the nest is still in place and last time I looked, the nest is getting packed down with all kinds of materials...plastic, grass clippings, twigs etc. I'll let you know if this nest makes it or not. I'm not going to say anything more to Gary. I'm the one ready to give up.

Retirement Celebration! Jack Traum

As in all of life, you will make many friends, but in that number of friends, some will be a true blue friend and they are few and far between. Going back over 25 years or so, Jack and Annette Traum fall into that list of true blue friends. We were so close back then that Ann-Marie called them Aunt Annette and Uncle Jack...even to this day. Bob and I were given the title of Aunt Juliet and Uncle Bob to their three children...Ed, Jeannette and Mike. Well Jack Traum finally reitred from Ingersoll.
It was a suprise party and when the time got near for them to arrive, Ed, their son went around to all the tables to let us all know and yell out "SURPRISE!".
According to Ed, Annette had done all the planning and did a great job of keeping it a secret from Jack.

Need I say more, Jack was totally SURPRISE!
What a great couple they make. They will be taking a wonderful crusie to Alaska in July! Enjoy your retirement Jack and we all know that you will keep yourself busy will all the Honey-Do-List from Annette.

Congratulations to Melissa

Saturday was such a great time to celebrate the graduation of my neice Melissa's from high school. At 6'0" she has held such a great record in basketball that she has a 4 year scholarship to Augustana College. Way to go Melissa! My brother, Bruce who is her father is very proud of her accomplishments.
We all, of course, enjoy this cake. If you find time you can go to the news article and read all about you cousin Melissa. http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/
Then of course as her Aunt, I must add that she is a very beautiful girl.
To help explain the video below, Landen is Amanda's little boy. Autumn is my brother, Dave's

granddaughter (Jason & Jennifer's little girl.) And what a way to end the day with Gary and brother Dave going for a spin in that sporty car.

Video of Melissa's Graduation

A Walk With Mom

On Wednesday I usually pick up my mother's laundry. When Linda and I arrived, she told us that we must see this beautiful pink flowering bush outside. After we chatted for awhile, we took a nice stroll around the court outside. Although none of us knew the name of this bush, it indeed is beautiful.
Here Linda pointed out one of the buds.
Mom was right, it truly is a beautiful bush.
There were purple miniature irises and these huge purple and pink irises.

As we ended our garden walk, we took a picture of the frog that Mom had at her old apartment and Dave was able to put it in this garden when Mom moved to River Bluff. This year he made the flag to go along with it.

It was probably a 20 minute walk...thanks Mom we did enjoy the walk and seeing the pink flowering bush.

Dinner at Dave's

My sister Linda has been staying with my brother Dave and his wife Venita. We were going to pick Linda up on Monday afternoon, but at their suggestion, we were invited for dinner. NEVER ONE TO REFUSE THAT TYPE OF INVITATION! Here's wonderful picture of their new patio set.
Venita had beautiful flowers all over her deck...I loved these Gerber Daisies...such a bright yellow. Brother Dave manned the hamburgers.
Food was great: Great tossed salad, hamburgers, and pasta with veggies...must have been good...look at Gary's plate.
For dessert we had black cows...I call them root beer floats. Linda kept dipping into the ice cream box and brother Dave finally said, "Why don't you just eat out of the box." The picture tells the story.
We all had a great time just relaxing and getting to know one another better.