Officially a Year Behind... Oh, My.... Here is August

How does someone get a year behind in blogging and how does one catch up?

Somewhere in the summer we had a family reunion with Keith's side of the family. We ate at Chuck-a-Rama, an all you can eat buffet. That way most people can get what they want.

Seated in the front is Uncle Larry, Keith's Mom's baby brother, and Aunt Donna, Keith's Mom's sister-in-law, married to the late Uncle Max. Next row, Keith, his sister Cecelia, Cousin Julie (Donna's daughter), Me, Alice (Richard's wife), Susan (Keith's sister), and cousin Linda (Aunt Opal's daughter). In the back is Rick or Richard, Keith's brother.

The next generation, and the next generation...

Seated on the floor, Becca, Kelsie, John ( Linda & Shawn's kids). Next row, Linda holding Jack one of her sons, Reuben holding Crimsel, Cirrus, Emma holding Xani. Back row, Bonnie, Julian, Jessica, Jon, and Shawn. Linda is Susan's daughter, she is married to Shawn. Emma is Keith's daughter, she is married to Jon. Rueben, Julian, and Jessica are Cecelia's children. Bonnie is married to Rueben. whew...

In August we had some family birthdays, here we are singing to Bree.

Well, We Ended Up in July

In July I had my annual Grand-daughter Tea Party. We decided to have a Dutch theme. Laura's mother was gracious enough to host it at her home. She set a beautiful table with the colors of the Dutch flag. We had open face sandwiches with Gouda Kaas (cheese), Geldegest Worst, (summer sausage), and of course Hagel Slaag, (chocolate sprinkles). My grand-daughters did me proud by showing their American Grandmas and Great Grandmas what to do with the Hagel Slaag.

Emma's mother-in-law, Meriola; and her mother, Marva.

The two Great-Grandmothers, Georgia and Marva.

Unfortunately, my mom, the other Great-Grandmother

went to Indiana to visit her grandchildren there.

We missed her, but she had a good time.

Emma, Laura,

Cirrus, Ari, Xani, Bree

Later in July I watched grandchildren.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

No fair looking ahead Mommies!

Can you pick your child out by their feet?

I love this picture!

It's Been A While

Keith noticed today that soon it will be a year since I have posted. That is a loooong time. Let's see what I can do to get us caught up.

In May Crimsel graduated from preschool.

Ari had a dance recital in June.

In July we hosted our immediate family Independence Day Festivities. We had a lot of fun, and even had Steven and Melissa from Arizona with us.

Well, that's May, and June, and July in a nutshell.

After Easter

Easter Sunday Crimsel was rough housing and hurt himself. Emma took him in on Monday and he ended up wearing a neck brace for a while.

Thank goodness kids are resilient. He is a good as new. For more details see Emma's blog.

Easter Time

We had our Easter Egg Hunt at Mary Jane's again. She works hard to make sure the kids have a lot of fun. She fills plastic eggs with trinkets and a few with candy, and puts little identifying stickers on the outside. The kids can only pick up their own eggs.

First off, only the proper attire should be worn, as demonstrated by Xani. Klompen are the best things for your feet. Emma said Xani insisted on wearing them.

Cute little girls in pink. Looks like Ari's basket is getting full.

There is one, right inside the downspout.

Hey, I want to look for eggs. Hurry with that picture!

Hunter and Crimsel.

Some eggs were easier to find than others.

As we all know the chocolate is yummy. Even Xani can say chocolate.

Thanks Mary Jane!

April 2010 - Actually Fools' Day

I can't remember why Crimsel and Cirrus were at the house,

but as always, when Opa is home there is fun!

The kids decided to climb up and hang on.

Their giggles and smiles are contaigous.

The play finally moved to the sofa.

They had a lot of fun.

It reminded of me when our children were small and they would climb all over their then home-teacher, later to be Dad. They had a lot of fun.

March 2010

In March we had Crimsel's birthday. In his family,

the fifth birthday means a two wheeled bike.

Here we see a happy boy getting ready

to show Oma and Opa how he can ride.

Happy Birthday!