Sunday, December 25, 2011

Happy Christmas Everyone!

My grand-daughter Peyton and my daughter-in-law Casey put this together for Christmas dinner.  They are black olives, cream cheese and carrots.  They are really too cute to eat.

Happy Christmas!


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Often Bob will have a few days of vacation in December.  We love to travel to the south of Texas for quick getaways.  There are so many places in Texas to visit.  Last year we went to South Padre Island.  The weather in the south is usually a little warmer than in North Texas.  What I don't understand is that the Southern Gulf area is a little deserted at that time of the year.  The hotels are almost empty.  But, it is a great time to get a good deal on a room.  Last week we went to Galveston for a couple of days.  I love that city and never tire of going there.
In the photo below I am standing with two friends, Kristine and Rick who own two restaurants in the Galveston area.  The restaurants are the "Seaside Bistro" located in the Victorian Condo Hotel on Seawall Blvd. and the other one is in Kemah Texas called "What's Cookin'."  The menu consists of a huge variety of dishes prepared with a German flair.  When you are in the Galveston area make sure to treat yourself to a delicious lunch or dinner. And say hi to Kristine and Rick for us.

Kristine, Rick and Me


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The day after Thanksgiving my niece Chasity, her husband and two children drove from Indiana to Chicago for a visit. We had never met Gavin which goes to show you how long it had been since we saw them.  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Chasity's husband Brandon. Sometimes I get so involved in visiting that I don't take enough time for photos.

My niece Chasity and Her Two Children

Chasity


Gavin and Gabby

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

You will have to scroll down a couple of pages to see some of the images I posted from John's 40th birthday celebration. Casey arranged to surprise him in the bowling alley of the resort. Some family and friends of the kids going all the way back to high school attended. It worked out great because there was entertainment for not only their friends but their kids could also bowl and be part of the special event. One of John's friends from high school (Lenny) surprised him also. The kids were very close in age and shared many of the same friends in school and remained friends throughout the years. Bob's sister Mary Ann and her family spent the day with us. We really appreciated it especially considering she had worked all night. John's father-in-law John D. took my camera and took some of the pictures. That was fun.

Me with Bob

My brother Sy and his wife Hollie

My niece Lisa with Joy

John's father and mother in law, John and Diana

Bowling, Reagan, Conner, Joyce, Andy and Bill

Brent with Angie

Brittany and Peyton

Me and my sister-in-law Mary Ann

Rob's sister Carrie, Rob's friend Scott and Rob

Joy and Melisa, Best Friends from school.

John's friend from school, Lenny

Amy and Denise

Amy and her friend, Tom

T

Casey, Joy and Reagan (Joy's best friend's daughters)

Ben with Casey's Dad, John

Kevin with Reagan and Conner

Casey and Casey

Friday, December 9, 2011

Jane, Ben and Jake visited us in Texas this past spring instead of coming either Thanksgiving or Christmas as they do every year. This year for Thanksgiving most of our families either flew or drove to Chicago. We also celebrated John and Brooke's birthdays. John turned 40 and Brooke turned sweet 16.

Jane made arrangements for everyone to stay at a nearby resort. Bob and I stayed at Jane's. We drove up a little earlier to visit and help with dinners and celebrations. The resort was really nice with a pool, spa, sauna, bowling ally, golf course, and restaurant. This became a play ground for everyone to meet and do things together. The guys played golf a couple of times. We had a surprise 40th party for John in the bowling alley. That was a perfect idea and I will post pictures in the next few days of that event and other activities.

I love the banner that Jane had made showing John as a little boy and John now. The suit that John wore in the little boy picture was made by my Mother. She was a really good seamstress. It is funny how little things like that bring back the memory of my Mom who I miss so much.

Banner Made for John, Little Boy Picture and 40 Years Old

Jane's Living Room Set Up For Thanksgiving

Celebrating Uncle John's 40th and Brooke's 16th

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Here are some more photos of the beautiful Intercourse Pa. taken on our trip to Philadelphia. October was the best time of the year to capture the most colorful time of the year. The town was very quaint with shops full of crafty and unique gifts.





















Thursday, November 24, 2011

While in Philadelphia for nephew Scott's wedding we toured the city and at the end of the week we took a drive heading for Lancaster. We never made it to Lancaster as we spent a lot of time at Intercourse touring the shops and enjoying the beautiful landscape of the area. I have more pictures of that area to share later. I thought this photo was quite appropriate for today. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Birthday to John

November is full of birthdays in our family. Today it's John's 40th. We will have a few surprises for him and I will share later.

Happy 40th Birthday to John

Monday, November 21, 2011

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Brooke turned 16 yesterday. She is our first grandchild. It seems impossible that much time has gone by. Brooke has grown into a beautiful young lady. She is very sweet, intelligent and talented. One of Brooke's passions is her horse Starbuck which leads to the reason she is so happy she got a truck for her birthday. Having the truck will allow her to transport Starbuck to shows and will also be helpful when she goes to work at the barn. Brooke hopes to be a veteranian someday.

Brooke, Sweet 16


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

This photo was taken while we were in Philadelphia. We took a bus tour and took several pictures while riding on the top. This is a great way to tour a city. I love this beautiful entryway to China Town.

Entryway to China Town in Philadelphia




Saturday, November 12, 2011

Today is Robert's birthday. We wish him a great day. Robert was transferred to Baton Rouge La. He called last week and told us he had been promoted to General Manager of the Restaurant there. Congratulations Robert!

Happy Birthday Robert!




Tuesday, November 8, 2011

In some weddings kids are invited and in some they are not. I have been to both kinds and that is the prerogative of the bride and groom. I wanted to say that every time I have attended weddings where kids have been invited and they have dancing at the reception; I think the kids have more fun than the adults. That is saying a lot because that is also a time that even adults seems to let loose and have the greatest time. Andy and Joyce are Scott's cousins and our niece and nephew. Didn't they look cute! I love Joyce's dress.

Andy and Joyce Dancing at Scott's Wedding Reception




Monday, November 7, 2011

Here are a few images of Scott and Elizabeth's Reception. It was wonderful and a lot of fun.

The Bride's Mother and Step Father Entering the Reception




Bride's Father and Step Mother




The Groom's Parents, Angela and Doug Entering the Reception




Scott and Elizabeth by the Cake




Scott's Parents, Angela and Doug Dancing




My two sisters-in-law, Maria and Mary Ann and Brother-in-law Bill and Nephew Andy




I am sorry that the next two pictures are blurry. I still wanted to post them because the Bride and Groom's rehearsed dance was amazing and very well done. I think the photos even though blurry still show a little action and the fun they were having.

Bride and Groom Dance




Scott and Elizabeth's Dance




Elizabeth Dancing With Her Dad and Scott Dancing with his Mother




Mother, Groom Dance and Father,Bride Dance




Monday, October 31, 2011

The Ceremony of Scott and Elizabeth's Wedding

On October 9Th our nephew Scott married Elizabeth in Philadelphia. Bob and I took a flight out for the wedding and it was combined with a vacation with some of the other family members that attended. Scott is our nephew on Bob's side of the family and in the spring we also attended a destination wedding in Florida to our other nephew Scott's wedding on my side of the family. I call this the year of the "Scott's Weddings."

The wedding was very beautiful with the ceremony outside. Themed in fall colors everything was exquisitely decorated in detail. Scott and Elizabeth even carved out pumpkins at the entryway of the club with their initials, date and etc. I don't have a picture of that but I'll try and get one in the future.

Scott's sister Dianna, also a bridesmaid, sang. She has a stunningly beautiful voice and the song was lovely.

If anything went wrong in this wedding I was unaware of it. Everything seemed beautiful and perfect.

Best wishes to Scott and Elizabeth wishing them a long and happy life together.

Scott with his Groomsmen, His Brother Brian is the Second from the Right