Flash Back about 12 Years (??)

Saturday night while we were in Grinnell, we had to make the traditional trip to the Dairy Barn. It is a little locally owned ice cream place that has really good ice cream and food. There are no bathrooms, and very little parking. The International dealer is right next door, so we usually just park between the rows of equipment when we go.

While going through pictures for the party, we found the picture on the left. It is Cale on the left, and my nephew Luke on the right on a combine next to the Dairy Barn. My guess is that this was taken about 12 years ago when Cale was 2 and Luke was 3. As we were getting in the car Saturday night we decided that we would try and recreate the picture. We didn't do too bad! Except they are on the wrong side of the combine.

They have grown just a little bit! Just look at which bar they are holding onto in each picture. Where did the time go??

The Weekend

This is going to be mostly pictures from the weekend. We celebrated my parents' 50th. anniversary on Sunday. Half way through the day, I got smart and gave my camera to my cousin to take pictures. I tried to take a lot of pictures myself, but I always ended up chatting with people along the way, and I missed a lot of pictures. I should've given her the camera to start with!

The whole bunch of us....Cale, Keith, Me, my brother Kevin, Jared, Mom, Dad, my brother Todd, my niece Abby, Trevor and my nephew Luke.


The 5 of us. I'm reminded of the wooden sign I got for my parents at the Franklin County Fair years ago that said:

Honoldsville

Population 5

Beware of Traffic!

Todd and Luke

Uncle Kevin and Jared

Jared and Grandma--just waiting for people to show up!

Keith with his parents

My cousins... Brooke, Kristi, Julie and Kelli

Abby's boyfriend, Blake with Abby and Luke

My cousin Kelli, Me, my cousin's son Brady, Blake, Abby, my cousin's daughter Brooke and my cousin Kristi.

My brother, Todd with his very good friends Austin and Kim.

Abby, Mom and I showing off our corsages.

My Dad with his niece, Dawn....who just so happened to be their flower girl.

The next generations of cousins....

(front) Jared, Abby, Trevor, Alec, Michael and Brooke

(back) Cale, Luke, Evan, Brady and Aaron

Cousins...

Me, Kristi, Todd, Kari, Julie, Kelli and Kevin

What a great weekend!! It was great to see so many people!!

Happy 50th. Anniversary, Mom and Dad!!

50 Years ago today my Mom and Dad got married. I can't remember just how long they dated, but it was longer than people usually did. They were older then most people were when they got married--during those days any way! My parents met on a double, blind date-set up kind of thing. My Mom was teaching school in Latimer, Iowa...a small town in northern Iowa. Her and another girl, Marilyn, lived together, and neither of them had a car. On a Friday, a lady offered them her car to drive to Hampton to a movie, and then told them to stop back at the little cafe she ran in Latimer when they were done to get something to eat. Little did they know that this lady had also told 2 young men to stop by because there would be a couple of "young teachers" coming in. Well, one was my Dad and the other one was a guy named Maynard.

Well, Maynard and Marilyn ended up dating and getting married, and we all know how it turned out with my parents! If you ask those guys how they ended up with who they did, Maynard will tell you that he always wanted to marry a red-head, and Marilyn was a red-head. My Dad will tell you that he got stuck with what was left!

When my parents went and told my Mom's parents that they were getting married, my Grandpa told my Dad that he had not asked for permission. My Dad told him "Well, I thought you would want to get rid of her!" I'm certain that my grandparents wondered what on earth their daughter had gotten into!!

They got engaged in May of 1961. Mom was surprised because Dad had picked out the engagement ring and wedding ring all on his own. And he did a great job! It was gorgeous!Things were so different then because they were able to put a wedding together in about 2 months. Simply unheard of in today's world!! Shortly after their engagement, my Dad's grandpa celebrated his 90th. birthday and my Mom had to help serve. Her engagement ring was a little big, but she was determined to wear it so she tied string around it--like you do with a class ring!

This is my Mom's engagement picture. Back then, only the bride-to-be had their picture taken to announce their engagement. Mom said she had these pictures taken in Mason City and she had trouble getting to her appointment because there was a parade with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones in it. They were there as part of a celebration for the movie "Music Man" which is based in Mason City.

They were married on Saturday August 5, 1961 at 2:30 PM. Their ceremony took place at the United Methodist Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. ("Reception after ceremony in church parlors")

My Mom's sister, Betty (her maid of honor) and her Mom.

My Mom's brother, George, my Dad's brother, Frank and my Dad. (Groomsman and Best Man)

My Grandpa and my Mom.....one of my favorite pictures! I have a similar one with my Dad.

The church was being remodeled, so they had to get married in the fellowship hall. That explains the folding chairs!

The wedding party. Vernon (Dad's brother), Karen (Dad's sister), Betty (Mom's sister), Mom and Dad, Frank (Dad's brother), George (Mom's brother), and Paul (Mom's brother). Flower girl was my Dad's niece, Dawn, and the ring bearer was my Mom's cousin, Howdy.

My Dad's parents on the left and my Mom's parents on the right.

My Dad was apparently on his best behavior!

The decorated car. They had put Limburger cheese on the motor and rumor has it that when it got hot--it stunk!!

Color film was rarely used. Mom said that it was usually bought for special occasions like Christmas. I see that this was considered a special occasion! :)

All ready to go! I love how dressed up they were to get in the car and drive! They went to Wisconsin and put their car on a boat and crossed Lake Michigan and then drove home through Chicago...enjoying the Dells, Buckingham Fountain and a baseball game along the way. Then they headed home....as my Mom said in her wedding book "after the first wonderful week of marriage!"

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad. We couldn't be happier for you and more proud of you! 50 years is quite an accomplishment! We are also very thankful for the many examples that you had given us. Because of you we know all about loving....and being loved.

WE LOVE YOU!!

We are hosting an Open House for them on Sunday the 7th. at their church in Grinnell.

Trevor's Thankful For.....

Cale and Jared went home with Keith's parents Monday night. Summer is getting away from us, and they hadn't been to their house at all this summer. They are having fun playing on the high school baseball field in Coon Rapids and swimming. They went to eat at the bowling alley last night and even did some bowling. Keith is bringing them home tonight. Trevor is going next week with his cousin, Maddie.

This left Trevor and I home for these 2 days by ourselves. Yesterday, we ran errands in the HEAT for 6 1/2 hours. He was such a trouper! We got his school supplies bought which was a much more pleasant experience with just one child at a time! Cale even gave us permission to get his things bought. One thing Trevor enjoyed doing was pushing the cart when we were at Target and Sam's Club. Those older boys always seem to take over driving responsibilities with the cart!

We had lunch at Hy-Vee and a mid-afternoon snack at Cold Stone where he discovered Chocolate Cake Batter ice cream with white chocolate chips. When Keith came home we headed out for dinner (Taco John's!) and then he wanted Keith to come to Cold Stone, too. Yes, we went to Cold Stone twice in one day. We are living large here!! (If we keep this up, that could be a literal statement!!)

While we were sitting at Cold Stone with Keith, I mentioned how much I had enjoyed my day with just him and I. He was such a joy all day. Keith admitted he was envious. Trevor then looked at us and said "I'm just thankful to be here. I'm thankful that Mommy decided that she needed 3 boys!" Gosh, he just melted my heart! All along, I just knew that I was the lucky one of the day, and it was so sweet to know that he enjoyed his time as much as I did!!

Today, I think that we'll head to the Iowa State Bookstore to look around and maybe lunch in the Union. Maybe some swimming. Possibly dinner out again. I hear him mentioning Valentino's Pizza and Pasta Buffet. And how can I tell him no??

Could you??