Birthday time

Had this weekend at Theo and Sarah's...and almost all the family...Shaun was missing as he  had a flu bug...we missed him....especially his singing for the birthdays we celebrated!  Our little princess, Zoie turned one and Papa Marv had another birthday as well...and we got enough to eat...sigh!

 with Mommy and Daddy...no cake damage yet!

 oh this birthday cake is great fun!

 with my grandpas and grandmas!

 on my chair!

Happy Birthday, Papa!

December 2010

We had a first in December....a cruise....was seven days and we were with a group of friends that totaled 19...unfortunately I didn't get a group picture of all of us but maybe can include a few on pictures here...we left ahead of a BIG storm in Wisconsin...one of those kind that could be classified as a 'storm of the century'...that being said we did get a touch of it as had rather high seas one night and part of a day...a few didn't handle that so well....and it was part of the same storm system that had come through Wisconsin.  We had four stops and 2 days at sea...the stops were...Key West, Grand Cayman Island, Cozumel and Castaway Island

 leaving Port Canaveral

our ship docked at Key West...our first stop

our stateroom

this was the high seas we had....they would occasionally hit our porthole!

our table on the formal dress night dinner

 

 another couple

and another

 and another

 and another....think every one is on there somewhere!

 didn't know Farmer Marv had a secret career on Grand Cayman...here's proof!

 some of our friends who met our ship on Grand Cayman and arranged for us to have a bus tour of the island...a special highlight for sure!

 and then there was 'fun night' for dinner!

 Some of the Mayan ruins we saw on Cozumel...very interesting

 and of course, a picture with Minnie....she came for breakfast with us one day!

as did Mickey!

 the last night of sailing...smooth seas and sunset!

So now we are experienced 'cruisers'!... not sure when or where we will do it again but did enjoy a good time and experience for now!

 

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is pretty well over...and it was special.  Wednesday evening there was some nasty weather so kind of changed plans for then but then Thursday a.m. was better and company arrived.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures from that day....like I meant to... but do have a few from other things we did this weekend...

Friday....

canning venison....

helping make Mommy's birthday cake....

....with Mommy and the end product!

Sign of the times

need I say more...a couple birthday items!

with Zoie

 ever a paper or book with Papa!

and a little something from one of the 'granddogs', too

beauties in the garden yet as of 11/11....don't look quite so nice any more....

and a visitor who stopped by on the 12th....looks a little bedraggled...was a rather wet day

a little something from earlier this fall...

and Zoie and Cousin Morgan meeting for the first time!


This post is some catching up ... summer is past and fall well on its way out, too....harvest was good and glad to have all in the bin and field work done....now the state is settled in to the 9 day gun deer hunting season....not much work gets done....Shaun is about the only deer hunter left in our family, though...and he got a beauty with his bow.....shaunandhelen.blogspot.com....now it is time for Thanksgiving .... and we look forward to family, food and fun (plus a few chores thrown in!)!  Last weekend we enjoyed time with Theo, Sarah and Zoie.  They were up this way Friday and Saturday to help Will and Becky roof their house so was fun to see them again.  They will be going to her folks for Thanksgiving.
So far we haven't gotten any of the real nasty weather that has started to pass through although just a little bit of ice this morning on the way to meeting. Has been a rainy, gray day all day today. All the snow last weekend by-passed us.
May all who may pass by here and read this have a nice Thanksgiving.....

Fall

Was special to have all the family home this weekend...didn't do just with my camera though...it was also fun to have other company ... one of them being Helen's friend from growing up years and her family .... as well as another family from our meeting...lots of reminiscing going on!  Lots of apple juice also got made...and hmmm...is it good!  Zoie kept three of us adults pretty much at bay getting smiles out of her when we were trying to take pictures of her...I will post a some here that are kind of cute...no prejudice on my part, of course!  Sorry I didn't get much of the other 2 grandchildren.  Everyone is also remarking on how pretty the fall colors are right now...and a sunny day made them really stand out!

Serious business...this tractor driving!

some of grandma's flowers!

and my load of pumpkins!

First day of school

I don't have a picture to go with this....just pictures in my mind and special feelings in my heart....we have just had our convention....and I must say I have come home with the most peace in my heart that I ever have from a convention.....in the meeting Wednesday night it was brought out that we were at the first day of a new school year....a few natural illustrations given..(the one speaking had actually gone to a one room school her early years....and she's not that old...same age as Farmer Marv to be exact)...we don't start with the last lesson and expect to be able to understand it....we learn our ABC's and our 1-2-3 and build on them year by year....and they are then used in many thousands of different ways in life....so we learn in God's way....our ABC's, our 1-2-3's...reviewing and adding to our knowledge...and using them in experiences as we go through life.
The days together were special and again saw clearly there is not lack in our Heavenly Father's storehouse.

So this is my post for today....I do enjoy lots of other blogs and glad for all the special things other people share....fun things, funny things, happy things, sad things, serious things....seems I often learn so much from others and glad for that....

Summer night....

I thought this was kind of neat....picture probably doesn't do it justice.....the evening star, crescent moon, lighted flag at the park and our gazebo and weeping willow....click on the picture if you would like to see it better.