Thinking about my Mom and Dad

Tuesday, September 29, would have been my Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary so I am thinking about them today. Dad died on March 9, 2009. Mom is going strong and takes care of her great grandchildren. This photo was taken in November of 2008 when Dad had minor surgery at the Hays Hospital. I just wanted to let you know that I am missing my Dad and thinking about my Mom.

A Beautiful Family

Jackie and Di and their sons Jeremy and Joshua

Joshua is 10 months old. Isn't he darling?

Jeremy is now playing on a football team. He plays on the line on both offense and defense.

Sweet Joshua

Jeremy in a superhero pose.

First photos of Brooklyn courtesy of Kelly

Sweet, sweet Brooklyn Mae Thielen

Brooklyn and her big sister Hallie. Notice the ribbon's in Hallie's hair - it says - it's a girl. You can click on the picture to see it in a larger view. For the last three months or so whenever you asked Hallie what her new baby's name was going to be, she said Goober. I like Brooklyn better than Goober. I do think Hallie will call her little sister Goober a few times during their lives.

Garrett and great-grandma Velma Mae - yes, Brooklyn has her great-grandma's middle name.

I guess Sam didn't trust Brooklyn's doctor so he decided to do his own health evaluation on her.

Anna and baby Brooklyn

It's A Girl - Brooklyn Mae

Matt and Lori have another daughter and Hallie has a little sister - Brooklyn Mae was born on Thursday, September 24. Photos in a couple of days.

Photos from Susan's birthday weekend

Nancy, Deb, Susan and I went to the Kansas State Fair on Saturday to help Kevin and Sharon work the Ag play area for children. Ag land is a place for children to explore agriculture and to just get a break from the rigors of the fair by playing and running around in an enclosed area. Nancy is sweeping grains of wheat, corn, soybeans, milo and sunflowers seeds. Kids put their hands in the buckets to feel the seeds. Of course, a lot of the grains end up on the floor.

Susan's job was to weigh children and compare their weight to something on the farm.

Debbie's job was to daydream about her next quilt design.

Kevin had the most interesting job - he had to repair Blossum's udder. Sharon was definitely excited to assist Kevin in that job.

Kevin and his mom, Susan

Sharon, Kevin and Susan share a laugh about Blossum's problem.

After the fair, we stopped at Joey and Kelly's house in Dorrance. Sam was riding the Gator when we arrived. He loves it. TAKE special notice of how short Sam's hair is in the front, he cut his own hair earlier in the day.

The brothers - Sam and Garrett - tussle over who gets to control the steering wheel. Again, notice Sam's short hair.

Susan had a lot of love from her grandchildren as she opened her birthday gifts.

We had a birthday breakfast for Susan on Sunday morning. Hallie and Anna helped Nancy make a concoction of a banana on a stick, covered in a peanut butter/maple syrup mixture and then sprinkled with granola or sprinkles.

The cousins - Hallie and Anna

Matt, relax - you're having a new baby. Think of the tax break.

Sweet Anna

Hallie made a pile of pillows and blankets on the floor and then jumped off the couch into the pile. I don't think Hallie has gotten Grandma Susan's line of 'no jumping on the furniture.'

Garrett with his breakfast of a fruit smoothie (in a wine glass) and the special peanut butter and maple covered banana on a stick.

The expectant parents - Matt and Lori. We are all waiting on THE phone call about the new baby.

Sweet Hallie and her banana concoction.

Anna and her, you guessed it, banana concoction.

Anna got an early start on a Halloween costume. Her brother, Sam, enjoyed the entertainment from Anna the clown. Notice Sam's hair - this photo was taken Friday night - before he gave himself a haircut.

Nancy gave my mom a foot massage - and had plenty of help from Anna, Hallie and Sam.

Susan and Sam then gave Hallie a foot massage.

While others were getting a foot massage, Joey and Garrett took a little rest in the other room.

And then - Sam received a foot massage.

Happy Birthday Dear Sister Susan

Happy Anniversary to Lori and Matt; and Happy Birthday to Colleen

I had a tough time finding a recent photo of Matt and Lori. I had lots of each one of them, but there weren't any of Matt and Lori in the SAME photo - that will have to change. Of course, I will wait until Lori has her baby, which should be in the next couple of weeks. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am ready for Hallie's little sister or brother to be here NOW.

Happy Birthday Colleen - hope you play a round of golf to celebrate the big day.

Labor Day Weekend Family Fun

Why do Gayle and Debbie have such smiles on their faces? Because they are sneaking tastes of the smoked ribs, smoked pork loin, and smoked chicken. It was absolutely delicious!

Anna and Garrett arrived at the party and held hands as they walked from the car to the house.

More holding hands - Joey and his son, Sam.

Kelly didn't have anyone to hold hands, but she did give a movie-star look for the camera.

My mom, Velma, with her own movie-star pose.

Jody and Anna - this is a pre-fall down the stairs photo of Anna. You will notice a different look for her in the rest of the photos.

My dear sister, Susan

Anna performing trick riding on ole Red.

Anna needed a little tender loving care from her grandma Susan after she fell down the stairs and smacked her mouth on the tile at the base of the stairs.

Sweet Natalie was a little perplexed at Anna's injury.

Anna's top lip did swell up, but it did not stop her from playing with cousin Natalie.

I love the look on Natalie's face. She is not sure if it is a good idea for Anna to push her in the swing.

Greg and his followers: Anna, Natalie, Sam and Lilly the dog.

Sweet Sam

Sam and Natalie waited patiently as Greg brought the horse to them.

Greg taught Natalie how to lead Allyson, the horse.

Cousins Natalie and Anna stand on the fence together as they watch the horse.

Anna, Natalie and Garrett sit on the fence. Isn't it great being a farm kid?

Anna and Greg up close with the horse.

Allyson, the horse, tried to nibble on Natalie's belly. Good thing her daddy, John, was near to protect her.

More Anna and Greg

Sam had his own fun climbing on the fence.

Sweet Natalie

Jody and her niece Natalie

Garrett found some old farm toys. I think they belonged to John when he was a young boy. Can you tell Garrett attended a combine demolition derby earlier in the day? Well, maybe I am asking a little to much, but he did spend time in the sun. Notice the sunburn?

Jody spent time swinging Anna.

Sometimes you just have to sit in the grass and enjoy the day. Natalie did just that as she waited her turn on the swing.

More of Natalie enjoying the day.

Anna recovered enough from her fall down the stairs to give Natalie a good push on the swing.

Debbie and her son, John

Debbie and her kids, John and Jody

Siblings Jody and John

Nancy and MK

The best mom in the world and her favorite daughter.

I just had to include this photo of Sam. He was getting tired and a little cranky.
He wanted to go home.

It pleased Sam that he could wave goodbye. He was ready to go home and go to bed.