Too Much DQ

1.) So the person working the drive-through window at DQ made this comment to Nancy and me: "What, no Blizzard tonight?" We ordered ice cream cones instead of a Blizzard. That's bad when the drive-through worker wonders why you didn't order a blizzard. She recognized us. By the way, her name is Alyssa. Yes, we know the name of the DQ person..... Bad...

2.) Happy belated birthday to Nancy's sister Jane, also known as Cousin Eddie's wife Katherine. (That is an inside joke from the summer when Jane and Harvey drove the 1981 Winnebago to the farm. It reminded Joey and Matt of Cousin Eddie from the movie Vacation with Chevy Chase.) Jane's birthday was last Friday, August 27.

3.) Congratulations to Nancy's nephew Rob for winning his MMA fight in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday. He now has one of those big, shiny champion's belt with his name engraved.

Baby shower for Jody

Jody was the guest of honor for the baby shower on Saturday. Yes, that is her brother John in the background. Jody and Tim are expecting baby McClelland on 10-20-2010.

Jody had lots of gift opening help from Natalie, Anna, Hallie and Trent.

In this photo I caught Stacia giving her daughter Natalie a bit of advice on taking her turn.

The mother-to-be Jody

The girls (Natalie, Hallie, and Anna) took a break from helping Jody open gifts while Susan and Emily supervised.

Kelly, Susan and Lori were all smiles as Kelly read a book to the kids.

More of the book reading

The kids even helped during the clean-up portion of the event.

Anna, Hallie, Trent and Natalie hid under the piano because John was chasing them.

John and the kids

More of John and the kids

Kelly and daughter Anna

The biggest kid of all - John

John and his daughter Emily. She was worn out and needed a nap.

Stacie and daughter Natalie

After the shower we went to Debbie's house for more fun and food. Papa Greg and his grand daughter Emily.

John was horsing around with the camera so I pushed the shutter button and this is the result. I told you he is the biggest kid.

Debbie giving a little love to her grand daughter Emily.

Stacia and Emily

Natalie with that mischievous look on her face

Lilly greeted Emily with a dog kiss, I don't think Emily was too impressed.

Trent took a liking to old glory.

It seems we always end up near the corral and the horses. Greg and Natalie moved Splash to another pen so he could eat his super without the other horses stealing his food.


Natalie turned her head because she was tickled by the horse nibbling on her.

Greg and Natalie

More of Greg and Natalie

I think I took this photo AFTER Natalie ate her candy bar.

Natalie, Robyn and Trent on the porch swing

Tim and I have a little game we play when I have my camera. He tries to avoid getting his photo taken, and I try to take it.

Tim had just said goodbye to his mom, Robyn.

Then he noticed I was taking his photo, so he gave me the cap shot. I told him that when baby McClelland comes, he will have to deal with lots and lots of photo ops.

Goodbyes at the end of the day.

Avery and her mom Sharon. I took this photo a couple of days before the shower, but decided to include it in this posting. Nancy and I have spent lots of time with Avery lately.

Avery's baptism and lots of Natalie

Avery was baptized on Sunday at St. Isadore church in Manhattan. Many family members gathered for mass at 11:00 and then we stayed for Avery's baptism after mass. The little ones decided to perform their own version of the baptism as the family waited for the real baptism to begin.

Another photo of the waiting family.

My sister Susan and her grand daughter Brooklyn

Sharon and sweet Avery

Sweet Kelly

The proud parents - Sharon and Kevin- listened intently as Avery took in the scene.

Avery's mom, Sharon, made the sign of the cross on Avery's forehead.

The moment of baptism - Father Keith, Sharon and Kevin, and the godparents Jenny and Matt. Jenny is Sharon's sister and Matt is Jenny's husband.

More of the baptism

Sharon and Avery

Avery's Thielen family

Avery's Combes family

On Saturday I went to Salina to spend time with Natalie, Emily and Debbie. The girls' parents were in Colorado for a few days so Grandma Debbie stayed with her grand daughters.

Natalie got a hug from grandma Debbie

Natalie has quite the sense of humor. She took a bandaid off her leg and put it over her eye and acted the part of an injured person.

Sweet little Emily

Another look from Emily

And yet, another smile from Sweet Emily

A goodbye wave from Natalie

Natalie's hair is getting quite long

Another view of Natalie's humor, she told me she was going to sleep in the tub.

Grandma Debbie and Emily