Fun, Fun, & More Fun!

Scott, Emily, and Cara came up this last week for three days of birthday celebrations, fun, hard play, swimming, paddle boat rides and just hanging out together.

The first thing we had to do was check out all of the new things that I found at garage sales that Cara needed . . .

. . . her new car . . .


. . . a new playhouse, she is growing so fast she is too tall for the first playhouse she had . . .


. . . a white rocking horse.


After a delicious dinner and birthday cake that Scott and Emily made it was then time to help Grandpa open up his presents.

The next morning, while Cara's mom and dad got a little extra sleep the three of us headed outside to the paddle boat, still in our pj's. Cara helped Grandpa get it ready to go into the pond and we had a ride around the pond.


Helping Grandpa ready to sail.




Our jam packed days of things to do included a visiting with our neighbors the llamas, a big hit . . .


. . . another paddle boat ride.



Everyone that knows me knows how much I like to swim and I am happy to say that Cara enjoys the water as much as I do. We sat by the pool just putting our feet in as the water temperature felt a little too cold to get in. Well, before we knew it Cara and I were in the pool, I was walking around holding her. Next I found myself sticking her feet in the water and well . . .


. . . it didn't feel that cold anymore . . . so the bathing suits came on, grandpa and mom came in the water and we played in the pool. It really helped that the full sun was out and kept us warm.


Walking around the pool all by herself!


Toasting cheers with an ice cream bar!

Thanks for the wonderful birthday visit, cake, gifts, and being here.

Waiting For Cara

We are waiting for Cara and her folks to arrive tomorrow so we can play with some of the new toys waiting for her. See you all soon!!

Dear Dad

That's my dad, see how proud I am of him!
ca 1947

Dear Dad,

I think about you every day. I miss seeing you and talking with you. I hope when you were here I took enough time to let you know what a wonderful father you were and how much I loved you and I still do. I miss you as much now as when you lwent to Heaven. How I would like to hear your voice again and get a hug from you. You were always there for me and I can still see the winkle in your eyes and the half smile on your face when I would do or say something funny. I knew that you were the head of the house and never pushed you with the rules even though I knew there pretty much wasn't anything I could do to upset you.


Family photo.
ca 1949

You would be so proud of your grandchildren and how you would love your great grand daughter, she is the love of my life and I know she would be at the top of your list.


On vacation in 1951 standing by the giant lake with my dad to protect me from falling in.

Thank you for being the best father anyone would be proud to have. For always being there sharing, caring, and loving.


Birthday celebration and the birthday spanking, one for each year, 1956.

Thank you for all you have done for me and given me and making me what I am today.

Love you forever and always,
Steph

Happy Anniversary

Happy anniversary! I cannot believe it but three years ago today our little girl, Cyndi, married the love of her life, Danilo, in Italy.

Wishing Cyndi & Danilo many years of happiness and may their love continue to grow with each passing day.

Aftermath Of A Storm

The weather in the Midwest over the past few weeks has been not kind with many damaging storms and tornadoes passing through cities. We have been fortunate because where we live the storms have all been passing through to the south of us.



Early in the evening yesterday our county was under a tornado watch, meaning that conditions were right for one to develop. While we experienced strong thunderstorms we were spared the tornado and watched in awe with the beauty nature can bring. In between rain storms the view outside out windows held the most spectacular rainbow.



I hope the other areas affected by the storms passing through were as lucky as us and escaped the damage that the high winds can cause.



Now if we could just find the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow we would be all set for the high life.