Potty Chair

This chair was at my parents' house, out in the garage, with the paint peeled off, and not looking very useful. It had belonged to my Grandma Busch and was used in those pre-plumbing days. My sister didn't want it, but suggested I put it on my porch with flowers. So, Chuck powerwashed the old paint off, and I repainted it. I really like it, and was glad she had the idea (and now she is saying that she did want it after all! HA)

A teenager lives here!

My baby has turned 13! I remember when my kids were little and friends would have children turning 13, and I just couldn't imagine mine that age. But, here we are! He had his extended family and two friends over for a night of kickball and fishing. He requested his favorite blackberry cobbler (thanks Stephanie for your help on the crust!). We have kept track of his height on our measuring stick since he was very small, and he grew four inches this year and is about to outgrow the stick!

Pheasant Pot Pie

At my husband's request, I made pheasant pot pie. (another attempt to use the wild meat in my freezer). I was so glad that all three of them really liked it because it was quite labor-intensive--I boiled a pheasant, de-boned it, made the pie crust from scratch, and put it all together. For me, if I am going to go to all that work, I would prefer it to be some decadent chocolate dessert! :-) But, I am trying to be a good wife!

Grandma's Birthday

Donna and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa for Grandma's 84th birthday. Although we had seen them in the past year, we hadn't been at their house, and we were happy spend time at their house ( in York, NE.) There are such wonderful memories there for us. Aunt Karen was there, too, and she brought a yummy lemon birthday cake. It was great to be able to spend the day there. We feel blessed to have granparents who have been such a big part of our lives. We got there at noon and headed back at about 5pm. We had left the men and children at home. Our friend, Jennie, rode along with us to visit some friends of hers in York, and we had a fun girl drive.

Another Treasure!

When we were growing up, there was nothing quite as exciting as getting a box of hand-me-downs from my aunts! We never knew what we might find there! Since we didn't have much money for new clothes, it was always wonderful to see what great finds were in the big boxes from Aunt Karen and Aunt Patricia (and Aunt Kathy might have worn some, too!) My grandma had made some of them. On one of my trips this Spring, I had to bring back this treasure Mom saved back for me! They are banana bell-bottoms!

I wish I could have really modeled them for everyone to see, but these baby-bearing hips will never fit into these again! :-)

Treasures

As we went back to Mom and Dad's, we found many 'treasures'--most of those had to do with memories that were associated with items. This is one of my favorite treasures that my parents gave me that I had never seen before. The apron was my Grandma Ida's (Dad's mom) and it said, "I cook for Virgil". I thought it was sweet!

Good-Bye South Dakota

After 42 years, my parents moved from South Dakota. They are now in Houston. I moved to Yankton with them when I was a year old, and then, when I was 12, we moved out to the country. They had been there for the last 30 years. It was bittersweet on my three trips back this Spring, with the last one being loading up the U-Haul and Chuck and Dad heading for Houston. (My mom flew the next day). We re-lived a lot of memories as we sorted through many things! I included a picture of the barn and the shed; the view out Donna's and my bedroom window, our driveway (my favorite picture) and the U-Haul driving away.

Easter in Missouri

We went to Colleen's for Easter the Sunday after Easter and had our annual egg hunt. Lunch was great, and the weather was beautiful. There were many, many eggs to find, and they had a great time discovering what treasures were inside. Dayton, Austin, Caden, Jake, Conrad and Michaela hunted eggs.

Easter in South Dakota

My parents, after 42 years in South Dakota, moved to Houston! I went three times this Spring to visit, sort, and help pack. One of those times, Donna and I took the kids for Easter--they loved hiding eggs outside there. When we were there for Easter about 4 years ago, they made a bunny cake, and Caden really wanted to make another one, and of course, Grandma said "yes"! :-)

Flashback Friday!

This is one of my favorite pictures. My sister, Donna, and I both had a doll like each of the ones we are holding, and we loved them!