Merry Christmas!!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the yard,
not a cousin was ready not even Gregory Bernard.

The sodas were flowing and the laughs were contagious,
Uncle Frank was still quite outrageous.

Chris sat begging for the laughs to subside,
because she was getting a stitch in her side.

While Lisa was enjoying a new status with her "cat eyeglasses",
Steve was getting ready to join the masses.

When off to the side Angela heard such a clatter,
Ann said "What in the world is the matter?"

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
but Bill with all of his camera gear.

He yelled at the top of his lungs,
get your attention.

Up Artie, up Cathy, up Ronnie & Monica;
Up Susan, up Kurt, up Diane and Kenny.

It's time to smile,
it's time to line up tight
and say:
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Happy Birthday Don!

Don, you have an absolutely beautiful family - I hope you and Heather will make it to the next reunion. We had such a great time, but we missed you.
Have a wonderful day!

Bill, come on down - it's your birthday!

Bill was the official photographer for the reunion and did an absolutely GREAT job - THANK YOU Bill!
Hope you, Becky and family have a great day together -

Happy Birthday Chuckie -

Can you believe it, I finally have a picture of Chuckie - thanks Ann!
Oh, Chuck - first I want to thank you immensely for being there for your mom after your dad died. I know she depended on you a lot for many things, so THANK YOU!
And of course, I have a story - -
Chuck, you were just a little tyke and you fell out of the swing set and broke your arm. Your mom was so worried about you but she also had three other smaller boys at home, so you stayed at Grandma's house the first night after you had the cast put on. I tucked you into bed and elevated your arm on a pillow; you were so sweet and never complained or cried about your break. The very next day, Rick proceeded to show Grandma how you fell out of the swing and broke his arm.

Happy Birthday Pam!

Wow, the three amigos - Pam is on the right (and looking great!) Actually there were four born the same year, Cindy on the left, JoEllen in the middle, Pam and Chuckie (not pictured). What a deal to have that many cousins in the same grade and growing up together. Needless to say, there were some great times and also some not so great times.
Pam, I will never forget the time your house was struck by lightening - the bolt came through the bathroom, bounced through the kitchen and went out the living room. Thank God no one was in the path of harm, but for many years Betty had three little bumps (Judy, Pam & Jackie) attached to her leg every time there was a rumble of thunder. I'm sure you have outgrown the fear of lightening by now (maybe).
Happy Birthday Pam!!!

Happy Anniversary Jerry & Chris -

Holy Cow!! You guys have been married 30 years already - where in the world has the time gone!



Hope you have a wonderful day together, and all your family is home to celebrate with you!

Happy Birthday Eric -

Eric, we hope you have a wonderful day.

Enjoy your day with your beautiful family, it is a pleasure having you in our family!

Well, this has been quite a week - we had some cut backs in our company which make me feel terrible. I am in Human Resources and have to help with all the paperwork (thank God I don't have to sit in on the final interview) but I know these people so well. Just before Christmas and many have young families or have illness in their families. I know that we can't let our emotions play a role and we have to do what is right for the company, but . . . I just wanted to die for these people who lost their jobs this week.
So this morning I'm at work and walk through the lobby and this is what I see out of the floor to ceiling windows . . .

It was a complete rainbow reaching from the ground to ground - the colors were so vibrant and beautiful! I couldn't believe the beauty and of course we all know that a rainbow is God's way saying that there is hope! (click on the picture and you can see it full size and full color)

Which reminds me of when I was flying home for the reunion last fall, the leg from Dallas to Des Moines was a smaller plane and I was looking out of the window down at the ground and I saw a complete rainbow from the top! It was the most amazing sight I had ever seen, I would have loved to have gotten a picture of it but was too busy looking at it!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Hey there Hannah, hope you have a wonderful day! Tell Grandma Bernie to buy you something special for a very special girl. What a cute face!!

Birthdays - Birthdays - Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Steve! Hope you and Angela have a great day together along with your brother-in-law, Steve and the rest of the clan.


And the other Steve - happy birthday! These are great pictures of Steve during the reunion, he is looking good and loves showing off that beautiful granddaughter of his.

I remember when Steve was about 6 or 7 and he was sitting on the back step with grandpa laughing and telling him about how dumb the kids were in school. "Grandpa, they didn't even know what a "dolly" on a trailer is!" Can you imagine! Grandpa loved to tell that story to everyone, how great and smart his wonderful grandchild was.



Mary Ann, it's your day as well! Yup, we recognize you behind that sun glasses!

Mary Ann, you were always there for the folks. I think Grandma always had a soft spot in her heart for you since you came from "down home" in West Point. And you being a nurse helped her immensely when she was dealing with grandpa's cancer. Thank you for being there for them when they needed you most!

Joe & Betty's Anniversary - AND Jean & Bill's Anniversary!

Jean and Bill got married one year to the day before Joe and Betty, Bill looked so handsome and Jean was so beautiful. Bill's brother Earl was best man and he was in uniform at the time - wow, what a great day.
The following year Joe and Betty married with Joe in his uniform and Virgil was best man, with sleeves a little too short. I love that picture - they all looked so young (of course they were? Duh)

Happy Birthday Jarrod-

Jarrod, I do have your family picture, however I can't find it (go figure). sigh!

Anyway, Jarrod I am going to tell a story on you - Jeff is 6 months older than you and you would come to Eagle for the summer to stay with your grandparents, Chuck and Mary Ann. The great big garden they planted every year was right across the street from our house. It was spring time and the strawberries were ripe, you and Jeff got into the patch and enjoyed a couple of ton. And you know what happens when you eat too many strawberries! You didn't quit make it to the bathroom in time, so your grandma felt sorry for you and didn't kill the two of you!

Have a great day Jarrod!!!

Sand Sculptures -

A friend and I went to the beach for the annual Sand Sculpture contest, these are some of the winners - can you believe it?Don't know who won, but it sure was fun to see how creative they were -


I know it's Thanksgiving time, but it sure was fun to go to the beach again.


This was done by a Cub Scout troop - they had a ball doing it!! I love the weather this time of year down here, I can probably pretend that this is snow - but it's a whole lot easier to get around in. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday Michael -

Michael, it's your birthday today! (Michael is in the middle of the twins with his grandpa, Frank in the back) I'm sure you will have a fun filled day with all your cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Enjoy!

Yesterday the 21st was Joe's birthday-

Sooo, yesterday was Joe's birthday and again, I don't have a single picture of him. Come on you guys I need some pictures of Chuck, Kevin, Brian, Rick and Joe - anyone???
Anyway, Joe you have two beautiful children and a great wife who is pretty, nice and puts up with you. (Just kidding) Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful day, full of surprises and fun!
Happy Birthday Joe!

Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary -

Isn't this a great picture! Do you know that Grandma's sister, Mayme made all the dresses for this wedding - the detail is phenomenal. Weren't they a great looking couple, very attractive, both of them.

Yesterday was Brian's Birthday -

Sorry Brian, I know yesterday was your birthday and I missed it! And as you can guess, I don't have a single picture of Brian - man! Does anyone have any pictures??

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Anniversary Diane and Chuck -

Chuck & Diane it was so great to see you both again, can't wait for the next reunion. I will always remember you and your Dad, Bill playing duets on the guitar, hope you still play. Have a great day!

This is too funny!

This is probably the last storm of the season, and the meteorologists could not decide exactly where the storm is headed. Your guess is as good as any! I love it - all over the map!

Happy Birthday Tina -

Tina, I don't have a picture of you - some of your precious children. I'm sure your mom, Pam is doing something special with you today - so have a great day!!

Just in Case . . .

Just in case you want to know . . . there are only 45 days to Christmas! Better get busy - I want . . .

Becky & Bill, Happy Anniversary -

Bill, thanks for all your hard work in taking pictures during our reunion. And of ourse, we have no pictures of you and Becky together - everyone had such a good time!


Becky talking with Jerry - I still get so astounded at the good time every one had. Every picture was filled with laughter and great conversation. Anyway, happy anniversary Becky and Bill!

Happy Birthday Louis!

I will never forget your grandma, Mary Ann telling about the time you and your two cousins climbed up on top of the garage, she just about had a heart attack until you got down all safe and sound.
You tell that mom of yours, Ann to do something really cool with you today. Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Cindy!!!

Cindy, JoEllen and Pam - all the same age and looking good! The friendships of cousins remain forever, almost as good as sisters.
Cindy and Chris going over last minute ideas at the reunion. Cindy was an invaluable asset to the reunion. She took care of printing and mailing out all the newsletters. Thanks Cindy!

And this great picture of Grandma Cindy. Cindy has always been the rock, I can remember the time we were in Houston with Patty when she had brain surgery. She was the strong one through the entire time Patty was so sick. Cindy, you are special! Have a great day!

Two Birthdays today - Greg and Amanda

The only good picture I have of Amanda is here with her immediate cousins. Amanda, you have been a source of joy for your grandmother, Dorene and your dad, Ronnie. Have a fun filled day!


Yup, its Greg's birthday, ornery little dickens anyway. I am so glad he enjoys life so much, I think he takes a little after his uncle Frank - don't ever grow out of that enjoyment! Have a wonderful day, Greg.

Happy Birthday Trish -

Trish, my condolences - only you could put with Greg for so long and what a joy it is I'm sure. One thing for sure, with that house full of boys I'm sure you never have a moment to yourself. So my wish for you today is that you will have some quality time to yourself and that Greg will take you someplace special for your special day.

Have a great day and know that we all appreciate you and love you! Happy Birthday!

Happy Anniversary Rick & Michelle -

Ya, I don't have a single picture of Rick & Michelle! Sure wish I did, and to tell you the truth, I don't even have any good stories to tell on them! Now is that just pathetic or what?
Rick and Michelle, Mary & Chuck really enjoyed you two and loved it when you would come home and be with them. Thanks!

Happy Anniversary Kurt & Jean

Well, Kurt today you and Jean are celebrating your 17th wedding anniversary, can you believe it?
Hope you guys have a wonderful day!

Happy Anniversary Frank & Mary Ann -

Well, Frank and Mary Ann are celebrating their 49th Anniversary today - I can remember when they got married. I was at school in Wisconsin and Frank drove from Eagle to pick me up and then we drove to West Point. A heck of a long way for Frank to drive but I was in the wedding. I can still remember the dress I wore, it was gunmetal blue and absolutely the most gorgeous dress I had ever seen. I loved the cut and the color of the dress, they were so cool. Mary Ann comes from a large family as well and the wedding taking place in Grandma and Grandpa's home town the wedding was huge!
I hope they do something fun for their anniversary - like run the "ding wams" on the mighty Mississippi.

Happy Birthday Paula -

Well, today is Paula's birthday and I don't have a single picture of her or her family, I sure wish I did. Paula is so sweet and has two adorable boys, Mary Ann and Chuck thought she was perfect for Joey.
Paula hope you have very happy day - enjoy it!

I know - the last blog was pathetic . . .

Well, for some reason I have been thinking of Virgil a lot and how robust he always was - here is a picture of him when he was in the service. When Grandpa had his stroke, Virgil got called back and I can remember going to pick him up.
Back in the 50's Grandma had a new fang dangled washing machine that rotated back and forth, then you took a stick, pulled the clothes out and ran them through the wringer. My job was to be in the basement and run the clothes through the wringer. I was probably about 10 or so and I managed to run my hand through the wringer with the clothes. There I stood, screaming at the top of my lungs that my hand was stuck! Virgil came flying down the steps with a crow bar and popped the wringer open to free my hand. Nothing was damaged, except a cheap ring I got from the "cracker jack" box. It was some time later when I was using the same machine, that I noticed a lever on the side - pulled it and voila, it popped open the wringer. DUH!
(Incidentally, voila sounds phonetically like whala hence the improper spelling, often used by morons in an attempt to sound more intelligent than they actually are.)

No birthdays for a while so I'll fill in?

We go a couple of days without a birthday and I'm getting lonesome for you guys so I went for a walk today and took some pictures. The weather has finally cooled down and I have "Spring Fever" in the fall. I washed windows and cleaned the lanai and basically got ready for being outside again. So. . . I went for a walk and enjoyed all the fruit of the beautiful flowers we have blooming all year around here. I can remember growing some of these flowers up north and was exited when they grew up to about 3' or 4'. The picture below is an umbrella plant and I am standing on the third floor, they grow humongous here!
A split leaf philodendron -
A Bromiliad outside our complex -

A yellow something - not sure what it is, but it looks pretty!

And of course the ever present bougainvillea - Grandma loved flowers and always had plenty around the house and yard. And that love spilled over on Mary Ann, Dorene, Bernadette and the rest of the family. I love this time of year down here - but I do miss seeing everyone!

Happy Anniversary Kenny & Rhonda -

Happy Anniversary Ken & Rhonda - what a great looking family and what a blessing you are to your mom and dad.

Becky, happy birthday -

Becky here with Jerry discussing something really important - maybe.


This is a great picture of Becky and her daughter - have a great day!

Happy Birthday Landon!

Landon completely zonked after a long day of hard playing!

Landon with Grandma, JoEllen again completely wore out from playing with all his cousins! He does everything at warp speed, so when he crashes, he crashes!