Jesse, Happy Birthday

Jesse just turned 15 and here she is pictured with her cousin Stephanie (Lisa's). Jesse belongs to Sue and we want to wish you all the best in the world and stay warm. Your grandpa (Frank) said that his winter coat is still his best friend -

Jeanne, blessed day to you!

Jeanne, I don't have stories to tell on you but I do know that you gave Kurt and your mother-in-law, Bernadette some beautiful children. Tell your family I'm open for anything!
Oh, Chris Umthun did mention something about a dead goat on your farm -

The rest of the story on Ann!

This is a picture of Ann from my wedding, she and Connie were flower girls and both of them were beautiful (I'm just a little prejudice). Then there was the summer Ann got scratched by a cat and had to go through rabies shots, what a terrible ordeal and Mary would promise her the moon to go for the shots. And when Ann decided she wanted to move away from home to a place of her own, Mary Ann was so mad at me for sticking up for Ann. We were on the back patio at Mary & Chuck's and she told me that someday I would know the heart break of a child leaving home. (It was just across town) but she was was heartbroken anyway.


Ann and Steve hamming it up for the camera, of course it's a self portrait of Steve - what a character.


Ann sitting on the lawn visiting with Chris and Angela before the picture taking of the "cousins", Chris and Kurt used to spend some time during the summers with the Powells' enjoying the freedom of a small town. Playing in the creek, riding bikes to the pool, fishing, all the great times of summer.

Annie!!!

Ann's birthday is Saturday and I can't wait to get her posted!
(Ann, pictured on the left with her sister-in-law, Marcie.)
She was the only girl with five older brothers, and her parents thought she was the greatest baby in the world. Ann was an absolutely beautiful child (not saying she isn't now) but here is a picture of her when she was about a year old. Wasn't she the cutest thing?


Oh, don't worry - I have more to blog about Ann!

Hey Ron -

Hey Ron, you have a day all to yourself, yahoo! You enjoy it while you can. I want to thank you for all your loving attention with your mother, you took real good care of her for as long as you could. I know she will enjoy being back in Eagle Grove, she knows so many people there and it will be easier for her to get around. You are a good son, Ron.

Hello Dorene

Dorene, you and Henry share the same birthday - you look like you were having so much fun at the reunion. You were always there for the family. The picture of Jane and me when I was around four or five with our little red and white pin strip dresses was all your doing. You bought the matching dresses, you and Bernadette walked Jane and me uptown to have our picture taken by a photographer and you paid for it. On the way, Jane fell down and got her dress dirty so we had to stop at the grocery store and get her cleaned up. I can't remember the name of the grocery story, but it was right on main street where the Bingo hall is now. You loved to take pictures and you had so many, hope they are still around. Thanks Dorene for all you did!

Oh Henry!

Henry, you are the best thing that ever happened to Annie! It has been such a pleasure having you in the family, you are always so sincere and hard working. Winning the new truck took more than just good looks and luck, you worked hard and proved you certainly deserved it!!! Hope your day will be as special as you are!

Happy Easter

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180983266161000354" />
The greatest Holy Day of the year is Easter for us Christians, and what better way to depict the day than with a sand sculpture of the cross. If you look real close, (click on the blogger site above) you can see the detail that went into this phenomial scene on the beach. But when the tide comes in, his work is washed away - just like Jesus washed away our sins with His blood on the cross.
Be Blessed today!!

Michael - Newest birthday!

Michael is one year old, the youngest of the family - so far. Michael is pictured with his mother, Rhonda and his proud Dad is Kenny. Of course Grandma, Rachel and Grandpa, Virgil think he is pretty special as well. And my goodness, you look so much like your daddy at that age. It is always so great to have babies around, no matter how you feel they make the day so much brighter. And Michael you make a lot of peoples' day so much brighter!

Dustin & Michelle -

Dustin & Michelle in the foreground, is celebrating their four year wedding anniversary! My, time really does fly! I can remember all the weddings of the cousins, Dustin and his parents never missed a one. Dustin was always right in the midst, dancing and having fun. All the younger cousins (and older ones too) thought he was the greatest!
Dustin you are a joy to be around, you and Michelle have two beautiful children. (Cousin Chris Quillen is standing a little behind and between Dustin and Michelle)

Michael

Michael, your birthday was this week and I wish I had a better picture of you. I'm sure you have changed physically since this picture was taken but I remember when you were born. You were so sick and your grandfather, Chuck sat for hours holding you and lovingly nursed you to health. You were so sensitive, quiet, and gentle and loved to just sit quietly and let your grandfather read to you or just snuggle with him. Your grandmother, Mary Ann loved to have you and your brother, Andrew ride your bikes over to visit her after school. I'm sure you still have that beautiful red hair and wonderful disposition.

Rachelle, its your day!

So Rachelle, today is not only your birthday but you are preparing for the biggest day of your life - your wedding day next month. Hope you have a wonderful day today and everything comes together for your wedding. We should use the Irish blessing for this day, but we won't.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Birthday boy Chris sitting with his mom, Diane and cousin Mellorie enjoying the sun and beautiful day. Chris grew up in Virginia and didn't get to be with the rest of his cousins much, hopefully we will be getting together again every two years. We really enjoyed seeing Diane and family again!!

Jeff & Patti's Anniversary -

OK, I couldn't stop myself, today is Jeff & Patti's 2nd wedding anniversary. And since I do the blog. . . .
Happy Anniversary my wonderful duo!

Birthday Girls!

Now we are into 2nd cousins, Jamie and Jennifer were born one week apart, grew up in the same town and actually went to school together, what fun to have so many relatives all in one place. When Jamie was born, she was a little jaundice and had to stay a little longer in the hospital. JoEllen was devastated to leave her precious little girl behind, but just for a short while. Jennifer is married and has a beautiful little girl, Ava. If you compare Ava's picture with Jennifer's baby picture you would think they were the same child.

Dorene

Yup, the one in orange is Dorene -
Dorene was always working, from the time I can remember - but then she was 16 years older than me. I can remember one Thanksgiving, it snowed so much that Mark and Dorene walked to town to buy a Turkey and some of the food to go with it. Jane and I stood on the step landing with our noses pressed to the window waiting for them to return. We were so excited when we saw Mark pulling the sled with the all the food! Mom, Dorene, Jean, Betty and all of the older girls of the family spent many hours canning fruits, vegetables and meat to hold and feed all of us through the winter. I can remember going down to the basement for potatoes and everything else, there were shelves and shelves of food.

Two Birthday People -

Rachel celebrated her birthday on February 24th and Dorene will celebrate hers on March 25th. Can you pick them out of the crowd? Dorene is still at Fountain West Health Center, I'm sure she would appreciate a card or a phone call. Hopefully she won't have to be there very long. Here is her address:
Fountain West Health Center
1501 Office Park Road
West Des Moines, IA 50265