Thursday, July 24, 2008

Yup it's Rex's birthday -

You know it really stinks being an in-law,
I had to look high and low to find just one picture of Rex - but here he is in the back row with his father-in-law, Frank and Lisa's twins, Eric and Daniel; and Michael in the middle belongs to Sue and Rex. Look at all the corn in the background - wow, typical Iowa. And talking about Iowa, they are still trying to get out from under all that water from the flooding. I know they are getting discouraged, keep them in your prayers.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More pics on birthday girl - Jo!

Jo waiting with the rest of the cousins for the photo shoot, and as you can tell everyone was having a great time. And here is Jo with her signature smile - isn't it GREAT!!

Here Jo is relaxing and some down time with her grandson - I can remember Jo and I used to love to go walking in a blizzard. Man, we would bundle up and look like snow men but it was so quiet and beautiful. There wouldn't be any traffic and we would walk down the middle of the street, just talking and enjoying the beauty. I really do miss the snow - sometimes.

Now this is a classic! Look at the hair on these guys, gives you a pretty good idea it came straight out of the 80's. Artie and Ron used to give Jo a ride around the house all the time, I wonder if Jim still carries Jo around?
That little person in the front is Jamie - look down at Jo's baby pictures and you can tell who she belongs to.

Now this is the Jo that I remember!

This is the JoEllen I remember - look at that big smile! Awesome!! And what about this threesome, can you believe that Dorene would always dressed up the boys in suits and Jo in cute little dresses. They were always dressed perfectly to go to church and Dorene loved to have the perfect family.

Ah, JoEllen look out - this is your life

Here is Jo with her mom, Dorene - wow, the trade mark smile is not there yet but give her time that beautiful face will light up the world!

Even here with little brother Artie and Dad, Artie Sr. Jo looks a little subdued in her Easter finery. Wasn't she a cutest little person you ever saw? Look at those little pudgy cheeks, the kind you just want to pinch!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Yahoo! Happy Birthday Kurt -


Happy Birthday Kurt, hope you have an absolutely wonderful day!! When I came back from the Extension Volunteers way back in the late 60's, I went to Omaha to work at Mutual of Omaha. I lived with Bernie and Darwin for a while and of course Chris, Kurt and Monica. I had a leather cape at the time that I totally loved, Kurt would put it on and jump from the arm of the chairs and sofa being "Superman"! (Or was it the green something??? Can't remember for sure, maybe someone can fill me in.)

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Happy Anniversary Jo & Jim!

Jo and Jim had a wonderful time at the reunion, they came out in a camper and stayed on at Connie & Bobbie's farm along with Cindy and Gerald. They had some great late nights visiting and getting to know everyone again.

Jo, Jim and Pam talking old times - man Jo and I used to do so many things together, one of them being politics. I would drag her along to keep me company at so many events and we had a great time doing it. I miss you Jo!

Today is JoEllen and Jim's Anniversary, it just seems so strange that they are grandparents - I guess I don't think of any of us getting older. But life keeps marching on - here is their whole family and look at those two cute grand kids, what an absolute joy!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Happy Anniversary Greg & Trish -

Greg, you are something else - always the life of the party!!!! I don't know how you ended up with such a wonderful wife, but the best to the both of you.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Ok, late again - anyway, happy b-day Susan!

I have no idea what everyone is doing in this pic, but I' think E.F. Hutton must have said something by the way they are all listening so intently. Or maybe they were getting directions on the rules for the golf game.

Susan, you were the middle child and caught between keeping up and leading. When you were born, like most kids, you had just peach fuzz for hair but it never came in until you were close to two years old. Your mom would put bonnets on you all the time to keep your perfect little head from getting sun burned. But look at that great head of hair now - so did I embarrass you enough or should I go on?
Happy Birthday Susan!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Today is Doris and Nolan's Birthday -

Doris with her two favorite daughters - oh that's right, her only two daughters. Nice picture which reminds me of the first Christmas when Mark and Doris were going together and we had the annual Umthun Trucking Christmas Party in Grandma's basement, food and dancing. Doris had long hair at the time and in a twirl she got her hair caught in his suit button. A little painful and hard to get it untangled without loosing too much.

Little Nolan on the left with his Mom Monica and sister Celine. When we were in the planning stages, I was in Omaha talking with Monica and looking through old pictures one evening while we were waiting for Bernie to come home. I was explaining to Monica about Great Grandma and how she died in child birth along with other relatives and the kids were watching TV. When Bernie came through the door, Nolan ran to her and hugged her asking if she died. I was horrified, to think that he was listening to our conversation and that he would equate the "Grandma" to Bernie.
Happy Birthday little Nolan and give your grandma, Bernie a hug for me!

June 29th holds a couple of birthdays!

Cathy shares a birthday with Daniel, but as you can see she had an absolutely wonderful time at the reunion. I still can't get over how much fun we all had and if you look through the pictures, everyone was laughing all the time!


Daniel enjoying his time with his little cousins, Britney and Landen, it was a great time to renew those special family bonds.

Happy Birthday (a little late) Daniel and Cathy, hope your special day was GREAT!