BE (before elle) 1991

Thanks again to MJ for the memory. Photo taken in our living room.

look into the past 1994

This is cute...I don't remember the photo being taken. We were visiting Mary Jo in Atlanta. Thanks MJ for the old photos.

NeeNee pics from Sunday

Some fun pics from sister and Grandma NeeNee:)

Minneapolis tour

On our way to Minneapolis for a concert tour. Check out the cool shades:)

Gone to state...

We went to state as seniors in basketball. Pic was taken at the Holiday Inn... we lost the first round, but had a great time, as you can tell from photo:)

senior year

What a crazy bunch. I'm in the front. Happy memories:)

8th. grade

Thanks to Mary Jo for the nice photo of our 8Th. grade picnic at Cato Falls. I'm on the far left middle row, and MJ was taking the picture. We had SO much fun:)

so many pics, so little time...

Just a short update. Lots of photos from the reunion and visit to Jeannine's house. Thought this one was nice. More to follow.

Welcome to Wisconsin

A warm welcome to Elise and Mary Jo who join us this week from Tennessee and Georgia. We have LOTS of plans, including visiting Grandma in Manitowoc, camping at High Cliff State Park, and celebrating Elle's golden birthday. My basil this year is growing beautifully. We've been giving it away, it's so abundant. Tonight we're planning an Italian meal, and Jeremy (James best man and frat brother) will join us from Kenosha. Paul is in Michigan today playing for an Italian festival, which he does every year and really enjoys:)

Evil Sara sent this to Evil Eva

Community Theater picture

This is cute. It's from FDL Community Theater's Cinderella. Elle is a townsperson trying to try the slipper on her foot. This is funny. The actress that portrayed Cinderella had a large foot. Elle had to act as if it didn't fit. Eva was great when it came to her turn with the herald and the footmen. She actually fell over, and lifted her foot, exposing her bloomers. Shameful. The show was great.

Happy Birthday to my boys:)

Henry is 7 today, and Steven is 8. The first photo was taken by an area artist when Hen was less than 1 year. The Steven pic is one only a mother could love...it seems he is actually smiling. Henry spent the day in his outdoor aviary, and Steven celebrated with a cheeseburger with ketchup. In other news, the carpet layer is coming this evening for Elle's room. Yesterday we bought a beautiful bed quilt and matching pillows. Today, we're looking for curtains and a nightstand. We're also babysitting Jo's dog Ivy, who's very much a puppy. The cats don't know what to think. They're used to old, arthritic or blind dogs. Their tails are like bottle brushes:)

Birthday Wishes...

A "Happy Birthday" goes out to big sister Jeannine today...she is 55 or something:) Also want to send a belated birthday wish to Jeannine's daughter Hannah, who is 29. She's expecting her 3rd. child in the fall, a boy, and he joins 2 sisters at home. My little sister Jo and her kids True and Tatum are visiting this week at Hannah's. Work has been super fun lately. We had all the group home residents at the FDL County Fair today, and they did fairly well, no pun intended. The autistic thought the chickens were too loud, and the brain damaged client had a seizure, but overall it was a success. Elle and I were able to swim for an hour or so afterward, and Eva, Vonn and Elle plan to go back out tonight...with the help of tiki torches for mosquitoes...for another round. Friend MJ from Atlanta will be visiting at the end of the month, as well as our LeeSee. Jo's dog is also visiting, or rather we're babysitting while they are gone.

yet more rain

Incredibly we're under another flash flood warning today with several inches expected. We got a lot done today before it began. We picked out a new ceiling light for Elle's room, so we can finish that up soon. We also offered to help Minnie with her paperwork from FEMA. So many folks were less fortunate that we were. Wonder what this next batch of storms has in store?

Couldn't resist this one taken at 1 hour old.

Happy 15th. Birthday, Elle:)

getting ready

Elle will be 15 on Tuesday. Thought I'd share her birthday photos from ages 1, 2 and 3. We plan a big celebration on August 2nd., when Elise is visiting from Nashville. We have a few surprises.

Show a success and other news...

Cinderella is a success with packed houses so far. Most of the family and several friends are coming on Sunday, so Elle and I spent much of today tidying up. Everyone went to the opening night party at a local club, and had a great time. Eva drove up to Appleton today to get a gift certificate for Paul from Heid Music, as a director's gift...a surprise for Paul:) Aliyah and I had a nice swim last evening, and took advantage of the sun between storms. Henry and Earl are loving this humid heat. They don't want to come inside at the end of the day. I don't blame them. Summer is so short, we've got to enjoy every minute of it!

congrats Eva...

Congratulations to Eva today for receiving a $5000 academic scholarship for Marian this fall:) She will receive an additional $4000 if she agrees to do the Sabre Show musical in the spring. So neat...daddy Paul is super happy! Also, tonight is dress rehearsal for Cinderella. Photo is a dressing room shot. Elle is also in the production, as well as Paul directing musically. Break a leg! A big group of family and friends are attending the Sunday matinee performance, followed by refreshments here at home. Busy week. Next week will slow down a bit, and we'll be celebrating Elle's 15th. on the 15th!

Happy 4th. of July

It is a simply gorgeous day today. Elle and I are planning a trip to High Cliff to picnic, while Paul and Eva do a wedding for one of Elise's classmates. "Joe" was Joseph and Elise was Mary in the nativity play while in first grade. He is in the service and all of his buddies are off today, so the wedding was planned for 3 o'clock. Elise called from Nashville and is looking forward to a visit from her friend and housemate from college days, Holly and husband Josh. Josh is a barber shopper, and he (and James) are busy with the convention in Nashville this week. How nice for them. Holly was married last year this week, so they'll be celebrating an anniversary. This morning we woke up early to exercise a little before it got too warm. Paul, Elle, Eva and I do about 10 miles a day on the stationary bike and 5 miles on the walking trails. Hopefully we can get a little swimming in before the fireworks at Lakeside Park. This year the family is not involved in the symphonic band concert at the Park Pavillion because of the wedding. We'll arrive late but just in time for the fireworks:)