Big TOWN Celebration

The Amvets are still having theire two day celebration in August. There were a fair number of rides for the kids and carnival games for them to play. The evening meal at the community building is always well attended and everyone goes over to the mini-mall to play Bingo afterward. Brett and Dane each won at Bingo. In fact, Dane won two different times, so they pocketed a little spending money.

Brett liked riding the motorcycles, but he was a little camera shy and refused to look at anyone as he was going around. I got his picture anyway!

The dragons were kind of like the tilt-a-whirl, but not quite a fast. Brett wanted to ride but couldn't get his parents to go with him. Stacy went last year and had a headache the rest of the night. So Grandma went - and the ride was fun - it was stopping that made me dizzy!!

Where, but in a small town, would one find swinging bathtubs! Dane really liked this ride.

Everyone wins a prize with the duckpond! Brett got an inflateable pitchfork and Dane got an inflateable airplane - and Dad got to carry them around until it was time to go home. It doesn't beat Adventureland, but no one ever gets lost at the Amvets celebration - everything is confined to one city block!

Baby Shower

What a fun morning we had getting together and getting excited for Mishelle and Steve, Eric and Luke on the pending birth of baby daughter and little sister. We had a baby shower at Maureen's with Rockwell City elementary employees, grandmothers' and close friends in attendance. Doesn't Mishelle look good!!

Grandma Karen (Mishelle's mother) and Grandma Kay (Steve's mother) were both there. They made some comparisons of how many grandchildren they had and Grandma Karen is expecting a great grandchild as well.

Maureen looks over the serving table which she had so tastefully done in pink while Deb is getting some quality visiting time with her.

Maureen and Cathy had fun planning the shower and especially enjoyed seeing everyone again. Maureen will be at Pocahontas Catholic this fall and will be teaching second grade. We miss her at Rockwell City.

The next few pictures are of some of the guests - Rachel and Andy sitting between the two grandmother's.

Pam, Linda, Deb and Linda look pretty comfy - and they are taking time to admire the really cute gifts Mishelle received.

What posers!! You two have had your picture taken a time or two!! Sherry and Rachel - both blonde - and Sherry has shorter hair - how cute!!

Friends from Pomeroy and "future babysitters" looking forward to the new baby

Nicole just landed a new job with AEA (and we are so happy for her, although we will sure miss her) Emily will really miss her - but we are excited that Emily is back full time! Nicole gave the baby the cutest little onesie - and on the front it said, "Does this diaper make my butt look big!" I just loved that little gift - it just keeps going round and round in my head.

Nora got there a little later than most. She just found out it was going to be a little girl so she had to exchange what she planned on giving and buy something pink - and it was CUTE!! She made up for it, though, she was the last to leave - but it was fun sharing stories with her. And Nora, we do miss your cookies!!

Sharon, Maureen and Stacy got caught for a photo

Deb, Kris and Karen - sorry about the light exposure -

Happy 60th Birthday Surprise

Marideth, Michael, and Marcia and spouses did a super job of organizing a surprise birthday party for their parents' sixtieth birthday. Because Miriam is a twin her sister also celebrated and her children, Jacob and Andrea were also great hosts. The party was held at Marideth and Johns, and they live on a beautiful acreage in Earlham, but Marcia fielded several phone calls getting people directed to the party.

After a fantastic meal we still had birthday cake, and it was delicious. Creative candles make it far less work to blow them out.

The "birthday girls" were dressed alike - thanks to sister Micheal. I am not so sure Miriam was too crazy about the dress, but she was a good sport. Mike is wearing his crown around his neck because there was no longer enough hair to keep it on his head.

They still look alot alike - but they REALLY sound alike - and if you have your eyes closed or your back turned you would not know which sister you were listening to.

Catching up on "Pomeroy news - Leon, Bill, Steve and Mike seem to be in a pretty serious conversation - NOT!

Bill and Linda, Leon and Marilyn, Marcia and Denny, Steve and myself pose for a picture before leaving for home. We had a great time.

John was busy grilling and he had quite a job because there were alot of people to fix food for - and the country air seemed to make us all the more hungry.

Marideth spent alot of time in the kitchen, but she finally had the opportunity to come and join the party. In the background is Miriam's mother and Karen with the red purse.

Micheal is having a conversation with Aunt Carol and maybe Uncle Jerry. Mike used to spend hours at the Rosdail house and Millie was probably reminiscing with some good stories about the antics of Jay and Mike.

Miriam called the next day and I understand their evening ended with yet another wonderful surprise - they are, again, going to be grandparents. Marcia and Michael announced the news of a new baby on the way - CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for such a wonderful day - and I hope we can celebrate many more fun times.

Reagan's Visit

Rachel, Drew, and Reagan met me at the Boondocks on Sunday and Reagan came back to Pomeroy and spent the week with me. She also spent alot of time with Brett and Dane. Monday didn't end as we had hoped. Reagan and I went golfing around noon. On the second hole I threw out a couple balls for her to hit - and she does have a super backswing! Unfortuneately, her club connected with my forehead and my head really started to bleed. She was scared and I knew I had to get us back to the clubhouse. My shirt was already saturated and two towels were soaked with blood so they called the ambulance. At the same time I called Stacy. Everything turned out okay, and it was just a superficial wound on the forehead. However, the doctor did not want me to stay alone the first night in case of possible internal bleeding, so Stacy and the boys came in and spent the night. In the two pictures you can see where Reagan has the boys playing with Barbies!

Reagan received a "Make it Yourself Bear" at Christmas and we finally got that bear done this summer. I did the sewing, and Reagan stuffed and dressed it. He is a cute little guy.

Reagan was also quite the little baker this week. She helped make banana bread and she is showing the finished product. Looks good enough to enter at the fair! She also helped bake cookies and those did not last too long. We had a fun week and it went by all too quickly. I took her back to Waterloo on Friday and I am not sure who was more excited to see each other - Drew or Reagan.

Good Night, Sleep Tight

There are places all over the state of Missouri to buy fireworks, so we bought some the last night we were there and had our own little fireworks show. The kids are having fun with sparklers. Drew didn't much care for the noise, but he seemed to get used to it.

There were some quiet times - Drew fell asleep on the pontoon. He actually fell asleep standing up. He was standing at the back of the pontoon watching his dad tube, and Cari took a better look at him and he was standing there - fast asleep - so I got to cuddle with him for awhile - not something he sits still for when he is awake.

Stacy took a few Zzzzz's while the kids were all down swimming.

And our vacation comes to an end!

Happy Birthday, Yvonne

Yvonne celebrated her birthday with us on June 30th. We had a cake from Dairy Queen and a candle that sang "Happy Birthday" - but the kids had it blown out before she got a chance so we had to serenade her.

I have a feeling the kids were more excited about the birthday that Yvonne was! Reagan was still coming down from all her birthday celebrations - we should have had a cake for her as well.

PlayTime at the Condo

Okay - so whose tummy is biggest?!

"Hey - I want in the contest", and I think Dane wins!!

Now lets compare who has the biggest foot - again Dane is the winner!!

Drew dares to jump from chair to the couch - which you notice is NOT in the picture - I don't think he made it - but he came close!

So Brett has to challenge him - not sure he made it either!!

Brett and Reagan are having a quiet time playing with a grocery store. they are stocking the shelves. Brett is a great little organizer - wonder where he gets that?!

Superman Drew and Brett are enjoying the little cars. VROOMMMM!