tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69646966832917474512024-03-13T11:04:05.914-07:00Thompson's tornadoDiane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-20551963813439743272015-08-24T19:17:00.001-07:002015-08-30T21:17:33.169-07:0035TH Wedding Anniversary CelebrationToday is our 35th Wedding Anniversary. Where has the time gone? It truly has been an adventure. My mother and father-in-law hosted a 35th Anniversary celebration on August 22nd. We enjoyed the day celebrating with friends and family. We had guests that came from Ukraine, Florida and California included with our local friends and family. It was truly amazing to be able to renew our vows after so many years and say I do all over! I will just share the video for those who couldn't be there. The editing isn't professional and was recorded on a ipad, but it gives you an picture of our day.
Hope you enjoy. Please sign the guestbook if you stop by for a visit. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=C5D661E0C7710DBC&resid=C5D661E0C7710DBC%211735&authkey=ALwTxhSm2jzl35I%22%20width=%22320%22%20height=%22180%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="180" scrolling="no" src="https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=C5D661E0C7710DBC&resid=C5D661E0C7710DBC%211735&authkey=ALwTxhSm2jzl35I" width="320"></iframe></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1drhp4cR2Js/VePVHvIoToI/AAAAAAAAafg/ID9UnIfaQeQ/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1drhp4cR2Js/VePVHvIoToI/AAAAAAAAafg/ID9UnIfaQeQ/s320/IMG_2111.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QH0FpjZp40/VePVG7xzjFI/AAAAAAAAafU/g3pQYduhBjc/s1600/IMG_2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QH0FpjZp40/VePVG7xzjFI/AAAAAAAAafU/g3pQYduhBjc/s320/IMG_2115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ogXuu9X9U/VePVGPo_2II/AAAAAAAAafQ/xo6c9O54bSw/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ogXuu9X9U/VePVGPo_2II/AAAAAAAAafQ/xo6c9O54bSw/s320/IMG_2182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI7h7qejcFM/VePVKVGP6aI/AAAAAAAAafo/ZL9-H8vg5Zg/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI7h7qejcFM/VePVKVGP6aI/AAAAAAAAafo/ZL9-H8vg5Zg/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3A6mW99VZQo/VePVL7AHZHI/AAAAAAAAafw/ebOaMCh0nfc/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3A6mW99VZQo/VePVL7AHZHI/AAAAAAAAafw/ebOaMCh0nfc/s320/IMG_2253.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1zD6dyuaOs/VePVMZk7kvI/AAAAAAAAaf4/Jaon1e4TO6U/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D1zD6dyuaOs/VePVMZk7kvI/AAAAAAAAaf4/Jaon1e4TO6U/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-24180148708195930302015-02-28T20:29:00.000-08:002015-08-30T20:34:45.184-07:00I woke up this morning with a myriad of emotions running through my mind. Another page in our life has turned never to return again. We have had wrestlers in our family for the last 21 years and last night our youngest wrestled his last match of his high school career. As the semi-final match at the Wisconsin State team tournament was coming to a close, I started reflecting on the privilege of watching our sons grow into men as they learn the lessons that were taught on the mat. When Kent started wrestling as a fifth grade student, we had three boys in our family. Our family continued to grow with two more boys added and our days of wrestling looked like they would go on forever. We were lucky to live in a school district that was a powerhouse in wrestling.The years passed with our sons growing and achieving many medals and awards along the way. All five of the boys were on state championship team. Five sons later, our youngest Beau Thompson won his state individual title in the #285 weight class to add it to Dane's at #215. It was an amazing journey for us to watch our sons grow and learn to deal with the wins and losses involved in achieving goals. Such is life. Just want to add Beau's state championship match to this blog.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22https://www.youtube.com/embed/UyF-CnqS1nc%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UyF-CnqS1nc" width="560"></iframe></a>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-53229491065742078712014-11-13T05:26:00.001-08:002014-11-13T05:26:01.417-08:00105-year-old Adrian woman reflects on life, and ministryHave many wonderful memories of this lady. She looks amazing at 105.<br /><br />
<a href="http://lenconnect.com/article/20141110/NEWS/141119963">105-year-old Adrian woman reflects on life, and ministry</a>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-26509159293086796072014-02-19T20:48:00.001-08:002014-02-20T07:03:20.470-08:00More Wrestling MemoriesWe are having fun watching Beau wrestle this year. This is our 16th year of high school wrestling and I have enjoyed every moment. These last few years I have been storing up the memories knowing that these days are fast coming to an end to return no more. Our boys have learned a lot about focus, mental toughness,discipline and courage, though the sport of wrestling. They also learned how to believe in themselves. They have learned that failure is only a stepping stone to success. Here is the video of Beau's latest hard won match. He is normally wrestling 220# weight class but at the team sectional they decided the best strategy was to wrestle Beau in the higher 285# class. The logic for this was that Beau wouldn't have to wrestle the same guy last night and again on Saturday. That meant Beau had to take on the #5 state ranked heavy weight and give his opponent a 54# advantage. This is the result of the match.
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZbhDZ9qVwxU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-36479509437924624252014-02-09T11:01:00.000-08:002014-02-09T11:05:09.758-08:00Conference wrestling at the Thompson HouseThis is the time of our life that the wrestling families wait for. We support our wrestlers year after year, spend hours on bleachers, afternoons carting our children to practice so that some day they can experience the success of reaching a goal that they have set. Yesterday was such a day for Beau and those of us who support him. He was the Wisconsin Valley conference winner. This has been a goal of his for many years, since he watched his brother Kent and later Dane accomplish that goal. Dale has been watching Beau's competition and decided that his best chance of achieving his goal as a junior, would be to wrestle up a weight bracket with the #285 pound weight class. His best competition would not be easy, being ranked 15th in the state, yet Dale had seen him wrestle earlier in the season and decided Beau could beat him. Fortunately the coaches agreed, and Beau was allowed to lay it all out and achieve his goal. Here is the video I put together of Beau's day.
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2KTwJmiXgW8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-52368627379439985712014-01-31T09:37:00.002-08:002014-01-31T09:37:29.647-08:00Taking care of my mom's blog!! :DHi!! This is Chantel. My mom's kind of busy for a few weeks so I'm going to take care of the blog for a for a while, because it is part of my homeschool assignment (and I wanted to obviously). I'll be posting videos and pictures this week and next week. See you then. Goodbye!!!!!Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-21111811595816956712014-01-01T17:19:00.000-08:002014-01-02T10:56:08.472-08:00Central Wisconsin Choristers Christmas Concert<br />
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3D0vGeQyaMc" width="480"></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UEQq2HSvl4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q2--Vqh5FKY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-73922943654012957262014-01-01T17:09:00.001-08:002014-01-01T17:09:16.518-08:002013 Recap2013 was a wonderful eventful year. In March we gained a new daughter-in-law went Kent married Eryka in Jundai, Brazil. See previous post. Dale and I were able to attend the wedding and meet Eryka's family. It was a wonderful trip and we were so glad to get to know her family. They are the most wonderful people and even though the language barrier was there, we felt like we were among family with them.<br />
Dane and Nefeli became engaged so we can look forward to another wedding next year if immigration cooperates. Maybe we will even get to Greece next year. The picture was taken of Dane, Nefeli, friend, Karen Sykes and Eryka at our annual conventions in the fall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZKvS5qLcuE/UsSiFSLL9UI/AAAAAAAAIgA/jDu5F56nZJ0/s1600/IMG_20130928_182747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZKvS5qLcuE/UsSiFSLL9UI/AAAAAAAAIgA/jDu5F56nZJ0/s320/IMG_20130928_182747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The younger children were are part of the local waterski team this summer. It kept them entertained and out of the house. They learned a lot learning to ski, build pyramids, do doubles and trios behind the boats. We got to see a world record sixty person pyramid built on Lake Wazeecha. Summer won the grand prize at the Nueske's Meats 80th Birthday celebration and was able to buy a swival ski for next year. They are already looking forward to next year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWDoW-wTKdQ/UsSlX3m_3uI/AAAAAAAAIgQ/3YXA-Ztcecw/s1600/1009109_10152956371790232_226961277_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWDoW-wTKdQ/UsSlX3m_3uI/AAAAAAAAIgQ/3YXA-Ztcecw/s320/1009109_10152956371790232_226961277_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Drew and Blaise both graduated. Blaise with a Bachelor's of Science degree in computer science and Drew from Lincoln High School. Drew is off to the UW-Eau Claire and also studying computer science. Blaise and Marissa live in Minnesota. The nice thing about the tech jobs is that the demand is high and the pay is good.<br />
Julie S. and her sons were here from Ukraine for three weeks this summer. We had a great time and took them to Yellow Springs, Ohio for the annual convention. There we got to meet many other Ukrainian connections and other friends from past years there. Our heart is with the people of Ukraine as they have fought to retain their freedoms this last month. It make it all the more real when there are people we love there. <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201880233591766&l=febb9f98cd" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201880233591766&l=febb9f98cd</a><br />
<br />
In August we got a new son for the year. Gabriel came three days before Drew went to college. He is a real joy and a wonderful addition to our family. We have been quite amazed how he has fit in and he has truly re-enforced our wonderful impression of Brazilians. He is here for the full school year and we are going to make lots of memories for him take back to Brazil.<br />
<br />
We had two Thanksgivings this year. One with family and one with friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpNHmjwvDnY/UsS73VhzglI/AAAAAAAAIhE/uYX2ERhhSRE/s1600/IMG_20131129_205651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpNHmjwvDnY/UsS73VhzglI/AAAAAAAAIhE/uYX2ERhhSRE/s320/IMG_20131129_205651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLB9OAomIaw/UsS8J5jiLyI/AAAAAAAAIhM/y8taa7q2-zE/s1600/IMG_20131026_144310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLB9OAomIaw/UsS8J5jiLyI/AAAAAAAAIhM/y8taa7q2-zE/s320/IMG_20131026_144310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We have a new family picture which will change again next year when we become grandparents for the first time. Kent and Eryka announced that they are expecting a little one in late summer next year and we are so excited. Life is a ever evolving flow, never stagnent.We are looking to 2014 and we hope you are too.<br />
<br />Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-14456140423737000812013-07-30T17:08:00.000-07:002013-07-30T17:08:24.709-07:00Summer Highlights!It has been an amazing spring and summer. The last time I posted was in March so I see that I almost went though two seasons. Spring was very late and cold so our Brazilian guests got to experience a mild version of our winter. They got to experience snow for the first time and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a time for the family to be together and get acquainted with our family from the south.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ9N_DGrpw8/UfgjXnzefGI/AAAAAAAAH5c/zoly2rPWios/s1600/Brothers+and+dads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ9N_DGrpw8/UfgjXnzefGI/AAAAAAAAH5c/zoly2rPWios/s320/Brothers+and+dads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_yW9Vck1L8/Ufgh_3kHUcI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/kMPmEIRkTlI/s1600/family+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_yW9Vck1L8/Ufgh_3kHUcI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/kMPmEIRkTlI/s320/family+picture.jpg" width="320" /></a>The wedding reception was a success and all my hard work paid off. Even my first attempt at decorating wedding cake was a success and my mother-in-laws homemade cake was the best.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnVoHBC5RaA/UfgkYW3i00I/AAAAAAAAH5o/NSJh1kiYjSc/s1600/Kent+&+Eryka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnVoHBC5RaA/UfgkYW3i00I/AAAAAAAAH5o/NSJh1kiYjSc/s320/Kent+&+Eryka.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5336vAd-D0/Ufg5huubkdI/AAAAAAAAH58/iqlHoI-Dsuw/s1600/Brothers+and+dads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5336vAd-D0/Ufg5huubkdI/AAAAAAAAH58/iqlHoI-Dsuw/s320/Brothers+and+dads.jpg" width="320" /></a>Blaise graduated from the University Eau Claire May 18th. We went up there for the graduation followed by another smaller reception at our house. He got a computer science job for the same company he interned for in college and he and Marissa moved to Eagan, Minnesota.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcfFvUztaEo/UfhIzwVUJgI/AAAAAAAAH6Y/Pwd7lYfEvPs/s1600/Blaise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcfFvUztaEo/UfhIzwVUJgI/AAAAAAAAH6Y/Pwd7lYfEvPs/s320/Blaise.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They spent the week between at our house and we took the kids to Dells of Eau Claire and Nueske's Alpaca farm for a little recreation on Memorial Day weekend. Spring finally arrived as evidenced by the trilliums in bloom</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFkHv6kDcmw/UfhKtGjA7zI/AAAAAAAAH6o/lx7p-qt3Y2k/s1600/Alpaca+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFkHv6kDcmw/UfhKtGjA7zI/AAAAAAAAH6o/lx7p-qt3Y2k/s320/Alpaca+farm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FR0jrsDUIrU/UfhKtV8PRKI/AAAAAAAAH6s/CaEs37gj7uY/s1600/Dells+of+Eau+Claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FR0jrsDUIrU/UfhKtV8PRKI/AAAAAAAAH6s/CaEs37gj7uY/s320/Dells+of+Eau+Claire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--05VDIKprcw/UfhKtTdRQ-I/AAAAAAAAH68/EvBuRUjLJYA/s1600/Family+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--05VDIKprcw/UfhKtTdRQ-I/AAAAAAAAH68/EvBuRUjLJYA/s320/Family+pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_s4WxLTY9M/UfhKtr7BFBI/AAAAAAAAH60/krXrDbd9J6I/s1600/Marissa+with+Alpaca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_s4WxLTY9M/UfhKtr7BFBI/AAAAAAAAH60/krXrDbd9J6I/s320/Marissa+with+Alpaca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0EDfdin-QQ/UfhLDlImeqI/AAAAAAAAH7I/Kj7k5yv44wQ/s1600/Trillum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0EDfdin-QQ/UfhLDlImeqI/AAAAAAAAH7I/Kj7k5yv44wQ/s320/Trillum.jpg" width="320" /></a>Meanwhile Dane was vacationing in Greece and he and Nefeli announced their engagement. They hope to marry later in 2014 if they can get the immigration clearance. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiQ_seFniNs/UfhRBd0fzwI/AAAAAAAAH7o/6ZO5G-mPYRE/s1600/Dane+Nefeli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiQ_seFniNs/UfhRBd0fzwI/AAAAAAAAH7o/6ZO5G-mPYRE/s320/Dane+Nefeli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The following weekend Drew graduated from Lincoln High School. So it was back to graduation party this one a bit bigger than the one two weeks before. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ff1ZbSDDIwU/UfhSuf6k2eI/AAAAAAAAH74/4YCn2DWpGp8/s1600/Drew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ff1ZbSDDIwU/UfhSuf6k2eI/AAAAAAAAH74/4YCn2DWpGp8/s320/Drew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The children started water skiing with the Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers in the beginning of May. The air was still cold and the water was just as cold. Both were around 57 degrees fahrenheit. The enthusiasm was amazing, even as cold as it was. Summer truly found her sport. The boys were a little less enthused. The team is very young and and doesn't have very many experienced skiers, so skills have been learned mostly by trial and error. The improvement has been amazing in spite of that. The children got newspaper coverage two days in a row during the Wisconsin State Waterski tournament which is hosted annually in July . It is the largest Show Waterski tournament of its kind an is hosted right close to home on Lake Wazeecha. That was an exhausting experience as a few people on our small team did the largest amount of work in the 8 days of preparing and setting up the tournament, selling concessions and maintenance of the grounds and tearing down and returning the grounds to a part. Our family put in a combined 352 hours of volunteer time in order for this to happen. This is an experience I don't care to repeat, so hopefully some changes are made before next year. It was the first time in 22 years that I didn't get to watch a whole show with 28 teams competing. Here are some pictures including the newspaper pictures and a video of one the the best four high pyramids in the tournament. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4UV-zR7z2UI/Ufg6zpNje9I/AAAAAAAAH6M/d73tzHarsgY/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4UV-zR7z2UI/Ufg6zpNje9I/AAAAAAAAH6M/d73tzHarsgY/s320/kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7LDA2d0Jyw/Ufg5hqZrdxI/AAAAAAAAH54/ESw1mE4RKpQ/s320/Conventional+doubles.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I even got a picture of one of the easier jobs I had to do. Dock queen. Dale loves the boat driving job. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClxXblK036k/UfhPW7howfI/AAAAAAAAH7Y/9VFv7gmJ40k/s1600/Dock+Queens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClxXblK036k/UfhPW7howfI/AAAAAAAAH7Y/9VFv7gmJ40k/s320/Dock+Queens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpUeKhTPZog/UfhTowS92WI/AAAAAAAAH8I/2UkAmdfbrcA/s1600/Dale+boat+drivin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpUeKhTPZog/UfhTowS92WI/AAAAAAAAH8I/2UkAmdfbrcA/s320/Dale+boat+drivin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We did get one picture of us enjoying a few moments at the state tournament.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UE1U00v6jFo/UfhTotiFA6I/AAAAAAAAH8M/ABpSmQh7Uwg/s1600/State+ski+Tournament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UE1U00v6jFo/UfhTotiFA6I/AAAAAAAAH8M/ABpSmQh7Uwg/s320/State+ski+Tournament.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend was our first relaxing weekend all weekend with Mark and Janice Willbur coming from Ohio. We had our interview with CETUSA about getting a foreign exchange student from Brazil and it looks like it will work out, but first we will be having guests from Ukraine starting tomorrow! What a summer!</div>
</div>
Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-13376839754863091232013-03-29T13:53:00.000-07:002013-03-29T13:53:33.697-07:00Fun in the Park In JundiaiI explained that the houses we have been in are contained behind a wall with not a lot of green space or outdoor space in general. This has been a huge difference for us. We have been able to raise our children on a two acre wooded lot on a cul de sac with lots of space to ride a bike, play round the house and a nice big trampoline to jump on. It is hard to imagine raising a active family of youngsters here.<br />
<br />
Yesterday and Wednesday we went to the park. Now we understand how they do it. The park we went to was an amazing amount of green space. It can be used year around because of the mild weather. There is a relaxing Japanese garden for those who want to enjoy beauty and serenity. Here Kent and Eryka are enjoying the Japanese garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQh1xntCGVM/UVXsyMnsxsI/AAAAAAAADN0/DtEBWjj3wZM/s1600/DSC07491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQh1xntCGVM/UVXsyMnsxsI/AAAAAAAADN0/DtEBWjj3wZM/s320/DSC07491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You can rent bicycles to ride the paths, or use kayaks to enjoy the lake. There are biking roads or walking roads, so you don't have to share the same space.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peIcKXpREtA/UVXuGseK3NI/AAAAAAAADN8/zOk8RvP5ehc/s1600/DSC07554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peIcKXpREtA/UVXuGseK3NI/AAAAAAAADN8/zOk8RvP5ehc/s320/DSC07554.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For those that are into things with motors, there is a dirt or concrete racetrack for RC cars. Those who might want to change things up, can go to the air with their RC airplanes at the park airport.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkfm6H2pl4E/UVXvyj3aqEI/AAAAAAAADOE/E7OOt1I5xL0/s1600/DSC07551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkfm6H2pl4E/UVXvyj3aqEI/AAAAAAAADOE/E7OOt1I5xL0/s320/DSC07551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I worked out on the exercise equipment that is part of the park. There are several workout areas scattered though out the park. I would post some pictures but they are still on my future daughter-in-laws phone and she is rather busy today. So check back for those pics if you are interested. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I really enjoyed the wildlife and the vegetation. I am sure it is more beautiful in the summer, but the flowers that were in bloom were such a thrill after a long winter in Wisconsin. There isn't too much to say about that, so I will just post a few of my favorite pics.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0QUWRUK3Jo/UVXyD_vPT9I/AAAAAAAADOM/oBudq-1ezEs/s1600/DSC07507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0QUWRUK3Jo/UVXyD_vPT9I/AAAAAAAADOM/oBudq-1ezEs/s320/DSC07507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWnk9NC0hPg/UVXyEeHNyVI/AAAAAAAADOU/vtBqJJZjYkU/s1600/DSC07521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWnk9NC0hPg/UVXyEeHNyVI/AAAAAAAADOU/vtBqJJZjYkU/s320/DSC07521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8AkMgHRaK0/UVXyJhCEulI/AAAAAAAADOc/cuOHP4h8qAE/s1600/DSC07532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8AkMgHRaK0/UVXyJhCEulI/AAAAAAAADOc/cuOHP4h8qAE/s320/DSC07532.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oRvUWaQeWc/UVXyLUV5MyI/AAAAAAAADOk/_mS8G9MA0oY/s1600/DSC07525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oRvUWaQeWc/UVXyLUV5MyI/AAAAAAAADOk/_mS8G9MA0oY/s320/DSC07525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeBoEGaqMvM/UVXyPbA25gI/AAAAAAAADOs/F7kxXewjMFQ/s1600/DSC07518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeBoEGaqMvM/UVXyPbA25gI/AAAAAAAADOs/F7kxXewjMFQ/s320/DSC07518.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZMAL2VtGj4/UVXyQuxmhTI/AAAAAAAADO0/jpZB4_mcKDs/s1600/DSC07546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZMAL2VtGj4/UVXyQuxmhTI/AAAAAAAADO0/jpZB4_mcKDs/s320/DSC07546.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsKvjZZ-FVo/UVXyRZe40gI/AAAAAAAADO8/WJzbVcc1zEk/s1600/DSC07550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsKvjZZ-FVo/UVXyRZe40gI/AAAAAAAADO8/WJzbVcc1zEk/s320/DSC07550.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TI8fjPnrnwk/UVXytiTbgQI/AAAAAAAADPE/9JINYwlO4z4/s1600/DSC07570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TI8fjPnrnwk/UVXytiTbgQI/AAAAAAAADPE/9JINYwlO4z4/s320/DSC07570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uv-5kXi9F94/UVXyxP_BkgI/AAAAAAAADPM/3jGYA3WH_BA/s1600/DSC07574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uv-5kXi9F94/UVXyxP_BkgI/AAAAAAAADPM/3jGYA3WH_BA/s320/DSC07574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FohGjRpRGGc/UVXyy66_k1I/AAAAAAAADPU/GaF6Ze6-VKM/s1600/DSC07582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FohGjRpRGGc/UVXyy66_k1I/AAAAAAAADPU/GaF6Ze6-VKM/s320/DSC07582.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjBdxS9h4ZU/UVXy4i6dnaI/AAAAAAAADPc/bFCac3V6sWo/s1600/DSC07577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjBdxS9h4ZU/UVXy4i6dnaI/AAAAAAAADPc/bFCac3V6sWo/s320/DSC07577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5tUKkJpVFM/UVXy5J4RHVI/AAAAAAAADPg/Wf38NIC8Vck/s1600/DSC07588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5tUKkJpVFM/UVXy5J4RHVI/AAAAAAAADPg/Wf38NIC8Vck/s320/DSC07588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_YeTq5jR0w/UVXy6Id2pPI/AAAAAAAADPs/iLQNvNsvWZc/s1600/DSC07590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_YeTq5jR0w/UVXy6Id2pPI/AAAAAAAADPs/iLQNvNsvWZc/s320/DSC07590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We even got to see the insects up close and personal. We saw a spider catch a fly and wrap it up in 12 seconds in its webbing before I had a chance to take a picture of the fly fluttering.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EX3RgugxOCA/UVXzs5FzvQI/AAAAAAAADP0/m02sKk2PrrY/s1600/DSC07581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EX3RgugxOCA/UVXzs5FzvQI/AAAAAAAADP0/m02sKk2PrrY/s320/DSC07581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02TXbnWYSWk/UVXz09n4CcI/AAAAAAAADP8/6yDpINfnA6Q/s1600/DSC07583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02TXbnWYSWk/UVXz09n4CcI/AAAAAAAADP8/6yDpINfnA6Q/s320/DSC07583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We spotted some tiny little honey bees just starting to build a hive. These bees are smaller than our black fly, but I am told their honey has the best flavor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7J0ztTyyywc/UVX0TsWtEzI/AAAAAAAADQE/i9a4YvnNynM/s1600/DSC07593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7J0ztTyyywc/UVX0TsWtEzI/AAAAAAAADQE/i9a4YvnNynM/s320/DSC07593.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eA3ubAQyYA/UVX0TzE7CaI/AAAAAAAADQI/zJzxRo6dvJ4/s1600/DSC07591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eA3ubAQyYA/UVX0TzE7CaI/AAAAAAAADQI/zJzxRo6dvJ4/s320/DSC07591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For some boys that don't get old there are trees to climb. Some are very large trees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6p8pG-mpFI/UVX1GCxpaJI/AAAAAAAADQU/6IxrbkcV1cU/s1600/DSC07528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6p8pG-mpFI/UVX1GCxpaJI/AAAAAAAADQU/6IxrbkcV1cU/s320/DSC07528.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlWRH1ydNjs/UVX1U2Ez13I/AAAAAAAADQg/_1baZw20Y2k/s1600/DSC07564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlWRH1ydNjs/UVX1U2Ez13I/AAAAAAAADQg/_1baZw20Y2k/s320/DSC07564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lovebirds can hide out and kiss under the palms or carve hearts into the bark of a tree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzbgN6fGkmM/UVX2Mh4_yNI/AAAAAAAADQk/r2lNS3ERM6w/s1600/DSC07505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzbgN6fGkmM/UVX2Mh4_yNI/AAAAAAAADQk/r2lNS3ERM6w/s320/DSC07505.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IBhBwnQQhw/UVX2ObjJviI/AAAAAAAADQs/2yDdRCeBAiQ/s1600/DSC07566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IBhBwnQQhw/UVX2ObjJviI/AAAAAAAADQs/2yDdRCeBAiQ/s320/DSC07566.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The park is a very amazing necessary part of life here in Brazil. It is a place you can go to savor the joys and beauty in nature that we crave. </div>
Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-66837593780400864122013-03-27T11:21:00.001-07:002013-03-29T04:20:56.712-07:00Chasing the Monkeys.I have been waiting for days to get to seen the monkeys here in Jundai. They run around just like squirrels do by us, but are only active certain times of the day. I had gotten up early to try and see some, but today they appeared about two hours later than yesterday. They make a real high pitched squealing noise, so it is a matter of following the noise to find them. They are not real friendly, but are a sucker for treats. We had a hard time getting good pictures until we baited them down the tree with a banana. We put a banana in a tree, and it took them about thirty seconds to decide that the banana was worth the risk of getting close to the humans. They run on the wires like squirrels and like squirrels, sometimes get zapped. Poor monkey...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GxY9_YsNTA/UVM4a7_rtNI/AAAAAAAADM0/Kk9GEw_UvgQ/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GxY9_YsNTA/UVM4a7_rtNI/AAAAAAAADM0/Kk9GEw_UvgQ/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<u>Update:</u> The father monkeys carry their babies on their back. Yesterday while we were in the park, a daddy with two babies on his back ran right in front of Dale's feet. Unfortunately by the time my camera was on, the daddy and his babies were well up in the tree protected.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03RhphKgI3g/UVM4cY8XcSI/AAAAAAAADM8/rHglDCqQk2k/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03RhphKgI3g/UVM4cY8XcSI/AAAAAAAADM8/rHglDCqQk2k/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hKZ9rBBAf0/UVM4eo-oO6I/AAAAAAAADNE/ceu_ujk8lH4/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hKZ9rBBAf0/UVM4eo-oO6I/AAAAAAAADNE/ceu_ujk8lH4/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ociJGpBwqgw/UVM4e4bhY4I/AAAAAAAADNI/vE7oUgb8Gn8/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ociJGpBwqgw/UVM4e4bhY4I/AAAAAAAADNI/vE7oUgb8Gn8/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCULPzT_R6w/UVM4iZMRMYI/AAAAAAAADNU/GcYy9q1y1Xc/s1600/IMG_3174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCULPzT_R6w/UVM4iZMRMYI/AAAAAAAADNU/GcYy9q1y1Xc/s320/IMG_3174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OCqUVx8BvA/UVM4jBoZUZI/AAAAAAAADNk/cRP9ezm2Ujg/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OCqUVx8BvA/UVM4jBoZUZI/AAAAAAAADNk/cRP9ezm2Ujg/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-37100020132331743782013-03-25T19:49:00.000-07:002013-03-27T11:01:05.572-07:00A Brazilian CasaThe houses in Brazil are a fascinating contrast to ours in the US. Everything in this large metropolis is kept under lock and key, because of high crime. The houses are mostly concrete with tall concrete fences and iron gates. The house takes up the whole land area and one house adjoins the next. Eryka's family has a very nice house that her Dad built. From what I have observed, it is higher than average standards, but not lavish enough to make it uncomfortable. There are no closets but beautiful wardrobes and cupboards. It includes three bathrooms, three bedrooms, dining room, living room, sewing room, laundry, and kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAHp6BYEy-U/UVEGYrvuZGI/AAAAAAAADL8/IouC3kiOOJ4/s1600/DSC07302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAHp6BYEy-U/UVEGYrvuZGI/AAAAAAAADL8/IouC3kiOOJ4/s320/DSC07302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6O4YG3CNKI/UVEHLQbZUNI/AAAAAAAADME/Ue_RAVY77as/s1600/DSC07304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6O4YG3CNKI/UVEHLQbZUNI/AAAAAAAADME/Ue_RAVY77as/s320/DSC07304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
There many of the houses have carports for their cars within the compound behind the gate. When a family member arrives, they drive past the house, give a beep and turn around to back in when a family member who is at home comes to open the gate. There are no automatic gate openers in this neighborhood so if no one is home, you get to open the gate yourself. After some criminals tried to get in once when Eryka arrived home, an electric fence was added to the top of the 8 foot high concrete fence. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf6yOdAr1UM/UVEDsdmueCI/AAAAAAAADLs/JdfAVKhuw6g/s1600/DSC07296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf6yOdAr1UM/UVEDsdmueCI/AAAAAAAADLs/JdfAVKhuw6g/s320/DSC07296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The outside area seems to be part of the house with an open tiled area that surrounds the house. One side has an open roof where you can sun, with a beautiful barbeque oven and outdoor kitchen. The other side in enclosed with a roof with fiberglass panels where the clothes can be hung in the event of rain.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_r13bl1VoA/UVEIfSBe34I/AAAAAAAADMM/QroayaFxIOU/s1600/DSC07316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_r13bl1VoA/UVEIfSBe34I/AAAAAAAADMM/QroayaFxIOU/s320/DSC07316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was very much amazed as I was expecting lots of creepy crawlies, knowing that this place in tropical. The windows have no screens and are open most of the day. The only evidence of bugs that I have seen, was and occasional fly and a few fruit flies surrounding some aging bananas. I guess there are times of the year when the mosquitoes can be a bit bothersome, but apparently right now is not the time. Perhaps the reason for the lack of bugs is the cleanliness of the home we are in and the lack of surrounding dirt. The only patch of grass is a six by six foot concrete patch that welcomes you, between the carport and the formal entrance to the house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asKE7AC8gD4/UVEI_hCirqI/AAAAAAAADMU/DXEORRlIBPM/s1600/DSC07321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asKE7AC8gD4/UVEI_hCirqI/AAAAAAAADMU/DXEORRlIBPM/s320/DSC07321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My favorite area of the home is to sit is the alphpendre and the sacada (balcony). Alphpendre is rather like and outside area this is under the roof where you can enjoy the balmy weather without being in the sun. You can sit there and enjoy the cooling breezes in the heat of the day. The only thing I can say about this balcony, is that it is right out of Romeo and Juliet and it soothes my romantic soul. It looks out over the carport to the street.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ShZE_MFZo4/UVMy8JoVHHI/AAAAAAAADMs/mN0KSrdksvA/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ShZE_MFZo4/UVMy8JoVHHI/AAAAAAAADMs/mN0KSrdksvA/s320/041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We feel very lucky to have landed in such a nice place with such hospitable hosts.<br />
<br />Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-59074945546753046302013-03-25T14:43:00.000-07:002013-03-25T14:43:00.910-07:00 Friday in Aparecida do Norte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Friday, we explored a neighboring city a little bit with Eryka. She needed to look for a few things for the celebration next week, so it was time to explore her city. The first stop was a Passarela shoe store. I admired Eryka's collection of unusual and amazing boots and shoes when she visited the US. I think she put that high on her list of places to take me when I came to Brazil. If any of you ladies wish to check out their shoes, here is a <a href="http://www.passarela.com.br/" target="_blank">link</a>.I bought an awesome, comfortable pair of boots for my souvenir. Here are some pics from the shoe store. It was shoes from wall to wall as far as you can see. There are sales people standing, waiting to serve you. I found out that many people are still employed in Brazil because they are serving others, whether it is fitting shoes or filling gas tanks, and putting air in tires. Not much self service here in Brazil yet. I rather like that.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjiOjEGvRIg/UVC9yOgQMCI/AAAAAAAADK8/cC15FLOLx54/s1600/2013-03-21+22.28.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjiOjEGvRIg/UVC9yOgQMCI/AAAAAAAADK8/cC15FLOLx54/s320/2013-03-21+22.28.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNS3XZi2-e0/UVC95inz3hI/AAAAAAAADLE/k8woLLH8wNo/s1600/2013-03-21+22.29.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNS3XZi2-e0/UVC95inz3hI/AAAAAAAADLE/k8woLLH8wNo/s320/2013-03-21+22.29.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECxBPoUdNa0/UVC-Jap7xXI/AAAAAAAADLM/tzLfN1_-7NA/s1600/2013-03-21+23.05.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECxBPoUdNa0/UVC-Jap7xXI/AAAAAAAADLM/tzLfN1_-7NA/s320/2013-03-21+23.05.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDs1pMMDBlU/UVC-aVo5pbI/AAAAAAAADLU/a4jT-Jnh7no/s1600/2013-03-21+23.01.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDs1pMMDBlU/UVC-aVo5pbI/AAAAAAAADLU/a4jT-Jnh7no/s320/2013-03-21+23.01.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSg8R0Tw7Oo/UVC-nGYi0zI/AAAAAAAADLc/ImktV8i5yiE/s1600/2013-03-21+23.07.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSg8R0Tw7Oo/UVC-nGYi0zI/AAAAAAAADLc/ImktV8i5yiE/s320/2013-03-21+23.07.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We checked out one of the many Catholic cathedrals in Brazil. There is a strong Catholic heritage in Brazil with many cathedrals. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HgkPsoMjtc/UVC7FqjmD3I/AAAAAAAADKc/FvF7_go3FyQ/s1600/2013-03-21+21.31.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HgkPsoMjtc/UVC7FqjmD3I/AAAAAAAADKc/FvF7_go3FyQ/s320/2013-03-21+21.31.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yk9dfL8iJQc/UVC7O4K5kFI/AAAAAAAADKk/QWJN0kc5i9s/s1600/2013-03-21+21.36.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yk9dfL8iJQc/UVC7O4K5kFI/AAAAAAAADKk/QWJN0kc5i9s/s320/2013-03-21+21.36.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsqk__qfEZY/UVC7bU3l-tI/AAAAAAAADKs/0nkYuFEGV4k/s1600/2013-03-21+21.34.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsqk__qfEZY/UVC7bU3l-tI/AAAAAAAADKs/0nkYuFEGV4k/s320/2013-03-21+21.34.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-39155808337374251562013-03-25T13:44:00.000-07:002013-07-30T17:18:28.288-07:00Brazil 2013 Traffic in Sao PauloWe are enjoying our vacation in Brazil to the fullest. We arrived on Friday morning after a 11 hour flight, via Green Bay to Detroit to Sao Paulo. We left cold and snow and flew to balmy tropical fall temperatures. 75*F and beautiful. It is fall here in the southern hemisphere and that make the temperatures very comfortable. It can get hot in the heat of the day but the house seems comfortable enough even though there is not air conditioning.<br />
Our first impression in Sao Paulo the largest city in the Americas was that the traffic was very interesting. Over all the drivers are much more polite. There is one thing that makes driving challenging. It is called motor cycles. As we were on our way home from the airport, we hear a beep, beep and a motor cycle comes up riding the white line at a great speed between two lanes of traffic. They dodge in and out of cars, passing left to right and right to left. You do not want to be hugging the white line and we narrowly saw a motorcycle avoid getting hit. He yelled at the driver and drove away. After he was gone, we realized the passenger mirror was broke. Apparently this is a common practice if the motorcyclist don't like the way a motorist in driving, they break their mirror. This is quite common. These people are like a gang, so laws really don't matter to them even though what they are doing is totally illegal. They do serve a purpose though. If someone has to get someone or something across town in a hurry, they get hired to do this. It doesn't matter if there is a traffic jam as they just keep moving. These are not real big motorcycles so they look dangerous weaving in and out of traffic with two passengers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NFV4kHYtvts/UfhXrUjSiYI/AAAAAAAAH8g/HYmiN5OMK-0/s1600/Sao+Paulo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NFV4kHYtvts/UfhXrUjSiYI/AAAAAAAAH8g/HYmiN5OMK-0/s320/Sao+Paulo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymn600Iv36I/UVC2b1FcmwI/AAAAAAAADKU/qxisRrvMubw/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymn600Iv36I/UVC2b1FcmwI/AAAAAAAADKU/qxisRrvMubw/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
There is so much traffic in Sao Paulo, that you are only allowed to enter the city during certain times on certain days or you will be fined. You have to plan your work around this so employers have to schedule their employees around this. This morning Eryka's brother went to go to work and all the buses were full, so he had to wait until after 10 am to take his vehicle to Sao Paulo. He cannot travel home until after 8 pm tonight.<br />
<br />Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-77870425160172838482012-09-17T20:46:00.002-07:002012-09-17T20:47:49.867-07:00Another Stepping Stone on Life's Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrC3JqRHYbs/UFfsgUb12nI/AAAAAAAACyw/BoEw0MfmOU8/s1600/CCI09172012_0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrC3JqRHYbs/UFfsgUb12nI/AAAAAAAACyw/BoEw0MfmOU8/s320/CCI09172012_0000.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUnRnHDLG5w/UFfsgmWRtiI/AAAAAAAACy4/5iJ9Heuasvg/s1600/CCI09172012_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUnRnHDLG5w/UFfsgmWRtiI/AAAAAAAACy4/5iJ9Heuasvg/s320/CCI09172012_0001.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z2fNtbyaZ0/UFfshgQuPII/AAAAAAAACzI/5v2OLDSH-pg/s1600/CCI09172012_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z2fNtbyaZ0/UFfshgQuPII/AAAAAAAACzI/5v2OLDSH-pg/s320/CCI09172012_0003.jpg" width="219" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxsV66gN6jc/UFfskSAHjgI/AAAAAAAACzo/TlDUAhLuLWY/s1600/CCI09172012_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxsV66gN6jc/UFfskSAHjgI/AAAAAAAACzo/TlDUAhLuLWY/s320/CCI09172012_0007.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6teBf6odOxs/UFfshGTSw4I/AAAAAAAACzA/2YZgGvFEqm4/s1600/CCI09172012_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6teBf6odOxs/UFfshGTSw4I/AAAAAAAACzA/2YZgGvFEqm4/s320/CCI09172012_0002.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxpKQrcNqPo/UFfsjozBbTI/AAAAAAAACzg/z5yqQpyp8Bg/s1600/CCI09172012_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxpKQrcNqPo/UFfsjozBbTI/AAAAAAAACzg/z5yqQpyp8Bg/s320/CCI09172012_0006.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCKB3305qZ0/UFfuNuyEqnI/AAAAAAAACzw/0xMtu50JI1A/s1600/dianefl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCKB3305qZ0/UFfuNuyEqnI/AAAAAAAACzw/0xMtu50JI1A/s320/dianefl.jpg" width="163" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WC_1lo4k0U/UFfsiLdUebI/AAAAAAAACzQ/tYeoRqt9m8Y/s1600/CCI09172012_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WC_1lo4k0U/UFfsiLdUebI/AAAAAAAACzQ/tYeoRqt9m8Y/s320/CCI09172012_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rzVqrdaW68/UFfsjNVW4DI/AAAAAAAACzY/lcxWPenVzys/s1600/CCI09172012_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rzVqrdaW68/UFfsjNVW4DI/AAAAAAAACzY/lcxWPenVzys/s320/CCI09172012_0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have really enjoyed looking back a couple years. :) It is amazing how the days roll into years and pretty soon a person is get pretty close and personal to 50. A half of century, and unless I would get to the age of my aunt, there is a good chance I am rolling down the other side. Am I depressed? No, actually I am pretty excited, as I enjoy looking back and have seen how much I've grown. I look how far I've come and I can't see what the next decade will hold. Just dug out a few pictures to remind me of where I've come from.Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-53351236224841026832012-07-03T12:51:00.001-07:002012-07-03T13:00:52.987-07:00blaise and marissas wedding2<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c10yOy22vwg?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
<i>It was a lovely Ohio day when Blaise Thompson and Marissa Coe exchanged their wedding vows in the city square in Wadsworth, Ohio. May they have many happy years together! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-1636167983795796172012-06-29T12:22:00.000-07:002012-06-29T13:01:21.044-07:00ATTN: Change of Location for Family Reunion<b>New Location for the Jeske Reunion is at Harmony House, 3500 Harmony Lane, Stevens Point, WI.</b> Wood County messed up my reservation and when I called today it was double booked. Here is a link to map it from your location. Any questions call me at 715-712-0404 at home or the harmony house phone # is 715-344-9052. Email me or message me on facebook if you need my cell phone number. Sorry for the inconvenience but we will also be calling people to let them know. <br />
<br />
<script src="//www.gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/114281111391296844949/driving-directions.xml&up_fromLocation=&up_myLocations=3500%20Harmony%20Lane%2C%20Stevens%20Point%2C%20WI&up_defaultDirectionsType=&up_autoExpand=&synd=open&w=320&h=55&title=Directions+by+Google+Maps&lang=en&country=US&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js">
</script>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-41594422478649805312012-05-25T04:55:00.005-07:002012-05-25T04:55:55.545-07:00Wedding Planning!The journey towards a wedding is very exciting and stressful at the same time. Our son
Blaise and Marissa Coe announced their engagement right after the New Year. We started making wedding plans with them and seeing it was an intrastate wedding plans needed to be made with two families. It was decided that they would have a courthouse wedding in Ohio with a reception for friends and relatives there and a separate reception in Wisconsin for this contingent. I was happy to have that decided early as to more time we have the easier it is to plan. Well a little over a week after they announced they were getting married, I fell ice skating and broke a kneecap. :( This is what I looked like.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cv5u5XPxpXY/T57GZBn7HXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/KqofW9Qv9Lc/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cv5u5XPxpXY/T57GZBn7HXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/KqofW9Qv9Lc/s320/048.JPG" /></a></div>
Good thing though for the wedding planning, as I am able to spend countless hours cruising the internet for idea and price shopping. That continues with my sending pics of ideas to my future daughter in law for review for a few weeks and giving certain ideas a heads up or a thumbs down. Hot meal or cold picnic lunch? Cake or cupcakes? Real or silk flowers? Suits or Tuxedos and on and on...Flowers ordered, brides bouquet started....that continued until tax season got in the way and I had some major bookkeeping to do.
April 15th has come and gone. Undid my work on the brides bouquet as it just seemed to be getting too big. Liked it this time as the size was much better. This is what it looked like.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xU8YFOtBr2Y/T57Nn6UVeBI/AAAAAAAAB_0/F6OYmpvTywg/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xU8YFOtBr2Y/T57Nn6UVeBI/AAAAAAAAB_0/F6OYmpvTywg/s200/022.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-vyJUkg7h4/T57NoFUunnI/AAAAAAAACAA/mI31WDaOc08/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-vyJUkg7h4/T57NoFUunnI/AAAAAAAACAA/mI31WDaOc08/s200/021.JPG" /></a></div>
The color of the flowers I had ordered for the bridesmaids are too dark so they need to be sent back and needed to be reordered in a lighter shade.
April 26th, 2012
Flower Day. Today is the day I recruited my friend Linda Griswold to come help me do the bouquets. I figured we could get them done in one day if we both worked at it. The new calla lily had a wilder look and was larger than the original ones that I had ordered for the bridesmaid bouquet so I had to reinvent the bouquet, so it wouldn't be larger than the brides. It was an all day project,but I was happy with the way they turned out.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvKfYwEuNRg/T57Vdawk4FI/AAAAAAAACAQ/TIYfIurgRaA/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvKfYwEuNRg/T57Vdawk4FI/AAAAAAAACAQ/TIYfIurgRaA/s200/031.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JGHP-mkZ-k/T57Vd9Eo3nI/AAAAAAAACAc/-CBmQSgxF4Y/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JGHP-mkZ-k/T57Vd9Eo3nI/AAAAAAAACAc/-CBmQSgxF4Y/s200/032.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tk67-Nq9qU/T57V1fEucXI/AAAAAAAACAo/F1TWqSaGWFM/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tk67-Nq9qU/T57V1fEucXI/AAAAAAAACAo/F1TWqSaGWFM/s200/035.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cX1FsI0nucQ/T57V19Cbw_I/AAAAAAAACA0/I1-JgEz6IO4/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cX1FsI0nucQ/T57V19Cbw_I/AAAAAAAACA0/I1-JgEz6IO4/s200/042.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZyptFM_J_E/T57V2YuVdXI/AAAAAAAACBA/Jq8IogAiJyw/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZyptFM_J_E/T57V2YuVdXI/AAAAAAAACBA/Jq8IogAiJyw/s200/043.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6oSY06ihhU/T57V2izcsQI/AAAAAAAACBM/i_MZqWIcYvk/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6oSY06ihhU/T57V2izcsQI/AAAAAAAACBM/i_MZqWIcYvk/s200/039.JPG" /></a></div>
April 27th:
Now it time to decide on what our groomsmen are wearing. We decided on suits as they are the most economical and practical for a courthouse wedding with park receptions. I decided on a Black tone on tone pinstripe from <a href="http://www.mensusa.com/">Men's USA</a>. They gave me a good deal on suits, shirts and ties. It looks like this. The group sales crew are awesome to work with and I would highly recommend them.
Everybody's suit is the same, as I gave myself a headache trying to buy them each a separate suit that looked good and was practical for all the uses and coordinated for a wedding. They gave me such a deal that I decided to get the shirts, ties and pocket squares from them also.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72I0k18eco0/T6vR14tk1MI/AAAAAAAACGk/JykDbL9sPdw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72I0k18eco0/T6vR14tk1MI/AAAAAAAACGk/JykDbL9sPdw/s320/003.JPG" /></a></div>
When the suits arrived they don't look quite like I expected but they are a wonderful Italian made suit with a very rich look. It is the typical pinstripe with the stripes being a muted shade of white. We need to get all our groomsmen home for the weekend for a fitting session. Blaise's was not shipped, but fortunately he and Kent wear the same jacket size so we could fit him and confirm that he needed a long size. Dane's needs to be sent back and they sent a regular instead of a long for Beau so his needs to be sent back, too. Kent's pants will have to be altered and and they all will need to be hemmed. My mother-in-law volunteered so I gladly took that offer up and sent her home with two pairs of pants. The royal blue ties and pocket squares were not the right shade of blue, so I went back to the internet and ordered multi-colored ties that I had found early in the planning from from another source. It is really hard to match shades of blue so hopefully the multi-strip will look great!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9IO-1_tqVg/T6vbBXoqULI/AAAAAAAACG0/VqP49VbDqSw/s1600/blue-striped-neckties-9935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9IO-1_tqVg/T6vbBXoqULI/AAAAAAAACG0/VqP49VbDqSw/s320/blue-striped-neckties-9935.jpg" /></a></div>
May 9th: Two weeks until the wedding! We are so excited! This week is the week to sew my mother of the groom dress. Yesterday I made a run to Plover to find some fabric to make the girls some sashes for their dresses. As I don't have a pattern I wasn't sure how much fabric it took, so decided if I have left overs maybe I will use it to make pocket squares for the groomsmen. I was able to find a fabric that was very close to the color of the bridemaid dress with a little glitter in it.
May 18: This week has been a bit stressful. The replacement suits were supposed to have arrived last week but for never got shipped. Last Friday I called and I didn't get to talk to my rep. Monday this week I called and my rep still wasn't able to provide me with a tracking number but she promised me they would arrive from Los Angles on Thursday. Tuesday they still didn't provide me with a tracking number. Wednesday, I was finally able to get the tracking number and the relief was awesome when I saw my package was in Des Moines, IA. I chased my UPS truck down at Walmart so I could get me package five hours earlier. Good thing. Blaises suit needs the sleeves shortened so I took them to get them altered. My mother of the groom dress is finished! Now I just have to make a jacket to go with it, two sashes for the girls, and two pair of suit pants to hem. We know what next week in Ohio will entail.
May 25th: Wedding day! I will just post a few pictures of recent activities for all those close family members who can't be with us.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1j6618emczA/T79w4qi_q9I/AAAAAAAACTA/aObJOuXQWCg/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1j6618emczA/T79w4qi_q9I/AAAAAAAACTA/aObJOuXQWCg/s320/036.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_i9C-xoyLA/T79w40-REGI/AAAAAAAACTM/BIB6mkJ3Sb0/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_i9C-xoyLA/T79w40-REGI/AAAAAAAACTM/BIB6mkJ3Sb0/s320/037.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jOC879ieKo/T79w5aLmJJI/AAAAAAAACTY/hnYST65pwBg/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jOC879ieKo/T79w5aLmJJI/AAAAAAAACTY/hnYST65pwBg/s320/039.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6-uv0qUt4s/T79w56mmh0I/AAAAAAAACTk/EM8AU7PAVuc/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6-uv0qUt4s/T79w56mmh0I/AAAAAAAACTk/EM8AU7PAVuc/s320/044.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8EKHjzS9HI/T79w6F4olEI/AAAAAAAACTw/0qcq9y04IQo/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8EKHjzS9HI/T79w6F4olEI/AAAAAAAACTw/0qcq9y04IQo/s320/046.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHPaFsYjKMY/T79yAo1U-TI/AAAAAAAACUA/v3LOEd1HaeM/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHPaFsYjKMY/T79yAo1U-TI/AAAAAAAACUA/v3LOEd1HaeM/s320/048.JPG" /></a></div>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-32055079864935384172012-04-30T09:46:00.000-07:002012-04-30T09:46:32.793-07:00Spring Music Weekend 2012We had a wonderful spring music weekend in the Milwaukee. It was wonderful to be with some longtime friends and many of our friends turned out to watch Dale and Bob Schmidt perform with their male acappella chorus. They gave a wonderful performance before a appreciative crowd. Our director thanked the crowd for being the best audience that he has ever directed in front of in over 20 years. It was a small auditorium with a fabulous sound at Wisconsin Lutheran College. My video taping was just on my little point and shoot so the quality is not that great but hopefully you will enjoy a taste of what we watched.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TnthWDrIw7A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The next song brought down the house. There was a lot going on and I made the mistake of trying to catch it. With the point and shoot it just makes the video jump around but if you can stand to look at it, this song was a real crowd pleaser.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cxOB_KGBLPk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Here is the last two songs. Heart of Harmony Chorus is a fast rising chorus in the Barbershop Society. To think this chorus had just 14 members when Dale joined them 3 years ago and now are working to compete on the international stage. Anybody interested in joining is invited to guest night this Tuesday at 7:00 PM held at the ST. Aloysius Gonzaga Hall at 1441 S 92nd St. West Allis, WI 53124 . Thanks men for the wonderful show.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c8BZ3rMj0DQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com1Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8800 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA43.0368072 -88.022729243.0252012 -88.0424702 43.0484132 -88.0029882tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-64440907104895594742011-05-08T20:23:00.000-07:002011-05-09T09:20:34.285-07:00Mother's Day 2011Mother's Day 2011 was a very wonderful, relaxing weekend. It started out on Friday night with my little 7 year old, coming home from school bubbling with excitement. She had a present for Mom all wrapped in green tissue paper and a handmade card with envelope. She wanted me to open it right away. It was a beautiful flower arrangement! What a nice gift. Yesterday, my hubby and sons dedicated the whole day to me and we did a whole bunch of yard cleanup. That was another wonderful present. It ended with s'mores around a campfire. Today Linda Griswold came for our meeting, brought me some more gifts along with the signed card my kids gave. My hubby took us out to dinner and stopped at a few of my favorite greenhouses on the way home. I love to browse and get ideas for my garden. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAkrb2vc_98/TcdduhMWB3I/AAAAAAAABUY/fGyKK-qsnoI/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAkrb2vc_98/TcdduhMWB3I/AAAAAAAABUY/fGyKK-qsnoI/s320/010.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MN1rm-1vKY/Tcdd9BJR7yI/AAAAAAAABUg/T-f7X6dkYUw/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MN1rm-1vKY/Tcdd9BJR7yI/AAAAAAAABUg/T-f7X6dkYUw/s320/011.JPG" /></a></div>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-31982050263591075932011-04-23T14:38:00.000-07:002011-04-23T15:07:52.753-07:00A lovely holiday weekend is planned.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBWD36KbSuc/TbNNm05BsSI/AAAAAAAABUQ/nyWsIXZ6wEs/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBWD36KbSuc/TbNNm05BsSI/AAAAAAAABUQ/nyWsIXZ6wEs/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598904091179856162" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lki1baftnz8/TbNNmvbVLGI/AAAAAAAABUI/MtPqkapCESo/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lki1baftnz8/TbNNmvbVLGI/AAAAAAAABUI/MtPqkapCESo/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598904089713126498" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh7WunzMpnU/TbNNmKK_QwI/AAAAAAAABUA/0ZaL6lMyl3g/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh7WunzMpnU/TbNNmKK_QwI/AAAAAAAABUA/0ZaL6lMyl3g/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598904079712469762" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv-aRhBgv9U/TbNNlwJhaEI/AAAAAAAABT4/bIj2P_l8MmY/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv-aRhBgv9U/TbNNlwJhaEI/AAAAAAAABT4/bIj2P_l8MmY/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598904072726997058" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc860Jvipd8/TbNNlf35dDI/AAAAAAAABTw/ZQLeyV6Jfrs/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc860Jvipd8/TbNNlf35dDI/AAAAAAAABTw/ZQLeyV6Jfrs/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598904068358108210" /></a><br />I am back in blog land for the moment. My hubby said he has been really missing our blog. So much going on in our life but we have no record of it. It has been months since we have had a weekend where we didn't have something going on on a Saturday. I'm thinking maybe it was in October of last year. Today was wonderfully free to relax and enjoy our home. <br />Every year we have religious holidays that I struggle with. Holidays that are of religious orgin that are legal holidays and big celebrations. Many of the traditions are wrapped around ancient pagen traditions that if it wasn't for google, we wouldn't even know those orgins. I celebrate Christ's birth, death and resurrection each day of my life, and wonder how Santa Clause and the Easter bunny got all wrapped up in that. Traditionally, don't celebrate these holidays the way others do and yet there crafts that we don't get to do other times of the year. Today the children and I dyed some eggs for the first time. The girls thought it was a great time and Drew even blew out a few eggs for Mom to color. Most of the eggs will end up as deviled eggs so I had to take a few pics so the girls record of the day we dyed eggs.Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-51697922288474682972010-11-14T19:12:00.000-08:002010-11-14T19:19:09.906-08:00Hansen's house.My niece and family, Jen and Travis Oyler were home from Montana for a couple days, so last night we snuck up to Tammy and Bryce Hansens, to see them and celebrate Tammy's 40th birthday early. It was an awesome surprise. Tammy was surprised to see us. but was really surprised that Bryce pulled off the party without her having any idea. It worked out perfectly that their foreign exchange student needed to be picked up from her day outing 15 minutes before the party was to begin. I rode with her and when we came home 30 minute later the driveway was full of cars. To think she was planning a quite night with family.Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-58256900906836923112010-11-14T19:11:00.001-08:002010-11-14T19:11:06.289-08:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4OTc5MDU5OTE*NCZwdD*xMjg5NzkwNjY*MzQzJnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz*2NDJjZGNlZmEwNWU*/NjBhODJiMWMyNTljNWQ3YTA5YSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w104.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw104.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm166%2Fdianejoy99%2FTammy+Hansens+40th%2F7276389f.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/dianejoy99/Tammy%20Hansens%2040th/?action=view¤t=7276389f.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-53779260916814832302010-11-01T09:10:00.000-07:002010-11-01T09:18:40.830-07:00Fargo, ND Land O' Lakes Barbershop ContestOn October 23rd Dale's two choruses competed to on the Land O Lakes District stage in Fargo. His West Allis Chorus "Heart of Harmony" competed an proved they are well worth the commute for rehearsals as they were the class A Champions and came very close to making internationals. I will post the video of their competions pieces for anyone that is interested.<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/diraIDqetxg?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964696683291747451.post-79709756458248166232010-07-08T16:58:00.000-07:002010-07-08T19:56:22.192-07:00Catching up with June! Week One & TwoThey were just a excited to head out on the following Sunday night to see their sis, and bro-in-law in Arvada. It was our first time to see their house that they bought last year. It is very compact and cute. Dale's sis Deb and Gary came up from California and met us there. We spent our time doing some projects for Autumn, me, gardening, Gary with a little help from Dale did some general maintenance work and put in a new light fixture.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaIr5g4l9I/AAAAAAAABLc/I_8bftnWl3Y/s1600/068.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaIr5g4l9I/AAAAAAAABLc/I_8bftnWl3Y/s200/068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491727083379398610" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaIUhG82OI/AAAAAAAABLU/lLruDmkNEPg/s1600/094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaIUhG82OI/AAAAAAAABLU/lLruDmkNEPg/s200/094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491726681691183330" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaHVQQEj2I/AAAAAAAABLM/gnKb0IJ0OzM/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaHVQQEj2I/AAAAAAAABLM/gnKb0IJ0OzM/s200/066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491725594834276194" /></a><br /> The guys went hiking and the ladies went shopping. We all went down to Boulder and watched some street performers. There was the guy who put 3 kids(two of mine) in a 20X20X20 box and than put the himself in there. He also put himself folded in half though this small barrel. He definately had the most inspiring street performance that we saw. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaK9yUCykI/AAAAAAAABL0/7sLUhM2od2s/s1600/091.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaK9yUCykI/AAAAAAAABL0/7sLUhM2od2s/s200/091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491729589707393602" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaKbc4FzyI/AAAAAAAABLs/ZAs8vqSXybI/s1600/087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaKbc4FzyI/AAAAAAAABLs/ZAs8vqSXybI/s200/087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491728999837454114" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaJv9nS-DI/AAAAAAAABLk/z6ao2Gq2uKU/s1600/083.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaJv9nS-DI/AAAAAAAABLk/z6ao2Gq2uKU/s200/083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491728252711139378" /></a><br /><br />Thursday we took the kids to Heritage Square Amusment Park. The older kids spent the most time on the grand prix cars and the little girls enjoyed all the other rides. Friday, Dale and I were off for a night in Colorado Springs. We did some site seeing in Manitou Springs Friday and spent Saturday site seeing in Cripple Creek.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaPUMRbHkI/AAAAAAAABM0/7BN9UPKpEVc/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaPUMRbHkI/AAAAAAAABM0/7BN9UPKpEVc/s320/045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491734372679360066" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO8kVN48I/AAAAAAAABMs/V-UV-ZFpHK4/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO8kVN48I/AAAAAAAABMs/V-UV-ZFpHK4/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491733966820860866" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO7yR3v6I/AAAAAAAABMk/sKZlr1hibo4/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO7yR3v6I/AAAAAAAABMk/sKZlr1hibo4/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491733953385054114" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO7bCGuII/AAAAAAAABMc/HT2o6cko8P8/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO7bCGuII/AAAAAAAABMc/HT2o6cko8P8/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491733947144910978" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO62rLYCI/AAAAAAAABMU/-RGBFqPTI7M/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO62rLYCI/AAAAAAAABMU/-RGBFqPTI7M/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491733937385070626" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO6Z0-EsI/AAAAAAAABMM/nfoLSbAjD6I/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaO6Z0-EsI/AAAAAAAABMM/nfoLSbAjD6I/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491733929641513666" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaNEKhgYqI/AAAAAAAABME/gxPPI0mUjCk/s1600/098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaNEKhgYqI/AAAAAAAABME/gxPPI0mUjCk/s320/098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731898308780706" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaMcr0NDLI/AAAAAAAABL8/_QduXovmOG8/s1600/097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaMcr0NDLI/AAAAAAAABL8/_QduXovmOG8/s320/097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731220050807986" /></a><br />Days fly by and turn to weeks, and thus our future disappears into our past. I started this blog as a way of journaling my history and if I stop, so will my recorded history stop. Time to update the month of June. The first week of June was busy with end of school activities. Field trips, awards ceremonies and the kindergarten <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7bLT_7hNsA">circus</a>. Chantel was the balance beam girl and unfortunately as cute as the circus was and as good as Chantel was, my camera didn't cooperate and the battery died and I only got the beginning on video. I embedded the video for those that want to see it. I went on a field trip with the kindergarten class the following Monday and the very same night left on a 3 week vacation to Colorado.<br />The first stop was to our annual church convention in Nebraska. It was real nice to get many precious things there and seen some special friends that we get to see there. It was incredibly rainy so I didn't take many pics there.The kids have a good time and always want to go back the next year.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaGNo4afGI/AAAAAAAABLE/OZSM531KLX8/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaGNo4afGI/AAAAAAAABLE/OZSM531KLX8/s320/064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491724364495354978" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaGMyx4JjI/AAAAAAAABK8/H3JkReTq9ls/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaGMyx4JjI/AAAAAAAABK8/H3JkReTq9ls/s320/060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491724349972424242" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaGMZKVhEI/AAAAAAAABK0/uwj77hWCeTU/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NOZQPP76aTc/TDaGMZKVhEI/AAAAAAAABK0/uwj77hWCeTU/s320/059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491724343095690306" /></a>Diane T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01422205657649114379noreply@blogger.com3