36 years ago

Today is our son's 36th birthday. Maybe because he was my first, I pretty much remember most of the circumstances before and after his arrival. Nine pounds, 10 1/2 ounces, 21 3/4 inches long - a big boy!! Happy birthday, Chris!! We love you!!

Family time.....

We had been spending time with family in El Reno individually, but on the last day there, we were able to get the siblings together at one place at the same time. Janice made chop suey like Mom Hardwick made it. One of Janice's best friends in high school, Carolyn, and her husband stopped by before leaving town. Carolyn is an "adopted" Hardwick......at least all of the Hardwick family was adopted by Carolyn!!

09.27.Monday with family

Tuttle

Because of a question Thomas asked Infoserv - a United Methodist service to answer questions, Thomas was reconnected with his first church in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Since we were coming to Oklahoma for his class reunion, Cheryl set up a time for Thomas to get-together with those in the Tuttle church who still remember him. He left there 50 years ago. There is now a new church building.

It was great time! There were at least 15 - 20 people. Many from the youth group many years ago. One couple who had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary came as Thomas married them. They brought their wedding album and had Thomas sign it! Evidently he didn't do that at the time of the wedding!

09.26.Tuttle

OOOOOk.....la......homa

We went to Oklahoma for the Class Reunion of the Classes of 1950-1955 El Reno High School. (Thomas, 1953) As we entered Oklahoma, the winds were blowing pretty hard. The wheat fields, many not yet planted or being planted as we drove from north to central Oklahoma had top soil blowing in the wind. Sure reminded me of the song, "Ok-la-homa, where the winds come whipping down the plain"!! First time in the 38 years I have been traveling there that I have seen the red dirt flying in the air.

Festivities began on Friday afternoon with each class meeting separately.

09.24.Class of 1953

Friday evening all the classes met together.

09.24.Friday night

Saturday began with a memorial service at the high school, then on to lunch with El Reno's famous fried onionburgers and coneys. There was a dinner in the evening with a program. Thomas was asked to give the invocation. The memorial service is always touching as they read the names of all the deceased classmates.

09.25.Saturday

After attending a gathering at Thomas's home church and participating in worship there, the final gathering took place with brunch.

09.26.Sunday brunch

The Dancing Flowers

From Mrs. Lundgren for Shelby's garden....

The Little Gardener

Avery spent the day with Grammie & Papa yesterday as Mommy & Daddy & the big girls had appointments in Chicago. After I picked her up from Aunt Lori, the first thing she wanted to do was water the flowers. So she watered and watered and watered the flowers. After lunch, I decided to do some weeding while she was watering. After a while, Avery said, "Grammie, I want to help you." So I got her a shovel and a bucket and she started digging in the dirt. She was working so hard and being so cute I just had to get my camera. Aunt Lori and Auntie Lu, these clips are for you!




She filled that bucket almost 2/3 full with that small shovel. I use a small cart/stool with wheels to sit on when I weed in the garden. After a while, Avery told me she wanted "one" too. So I found a stool for Avery to sit on......it didn't last too long. It was windy and I think her hair kept getting in her face....that led to "whew"!

Dee & Me & Kathy & Judy

My best friend, Dee, visited last week. Because of distance, we don't get to spend much time together. We really enjoyed hanging out together. The highlight of our time was seeing former WGN radio personalities, Kathy O'Malley and Judy Markey. They spoke at the Rockford Professional Women's fundraiser. It was great being in a large room of "girlfriends". We even got our pictures taken with them.

Me, Kathy, and Dee

Me, Judy & Dee

It was a great time!!! Thanks, Dee!!!

Jennifer and William

Hungry Hippos

I love this series of pictures. If I had a mind about me, I would have videoed it....but I didn't. Jennifer is trying to put together a game, "Hungry Hippos" that Avery got for her birthday. William was helping Aunt Jenn. Jenn was trying to read the directions. Four-year-old engineered brained William was pretty much winging it and with success!! I loved watching this exchange. Christopher came along and, of course without directions, figured out the last part of putting the game together. It was priceless!

O M G !!!

Avery is a little worker!!!! She spent the dayhere because Shelby had appointments in Chicago. Since it was a beautiful day, we were outside. First watering flowers as she LOVES to do that. Our friend, Bob Shaw, who is a professional photographer stopped by and took some really adorable pictures of her.

Then we started picking up rocks in the garden. She LOVED doing this!!! "Grammie, I love picking rocks!" "Grammie, look at this one!" She totally enjoyed and WORKED at picking up the rocks. We picked up (mostly Avery) over 1/2 a bucket! While she watered, I edged one of my flower beds. She decided she wanted to help me, so she got a little shovel and dug in the dirt like a busy little beaver!

Then Papa decided to start de-thatching the lawn. I first gave her a small rake, but she then decided it was fun to pick the grass up. I got our garden cart and she began, on her own, to pick up the dried grass and put it in the cart. She did almost 2 cart loads by herself. I had to keep racking to keep ahead of her! She finally just stood by the wagon.....exhausted. I bathed her, fed her and almost got her home awake. When I went to get her out of the van, I found she passed out. I carried the little gardener to her bed. She was totally wiped out!!

I did get these few pictures. She was keeping me too busy to get any more!!

04.19.Gardening with Avery

Avery & her watering can

Avery watering flowers

Aunt Lori got Avery a watering can. She brought it over the other day so we watered the tulips. She started by trying to get all of the water inside the tulip flower. I told her the green part wanted water too, so she began to water all of the plant!

Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays

March is a busy birthday month for us. Jenn's is the 2nd, Amanda's & Addi's are on the 3rd, Katie's is the 4th, Megan's & Keith's are the 10th, Uncle Burt's is the 19th......and new great-nephew Michael was just born on the 19th. William's is the 20th and Shelby's is the 21st.....whew!!! So I am behind with pictures.

Mr. William turned 4 this year. His birthday meal choice was yummy tacos which we all enjoyed.

03.20.Wm's 4th birthday

Miss Shelby turned 8!! She chose Subway for her birthday meal.

03.21.Shelby's 8th birthday

It was special this year that Grandma Marian got to share in their birthdays. Happy Birthday, William and Shelby!!

Some special pictures.....

This is Avery taking a nap at our house last week. If you look closely, you can see the top of her head in the upper portion of the picture. Her hand in the lower and her legs along with the white rabbit on the right side of the picture. She took her entire nap this way!


The line-up.....Avery, Katie, Shelby & William watching a movie. I like this picture!!

Katie is 2 !!!

Our youngest grandchild is 2 ..... already!! Tonight we celebrated with her and her family. Mommy fixed her favorites....pasta, peas and bread!!

I love her many faces. I sat across from her so I could record some of these expressions. And so, I share.....

Katie's faces

And then the real celebration - cake & presents....

Katie's 2nd birthday

Happy birthday, dear Katie!! We're so glad you came to be with us!! Love you !!

Happy birthday, little girl!!

My "little" girl is 34 today. WOW!! Where has the time gone? Wasn't this just yesterday when she was on her Grandpa's shoulder holding up her little head?


Or laughing in her high chair?


Or being kissed by her big brother??


Where does the time go?

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!! We love you!!!! Mom & Dad

From Jenn's 34th birthday