Better Late Than Never?

Hope better late than never is an acceptable phrase for my very late contribution. I have greatly enjoyed reading up on what everyone has been up to and hope everyone continues to post. Over the past few months (probably closer to a year) since Toni has initiated this great idea, I have spent my time either at work, in school or studying. Nothing all that interesting to post. However, in about a month I will be spending 10 days in Russia (Moscow & St. Petersburg) as part of a course in my MBA program. I am very excited because it will be the first time I will be traveling overseas...and to Russia of all places. Never thought I would ever go there. So I thought I would familiarize myself with this whole blogging process. The picture is of Peter & Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg... one of our sightseeing stops.

Take care & keep them coming!

Easter in the 'burgh

We had a wonderful weekend until Sunday when Karen had to leave and Paula got sick. Until then we had a wonderfully blessed time with family and friends.

Karen was much blessed at a shower for her. The cake bore a reminder of her and Joe's bridal dance, "That's Amore,"

Karen has decided on a jungle theme for her nursery. Here's a sample.

Then we had our annual egg coloring--at the Bowman's this year. 25 of us colored, critiqued, etc. Next pix shows part of the gang.

My nephew Scott's two girls are learning the facts of life (!) from a close up examination of Karen.

The last pix shows Giuseppe's (think his name will be Joseph John III) first field trip to the Carnegie Museum to see the dinosaurs on Saturday. We told him all about it.

Toni, I am really trying!!

easter weekend

We spent Easter weekend in Estes Park, CO just outside the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park...one of our favorite places. A friend's friend (who turned out to me my high school jv softball coach and 9th grade math teacher...strange!) allowed us to stay in their vacation home (with 3 other families... 8 adults, 11 kids) free of charge. None of us have family in town and it was a nice way to spend the holiday weekend...together.

5 of the 10 boys present for the weekend

Easter worship service

boys and rocks are inseparable...big or little makes no difference...rocks or boys

Owen goes for the biggest splash

our own easter bunny

FOUND THEM!

The gang's all here
(notice the one pink spot...Audrey is the only girl of 11 children!)

Easter Diners

Happy Easter! We had a nice gathering here in Lancaster. Here's a pre-dinner shot of the group. Don't we all look hungry?

Of course, who really cares about dinner when there's dessert to follow? In the following two photos, take note of which side of the table is eating dessert and which side of the table declined.




Alright, alright, since Aunt Sheila and Uncle Les will be checking up on this, I suppose I should confess that we ALL had dessert. The older generation went with the traditional pie and ice cream while the youngsters chose cookies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. And it was all delicious! Happy Easter!

nemo

A friend blessed us with tickets for the Disney on Ice - Nemo Show.


We went last Thursday and what a treat. The kids loved it...even Audrey was spell bound through the first half. It is the first thing like this we have done with the kids and it was more enjoyable to watch their delight than anything else. Ethan kept looking up at Mark with a huge grin.


As an extra treat, Mickey Mouse showed up at the end with Minnie, Donald and Goofy. I wish I could have captured Owen's glee when he saw that Mickey was on the ice. I haven't been this close to Mickey since we moved from Florida.

New Noel

We were waiting for some really big news to publish again & here it is.

Steve & Kelly told us the exciting news while we were in CA, but she just had her appointment today, so we waited to pass it along.

Due date Oct. 16-19.

Les & Sheila

Strawberry Time at Plant City

Since we were in the Strawberry Capital of the World, it seemed only fitting that we make some strawberry jam. Three batches later, here is our handiwork.
More pix of our activities later.

february recap

We spent most of February sick - or at least it felt that way - but here are some of our moments and days...




And some time spent with Mark's parents yielding great pics of our beautiful state...

Which family member is this?

Making Sopressata

Having Joe in the family has been a delight in many ways, not the least of which are the new Italian traditions, food, and family that he has introduced us to. On a cold weekend in January, he and Karen came home and they and Fred and Paula participated in an old family tradition--the making of sopressata. We spent Saturday at the home of his 92 year old Aunt Sylvia with various aunts, uncles, and cousins, many of whom we had met at the wedding.

100 pounds of pork is cut from the bone, ground, seasoned, a little cooked and tasted, seasoned again, put into sausage links which has been tied off, tied off again, and then hung to age in Aunt Sylvia's cold room.



One must work one's way up the chain of command--Aunt Sylvia is the matriarch and overseer of the links!! Karen was allowed to be the counter this year and Fred had the honor of tying off some of the links and hanging them to age. Joe made the pork into the right size balls while Paula merely watched!! And ate. And ate. For ten hours we ate.



Here are some pictures of the fun. These are wonderful people and we dearly love them.

The Valentine Tree Tradition - New in 2008!

Valentine Tree - nighttime - YaYa's favorite.
Other artistic entries from grandchildren.

Valentine Tree - daytime

Fun with treats! Madeline Sarah Grimm - intent on putting decorations onto a heart cupcake!

Sleepwalking Princess Andrew!

Just up from a nap and looking a little sleepy, Andrew in his low cut red satin frock....Aunt Toni's old
show choir dress from the 80s. Ha! (ignore the camera date.....I am challenged in that arena.

6 years old!

Our first grandchild, Nathan, turned six on Feb. 4th.

He is crazy about Mario. So, he picked a Mario cake. This is the big moment when the candles are lit. He was excited. For those of you interested in my cakes....there are two below ..one in his "exposed" state and the finished guy. Next time we may do a stand up one. I am expanding.....inspired by all the cake crazies on YouTube and Ace of Cakes. Wow, I dream of creations in my fancy "cake kitchen" then I wake up to the mess in my own kitchen.

Cake assistant in Lititz, where are you?

Words from Helen

Hi All:
Here's an unedited letter from Helen. I'm typing it because my scanner at work is not working.

" Helen's adventures continued 1/16/0/8
I know Xmas is well over, but I'm just a
little late. Can you bare with me please?
I have to say my Xmas was a little hectic. My
fault. Trying to do too much I think.
then my son in law decided he was going to
act up and that rather played havoc fow awhile.
But we are all glad and thankful, he's on the recovery road.
Example, I did not even talk to the Boger girls at Xmas.
Sheila Sue & I went shopping for about 6-7 hrs day after
neither rain sleet or snow & it did, can't st0p us.
Anyway now we are well into "08"
still hectic. Could you tell me why? No don't.
I'm doing the usual things here. We had a real nice Xmas party
and a bang up New Year's party with
our pots & pans & hats on we went out on my
porch & made noise & called back & forth to a
friend & her family across the way. It must be 2nd
childhood. (smiley face)
I had my sister to my place for the weekend.
We played Parcheese? I'm still the Queen. Been
playing for 80 years. Anyone want to challenge?
The only polans I have right now are a few days
trip to Lake George in April, and then maybe
Waterloo is next Lord willing. I'm off to water aerobics
now so my love to each & eveyone who reads this & also
for those who can't...hugs & kisses to all

Helen"

cuties

Loved this picture...actually NOT posed...they were just having fun playing together on the floor and...

(sweaters courtesy of Mom/YaYa/Sally)

We are enjoying a lovely Colorado winter! The sunshine has warmed our days and even allowed for some hiking, bike rides and lots of walks. Mark and I are heading to the mountains this weekend for some snowshoeing - sponsored by a dear friend in our current time of limited resources. But, even with these outings we find most of our winter days spent in the warmth of home and each other.

Chloe Reading

Kelly sent this to us. Chloe sure loves her books.

Note the beads. She loves them too. Wears them everyday.

better late then never! :)

Alright, I hope I don't mess this up too bad. First, Toni- great idea & I am looking forward to keeping in touch w/ everyone! :)
2nd- catching up on our pictures...


Don't let the snow fool you, it does not snow that much in MD. We went to visit Nate's dad & family in MN for Christmas. So that is where we got the pictures of our 2 pink snow bunnies. Abby LOVED it, Natalie took some time to warm up to it. It snowed a bit every day so we always had a nice white coat of snow to play in. They spoiled us & we had a great visit.

When we got home from MN we had Christmas, again. The girls' big gift this year was the car, and thankfully we have had some nice weather so far so they have used it a bit. Natalie is still a bit little to drive, but she enjoys playing w/ the radio.


And, we too have been bitten by the Guitar Hero bug. Our neighbors across the street brought it over one night & we all had a good time playing. No, we did not get booed off the stage, but probably should have.

Hope all are well!

Christmas

Christmas morning.
Fred talks to his Mom in York.
New Years Eve
Rick and his "good friend" Deb on a carriage ride at Salem Cross Inn, a very New England type place where they and friends went for a meal cooked at an open hearth.