Some Ian news

My handsome grandson Ian has become a blondie. All because that is what swimmers do sometimes. At least that is what they do in Ames! I think he looks rather fetching as a blonde - definitely more like his Mom's side of the family - as least for a little while.

Ian has also been attending lots of proms with his lovely date, Jill. He is also taking ballroom dancing lessons, so I expect to see him on "Dancing with the Stars" before long.

I don't know what you all think, but I think he has found himself a really good looking date!!

Sure am a lucky Grandma to have such good looking and wonderful grandkids!!

Owen John at 8 months old!

Hi all,

Owen at 8 months.For those of you who have not seen these - here are a few new pictures. Sure is a handsome and happy little guy - don't ya think?

Almost most forgot to put Owen's first picture with the Easter Bunny in here. This was one big Easter Bunny, but Owen was very brave!!

A Wonderful Get Away

After enduring a winter of all winters, I was at long last able to visit all my family in Iowa. It was wonderful. I went out on the train and flew home.

Stayed most of the time with Eddy, Karen and Owen. Owen is my youngest grandson and he is such a wonderful little guy. I loved every minute with him.

Here are some pictures of him at 6 months. He is 4 months old in the family picture. He will soon be 8 months. So he is now crawling and teething big time. Right now they are able to keep him pretty contained in one area, but can tell that is not going to last long. Eddy and Karen are great parents and Owen is a lucky little guy. He is such a happy little fellow and about only time I heard him cry was when he had to go to bed at night. I think he didn't want to miss anything!

Big gang of us were able to go to Ames to McGees for dinner. Always something the whole family loves to do. Many happy memories assoicated with McGees over the years.

Erin, Katy and two of Katy's girlfriends and I went to Kansas City and spent the night at the Country Club Plaza. So we got in some shopping there and then went to another huge mall there. It was fun, even tho it has been a long time since I had to share a bathroom with 4 gals. We did it tho!!

Ethan, Maya, Maddie, Lydia and Hayden had me over 3 times. Twice for supper and once for a wonderful tea party to celebrate the American Doll, Samantha's birthday. It was quite the affair, with beautiful petits fours and other wonderful treats. All served on beautiful china mini tea sets. It was a hilarious sight to see Hayden, who is two year old, drinking lemonade from those tiny little cups with all the girls. Wish I had a picture of that!

Went out to dinner at The Waterfront Seafood Market with Willie, Jonathan and Willie's folks. It was nice to spend an evening with all of them. Jonathan pretty much entertained us all. I know why Poppi said that Jonathan made him smile.

Here is Jonathan at beach with a frog, last summer.

Then on Saturday night before Easter, Erin took me up to Ames to spend the night with Elin and family. We celebrated Ian's 17th birthday with a wonderful dinner and a yummy cheesecake. Terry always makes the best cheesecakes!! I had Easter Brunch with them. Before going back to DM, Anna, Carrie, Elin and I got in good game of domino's and of course they all killed me.


Had some good eats with Eddy and Karen and went out to eat at Yanni's. Had gnocchi, which was one of Poppi's favorites. It was yummy.

So all an all it was a wonderful trip. Loved getting to spend time with everyone, even tho it never seems long enough. At the end of trip Eddy's family got the flu and were miserable. I was able to get home before I got it. But believe we are all on the mend now.


Now if the weather will just warm up, I am anxious to get the yard cleaned up and flowers planted and get ready for lots of company this summer. I can't wait!!



My thoughts and prayers are with Traci and her family during this time of sadness. Her Grandmother passed away and the funeral is tomorrow. She was a wonderful lady and am so glad that Poppi and I got to spend some time with her.

Hi all,

Just want you all to know that I have started yet another blog!!! I entered a contest and didn't know how to enter with my old one. So this one will just have some recipes once in a while. Wish me luck!!
http://sweetpeasposts.blogspot.com/

Love ya all.

News from Maya

Thought I would sent you all some pictures of Maddie, Lydia and Hayden. Rec'd a nice note from Maya and she kinda caught me up on their lives. They got a new puppy, cause they were all missing Lucy so much. Have a new border collie (she can herd the kids) and Maddie named her Josie.

Lydia is liking school and has become a geography nut, or so says her Mom. Likes making maps and singing "The Continent Song".

Isn't she beautiful in her Princess dress? Seems to me she is looking more and more like Maddie!

Maddie and Lydia with their American Girl Dolls. We are all going to Chicago some day and have lunch at the American Girl store. Maddie is loving reading all the stories about the American Girls.

Hayden is now talking up a storm and says "I wuv you" and gives great hugs and kisses, if they can catch him!! In Maya's words he is a pill. Must be like Maya, cause Ethan was the perfect child!!

Sounds like the whole family has really enjoyed the very snowy, long and cold winter, just like the rest of us. Guess Ethan's busniness has been a little slow, but I bet it will start to pick up soon. I am beginning to get hints of spring among the snowflakes. Lots of birds flitting around and squirrels are chasing each other all over the place. I'm excited, cause they say it could get up into the 40's this weekend before the temps plunge again next week! They are talking about coming up around July 4th. I am so ready for family to come up here!!

Really miss you all.

By the way if you click on the pictures, you can enlarge them!!

Remembering an old friend

Hi All,


Am feeling very sad today. Lost another great old friend. My old friend Sandy Sanback Sommers passed away yesterday February 27, 2008. Sandy has been my friend since 3rd grade at Fancher School in Mt. Pleasant, MI. She had a pony, named Duke that we rode until our legs dragged on the ground. Sandy had a wonderful love of animals and I can remember her always drawing pictures of horses. She became an Art Teacher and a renowned sculptor of animals in bronze. You can find info of her works by googling Sharon Sommers.







We spent many happy hours together and my Mom and Dad loved her as much I did and do.


This is Sandy on the right, me on left and Duke.

Think we were about 12 years old.










Her Christmas card from 2007. It so exemplifies Sandy.



Goodbye old friend - I will never forget you.

A Michigan Poem

Hi all,

The following poem was in our local newspaper and pretty well sums up my feelings.

It's winter in Michigan

And the gentle breezes blow

Sixty miles an hour

at 42 below.

Oh how I love Michigan

When the snow's up to your butt

You take a breath of winter

and your nose gets frozen shut

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around

I could never leave Michigan

'Cause I'm frozen to the ground

- Author unkown