Happy Birthday Dad

He would have been 93 today.

Happy Easter!

 

Ready for the traditional egg hunt...

 

 

But not until...

 

Finally we were able to celebrate Jake's birthday

Jake turned 17 last Tuesday but we couldn't get together until yesterday.   We met at Mama Lacona's and had a nice time.

Here are a few photos from the day...

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Jon!

Happy Birthday to my nephew Jon who turns 19 today!  Where has the time gone?

I'm very excited about your future.

Des Moines and neighborhood landmark burned to the ground this morning

Sad news...Plaza Lanes burned down this morning.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2017/12/18/plaza-lanes-des-moines-iowa-bowling-alley-fire-reactions-memories-social-media/960526001/

 

 

From 2010...

 

Thanksgiving 2017

Finally some nice weather on Thanksgiving.  Dean, Jon, Jake and I got out for a short jaunt.  It was strangely still outside.

 

Happy Birthday to my brother Dean!

 

If only simple things like a horse on a cake meant as much today.

 

 

My brother was instrumental in me being interested in birds and animals.  I read his bird and mammals books religiously.  We even had make-believe sports teams comprised of different mammals. We were fortunate to grow up in a yard that had trees and bushes and provided many birds to watch for.

 

Thank you for fostering that interest that continues to this day.

 

Happy Father's Day!

In keeping with the nature theme of this blog, here are pictures of my dad from 1952.  He was not yet a father but would turn out to be a great one.  He is missed and loved.

Ledges State Park was always a favorite spot for our family...

Congratulations to my nephew Jon!

He is graduating from high school today.  Very proud of him and excited for his future.  He is a big reason why I do this blog.

 

Happy Birthday Ruth! (and Joe)

91 and counting!

Easter photo

Here is our group photo from the other day.  Rusty is a pro...

Happy Birthday Amy!



Thanksgiving 2016

We were 12 strong on Thanksgiving.  It was a good day.  Not nice enough to hike in the woods but maybe next year...

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

While I can cite my brother Dean as a big influence on me liking nature, my mother certainly helped foster that.  Happy "89" to the ol' Girl Scout Leader!

 

Happy 90th Ruthie!

Maddy and Jake came over to have French toast and help with making treats

Maddy asked for French toast and Grandma delivered. 

Maddy helped me make 86 peanut butter patties and she makes them thicker than me!

And of course, Russ was excited to have the kids over...

 

Thanksgiving at our house yesterday

Not a very nice day outside.  Steady light rain most of the day that thankfully didn't freeze until after everyone left.

Thankful we could be together and for another four-generation holiday.

Christmas with the Andrews 2014

Hosted the Andrew Christmas for the 2nd year in a row.  We didn't get outside but had fun playing games inside.

 

 

Waiting for the gang