Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Covered Bridge Festival 2008

The weekend of October 10 - 13th again found us camping at Turkey Run State Park near Rockville, IN. We have been going down there since 1975 (except for years in Wyoming). We enjoy sitting around the campfire with friends from Andrews. This year only the Shows were there but maybe next year the Peaks will join us.

Cheyenne keeping cool from the fire.

Cheyenne and Tanner playing tether ball (spelling?)


Tanner, Cheyenne and Lori being rescued by a Saint Bernard puppy.


Looks like the puppy doesn't want Tanner to leave.


Lori and Cheyenne about to go for a trail ride. Brian and Tanner also went. They did the ride just before we left for home on Monday and they could smell horse all the way home.
Cheyenne and Tanner all mounted up and ready to ride.


Not sure if Brian was trying to decide on which horse to ride or this was after they got back.
As usual it was a lovely weekend - weather was warm and the time around the fire great.







Monday, August 18, 2008

Annual Lab Reunion at Peaks


For the past 4 years we have met at Herb and Lavonne Peaks' cabin on Silver lake near Tomahawk, WI. In February of this year Herb passed away and so this was the first time we had gathered without him. I think each person sensed the loss as we spent the weekend with Lavonne. Play the video above to see some of the fun we had.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Some pictures from 40th

Tyler trying on the pool. Happy that Dad's close by.

Cheyenne taking a photo op.


Shawn with his two boys Zach and Conner in the hot tub.

Shawn, Daryl, Allison, and Tyler having a committee meeting.


Allison playing peek-a-boo with Grandpa.

The kids presented Gram Gram and Grandpa with a beautifu, soft blanket with the family names embroidered on it. Lovely.

The rest of the booty. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable two days.

Shawn came in his new Mini Cooper. Got to take it for a spin - very nice car. Gets great gas mileage too.


Fits two comfortably and 4 if they are small. One suitcase is the limit. Sounds like the airlines doesn't it?

Daryl and Tammy came in their new Honda Odyssey .
This is Daryl and Tammy's


This is Gram Gram and Grandpa's. Kinda look similar right. But ours is a year older.


Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Al and Fran 40th Wedding Aniversary

Our children took us to Bay City, MI on Sunday to spend some time together for our 40th wedding aniversary. Lori and Brian along with Cheyenne and Tanner; Daryl and Tammy with Allison, Rachael, and Tyler; Shawn, Zach, and Conner were there. We missed having Carrie and Lexi with us. They put us up in a room with a jacuzi and fireplace. Felt very special. The kids had a great time swimming and we had a great time eating out. Thanks all for great memories.

Mom and Dad

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Grandkids sleepover


On Saturday, July 19th Gram Gram and Grandpa hosted a sleepover for 5 of the Grandkids. (l-r) Tanner, Allison, Tyler, Cheyenne, and Rachel are caught catching a few winks.



Guess they were just faking it!!






The kids enjoyed a couple of movies before bed and again Sunday morning.


Sunday morning Gram Gram and Lori made pancakes and waffles for breakfast. The kids enjoyed decorating them.




Tyler and his happy pancake.




Tanner applying the whipped cream.


Of course Grandpa had to show them how it was done using a waffle!!



Grandpa's happy waffle.




Not sure who made this happy pancake.


Cheyenne and her creation.




Allison and her happy cake.



Gram Gram and the happy bunch Sunday morning.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Vacation 2008


On May 18th Fran and Al began their trip by going to Lincoln, NE to visit a student doing her clinical rotation. Then it was on to Cheyenne, WY and an over night stay at the KOA campgrouund. Next morning Billings, MT was the destination for lunch at their favorite restaurant, Dos Machos. Yum Yum. Can't beat the food.
That night found them at Lethbridge, Alberta. Then it was on to Carstairs, AB to visit with Bob and Norma Disney. They have a really beautiful mobile home and a great visit and lunch followed. Thanks Bob and Norma.
The next two nights, (Wednesday and Thursday) were spent at Eva McMullen's with visits to Dad. His health is failing rapidly so this was the main reason for visiting Edmonton. Probably the last time Al will see his father alive (at least on this earth).
On Friday they headed for Vernon, BC to visit Fran's folks.

On the way to Vernon several black bears were seen. Just before this one there was a sow with two cubs. This one decided to come over to the car and was almost run over by a truck.

The place Mary and Murray are in is very nice. Murray is on the lower level since he requires more supervision while Mary lives upstairs in an apartment. Her meals, cleaning, and medical supervision are provided but she can come and go as she pleases. She is very happy there and has put back on some of the weight she had lost before moving here in January.

This is the front of the Assisted Living facility.


A view of one of the sitting areas in the home.

After spending over a week with Mary and Murray it was on to Cody, WY to meet up with Lori, Brian, Cheyenne, and Tanner Manley. A visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum is always a must whenever Cody is a stopover.

This is Al and Fran's temporary home. Actually we stayed in the KOA kabin for 7 nights and took day trips to Yellowstone Park and other areas in the bighorn basin. Lori enjoyed revisiting childhood spots.







Heart mountain is still the vocal point of the bighorn basin. We were not able to climb it this time but it is still available for the hearty.


The weather in Yellowstone was quite variable. One moment you had beautiful sunny skies the next you could be in a snow storm. We still enjoyed the two day trips we took. Not as many tourists when it is only in the lower 50's




Lori was dead set on finding the cave we had visited when she was a child. It was on the Clarks fork canyon but we were not sure exactly where. After climbing to several places we finally found it. In the background is the cave and Lori, Brian, and Tanner were the only ones with enough energy left to make it all the way in. Here they are returning to the car.

We all had a great time in the Bighorn basin and Yellowstone.

On the way home we swam in the hotsprings at Thermopolis, WY, stayed in Cheyenne, WY one night, stayed at the Malcolm Russell's over Sabbath, and visited the Omaha zoo. Due to flooding in Iowa a detour was made but we arrived home Monday evening, June 16th. Just over 4 weeks, 6500 miles, about $800.00 worth of gas, one rock on windshield, but a bunch of happy memories.





Monday, April 28, 2008

Grandma Mary Grier's 85th


Thanks to Joan for baking Mary a cake to celebrate her 85th birthday.


Mary seems to be enjoying the celebration.


Very nice cake eh.