Monday, June 1, 2009

A Tribute To Our Mothers




There is a time in our life that our Mother is our whole world. They willingly sacrifice everything for us to put our needs first. As we grow older our relationship changes and we are quite independent and not so sure that our Mother knows everything! When we have our own children our appreciation of our Mother takes a new giant leap- for the first time we realize what raising us really meant. Then there is a period of time when we are fairly equal and enjoy spending time and even vacations with our Mother. As they become elderly and frail in mind or body or both we become their parent. It is  not something we would choose and it is difficult to accept for both parties. We end up making choices for them when they can no longer choose for themselves. Sometimes it takes a great effort to go see them because it saddens us and makes us grieve for what they have lost and what we have lost. But the excited smile on their face when they see us and their simple pleasure in our company makes it all worth it. So this past weekend was spent with both our Mothers at separate times. My Mother is frail in mind more than body but really enjoyed her time at the zoo with both daughters. Dave's Mother is much younger and not frail yet but doesn't live nearby and is lonely at times. So if you still have your Mother tell her how much you love and appreciate her!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Pheasant Hunting



Tristan and I went pheasant hunting with my friend Nick and his Dad. We ended up with 11 birds. This was Tristan's first time hunting pheasants. Last time I went was probably 25 years ago!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spring Break

Tristan is home for spring break. We love having him home! He cooked us an awesome meal tonight: Marinated seared ahi tuna steaks with dipping sauce, asian rice, garlic roasted green beans, sparkling grape juice. 
Chef Tristan
It was even better than it looks...
Tristan after a day spent pounding the pavement in downtown Milwaukee in search of a summer internship. They really should hire him just for how good he looks.
Tristan definitely understands the "break" part of spring break! This was one of his 2 hour naps after 12 hours of sleep! His schedule at school is so grueling that we love spoiling him and letting him sleep.

Monday, March 9, 2009

MONDAY


 It is still winter- will spring ever come? This is the picture above our bed, It is what I dream about- summer and the beach!
   We had a cultural evening on Friday... Gene and Sharon O. invited a bunch of their friends over for a light supper. Gene had us all sing many golden oldies from before my time! I guess I am not so old after all:) Then we went to a barbershop quartet performance. I wasn't too sure about going but I am so social I had to go. Actually I was pretty amazed and impressed! Saturday we were in Illinois ( Dave's old stamp'n grounds) for the funeral of a faithful man. He died very unexpectedly at the age of 60. It is a good reminder that life is very fragile and uncertain. Sunday was 2 meetings and then out to eat with good friends and some good laughs!

Monday, March 2, 2009

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

We celebrated my 29th birthday once again! We met the kids at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells for the weekend. We stayed in a great condo and the water parks were fun but there were more people than there was water! Younguk, Hyesoo, Minzie and Minah joined us on Saturday for the day. It was wonderful to spend time with family. We really are enjoying our adult children and we are glad they seem to be enjoying us also! Tristan had his usual 36 hour weekend but Shane and Nikelle were able to spend all three nights with us.
Minzie is fascinated with phones and carried on a lengthy one sided conversation.....                      
Beautiful Minah Grace with her wild hair!                                                                                                 
The birthday "girl" and the "kids".                                                                                                              
The rest of the group getting ready to feast on Dave's famous spaghetti.                                            
Sunday we ate at Moosejaw and Shane interacted with the moose??!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

FRIDAY FONDUE NIGHT

We hosted fondue night and we had a leisurely dining experience with tasty food, good friends, and lively conversation. First course was a spring mix salad with blackberries, sugared almonds, and raspberry dressing. Second course was cheese fondue with dippers: bread cubes, cauliflower, and apple chunks. Third course was Coq Au Vin fondue with steak, shrimp, and pork. Last but definitely not least was chocolate fondue. YUM!
                                                            Shanna and Todd


                                                        Amanda and Ananth

Anders and Joyce indulging in chocolate fondue with strawberries,bananas,pineapple,pound cake and cheesecake.
                                          The host and hostess.

Bling Bling



Many of you readers probably think that Dave and I are all alone since Shane got married and Tristan is at college most of the time.... but no! We still have Bling Bling. Nearly 8 years ago we agreed that Tristan could get yet one more pet. So Bling Bling entered our lives. Well he is still with us and although we were not terribly thrilled when Tristan left for college without his rabbit.... we are now quite bonded with the little rascal who likes to pull up carpet strands and goes bonkers over yogurt drops. 









Sunday, February 15, 2009

JANUARY HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Ananth 25   Mason 1   Amoolya 6


We took a trip to Iowa to see our college boy Tristan. We had some good family time since Shane and Nikelle met us there. Thanks to our friends Craig and Lani for all their wonderful hospitality.
Gavyn and Kekoa before meeting.


Sunday dinner. Nikelle, Kristi, Kekoa, Lani and Gavyn. Craig was working keeping the crime under control...
Feeding the hungry college boys! And Shane who is finally not in school (for now anyway).
Perry, Erwin, Gaylen, Charles, and Darin.  We had to say good bye to Gaylen and Darin since they headed to Louisiana to help the folks down there. We appreciate all the wonderful help they have been to us. Erwin has returned from 45 years in the Phillipines and we are so glad to have him. Charles V. came from Georgia to fill a need here in WI- thanks Georgia!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

To my critics!!

For all of you who have harassed me about never updating my blog.... well I am not quite caught up but I really must get to bed. More later.....

BEAUTY IN WINTER



HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

We stayed home over the holidays and had some lazy days and some very busy days. Just good to have the family around us...
Tristan enjoying doing nothing after slaving away all semester in his architecture program.


Grandma and her grandkids.
Mother and daughter.


Shane and Nikelle making dipped pretzel rods.
New Years Eve at our house. Happy 21st Birthday Tristan! 
Meika- the youngest partygoer.

Everything is hilarious at 4 AM. A hardy few stayed with us into the wee hours.
We get to meet Minah Grace on New Year's Day
One of our favorite families.
Good friends make the occasion special.
Anna,Christine and Nikelle.
Minzie and her horse Tristan!

DECEMBER IN FLORIDA

In December Dave went to Orlando, FL for his work and I went along. We stayed at a very nice hotel and while Dave worked I relaxed! We even got to go deep sea fishing near Cape Canaveral.








 



NOVEMBER IN CALIFORNIA

In November we went to California with Randy and Cathy. They very graciously shared their time share with us. Since Shane provided us with a wonderful daughter when he married Nikelle.... we have new friends to travel with too! Randy and Brenda met us in CA and stayed with their friends Ron and Terri. Ron and Terri were gracious tour guides...


The view from our balcony.
We took the ferry to Catalina Island for the day.
Cathy apparently owns a business on the island.
Catalina Island harbor

Randy and Cathy