West Bend

Rustin and I haven't been to West Bend since we've been married, so we decided to visit over Memorial Day weekend. It was a blast! I haven't stayed up that late talking for so many consecutive nights in a long time. We stayed with Carl and Sara Gerber on Saturday night. Grace got along great with their 3 kids, especially 2 year old Claire. (You can imagine how it was the majority of the time.) I just hope Grace doesn't get U's all the time on her Kindergarten report cards for 'plays well with others.'

Sunday evening we met some families at the Grotto park so the kids could play together. Grace slid down the slide most of the evening. Towards the end Rustin took her to the top of the Grotto. If you ever make it to West Bend I recommend stopping by the Grotto. It tells the story of Salvation through rock sculpture.

We stayed the night at Kent and Jolene Fehr's. Grace loved their slide and dog, but did not like her first introduction to pigs, even baby pigs. I guess some unknown creature squealing at you isn't the best for first time meetings. Grace loved playing with Monika. I think she scared the three boys with her expressiveness.

This Friday and Saturday we spent up at the lake. It was cold and windy so we didn't get on the lake like we'd hoped to, but we still had a nice time.

Little Blurps

Isn't this so nice? Grace gave me a Mother's Day kiss with me only asking once. She usually is very limited with her kisses. She was probably thinking, if I do this she'll leave me alone. We had many failed picture attempts previously.

This is a long overdue picture of April 9, 2009 the second Grand Opening. This is the front of the store, looking down main street. If you look three buildings down at the building with the white awning, this is where our old store was.

This summer looks to be hectic. On Mondays and Tuesdays I am working for the city again, helping out with cleanup and preparation for July 4th. So far I love it. They purchased a new tractor which I have gotten to experience using.

This weekend we are going to West Bend to visit old friends. It has been years since I or Rustin have been there and I am excited for the trip.

Happy May Day! (a little late)

I can't believe it is already May. Time goes so fast. This past week was extremely busy and this one looks to be busier!

We had a great time in Tremont/Washington last weekend. I was so close I felt like I was at my own wedding all over again. It was a good service to hear and be reminded of different things you don't think of every day in your marriage. (But I probably should.)

Bob and Jenny at the delicious Rehearsal Dinner at the Lariat Steakhouse.

The proud parents.

Beautiful flowers and the smashing Groom's parents.

Two peas in a pod.

Unfortunately all 8 of my camera batteries were dead at the reception, so I got next to nill in px. I guess memories will have to do for now. I'm sure Su has some px up her sleeve - we just have to get her to update.

Grace and I stayed until Tuesday and laze around and she played with Jessie. She really isn't biting Grace's hand although it looks like it. Grace liked Jessie at this distance and preferrably a little farther. She was bowled over a couple times. We had great travels and if Grace doesn't change, I think I'd do it again.

Last Thursday the Rapid Response guys came to install our new furnace and haul the old one. As you can probably guess, the hardest part of the day was taking out the 500+ pound furnace. After much struggling, we called a couple of neighbors over to help out these two and Rustin. It went much better after that.

What a long, grueling day, but we are happy, thankful, and very excited for next winter's heat and heat bills.

Side Note: Yes we really are trying to wean Grace from her Nuk. Unfortunately every px she has it in her mouth. She really is doing pretty good except now I find her gnawing on her thumb and pointer finger. Help!

Grand Opening #2

Friday April 10 was Meadowland Market's Grand Opening at the new location. The crowd far exceeded our expectations. The weather was perfect for the 'brat and a pop for a buck'. We planned on serving 150 between Friday and Saturday. Friday wasn't half over and we needed more brats. We ended up serving around 500 in the two days. It's neat getting to know the townspeople and they once again showed great support.

We just love the upgraded building. There is twice the room in the store area. The middle bay is enough to hold all the food and our working table. The back room has three bays for non-food storage. Its amazing how much better a building is with more lights, windows, and fresh paint!

It's nice to be back on my normal work schedule. The week prior to opening was alot of hard work and not alot of Grace time. She and I are looking forward to travelling to Illinois this Thursday for Bob and Jenny's wedding. Rustin will fly in on Friday night. We are excited for the extended visit and I hope the Tremont townwide Garage Sales! (unless they changed the weekend)

Whoda Thunk It?

I don't know about you, but I've never been a winner of contests, sweepstakes, door prizes, whatever you want to call them...until last week. We aren't winning a Million Dollars, but we are winning a brand new furnace.

We found out we officially have the oldest furnace in Stevens County!!! During the month of March, a company called Rapid Response held a contest in which contestants had to send in the make, model, serial number of their furnace, and whoever's was the oldest received a brand new furnace. We thought we might have a fighting chance since we couldn't find the serial number and the company was nowhere to be found on the web. We called up the previous owner's daughter and she thought the original coal-burner was installed in the early 1950's by her grandparents. (It has since been converted to natural gas.)

Tomorrow a rep from the company is coming to our house for interviews, pictures, and possible (I hope not) radio time. I have never truly appreciated an old house until now. There are sometimes advantages. Mostly we are thankful to God for His timely intercessions. I'll keep you updated.

75% Mad Dash

You want to see something funny? Have your entire store at 75% off and watch the crazyness begin.

Last week we had our moving sale bargains at Meadowland Market. It was the best and busiest 3 days we've had in a long time, except for the fact that everything was 50 or 75 % off. In the three days we even gained new customers. Thursday and Friday were busy days at 50% off. But Saturday topped them all with everything 75% off. I stood at the till all morning long while the lines stretched back to the storage door. People just hauled out junk after junk. It was great entertainment. The best was the order at the end of the day. (Good thing I wasn't in a hurry and in a good mood.) A lady and her friend pull up to the till as the last customers at about 12:10. It took me a good 10 minutes to do their orders. Once I was done with his she was already back finding more stuff. I rang up her extras and he was back finding more. I got those done and he decided he was finished and went out to the car. She happened to find the Texas Hold 'Em electronic games we've had for awhile. She'd put five on the counter, think about it, and put five more. After 20 minutes of debating she finally bought all 30 games we had. At a buck you can't go wrong for Christmas presents! We were trying not to laugh, but didn't succeed very well. I was able to finally shut the doors at 12:45.

This is the last you'll hear from me for a week because we are busy stocking the new store for the GRAND OPENING on Friday and Saturday!

Bell

Well it's almost been two weeks since Bell (the foreign exchange student from Thailand) came for a visit, so I thought I'd better post before I forget. We had a really nice, fast weekend with her. She came on Friday night and left on Sunday afternoon. Her husband and child couldn't make it because her son was sick. Not too fun to travel with a sick kid. Rustin, Grace and I stopped over for a quick visit Friday night. He and Bell are the same age so they had a definite brother/sister relationship. He hadn't seen her for 10 years but you never would have guessed it.

We worked the store on Saturday morning and then we all went to Mom and Dad's for the day. It actually was a relaxing day with much laughter, playing, and chatting. In the evening Jody and Keeta set up an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Grace just didn't quite get it so here is what she mainly did.

Here is a px of the 5 grandkids. What a bunch of cute kids!

Luke Abbi Tiffany Grace Tory

Last Saturday we had Tommy and Amber and Kylie over for dinner and the evening. It was so much fun. Grace and Kylie were hilarious together. They played well together and picked on each other pretty good.

At one point (about 9:00) Grace was getting a little crabby, so Kylie thought she would help her out by handing her cheerios. Pretty soon Grace was like a princess and Kylie her servant except Kylie just kept handing the wrong thing. We all were dying laughing. I love Kylie's laugh when Grace would squawk. It's good that Grace gets a little taste of her own medicine.

Today marks the day where everything in our old store is 50% off to try and rid of it before the move. After we close on Saturday everything is being removed and taken to the new store. (Hopefully it won't be much.) We are closed next week until Friday. And then... The Grand Re-opening!!! We are all very excited and ready to be in the new store. ( I think we are ready for some regular sleeping patterns too!)

The new word of the week is 'PLEASE'. Grace wanted something and out came a 'pea'. I was shocked because she has never said it before. We'll see if we can keep it up!