July

Wow! A month has flown by and I have failed to blog at all. Sorry to all you faithful readers. A lot has happened in this month also, so I'll try to keep it brief and to the point. (Sorry in advance if I happen to miss something important. I'm sure I'll be reminded.)

July 4 - Annual 4th of July celebration in Hancock - Grace and I rode with Rustin in the fire truck during the parade. Grace had much fun playing with cousin Abbi.

July 11 - Kerry, Kelly, Sam, and Allison came up for the GI Jr Fort Sam reunion. We visited the store, the dairies, and had a bonfire. Sam and Grace played well, but Grace picked on Allison most of the time.

The guys took a bike ride to Trico.

This is where Allison was most of the time to get away from that meanie!

We also attended Rustin's 10 year class reunion that weekend. It was a blast :( I didn't know anybody so an hour of 'reminiscing' was long enough for me.

July 18 - Susan and Matt came for a week long visit. I hope they had as much fun as we did. They did alot of watching Grace because I still had to work most days. She definitely enjoyed their company. She named them Wu and Bat. While they were here we went to Fargo to the Art Fair and shopping. We also took them tubing on a 70 degree day in a 60 degree lake. Needless to say I didn't get in the water. Grace loved it though. Thursday we started out for Chicago for Tim and Melissa's wedding.

July 25 - We had a blast at the wedding (Grace slept through it,) but not so much at the reception (she woke up and was in high gear.) We had a nice time seeing some family and extending the weekend with my family. We played Phase 10 (a Sally favorite) went to a place with mini golf, bumper boats, water wars (I got soaked) and an arcade. Rustin won over 800 tickets on his first coin in the slot of Trucker Dump. This traded in for a U of I basketball.

On the way home from the lake after tubing Grace saw her first irrigator. As she does with everything she asked what's that. Of course every field after that had an irrigator so we heard this the whole way home. I don't know what was funnier, hearing her say it or Matt's annoyance with her saying it so much. (Sorry for the dizzying end. I was trying to catch a px of the irrigator.)

July 29 - We are home and visitor free for about a month. Grace is getting back into her routine. Tomorrow is Rustin's last day at Trico. He is changing jobs to becoming a truck driver. He is hauling pigs for a guy in town. It is mostly day trips with a few night trips a month. Sometimes he wil be hauling to Peoria area so Grace and I will probably hitch a ride. We are excited for the new opportunity and praying the changes and adjustments go well. We know and are thankful that whatever happens God will provide.

PS - Grace's hair is finally coming in and is, I think, a cute little bob!

Oops!

There's a reason why I prune shrubs and not cut hair! I thought the back of Grace's hair was scraggly so I decided to trim it so it would grow evenly. Underneath it looks shaved, so people really think she's a boy. Hopefully a couple weeks/months will help it.

As you can see she doesn't care.

Grace is having fun with Kaitlyn, Candace, and Grant this summer. Her attitude is becoming more 2 year oldish. At least her please and thank-yous come out almost as much as the no's and mine's do.

Recently for the City we have been doing cleanup for the 4th. I'm guessing we'll be trimming branches next week. I take care of the flower pots on Main St. I love it: it brings back wonderful Slager/Avanti's memories. We just got a truckload in at the store, so we're back to busy- marking/stocking. We are trying a new thing of ordering blueberries and bing cherries. The first load arrives next Thursday so I'm anticipating chaos. People seem really excited that we are trying this. Hopefully they taste/look good or we'll never be able to do it again.

The weather is finally in the upper 80's and 90's. I love it!!! Everyone up here complains how hot it is, but I'll take this over snow any day!

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.