Happy Family Times

This summer and fall, we attended two more weddings of grandchildren. Hubby performed both ceremonies.

In July we traveled to the scenic mountain town of McCall, Idaho.

Payette Lake, McCall, Idaho

In a picturesque setting on the grounds of a charming mountain lodge, grandson, Jesse Walker, was married to Jeni Higgins. Everything was perfect. It was wonderful to see family and friends and to meet Jeni’s lovely family.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker

October found us in Michigan while the beautiful autumn leaves were in full color. Granddaughter, Joanna Walker, and Aaron Rusch were married in a lovely ceremony in the church where Joanna attended until she went off to college. The wedding was picture perfect and, again, we saw family (this trip seeing all five of our great-grandchildren). We had previously met Aaron’s family, but enjoyed being able to celebrate with them.

Mr. and Mrs. Rusch

At the Michigan reception, Hubby and I were honored as the couple that had been married longer than any other couple in attendance. (Another couple had been married only one month less.)

Fifty-seven years and still in love!

I am very blessed!

Great Times

During the past two weeks I’ve traveled and shared wonderful events with family members and friends.  Very special times for me!

Grandson, Kyle, was married to beautiful Kristi in Plymouth, Michigan, in a Christian ceremony performed by Hubby. This picture was shared by Kristi when they returned from their honeymoon.

  Kyle and Kristi Donovan

Prior to the wedding we enjoyed visits with family in Kansas and a delicious rehearsal BBQ dinner hosted by daughter, Joanne. The meats were smoked by son, Merrill, and his wife, Nancy.

  Merrill and Nan Setting Up Smokers

The week following the wedding, we went with Joanne to Hidden Lake Gardens in the Irish Hills of Michigan. . .

  Joanne and Her Dad by the Lake

…then on to Indiana where we spent time with my brother, David, and his wife, JoAnn. While there, I had a book signing in Marion at Midwest Coffee.

 Signing a Book for Rosalie Fletcher

After the Indiana trip, we traveled back to Michigan for a surprise wedding shower for daughter, Joanne.

 Beautiful Tea Service from Hostesses

Monday evening we arrived back home. Great trip! Great times!

Post-Trip Musings

A week-long trip to Illinois and Michigan for the purpose of attending two graduations of family members provided opportunities to add new things to my wondering mind. (Note that I did not write “wandering” though that might be appropriate.)

The first graduation we attended was in Chicago. I enjoy the beautiful city of Chicago but do have to wonder:

• how one is supposed to know which vehicle is the target of the driver who honks the horn of the big bus.
• when preparing for the NATO protest march, why the police chose to close the interstate just a couple of minutes from a major exit and, instead, closed it at street exit.
• why Chicago natives have smiles in their voices during private conversations, but lose those “smiles” when going about life in general.

The very first miles on a new rental car were added on drives around Chicago and from Chicago to Michigan where we attended the second graduation. Things I have to wonder about when I’m in Michigan include:

• why, after having lived in the open spaces of Colorado, the beautiful green trees along the highway give one the perception of traveling in a tunnel.
• what it might take for geese to earn equal status with ducks on subdivision lakes.
• how something considered to be a lovely green plant in Colorado can be destroyed as a weed in Michigan.
• how interstate drivers know that when they claim a lane, it will be surrendered to them.

While in Chicago, I was privileged to spend Mother’s Day with three of my four children. How special is that? 

I’m very proud of Nancy Beth (Huck) Powers (daughter-in-law) who was awarded a master’s degree in non-profit management at North Park University and Jacob Nathaniel Walker (grandson) who was awarded a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Calvin College.

I have no intention of stepping on a scale anytime soon to confirm the certain weight gain from the graduation celebrations.

Great week!