September 2017 Update

We began our adventures after my last update by watching the Hamlin Fireman’s parade with Ella’s and Hannah's families.  Since the parade passes right in front of Ella and Cody's house, we always get great seats, not to mention lots of candy thrown to us by virtue of our adorable grandchildren looking like they really need more sugar.

 

Waiting for the parade to start





Alex's private parade viewing area

Hazel and Grandpa

I still don't see anything

Nothing that way either

The next day we went to Seabreeze, our local amusement park here in Rochester.  The day was partly cloudy, and it rained a little, but not enough to ruin our fun.  We were joined in there by Ella's family, Hannah's family, and Krista's sister, Nanita, and her girls.

 

You can see Deborah and Jemmie in this shot

Now you can see Cai, Zach, Levi, Jemmie, and Deborah



Deborah, Levi, and Jem

Zach and Cai

Me and my true love, except my hand's sort of in the way :-/

Too much fun for Hazel

Jem and Levi

Of course, on August 21 was the solar eclipse.  Ella’s husband, Cody, surprised them with a trip down to Kentucky to see it, but we got some pretty good views here, even though here it was only a maximum of 75% coverage.  We heard though that in just a few years, in April 2024, the next total solar eclipse will pass right over us!  So plan your visits here to see us and it at the same time!  Right at its peak here, it suddenly turned cloudy, but we still got a pretty good view.

 

A picture through eclipse glasses

37 years ago on August 22, Krista had a moment of weakness and married me.  Honestly though, we are very blessed to have had our lives together these past 37 years.  My life is better than I deserve because of her!

 

August 23 was my Mom’s birthday, and Dad’s was on September 15.  They would have been 89 this year, but I know they’re happier where they are.

 

My family, Ella’s family, and Hannah’s family all went to a Red Wings game on Wednesday August 23.  The Red Wings are our local professional baseball team that is a AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins MLB team.  We had lots of fun, and the Red Wings won!

 

Yes, Kevin and I are reppin' Seattle teams at the Red Wings. And
I know it doesn't look like it, but we really had fun!

On August 25, Cai and I made a trip to Philadelphia to take him back to Cairn where he’s starting work on his Masters’ degree.  Of course, we had to stop and see baby Ruby, again for me, and for the first time for Cai.  Matt was at work, but we got to see Ben and Caitlin and Carissa too.  Cai drove all the way there because I had to come right back home because…

 

Ruby meets Uncle Cai, and yes, of course, we had Chick-Fil-a!

We were there for Ruby's one month birthday!

On August 26, my barbershop chorus had a special rehearsal in preparation for the competition we’ll be doing this weekend.  It was very helpful to hear a different perspective from our guest coach, and it was comforting to hear him say we didn’t stink.

 

I’ve been putting a lot of miles on my car lately with that trip, and then from September 2-5, Kortney, Daisy, and Amelia visited.  They had flown to Philadelphia to see those guys down there, and then Caitlin and Ben drove them on 9/2 up to the Binghamton, NY, area, where Levi and I met them and drove them home.  We hadn’t seen Daisy since Christmas, and she has grown up a lot.  We loved seeing her with her NY cousins and trying to help her remember her other family here.

 

Cousins playing with Mom-mom

Daisy exploring our house

Daisy, Alex, Ivy, Hazel (Alma would not sit still, but she was in the room!)

Alma, Ivy, Alex, Hazel, Daisy (cute even when they're not particularly happy)

On September 11, our chorus participated in a 9/11 ceremony in Webster (where we practice).  We sang “God Bless America,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Dona Nobis Pacem,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  Ella’s family and Abigail and Zach came out to hear us.

 

My son-in-law, Mat’s, birthday was 9/12.  We are very thankful to him for loaning us his family earlier this month!

 

We’ve managed by God’s grace to sell our van.  If everything works out as I expect, the buyer will be picking it up on Wednesday, and I’ll pick up a new-to-me commuter car (Corolla) for myself that same day.  Thus ends that chapter of our lives where we no longer need a big vehicle.  It’s sad in a way, but as I said, we are blessed beyond anything we ever could have dreamed by what God has done in our lives.

 

Until October!