Happy 80th Birthday Mom

I have been blessed to be the daughter of such a wonderful, beautiful woman.    Thanks for everything mom, and making me the person that I am today.  Here's one of my favorite pictures of mom and I.   She made our outfits!   Now you see where I get my crafty talent from.

Happy 3rd Birthday Johanna

You have taken one of the days I dreaded most, Tax Day, and made it one of my best days.   

Happy Birthday to a sweet, clever, funny, and adorable little princess.    Love you forever!

2011

2012

2013

2014

Ready for Birthday Girl

I finished up a quick quilt for Johanna's birthday.   Tied instead of quilted but it's still a cute quilt.   Her 3rd birthday is this week, hope she loves it.

New Pergola

Our deck guy, Tommy finished the Pergola today.   Turned out great.   Now to let the wood dry out a bit and then stain everything.

A Visitor

They say back door friends are the best.   Here's a little guy that scared the crap out of me :)

Welcome to the World

I have a new Great Nephew.   Hollie and Justin would like to announce that Liam John was born this morning at 4:19am   Weighing in at 7lbs 14 oz and is 19.12" long.

Welcome to a crazy family!

Fashionista in the Making

Don't you love it when they have a mind of their own and put on the cutest little outfits.

Check out the cute boots!

The Last Roll

It's been 5 years since Aunt Stella's stroke and death.   She has been a good supplier for us, but tonight I opened the last roll of aluminum foil!

All tuckered out

Mommy, Johanna and Elin took a little trip to the zoo.   Looks like they were all tuckered out.

Sissy

Well,  the last of our goats has died.   Sissy had to be 200 in goat years.  Books say they live 10-12 years, she lived 19.   Crazy I know.

Well wanted to let everyone know that Sissy our last goat died this week.

Think of him almost every day!

Has it really been 6 years.   6 years ago since my brother battled the horrible "C" .   I think of him quite often and miss him every day.

Love you and so sorry you had to go through all the pain that you had.

I'm so glad you made the trip home, even if it was only for a few days.

 Always clowning around.

I love you!

Pics of my girls

Johanna and Elin.....I think this is right after Johanna had Elin in a head lock.

......and here's our little one.   We are anxiously waiting to meet her.  21 weeks so Jackie is over 1/2 way.
 

Happy Birthday Grandma Pepper

Today would have been Josephine's 102nd Birthday.   Josephine is Stan's mom.  She was born February 22, 1912 in Kansas City Kansas.   Her parents were Stanislaw John Klimek and Eva Michalski Klimek.  Both immigrated from Poland.  Stanislaw in March 1, 1909 and Eva, along with their 3 year old daughter on April 18, 1911.    Josephine died May 1, 2003

Here she is as a beautiful young lady.  

Here's how we remember Grandma Pepper, with her sister, we lovingly called Grandma Butch.

Kansas Weather

One thing I love about Kansas, if you don't like the weather, just wait a day.   It will change.

This is a picture last week,  took us 2 1/2 hours to get the driveway and front porch cleared off.   12" of snow.  

On Tuesday of this week, 67 degrees and sunshine.

Today, good old Kansas thunderstorms.   Great sleeping weather.

Happy Valentines Mindy

Mindy has embraced being a sports mom, and I think she's loving it.   I made these cute flip flops to complete her "Mom" baseball attire.

What Does the Fox Say

Gage's favorite video.

OK,  shirt isn't my best work, actually I cut it off but this was more for a joke so, deal with it ;)

It does have a catchy tune. 

What does the fox say!

Another Sad Loss

Well they say it goes in threes.   I'm sorry to tell everyone that Shirley Abernathy lost her battle with cancer.    Shirley was my brother in law John's mom.  She passed away last night around 5pm.   She was diagnosed with lung cancer about 6 months ago.

Our prayers are with John & Mary and their families.

Baby it's cold outside!

So far,  7 1/2 " and it's 5pm.   Suppose to snow all nigh long.  oh yippee (said with sarcasm)
*****Update**** at 8pm,  11 inches!   YIKES!!!!!!

It's official

Announcement from Jackie and Brandon!

Boy, oh boy it's official!

We're having another little girl! Early July, 2014!  

Couldn't be more excited with a little bit more sugar and spice and everything nice. 

Major Reorganization Mode

I have been working hard getting my fabric and crafts organized.   Well it's easy when your machine is going into the shop for the 4th time.  ugh.....I'm so frustrated.   I'm thinking this time I'm going to a different service center.

Anyway, look how organized I am. 

(ok mom, no comments about how long this will last)

All my fabric is sorted, boys, girls, flannel, specialty fabric

......and not one comment about how much fabric I have.  

All of it tucked neatly away in file cabinets. 

Have felt and fleece on the shelf.  Too thick for the drawers. 

All my embroidery blanks which inclue shirts, towels, etc all sorted by size.  

Ok Mikey, you win.

I was telling Mikey about how cold it is down here and we got snow.   

In fact here's a picture of our front yard.

.....and Mikey's front yard.   Yes, that's his mail box.

Ok Mikey, you win!

He was telling me the other day that he was on his roof, shoveling off the snow.    Now I see why.

Thomas Austin Wathen

Another death in the family.   My cousin, on my dad's side died this week.   Tom Wathen.   Here's his obituary.

Thomas Austin Wathen

Sad News

We received a phone call yesterday telling us of the death of Stan's nephew.   Very sad news.  PJ, as we called him was such a loving and likable guy.   Since Stan's sister Donna's death we hadn't seen him much.  Seems he had not been taking care of himself very well.  He lost his leg due to diabetes and had gained so much weight he was over 400 lbs.    PJ was 47 years young.   Rest in Peace PJ

PJs Obituary

I'm sad to say when we were talking to Bob, PJs step dad we found out that David, PJs brother is not doing well at all.  He is currently at the Mayo clinic.   David suffers from Aids and now has cancer.   According to Bob he is a small frame of a man now and he's losing the battle.

Movie Recommendation

We don't go often so last night was big date night with Kathy and Bob.    We went to dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, they have an awesome salad bar.   Then a movie.  We saw Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.   It was awesome!

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Happy 54th Birthday John

Today is my brother in law John's 54th birthday.     Have a fabulous day John.  I know this is an old picture but shows the truth about John.  He's all about family and his grandkids.

Some little cuties

Johanna and Elin looking good in their matching pjs that Gigi sent them.

Brandon sure looks like a proud daddy doesn't he.   Fatherhood fits him well.  

Looky Looky!

My cousin Jana sent me this picture.   She was visiting a new great niece at Stormont Vail Hospital.

Wanna know the significance of these pictures?   That's our work.   That's right, printed by Mighty Big Images.  This is only part of them.    They turned out great.

Happy 12th Anniversary Jeff and Mindy

Just try not to smile!

How can you look at this and not smile.   Wouldn't this make your day waking up to this doll every morning!

Congrats Erin

Congratulations Erin on finishing your MBA.   I know it's been 3 long years for you, oh and Michael too.   I know Eleanor and Michael will be happy to have you home.    Very proud of you.

Happy Anniversary John & Kathy

Happy 33rd Anniversary to my sister Kathy and her husband John.   Many more!

Happy Birthday Brad

Today would have been my brothers 59th birthday.    Doesn't seem like a day goes by that I don't think of him.    Miss you and love you Brad.  Hope you aren't reaking too much havoc up there in Heaven.

Great Grandpa's Comic Books

While the boys were off of school yesterday because of the cold weather I thought it was very fitting that they wanted to read some of Great Grandpa's old comic books, since it was his birthday.    Of course I had to warn them that they were very very old and no fighting over them and ripping.   It was a success.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today would have been my dad's 80th birthday.   This time last year we were taking my dad to his final journey to Centralia Kansas where we buried his ashes.  

Happy Birthday Dad

Breaking out the winter Coats

Riley says it's too darn cold to go outside!    At least this got her out the door long enough to go potty.

My New Helper

It's taken 37 years but I finally have a new craft helper.   He's practicing on paper, but his first cut.

One of our Little Princesses

Elin playing with her princess dolls in her princess castle.

Baby It's Cold Outside

This is not the way to start 2014.    It's frrrrrrreeeeezing.    High today 14.   I know Mikey, that's not cold.  Maybe for you, but here in Kansas, that's COLD.

Happy New Year

I hope everyone is blessed in 2014 with health and happiness.  

Here's two of my favorite little girls wearing their apron's that Gigi stitched out for them. 

Elin and Johanna, Grandma's Little Cupcakes