Weddings On My Mind

This is why it's not a good idea for the mother of the bride to make her daughter's wedding cake. Especially when she's 43 years old, 8 months pregnant for her 11th child and has high blood pressure. (And if that wasn't enough stress, she had the future in-laws and various others staying at her house.) Sorry Mom!!!! I'm just not that tuff! Even though I'm not pregnant or do I have high blood pressure, I do not plan on making any cakes. I do not plan on having any future in-laws staying here, either. Although I do plan on having a houseful with my own kids and grandkids. It may be a bit chaotic but shouldn't be too stressful.

I took out my wedding notes from my three daughters weddings. Unfortunately, I didn't keep too good notes. I have amounts ordered but I have no idea how many we served or how much food was left. We are still working on menus for the two weddings. One is at 3:00 in the afternoon. That means people will be eating at about 3:30. I'm not sure if we should have a heavy meal for that time of day. Or does it matter? I'm playing around with ideas. The other wedding is 6:00 and we do know we are having BBQ meatballs but have to figure out the rest of the menu. Once we get that figured out I can start some grocery shopping for the non-perishables. I'm starting to feel a little stressed as I have done nothing yet. Maybe I'll go buy some chinet plates.

1984

Country living. Family reunion, 1984, at Lac La Belle. What I remember most about this reunion is when Deb K. brought me a limp Amanda. We "rushed" her to Calumet Hospital. Auntie Mia came with us. Her being a nurse and all. I remember that ride being the longest ever. Mia was holding Amanda, who was still listless, in the front. By the time we got there, she was responding a little. They ran some tests and found nothing. The next day she broke out with Roseola. You usually get a high temp for a day or two and then when it's over, you break out in the rash. It was a very hot day and she must have spiked a fever rapidly. She had been by my side and wandered away. She had been fussy but no signs of illness. Deb found her laying on the sand. It was scary and I am so thankful for Mia being there but I do feel bad she missed a lot of the reunion.
The Popcorn Cake.
Jen and Matt ready to get a ride down to the bus stop. No wait....maybe they walked.....
Amanda Kay smiling for the camera.

Baby Mia (my-a)

Jen sent these pictures.

I put the sound of Mia's name so you don't think it is mee-a. She certainly looks like her siblings. I just talked to Sara and it sounds like she had a "normal" first night at home with baby. Pretty much no sleep. The baby was in her room and Sara woke up with every wiggle, squirm and grunt. When she got up each time to feed Mia, she would fall asleep before she really nursed. Tonight Sara plans on moving her out of her room for the night so Mia's fully awake before she hears her. Here's hoping they both have a better night!

Some More Oldies - 1982

Jen, believe me when I say I know what you're going through. This is May and we obviously were IN the house but the kitchen was still being used as a kitchen and living room since the couch is in the kitchen! When the younger kids looked at some of these birthday pictures, they commented, "Mom USE to make creative cakes for birthdays, she doesn't do that for us!" Hmmmm......maybe I had more time when you kids were all little?! eta- Now I'm wondering....Karen made a couple of your kids birthday cakes after she took a decorating class. I can't be sure if I actually made this or if this is one of Karen's doings as I look at Kelli sitting there? I also took a cake decorating class but don't think I "graduated". But then again....maybe this is one of my attempts as that is my cake stand................You kids are always telling me what a good memory I have so I should know but..... by the way from front left, Sara, Kelli, Matt, Charlie, Janie holding Emily, Jen and Annu. I remember Emily use to love to climb in this old rocker from Grandpa and Grandma H's house. She would rock so hard I was afraid she'd tip it over. I think Nancy has this rocker now.
Can you tell Jen learned to wink?
Looks like it was "family only" for Emily's first birthday.
Emily. Maybe this is where Brady gets his "rock star" hair look? (These pictures are out of order but if I move them, once I blog them, they won't enlarge when you click on them.)

Happy Belated Birthday Abram!

I was going to try and remember to post birthdays and I forgot to post Aapo's yesterday. I remembered his birthday and even talked to him but forgot to blog him. So, hope you had a great 4th Birthday Abram. (Did you ever get more strings for your guitar?)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

We don't have many pictures of our Southfield home. This is one from the kitchen. The stairs came down out of the ceiling. We just pushed them up when not in use. Dad had a little "workshop" in one end and we eventually used the other for a bedroom. I remember when Matt was born and I had to move you, Jen, out of our room and put your crib upstairs. I was heartbroken. You were 17 months and I felt so bad for you to have to sleep upstairs by yourself. Well, the first night I brought you up there for bed, you thought it was the "cats meow"! You stood in your crib, looking around and grinning your head off. You went to sleep with no problem. Phew...you certainly made it easy for me! I can't help but notice in this picture that I am still wearing Dad's old jeans as I couldn't yet fit in mine after your birth. I can tell by the wallet mark on the pocket!
The joys of summer and a simple life. Give the kids a sprinkler and what else do they need? Who needs a swimming pool?!
Our Christmas in the travel trailer while building. That was our Christmas Tree. I made that Raggedy Ann right there on that table. I had to sew when Jennifer was asleep. Gordon & Marilyn's 25th Anniversary party.