JEFF & ASHLING HERE FOR THE WEEK-END -- Feb. 20-22, 2009

My nephew's family from Chicago, Jeff & Ashling Smidt, came for the week-end. Brent & Johanna's and Brad & Shelley's families came for dinner Friday night, and the little cousins all had fun together. Brad & Shelley flew to Aruba late Friday night for a week with Shelley's family, so we were glad they at least got to be with Jeff & Ashling Friday evening. Aunty Kaye Morgan died Wednesday, so Kent flew down early Saturday AM to Baltimore for her funeral and back Saturday evening. Brent & Paxton came Saturday AM and took Jeff and his two boys, Benjamin & Timothy, for rides in the RTV and then sliding out behind Brad's house. They had a great time! That afternoon I had both Timothy & Benjamin help me fix apples for an apple pie. Then Jeff & Ashling and the boys went up to Brent and Johanna's for a couple of hours until supper time. Brent's family came for dinner again Sunday, so we could all be together again before Jeff and Ashling had to leave for the airport mid-afternoon. Paxton and Timothy became quite good buddies this week-end. We will be seeing them and all of my family in June at Todd & Shanna's wedding in Milwaukee. (I borrowed some of Brent's pics. Thanks, Brent!)

Timothy busy spelling Paxton's name. Only 3 yrs. old but can read and spell. Amazing!

Off for a ride in the RTV! Thanks, Brent!

Brent & Benjamin

(Brent's pic)

Timothy having a turn driving

(Brent's pic)

Benjamin loved tubing! (Brent's pic)

Brent & Benjamin down the hill!

(Brent's pic)

Benjamin really had fun in the snow!
(Brent's pic)

Timothy would rather play on the swing set than go sledding. (Brent's pic)

Timothy was a real pro working this slicing machine. Had to have a slice or two to eat while he was working!

Benjamin sliced up the last apple for the pie.

Buddies Paxton & Timothy

Jeff, Ashling, Benjamin & Timothy

FEBRUARY 19 TH -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENT!

We celebrated both Kent's and Shelley's birthdays at Brent & Johanna's with a scrumptious dinner and German chocolate cake Thursday night. Shelley's birthday isn't until next week, but she and Brad and the girls will be in Aruba with Shelley's folks all next week. So we celebrated the two birthdays together. Thanks for a yummy dinner, Johanna! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENT & SHELLEY!

Shaelyn giving high 5 to Uncle Brad

LUCILLE & YASMIN HERE FOR A COUPLE DAYS

Lucille & Yasmin came and stayed for a couple of days. We had a roaring fire in the fireplace one evening and decided to roast some marshmellows. They were yummy! Felt like a couple of kids.... Ha!

2009 FEBRUARY -- SNOW MOBILING UP NORTH

Kent, Roger, Nate Ball, and Garret went up north to our Lodge Sunday night and joined several other fellas Monday for two days of snow mobiling. It was gorgeous and good snow mobiling, and they had a great time! There were 12 of them all together. They saw two mink while they were out one day. The driving home Tuesday night was horrendous until just north of Concord. The roads were coated with ice, and there was a bad accident with two tractor trailer trucks jack-knifed and a car crushed with the driver killed. That shut down the traffic for about an hour. Makes you thankful to arrive home safely when you see something like that. But the snow mobiling was awesome, and they put a few hundred miles on in the two days!

The TROOPS!

They saw 2 mink one day. You can see one in the center of pic by the trees.

FEB. 9, 2009 -- HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, SHAELYN!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, SHAELYN! Brent & Johanna had Johanna's folks, Dad & Joan, Brad's family, and me for Shaelyn's birthday tonight. Kent had gone up north with several guys last night for a few days of snow mobiling, so he wasn't here for Shaelyn's birthday. Shaelyn loved delving into her cake and thought it quite delightful fun as well as tasty! She was grinning from ear to ear and laughing when posing with her presents and was excited opening them. She performed quite well for us! Big brother Paxton had fun helping out.

Walking behind her little cart.

"What's going on guys?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHAELYN!
ONE YEAR OLD!

This is yummy!!! I can't believe Mom is letting me play in this gooey stuff! :)

Hey, I love this present stuff!

A happy little gal!

A new little dolly from Gramma & Grampa Pipgras. She loves her dolly!

And a doll stroller too!

A popper toy and clothes from Uncle Brad and Aunt Shelley, Ellie & Ava.

Great Grampie checking out the popper toy.

A dolly that laughs and cries from Grampa & Gramma Chappell.

And a cradle for my dolly!

Brent's family with the birthday girl!

2009 FEBRUARY 7 -- MEL & RUDONNA HERE FOR A WEEK

Johanna's parents are here for a week for Shaelyn's 1st birthday. We had them for dinner tonight. We surprised Mel with an ice cream cake birthday cake and candles for an early birthday celebration. His and Kent's birthdays are both on Feb. 19th, and last year they celebrated together. So I thought I would have an early celebration for him while they are here. Shaelyn and Paxton played after dinner while the adults chatted. Nice evening!

Shaelyn is getting to be quite a character and lots of fun. Paxton is full of pep and likes to tease. Keeps things humming! Brad and Shelley are in NY this week-end.

Chatting after dinner

Mel relaxing!

Brent having a nap

"Hi Gramma!"

Paxton & Shaelyn goofing around

FEB. 3, 2009 "HAPPY 33RD BIRTHDAY, BRENT!!!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENT! Johanna had all our family for b'day dinner plus Dad & Joan.

Had a candle in my apple dumpling instead of a birthday cake. The dumpling was YUMMY!