Kent & Sharon's Echo Acres Excerpts

Monday, May 11, 2009

2009 MAY -- John & Ernestine's 50th Anniversary

John & Ernestine McCracken celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a reception in their home in MA put on by their daughters on Saturday afternoon, May 9th. It was lovely with gorgeous flowers and a beautiful cake decorated with fresh flowers. John & Ernestine had just gotten back from a week cruise to Bermuda with several other couples including Ernestine's brother and wife from WA. The daughters had put together a memory book and also had made a video of it, which they showed to everyone on a screen while they read what was written. Then the mike was opened up for comments and reminiscing, and there were plenty of stories to tell from brother, grandchildren, daughters, employees, old buddies, etc. Ernestine and John had to add their side of some of these stories as well.... Then John played the piano and some of the family sang the song that John used to sing to Ernestine -- "Have I told you lately that I love you...." John had a comment or two after that was done. The cake was cut and more visiting and reminiscing. A very lovely reception for a very special couple! And it all began with a cookie! That's the beginning of this romance....

The table with cake and flowers

The cake

John & Ernestine

Her brother who got them together

Grandson Connor

Granddaughter Kayla

Daughter Laura

Daughter Maureen

Buddy Fred Parsons had typed up pages to share but stopped at 1 story!

Dad reminisced about when John spent 3 summers at the farm working

"George saved my life when I fell through the barn floor! But I hurt so bad & was running around in pain while he was laughing his head off!"

John playing the piano

Some family singing along with John playing,
"Have I told you lately that I love you?"

Ernestine being serenaded

....and then some comments!

.... and a good chuckle!

Ready to cut the cake

Try a bite...

John & Ernestine with daughters Maureen, Linda, & Laura (left to right).

How about a kiss?

Their home

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

OLD KITCHEN BEFORE RENOVATION -- 2009

Here are some pictures taken of my old kitchen and the diningroom before the renovation project. The carpet is being taken up in the diningroom and cherry flooring will continue from the breakfast room on through the kitchen and throughout the diningroom as well.

BRAD & SHELLEY IN ARUBA -- MARCH 2009

Brad & Shelley went to Aruba with Shelley's folks for the week of Ellie & Ava's spring break. They had a great time and stayed at a house right across from the beach. (These are Shelley's pictures.)

Brad & Shelley,
Ellie & Ava

Ava, Becky, Tony, & Ellie

Ellie & Ava at the beach

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

PAXTON & SHAELYN HERE FOR TWO DAYS -- April 27-28, 2009

Several couples got together in NY over the last week-end in April. The guys went to a go-cart track and had a blast. The girls and kids went to a park for the day. Sunday Johanna left from Albany and took the train on to NY City to meet up with her two sisters for a couple of days. Brent brought the kids back home Sunday eve, and I took care of them for two days while he was at work. It was right at the beginning of the "tearing out" of my kitchen, so it was hectic and noisy, and we stayed in the family room most of the time. Paxton went outside and rode is scooter a lot, and we took a walk with Shaelyn in the stroller one afternoon. We had fun! Shaelyn did well napping on the couch in the family room in the midst of all the commotion. She even took off walking on her own a few times the last afternoon here and was so proud of herself! We also did a lot of "Finding Waldo" while they were here. Gramma had two fun days!

Brent & Johanna and
family in NY before Johanna
left for NY City. (Brent's pic)

Paxton & Gramma worked
on a floor puzzle while Shaelyn
napped.

Shaelyn napping.

Paxton & the finished
puzzle!

Shaelyn riding.

Playing with toy phone

Playing after her nap

Paxton at the computer
& Shaelyn playing toys.

Taking some steps....

Yay!!! I did it!

KITCHEN RENOVATION -- APRIL/MAY 2009

After 35+ years with my old kitchen cabinets, we are renovating the kitchen and doing a major make-over job! I loved working in my old kitchen, and it was very handy. But the new arrangement will be more open, brighter, and larger. I am REALLY excited! We knocked out the wall between the breakfast room and kitchen and extended the flat ceiling on out into the wasted space of the breakfast room area to enlarge the kitchen area. The cabinets will now run down side of each wall with a 9' island down the middle. It doesn't take away any space out of the eating area but gives me a lot more kitchen space and opens the whole thing up. It is really going to be nice. The electrician is about done, Edgar has started on the flooring, the sheetrock goes in tomorrow, and the cabinets start going in the end of next week followed by the granite countertop and appliances. So hopefully we will be all back together by the first of June! In the mean time, I have a mini kitchen set up in my laundry with an old smaller refrigerator and my old microwave on top of it. Between that and my pantry with crockpot, griddle, and toaster oven, we are managing quite well. I even baked banana bread this AM! :) It will be a thrill to settle in my new kitchen when it is done! Very exciting!