Kent & Sharon's Echo Acres Excerpts

Thursday, July 23, 2009

GOOD BYE, KARI & LARRY!

Larry & Kari Anderson are moving to Georgia in August! There was a "FAREWELL POTLUCK" for them at the farm. Ella composed a farewell poem to them and read it. She hasn't lost her touch at writing, but her reading the poems she writes adds the color and depth. We have been in meeting with Kari since she was a little girl, she babysat our boys, married Larry, and we have watched Larry & Kari's boys grow up and leave home. Now Branden is married to Kate Holt and lives in Georgia, and Bryan is in Iowa. We wish them the best as they start this new chapter in Georgia. We sure will miss them!

The FAREWELL cake.

Ella chatting with Larry & Kari.

Ella reading her poem to Larry & Kari.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

JULY 2009 -- LOVING MY NEW KITCHEN!!!

View from diningroom

View from breakfast room

Another view from breakfast room

2009 JUNE -- VISITING JOYCE & ANDERS LEWIS IN MILWAUKEE

We flew out to Milwaukee for my nephew's wedding and spent a couple of days beforehand with Joyce & Anders Lewis. Anders' parents and my Mom's family were old time friends growing up. They often come out for Milford Convention, as Joyce has a sister living in CT. We also were together on a trip to China a couple of years ago. So it was special to be with them in their home and enjoy their wonderful hospitality!!! It was great just to visit, and they showed us around a bit and took us to their daughter & son-in-law's flooring business. What a gorgeous business -- so interesting! Enjoyed gospel meeting one evening and a potluck at their home with several we knew another evening. A very nice time together as well as lots of good eating and reminiscing and laughs!

Anders & Joyce

Their home

Visited Mrs. Enge (Joyce's Mom)

Schmidt's flooring business

One of several gorgeous showrooms

Another showroom

Tim & Andrea Schmidt
(Lewis' daughter)

Fellas chatting before potluck

Anders & Joyce in the kitchen

Young folks chowing

"Seniors" table

Howard & Sharon Jensen

Paul & Betty Rowland

Marilyn & Wayne Lepac

Richard & Barb Anderson
(Richard's parents grew up with my Mom also)

Kenny & Helen Ellsworth
(Anders' sister)

Blake (Anders & Joyce's son) & fiance Betty and her son Eric

Breakfast on the patio.
Thanks for a great time, Anders & Joyce!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TODD & SHANNA SMIDT'S WEDDING -- JUNE 13, 2009

My nephew Todd Smidt & Shanna Remmers were married in Milwaukee, WI at Discovery World at Pier WI. It was a lovely wedding! Since "Uncle Kent" was the officient at the ceremony, we were also at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday. It was a beautiful day overlooking the lake at the Pier. The ceremony was inside with glass all around, so a beautiful setting. The reception was held right there, so very convenient. Since so many family members had come from coast to coast, Todd & Shanna didn't leave on their honeymoon until early Tuesday AM, so they could spend some time with family as well. They had everything so organized. All of Todd's family went to Anders & Joyce Lewis' for meeting Sunday along with some other extras from the wedding, and Shanna's relatives all went to her meeting. Then Wayne & Marilyn Lepack invited us ALL to their home for a lovely picnic lunch and afternoon together. Years ago when my parents and we 3 girls and our kids all got together at Hershey, PA, we had red T-shirts for all the boys with their names on the front in white. It was easy to spot them and keep together that way. Well, Brad had the bright idea to surprise the guys (now grown men!) with new red T-shirts with their names in white to relive that memory. He presented them at the picnic, and the guys all donned their shirts and came trooping in together after we ate. It was hilarious! Brought back lots of memories for the boys, and everyone got a big kick out of it! After that, the younger families went to a park with their kids for the rest of the afternoon together, and we adults and immediate family went to Todd & Shanna's apartment to watch them open their gifts. We just had pizza back at the hotel after we all met up back there again in Sunday evening. My sister Marilyn and her family had to fly back to Orlando Sunday afternoon, but the rest of Donna's and my families were all together on Monday and spent the day at the ZOO. Had a great time! The cousins did a lot of reminiscing about Grandpa Jeffers and their growing up years and had a lot of laughs! The 2nd cousins had a great time together too and are anxious to get together again next summer hopefully. It was a real fun time together! I'll add some pictures of our day at the zoo on the next blog entry....