Holiday tournament

Each year between Christmas and the New Year there is a Holiday basketball tournament. This is the major fundraiser for the Booster Club. The work for me begins before as I order and pick up products for food sales. It ends when I deposit all the money back into the checking account. I spent my two days restocking, running to Shawano for more food, selling concessions, cleaning up and of course being the timer.

Kudos to the girls for their 1 point win last night over Menominee Indian and their 30 point win on Tuesday night over Oneida. Our guys who've struggled over the past year, won the first round by beating Menominee Indian. Unfortunately they couldn't pull it out last night. A very successful event. Glad it's over for another year.

Christmas Eve Memories

I was reading my cousin's post of her memories of Christmas and it got me thinking about my own Christmas memories. As a child, we always visited Ma Hoffman and took her a gift. She always made a big deal about how we shouldn't have gotten her anything. I recognize now how she felt. I wouldn't need a thing from my children.

Then it was off to Grandpa and Grandma Otto's house. My counsins from Madison were usually there for the holiday. We ate goodies and visited and sometimes went sledding if the driveway was slippery enough. My grandparents had the best driveway for sledding. Looking back it was probably a nightmare for driving on. My grandpa always had a jigsaw puzzle out on a cardtable. I recall bonding with Grandpa Otto for hours over a jigsaw. Not much was ever said, but I felt his love as he allowed me to help him do his puzzle. Such a little thing that meant so much to me and made such in imprint in my life.

After an hour or more, we would come home to find that Santa had already been here. the cookies and milk were gone and there were gifts galore under the tree. Once we got the go ahead, it was bedlam. I remember staying up sometimes until after midnight to play with our new toys. That doesn't seem so late anymore, but we never stayed up that late.

The next morning we picked up just where we left off in playing with the toys. I know my mom made some really good food for Christmas dinner. Prior to Christmas, Mom was a baking machine. She baked countless types of cookies. Usually it was about February before they were all eaten. Besides the cookies, there were several types of candy. All very yummy. I cannot imagine doing that. I make cookies as I feel like making cookies.

I've not kept those traditions of my childhood, but made my own. The kids open their gift exchange gifts on Christmas eve, but everything else waits until Christmas morning. We always have a Christmas ham for dinner and munchie types of food on Christmas eve.

We make sure to watch The Nativity and read the story from Luke 2. After all, without that, there is no Christmas.

Merry Christmas?

Illness is never fun. I think we can all agree on that. It seems that we get illness around Christmas. What's up with that? The upside this year is that it's the 23rd and most of us are finished with feeling horrible and hopefully we should all be better before Christmas. As far as I'm concerned, the "spits and squirts" could leave our home forever.

I Love Seminary

Each morning I have the blessed opportunity to go to church and spend 45 minutes with some of the greatest youth I know. We study the scriptures together.


We also have 25 scriptures that we're asked to learn. I don't require them to be memorized but rather to learn what they're about and where to find them.


I've done my best to make learning these scriptures fun as well as eduational.


This year one of the ways we're learning them is as a puzzle.


We're also still golfing. Who doesn't like to putt a golf ball. This activity requires a knowledge of the specific scriptures as well as a talent for putting a golf ball.

At any rate, I love seminary! When the bishop asked me if I could accept the call to teach seminary, I thought he was crazy. Then I went to my first in-service meeting. After that, I knew I was the crazy one. It didn't take me long to figure out that the Lord knows what he's doing. I've learned so much and continue to be amazed daily at the tender mercies I am shown with the thoughts that come to my brain. I've shared some of those recently and know that I'm blessed by my service!

Is Santa Claus Coming to Our Town?

Is Santa Claus coming to town? He already has! This is our precious 5 month old grandson who we call B. I bought this outfit for him last year in January for about $1. He wore it to church yesterday.

In our home we were never big on Santa as all of our children were afraid of anyone in a costume. In fact, several of them were frightened that he might actually come into our home while they were sleeping. I was asked by more than one child, "Does Santa have to come to our house?" I assured them that he wouldn't come and that I would take care of buying all of the Christmas presents. For all of you that say, "Bah humbug!" about our not encouraging Santa, that was the beginning of why we didn't have him come to our house. It actually was a good thing as we were more focused on the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Christ has always been the focus in our home. But, this little Santa can come any time he wants!

A Day At the Temple

We got up at an incredibly early hour to leave for the St. Paul temple. We were on the road by 5am. I spent much of my time this week on new.familysearch.org getting names ready for submission and finding others that were already submitted and needed cards to be printed. Andrew did 10 proxy baptisms and confirmations for his ancestors. What a gift to them! We had other names that some of the other youth did.

What a wonderful day spent with my husband and son. Christian was also part of our family today as he rode with us both ways. Whit rode to the temple with us, but we had rowdy boys. I'm surprised she got any sleep at all. A day at the temple is always in order to lift me and make me appreciate all that I have been blessed with.

Answered Prayers

Isn't it interesting that you can pray about a problem and when you think you finally have the answer, a better way is provided? We've been praying for Erin to find someone to ride home with her from Rexburg. She has Zane coming with her, but he doesn't have a driver's license yet, so he can't drive.

Yesterday I made a phone call and found another 2 cars with whom she could caravan. Helpful and a possible answer. The problem with that was that the other people couldn't leave Rexburg until at least 2pm. That leaves less than 3 hours of daylight to drive in. Personally I want my daughter driving in daylight hours through Yellowstone up to Bozeman.

I asked her to change her departure date on the bulletin she had placed on the ride board. Today she got not only another passenger, but two! Both need a ride to Wisconsin and both can drive. Now instead of caravaning and solo driving, she can drive straight through the night and arrive home on Sunday morning.

I consider it one of God's tender mercies. I was just studying my seminary lesson and it was about problem solving. I discovered as Alma did, that you have to do more than ask casually, but rather make a plan and do something to make things happen. This is what we did and it works!!

The 2009 Pleshek Christmas ABCs

For the past several years I've sent out a Christmas letter done with the alphabet. This year I'm posting it as well. It's just a short re-cap of our life in 2009.

Apostle Islands in Bayfield was the destination for a getaway for Pat and Heidi.
Bocce Ball competition in Eau Claire yielded Tom a 1st at state!
Camp with the scouts for Andrew and with the young women for Heidi in August.
Disappointment was the reaction of the children to the new artificial Christmas tree.
Each day brings new insights as Heidi teaches daily seminary class to 10 students.
Facebook is the newest way to keep in touch for Pat, Heidi, Tom and Andrew.
Grandchild #2 arrived on July 1st. His name is Adam and we adore him.
Hoffman Transit was the site of Andrew’s first summer job. He learned a lot.
Idaho (BYU) is Erin's destination for college classes following high school graduation.
Jury duty will be Erin’s lot sometime in January, February, or March. Lucky girl!
Kennewick, Washington is Sammi’s destination as she serves a full-time mission.
Lake Wissota for camping was a must before school started. Fun, fun, fun!
Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo is Sammi’s home until January 11th.
Nauvoo was the vacation destination in August. We love going home!
Officiating basketball with her dad will be Erin’s winter job while she’s home.
Plesheks.blogspot.com is where you can read about our lives.
Quite an accomplishment for Erin to reach state track meet 3 years in a row.
Relocating was what the Gourleys did in March. They found their own place.
Sassy at times is what we’ve discovered from a 2 year old granddaughter.
Track and field for Andrew last spring was his love. He wants to be a jumper.
Utah was our destination twice in 6 weeks this fall.
Volleyball coaching for Sammi and officiating for Heidi this fall was fun.
Wausau Stake is Pat’s charge in our church. He’s so busy teaching and traveling.
eXtra large potatoes in the garden and an abundant apple crop is what we found this fall.
YES! Clint landed a full-time police job for the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe.
Zooming. That’s how the time flies by for us each year.

Blizzard Allison

I took this picture this fall. I think it's beautiful!


This is the same location this morning. As you can see it's all buried under the white stuff.


Snowstorm, or shall I say blizzard, Allison came to our neighborhood last night. I guess she'll be here all day as well. Obviously there is no school today which means I had no seminary either. I do love the snow cover especially for Christmas. All this snow also means that there is snow on the hill for sledding/skiing. It appears we'll be having a White Christmas. Yeah!

Letters and Pictures

I am amazed at how much I look forward to each Thursday when I know I'll be getting a letter from our missionary daughter. I never thought much about the art of letter writing, but now I think it's the cat's meow. The first pictures came in the mail yesterday and I was really excited to see Sammi and how she not only sounds like but looks like a missionary. Cell phones are a wonderful invention, but now that Sammi doesn't have one I find it interesting how much I look to getting her letters either in the mailbox or via email. I guess it's something I never understood before. What a blessing it is to have a child serving the Lord full time!

Abinadi and King Noah

This entire week in seminary we've been studying the chapters in Mosiah where Abinadi is preaching to King Noah and his wicked priests. We've had some great eye-opening moments in class. I asked the class to imagine that they were a modern day Abinadi and they had the responsibility to go to President Obama and congress and call them to repentance and make them accountable for how they're running this country, spending tax-payer money and making laws. What might an experience like that be like? Would you be thrown out? Laughed at? Mocked?

The questions to wrap it all up today included: Where is your testimony? Could you be like Abinadi? Do you currently stand for the right? When we're in a group of people and an off-color story/joke is being told what do you do? Do you stay and listen? Leave? When someone is being put down, do you defend them or join in? We can and should be modern day Abinadis. I can't say we'll never be asked to choose between our lives or our religion, but I hope that we can stand firm in our knowledge of Christ!

Letters from home

At times there is a need to chastise or correct our children. It's never fun and often comes with much heartache. The result is always growth for the parent and hopefully for the child too. Situations and distances can make it difficult. But when it's received with love you recognize that it is all worthwhile.

Isn't that what the scriptures are? Our Father chastizing us for our misdeeds and praises for our good behavior? His letters to us giving us His wise council. There are always parallels that can be drawn for each situation in our lives. I am ever grateful for these difficult growth spurts in my spiritual life.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 is much different than any other we've ever had in our home. Two daughters are not here. Erin spent the day with Al and Jack's family and of course Sammi is in the MTC. My dad wasn't with us either which was strange as we always have Thanksgiving together.

A day to be thankful. I have so much.

My husband who is my best friend.

Children who make good decisions.

Grandchildren who make me smile.

Extended family who have so graciously helped us in the past few months during our travels.

My warm house and big woodpile.
Enough to eat.
An awesome seminary class filled with beautiful students.
A bounteous apple crop.
Potatoes that grew and grew and grew.
A sister who always tells me she loves me.
Brothers who love me even though we don't say it often.
Friends who listen and share their love and laughter.
Vehicles that run.
A job that provides.

This country and those that serve to protect us.

Telephones, emails and facebook to keep me connected to loved ones.

Missionaries who come and go through our home and lives.

The mild fall weather.

Women who share their recipes.

My Savior, Jesus Christ.

There is much, much more but you get the idea. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Hermana Pleshek Contact Info

For those of you who want to check on how Sammi is doing on her mission, you can go to her mission blog as I will be posting her letters and pictures there. sisterpleshek.blogspot.com
Her MTC address is posted there as well as her first letter home.

Sammi's Missionary Adventure Begins

On Sunday after Sammi's last talk in church, we left for Milwaukee to spend the night with President and Sister Barrett. Sammi adores President Barrett as he was a witness that she should serve a mission. We had a great time with them. It's interesting that we've become such great friends. I never thought that those were the type of circles I would be in.

We stopped and visited with Scott and Kris Cunningham on Tuesday afternoon. This is the view from their driveway. I have to admit I'm a little bit envious that I don't have a view like this. We stayed long enough into the early evening that I was able to watch the temple (Jordan River) be lit.

The Bohls have been absolutely wonderful to us in allowing us to stay with them. Here they are with Sammi before we left them on Wednesday morning. As you can see, Ben was a tad bit tired.

Traveling with the stake president does have it's perks. Sammi wasn't set apart as a missionary until Wednesday morning. Thanks Brooklyn for letting us not only sleep in your bed, but use your room to set apart Sammi as a missionary. Sharla was kind enough to take this photo for us.

Taking your missionary to the MTC is a new experience compared to what it used to be. You drive in and you're given a curb-side parking spot. There are a couple of Elders in each spot to help the newcomer with their luggage. We unloaded, gave hugs and bid farewell. I suppose it could be very emotional, be we left our emotions in Brooklyn's room in the morning before we left. Sammi is a very outgoing, confident woman who will adjust easily and make friends quickly.

I have to say that as I sat on the plane from SLC to Denver I spent some time writing in my journal. In part I have to tell you that my joy is full and brimming over. I have rarely felt such feelings. The joy and happiness that comes through the Holy Ghost cannot be equalled. I feel such a sense of calm that I've never felt before as I've left my children in a faraway place. Life is good!

32 quarts

Tom, Pat and I spent several hours today canning apple pie filling. If you count, you won't see that many jars as there aren't that many. Some are 2 quart jars and there are still 3 quarts in the canner. Plus, there's an apple crisp in the oven. Hopefully these will seal so I don't have to go back and re-seal them. I have that wonderful feeling of accomplishment!

21 Year Journey

Yesterday was Sammi's 21st birthday. She is my middle child and also my middle girl. I can relate to that middle child thing. She loves taking pictures. Most of time, she has a camera very near by and will be found taken random pictures as evidenced by the above photo.
Dancing is another of her loves. Anytime there is music, there is either singing or dancing. I swear she knows the lyrics to any song out there. Her body was made to dance as she does it a lot. I can see her now, going through withdrawals while serving her mission as she won't have dance music to listen to. But I bet she'll dance anyway.
Can you believe that this little girl was shy? I really can't either. She was though. She was always a very tender-hearted child. She still is. What you see with Sammi is exactly what you get. Her heart and emotions are worn on her sleeve. There is no barrier that needs to be broken down to get to know her. She's the genuine thing. The real deal. My Samantha Sue is a true and devoted friend. She loves her friends (many of which include her cousins) with all of her being. Her friends do include her sisters. Whenever there are sisters together, there is craziness if Sammi is there. She's totally random in her words and that makes me laugh.
This little doll was the best infant ever. After the nightmare I had with Tom, I told everyone that God wouldn't do that to me two times in a row.... and he didn't. She was such a good baby! She had the gift to heal hearts that were broken. At one point in her first month of life, she healed a broken heart by just sleeping in a friend's arms.
Sammi loves being aunt Mimi. As much as she teases Cami you would think that Cami wouldn't like her very much, but she always goes back for more. I think being away from Cami and B will be the hardest part of her mission.


I chose this final photo because the plaque shows that they are standing at the entrance to the Sacred Grove. This is the reason that she will be leaving us for 18 months to serve as a missionary. As I ponder the 13 days left before she is a full-time missionary, I recognize several things. First, our house will be much quieter and cleaner, but also more boring. Second, I expect that the blessings of having a child serving a mission will be more abundant in our lives. Third, I know her example to her siblings is outstanding and will leave a lasting impression. Lastly, I know she has a tremendous testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the fact that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration.

Yes, I have been blessed to have this child as my daughter. I don't believe Heavenly Father makes mistakes when he sends specific spirits to our homes. They come for a reason. I cannot express the pain of a mother's heart as I've seen her struggle and see her hurt. Then the joy comes to my heart as I watch her make the correct decisions in her life. I've seen her put her trust in the Lord and have her prayers answered in ways that I didn't expect. Yes, I am blessed!

October 29th

October 29, 1993 is the day that my mom passed from this life to the next. It was a cool, blustery, memorable, emotional day that ended in a personal tragedy. I spent the day with her setting up the site for the Stake Women's Conference in Green Lake. She was so full of energy and I was the one who struggled to keep up with her. We did get everything finished before the sisters began to arrive.

On our way to Clintonville, she gave me a piece of information that I've shared with my family over and over concerning the law of chastity. I think it was her words of wisdom for her grandchildren. Then another interesting thing happened after we went to change our clothes for the evening festivities. She sat down and we talked for about 30 minutes. We talked about the temple specifically. Looking back it was an incredible time.

I'm really a dope as I never recognized the strength my mom possessed while she was here on earth. I am very flattered whenever someone tells me how much I remind them of her. That happened just last Saturday. I am ever thankful to the kind sister in our stake who remembers my mom. She told me how beautiful my mother was. (For any of you who have lost a parent, you know what I'm talking about.) At that moment I said thank you and didn't think much more about it...until Sunday evening.

Today I look back at the past 16 years and wonder where the time went and how much "things" have changed. We had just gotten a new microwave and our VCR wasn't very old. There were no cell phones. We had a computer, but internet was something I'd never heard of. My youngest child is older than my oldest was at that time. There were 17 grandchildren and now there are 25 plus 9 great-grandchildren with more on the way.

Today I honor the memory of my mom who taught me so very much about life and responsibility. I only wish I'd told her how much I loved her when I had the chance. I know she knew, but I should've voiced it when the spirit prompted me to do it.

As I'm feeling very nostalgic about my mom's life, I realize that life changes and we move on. I am ever thankful for the knowledge of an afterlife. That gives me more comfort than anything else ever could.

To end this post I will say that for 16 years October 29th was my mom's birth into immortality. Today something wonderful happened. My friend Sue got word that she doesn't have cancer. It couldn't have come on a better day for me. I can cry for joy instead of crying because I miss my dear mother. I think we call that a Tender Mercy.

Stake Conference Weekend

This weekend is our stake conference. Our choir is combining with the Wausau choir and singing My Shepherd Will Supply My Need with harp and flute accompaniment. I hope it goes off since we won't be practicing together until just before the session. I also get the opportunity to team-speak with my husband on Saturday night. I'm prepared for that and have control over what will come out of my mouth while standing at the pulpit. At least I hope so.

Sunday will bring two sessions of conference. One in Wausau in the morning and the other in Rapids at 2:30. Last week Sammi and I visited Stevens Point and since we know the music, we'll be singing with the Point choir. That should be really fun, since I don't normally get to sing with the choir.

I only wish the weather would be nicer, but then we're going to be inside so what does it matter?

h1n1????

The news came yesterday that the sister of 2 of my seminary students has the h1n1 flu. Andrew came home after school with a fever as well. I decided to cancel seminary for the rest of the week so hopefully no one will get or give this lovely virus to anyone else. I called all of the parents and let them know that their children would be receiving assignments from me via email. That way we can count the days and not get behind. I'm sure my students feel bad about not being able to get up extra early and get that much needed sleep.

I took my sweetie to church last night and we cleaned up the room and sanitized the tables. Andrew is feeling better- fever is gone - but has a scratchy throat. I kept him home as obviously there's something amiss in his body.

I just pray that we don't get it. Sanitizing the surfaces, doorknobs, remotes, mouse, water fixtures and lightswitches was on the top of my list of things to do last night. More of the same today.

B is for . . . .

This morning when I came home from seminary, Clare and my cute little grandson were sitting in the livingroom. Pat was busy doing something on his computer or something. At any rate, I was sitting on the floor "talking" to this little guy when Pat came and put his glasses on his nose. Cute picture. It reminds me of the last picture in Cami's Book of Mormon book that I got her for Christmas last year. As long as I had the camera, Pat did whatever he could to get Adam to smile. The following picture is going to get blown up and displayed in our home. I love it! By the way, B is for Baby Adam (according to Cami.) We've begun calling him B at times, thus the name of the post. Enjoy his smiling face!

Autumn in Wisconsin

I said in an earlier post that I love the autumn season. I wish we had a fall season this year. The weather seems to have gone from a cool spring to a warm one and then perhaps a week or two of summer scattered throughout June, July and August.

Summer really hit once school was back in session. The weatherman says we should have some warmer temps next week. The following are pictures of the view from my back yard.

This maple tree is in my back yard. I should've taken a picture a few days earlier while it still had a lot of leaves on it. The color is beautiful regardless.

A sure sign of fall is the growing wood piles in the area. The view is in the horse pen behind our home. I think the colors are grand.

From my mostly empty garden I got some great produce from the broccoli, beans,
zucchini and tomatoes. The peppers and corn didn't do much of anything.


This view shows my frozen hibiscus plant. Obviously all the beautiful red flowers are gone but I got to enjoy them before the frost hit. Not quite what it was a month ago.

I'll enjoy the vivid colors while they last and hopefully the smells of fall will return shortly.

General Conference

Several months ago we decided to take the boys to general conference. Sammi said she was coming too. With Erin being in Idaho, I thought I should come along as well. On Thursday night following Sammi's game in Neopit, I drove her home and we grabbed our things and headed to Milwaukee. The Barretts were kind enough to let us stay at their home even though they weren't there. We awoke very early and headed to the airport. At 6am we were leaving for Denver. A very short stay and we were on our way to Salt Lake City. We arrived and picked up our rental car. A quick trip into distribution and then a short visit with the Sharps. (Hank's mission president)

Tucanos. Do I need to say more? Our very generous friend Andy set us up for lunch at Tucanos. We ate some excellent Brazillian foods. Erin and Sara met us there. I think the highlight for the girls were the good looking men who served us the meats. What can I say? The girls had their picture taken with those men. Thanks again Andy!

The girls off to play and the rest of us off to Evanston to visit the Wellings and Sam. Two men who are so influential in our lives. If they hadn't served missions, would we have even gone to conference? Who knows? A wonderful visit with wonderful friends.

Saturday after the morning session we were off to SLC for the 2nd session. Met up with the girls who saved us seats. A wonderful experience to sit in the conference center. A check in at a hotel and boys are off again while girls are off to take pictures, eat and play.

Sunday morning brings rain and more conference. Some wonderful spiritual moments for me personally. A long drive to Idaho Falls to see the Hoffman/Likes family. It's always great to see family that we don't get to see very often. Games and laughing and eating and more laughing before heading to bed.

Waking up to snow in early October is a cruel trick. Off to Rexburg to take Erin back to school. A very short stay (Hi Jodi!) and back to Utah. Provo brings the Sister's Missionary Mall, BYU bookstore and a jaunt past the MTC.

Sharla and kids invited us to stay and eat and play with them on Monday night. A wonderful time was had by all. (Except for the Packer game) A visit that was too short but none-the-less a good thing.

Out the door by 5:15am and off to the airport. Flight to Denver where we waited a short time and then back to Milwaukee. A drive home and Sammi off to the girl's volleyball game where they shocked Rosholt by beating them in 3 games. Way to go girls! Me at home unpacking and the laundry has begun.

A very wonderful, spiritual, fun 5 days. I'm thankful we could do it together!

So Little Means So Much

On Sunday it was my birthday.... and yes I know exactly how old I am. My husband always buys me clothes for my birthday. The only surprise in the gift is exactly what it will look like. Yes, I got clothes. Some shirts, sweaters and a really nice pair of pants. Thanks for shopping Sammi. But, this year I got a gift that meant so much more. Since my birthday was on a Sunday and since my stake president husband is rarely ever home on a Sunday, he decided to take the day (3 hour block) off and leave the stake with me. We attended church in the Shawano Ward so that he could sit with me during sacrament meeting and Sunday school. Wasn't that sweet? Don't get me wrong, I love the clothes but I love the gesture so much more. Now if only I could somehow get an anniversary too. I guess I won't press my luck.

Fall Chores

I love the fall season!!! I think the colors and smells are a delight to the senses. I can deal with the cooler weather, although I think if that's the determining factor of when fall gets here, we went from spring to fall without hitting summer.

This time of year is filled with chores that I wouldn't have at any other time of the year. First of all there the canning. Applesauce, apple pie filling and tomato juice are all on the docket for me. I've already taken care of some of all of those plus putting corn in the freezer. There's a lot more to do with my apples.

So these days, before I head out to general conference, I need to get as much accomplished as possible. I don't want my fruit to spoil while I'm gone. Wish me luck and the motivation to get it all accomplished!

Officially officiating

Over the last two years the A.D. at school has asked me to officiate some freshman girl's volleyball matches. I've always agreed and it was good experience. Last year, the A.D. from the Menominee Indian school district called and asked for my help for his middle school games. I helped him out a few times. Then the A.D. at Marion called and asked for my help. Wow! Guess I'm popular! Guess again. There's a shortage of volleyball officials.

This year, I took the exam and got myself registered with the WIAA. That makes this year my first official year as an officially licensed volleyball official. Sorry no stripes in volleyball. Just black pants and a white shirt. I'm signed up to do 11 games as of this date. I've done my first games in Neopit and Gresham already. Tonight I'm headed to Keshena for a freshman game.

I don't know what it is about doing this, but I do enjoy it. Crocs must have been invented for volleyball officials as they have great cushion. I still think they're ugly though. I do love to watch volleyball so this gives me a chance to do that from the best vantage point and get paid besides. I'm having a good time.

No Girls at Home...until Wednesday

Actually the title of this post isn't entirely true as Clare has been here for much of the weekend with the kids. But these two left on Friday morning with Loey for Rexburg. Erin is officially a college student. I think she'll have a good time and love it. Sammi will be back on Wednesday evening and then she'll be here until we kick to the at the curb at the MTC. She's going to be a superb missionary!

My point is, anyone who knows my daughters knows that the house would be very quiet without them here. (Except for Tom watching his favorite youtube post in which the model falls down on the runway. His laughter gets pretty loud then.) Erin typically isn't very loud as every teacher who ever had her in class can attest. But, when she gets with either Allyssa or Sammi, the volume gets turned up. I never would have dreamed how full my life would be with 3 daughters. They are my best girlfriends! Life would be pretty dull without their randomness....especially Sammi's. She keeps me on my toes. I have to be on them or else I'll get run over. Don't get me wrong, I love my sons just as much, but we don't giggle quite the same way. It's a girl thing!

So to my girls, I love you ladies and have fun when you're away from me. Just keep me in your loop is all I ask. This old lady needs some excitement too.

Family Pictures 2009

Our yearly tradition of taking family pictures on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We took this one immediately after church. I love the colors that everyone is wearing and the fact that we're in Sunday dress.

The fact that we're all dressed alike is a new concept for us. Tom didn't like wearing his t-shirt. Even worse was the fact that he had to wear a "beater" underneath. I only wish B-Adam was looking up.

Papa, Nana and grandchildren. Always a good picture. Cami just woke up and wasn't very happy, thus her face.

We won't be able to take another family photo until Sammi comes home from her mission as Erin leaves for Rexburg this week. I've got a great family!

A Lake Wissota Camping Trip

Friday morning my sweetie and I got up early to go for a bike ride. It's 4 miles to the bridge. I saw this fisherman out on the lake early. I loved the reflections on the water.

I love the morning sky! You can see the sun's rays shining through the clouds. I love the lone fisherman.

Not my favorite photo of the two of us, but it shows the bridge that we were standing on with the bridge for cars in the background.

The reflection of the bridge with that beautiful morning sky. It doesn't look like only a mere 10 minutes later we would be caught in a downpour.


We watched an eagle fishing as we stood on the bridge. I see bald eagles occasionally, but have never seen one diving for breakfast before.

It was a wonderful, peaceful camping trip with wonderful friends. Wisconsin really does have some beautiful state parks and amazing scenery all around.

Hiking and Boating

Out for a walk with my sweetheart and we stopped in the shade to sit for a spell. I couldn't resist taking this shot. It shows the beauty of Lake Wissota and it's surrounding area.

This looks like a picture of the sacred grove to me. It's actually a picture of a black squirrel. Can you find it?
The bridge under which we went boating and over which Pat and I went biking.

Pat and Andrew on the Super Mable with Sarah Allsop and her boyfriend John on the screamer. I took my turn on the Mable with the other women and with my husband and Andrew. It is so much fun. I got dumped this year. I've never been dumped off of the Mable before. I guess a first time for everything.

S'more Pizza & biking

Here it is! My new favorite camping dessert...s'more pizza. I made this yummy treat every night in the dutch oven. Pizza crust, baked until about half done and then topped with mini marshmallows, milk chocolate chips and crushed graham crackers. Delicious!
The weather was wonderful starting about Tuesday late afternoon. Wednesday morning got us all on our bikes riding through the state park.

On the way back from our bike ride I took my boys down a trail to the lake. It's a beautiful place. So quiet and peaceful.

Here's Tom coming down the first part of the trail.

My "boys" at the bottom of the trail. You can't really tell but there is an actual lake behind them.