The Four

Yesterday and today we have hosted "The Four" at our house, which means lots of extra energy, laughs, smiles and kisses! Nathan and Jeanine had a special evening planned and asked if we could take care of their two for the evening, and then Sara had some emergency dental work done (and then reacted to the medication) so we ended up with the other two with us overnight as well. 2+2=4!

Two of them are still with us (napping as I type this) and the other two have gone home, but what a blast we had with them all! Can't wait to meet Grandbaby #5 and see how he/she fits into this mix!

Girls



...And Boys

Kittens

On the day that Grandma arrived for her party, now three weeks ago, we had some other arrivals, as well. Due to all the excitement that accompanied having the family in town, we are only just now getting to mention them to you all. Kittens. Yes, once again, our mama cat has presented us with a litter of cute kittens. In just a couple of weeks they'll be able to be out on their own, so if you want to reserve one, let us know! In the meantime, we're enjoying watching them grow and explore... and graciously endure the affection of certain little people who are often around here!

Wedding Bells

On Saturday we were privileged to witness the wedding vows of long time friend Rebecca Knottnerus and Paul Freidel. Congratulations, Paul and Rebecca! May God bless your marriage abundantly!

Telemann Quartet

Here is a short video clip (-1 min.) of Aunt Clorinda, Joanna, Aunt Emily and Daniel playing a Telemann violin quartet during Grandma's 80th birthday party. This isn't part of the "official" birthday video, just a clip Josh took on his little digital camera. They are already over a minute into the movement when the video starts, so it's just the last half of the movement here. Enjoy!

Birthday Party

On Wednesday night, we celebrated not only Josiah's birthday, but also Jeremy's - which was on the 18th. Just for fun, we made a "pool party" birthday dessert!

It was an ice cream cake topped with light blue whipped cream - and Lego swimmers! :-)

Oh my, was it yummy... and VERY filling (as if we weren't already stuffed from a yummy birthday dinner)!


And the little girls helped clean up! :-)

Josiah is 11!

Wow! It's been 11 years!! Happy Birthday, Josiah!

A lot has happened in those years, and we're all SO grateful to have you in our family! You add so much life and laughter to our home! We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Sunday and Monday

Thankfully, everyone didn't just run back home again after the party. We were so blessed as to enjoy two more full days with them, plus part of a third!

On Sunday, after church, we headed up to Lake Geneva for a picnic in the park, and an outdoor concert performed by the Lake Geneva Community Orchestra. The concert theme was "Animals," so the selection included Copland's "Outdoor Overture," John William's "Jurassic Park," Leroy Anderson's "Waltzing Cat," a medley of Looney Tunes music, Strauss's "Die Fledermaus," and more!

We got to sit directly behind the orchestra and right by the percussion section, which was fun - although somewhat startling at times! :-)

Uncle Dick and William, enjoying the lovely - if a bit warm - afternoon.

Lunch was delicious, too!!!


Erica with The Sistahs: Clorinda, Emily and Margaret.


The California Contingent: Daniel, Aunt Emily, Erica, Uncle Michael - we missed you Anna (& Tony)!

On Monday...

On Monday, the guys engaged in a small paintball war in our yard...


Apparently they had lots of fun!


While the war raged out front, the ladies sat out back relaxing and chatting on the porch.


Then, sadly enough, came the closing dinner. Not that anyone was sad that dinner came, it was only sad to consider that this was the last time we'd all gather around the meal table together during this visit. But if you think that stopped us from enjoying our meal, think again! :-)



And, of course, we had to gather for some final fun and lovely quartets before heading to the "theater" in our basement where we watched a slide show of the 700+ pictures we had taken over the week and enjoyed them all over again!

Afterwards, Grandma headed up to bed, but the rest of us sat up talking until near midnight before finally turning in. One of the first trains leaving town on Tuesday morning took with it the first ones to leave us, and later that afternoon the rest bid adieu and started on their journey home. Now we are left with closer relationships spanning the miles between us, lots of memories to enjoy - and the pleasure of anticipating "next time!" :-)

We love you aunts, uncles, cousins and Grandma! Don't stay away too long!

Birthday Party!

The site of Grandma's birthday celebration happens to be the same facility that our church is now meeting in - and just on the other side of "the block" from us. Of course, as we live in farm country, our "block" has a perimeter of about 7 miles... still, it's very literally just around the corner from us and VERY convenient!


As some of us finished the dinner preparations, some sat around and chatted...


...others provided lovely background music! Some of you may be familiar with Aunt Clorinda and Aunt Emily's music from Jeanine's wedding. Living in opposite corners of the country, they don't often have opportunity to play together, but they enjoy it when they do... and so do we!


Erica and Joanna.


Finally, time to eat! Meatballs, lasagna, garlic bread, salad...


Aunt Lori, Uncle George, Grandma.


Uncle Dick, Aunt Clorinda.


Mangia!

After Dinner Entertainment:

Ed Sullivan (aka Uncle George) showed up to host a special "Big Shew" in honor of Grandma's 80th birthday. Oh, what fun we had! Laughter and shouting, cheering and applause!


Lots of music...

...the Erberantey's showed up to sing, too...

...more music...

...ah, yes, and some juggling...

...and a skit...

...and another skit...

...and more music...

...and yet more fabulous music...


...and some mystery artwork...


...and Banjo Joe...


...and still more music...


...we even had a visit from Topo Gigio who came to say goodnight...


...all presented before an extremely enthusiastic and appreciative audience!


Jake captured it all on video, and we look forward to getting a copy of the DVD from Uncle George and enjoying the evening all over again!


Happy Birthday, Grandma!
(Corrine blew out the candles before Grandma could, so we had to relight them and do it again!)

The Guest of Honor!


Grandma and Erica dancing the Lindy! Erica also taught some dance steps to the rest of us, as well.


Then it was time to clean up...


...and wash up...

...well, some of us cleaned up! :-) Yes, finally the party was over... but the fun continued for a couple more days!!