On Saturday morning Dick and I left between 8:30 and 9:00 and headed to Reading to pick up Destiny. She had a lot of laundry to be done before the start of school Monday (the joys of not having a home washer and dryer), so we loaded it up and drove to Lititz where we found a laundromat. Between the three of us, and lots of available washers and dryers, we got a whole lot of laundry done in record time.
From there we drove to the Penn/Elm Lion's Club pavilion just a few miles away, where the Stauffer family was having a gathering and celebration in honor of Dad's 90th birthday. 90 doesn't look too bad, does it? And if you ask me, Grandma Arlene is getting more and more beautiful with age!
It was a perfect location with plenty to do for everyone.
This merry-go-round looks exactly like the one that was on the Manheim Christian Day School playground for years and years. I wonder if it is the same one. Any readers out there that may know if it is?
I was disappointed afterward that we had not gotten a picture of Dad and his four sons who were present (Bob, who lives in Minnesota, was missing), but then I saw this picture posted my niece Heather. Here they are - Jim and Steve on either side of Dad, Dick and Fred facing Dad. Steve's son Joe and son-in-law Pete are also on this pic.
Of course, youngest Stauffer, baby Seth, got lots of attention and passing around. Here he is with Grandma Carolyn and Mama Chrystal.
I got my turn too!
Meal time - a little roomier than our usual accommodations under the camping tarp or in Grandpa's basement.
Birthday cake made by Chrystal.
The pictures surrounding the bottom layer got lots of attention. Aren't they cool?
We spent the night at Sam and Jenn's. Sammy was at his other grandma's house overnight, so I was glad we'd had our good time with him the weekend before. Because I had completely forgotten to get a gift for Bianca's party earlier in August, I brought her one this time - some really cool blocks I'd found at TJ Maxx.
We babysat her while Sam and Jenn went out, and not a tear was shed! Amazing!
We had decided that we would take a Sunday morning off (since we normally go to two church services each Sunday morning, we're allowed that, right?) I'm joking, of course. Bianca is a late sleeper, so without Sammy there we all slept in. I could not believe it when I looked at my watch and it was 9 AM!!!! Rare indeed.
Dick got this picture of Bianca in the morning. He said she was mostly taking the magnetic letters off the board, but at the rate she's going, she'll soon be putting them up there and spelling words!
I gave everyone options as to what they'd like for lunch. The overwhelming majority (all four people, ha!) wanted my cream of tomato soup with grilled cheese on rye. That was easy enough.
We said our goodbyes around 2:00 and went to Grandma Mary's for a one-hour visit. I did not get a picture while we were there - we had so much catching up to do. But I'll just insert this picture that a friend posted this summer showing Mary at her best - the fun just spilling out from her! I hear her laughing when I look at this.
From there we went to visit Bjorn at his new apartment. He had just gotten his couch a few days before, so he was glad we did not need to sit on the floor! He has a nice second floor, three room apartment, just perfect for a guy.
We had a great time catching up with him. Hard working landscaper. I bet they love having a big, strong guy like him.
On our way to return Destiny home, we stopped at Sheetz for gas. Destiny and I were so curious how those three cute Amish boys were all going to fit into that little buggy. Just as they were about to get in, a big van pulled in beside them and blocked our view! But we did see them drive away - two on the bench seat and one on a little side seat.
We said our goodbyes to Destiny and decided we had enough time to stop in for a short visit with Jada on the other side of town.
What a cute picture of Lauren and Jada!
Please pray for them and for Frank. He has been serving a one-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal that he agreed to after having been falsely accused. Next week he will have a hearing, and we hope and pray he will be released.
Dick and I got home around 10 pm. It didn't take us long to hit the sack after that!
Please watch for my next post - hopefully tomorrow. You will not want to miss it!
4 comments:
You two are Energizer Bunnies! I don't know how you keep going and going and going!! Just reading about your weekends makes me tired! What a wonderful family you have and 90 does indeed look great on the birthday boy!
What a wonderful celebration! Those two both look amazing - and so does Grandma Mary. The birthday cake is so cool!
I haven't seen a merry-go-round like that for years.
Glad you got time in with Bianca (and no tears!), Bjorn and Jada too.
Praying for good things for Frank.
I know what tomorrows post is already! :) :) :)
They both look wonderful! This is such a lovely post and your photos are beautiful. :) You have a lovely blog.
Dick's dad look like he could be in GQ. He wears his age well.
You put a lot of miles on your car each weekend. It is a good thing you are married to a mechanic.
That little Jada is such a doll! Will pray for Frank for sure. I had lost track of him.
Bjorn's apartment look great!
I have no idea what tomorrow's post is about so I will stay tuned.
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