Sweet Memories and Friendship

It's that time of year again when I get all sappy. Course, I had some help this year. I was going through some old photo albums at Dad's. Wow what sweet memories..... I even took a few pictures to make copies. And my sister Chris gave me a book to read on Thanksgiving "Sweet Memories". I started reading on the drive up north and could not put it down....stayed up until I read it all. So I was not surprised when I woke up in the early morning with tears in my eyes and my mind over flowing with memories.

I knew for sure, I would be putting up Christmas decorations. I always get sappy!

But this year was different. My early morning wake led me to memories and thoughts of Friendship. I have a friend who is very ill. And I could not help but think about how he has touched my life. He always has a smile, treats everyone he meets as if they are special. I had watched him put a smile on grumpy co-workers many times. I woke up thinking of him and how he must have his memories - sweet memories going round and round in his mind. He's not a close friend, more a friend of the family. But he has touched me and I will miss his visits to the office.

Gosh, there are so many types of friends we have.

I learned lot about friendship from my Mother's Family.

That's my Grandma Anna(with the jacket over her arm, Aunt Catherine on her right, behind her Aunt Virginia, Aunt Joanie, behind her Mom, Aunt Margie and Aunt Mary Rose.

This picture brought back a lot of memories. Everything I needed to know about Friendship - I learned from these precious ladies. I am going to try and make a Christmas card for my cousins from this picture. This is a "Shopping Picture" to Green Bay or Sheboygan. I remember the anticipation of the "Big Return", we cousins would be at Grandma and Grandpa's house waiting for them to come home from such a shopping trip. Could not wait to see what Easter or Christmas dress my Mom had purchased for me! And the Christmas ornaments they would purchase......totally awesome. And the chocolate candy treats were divine too!!! Those Hunt girls sure liked their CHOCOLATE. Thank you for that trait!!

The "Hunt Girls" were the best of friends. They canned, cried, shopped, played, picnicked, laughed, even owned a dress shop together. And as we girl cousins got older, they graciously included us on their many trips. What sweet memories I have. Mom always said "I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for my Mom and sisters"

Huge memory ~ my cousins. Every, and I mean every Sunday was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Hunts. I was lucky, I lived across the street from them. Grandma and Grandpa lived on an older farm and had plenty of room for us cousins to roam and play. And play we did!! Green Light - Red Light, Kick the Can, roll in the barrel, hide and seek, wagon train, parades, we even would produce some pretty good plays for our parents.

And this isn't even all the cousins!! A few came latter - including a brother and sister of mine!

We had some good times...... The curly blonde in the front..... is one of my best Girl-Friends!!



I could go on and on. I guess it's the holidays that make us melancholy. It certainly does make you think about how very blessed we all are. And just how precious each and every day is. I know I am so very thankful for all my memories....sweet memories......

Sam's pizza

Carousel Ride

Ride-em Cowboy!!!!

Big Semi Beep..Beep

Green Bay Packer!!

And the Pizza was good too!



A visit to Great Grandpa Krueger's House

Happy Birthday Grandpa

We spent a quiet evening at home for Grandpa's Birthday.The Birthday Boy said this was one of his best Birthday's!!!!

Thank you Jackson!!!

After a bath it was reading a book with Grandpa and watching "Annie"

Time for bed?!?!? Grandpa was looking for Jackson's nuk. Jack found a spare and

climbed on top of Grandpa so he could reach his little night time blanket!!!!

It has been a fun week. One we were so Thankful to spend with Jack.

Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Hi-Ho Silver- Pamper Race Car-Twinkle Twinkle

It's 2PM , Friday......Have I had a chance to take lots of pictures....No
But hopefully I can give some verbal vision of the time of my life with Jackson.

We have gotten into a routine. When he wakes up in the morning we sing a song
about "Goodmorning, Goodmorning Jack". He follows me down the stairs to the
kitchen where I make breakfast and he plays with my baskets, putting the tea and sugar bags
from one basket to another. This morning it is blueberry pancakes, sausage and banana slices.And while I am doing the dishes, I give Jackson the poker chips to play with.


He is quite the poker player.......

see how he hides the poker chips
down in the high chair!!!!!!!


And check out that POKER FACE!

"I know nothing........"!!!!





After his late morning nap we ate some lunch. It was leftover spaghetti. Oh what fun to get the hands all dirty. The pickles and strawberry jello wasn't so bad either. When our plates are clean, it's a quick run over to the stool by the sink. He loves to wash his hands all by himself.

And then it is a gummi bear treat, but only one!!


Today we went out side. Since we did not see any deer we took the little green pail and collected pine cones, sticks and pine needles. We took a break, sitting on the steps. We made up a song about the wind in the trees. You see the trees were talking to us!!


Then a walk down to the dock. We did not see any fish swimming around, so we sat on the dock and sang "Row, Row, Row, your Boat"



Back into the house for some fun on the Rocking horse. Boy I wish I had time to take pictures, but the fun keeps happening too fast. And I don't want to miss a minute of it. Jackson can get on the horse all by himself now. I sing him a song about the Lone Ranger and Silver. He jibber jabbers likes he is singing too. When it comes to the part about HI-Ho silver, he puts his hand in the air with his little finger pointing up and he tries to twirl his hand. A forever treasured sight in my mind!



We move to the fort, laying our heads on a pillow holding a flashlight and making the light twinkle on the roof. We sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".



But then it was time to empty the Pamper Box of all the plastic cups he took out of my cupboards. Hmmm empty box-RACE CAR!!!! I put him in the box and race we did all around the living room. Giggle giggle giggle. What fun we had.




A grape Popsicle felt soooo good on those teeth coming in.





But Ohhhh was it cold. See his fists he makes when it feels too cold!!





So pooped out Jack told ME it was time for nigh-night.


We both climb up the stairs. Course he wants to brush his teeth first. He climbs up on the stool and has to turn on the light all by himself . And then when he is all done, he shuts the light off...all by himself!!

Here are some pictures we took last night.

Day One!

The day just flies by fast when there is a 15 month old in the house!

Course we did get to fit in a few fun things!

We built a Fort.....

Saw things from new Heights...

Enjoyed my new rocking chair.

We will keep you posted Mom and Dad. Hugs and kisses from Jackson!!!

Nothing could be Finer!

Nothing could be finer than a visit from Jackson!
Jack is staying with Grandma and Grandpa T for a

couple of days.

On our way up north we made a few stops.

Our first stop was at St Claire's Hospital Gift Shop.

Jackson bought a gift for Baby Sister "T2".

We enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria.

At our next stop....we saw Uncle Brian.

Brian was so excited to see Jack. Of course he

got to meet everyone!!!

Jack enjoyed a ride in the "Club Car" at Fred Mueller's Automotive!

Next we were off to see Grandpa at his work.

Grandpa even let Jackson try out his Chair!

Then it was off to Antigo for some Grocery Shopping. We finally made it to the cottage

in time for supper. Jack was so pooped, he hit the hay at 6:30!!!!

Nate and Jesse's Wedding

Weekend in Madison for Jesse and Nate's Wedding

Jack enjoyed dancing....more like running

around the dance floor,following the bigger kids!

He took a break... riding on the Choo Choo Luggage Rack. Up and down, and up and down the hall.

Grandma was the Engineer!!

He even picked up a few friends!

Jack had to set some things straight with Julia and Johanna.

S O S Work weekend Up North

Jackson answered Grandpa's SOS for a work weekend. Everyone ptched in.

It was a great weekend. Tami and Brian sure love this little guy.

It was fun to watch Jack exploring the cottage-on FOOT!!!

Jackson did his part......sweeping the floors!

And helped Grandma make

Chicken Lasagna!!

The boats are out of the water, the yard is raked, the wood

was cut, and the outdoor furniture was put away.............

We were all pooped!!!!

Lovin those "FIRST TIMEs"

Nothing like the FIRST TIME!! Well here goes.

I never dreamed that being a Grandma could be so much fun.

The"Firsts" with our Grandson Jackson have been such a delight.

We try to see him at least once a month. And to see him do things for the first time....there is nothing like it!!

I would have to say his giggles are the best!!

Now at 14months he is already walking and starting to say words.

He melted my heart with calling me "Grandma" this past weekend.

Can't wait to see his next "First"!!!