Let it be Christmas

Could there be a more nostalgic holiday than Christmas.....I doubt it.
At least not for me.
Decorating the trees can some times take for ever.  Each ornament I place has some special meaning or memory.  Like this star that always hangs to the front of my tree. A tag adorns the branch it hangs from "In loving remembrance of a wonderful, beautiful wife and mother, may this star shine brightly on your Christmas tree.  Even though mom is not with us in body, her spirit will shine within our hearts forever.  We love you mom!!!"

Each year the Christmas story is going round and round in my mind.

Memories of ornaments we made together for the Church Bazaar.

The ornaments my kids have made are my most treasured.

Then there is the ornaments Mom and Dad would bring home from a trip.

This one from China Town - San Francisco.

A new one this year.  I made a hand blown glass ornament in Sagway, Alaska this summer.

Will bring wonderful memories of our "Sister Trip" with Chris.

Merry Christmas Sis...Love ya!

And now my tree would not be complete without a newly made ornament of my Grandchildren.

This one of Jackson......is there a greater treasure than grandkids.......

As George and I wrapped gifts, he asked me if I really thought the kids would appreciate the time I take wrapping each of their presents.  Does it matter if they did not notice...sure, but the self-satisfaction is so much more.... I  think about each and everyone of them as I wrap their gift.

Mom always had the most beautiful gifts under the tree.  I think back and that is what I remember more than what was in the present!  She was so talented.  Her home was her castle and she loved decorating and arranging the most beautiful centerpieces....to this day they are impressed in my mind.

Merry Christmas 2012

Let the beautiful lights all around us this Christmas keep shinning through us as we once again welcome birth of Jesus in our hearts.  

Who's Babysitting WHO!!!!

One quickly remembers 
how a little one wants your attention 24/7!!!

Sunday was a long day for all of us.   Jackson and Lauren faired very well.

Our first stop was at a gas station in Stanley.  

We had a picnic snack of string cheese,  dill pickle chips and juice.

We won't talk about the next stop......let's just say we one upped Grandma Kathy!!

On to Uncle Brian's for fun in his back yard.

A little Football practice before the big game.

Jackson needs a "Rodgers" jersey!

 Lauren ran....and ran.....and ran around Brian's yard!

 We finally got a peek of a smile!

Even Lauren got into throwing the football.

One more stop-Great Grandpa Harvey's

No pictures-they were eating, but we did get to see  Sue,  Gordi, Nicholas, Johanna and Kim.

What a nice surprise.

Off to Antigo, and it was supper at Culver's.

Then off to the Deer Farm to see the white deer and the BIG Buck!

 Feed a little deer some corn.

Something spooked the deer-probably Lily's whining to get out of the car!

This was the best shot of the BIG Buck I could get.

Good morning Monday!

A little Finger painting,

and shhh, it's a surprise for Mom and Dad-

we can't show you or it won't be a surprise!

Enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

A mid morning snack of honey crisp apples and carmel-yum!

Guess who's pooped?!!   WHAT GREAT DAY!!

After supper, Papa George and Jackson did a little fishing off the dock.

No luck, will try again tomorrow.

Dad had a Dream

Back in April, actually on Dad's Birthday, his Dream came true.

A Veterans Banquet ~" Harvey's Carvings for Veterans"

Hoping to raise enough money to take 3 Wounded Vets on a 

Chartered Fishing Trip on Lake Michigan.

The remainder of monies raised was to be given to 

Wausau's Honor Flight Chapter ~ 

"The Never Forgotten Honor Flight"

Little did he know, did any of us know, 

that he would not only take three vets fishing,

but he would also send 

20 WWII Vets to Washington DC on a Honor Flight.

 I think the biggest surprise, that Dad too would be on that  

Honor Flight - September 19th.

His guardian for this trip, his son John, 

the one who made his Dream come true

 Each Honor Flight has a banquet the evening before the Flight.

At the entrance, two young boys, dressed the part,

handing out "WAR ENDS" newspapers!

 This group really does a wonderful job for the WWII Vets.

88 Vets and their guardians, were treated to a special evening

of song, food, and most of all Honored for their Service.

A special evening surrounded by some of his children.

And when he came home off that Honor Flight....

he was greeted by a banner Kim made.

I often wondered who was there to greet Dad when he came home from service.

Chris and I and Brian were there waiting for him this time, 

along with hundreds, and I mean

HUNDREDS of people from Wausau 

and the surrounding area came to greet their loved ones home.

 It was priceless to see the look on his face when he saw our banner.

His first words to us "It was Fabulous"

He shared a story that he came home with only a toothbrush.

His duffle bags were stolen at the train station.

Another story I was told of how I got my name.

"Jacqueline" was actually a gal he had met and dated while in service!!

We came home that night to sit around his dinning room table,

to listen to him recap the day.

One thing he said stuck in my mind......

"I told someone, that this will be my last trip.....

but it will be one of my Greatest Trips"

Our Hero, Our Dad

Jenna and Chucks Wedding

Chuck and Jenna Wesinek

Trying to get this guy to be serious.........good luck with that

Elfreda is 90+ years old.....check out her moves!!!

She has more spunk than most 20 year olds!

 Some attempts to get a Krueger Family Picture

 Dad just always has to tease!!!

 Chuck and Jenna had a very warm day....these two had the warmest spot in the Church

Did not seem to bother them.....they were excellent!

 The three most loveliest Ladies at the wedding

 Heather and her partner

A very Happy Bride

Jesse and her partner

Boy I sure hope he can get some good pictures of Dad on the Honor Flight!!??!!

I think this was my favorite photo of the wedding

These are Kim's friends....they have been Best Buds for a very long time!

The Father -Daughter Dance

So very Special.....I love this picture of the two of them.

I must say....Jesse looked beautiful 

And my Sisters....what a great time they had dancing!

My Tami.....I thought the flowers were real...

from afar you would have never know.

 Tami and her partner

We had a wonderful day.

Congrats to Jenna and Chuck