Bob's Side of the Family Get- together

Although we had our family get together in November, I am just now posting it.  I thought I had already posted this, but I saw a draft of it.  I did experience some problems downloading pictures for the blog so I didn't do any posting for a while.  But now it all seems to be working again so I'm trying to get caught up.  The pictures still bring back fun memories of our gathering.

We all met in Des Moines.  Stacy and Rachel participated in the Living History Farms Obstacle Race.  We met the night before and went swimming.   While they did the event, the rest of us took advantage of the pool. 

Does Jenna Joy look like she's having fun?  Stacy looks like she's having fun too.  We always seems to spend time in a swimming pool.  I guess everyone thinks it's fun.

This picture is out of order, but after the event and swimming, we all enjoyed eating at the Machine Shed.  

Then we all met at Cari's and Dave's for dessert.  Grandpa Bob treated the kids to a session on how to make balloon figures.

Another one out of order, but Dane and Brett putting in their orders for special pancakes.  MMMmmmm good.

We had a great time.   It's always fun to get together.

Aunt Rosemary's Funeral Dec. 2012

My 98 year old Aunt Rosemary died the first week of December.  Bob and I had made several trips in the last few years and had gotten acquainted with her and had become quite fond of her.    She was my father's sister, and she had shared some funny stories of some of their antics when they were younger.  Aunt Rosemary led a very interesting and adventurous life.  She was a Rosie the Riveter during WWII, of which she was very proud.  In fact I was proud of her contributions too.  She steered us to the house where she and my dad lived in Tonkawa, OK, along with the Hopkins family.  It was fun to see the house after finding it with the help of a lady with the historical society.  Rest in Peace, Aunt Rosemary.  You will be missed.

She will be buried with her husband, "Blackie."

This is one of her sons, Tommy, and his family.  I hadn't seen him for about 50 years.  It was fun to reconnect.

This is her son, Robert, and his family.  I guess I hadn't seen him for about 50 years also.  Fun to get reacquainted with them too.

This is her daughter, Cheri, and her husband, Bill.  We hadn't seen each other for a long time and then a few summers ago, we did reconnect while we were vacationing in Colorado where Cheri and Bill live.  Nice to see them again.  We hung out with them a little more.  Their motel was right next to ours.

This is Jimmy and his family.  Jimmy is the son who stayed in Amarillo and took such good care of his mother.  We got to visit with him and his family a few times when we made our visits to see Aunt Rosemary.  

Here is the whole crew.

These are the cousins, Robert, Jimmy, Bill Hopkins, Cheri, Lucy, and Tommy.

Rosemary's children, my cousins, Jimmy, Robert, Cheri, and Tommy.

My cousin, Bill Hopkins, and cousin Robert.

Post Thanksgiving with Cardonas

Since Mitzi had to work on Thanksgiving, they instead invited us down for a post Thanksgiving gathering.  After a great meal, we played games and had a fun time.  Robert and Logan decided to go out and enjoy activities in the fresh air.  They had fun too.

New Upstairs Bathroom

We have an upstairs bathroom that needed some work so Bob decided it was time to fix it  up.  He stripped, sanded and stained the floor, only to decide to cover it with some adhesive, easy-to-install tile (not real tile you have to grout and seal) but it does look nice.

He put in a new toilet.

We had the inside of the claw foot tub resurfaced.  Then Bob resurfaced the outside of it and the claw feet.  Then we did end up hiring plumbers to install the faucets, etc.  I'm pleased with how it all turned out.

He also put in a new top for our vanity and new faucets.

Thank you, Bob, for all your hard work to make the bathroom nicer and usable.