Did we tell you we went to New Jersey last weekend?

We found the 'rents in great spirits and Mom can get around so much better now - doesn't even use her cane most of the time! Bet she wishes she'd had that hip replaced 10 years ago! Anyway, as you can see, it was beautiful weather. The house and barn are in need of painting, though - wouldn't it be great to take a crew up there and get it done for them!? Mom was in her element cooking a birthday meal for her son (though we couldn't stay until the actual day!) It was a whirlwind of a trip but we're glad we went. Especially now that our little grandson decided to make his arrival early and all! What a month!! What a year actually. Sure hope things slow down a bit soon.

Most of the West Coasters Arrive

Bless George and Shirley for letting some Baker's over to get the cousins together! You can't tell by the pictures how tired everyone was from their flights! Won't the Baker Laker be so much fun starting Sunday?!! And S,T, and J-G will be in town then, too! But first, B&E - have fun with the Counts' at the beach and football game!!

Pops' Birthday

Turning 60 isn't so bad when you have two swell daughters in town to cook a special birthday meal for you - and grands like Olice and Georgia to sing to you! Pops - you really are tops!

The Best News By Far

Born on the one free day between his Aunt Erika's & Pops' birthdays and his Oma & Pops' anniversary, little Red arrived safe and sound with all systems functioning. Danielle and Will are so chuffed and enthralled with the whole idea of parenting and Bill and Kaye and Amy are experiencing the joys of first-time grandparent-/Aunt-hood!! I have no documentation on my camera but this Oma was very much there to meet our lovely seventh grandchild! Join us in praising God for His great goodness to these two families at this time! And be sure to check out Will & Danielle's blogspot for closeup shots of their blessed son when they find the time to post them!! www.evelynfloyd.blogspot.com

A couple more last Goodbyes

Danielle and Nancy (our only in-town kids now) came over to say goodbye to the only home they have known and it was funny to see them pretending to sleep in the room that they shared with brother Thomas before the addition. They went around to every room and shared favorite memories - I didn't even know about some of them and am glad I didn't!!




Then, for my sentimental friend Dee, we took final pictures of the gate to the back door, the garage and the front door. Kind of gives a good closure - and we can't be sad because of what we have to look forward to.
More to come when the computer gets unpacked (I'm typing from a hotel room in New Jersey where Ken and I are staying so that we can visit Mom and Dad for the weekend!)

The Temporary Home

Ken and I have all we need - in 'suite B' - to get by. We set up two smaller beds rather than our nice queen-size one (but we're really looking forward to one bed again in the new house!) Anyway, we are getting good sleep in these quarters and I believe Beau has already forgotten 101 Shady Creek Ct. and the yard, etc. Well, we hope so! Check out the bandaid on his tail - good timing for a bit of surgery, eh?

Packing with Friends is SO much More Fun!

Well, we finally got the house packed up - thanks to Danielle & Nancy, Olice & Georgia, Jane, Dee, Lynda, Cheryl, Mike, Jared, Thomas, Will, Reid and too many to take pictures of!

Le Piano says Bonjour to its New Home

Right click on the first photo to check out the date on this lovely old family member! The next shot shows that it was 'patented' in 1902. Though it was sold for $310 in 190_ (scratched out somehow!), I doubt that we could get much more than that for it today since technology has almost made these uprights obsolete. But there aren't too many in as good a shape as this one - thanks to John Barbour who refinished it just before we bought it some 20 or so years ago.

Anyway, Schelyn played this piano the most and would love to have it in her home one day (so would Erika and Danielle, for that matter) but for now we have let our dear next door neighbors use it. They know it is on loan indefinitely and we are so glad that it will again be played (our new home is a little short on wall space.)







Here's Mason and William already trying to do duets! Thanks, Kathe and Toby for offering to take care of'Marcellus' for us.

Danielle and Will's baby is really getting close!

Tonight we were privileged to be invited to a wonderful shower for D&W's upcoming baby. The pictures that I took can be viewed by going to the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13554&l=22003&id=544953351

Karen, I was very impressed with your obvious gifts - of decorating and organization and hospitality. You said you were sorry that you didn't get invited to our recent Birthday Bingo party. Well, we're the ones who missed out - you would have added so much to OUR party! Next time for sure, Girl - and thanks SO much for all your hardwork and LOVE! (Theresa, too - that was some amazing food!)

Our Last Saturday in our Home

This was the day that a lot of furniture pieces were distributed to two of our girls' homes. Thanks, Will and Reid for doing the lugging.

Will has always loved the sound of the ice cream truck and couldn't resist after a hard day of lifting.


Ken decided that he could have some fun even though, to HIM, the sound of the ice cream truck is the most annoying thing in the world.



Once more Ken's sense of humor prevailed. He might even like the sound of the ice cream truck after this crazy memory. (Will said it was worth the $3.00 that we scrounged together just for this picture!!)

For Anyone with a Birthday in September:

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

"Tour of Home" by Olice

The above video says a lot but if you want to see pictures taken yesterday at the new house, check out the following as well:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12970&l=8c746&id=544953351

Time to go pack this house up now...

Luv ya' - M (&K)