THE BECKER'S - the girls in their Kutless shirts! Quintin was saving his to wear to school Mon. Of course, Trey was on Security duty Sat. night once again. He had to stop Don on his way in to look inside his sack of popcorn. yup, just doing his job.
THE MILKS'S - less Tim. Not sure where he went to at this point. (He too, was on security the night before.) Aren't they cute?
And last, but not least, the old folks!

A Rockin' Outdoor Weekend!

We took another road trip this weekend, this time to Charles City where my brother and his family reside. Again this year Gary was one of the main organizers of this event, a free concert in the streets of the city. Here was the opener - Brad Stine. I shot this just before I gave him a big hug and told him we love him! He is so dang funny.
This is Kutless. Or the lead singer anyway. It was hard to get a picture as it was dark and so much action. These guys are crazy maniacs. I had no idea they rock like they do. Check out the arms on that guy - that's muscle you see. They did a very rare thing for them - stopped the concert in the middle and had an "altar call" - talk about the presence of the Holy Spirit!!! Lots of people were saved last night! It was awesome.
And here is the rockstar Gretchen - doing her thing on Sunday morning in the park. What a blessing to hear her sing again and for another opportunity to worship with my brother & fam.

In Cincinnati

Don with his sons and grandson. That's 3 Donald Henry Berends's and 1 Daniel Henry Berends!
Here we are after eating dinner Sunday night - just before saying goodbyes.
Don with Brooklynne.
Donald the 4th, Ashley, and Samantha.

Birthday Boy

Maxwell Thomas was born one year ago. Isn't he a big boy now? I can't hardly remember wanting a girl, because he is so special to us. God is using him in awesome ways.
Here he is enjoying his cupcake - once he realized it was something to eat! mmmmmmmmWe love you, Max!!!!

Hair & other silly stuff

Yesterday was cutesy hair - Today the windswept look! (and you two girls thought I couldn't do it!) You know, I kind of like the way this photo enhances my nose! And pay no attention to that washcloth hanging on my shower door - I forgot to throw it in the laundry last night!!! ok, control yourselves, girls. I am cracking myself up again. Better stop before it's too late.

Haircut Day

I just got my hair cut and once again I attempted to photo myself. Well, maybe you can get the idea in spite of my lack of skills. Below you can kind of see the sides and back. You know how cheap I am - I'm thinking a Cost Cutters quick cheap thing. Well, I go to Cost Cutters, baby, right next to Hobby Lobby. (If you go, ask for Morgan, and tell her the preschool art teacher sent you) She rocks. We had a blast, she is so funny, and the next thing you know, I was paying her twenty-something $'s. When I got in my car, I thought, wow, what just happened????

GO TEAM USA!!!!

In the spirit of the Olympics, I have placed our flag in my workspace/tv viewing space. Doesn't it make you proud to be an American? (Be thankful we aren't from France, who said they came to the olympics only to smash the Americans! That doesn't sound very sportsmanlike! Guess we showed them though.) Crossed feet indicate I am waiting for something to dry before moving on to the next step so really I'm working.

Catepillar or is it Callepitter?

Depends on who's saying it, but anyway it's the reason my husband lets milkweed grow in our flower bed. It's so we can have guys like this come along and make themselves at home. This guy is awesome. We should name him. The Brown boys were here looking him over, so maybe I'll send them a call out for suggestions. (if they're anything like their parents, we'll get some doozies!!!) He is hanging head downward for some reason. I hope he decides to stick around for a while so we can see what happens to him!!!

AUNT MUTZ

My Aunt Mutz is 90. She amazes me. She looks like my dad, talks like my dad, has the same expressions and gestures. Although they hadn't seen each other in a number of years. It always intrigues me how much alike they are. Out of 6 siblings, Mutz and Dad are the only ones left. We asked her lots of questions like where did the name Mutz come from - and Dortz. No one seems to know. (they are Margaret and Dorothy). I guess my dad had lots of nicknames also - something to ask him about next time you visit him. I am thankful to have had this time with her. She is still a riot. And still very social and relationship oriented like she always was.

QUINT REUNION

Here are just SOME of the wacky Quint cousins who were at the reunion last weekend. What a blast!
Here we are again playing the finger on the nose game - so darn funny - EVERY TIME!!! (sorry about my photographer's skills)

MY TOYS

This is my toy mixer from when I was a little girl. It was quite something in its day. I remember playing with it in my toy kitchen. And this bear was a soft rubber squeaky toy, but now the squeaker is gone and the rubber is hard as a rock. I don't think I named him, but I remember a rubber goose being around about the same time. He had a jacket and a hat (all rubber) and big orange webbed feet. That might have been Mike's.
And here is my all time favorites - need I introduce them? - ok, I will. M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E and his girlfriend Minnie. Wearing their original outfits. I was quite the mousketeer!!! This pair could make my girls rich someday!!! They have to be pretty valuable. I've never seen any others around like this. hmmmm......I suppose I could try to find out their value, but it would be like selling one of the kids.

50's Memorabilia

Here is my nun doll I got for Christmas in the 50's. I think I actually asked Santa for it! She stood on a music box that played Ave Maria - it still plays but a little twangy and messed up sounding. She has no hair under her veil, but she's got white panties and black slip on shoes!
When you take her off the stand, there is a compartment where I kept my rosary! I don't remember ever wanting to be a nun, but I was curious about them, so I went to visit them at the convent once and they gave me orange pop to drink! I think they were trying to win me over to their order, but I liked boys too much to give them up!
I don't consider myself a catholic anymore, but this is a sweet childhood memory of mine that helps to replace the memory of real nuns slapping us with sticks!!!