Sibling Retreat

Last week Noah's siblings and spouses met in Northern Illinois for a sibling retreat. We are scattered from Pennsylvania to Colorado, representing six states. We stayed at a resort on the beach of Lake Michigan.

 

 

We enjoyed strolling along the beach and took couples' pictures.

 

Every family has a clown, right? Sam showed us that he is still able to stand on his head.

 

Some of the men sitting around the fire ring and chewing the fat.

 

Later we all hung out in the lobby.

 

At 5 a.m. the next morning twelve of us went fishing on the lake.

 

Coast guard regulations require no more than six on a boat, so we split into two boats.

 

Israel displays the king salmon he reeled in.

 

Our catch of the day ~ some rainbow trout, lake trout, and one king salmon.

 

After a delicious meal, which included part of our catch, we all gathered in front of the resort to have group photos taken. There are ten siblings, so with us spouses, we totaled twenty.

 

A hug from our sweet server, whom we sweet talked into doing the photo shoot.

 

This group came from Pennsylvania and Virginia in this motor home.

 

Noah and I enjoy wading in the shallow waters.

A Wedding in the Family

 

The Rehearsal

 

 

Nicole and her dad

 

I love how happy Andrew looks on here... and his dad doesn't look unhappy either.

 

We were able to have the rehearsal dinner in a nearby park. 

 

Enjoying the food.

 

Signing the marriage license.

 

The Wedding Day

 

Nicole's mom did all the decorating.

 

 

Each table was done in one of these three settings.

 

A large picture of Andrew and Nicole adorned the mantel.

 

Reception overview.

 

Ready for the ceremony, which was outside, on a beautiful June day.

 

Nicole's mom did these decorations also.

 

Karen buttons a few of the many tiny buttons.

 

And then I take a turn while Nicole's mom looks on.

 

Stunning bride.

 

Dave and Jana pose for me.

 

Karen takes responsibility to attach the boutonnieres.

 

The wedding was held at the Iowa State University Alumni Center.

 

 

The departure. (I let the photos in between up to the professional.) It was a lovely wedding, and we have gained a sweet daughter.

Homespun Stars

When I asked Nicole if she wanted me to make a quilt for her and Andrew, she promptly said, "Yes!" She paged through several of my quilting patterns and books. But her search ended abruptly when she came across this pattern. Her words were, "It is so me!" And what fun I had putting it together for them!  

 

 

The wedding is less than three weeks away! We are all getting so excited!

One College Graduation...After Another...After Another

This spring three members of our family received their college degrees.

 

 

The first graduate was our daughter, Carla, who graduated with a Business degree from Ohio State.

 

 

There were 10,200 graduates at OSU, but less than 8,000 walked. They just kept coming and coming!

 

They walked all the way across the stadium to their assigned places.

 

They had quite the pattern, but it all worked out!

 

They pretty much filled up that side of the stadium.

 

Soldiers ready to raise the flag.

 

And she flies!

 

Carla is waving to us in this photo. The business graduates were seated in a section below us. (There were over 1000 of them.)

 

 

The graduates filing to get their diplomas.

 

Congratulations, Carla!

 

Carla poses in front of the buildings where her education occurred.

 

 

 

 

Five days later we attended Ryan's graduation from Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa. In contrast to Ohio State, there were less than 100 graduates, which was nice because the ceremony didn't last longer than one hour.

 

 

Ryan majored in Ag ~ Crop Production to be exact.

 

I actually got him to pose for me!

 

Filing out. Can you find Ryan? Pretty much in the center.

 

 

An informal pic with his dad, Andrew, and Nicole.

 

The next day we went to Ames, Iowa, to attend Nicole's graduation at Iowa State University. The first two rows are filled with her cheering committee. ;)

 

I don't know how many graduates there were. Just guessing maybe 3000. The first ones to enter were the Ag students, which was Nicole's major.

 

 

There were over 600 of them.

 

We spotted Nicole early on. She is at the end of the next to the last row.

 

 

More graduates enter.

 

They pretty much filled up the floor and sides.

 

Hugs from her brother, Brody, while other brother, Blake looks on.

 

Andrew and Nicole.

 

Congratulations to all of you!