We Interrupt this Blog Break...

.....with an actual post!  My apologies for not getting back to the Alaska trip coverage.  Hopefully that can resume at a later date.

Since November, my thoughts have been more focused on a different topic--weddings! : )  Yes, plural!

T and J announced their engagement in November!

M and B announced their engagement in December!

Oh dear, I may have to break down and start using actual names on my blog, or we'll all be totally confused.  : )  It won't even work to use last name initials, as those overlap with some of our first name initials!  Yep, I think it may be time.

So.......

Matthew (our oldest) and Brittany will be married in Louisiana, where she is from, the beginning of May!

Trina (our youngest) and Josh's wedding will be here, at our home church, the end of June.

Meanwhile, in January, Kelsey (our second born) and Adam bought their first house, an older farmhouse, that they are so happy to call theirs!  That meant the fun of helping with their move.  (Really, it was fun!)  Of course Benny and I realized there will be two more moves to help with later in the year, so guess we were just getting practiced up!

 (taken at annual New Year's Eve party, this year at Other Farming Couple's home)

Miscellaneous Winter Pictures

A couple of weeks ago, someone told me it was Spring! What? I didn't get any pictures from winter posted! So, without further ado, this past winter included.....

A caroling party
Celebrating Christmas (A, K, T, and M)
Gathering with family
A new game... ...or two
Starting the New Year out on the right foot
A little snow and a lot of cold

The basement walls finally getting some border, which we bought years ago, before border was "out of style." Isn't that right, Mom? ;)

A Swedish supper with church and neighborhood friends

And adding a "few" more miles to the van!
(if you enlarge the photo, you'll see that's five zeros after the two)

November Notes

Sadly, though not unexpected, the middle of November brought the day of a longtime friend's funeral. That horrid cancer cut her life short, but it was a life full of love for the Lord and for her family. We were roommates my senior year in college.
Louise, 1978

B. and I took some time to go to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
On the way there, we crossed the bridge on the left to get from Kansas to Missouri, but it won't be used a lot longer, as a new one is being built. The railroad bridge on the right is still in use.

Those big brown blobs are muskrat mounds, which some of the birds apparently like to sit on.

These deer know they're safe here, even this close to the road.

I thought these reflections were neat.

It was good to have everyone home around Thanksgiving.
K and T fixing something yummy!

Some of the relatives enjoying dessert at B's sister's house.

Our dear Pastor C loves to travel, so in early November she planned a "mystery tour," which one other lady and I joined her for. I'll post about that next time!

: ) ?

Some September/October Stuff

Seven sweet kittens--do you see all of them?

A.'s prize-winning horseshoe pitching form.

Dahlia and cosmos by the barn.

T and M at her new place

T's first kitty, Spud. Only 5-6 months old here, I think he's going to be a Big cat!

We enjoy having friends over to fly kites. This looks much better if enlarged.
This is what's at the other end of those lines!

Our swing tree in October

The Big Day

Time to finish posting about this wedding, don't you think?

(Thank you to my sister-in-law for the photos taken in the sanctuary.)

-Early morning at the church-
The hairdresser blessed us by coming there to save on extra trips into town!

-The girls-

-My two favorite girls and me-

-Filling in some extra time-

-The flower girl fixing a little snack before the ceremony-

-Pastor with B and my mom-

A's mom and I had the privilege of lighting the candles.

-The guys-

-Concentrating on their tasks-

-My dear B, with a serious job to do-

-Bubbles for the newlyweds!-

I just enjoyed the reception, so didn't take any photos of that. The hall was decorated beautifully with navy and bright pink, and included many fresh flowers from B's sister; my brother, P, did a great job of emceeing; everyone liked the photo booth; the food was delicious; and it was a fun, relaxed time with family and friends!

-Time for Mr. and Mrs. to leave the reception-

-But maybe not quite yet-

-At least not without a little help-

Best wishes, K & A, with prayers for a long and happy life together.
We love you!

Turning Twenty

We celebrated T's birthday (which is today) when we were with her on Saturday.

Happy Birthday, T! We love you!

Time goes by in a blur!

It seems like we just made the trip across the state to visit the junior college that T. ultimately chose to attend for her studies. But that was two years ago, and now this past weekend we made the trip again, this time to watch as she crossed the stage to receive her Associate of Arts degree.

We went out to eat after the ceremony, then had a slice of cake to celebrate.

Congratulations, T, we're PROUD of you!

6th in the 6th

I've been tagged by Kim.

The rules…
* Go to your sixth picture folder, then pick your sixth picture.
* Pray that you remember the details.
* Post it on your blog.
* Tag 5 others, and leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.

This was from five years ago. It's one of the hamsters that T had, but I don't remember its name now. I know, I know...... it should have been labeled. : / Anyway, this one was quite the acrobat. He had a route that he took over and over that included walking across the top of the cage upside down!

I tag Wanda, Heather, Janet, Cobapple people, and Jerm & Pooks.