Haan Cousins Luncheon

I know I should probably be doing some blogging about our wonderful trip to Washington but that will take more time than I have on this Tuesday. Last Friday we had a Haan Cousins Luncheon - originally there were 11 first cousins - there are 6 left. Jake lives in Atlanta and wasn't able to be here and Betty left before we got the cameras out. Dad is the youngest of all the cousins and definitely the baby of the group. The two girls in the picture are sisters. We had a GREAT time visiting all afternoon. We really should get together more than just once a year but then that's better than it was at one time when we only saw each other at funerals.

Below is the cousins plus spouses - don't we all look nice.

I wish I would have taken pictures much earlier of Amy and Kurt's remodeling project. This is Chase's room and hopefully it will soon be ready the awesome decorating job that Chase and his Gramma are going to do. Chase is coming for a couple of days this week and I think we'll do some drawings of what he might like. Then, of course, we have to run them by mom to get the OK. As soon as the taping is done on the drywall, Chase and Gramma are going to paint together - a real bonding experience.

This is the closet with a little cubby next to it. I think it would be really cute with some shelving and bright red baskets or tubs on it. What do you think?

Before I sign off, look at this beauty!! Who is she? That's a million-dollar question.

I'm off to FINALLY get started on my computer room. Washed the bedspread that was lying on the floor at the laundromat this morning after I went to the gym and now will tackle the desk first. Wish me luck. I'll post pictures of before and after just to keep myself positive and encouraged.

Sam & Holly, I hope your first day of school went terrifically! (I think that's a word.) Talk to you soon.

Love to you all!!

MOM and Gramma

The Gorter Picnic

As you all know, the Gorter picnic was last Saturday in the park at Rock Rapids. I had a GREAT time, just sitting around, eating and visiting. I know I sent you all pictures of the picnic but I wanted to record it on my blog for posterity.
The ladies above are: Aunt Helen, Grandma, Beth DeKam, Aunt Dee, Luella Smidstra (behind Aunt Dee), Becky, Ruth, Judie, Aunt Bonnie and Norma.
Even though the temps were warm and the humidity was up there, there was just a gentle breeze and lots of shade so it was very pleasant in my lawnchair.

The pictures of the siblings having fewer people on them every year. I think it's a good picture of the 3 of them. Below are the siblings plus in-laws. All of them were at the Pizza Ranch that evening except Uncle Ed & Aunt Kathy.

My cousin, John Smidstra, is truly "one of a kind". He'd give you the shirt off his back but first he'd probably tell you that it's his only one but if you really need it, here it is. Judie was telling me that recently he allowed his granddaughter, Lilly, to paint his toenails. What a hoot!! Wish his buddies at the salebarn could have seen them.

At the Pizza Ranch, they pulled the curtain between the two rooms because another group was supposed to be coming in - as it turned out, they didn't show up so they opened it up again. This is John's granddaughter, Jaya (2 1/2 yrs old) peeking around the curtain. She is really a cute little girl.

Well, that's it. My next blog will be coming from the great state of Washington. Happy flying!!!

Love,

MOM & Gramma