Christmas Concert and a Little Lamb

Last Sunday Dad and I went to Chase's Senior High Band Christmas Concert.  It was great - there was only one song that they could have skipped, as far as I was concerned.  Here he is  getting everything lined up.  I was always told that if a boy played the flute, it was a real "girl magnet" but it looks to me like the trombone is a close second.

 

 This is as much as we could see of him for the most part.

 His fan club:

I missed this little lamb's Christmas program at church. I helped DeAnn make all of these cute little lamb ears two years ago.  Isn't she just the most perfect little lamb - hugs to you, Sweet Pea!!!  The little girl sitting behind Katie is her bestest friend.

I sure wish I could have been there to see you, Katie.  You are such a wonderful little granddaughter and we love you.

On this eve of Christmas Eve, I want to wish my family out there a Blessed Christmas.  May you experience the joy and love that only comes from the gift our Savior gave us!!

With love,
Gramma and MOM

Tuba Christmas Show and She's Gone

Last Saturday we went to the Very Merry Christmas Tuba Concert in Sioux Falls.  There were 131 tuba players from the area that ranged from 5th graders to one person in their 80's.  It's open to anyone that wishes to come and plays an instrument in the "tuba family".  Chase does not normally play the tuba so he had to learn a new instrument.  He said it wasn't all that difficult.  His band teacher even found an instrument and played along with about 12 Pipestone students.  They practice all together about an hour and a half in the morning, have lunch and play at the Children's Home before coming to the historic Coliseum in downtown Sioux Falls.  Chase said they had the music for a couple of weeks so could practice in their homeschool.

 

It lasted about 45-60 minutes and was all Christmas carols - they played only one verse of each carol.  Even had a couple of sing-a-longs.  It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.

 

 Chase was front and center so we could easily see him which made it a lot more fun!!  In case you can't find him, he's the one with the Christmas mustard sweatshirt.  Next year he's going to wear a Santa hat.

 His band teacher, Mr. Olson

 There was a young man there who wanted to be right up front to hear the band.  His caretaker would come and wheel him to the back of the room and pretty soon, he's be right up next to the stage again.  I think he liked the music too.

 Thursday afternoon we took our Miss Holly and four of her friends to the airport in Sioux Falls.  Courtney and Holly had the middle seats and were quite comfortable.  The back seat was a bit snug, I'm sure but that sure didn't keep the five of them from talking and laughing and having a good time all the way to the airport.  I will miss having our girl so close - she is such a bright spot in our life.  Love you, Miss Holly!!!!  Have a great vacation in Washington and I'll see you in April.

Hope you're all enjoying this wonderful Christmas season.  Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Christmas at the State Capital in Pierre, SD

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with Uncle Rich and Aunt Henrietta.  Had my favorite meal and then just relaxed for the day - had a little more turkey for supper and off to bed early.

 

Friday morning we went to McDonald's for breakfast since the local restaurant in Sturgis where we had planned to go was closed.  Had a GREAT time just laughing and sharing and visiting.  I do enjoy being with them.

 

We left early afternoon and took a back road to Pierre and the State Capital.  I had heard that they had an indoor display of trees and thought it would be fun to stop on our way home.  Boy, what a boring drive til we reached Pierre.  Drove out to the big Oahe Dam which was nice. 

 

Found a hotel with a little help from Amy - thank you very much!!  Checked in and went to Arby's for dinner and then to the capital.  There had to be at least decorated 40 trees and a huge state tree, which I thought was the ugliest one there.  My favorite, by far was the license plate tree.  A lot of the trees were decorated by school children.  I'm glad we went.

 Thought this was a cute way to display an old door or maybe a window.  I might try it next year.

 This was the state tree and it had these huge peachy colored fake flowers on it.  It reached all three floors but I was not impressed at all.

Well, that's it for this week.  Have a great time celebrating the Christmas season.  I'm going to Holly's Christmas concert on Friday night and Chase's Tuba Christmas on Saturday afternoon.  Looking forward to both of them.  I might even get to have lunch with my favorite younger daughter tomorrow.

Love to you all,
Gramma and MOM

Dear Gramma,
I thought I should just change your background quick while I was thinking of it. I found this one and it was titled "The Holly and the Ivy". Fitting, huh? Plus it has polka dots! My favorite! Love you bunches and bunches and bunches. Thanks again for the wonderful evening! I love you more than I love ice cream!
Love,
The Granddaughter Who Has Had The Most Time To Wiggle Into Your Heart
(but that's super long so I'll just summarize it...how about, Your Favorite? ;)

Coming Home from Washington

We had decided to start for home on Monday.  Forecast said snow flurries were to start Tuesday morning but you just never know what it's going to be like going over the Washington/Montana passes.

 

We passed walls of ice falls (frozen water falls) which were very pretty.  Kinda hard to see how nice they were but I took all these pictures through the car windows.  Some of these ice falls had water flowing over part of them - awesome.

 

 

 Our first pass is just after we leave Seattle and all was clear - sailed right on over the summit - little snow on the sides but the roadway was dry.

 Not so lucky on the second pass - the roadway was a bit wet with some slight snow showers coming down.  Didn't have any problems though since the temperature was above freezing so once again we sailed through it.

 Didn't really see any vehicles in the ditch except this truck which had jack-knived on the side of the road.  I am so blessed to have one of the best drivers around when we travel.  Thank you, honey!!!

 Made it to Spokane Valley the first night with no problems and to Hardin, Montana the second night.  When we got up in the morning, this is what greeted us.  We arrived in Sturgis early afternoon and our hosts were waiting for us.

 Another tranquil scene from somewhere in Montana.  I love the red buildings along the road and just can't resist taking pictures of them.

 Amy and Kurt, every time I see this sign in Montana, I think of your family and wish it were Minnesota instead.  I love driving through Montana because the scenery is constantly changing and is so varied between plains and mountains.  However, it is still a looooooooooooooong way!!!

Have a good week.  With love to all of you!!

Gramma and MOM

Sam's 6th grade Musical - Back to the Manger

Our trip to Washington this fall was all about this young man and he was amazing.  Sam's had a part in his 6th Grade Musical, "Back to the Manger".  Isn't he the handsomest 40's young man you've ever seen?  He even had to wear a "mic" and had to wear makeup - we're talking big time theatrics here.

 

He did such an amazing job and we are so proud of him - he said the acting part went well but he's still not so keen on the singing part.  I went to his musical twice yesterday and we'll be going again tonight and my heart does a little flitter each time I see him come on stage.

 

 Sam's class has 80 children in it and they all fit on the stage. 

 The play involved this Time Machine which took the kids back to the church caroling party from 2015 to the 40's through the 80's.  The kids then sang and danced through each decade - their principal even came on stage and danced a little disco - GREAT show.

What a fun time we had and how proud we were that this young man is our grandson.  He was the best of the best.  Way to go, SAM!!!!

Couple of years ago, we bought this little "tree frog" for the tree in front of our house but the tree was too large so we brought it to Washington with us and he fit perfectly on this tree in DeAnn's front yard.  Isn't he cute?

Well, that's it from Washington.  We will be leaving here on Monday and should be back in eastern South Dakota soon after Thanksgiving.  Will be spending Thanksgiving in Sturgis with Peter's brother and his wife.

Happy Thanksgiving to all - what are you thankful for today?  I could do several posts on all I'm thankful for.  (Oh, that's right, I started doing just that but didn't get far.  May have to start in again when I return home.)  God has blessed us so richly in this past year - our cup is overflowing!!!!!

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Good Trip to Washington



As most of you already know, we are in Washington at DeAnn's home.  Our trip out was very nice - we did it a little differently this time.  We left earlier in the morning and then stopped earlier in the day and of course, went to bed earlier than usual.

 

We saw some amazing scenery - all of my pictures were taken in the state of Montana.  It takes us almost an entire day going from the southeast corner to the northwest corner.  The snow that we did see was all in Montana.  We had a small amount of "snow showers" when we went over one of the passes; otherwise clear sailing with very good roads.

 

 

 Love this bridge:

Lots of yellow mixed with the green - very pretty.  No red leaves, however.

 

Absolutely loved this tranquil scene - this was taken through the front windshield of our car.  It was nestled down in a valley in the middle of all the snow.  

 

 

Have not taken any pictures since we've been here but will try to remedy that soon.  Went to Sam's socceer game last Saturday and he made a goal.  He also got "spiked" near his eye while playing goalie - a badge of courage.

We've having a grand time - Peter is busy working on DeAnn's "to do" list - I really don't have anything on my list since I'm unable to paint.  At least that's one good thing about having a trigger finger.

Breakfast out yesterday; lunch today and breakfast again tomorrow - love this life of leisure.  Have a GREAT week ahead.
\
Love to all, especially a blonde college freshman
Gramma and MOM

Indoor Band Concert

It was Chase's evening to shine last Thursday.  He had an indoor band concert featuring their parade songs as well as their field show.  It was wonderful - much improved from the first time we saw the program in September.  We are so very proud of this young man!!!  He says he really likes marching band and will be doing it again next year.  Can you pick him out in these band pictures?  He's the handsome one with the trombone!!

 

He even posed for pictures with three of his favorite gals.

 

 

We had pizza with the Koele's, and Hiemstra's at Dar's Pizza before the concert.  The only way it could have been a more perfect evening is if Sam and Katie could have been with us. 
I don't know how we came to be picked to be the grandparents of the most awesome kids ever!!!!

Love to all
One proud Gramma!!!

Scholarship Banquet & A Finished Shed

Last Friday evening we were invited by this lovely lady, Wilma, to attend the Dordt College Scholarship Banquet.  Wilma's husband, Rich, set up a series of scholarships before he died and Holly was the recipient of one of them.  We did not tell Holly we were coming and it was priceless to see her face - she looked right at me and all of a sudden, realized who she was looking at.  We had a wonderful dinner and program.  So proud of you, Miss Holly.

 

We took Holly home with us for the weekend - she needed a little "Grampa and Gramma loving".  On Saturday afternoon we made applesauce - it was a fun activity.  Holly just sat and peeled the apples with the little peeler and I had to do all the work!!!!  But then if you see the crutches in the background, you'll understand why.

 

Peter's "summer time" project is finished.  Kurt and Amy had an old garden shed in the backyard that was rotting away.  Peter decided it would be a good project for him to undertake.  It turned out so nice - I know I have before pictures somewhere but can't find them.  Will keep looking.

 

NOW I have to get to work.  Have guests coming for dinner tomorrow night so have to do some dusting and vaccuming and grocery shopping.  Have a wonderful day!!!!

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Grandma, the Hired Man

Grandma has been wanting to ride in the combine with Dick for a couple of years now.  I didn't know how we would be able to get her up in it because there is no way she could climb the ladder.  Uncle Dick called this morning and asked if I had time to bring Grandma out today because he was combining just north of the farm and the skid stir (or whatever that thing is) was there and he could lift Grandma into the combine.  Worked like a charm - he lifted us up to the little landing on the top of the steps and Grandma could step right into the cab.

 

Does she look like she's enjoying herself?  She did!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hope your day was as exciting was Grandma's was.

Love to each of you,
Gramma and MOM

Slight Interupption for Music



In the last week, we have had the privilege of seeing two of our favorite grandkids (there are four favorites) perform with their band/orchestras.

 

This is Chase's first year in the Pipestone Marching Arrows Band and we think he did awesome.  Chase has been playing the trombone since they moved to Pipestone and he was going into the 5th grade.  Next weekend he will be in the parade in Luverne and then participating in the band show or whatever it's called when they do their "performing or as Amy calls it, their dance".  I've been waiting for this special day since I heard Chase had joined the marching band.  We are so proud of you, Chase.  Keep it up!!!!

 Be sure to exercise those lips of yours!!!!

 I'd have taken more pictures of him but it was hard to keep track of where he was - they all look alike and they keep moving around.

 Last Friday night was a beautiful evening in Sioux Center where we went to attend Holly's first college orchestra concert.  The sky was such a beautiful blue as we were walking across campus.

 She spotted us!!!  Isn't she cute?  She's a 70's gal.....

 It was a fun concert - some music from several eras - from the 40's to the 80's.

 Miss Holly with one of her roommates, Tara.  Don't you LOVE the pants Holly's wearing.    Aunt Amy said she would pay the deposit so Holly could keep them but only if she promised to wear them.  Holly did not agree.

 

We are so proud of both Holly and Chase and plan to attend many more concerts and band performances this fall.  Love to you both,

 

Gramma