FRIENDS of LONG STANDING!!!!
Will and Phyllis came in from Nashville and hosted a great reunion dinner at Farrato's.
My memory is that we first met in 1963 at the Dolan's. Forty five year friendship yet it feels like only yesterday.
Will and Phyllis we miss you but also realize you are enjoying being closer to family.

Pictured with us is my sister Jan. I know I am an only child but I really have a sister and a brother Neil that we all say we are as close as any siblings.




We met Glenn and Janice probably in the fall of 1969.












We are not sure when we first met Joan but probably in the mid-seventies.
Good friends are to be cherished,protected,and nourished.

AN EARLY SATURDAY WALK

THROUGH Shaw's GARDEN


[7:30 AM]

All the photos feature either Nancy are I with imaginative Mosaic sculptures by french born artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

The pieces include animals,mystical figures,musicians,athletes,and jubilant dancing women called Nana's.

The garden is not only beautiful but an early morning walk is also quiet,calm, serene and did I mention free.

Notice #23 depicting the great Micael Jordan!!!

#45 IS THE MOST UNIQUE EVENT SO FAR!

THE 2008 INTERNATIONAL TREE CLIMBING CHAMPIOSHIP!!!!!!!

We were amazed by the number of spectators. age of spectators [many older than 70] and distance traveled to reach St Louis.

There were people from Germany,Austraila,Belgium,Louisanna, and many other places in USA and the world

A portion of the crowd and we understand our friends Sean and Wendy were there but we never saw them.












Work climb event tests the contestant's ability to move about the tree. Scoring is based on the number of tasks completed and speed of completion.























































Instruction and skill training for kids actual fun climb.































Aerial rescue competition is a timed event testing the contestant's ability to climb to and safely lower an injured person safely to the ground.

























We had breakfast at the Forest Park Cafe located inside this historical building built in 1879 and site of 1904 worlds fair. We had hoped to be able to recommend to our friend Kathryn but unfortunately the service was poor and the limited menu only fair in quality.

SHERRI #44 IS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight Nancy and I took a couples cooking class at Dierberg's that was a gift from Sherri and Shawn. It was a couples participation class and that made it interesting,exciting, and a lot of fun.

There were a total of seven couples of all ages in attendance.[we were not the oldest] Each couple was assigned a portion of the meal preparation and ours was the shortcake part of our dessert. The meal preparation consisted of appetizers,punch,, pasta con broccoli, pork tenderloin and our dessert.It was a great evening and I would do it again. [We probably will'












Preparing for the baking step





Our finished product







The other couple had the cleaning and cutting of strawberries as their assignment. The photographer was asked to include the strawberry short cake in the picture but some how the short cake did not get there.

YOUNGEST COUSINS PLAY AT THE PARK!!!!!

This afternoon grandma and I had the two youngest grand kids and of coarse we went to the park.




They play really good together
The broken arm has not scared him from climbing














































I wonder what she is thinking

#43 IS A LITTLE PUBLICIZED GEM


LESS THAN AN HOUR AWAY


FORT DE CHARTES

*** Built by the French

*** Built in 1753

*** Some original structure still standing

*** Located near the Mississippi river in Prairie Du Rocher Il.

*** One of the oldest structures in State of Illinois

If you like history a visit to Fort De Chartes is worth the time, gas money, and effort. We would visit again.

Yes the church is on the inside of the church.

I am sitting on the foundation for one of the barracks.

A GREAT EVENING AT CAMP NE O TEZ
Between those on the camp staff and guests visiting we ended up with our entire family except for Todd at camp on Friday evening.



The Queen with our senior princess




The junior princess


Baby sparrows nesting in camp mail box



Shawn and his crew on the boat to nowhere









Junior princess and her friend








I can't help it "I like butterflies

A DAY AT THE BALL PARK!!!

Today we took Sean, Wendy,and his parents on a private tour of Busch stadium. As usual it was a fun time to time to be with people who enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of the ball park.



Wendy,Sean, Jimmy, and Juanita

The radio booth really is the best seat in the stadium








The visitors dugout as some Cardinal players were all ready on the field











Notice the vacant lot behind us it use to be old Busch stadium