HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!!!!!!!
Is it not amazing that I have pictures from your youth.
Joe, Nancy and I hope you have a great
B-DAY and a really great year as you train for one of those magical numbered birthdays.
Wait till next year.!!!!!!!!!

Joe Nancy and I have known you for more than 1/2 half of your birthdays and are so happy that you and Terri discovered each other a long time ago

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and we hope you have many more.

Ed and Nancy.

I STILL HAVE MY MAGIC!!!!!!!

Today I met son in law Shawn for a business special Cardinal afternoon game. Shawn was downtown on business and I rode the Metro. We did not have tickets to the game but that was a minor detail.

I was about three minutes off the train when I spotted a gentleman selling a ticket. He happen to have two tickets in section 345 which also happens to be the Redbird Club. I purchased the two tickets for 1/2 of the season ticket price.

Shawn and I enjoyed a great Cardinal victory, beautiful afternoon, and we had lunch in the Redbird club. It does not get any better than that. We also had dessert in the seventh inning.

To my ticket hunting buddies Brian,Mike,Keith, Bob,and Eric the old guy still has the magic.

#3 IS A VISIT TO SMOKIES PARK TO SEE AA TENNESSEE SMOKIES

Fortunately we first visited the park about 12:00 noon as the 6:15 game ultimately was called because of rain.

The only negative about the team and park is they are a Cub AA affiliate. They play in the AA Southern League. The park is located in Kodak Tn. but that really is a suburb of Pigeon Forge Tn.







With Nancy and I are our good friends Neil and Glenda.






Overlooking the field from the third base side of level one.







Near the third base dugout

Neil and I were looking forward to seeing the Smokies play Saturday evening but unfortunately it started to rain about 4:30 PM. and was still raining at 8:30 PM when we returned to our hotel from a dinner.

NUMBER TWO IS THE HOME OF PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON

GREeNVILLE Tn.

Number two on my quest to 100 is a tour of President Andrew Johnson home in Greenville Tn. This is the president Johnson who succeeded President Lincoln after his death.

Some interesting facts about President Johnson.

*** No formal education [actually never attended a school as a student}

*** A tailor by trade

*** Impeached in 1868 but acquitted

***Only former president to return to U.S. Senate after his term as president.

Proof positive that you can rise from poverty to President of United States in the past.

First picture was his home from 1851 till his death in 1879.

The first Lazy Boy chair?

An early home of President Johnson with his tailor shop on premise.

NUMBER ONE ON MY QUEST TO 100!!!! IS JONESBOROUGH TENNESSEE

Pictured above is Hawley House built in 1790 and completed in 1793. The house is located in Jonesborough Tn. near the Smokey mountains and is considered the first town in Tn established in 1779. I took this picture in honor of my friend Roger Hawley and because it is considered the oldest city in Tn.

Jonesborough considered they were the capital of the fourteenth state named Franklin after the great statesman Benjamin Franklin. The state of Franklin existed from 1784 till 1788 but was never recognized by congress. I must confess that I never remember studying about the fourteenth state. This small mountain town has been visited by three presidents of Tn. presidents Andrew Johnston,Andrew Jackson and James Polk

We were on a four day trip with our friends Neil and Glenda. We walked the downtown area, shopped, and had a lovely lunch at an old cafe with good food, and topped our 1/2 day visit to Jonesborough with an ice cream cone.

Neil and I rocking away on an old porch.

A NEW FAMILY MUSICAN PERFORMS !!!
Tonight Paul played the violin in his third grade orchestra. Paul is front left with a Orange shirt on.








In this photo his friend Jake is standing behind Paul.

Back at home Paul is playing the Recorder for Grandma the photographer and James looking on.

JUNIOR PRINCESS PERFORMS THURSDAY NIGHT!!!!
Kayleigh performing as the announcer for "This is our night yo howl"
In the second photo she is in the front singing in the doggie chorus.
The shows theme was a dog show.
Yes she performed well and a good night was had by all.

THE STARTING PITCHER!!!!!

Tuesday evening found grandma and I at a ball game and the starting pitcher was our grandson Paul. Paul pitched the first three innings and did not walk a batter.That is an amazing statistic for a nine year old pitcher.The shortstop is his best friend Jake.

After his three innings he played a gold glove stint at first base.

Picture was taken through a wire mesh fence.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY!!!!
If my math is correct today is the 53RD April 14TH that we have spent together.
After all of the years I still would rather spend the day with you than anyone else in this world.
I hope you have a great birthday.!!!!

Daddy's little girl

This was a one day trip to Springfield IL. in summer of 1958.

The family wishing well. Oh how I wish we would have figured out how to move it to our house.

The 1998 Nancy in Strasbourg France.

One of my favorite all time photo and our first big trip in May of 1960 to New Orleans La.


Nancy and Mary after their hike out of the Grand Canyon in 1996.

On top of Mt. Evans in Colorado also in 1996.

I hope you have a great birthday.!!!

I Love You

Ed

SENIOR PRINCESS IS NOW A!!!!!!

"2010 YOUNG WOMAN of ACHIEVEMENT for COMMUNITY SERVICE"

Last night Nancy and I were in attendance at the Belleville IL Rotary Club dinner to witness Kelsey receive their high school "Young Woman of achievement for Community service" award.

It was a good thing I wore a shirt without buttons.







Kelsey with the Attorney General for IL. Lisa Madigan.








The proud grandparents





The proud parents

Kelsey, it was a major event of my life to see you receive the

"Young Woman of Achievement for service". It is one thing to see you mature,and excel, but to see your efforts recognized by others simply bust my buttons with pride.

Grandma and I are so proud of you.!!!

Love You Grandpa.

TODAY A NEW ADVENTURE BEGINS!!!!!!
Today on my 72ND birthday I announce a new challenging adventure.
If God allows me to live and continues to bless me with good health. I expect to have completed 100 new things in the 1,095 days between now and 04/07/2013.
I had a great experiences in 08 doing my seventy in one year that last year I missed the challenge.
The same conditions apply
*** I am the score keeper.
*** I set the rules
*** I will use the blog to keep you informed of accomplishments and progress.

Ed 0n 11/01/1938

Senior Ed in May 2009 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Locally I will walk trails new to me,drive a Segway, ride in a helicopter visit museums and historical sights. On trips all

should be new opportunities for new experiences.

To accomplish the 100 I need to average three new events per. month.

Geandpa and the junior princess


AWESOME EASTER EGG HUNT!!!
Easter Sunday found our family worshipping together at the Fairview Heights Church of Christ. We heard a great sermon from our so in law Joe.
After services the church held their first annual awesome Easter egg hunt with our little ones participating.
We then had a great Easter brunch at Joe and Terri's.




James is ready!!!!!!


James had success

Kayleigh found her share


Kayleigh and Paul intently looking for eggs.

The foursome




Kayleigh finding the last egg!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRI!!!!!!

Let's merely say that your birthday was a few years ago but I remember the day as if it was yesterday. Mom woke me up about 2:00 AM and guess what we called the Doctor and off to Lutheran hospital we went. Around 7:00 Am they sent me home with their words of wisdom that it was going to be a long wait. I checked in every hour from work and about 4:00 PM. I went back to the hospital. Around 10:30 PM I was able to see you and count your fingers and toes. For me an only child it was an amazing experience.





Photo one our first trip to Florida in the spring of 1966. Unbelievable all the things that we saw and the new experience.





Terri the cheerleader




Kelsey your mom can play the saxophone

1979 high school graduation

To my readers who know Larry Franke this is the 1979 variety as he awards Terri a National Honor Society award.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TERRI!!!

Mom and I hope you have a great day and an even better year.

Love

Dad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!!!!!
Today Karen celebrates one of those magical number birthdays along with Easter.
If it is any consolation to you when I hit your magical number I was depressed for at least ten days. I am sorry I have no pictures of you alone are when you were really young and I could embarrass you.
Nancy and I hope you have a great birthday and a happy Easter.
Ed & Nancy


A HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!