PAUL & FAMILY CELEBRATE 8TH BIRTHDAY
Today we gathered at our house to help Paul celebrate birthday #8.!!!

Grandpa put together the State Quarter map.

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY PAUL!!!
After attending a funeral grandma and I visited Paul on his actual birthday. We had dinner at Imo's with Paul and then back to his house for cake,ice cream, and opening presents.


Grandpa and Paul




Maybe a month later



Opening gifts today


Classic Red Ryder BB gun

I never had a BB gun but I did target shoot a few times as a kid.

Happy birthday Paul and grandma and I hope you have a great day.

Come back Sunday as Paul will be having his extended family birthday celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!!!

Today our friend Jan celebrates one of those magical numbered birthdays. Jan, let me assure you this number is not all that negative.

I know!!!!!

Jan and I share a few common traits.

*** We are both only children

*** We attended the same high school

{Kathryn, the danger here is she knows at least two girls I dated}

*** Jan's mother and my Aunt Dudel worked together for many years.

*** Our families learned many years ago "The family that camps together stays together"




Kindergarten


Seven years old with her mom.

Dad and his princes


Ten years old

Six years old




The infamous high school year book picture

Ten years old with her parents

THE 1959 Jan








1961 Jan and the love of her life Dean.

The current Jan

Jan,Nancy and I wish you a

"VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY' and hope you have a great day and an even better year.

THE BLOGGER IS ON A BLOG!!!
Saturday night some family and friends were together to help Jan {In red] begin to celebrate one of those magical numbered birthdays.
However when I had the chance to get Brad the king of the blogging world I could not resist.



Jan's family that were able to be there on Saturday.

Friends of long standing

Keeton

Stay tuned for the 21ST as that is the actual birthday.We might have the blog of all blogs!!!!!!

BEING GRANDPA IS SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!
If you look at photo one real close you will see the beginnings of a bubble.
Photo two is Paul wearing my Russian fur hat with ear flaps.
You simply do not know from one minute to the next when THE Kodak moment will arrive.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONOVAN!!!

Today Donovan celebrates birthday #11. Wow!!! time flies.












Aug 2000 Birthday boy

THE GRANDPA AND THE BIRTHDAY BOY 05/06

THE 2000 DONOVAN

The star of his school play back in the 2ND or 3RD grade.

Grandma and I hope you have a great birthday and we are proud to be your grandparents.

OUR FAMILY HELPS DONOVAN TO

CELEBRATE # 11!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE

Today our family gathered to help Donovan celebrate his eleventh birthday that will actually be on the 13TH.

Planning on blowing out eleven candles.

Cousin Paul offering his assistance.




Opening gifts

He really does enjoy reading his cards.

It was a fun day for Donovan to begin his celebration.

Ed's WINNERS FOR 2008 QUEST FOR SEVENTY!!!



THE MOST FUN!!!!!

Zoo train engineer for the day.

Honorable mention

Camel Ride #69

Cardinals V. Detroit in Detroit 38









DELAYED GRATIFICATION!!! #56 Greer Springs








Nancy and I first started the one mile hike to Greer Spring in Aug. 1962 when she was five months pregnant and I was carrying fifteen month old Terri. Nancy made it about 1/4TH of the way and I quit about 1/2 of the way when I realized the hike back was straight up. In September 08 we made the one mile hike down and back up.


THE MOST EXHILARATING, EXCITING and slightly TERRIFYING. I actually drove around the track three times without hitting anything or killing the engine.!!!! #61






























THE UNEXPECTED!!!!


Appeared on the Vic and Trish show on 550 AM KTRS.#68




































An interview in our home by John Auble of Fox2. We made the 10:00 O'clock news.!!!!!! #23



Honorable mention

Elected to the Bayless School Board #13

Became a Mo. certified school board member #70



PHYSICAL CHALLENGING


150 STEPS TO THE TOP #10










Honorable mention

Kayaking #57

154 steps to the top of #51 Cahokia Mounds

































BOTH PAUL and I batted five times blindfolded and both of us hit one. This is called beep ball and can best be described as soft ball for the blind. #40


MOST PHOTOGENIC!!!!



AMISH LIVING,ARTHUR ILLINOIS #63





















SANDY CREEK--OLD HIGHWAY 21 #9

OLDIES BUT GOODIES!!! Fort DeChartes built by French in 1753 #43

WALKED ACROSS EADS BRIDGE CONS RUCTION STARTED 1873
#24

GOALS FOR 2009!!!!!!


I have been a goal setter since the early 1970's. They are written,measurable, and you have my permission to ask me "how I am doing."
1-Nancy and I too celebrate our fiftieth anniversary on 5-9-09 with a blast.

2- I am not dieting BUT I am changing my life style by losing seventeen lbs. in 09.

3- I plan to read a variety of books totaling twenty four. I really believe that the most I have ever read in one year is nineteen. Included will be a minimum of four classics, a few biographies, sports, inspirational, history, and some fiction.

4- Read the New Testament in its entirety. I have done this about fifteen times but it has been several years since I last made it a formal goal.

5-Take two one week trips and two weekend trips.

6-Walk at least 175 times totaling at least 175 miles.

7- Finish writing and publish " It Is not a Bucket List".

Remember you have my permission to ask me any time "how I am doing"