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!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDWARD
It was a long time ago but it seems like only yesterday.!!!!!
***It was a spring like Sunday morning
***We dropped off two little girls with our friends Jerry and Marsha
*** We did not live in St Louis
*** It was a hospital but it had the word sanatorium in it's name.
*** Ironically Edward is within ten miles of that hospital today

Taken at the Lake of the Ozarks







His first trip Lake Geneva Wisc. on our way to Minn. and Canada.

Gettysburg Penn. on a father/son trip.

Six Flags St Louis

We moved in to this house about six months before Edward was born.

A trivial question.

Edward claims what city as his home town?

Happy birthday son and we hope you have a safe trip back to St Louis this afternoon.

Love Mom and Dad

SENIOR PRINCESS IS A NATURAL

PUBLIC SPEAKER!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday evening the senior princess was one of four speakers at the Camp Ne O Tez annual dinner. All the speakers were good but the "Princess" hit a home run.

She had a great opening, pretty sure I heard three points, and her close was amazing.

I took nineteen pictures of her at the lectern but none were worthy of the blog. Monday I buy a new camera.

It was a good evening for our family and the camp raised over $40,000.00.!!!!

SENIOR PRINCESS PERFORMS and IS RECOGNIZED for HER ACHIEVEMENTS!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday evening our oldest grand daughter Kelsey performed by singing in high school mixed choir,playing the Oboe in Symphonic Wind Ensemble and was inducted into Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Kelsey is the head that is to the right of girl with yellow scarf and is in second row about third from right.


Kelsey is in second row between yellow scarf and white blouse.

Kelsey is in the middle patiently waiting to be inducted into the Music Honor Society

Kelsey speaking into microphone

Kelsey is receiving her pin and certificate.


Not a good picture but does prove she was playing the Oboe. She is in front first girl from left side of picture.

I would like to take credit for her musical genes but grandma would not let me get away with that statement. Kelsey, we are so proud of you.

JOHN and CAROL BEGIN A NEW ERA of LIFE.!!!!
Friday evening found four couples gathering at a local steak house to help John celebrate his last day of work in a full time capacity. We also had advice for Carol on how to handle the husband in the retirement years of life.


John and Carol





Chuck and Joyce


Elliot and Rosemary

Ed and Nancy

We had an evening of good food, great fellowship, and lots of "words of wisdom" as John and Carol start a new page of their life.

On a totaling different subject you may want to ask John and Carol.Whats new?!!!!

SING ME A STORY!!!!!

Thursday night found Nancy and I at Jame's school to watch him perform in Sing me a story.{James is in white t-shirt in the front. The kids chose their favorite storybook character. James chose to be "James the Giant Peach".Notice in the first picture on the floor right of James is his Peach.



They performed

Library Song

The Green Grass Grew All Around

I'm Being swallowed by a Boa Constrictor

There's A hole In My Bucket.

Each song had lots of movements.

James was the star of the show when he did the Gorilla dance.!!!!

Considering it was the first grade it was a very good musical.

Yes with all humility he was the

# ONE STAR!!!