Some highlights of 2008

I'm not a great blogger, but here are some links to photos from our year.

Our Alaska Trip
If you're up for it, our Alaska Trip in August is summarized in a slide show. You can watch or click through. It was great fun, rainy and wonderful.

Thanksgiving
In November, we drove (naturally) to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving in Philadelphia with Jonathan and Meridith, Chloe and Anastasia.

Slinky vs. Squirrel

We have been using the ol' Slinky trick on the bird feeder this summer, and the squirrels have given up.

Fall Color to Inspire You

Dale came home from Kansas City today and was so excited about the beauty of the fall leaves we grabbed the camera and drove around town a while, snapping photos of the neighborhood trees. Perhaps the extra moisture we had this summer, or the warm fall days have lead to the spectacular color in the trees. But they are certainly at their peak this weekend, and the weather is warm! 75º on November 2. We were actually able to seal our deck today, expecting no freezing weather for at least two more days. The colors are inspiring me - must get back to my studio in the morning to create something red, orange and yellow.

We are Published!

Kristin wrote a book about Lynette's jewelry - Polymer, Peyote and Prose. Grandma Baumgarten wrote a 2nd book about our family - The Next Generations and she also has a book of wisdom called Things I've Learned from Others. If you didn't get a copy from her for Christmas, you can order them online.

Birthday/Anniversary/Reunion Dinner

Birthday/Anniversary/Reunion dinner at Grandma B's on July 20 to celebrate Kathy and Allan's 10th wedding annivsary, Lynette's 7.549834² birthday and a brief visit from Becky and Sadie who live in North Carolina. Thanks to Grandma Ruth who cooked a fabulous dinner for us all! Thanks to Kristin who drove down just to see everyone. Becky was in Clarinda for her South Page high school class reunion and Lynette and Dale were on their way to Seward, Nebraska, for an LCMS church music conference.

My Birthday

I'm receiving unconventional and wonderful birthday celebrations this year. My daughter Laura took me out for an afternoon of Thai food, random shopping and my first mani/pedi - but without the mani. Need those fingernails for beading, claying and sewing.

My sweetie bought me a plane ticket to Philly to spend a week visiting our granddaughters and when I get back we are going on a cruise to Alaska, something he's wanted to do for 20 years. I'm taking a pile of books, some beadwork and plan to work out every day so I can eat that yummy cruise food.

Meanwhile, my summer studio hours are shot since I'm gone so much and my neighbors will get to eat my tomatoes!

Flowers in my Yard for Liz

The Perils of a Crumbling Retaining Wall

The crumbling retaining walls next to my mother's garage have needed work. This week, the landscaping crew came and fixed it all in short order. To view the pictures in color, click this link.