Owensville: September 2009

Lucas is in a Parade!!

Yesterday we went to the Affton Days Parade and Festival. Luke, Mike's grandson played the trumpet in the High School Marching Band in the parade! He is only in Middle school but is soooo good that he was in the HS marching band! It was a nice parade and festival and a beautiful day! Here we are waiting for the parade to come to our location.... Mike, Tammy, Marsha and Terry.

These St. Louis County biking policemen entertained us gals...before the parade got to us....very good looking guys! Great legs! ;-)

The Honor Guard.....

Finally the parade gets to us.....

Here comes the Bayless HS marching band!!!

The little guy is Luke! They moved so fast I really could not get a good picture of him....

Here he demonstrates his trumpet playing!

Tammy...the proud mom....and her mom.....

The proud grandpa!!

Wait...is that a smile????

He does love his trumpet! Good job, Lucas!!

The Fabulous Forest Park Balloon Glow!

This past Friday, we were lucky enough to be able to go to the Forest Park Balloon glow. To go to this is our friends, the Smith family's tradition....and this year they invited us along! They inflate the balloons the night before the Great Forest Park Balloon Race...and it was a perfect evening for it! We got there early enough to get a good spot to set up our table, chairs and coolers for picnicking before the event. We could then just walk across the street after it got dark to walk among the (I think about 100) balloons and see them inflate and glow. I know there were many thousands of people there and traffic was awful! We had no problem cause of getting there early. We hung around and left after the crowd too.....which took a couple of hours after the fireworks to disperse. For those of you who do not know....Forest Park is St. Louis' Central Park...great spaces, lakes, boathouse, skating rink, zoo. It is where the 1904 World's Fair was held. Remember "Meet me in St. Louis"?

Here was our set up....Charlie and Barb, Catie(Ron and Jan's dtr) and her two kids, Jan, Ron and Mike and Laura ( Mike's dtr)and Ella arrived later.

Ron and his grandson, Austin.....

Charlie playing with Luke, the Smith's other grandson....

Someone lost this thing.....weird sheepskin thing....

Luke pulling Ella and Austin in her wagon....the kids had so much fun!!

Sweet Ella Grace!!

Boy mom made me a big sandwich!

And I took a BIG bite!

Gary....Jan's brother and family arrived just in time to get a parking place near us!!

The youngest Smith.....Austin Knoerle...a cutie!

Walking among the balloons was something I never will forget!

Ella LOVED it! Was a real trooper! Walked very far and never let go of my hand!

Laura and her daughter.....

A FUN trip to Michigan!!

We just returned from a great trip to Michigan!! Saw lots of our wonderful friends up there and enjoyed the fabulous weather! It was so much fun!! Here is our house....find us a buyer and we will treat you to a steak, seafood and champagne dinner!!

I took this pic of the back of the house as a "before" pic...we are having our handy dandy neighbor put cedar shake siding on it which we hope will improve our 'curb' appeal! Thanks Denny!

The leaves were just starting to turn.....

We miss the birches down here.....

Here is the village garden in Tustin which is maintained by Sandie Leach. Sandie you do an awesome job!! Wish I had your skills and dedication!!

Another view of this lovely garden....

Our church which still means so much to us....cannot find one here to live up to it's warmth. It is the people as much as the building!

My former co-workers from CFP met me for drinks in Cadillac one evening....miss you guys sooo much! Here is Karen.....

And another Karen....Mr and Mrs Foisie!

Mari and Karen.....

Becky looking quite thoughtful...... Should I have more chips???

OH WAIT!!! Is that a Margarita on my a**?????

It really was not THAT funny!!

Melissa.... Mel you are nuts!! Thanks for meeting me you guys!! Next time we will do it again!

I swear....there was party every night!! Some couples met us at Bonfire Grill for dinner....Here is Ruthie and Jim. Hey Jim.....SMILE!!!!

Ted and Mary....love you guys!

One night we drove over toward Ludington to have dinner with Jim and Norma...FUN!!

You guys are soooo cute!

The last night we were there, we went over to Jack and Midge's WONDERFUL cabin on the Pine River for Happy Hour and then all went to a bar in Irons for music, drinks and food. Crazy fun night!! Jack and Midge....thank you so much for the wonderful appetizers!