Chistmas in Chicago

Yesterday we drove down to Chicago to see the Christmas sights (perhaps for the last time). The Smiths went with us and we had a great time as usual. Here we are in front of the huge tree at Daley Plaza.

Here is the tree in Macy's (formerly Marshall Fields).Inside a shop at Kristkindlmart - just like in Germany. Rulon visited the markets in Nuernberg while on his mission in Bavaria.

Pretending to be in Bavaria!

Some of the little shops where a vast display of Christmas items and German foods were available.

They bring this market to Chicago each year from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I think they must do very well! Even though it was a Monday and extremely cold, it was crowded with lookers and buyers. (We mostly were lookers.)

Enjoying our Germanburgers, potato pancakes, German potato salad and hot chocolate.

The skyline as seen from the steps of the Adler Planetarium where we saw The Star of Wonder show.

Here we are against the skyline of the great city of Chicago.

Paul and Joyce Smith pose for a picture against the great background of the lake and the skyscrapers.

Is there anything more beautiful? Manmade structures combined with the natural beauty of the lake and sky make for a great picture.

We are going to miss this!

44 Years!

Still as much in love as we were in 1965! What a wonderful journey we are on together! Happy Anniversary to my "Rulov"!

Stockings For Soldiers

It is hard to see in this picture but these are 150 Christmas stockings I made for a project sponsored by a group of mothers of soldiers. They start early each year and have volunteers make the socks. Then they are collected and sent to another group to be filled with necessities and candy, including homemade fudge. They are then shipped to various places in the US and abroad where they will be distributed at Christmastime. I did this last year also and it gives you a good feeling to know that you are giving something of yourself to those who serve our country. I hope it brings a bit of joy at this lonely time for them. Merry Christmas, soldiers!

More Summer Doings

Here we are at the Morton Arboretum on a beautiful day. We visited with Paul and Joyce Smith and their two darling grandchildren (Lynell's).
Here is our Humanitarian Aid Group at our own little quilt show. We worked so hard to help the stake meet its goal of 2009 quilts. As a group, we were able to do over 250! I had fun creating and getting quilts ready to tie. Front row, Joyce Smith, Ann Winward, Kathy Nycz. Back row, Bette Haskin, Barbara Saatkamp, and me. There are a few more who come from time to time but this was the core group.

Even Rulon was impressed! He just sees me sitting and sewing and doesn't usually get to see the finished products. Our stake actually exceded its goal and got over 3,000! And that was just in a six month period!!! It is amazing what can happen when women work together. These quilts were for several organizations including Project Linus and Newborns in Need. Of course, many of them went to the Church Humanitarian Aid Center in Salt Lake City. They will be sent to those in need all over the world. What a rewarding thing this has been in my life. I picture someone receiving a quilt and love to imagine their joy. I hope that these quilts will warm the spirits as well as the bodies of the receivers.

Lynn is ???????

Happy Birthday to this cute girl today! Lynn is someone who loves everyone and is easy to love. She would give you anything that she has - and willingly. We think she gets more beautiful each year. She was a darling baby and child. We are so glad that she came to our family and that she continues to add so much to our lives. Lynn, we are happy to be your parents and think that you are aging very well. You just keep getting better! Your gifts and talents are apparent in your writing and your wit. You have such a fierce love for your children and husband. This is evident in all that you do for them. They are blessed to have you in their lives as are all the rest of us. We wish you a good day, year, decade! We love you!

More From Our Fall Trip to Wisconsin

This is a cathederal on Holy Hill that we visited on our trip. It was magnificient and we climbed up to where you see the window. The view was breathtaking! We saw this tractor made of bales of hay in a field. Even though it was muddy, Joyce had to go over and climb upon it for this picture!

Here is another tower that we climbed. We could see the beautiful islands out on Lake Michigan and all the surrounding countryside.

And someone took our picture on top of the tower. What fun!

Here we are on top of the world - at least on top of the tower!

And this is a lighthouse that we visited. It is called Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and was built in 1868. You can't see the top but it was fun to visit and hear the history. One family lived in it and cared for it for 35 years! They had 7 sons and had to be almost self-sufficient. Supplies were only delivered during the navigation season.

All in all a very fun trip in wonderful fall weather!

Goats and Bikes

Goats on the roof?  Where are we - Sweeden?  Well, almost.  We visited this restaurant in Sister Bay where there were goats eating the grass on top of the old log building.  The waitresses were dressed in dirndls.  We had a waiter who tried his hardest to put on a Sweedish accent (maybe a little too hard!)

And here we are on our bike ride in a beautiful state park. 

I was actuallly ahead of Joyce (at this time).  I haven't been on a bike for several years so I thought I did quite well.  I guess you never forget how to ride a bike!

Here is our end destination - Lake Michigan!

Looking out toward an island - notice all the trees!

Here we are - can you believe it?  Guess we have found a new fun thing to do in our retirement.

And here are Joyce and I.  She was good to stay with me while Rulon and Paul raced on ahead.

And this is part 2 of our Door County, Wisconsin trip.  More to come!