happy birthday, jay

Thirty-three years!

This is back in the day when you adored the number seven, back when Maria was tiny.

The story goes, we were in the grocery store and you were standing in the back of the cart with Maria in the seat.   You introduced her to the person in line behind us, "It's Maria.  She's three and I'm seven."

The lady's eyes were big and she did a huge nod like, "Alrighty then."

Oh my goodness, you were always hilarious.

And here you are now, just the nicest man ever.

Thirty-three years ago you hit this family like some kind of crazy explosion and we love you like crazy.

Happy Birthday, Jay!

With love for always, Mom and Dad and Everybody
 

and maria sent this

Love, Grandma
 

more chickens

There they are, cuddled in the warmer.

And that's a picture of the Ruby checking them out.

Ruby went on a wild adventure earlier this day.  She sneaked out a hole in the fence and ran down to the gulch in back (thank god not to the road) and was living it up, digging, sniffing, running wild.

Heidi was working and knew nothing of this until she thought she heard someone at the door.

Ruby!!!

She was covered end for end with burrs including one that had stuck her ears to get on top of her head, straight up like a rabbit.

!

But she's fine.  All is well.

(Good LOR-ed)

Love, Grandma 

 

trout fishing on the kinnickinnic river

 John sent this cute picture yesterday from their fishing trip in River Falls.  

Looking good, Buddy!

Love, Grandma

sunday

Love, Val
 

opening up the cabin

We kept occupied while Grandpa worked on getting the water going.

It was a struggle in a bitter icy wind off the lake, did not go easily this year, but praise Jesus it finally happened.

This dog is observant.

This morning she immediately realized, somehow, that we were getting ready to go to the lake, and she started pacing and bouncing and being in the way, panting in everyone's face.

Do not understand why.  It's exactly the same dullness as at home, but woo hoo.

After the water was on we went to the restaurant for supper. She had a cheese quesadilla and a huge glass of apple juice.

It was so cold at first that this Niagara Falls lamp wouldn't even spin.  It's twirling nicely now, however. 

 Renee sent this picture and we laughed. This what happens when you're raised by a cat.

Love, Val

sunset

 Love, Val