Uh..Oh

Apparently I have hit my limit of space for this blog.

I am attempting to set up a new blog at

www.BonnieLiebelt.blogspot.com

Hopefully, this works.
Sue, if you can change the link from the Mieska blog, Thanks.

Best Day Ever

Andrew had an overnight at our house on Friday.

We headed straight to the zoo Friday morning

and saw lots of animals;  beaver, wolverine, wolf,

coyote, penguins, monkeys, birds and bears....

to name a few.  Andrew always seems to

"own" the place...making sure others see

what he sees, pointing things out and

going full steam ahead.

When we got to Northfield, we stopped to

see "Great Aunt Sue'shouse" (his name for Sue),

had a quick lunch, nap

and then a trip to the library where we met this guy...

After the library, we watched a movie (Toy Story), ate

popcorn, and played with all the old toys at my house.

Supper was a trip to McDonald's....yum!

It was early so we headed to Target for a few supplies

and checked out the toy department. (of course)

Before bedtime we played with the old garage.

(note the concentration)

Saturday morning, up early, breakfast and then

more toys including the Thomas blocks from

the Ketcher boys.  We skyped them during

this play time and they fondly remembered

these blocks.

All too soon, mommy and Ethan arrived to take Andrew home.

Come again soon, Andrew!

Good times

My dad has been gone for 6 years today.  Gosh,

that seems like yesterday and yet it seems like

a long time ago...so much has happened.

But there were lots of good times...

 Jesse and Dad

(always with a glass or a bottle lifted in a toast)

 Scott and dad circa 1975...the old double wide trailer

 Mom and Dad with Chad & LoriAnn at

their Christmas Day wedding in Nfld.

The family around 1983

Since he's been gone there have been

13 great grandchildren born...and one more

on the way.

We've had 4 weddings.

Jeff has been elected County Commissioner, twice.

Sue & Julie moved to a lake home.

Ann and I both retired to be granny nanny.

And yet when I look at these pictures,

he's still here.

Just this week....

Just this week...

Ethan is sitting alone for longer and longer stretches of time.

This is big as he is more satisfied to sit on his own and

needs less time in the baby bjorn and my back appreciates it!

Briggs is walking all over the place...room to room, up the hall

and down...and scooting over to a wall to help himself up

if he falls.

Andrew has complete sentences and news words like

"delicious", "favorite", "bulldozer" and "fruit snacks".

Sometimes they are all in the same sentence!

Everleigh went pee-pee in the potty while I was

with her on Thursday.  She "was so proud of

myself"....it really seemed to "click" for her.

Went trick or treating with all 4 "little" ones at

the Mn Zoo.  It was such a great event

and so fun to be all together.

My first grandchild turned 14.  Oh man,

That doesn't seem possible, but then again,

I can't remember life without him in it.

I got a complete bill of health from the

doctor...cholesterol, blood pressure,

bone density, blood sugar, breast

exam...all good.  I guess I am

good for another 10,000 miles.

Gave up watching "live" tv, at least til

after the elections.  Reading, watching

movies, listening to music...feel better already.

Voted (the clerk's office was open on Saturday)

I was worried I wouldn't get there in time on

Tuesday as that is a longer day for me.

But now I'm done and it feels good.

I wasn't looking forward to the weekend.

I knew Greg would be out hunting most of

it and thought I might spend a lot of it

alone.  But turned out we had Friday

night supper guests, an invite for

breakfast on Saturday, an evening

of wine and girl talk Saturday night

and another invitation for homemade

pancakes and coffee Sunday morning

after church.  Plus I got caught up

on laundry, cooked 3 pretty good meals,

baked bread, apple crisp and got

caught up on Andrew's scrapbook.

not bad....

Briggs is the monkey...I'm the one 

enjoying the moment.  (Scott's in the background

and Ethan (bumblebee) and Jesse are behind me.)

It all began just 14 years ago....

Matthew Chad Ketcher was born

14 years ago today.  And even

though 6 little boys and 1 little

girl followed, he will always

be my first grandchild and

I am so proud of him.

He's the one who first called

me "Grandma Bunny".

Love you, m!

Little pumpkins

Ethan and Andrew visited a local pumpkin

patch Saturday and here Ethan seems

pleased with the result...what a smile!

Of course, Andrew's smile is also

pretty warm.

 Later that day we encountered a friendly dinosaur...

 Ev and Gpa Greg share a moment...notice the wings (on Ev)

 Andrew tried out being a dinosaur.  The best part of

this costume is the tail!

Happy Halloween!!!

A Blustery Day

Thursday was a blustery day in Minnesota

but we had a warm visit from baby Silas,

my cousin Rynda's grandson.  He was

born last April so is about 6 months

younger than Briggs 

but we were

struck with their similarities.  

He's a cute little guy and was

a very polite guest.  His grandma

Rynda provides day care so she

is also a "granny nanny".

Come again, little Silas!

Thomas and pumpkins and bubbles..oh my

In case the Florida Ketcher boys are wondering 

if Thomas, the Tank Engine is getting any attention

these days, not to worry...

A cute little pumpkin

This could have been a little rough...cushions on 

cement floor but it was just fun.

Doesn't it look like Briggs is instructing Ethan on the

proper puzzle piece placement?

Back at Everleigh's, while Briggs napped we "blew bubbles".

She literally did this for an hour.  I tried it the next day

with Andrew and he was doing fine...until he inhaled...

Indian Summer

The last couple of weeks have been a study in contrasts here in

Minnesota weather.  We've had cold, windy, cloudy days,

followed by glorious sunshine and golden sunsets.

The weather has allowed some playtime outside recently

which is especially sweet considering the long winter ahead....

a few snapshots...

 A golden maple on a recent afternoon in our front yard.

 Everleigh and Andrew chasing bubbles with cups.

(I can't make this stuff up!)

 Trying to capture the four little ones with me recently.

 Here, Andrew and Everleigh were sliding down his

slide when Andrew was distracted by a boxelder bug.

Believe me, they are not that rare, but it never fails to

get his attention...usually followed by dismemberment.  :(

 While Andrew and Everleigh play, I try to capture

a picture of Briggs in the Bjorn on my front.

Andrew clearly is calling the shots.

This meeting will now come to order.

Everleigh decided the flag pole needed to be pink...of course!

What a year it's been!

Happy Birthday sweet baby Briggs...what a wonderful

addition to our family.  One year old on October 8.