Rocking chair and 2 random

Here is Mckenna cracking up
CHEERS DADDY!!!
In the chair
Rock Rock Rock and out of the chair

Old and new collide

Yesterday Caitlin and Mckenna came to use the FAX. I brought the antique child's rocker down from upstairs and she enjoyed rocking and getting in and out of the chair by herself, smiles all the time. The rocking chair was given to Don on his first birthday by Otis Jessup, his great grandfather. That would be Mckenna's great-great-great-grandfather! Otis received it for his first birthday! I realized it was a valuable antique when I saw one just like it at Henry Ford Museum. The original seat and back was carpet from new carpet laid in Otis' parents' home. When that became worn I replaced it with fabric from recovering our sofa. Then I researched carpet patterns at the library and found a design similar to what I remembered was the original. Sharon did the beautiful needlepoint on it today. I think all our grandchildren, even the Grants, sat in that antique rocking chair before they were too big. Now a great-granddaughter will enjoy it.

This morning the sleeve of Dad/Grandpa's pajamas caught the handle of the mustache cup where he keeps toothbrushes, a straight razor, tweezers etc. and the cup hit the counter and broke into many pieces! I knew we had received it from his Mother but learned it belonged to her father, David Drushal. Dad/Grandpa remembered his Mother had several mustache cups and wondered what happened to the others. A tiny bit of history gone. Now his things are in a Kemper Cabinets mug, from McDaniels Sales.

On Thursday afternoon Dad/Grandpa will be at Sparrow Hospital, a first class regional medical center, for arthoscopic surgery on his right shoulder. A light is inserted in one small hole and a knife inserted in a second hole and the Doctor expects to make his shoulder more comfortable by cutting and scraping. What a far cry from the medical care available when Otis Jessup received that rocker on his birthday in 1887!

...and I'm back

Survived Europe. Short summary:
Watched Dana do very well at Worlds Rome (5th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 2 American Records. Would have had a 1st but the relay didn't qualify from prelims).
Liane met up with me. Dana met up with us. Saw Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps.
Went to Florence. Saw statue of David.
Went to Venice. Got around by boat and foot (the "bus" was a boat).
Went to Lyon. Had "best food in France", and it was good. Dana and I part from Liane.
We head to Baune (near Dijon). Relaxed. Walked across the entire town in under 30 minutes.
Went to Paris. Saw Notre Dame (.2 miles from our hotel), Lourve (Mona Lisa, Venus of Milan, other things), Rodin Gardens (The Thinker statue). Top of the Eiffel Tower for sunset. Went to the Catacombs a few hours before our flight home, but it was closed :(

Hawk Island with my girls

These two girls love playin together. WET SAND ROCKS!!
Great Grandma enjoying watching her Great Grandkids having fun at Hawk Island
There's Ayla out there with the goggles
Muddy butt, but that's what happens when you decide mudd puddles are so much better than a big lake
See how much fun it is
There's my fish Ayla

Salmon Fishermen

Dad/Grandpa, Dale Burt, Salmon, Don, & Dale's cousin the captain of the boat (I think) You will have to get the whole scoop from one of them.

Mommy and Mckenna

After a 25 mile bike ride with Grandma and Grandpa and Mommy-- Grandpa is speedy on his bike
Me and my Mommy
We never stop having fun
Me in my new sandbox that Mommy found on Craigslist for only $15

The Canadian Fishermen

Dad,/Grandpa, Jim, Don, Stephen and Michael went to Rocky Island Lake in Canada to go fishing last week. It sounds like they all had a good time and did actually catch some fish but there doesn't seem to be any evidence of that on Jim's camera. Maybe that is just what they are telling us. There is also no evidence of the the toilet seat they took with them so they would be comfortable guess they knew they would never live that down. By the way what ever happened to Dad/Grandpa always telling us, "Just hang over a log and you will be fine!

All packed up and ready to head out.

Dad/Grandpa, Don, and Mike around the fire.

Full moon on the 6th. Steve in the foreground.

The mighty fisherman AKA Stephen. Note there are no fish in sight.
Don praying to the fishing gods.

Don, Dad/Grandpa and Mike - again no fish in sight. What is going on?

Busy Weekend Comes to an end.

Today Mom and I went to the Lansing 150 birthday celebration at the capital. We heard several good music groups including the Lansing Symphony Big Band Brass. It was a perfect day to be outside enjoying the people watching, music, and a little birthday cake and ice cream with a couple of hundred people.

Mom and Dad joined us at the Riverfolk Festival Saturday evening and seemed to enjoy it a bit more than this picture reflects. It is a shame it was not better attended. I fear they may scale it back to every other year. Too much time, energy, and money goes into this to not even break even.

Ayla was joined by her family to celebrate turning 10. Caitlin made this yummy peanut butter cake and Jim made homemade ice cream. A great time was had by all.

Mckenna had fun camping earlier in the week and can't wait to go again. Guess the taste for dirt is still fresh in her mind.

Hope each of you had a fun filled weekend also and are ready for a productive week.

Happy Birthday Ayla

Double Digits, a whole decade! WOW you finally made the big time.

Grandpa and I are looking forward to homemade ice cream and peanut butter cake with you this afternoon and then fun at the Riverfolk Festival. They have a lot of new stuff this year and some great performers so I know you will like it. See you soon.

Love Grandma