OK, they look a little cranky but this was the end of a fantastic family weekend in Wisconsin at the Abbey resort. Actually all behaved incredibly (well, the grandchildren anyway), although we missed Mark, Noah and Nate that couldn't get out.

Ok, before I go into anything else that's new since my last post, I must brag on the biggest news!

Jennifer and Ryan became the proud parent of their second child, Chase Patrick (how awesome a name is that!). Here are the beaming parents with beautiful Chase, just hours old.

Of course, Reese is thrilled with her little bother and life is great for the Staniaks. Plus.... not only do I share a name with Chase but we both arrived in this world weighing in at 9lbs. 2oz. I am just anxiously waiting for Chase to advance to real food so I can get him his very own 2 foot long grape candy sugar stick to get him the nutritional values a growing boy really needs.

While everything else pales after news like that but we did have a wonderful visit from Jon, Jen and their two little ones to try out the pond..... Did anyone see Jaws? Does this image by any change scream, "I think we are going to need a bigger boat"!

It was great fun to see Jon, Jen and the dogs frolicking in the pond and the muddy shore on a hot August weekend. I know there are some overly cautious people that think that an overly chlorinated pool is the only safe water to immerse yourself in. What happened to everyone hankering for a chance to dive into that ol' swimming hole.

Jonathan spent the most time in the pond and he will be the first to tell you that those silly people that think that "natural" water is toxic and not meant to be enjoyed and relished on hot summer days. He should know. He's always got an eye out for a good time!

However, nodoby had more fun than Bella who swam like she was born to it and showed Coda what having fun in the water was all about. It was hilarious watching her rolling around in the mud on the shore and converting herself from a gorgeous little golden puppy to a wild looking scamp.

The 2008 Cruise is ready to leave the port...

The SS Minnow will set sail from the Foley Lake House with the Captain and First Mate....

Sadly though, the crew was getting drunk on the shore....delaying the departure.

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Yes, clearly they are not my words. The most I can take credit for is the photo of my pond and the inspiration that the view brought that incredible poem to mind.

I was warned that I must post more often and this may be cheating a bit, however, they are incredible words and I find them to fit so well with the waning days of winter out here.

It's my birthday!

Today was my special day, as it was my birthday and I got to spend it with my loved ones. However, as I looked through the photos in my camera to post some from today I saw a number of great photos lingering from some of the special days that just passed.

My favorite is of our little grandaughter Reese who entered the church a few weeks ago at her Christening.

Now Reese is the newest member of our family and if I asked you who joined us prior to Reese, I am betting that just about everyone would come up with the wrong answer off the cuff.

The real answer is Jennifer Foley who joined us in July of 2007.

Certainly Noah came to mind as our other Grandchild who not only joined our family but also joined us in life in March. We clearly couldn't ask for two more special grandchildren as they are so healthy and such a joy to be around. I'll bet you didn't know that Noah is reading now!

Our grandbabies are special and getting more special every day. It's a good thing that our hearts have no limits on how much love they can hold.

That way the love we hold for our family never lessens even as we add more and more loved ones to our lives.

My babies are all grown but they'll always be my "babies".

Here is Carissa with our two new grandbabies. Carissa is finally back with us now as she is finishing up her school with two internships in Milwaukee. Carissa will graduate in May and FINALLY come home for good. It seems that she has been away forever and it is so nice to have her back!

Of course, her sisters missed her terribly also. Here we are together at Christmas (I never should have agreed to "bulk-up" for my role as Santa Claus! What an effort it will be to get ready to put my speedo on in the summer (yeah right).

They always say "Ladies first" which means you had to wade through all of my meanderings and wait until the very end to see my boys, but then.... they also say "Save the best for last too" so who knows?



Jonathan, Mark and Ryan. Never to be forgotten.

It's easy to get so wrapped up in our own lives and issues that we forget where we came from and how we got here.

Many of us feel that having children and then grandchildren are some of the great joys in life. Those precious lives are God's gift to us. Of course, along with the joy comes great responsibility and a commitment that we carry throughout our lives. We provide them with the love, support and direction they need to learn to face their own challenges in life.

But one day... the roles may reverse. We may need love, support and companionship from our children. Perhaps the opportunity to return some of the blessings we received from our parents is another of God's gifts to us.