CHRISTMAS 2009

I was not a good picture taker for Christmas 2009, I was too caught up in the moments. A narrative will just have to do. Sorry.

The holiday started off with us worrying about Beau & Jen getting home because terrible weather was predicted for here and worse weather in Chicago (Dec. 23rd) where they were flying in. So at 9:30 Tues. nite, their time(22nd) they decided to take off driving. The drove all night and got into Rock Island at 10:30 our time Wed. morning. Whew I could quit worrying about them and Zach was all ready here.

On the morning of the Christmas Eve we had a brunch for our immediate family and the opening of gifts. The kids out did themselves for us and each other. It was a very wonderful family gathering however, we certainly missed Jason and his family. That afternoon we munched on appetizers and then left for the Savory household for our Christmas dinner and gift exchange with them. Dinner was delicious and once again the gifts were extremely nice and very thoughtful.

On Christmas day Beau & Jen headed for Rock Island for Christmas with the Jen's family. Mom came to our house so John, Zach, Mom and myself had a quiet Christmas dinner. We then rented some pay-per-view movies which we really liked. Four Christmases was hilarious.

On Saturday John and I took off for Rock Island, Beau and Jen met with the minister in the morning, then off to Duckys to pick out tuxes for the wedding. Beau picked out his tux and vest, those of the 12 groomsmen (yes I said 12), and the tuxes for the 2 dads. They all will look very handsome.

Then Beau and Jen were off to interview with a podiatrist in Bettendorf and his wife. They were very pleased with how the interview went so we will just have to wait and see. It all comes down to money, stiff medical school loans to pay. He has already been offered two positions out east but they are just looking in the Midwest to see what it has to offer.

While they were doing the interview John and I went to Johnny's Italian Steak House to look at the room where we are going to have the rehearsal dinner and finalize things for it.

Then back to Mary Jo's house (Jen's mom) to sample cupcakes for the wedding. Mary Jo had bought cupcakes from the potential cupcake maker for us to sample. Oh my, they were quite tasty I must say. Beau definitely liked the Black Forest cupcake and Jen was liked the white cake with raspberry filling. They didn't really care what other flavors they had as long as they got those 2 flavors.

Beau followed us home Sat. night and then early Sunday morning (27th) John and him took off in the snowstorm for New Jersey along with Lincoln (Beau & Jen's dog). The trip is normally 13 hours but with the weather it took them 15 1/2. Long, long day!!!! John was up bright and early and on a plane back to Chicago. He got into Moline about 3:00 this afternoon so I drove up and picked him up. What that Dad won't do for his kids!!!

Wednesday (30th) we leave for Memphis to watch the Vols. GO VOLS!!!! Then after the game we will drive 5 hrs. to Jason's to celebrate Christmas with our beautiful grandchildren and Jay and Jana. Home on Sat. so we can collapse on Sunday and back to work on Monday. Oh but what a glorious holiday it has been.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!!!! LET'S HOPE 2010 IS A GREAT YEAR FOR EVERYONE!!!

SOME CHRISTMAS FUN

Check it out - hilarious!!

http://videos.jibjab.com/zf4/nmx/fxx/rzq/t5a/jbm/dnx/gsr.mpg

THANKSGIVING 2009

Oh my gosh what a wonderful Thanksgiving John and I had!!!! We went to New Jersey to visit Beau, Jen and Lincoln. When we arrived Tuesday evening Jen had a fantastic supper waiting for us.

On Thanksgiving Beau cooked his FIRST (Jen reminded him it wouldn't be his last) turkey, excellent job I might add, very moist. Jen had homemade banana bread and cinnamon rolls along with fresh fruit for us for breakfast. The Thanksgiving dinner they put together was FANTASTIC!!!! It was such a nice relaxing Thanksgiving.

On Friday we went shopping for some Christmas presents and then we met up for dinner with one of our high school friends Janet Feldman Caparelli and her daughter and son-in-law and met her new grandson. We went to a delicious Japanese Steak house and had the best time. It was so good to see Janet and meet Gina, Mark and little Michael.

On Saturday we spent the entire day in NYC, it was so much fun. We had not gone to Times Square when we were there a year ago and it was awesome. We went to Rockefeller Center where Beau and Jen got engaged. It was so neat, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall that night. The day was just a great time and it is always better when you spend time with your kids.

John and I want to thank Beau and Jen for a wonderful holiday. Thank you!

The Beau & Jen family





Lincoln is so cute

Following the conversation

The FIRST Turkey


Fall Flowers


Lincoln is ready for Thanksgiving

Janet, Gina & Mark (I feel terrible I didn't get one picture of Michael and he is so cute!!)

We ate at a fabulous Japanese Steak House and it was such fun




On Saturday while in the city we ate (that's all we did) at Carmines Italian Restuarant - delish!!

Having fun in the Big Apple

69ers LUNCHEON NOV. 2009

Once again a group of us got together for lunch from our high school class. This is something I look forward to every month. We talk, we laugh, we share family stories, we talk, we laugh, we share grandma stories, we just plain have a good ole' time together. We ate at Roosters and the food was good as always. Here's to next month girls ~ brunch at Soangetaha.

Starting at the bottom of the picture and going clockwise: Gwen Bruntmeyer Steven, Kathy Harpole Kopsack, Pat Indelicato Lansing, Carol Cates Crouch, Sue Haynes Tolle and Mary Eyre Cerkez.