Monday, July 28, 2008

Family Fun Time

I can hardly believe that it has been so long since I've posted here. I've had a wonderfully busy time since my last post. After our wonderful evening at the ballgame, we spent a busy Saturday.

We attended the last of the graduation parties for a member of the class of 2008. this was a special one as Tori had moved away and graduated from a school in a nearby town. We have managed to keep in touch with her and it was cool that she invited us to her party.

After church on Sunday we travelled to Pennsylvania once again. It's unusual for us to go down twice in such a short time {about 10 days}. We did want to see Jim's mom again, but another incentive was that our great nieces from Tennessee were visiting their grandparents.

First about Mom. I think I posted that she had broken her hip. She had surgery, was in a nursing home for rehab and was quite discouraged. When we last saw her, I left with a very heavy heart. I thought she would spend a long time {if forever} in the nursing home. Well, guess who was wrong? She is back in her residence, doing really well.



Would you believe she is 93 and just recovering from hip surgery? She is an amazing woman. She is one of my heroes.

After visiting with her, it was on to Jim's brother's home to see the greats. To our utmost delight, all seven of the grandchildren were there. Talk about mayhem!! It was such fun.

First of all, I was surrounded with little girls full of hugs and kisses for their old great aunt. Secondly, to my great delight, I got to hold the newest member of the family, Wyatt William Wolfanger. I call him www.baby.com. Talk about a cutie!




Ask me if I was having a good time? Wyatt is six months old and this is the first time I've seen him in person.

And then, a picture with the whole gang. Andrew didn't want to be in the picture, but his mom held him and he consented.




I wish I could see more of them. They are delightful children. I guess to be fair, I need to post a picture of the children with their grandmother since she so generously shares them with me.




Andrew happily participated in this picture after his mother whispered in his ear. I asked her what she said and she told me she promised him a cookie.

Before we knew it, the time had flown and it was time to start back home. We reluctantly kissed everyone goodbye and drove away. I couldn't stay sad for long because we were bringing my Aunt Bets home with us for a short visit.

Bets is my dad's baby sister. She and my Aunt Mary are all that are left of the eleven siblings in my dad's family. She is 79 years young, has macular degeneration and is a barrel of fun. We always have the best times together.

Several years ago, we went to Las Vegas together for a week. We're still laughing about that trip the highlight of which was that she won $500 on a nickel slot machine.

She stayed with us from Monday until Thursday and we had a great time. We visited her granddaughter and her new husband, had lunch and dinner out. Oh yes, breakfast too. She had a pedicure which she doesn't get to do in the small town where she lives. It was a great week for all of us.



Aunt Bets with Abbey and Jim.



We have such fun together.

I've basically been resting up since Thursday. Now I have to catch up and get ready for our vacation in the mountains. I am so excited. I love the mountains and we have such a relaxing and fun time with our friends Bruce and Shelly.

I'm hoping to post some past mountain photos before we take off on Wednesday. Until then, thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

5 comments:

Nancy said...

Oh, I enjoyed your post so much, Pam! Your Aunt Betty looks good! I haven't seen her since we were in high school! She certainly doesn't look her age, does she? Wow! She always such an attractive woman. Isn't it funny what you remember when you were a teenager about the adults at that time? I remember her as being such a sharp dresser, as well as being so attractive, too!

Alva was always a pretty woman and had such pretty black hair in such a pretty style back in those days, too. She looks wonderful for 93!!! Gives us something to work towards, huh? (Looking good and reaching 93!!!) Those broken hips don't always have such a happy ending like hers....glad she is back in her own place again! Austinite ladies are tough gals and hard to keep down for long!!! LOL

The children are all beautiful kids!!! That baby has the biggest smile in one of the group pics!!! Too cute!! Guess he was enjoying the camera!!!

I may post a new one tomorrow about the cats again. Had Sweet Pea in for her chest x-ray today, as that would be the most likely place for the cancer to return (if it does), and it was CLEAR!!! Buster goes back for Round 2 of chemo next Monday.

Enjoy your vacation!!! Relax as you both deserve some down time to do nothing but enjoy life after dealing with your broken wrist and Jim's hand surgery this summer.

(((((( HUGS ))))))

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Pam,

I really enjoyed this post. How lucky you are to have such a large, loving family! Your Mom is an amazing lady, that's for sure, God bless her. I broke my hip in December of 2005, and it was touch and go for a while. But I recovered well, too, thank the Lord.

The pictures are so great of children and older people, all mingling and having a good family time together.

Have a wonderful time in the mountains. I look forward to more great pictures, you lucky lady!

Hugs and blessings,

Renie

Diane said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time visiting your family. The children are adorable! They look like they were enjoying themselves as much as you!

Happy to know that Mom bounced back from hip surgery. It can be a bear for so many. She's a tough chick! LOL

Have a wonderful time on vacation. Like Nancy said, you guys deserve it after all the orthopedic drama this year! LOL

Hugs,
Diane

Cheryl Wray said...

These pictures all just are SO great!!! Looks like it was a wonderful time for everyone!!

Midlife Mom said...

What a lovely post Pam! Family is what it's all about isn't it? So glad that you got to see your Mom and that she is back in her own residence! My Mom (age 84) fell in the shower yesterday and is terribly lame today but thankfully she didn't break anything! She also found out this week that she has to have a knee replacement in September! It's going to be a busy place around here as Hubby has to have one too! Just call me Nurse Nancy! lol! Wonderful pictures of you and all those beautiful kiddos!