Happy Birthday America!!
   We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration with everyone but my dad being up at the lake.  It was so good to see Katy home again, and playing on the jet skis, water skiing, and just enjoying her nieces, brother and sister.  Travis had broken his hand right before they got here, so he was somewhat limited to what he could do, but we all got to know him a little better.  Roxi was sick much of the time, and got some rest. She and Jason tried to celebrate their 12th anniversary, but there was a 3 hour wait where they wanted to go, so just shared a quick meal somewhere else. Mel had to work, so Rob stayed till Friday after playing a round of golf. 
   The girls loved the golf cart parade our association had, and the sparklers were a big hit.  This year Evy got to go on the boat for the first time to see the fireworks. However, our poor dogs were terrified buy all the loud noises. Both Jager and Maddie were trembling, panting, and hiding. It was so sad. They wouldn't even go outside they were so scared. Jager was hiding behind the toilet in the basement. :-(  
    During our celebration, there was a military coop in Egypt.  People there decided they did not want to live under the Muslim Brotherhood rulers anymore.  Made me appreciate the freedoms we so take for granted here in the US. I am so terrified that our country as it was founded, representing liberty for the world is slipping away.  So many people won't or don't realize the harm that is being done by Obama and his socialists friends in power.  I pray that Anni and Evy will still be celebrating the 4th of July with their children!

   

  

Hawks WON!!!
    The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup again this week. The entire playoffs were crazy, with a  comeback being down 3 games against Detroit, then defeating the best goalie and the LA Kings. But the series with Boston was brutal, exciting, and extremely stressful. The first game we won after 3 overtimes!!!  The final game was played in Boston, and they were winning 2 to 1 about halfway through the third period. They thought they were forcing a game 7 in Chicago, but the Hawks tied it with less than a minute and a few secs. AND THEN 17 SECS LATER SCORED THE WINNING GOAL!!! Never has a team won a Stanley Cup like that. What a thrilling game, and the entire city went nuts with VICTORY!!!  

     Hockey Fever had taken over the city. Even my 91 year old dad stayed up to watch the final game.  He usually goes to bed by 7 pm, but called me at 10:30 all excited about what a sensational game it was.  When I first told him to start watching the Hawks a few months ago, he claimed he couldn't see the puck, and it was too fast, yet boring because it took them so long to score.  But now he is hooked, and it is so cute and fun to share it with him, since I don't get excited over his baseball or golf. 
    We are up at the lake preparing everything for our 4th of July celebration.  Katy and Travis are flying home Tues, and for the first time since Christmas, I'll have everyone home together for a few days.  Roxi is now 6 months pregnant, and starting to feel better.  Travis hasn't met anyone else yet, so it should be fun getting to know him better.  I pray the weather is good for all of us, since it has been raining almost every other day.  Nice and sunny, but not too hot would be wonderful Lord. I'm just looking forward to having all my family at the lake house at one time.  It is the reason we built the house, and now it can become a home filled with family love at last.....
   

I'm Back!!!!!!!

I know, another blog starting out about how busy I've been, and haven't written, but actually my old computer wouldn't let me on my own blog. NOW, I have a new computer, and sooo much to share. Some huge things, like Jason, Anni and Evy were all electrocuted and survived  last year all  covered in Roxi's blog: Roxengstrom.blogspot.com in much more detail and wisdom than I could ever describe it. Ironically, tho, she called me while I was watching the Blackhawks play, and they are in the playoffs again, so I guess I'm just a little over a year late in that story.  They are home, and the girls are sleeping in the next room because they are going to my church's VBS all week, so how great is that?   
    Other big news, is Roxi is having our first grandson. We are all thrilled except that she suffers so with HG, and has been sooo ill. Again, details are on her blog. We all went to Disney World with the girls in January and had a wonderful time. Roxi didn't know she was pregnant yet.
     In Feb, Steve and I went to New Zealand for two weeks! It was wonderful! Will have to add pics later.
     Katy got her own territory in Virginia Beach, and we have been out twice, me three times, to see her. She has a new fella, a Navy deep sea diver named Travis. They are coming home to the lake for July 4th so everyone else can meet him. He seems like a really nice guy. Artistic and sensitive. Not crazy about his tattoos, but he's a sailor, right?
     Rob and Mel are still living together, and real estate in Chicago is slowly starting to pick up. They got a new car and a new place this last year. Would like a wedding and more grandkids, but I'm trying to be patient.
      My Dad is still living with Tanya and Jari, and I see him almost everyday. He loves seeing the girls, and we are going to take him out with Rob tomorrow night. He was getting depressed and drinking too much again, but through the Hospice people they found a volunteer that comes once a week to visit him. He and Mark really hit it off since they were both engineers, and it has been such a blessing for Tanya and me.
    Since it is getting late, and two darling little girls will be calling,"Bibi" first thing tomorrow morning, I better get to sleep. Now that I'm back, I'll try to keep in touch more than once a year......