Family = Wonderful

So glad to have these photos to remind us of a wonderful visit a few short months ago.  

I'm amazed that Time seemed almost to have stood still between this, 

and our past visit in Denmark, back in the '70's!  That's family. --Missing you all!

 

 Don't forget to admire (Jesse's exchange-partner from Düren; my recent intern) Julia's triumphant Schwarzwälderkirschtorte!

  

Finally, after 7 years, here's Julia's family together with ours--including brother, Jan (Lyle's Exchange-partner!); which helps explain how we have become one big happy family.

We're sure to keep snapping photos of these "twin cousins" 

(Mikayla (1 month) and Isabel (5 months) old here). 

 

A few more recent family favorites, including Uncles Lyle and Jesse

and two more shots from Ruth and Ken's 60th, 

including one of many special moments with Mom (here with John).

Minnesota State Fair visit

Martha and Karin admire the fence flowers at the State Fair entrance.

David with Mr. Bubble.

My sister Karin and my Aunt Martha drove up to St. Paul on Friday to take me to the Minnesota State Fair. It was great fun. 

We had cotton candy, milk shakes, a corn dog, a root beer float, a Guinness and ears of sweet corn. All delicious. 

We visited the Ag Hort Bee Building and the Crop Art exhibit (I got a 4th place ribbon for my self-promoting crop art.com sign), the 4-H building (there was a high school show choir that just kept singing and dancing until it wore us out) (also in the 4-H building: performing rabbits!) and we listened to some loud country-rock music.

An enjoyable day. Thanks for coming to visit, Karin and Martha.

Kenny and Ruth's 60th (more pics)

By popular demand; a few more pictures celebrating

Kenny and Ruth's 60th Anniversary:

1952

2012

           







                                                                               
                                        
Erik and Ellie led the now famous Jeopardy Contest between Team Nebraska,
Team Minnesota, and Team Connecticut.  With the memorable categories described in previous posting, there are two that are cleaver enough to repeat over and over again -- "Baby Ruth" and When Kenny was Ruthless"

Ruth and Kenny admiring their admirers.

Baker Babies

Steve and Ruthann Baker celebrate the births of their first two grandchildren:
•  Isabel Eve Soule, on November 19, 2011 (to Chelsea Todnem Baker Soule and her husband, Thomas Malcolm Soule)

Isabel attending a wedding in May, 2012

•  Mikayla Shannon Baker, on March 13, 2012 (to Nicholas Martin Baker and his wife, Shannon Christine Lelek Baker). 

Both are healthy and happy residents of North Kingstown, with ready smiles for anyone they encounter.  The girls are also growing up together, not only at daycare, but also visiting grandparents' and each other's homes often.  

-- Twin cousins?  We are very blessed, indeed.

Ruth and Ken 60th wedding anniversary

Ruth and Ken 60th anniversary party
June 23, 2012 in Rochester, Minnesota
Click for a closer view

We all got together to celebrate Ruth and Ken Wilson's 60th at Madonna Towers in Rochester.

The cupcake cake was a treat. So much frosting!

Eric Weiberg and Ellie Wilson hosted a special Ken and Ruth edition of Jeopardy that was . . . educational, and very fun. Answer categories included, "Wilson Family Goes Nuclear," "When Kenny Was Ruthless," "Baby Ruth" and "Around the World in 60 Years."

Paul Wilson took this excellent family photo.