My Grandson Luke is a huge football fan. His dream has always been to play tackle football.
Even as a toddler he loved football |
Major surgery that has changed his life.
Put me in coach |
I dare you to come my way |
His Mom and Dad |
Life is Lived One Chapter at a Time
My Grandson Luke is a huge football fan. His dream has always been to play tackle football.
Even as a toddler he loved football |
Put me in coach |
I dare you to come my way |
His Mom and Dad |
I have been fascinate with the Amish for a very long time. Maybe it started when I took up quilting. Not sure but I found some Amish books at the library and my interest grew. I’ve probably read 100 books about the Amish life.
I’ve always been curious to see it in person. Most of the books I’ve read were about the Pennsylvania Amish, but the Indiana Amish were closer. I did some research and suggested to Mike a trip to check it out. He was up for a visit.
I suggested we try out a car audio tour called the “Heritage Trail”. According to the internet (and I believe everything I read on the internet) it’s easy, it’s interesting, and it’s free.
We got off the highway at Elkhart and stopped at the visitors center and got all the info we needed (and then some) , plus the USB for the tour.. 😃
Pamphlet from all the towns |
It was so good. We spent the first afternoon taking the east side of the loop. Took us about 3.5 hours going thru and learning history of the territory and seeing some Amish farms. They have stops along the way for special sightseeing interests. We passed thru Shipshewana a town that my neighbor said we had to visit, especially the flea market there. His company sells his glue to all the Amish woodworkers and knows the area well.
We did get to see the quilt garden where all the flower beds are quilt blocks.
I wish we had the room to plant me one |
We saw Amish on bikes and came upon many buggies. The tour emphasized the caution of the buggies.
Not supposed to take their picture |
So much to see |
Buggy parking |
Roger thought he might like to try playing golf. He tried it at Top Golf last summer and was pretty good at it. For Christmas we got him some golf lessons with a park district down the street from them.
He got Logan’s hand me down golf clubs, but he was put into a beginners class with the little kids who were really beginners. So Mike and I took him back to the driving range and helped him out a little bit. We both thought he was ready to try it out at a course. What better way to celebrate his 13th birthday.
We took him to the DesPlaines Golf Center. It’s a par 3, 9 hole starter course with short (actually too short, but we didn’t know) holes. I think the longest hole of the nine was 139 yards. It’s a very cool place that has lights for night golf. We had to walk the nine holes, so Mike got us all push carts. I can’t remember the last time I walked playing golf. Ugh!
Walking and pushing |
Tee Off |
Long up the putts. |
Smiles |
We had a birthday party at the house for Roger, who turned 13. Yes, he’s a teenager. Bryan who turned 47. Hard to believe that my baby is 47.
Yard sign |
It was a hot day out and I thought balloons wouldn’t last long and found this happy birthday yard sign so I bought it. Both birthday boys liked it.
Roger with papa and grandma |
Bryan and Mom |
One candle each |
I took this picture at one of Owens basketball games. I love Roger in this photo so much it shows up when ever he calls me.
We all had a good time. Some days just seem so short…..
Mike, Logan, Dylan and I golfed in the Genoa Kingston Gold Outing. This was our 3 year. Genoa does not charge athletes to pay to play - all sports are free.
So This is not only our way to support the football program that both boys played in and Mike and I spent many Friday nights cheering them on - we got to spend the day with the grandsons doing something we all love to do. Ply golf together.
With Logan and Dylan playing more golf getting so much better we scored our best score yet. 5 under. We started on a par 3 and got a boggie. Nobody was happy. I told them get us there and I will get us home. (in my bragging voice). They believed me and we started to start putting for eagles and birdies. After watching them tee off I knew there was no way I could beat their drives so I passed on the drives and concentrated on my chipping and putting.
It was fun watching the young ones getting better and better with each downed cocktail. So many memories of our Thursdays with the Dupplers.
Comparing which club to use |
Let’s let Papa go first |
My golfing team |
The weather was perfect and we had such great fun. I know there is gonna come a time when this ole body of mine is gonna say enough. But my heart will always be with these grandsons and the memories we are making out on the golf course.
It’s been hot so far this summer. Sharen and I are still walking in the mornings, but when I want to get out and spend some time in my gardens - It’s Too Hot!!
So I decided to find some projects to do indoors.
The small half bath in our master bathroom was the first place I thought could use an update. And it’s a tiny space to get something done quickly.
I visited the local Sherman-Williams store and found a couple wallpaper patterns I liked. I usually ask Mike what he thinks, but mostly he agrees with me.
Me: “ I want to wallpaper a wall in the small bathroom.”
Mike: “ ok, just as longs as it’s not too grandma-ish”
Opps, the paper I chosen was old fashion, I am a Grandma! He looked thru the book and found one he liked. After my surprise I liked it too and ordered it.
Before |
After |
Vanity update found a rug to match too |
Found some leftover paint from the kitchen so I found my next project. Mike took the doors down on the closet and the TV room. I thought they could stay wood.
Stairs before |
Pantry Before |
Stairs after |
Pantry after |
Mike’s grill was 7 years old and he’s been replacing parts and making it work. We - I mean Mike - grill a bunch. I prepare the food and he grills it. He’s really good at it!
I told him he was getting a new grill for Father’s Day. He found one at Sam’s he liked a lot. Every morning I would check the Sam’s website to see if it’s on sale. Doesn’t Everything goes on sale before Fathers Day. It showed up $100 off, but not at our Sam’s club. I finally said let’s just go get it. Still no sale sign. We get to the register and the price she gave me was the sale price. I kept my mouth shut, paid for it and wanted to run to the car yelling “start the car!” Just like in the commercial.
Wasting no time assembling it |
Our first dinner Saturday night was courtesy of Stacy who bought us kabobs from Reams. They are soooo good. Sunday we went into the city to watch Luke play baseball. We may not have gotten any cecada at our house, but man of man Park Ridge is covered and flying around. It’s funny to watch people grownups and kiddos scream and run around. Then you have the kids (Luke) chase them down and try to catch them. They don’t bother me, one even got tangled in my hair.
A stop for ice cream after the game and Mike’s Fathers Day was complete.
The family |
I did get Mike these heat gloves - he was ruining my pot holders.
He’s getting really good at grilling my fruit and vegetables.