Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Wedding!! And Family!!

LET THE PARTY BEGIN!!



Tuesday, Oct. 10 I once again boarded a plane to Milwaukee, WI 
for the main family event of the year...
Brian and Angie's wedding!!

Thursday, some of us ladies tried out the "Salt Cave"...


One relaxes in a cave room with Himalayan salt covered floor, listening to quiet music while breathing in salt infused air. 



And infra red sauna...not me...

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Friday evening family dinner!!








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Saturday morning flower bouquet project!



"What are these flowers doing on my table?"



Time to deliver...


Even the deer love Angie...hanging out in her backyard!


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Saturday evening wedding!!!
Angie, with sons, Ryan and Austin



Presenting Angie and Brian Burke!!


Family!!
Burt, Gerry, Bill, Chuck, Al
Debbie, Angie, Mom


Extended Family!!
Jen, Debbie May, Keys, Brian,
Anna, Amanda


Gram G with Grandkids,
Zach on a stick, cause he was sick!!



Ladies-in-waiting...all dressed in Green!


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Sunday brunch at Chuck and Anna's...
Time to present Al with the BIG 5-0 shirt for turning 50 soon!!





Thanks to Indianapolis family for coming!!


Gotta have a mid-west Sunday night backyard campfire!!  
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Monday morning dumpling making!
No Schmidt gathering is complete until the dumplings are served!


The potato dumpling gang!!



Kitkat claiming back his kingdom!!


Goodbye, Family!  It was a magnificent time!!


Milwaukee Sunrise!!


Hello Portland/Vancouver!
Mt. Hood and Columbia River!
Good to be home again!



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The Rest of the Story...
I woke up sick the day before the wedding...very stuffy and no voice. And after three days of miserableness I remained plugged in the head for another ten days.  Unfortunately several members of our family have been sick these past two weeks.  I think we are all recovering now.  
At home the LOTR Trilogy  helped me  recover


Along with homemade schnitzel and noodles!



Out for a walk on one of the last mild, sunny PNW days!


Harvest full moon over Vancouver


One more sunny, mild day before the rain sets in/
yard half cleared of neighbor trees' leaves!



FLASHBACK  OCT. 31, 2015  
Frodo Baggins was spotted entering PDX airport of Upper Earth Sat AM. It is rumored he is flying to San Diego on official business of King Aragorn of Middle Earth to welcome
royal princess Berklee Evergreen King-Schmidt born Oct 5,2015.





REFLECTIONS  
For several months I eagerly anticipated having all our family together the weekend of Angie and Brian's wedding.  The last time most of us were together was 5 years ago.  Unfortunately Zach came down with Covid a few days before travel time.  Although I ended up sick I was so happy and gratified to have the family together. We jammed lots of activities into a few days! It was picture taking heaven! 
Now as October comes to a close, along with the mild autumn days, it's time to refocus on the last two months of this year. November has a few surprises hoping to pop out!  Gotta wait to see what! 

This has been a good 4 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"And so we know and rely on the love that God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1John 4:16-19)

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Ten Days in September

Starting at 4 AM Friday, Sept 15!

Mt. Hood at sunrise... 

Stop over in Denver

Hello, Burt, in Memphis!! 



A nap, a good night's sleep and Saturday off to
 the USA RAW NATIONALS 
to cheer grandson Tyler as he competes in 
power lifting!!



My true love??

Excited Fans!!

He gets his genes from me!

Tyler was happy with his results
and qualified for 2 competitions next year!
Way to go, Tyler!! 


Had to check out a few Memphis sites...
St. Jude's children's cancer treatment hospital
9th largest pyramid in the world, 
housing a hotel and huge sport store! 

And crocodiles 
Who scared who!!


On to the Peabody Hotel to watch the daily 
march of the Peabody ducks!!
That quacked me up!

The Duck Master leads them in on the red carpet 
to spend the day swimming in the fountain.

 
Then marches them back to their pent house 
at 5PM
A walk along Beale Street where all the Blues and socializing happens.



Three Influencers!!

Sunday afternoon, the start of a 800 mile road trip to northern Wisconsin...driving through St. Louis


Arriving in Park Falls late Monday afternoon...

Enjoying the start of fall colors

I took many, many walks through Hines Park in my many years in Park Falls!


Enjoyed a couple hours along the Flambeau River!


Learning how to bury an LP gas tank...
never know when you might need to know how!


Lovely drive to Minneapolis on Thursday, Oct 22

Ladies getting ready for a wedding!

Guys getting ready for a wedding


Bride and Groom ready for THE wedding!
Presenting Ellie and Devin Schmidt!!


Josh, Logan, Burt, Ellie, Devin,
Jen, Tyler, Cory Schmidt!!
Mississippi River and Minneapolis skyline...

Extended Schmidt Family!


Watch out for these two!!
Angie VanElls and Brian Burke
???


Watching the Packers in Viking territory!
California Packer Backers!
Gerry and Debbie
Sunday afternoon, hanging out!


"Alpaca big smile from you!"
at the Mall of America
Neri from Argentina/Germany
18 Holes of miniature golf

Watch out for Big Foot!

Lunch at Margaritaville



First Cheeseburger in Paradise! 


Who shrunk Gram G?
How to get onto a too Big Chair?
Climb in the side...





Alaska Cory and Chloe

Southwest plane all fancied up to go to Portland..

Late September roses

And Moon Magic!

BUT WAIT!  There's more. But you gotta wait cause the more is still coming in October!  Ya all come back and find out what!!!

REFLECTIONS 
I was refreshed to hang out with family in the mid-West! Having travel adventures and visiting with friends in Park Falls also helped!  I enjoyed spending the summer at home but it is nice to rekindle relationships and get a change of surroundings along with leaving responsibilities behind. Nice to have family to house me and son/grandson to drive me.  Thanks, Everyone!! 

This has been a good 3 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.


"A new commandment I [Jesus] give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)