this n that...

This...
      I was on my way to the gym this morning (surprising, I know) and I was sitting at a stoplight waiting to go. Let's go! Somehow I glanced to my left and I saw the most beautiful sky. Just clouds. Nothing that unusual, but the shapes and colors and the whole sky...just in that direction...was just a gift from Above. I could have missed it so easily, by not taking my time to stop and look around. In spite of all the craziness around us, the earth is still a glorious creation.

and That...
       This week was the Livingston County Fair and Wade and Mara showed their cattle. It was a sweltering day, but thankfully it was early in the morning. They both did a great job and it amazes me that they are not afraid of those big animals and that they actually think it is fun to get out in that ring before the judges. Me...I'm just glad when it's over and everyone is still in one piece!



Preparation



Mara sweet-talking her heifer.



Wade setting his steer up for judging.



Oops. Steer unhappy. Has to walk him in a circle one more time.




Finally the judge is taking a good look.


 

Mara's pillow got a blue ribbon.
Wade got honors for his dinner rolls, but I didn't get a picture of those.



Anderson

 

                                                    Anderson enjoyed the vacation also!

Perry's family vacation in Wisconsin

                                             Caleb & Sarah on the Wisconsin Duck ride

 

Ashton

 

Preston & Matthew

 

Timon at the science museum

 

Anna at the science museum

 

Sarah, Carter & Laura in our room at the resort

 

Timon, Caleb, Carter, Ellie, Jesse & Alice back in Gridley in Grandpa & Grandma's basement

 

25 of us enjoyed a few nights together at Wisconsin Dells July 6-9.  Perry and I took three of the Emch children home with us and Brandon & Maria came a couple of days later.  The best time for me was when Matthew and Ashton played their guitars and we all sang "Higher Ground." 

 (Perry II stayed home and took care of our two dogs and one cat). ---Carol

July 4th - Some of LCK Family

Last week I drove over to Mom and Dad's with a stop at all the siblings. I call it one of my trips in which I drive more miles than spend minutes with family, but I certainly had a great time.

This was indicative of July 4th in the Southeast. Rain, rain, rain. Dad, Mom, Mary Lee, Renae (who was with me on the trip), and I drove from Anderson to Mark and Molly's for the afternoon and dinner. Mark did a great job grilling in the rain. Two of Mark's children were with friends for the day and Jeff was indisposed when I took this picture of our indoor picnic.

 

I also got to spend time with Ann while at Mom and Dad's and then we stopped for a couple of nights in Madison with Joey and Mary. Today it's back to my job of finding a job.

More about July 4th at Cleve and Kathleen's

Kathleen and I were delighted to host 40 of the extended family on Thursday at our "cabin", 14 miles north of Peoria.  We truly missed those of you who could not be with us.  We enjoyed pork burgers from Gridley Meat Co. --  (only 1 of which dropped through the grate when grilling, so I ate that one on the spot and continued grilling the other 56.)  Many thanks for the huge amounts of delicious food that was brought in by many in attendance!  We all enjoyed the food, fun, and fellowship in the blessing of perfect July 4th weather.  Thanks, Nog Blog, and others, for your great pictures and nice comments.  But as Uncle Perry says, "a picture is worth a thousand words" so I can't resist attaching a few more photos here. 

      

                                           A sample of the wonderful and abundant food.

                                                      Desserts - Are - Us

                      Paddle-boating was a popular attraction, along with lots of swimming

                                              The Steffen Boys enjoyed fishing off the dock
                                             (we won't say which one caught this nice bass!)

                                           Some instruction from Grandma Knobloch....

                                        Everyone cooperated for a group picture on the deck.

                                        The "surprise hike" was to this secluded log cabin...

                                       Note the old wagon and "covered wagon" in the back...

                                              See comments from the previous post for
                                              a better explanation of this "surprise" hike......

                                         Swimming was the popular event of the day......
                                         except for eating, perhaps.

July 4th Cleve's Surprise

 

We enjoyed the hike to see Cleve's surprise.  Here's a few photos.  ----Carol

4th of July at the Klop Cabin

I was up at 3 and can't sleep so decided to post some pics from our wonderful day at Cleve and Kathleen's cabin at Santa Fe Estates. The weather could not have been better, the food was tremendous, and as you can see, everyone had a terrific time. These shots are from my phone, but others there had better cameras. I also missed the group shot, as well as the entire adventure of a mystery side trip that Cleve took us on. Hopefully, others will post pictures very soon. Thanks, Cleve and Kathleen, for a memorable day!