Back To Striebel Pond

Well I've been away far too long.  So many things have interfered with my visits but the biggest one is probably the treadmill.  Right now, though the treadmill is in storage while we participate in our whole-house renovation.  So if we're to get exercise, it's got to be somewhere outside the house and this week we started walking at Striebel Pond.

So far we only walk once around for one mile but it's a start and there's plenty of opportunity for pictures in that one mile.

Here are a few of my favorites from this week.

And from beginning to end the one thing that's most apparent to me is that we need to get out there earlier each day.

Zachary Garrett

Today is Zachary's 6th birthday.  He's our 17th grandchild and 10th grandson.

Zachary an important part of this large family -

And an even more important part of this smaller family -

Here is Zachary 'through the years' - (these pictures were taken roughly 6 months apart.)

 Zachary is a wonderful boy and we're very proud of him.  He's a very good athlete,

a good helper and a hard worker,

a good friend,

and an all-around great kid!  We're wishing him his best birthday ever and a year full of new accomplishments and experiences!

Happy Birthday, Zachary!

Jeremy Andrew

Today is our grandson, Jeremy's, 15th birthday!

Jeremy is an important part of this really large family.

And a more important part of this large family.

And an even more important part of this large family.

Here is Jeremy 'through the years'.

  Jeremy has certainly grown up all of a sudden.  He's a wonderful, handsome, likable young man.  He plays the trumpet in Marching Band, played varsity golf this past freshman year, and lettered in both.  He's loving and kind to everybody including all his younger cousins and nieces and nephews. He's helpful, cheerful, has a great sense of humor and he's always a pleasure to be around.

We're wishing him the happiest birthday ever and a year filled with more golf, more band, and anything else his heart desires.

Happy Birthday, Jeremy!  We're very proud of you and love you very much!

Teresa Kay

Today is our daughter-in-law, Teresa's, birthday!  She's on a dream cruise with her family right now which is right where she would want to spend her birthday.  Soon they should be docking at St. Marten's and I hope she'll be able to take a peek at her post so she knows how much she's loved and wished a very happy birthday.

Here is Teresa from the first we got to know her until now.

So the first thing I notice when I look at this series of pictures is that she hasn't changed much.  She was beautiful when we met her and she's beautiful now.

And then I stop to think of how that's possible.  Here's a girl who has gone from 'a girl' to a woman with three children, a job, a household to take care of and a soldier who's kept her life moving forward at an amazing pace.  Teresa has lived in Indiana, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri (twice), Louisiana, and Colorado.  She's been the head of her household during 5 deployments and still finds time to exercise and stay fit.  She visits family, both hers and his, even when he can't be there and she never loses her smile or her sense of humor.  She's loving, generous, sweet, and truly a daughter to Harry and I.  And most importantly, in Teresa's world, nothing comes before her family.

For all these reasons we're wishing her the best birthday EVER!  Happy Birthday, Teresa, we love you.