Virginia trip

The trees were very colorful on our trip to Virginia. It was cloudy, but beautiful.

Crystal is standing beside their blueberry bush they just planted.

They just put up their greenhouse a few weeks ago. They have several different veggies and a few trees in pots.

On Saturday, we went hiking and had a picnic. It was rather chilly!

We hiked for about 10 minutes up the mountain, then turned around.

We drove on the Blueridge Parkway and this was one of the areas to stop at.

During the Civil War, they used slaves to move big rocks to form rock fences to keep out the wild pigs.

Another visitor asked if she could take a picture of all of us.

At Gypsy Park in Staunton, Va.

We spent a little time walking around the park. We got Kline's ice cream, pumpkin flavor! Yum!

We came home Route 33 through the mountains. This is in George Washington National Forest.

Just one of the many hairpin turns!

At the end of the most mountainous and curvy part, these rocks are a beautiful sight! I think they are called "Bald Peak" or something like that.
It was a good trip! Thanks Joe & Crystal!

canning 08

Canning day in September. Christa, Scott & Angela came home to help.

Grandpa & Bonnie came to help cut apples. We did 81 quarts of applesauce.

I put everyone to work. . .hard work! Give people with muscles the tough work.
Of course, we had chocolate cake to put applesauce on.

Ed was our "canner man". We gave him full jars as fast as we could.
He kept up and even waited on us occasionally.

The "thinker" and the canner.

We canned 23 quarts of V-6 juice. Can't you just smell the peppers and onions?

The night before, Ed & I pulled the grapes off the stems, cooked them, and put them in pillowcases overnight to drain.

We canned 26 quarts of grape juice. Yum!

The weather was perfect for ripening the apples. They "blushed" nicely.

It was a good weekend and we got a lot done. Angela also made 3 batches of brown bobbies, but I must have been too tired to get inside to take a picture.
We got all this done after a pancake breakfast and before supper at 6:30.

Tree-mendous work

Sunday night, we had the remnants of Ike blowing through here with a lot of gusto! We lost two trees and two other trees each lost a large limb.

The clean up begins. Our Bradford pear south of the apartment blew down, except for a little section. Enough that we couldn't save it.

We planted this tree 8 years ago and it was our nicest tree.

The tree on the left lost two major branches and I don't think we can save it. It also blew the swing and many chairs over.

The is looking south from Kidron School--just across from where Laura & Ron lived.
This tree brought down the lines. Power is still out today from Lehman's up to Central.

Dad & I loaded a whole trailer full of branches and we still have at least one more load to go.
We are cutting wood to burn in our fire pit, so it takes a little longer than just throwing everything onto the trailer.

Got too dark to finish, so we will continue tomorrow.

Skyline Drive

After we were done cleaning up from the wedding, the family headed up to Skyline Drive for some sightseeing.
Ang picking blackberries

Beautiful butterflies on blooming thistles.

Ron & Laura

Scott & Christa

Why do I get the idea that it may be time to go?
Isn't everyone else enjoying nature like I am?

Panoramic of the mountains

Swallowtail butterfly

Joe's wedding

Crystal & Joe * Wedding Day * August 23, 2008

As excited as you will see BJ & Tim eating flowers.

The wedding setting

Instead of cake, they served pies, so we made a "wedding pie". We topped it with
a Lego bride & groom.

Waiting to begin

Sorry these pictures are out of order. . . Ron & Scott hitting the BBQ wings
at the rehearsal dinner. They are hoping for leftovers.

Rehearsal

Sisters' picture after the wedding.

Amanda, Donna, & Jessica just before the wedding.

Crystal's family

Joe's family

The wedding party

One of Joe's favorites--BBQ wings

Sunday morning we ate at Cracker Barrel before the Indianans left. Scott pulling up
directions to find another way home and not pay the tolls.

One of these things is not like the other. One of these things doesn't belong.
Which one is different?

Time to get out of here! Love the oreo heart.

Couldn't resist this picture. Tim is "resting" while waiting for the wedding to begin.
Yes, the picture is turned the right way.
Tim, try to contain your excitement! No one to talk to?

It was a great day!