Filling In Some Spaces...

This last week I finished the Blog entries about our two week trip to Utah. Other things happened during this time and during the week I spent posting about the trip. This Blog entry is to catch all those extra things up.

Thursday, July 30th, while we were in Utah, we received these pictures of our Hayden at Oldham County High School Band Camp. They were to practice outside but Kentucky experienced lots of pouring rain while we were in Utah. Mr. Rogers, the band teacher, had classrooms designated and spots set for each student so that, when the rain started, they went inside to their spot and practiced there. Please note the covering over the end of Hayden's baritone. They put shoe covers over the brass intruments. Over the flutes they put baby mitts. They staying in pods, or groups by sections of the band. Only on the last day when they were outside and socially distanced did they practice as a complete band. This was handled very well. Hayden was extremely happy to be back playing with the band.

Katelyn sent us this picture of the girls. Love these expressions. Love Emelia's enormous bow in her hair.

Tuesday, August 4th, while we were exploring the Tetons and Yellowstone and I was sending text pictures to our kids, Katelyn sent us this picture of the girls ready for their trip out west.

Wednesday, August 5th, we received this very happy picture of our Emelia. She was at the doctor for her 15 month check. Emelia had trouble with her little heart when she was born and a strange squeek in her throat. She had surgery on her throat. They waited to see how she developed a bit before they would do surgery on her heart. This check up Emelia measured where she needed to be, her iron levels were perfect and she was pronounced awesome...but then we knew that!!

Monday, August 10th, I mailed Papa pictures of his three daughters and their spouses. Since I can't visit him, I can't tell you how he enjoyed these pictures. But as his daughter and caregiver for years now I am sure he was one very happy man. My sisters each took a selfie with their hubbies in August and sent it to me. The picture of me and Claude was taken on our 50th anniversary by the server at the restaurant on February 13th. The first picture is Sandi and Claude Christensen. The second picture is Junie and Steve Gulbrandsen. The last picture is Mike and Neffie Hurst. That puts us in birth order. Happy to have these for my records as well.

Tuesday, August 11th, I received a telephone call from Aubrey Anne, our granddaughter. She let me know she had decided to marry a young man from her teen years. His name is Jack Gould. More on this over the next few weeks.

Wednesday, August 12th, we received word that Herb Archer had passed away. Herb lives in Eagle Bend where we live. He actually built our home. After we closed on our home, it was about a month before we could move from Maryland to Kentucky. Herb cut our grass for us until we could get there. Then loaned us a lawn mower until we could buy one in Kentucky. We didn't use one in Maryland. We had an empy lot next to our home and thought we might like to buy it so it would stay empty while we lived here. One morning we went out our front door and the For Sale sign was down on the lot. Later that day we saw Herb and he explained that he layed it on the ground since he was sure we didn't want anyone else to make an offer on it. Our home had an unfinished basement. We knew this was something we could finish ourselves over time. Herb said he would make an offer on doing the work. We showed him what we were thinking and he gave us a bid. It was lower than I expected. Herb looked at me and said, "Sandi, I can charge you more money if you want." We all laughed and accepted Herb's bid. He finished the basement on the house he built. Herb was on the City Commission in Sadieville and was having some health issues. He knew Claude was attending all the City Commission meetings. He came over and explained his situation and that he really couldn't finish out his term. He wanted to resign but wanted someone good to take his place. He wondered if Claude would like to try his hand at being a City Commissioner. Claude said he really would. Herb resigned and gave the Mayor and City Commission Claude's name to finish his term. They voted Claude in and that was the beginning of Claude being a City Commissioner, then Mayor Pro-tem, then Mayor for about 10 years. Charlotte, Herb's wife, and I both participated in the Countryside Homemakers. We have very much appreciated and enjoyed the friendship of these two good people and will miss Herb a lot. Our hearts ache for Charlotte. 

Thursday, August 13th, and Friday, August 14th, we had two family events. Michael Marx, our son-in-law, had his birthday on the 13th. The Ropers had their anniversary on the 14th. 

Friday, August 14th, we attended a wedding reception in Georgetown in the back yard of friends. Claude and I were the only two that showed up in a masks. The groom's father did place masks in cellophane on the greeting table for those who wanted. Apparently, no one wanted. 

The meme's referencing Covid-19 have slowed down a bit. But these two did give me a chuckle over the last couple of weeks.

Katelyn also sent this cute picture of Emelia. I believe she is wearing a Winnie the Pooh hat.

There has always been a bit of wonder about this little one's facial features. Raelyn, her older sister, came into this world looking every bit like her father. There was no question at all who the father was. Emelia came with dark curly hair. Totally the opposite of Raelyn. Katelyn has, on more than one occasion, stated emphatically that Drew was Emelia's father. I saw this picture and went to my pictures and found these two picture of Katelyn when she was little. I do believe Emelia is a lot like Katelyn as a baby. 

And here is a picture of Emelia with her mom taken this last week.

We have a new by-pass being completed in Georgetown. We have watched the work and wondered how they were going to make the old road from Hwy 25 to I-70 work. They created an entire new road. Well, while we were gone they connected the new road and are now dismanteling the old road. This is what we have.

We have been home from our drive through the west for a little over a week. It has been full of ups and downs emotionally. But I got the trip in my Blog and all those pictures sorted and labeled. We have had a good week. Let's see what we can fill up the next week with!!