MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009!

May the Peace of the Lord be with you all as you enjoy the holiday with your loved ones!

Schify Wins the 135# Carmel Tourney!

It was cold and snowy outside, but ERIC was ON FIRE inside while he cruised through his weight class at the Carmel Invite to WIN the 135#! Check out the video (Kevie is NOT a professional videographer - obviously)! Congrats ERIC!

Holiday Happenings

The recent frigid temperatures (single digits!) and snow flurries set us into "Holiday" motion the last few days. Tree is up and decorated, cards are almost complete, cookies have been baked (being given away rather than consumed by this WW blogger), and a good start has been made to the procurement of gifts! If you stop by for a visit, the evergreen aroma is present with the sounds of Christmas playing in the background. By Saturday our family will be under one roof just in time for Christmas! We wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday!

LEO MILLIE (hoping for a cookie!)

Happy December!

Hope you are feeling the spirit of the season as you make your way through this December!

A Day of Thanks 2009

A quiet, yet enjoyable meal was shared here with just the four of us and the three local Ransfords. Hope you all enjoyed the day with loved ones as well. Here are just a few shots of the bird....sisters...grandparents enjoying their grandkids...and finally, a snapshot of my parents on their 59th Thanksgiving together. WOW!

THANKSGIVING!

Ole' Oaken Bucket 2009: PU Wins!

As I ponder the word THANKSGIVING, I consider just this past weekend, and am amazed of all the things of which I am thankful!

-Kevin arriving home safely from his travels, and getting him all to ourselves for a whole weekend!

-Seeing Eric spend good times with his dad and grandpa.

-The warm, sunny, November skies!

-GREAT FRIENDS whether they are fellow Boilermakers, or NOT.

-Great Chili as prepared by a wonderful hostess, ARLENE!

-Happy, fun-loving, dynamic, thoughtful, caring, and loyal YOUTH: friends of my daughter.

-First English Lutheran Church in Richmond, IN for always showing us a loving welcome.

-Starkey Park, a hidden gem!

-The whole family (yes, Eric too) is thankful that Sarah will be home in less than 24 hours!!

Thanks you all for such a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

COLTS 35 NE 34 !!!!!!

Feeling exhausted this afternoon? But not minding it if watching the game last night is the reason! That's Leo in his favorite signed Dwight Freeney #93 hat celebrating the win over Belichick's Brady, Moss, and crew. How sweet was it when the famed coach decided it didn't matter WHERE Peyton got the ball with less than 2 minutes remaining- that he knew he would be able score IF he even got the chance!! GO COLTS!!!

Harvest Season in Indiana

The three semi-trucks lined up along the corn fields west of our house meant only one thing....the combines are coming- the combines are coming! The harvest always seems to be exciting, even though we are not directly involved. Whether it's the awe of the powerful equipment, the group of farmers all working together, or just the passing of a season, the harvest always lifts our spirits and brings an extra bounce to our steps. Hope you can "enjoy the harvest" wherever you may be!

November Already?

November 1st always means one thing....time to help Grandpa take the boat out again....seems like we just yesterday we watched him glide it in and expertly put in in the slip.

With the days becoming shorter....I thought I ought to take advantage of the sunshine and snap a few photos.....and I am always spending as much time as possible riding through the bean fields. (Those that have

been harvested...unlike the

adjacent fields to the East, South, and West of us....come on guys, get the combine going!!)

Here's a shout out to Sarah for surviving her first round of midterms/essays and passing with flying colors! Yes, this is a PPP (proud parent post), according to Kurt Kroemer, but sometimes it must be publically proclaimed! Keep up the GREAT work, daughter!

We love you!

RIP - Shirlee Feltes 1921 - 2009

Energetic, big-hearted, spry, lively communicator, colorful, (especially PURPLE) hard working, loyal and loving...to name a few of the personality traits Kevin's grandma, aka GG, possessed. As warm memories play in our minds, our hearts are heavy as we grasp the realization that she is gone. I am sure she has kicked her heels up as she reunites with her loved ones in heaven. Her loved ones here will carry with them the loving imprint she made on us over the years we enjoyed her company. We will always think of her fondly, especially when wearing purple.

Three Generations

Had a lovely visit with Sarah in Boston this weekend. She was happy that we came, and especially that we brought Grandma R with us too. Had fun getting to know her roommate Stephanie. (Yeah for the IWFL!) We enjoyed burgers in Cambridge, and great Italian at G'Vanni's in the North End, worshiping in Teele Square, and all the campus activities in between! We love our Sarareeee!! Thanks for being gracious hostesses!

Remembering Rosemary

This morning as I headed down to the barn, I noticed many cars in my late neighbor's yard, and realized today was the Auction Day. Ugh. Knowing that my pack rat son's "Imaginatarium" would appreciate some additions, I woke him up, and we headed across the road. The scene was reminiscent of ants crawling over a discarded food container. I was happy that many of the oil paintings done by Rosemary's mother, who painted prolifically until her passing at 102 yrs old, went to friends and neighbors. I did pick up a few little trinkets that reminded me of the many times we were her "received" visitors. Eric enjoyed exploring the barn built in 1850 that housed a remarkable antique Studebaker Carriage. (See photos) I am glad the auction was held in the month of October - Rosemary's favorite time of year- fall colors, harvest, and Halloween! This day was a good reminder that we are just passing through this world, and we should live each day to its fullest. So with that in mind I'm going to enjoy the sunshine and get some exercise!

OCTOBER brings with it some of my favorite things!

Crisp fresh air, the sounds of combines in the field, pumpkins and mums brightening entry ways, warm blankets for football game viewing comfort, new episodes of favorite sitcoms, minnie chocolate bars EVERYWHERE, an amazing array of colors sparkling in a single tree....just to name a few. What do you love about the season?

Here are some October shots from the present and the past.....

Eric winning the Championship...Speckles - our short-lived crazy dog...the combines running after dark....

and our wacky dear friends - The Kroemers!

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!

Happy Birthday Linda!

Which day what day what do you say, BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday to you!

Hope you have a FABULOUS DAY!

Happy Birthday to Us!

One of the Ransford sister's fondest childhood memories is their mom's chocolate ice water cake with thick buttercream frosting made lovingly each year for their birthdays. Even decades post childhood (yes...I did say decades) it is always thrilling to have a slice (or two or three...) of this cake. Let's just say I have even figured out how to manage to eat this cake AND stick with Weightwatchers.....who really needs to eat real food everyday anyway?? So this weekend I get to visit my sister during our shared birthday week....sans mom's cake...but we will make up for it at Christmas! Enjoy some photos of us "through the years":Which day what day what do you say....BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday to US!!

Parental Right of Passage

The deed is done....had been anticipating it for a loooong time, and on Wednesday the day had finally come. We said our tearful goodbyes and left our first born 973 miles from the only place she has ever lived. Her new home is located in the historical and vibrant city of Boston- a great place for loved ones to visit(HINT HINT). While her dad and I sniffled our way into the car, she literally SKIPPED away from the vehicle, turned and gave us a smiling farewell wave. She is in the right place for sure! For eighteen years she has filled our hearts with laughter, love, and pride. We are certain that while she has expanded her wings, she will continue to impact us in her usual spectacular way. Below are a few pictures her "paparazzi" mom shot during the drop.