summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Monday, October 11, 2021

Florida for Halloween? a weekend on a lake? yes to both!

 This coming weekend, I am going bye bye!  It's exciting enough to be going to a house on a lake for a long weekend, but I am going with three of my very best-est friends!  Emily, Abigail, and Mariel so graciously invited me to go along with them!  Plus, some of our dear dear friends from Ohio will be going too, the house/cabin is meeting-in-the-middle!  (one of my friends is from a family of 17 kids, yes she grew up with 16 siblings, it's so interesting to hear her perspectives on things!)

So we'll be going exploring, and there might be a winery or two involved!

...and, Florida for a long weekend, Halloween.  The kids here are all very busy that weekend, so it seemed like a good time to go see Grandma, just Paul and I.

We had an excellent weekend at our couples' conference...

Eight of our kids worked in the kitchen at some point or other over the weekend, with Emily being the chief cook and menu planner.

Emily with Jonathan...the meal on Friday night, for 140 people was roast beef and gravy with mashed potatoes, roasted Brussel sprouts with butternut squash, and rolls...with apple crisp and whipped cream for dessert (made by Camille!)
Benjamin and Sonja, still smiling!
Emily and I and a glimpse of those donuts!  (I didn't have any, they make me feel lousy, and I know this, but I did admire them!)
In front here, friend Amanda, and Charlotte...then in the back, Mariel, Camille, Jonathan, friend Noel at the stove with Emily, then Sonja K., all smiley.

The theme in the kitchen was happy.  Emily runs a good kitchen...meals for 270 on Saturday, and wow, those kids worked hard.  There was lots of other help for serving, cleaning up, ect., but these guys were in the kitchen all day long plus most of Friday.  Em has the talent for working with the kids in such a good way, they really had a lot of fun.

We also had a fantastic time, so encouraging and fun, so good to see our Canadian friends...they aren't allowed to drive into the U.S., so a hundred or so of them chartered a plane, flew to Montreal, to Abany, and then to Syracuse...instead of driving less than four hours from Ottowa.  Some flew from Winnipeg, too.  It was so good to see them, it's been almost two years.  My sister met one of her grandsons for the first time.
my sister Cheryl...

Cheryl and her husband Bill.

Some of Saturday's desserts...there were also brownies.

Anyway, I am distracted BIG TIME.  It's a day off from school, Christopher Columbus  Day, now known as Indian Day, cancel me.  The girls are home from school, and we are going on an adventure, whenever mom gets off her computer!


5 comments:

Michelle said...

Those donuts and the cheesecake look so yummy!

Terri D said...

I saw on my blog that you are going to be just 30 minutes from me when you come to Florida. I know time is precious but if there is any hint of getting in a hug in person, I will gladly drive to you!! Just let me know. I love meeting blogging friends in person! My email is jtdorsaneo@gmail.com All of that food looks delicious - especially the cheesecake!

16 blessings'mom said...

Michelle, I did not even taste any, but I did have two bites of Paul's brownie...don't think me virtuous though, I had two slices of bread from the same bakery...mmmm! (I have to pick my poison ha!)
Terri, I will keep in touch about a visit, I would love it. My husband isn't as social as me, so we'll see what he thinks:). (Don't get me wrong, he's a super nice guy, just a bit more shy)

Billie Jo said...

What a wonderful family you are raising, my friend! Your upcoming trips sound lovely! Enjoy every moment. I am the same with donuts. They look good. And I always want one. But one isn't enough and then I eat two. And then I feel...ugh. Anyway, hope you had a nice day. No day off for homeschool! We take plenty others!!! : )

Unknown said...

Hi Della………..looks and sounds as though everything went well on the weekend. Emily is amazing, but she learned from the best!! It will be fun to getaway with your girls too, and then off to see grandma. She will be happy I’m sure! Have a great day! 😊

Marilyn from Canada 🇨🇦