Family Week (Aug.15-22)

Our fun family week started off on Friday evening when Robyn and her 3 youngest showed up around 6 p.m. They were followed by Daryl and Anna-Christina after midnight as he couldn't leave until he finished working. Saturday was spent together doing last minute work, but mostly just enjoying our time together again. Because of my heart attack in June, we really haven't had a lot of time together this summer--at least not like usual. So, it was nice their family could arrive early. Sat. evening Kirk, Karla, Jose and Kim came together as they had met up in Mpls. Fortunately, we had the camper to set up and the Schantz's slept in there all week.

Sunday after morning church services we returned home and were only here a short while when the Slaubaugh 6 showed up. Thanks to L. Weaver for coming over then and taking our family photo! Eighteen people (+ one tiny unseen one), makes for tons of laughter and fun! Sometimes Merle and I just looked at each other in amazement. For myself, I just shake my head and find it incredible that we are the "oldies" of the whole bunch.

I won't bore you with all the details of each day, but here is a run down of some of our activities, meals, etc. Our 4 girls did the cooking and our 4 sons did a lot of the cleaning up after meals. The meal that they were scheduled to do, they provided the groceries for as well. Thanks to all!

We celebrated Rhonda's birthday at Rahill Beach with some of Matthew's family. The kids loved the swimming part as much as the eating part as it was a hot summer day. The guys helped Merle at the car wash and worked hard one morning. Some of the group got up early to go fishing and came home with enough to feed the whole group both times. One favorite meal is fish tacos and the girls did a superb job of making them. One day we went to Kinsman Beach to play! There was water skiing, knee boarding, swimming, and making mermaids. Uncle Jose came along after I'd buried a granddaughter up to her chin in the sand, and formed a tail at her feet like a mermaid. Of course, all of them wanted the experience when they saw how cool that was!

A highlight of the little girls week was going to Rhoda's in Ear Falls for a real lawn tea party. She went all out and made it very special for all of us. First we all dressed up in her dress up clothes, jewelry, shoes, etc. before going outside to where she had tables set up. Her friend helped her bring out 4 courses, each very dainty and each very tasty! Her lawn and flowers made it so perfect for the absolutely beautiful day together. She had china tea cups and saucers for everyone and said even the 2 year old should use it and not to worry if it breaks. The little girls were not disappointed when she brought out her duck made of fruit! Each of us had our own tail feather to eat made of assorted fresh fruit on a skewer.

Then there was time for walks, talks, going through clothes (maternity and baby), kids playing piano, treasure hunt, water gun and sprinkler fun and many other fun times. It went by way too fast to suit me, but I did have to admit that when the last ones left the quiet house seemed o.k. again. It made it easier to say good-bye knowing we all plan to get together in KS between Christmas and New Year's and also because of Rhonda's family living here in R.L. for awhile.

I am doing really good with the heart problems as it seems to be managed with the aspirin and ramipril. And with walking and not over doing my working and/or other activities. My good news is that I have an appointment with a cardiologist on 25 Sept. in Winnipeg.

O.K., I'll post a few pictures and let you get on with your lives:)