20 Aug Emma: Mom’s Birthday Celebration

My Mom’s birthday is August 10th, so we decided it was a very good reason to celebrate. It had been a while since we were all together – I think it was in December when my Dad passed away – and nine months is a long time. I can’t believe it’s been that long since he’s been gone. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday he was here. We have to keep our heads high and remember that we will see him again some day.

For Mom’s birthday my sisters and I had made a plan that we would not make Mom cook all day. We slept in a little, had a late breakfast of French toast and bacon, and then went to the Gregory Park where the kids could play and we could all sit under the gazebo and talk.We bought a pink ping piñata and watched the kids try to get the candy out, but I think we probably had more fun watching them than they had getting the candy.

For supper we had Grandma Clara’s homemade baked beans, hot dogs, homemade saurkraut, chips and salsa, and ramen noodle salad. Verena outdid herself with homemade pecan pie and it was a cooperative effort to make the homemade ice cream that I mentioned in an earlier post.

I think Mom not only loved the food – but loved the fact that she didn’t have to make any of it!

Mom and all of her grand-kids. (L to R) Clara, Christoph, Will, Sarina, Spencer, Zach, (bottom) Martha, Lauren, Alexander, Sara, Mom or Granny!, Evie, Elizabeth and Leslie

This, as you can obviously tell, was a FULL HOUSE! (L to R) me, Evie, Katie, Tim, Will, Dan, Spencer, Verena, Sara, Christoph, David, Zach, Liz, Marie, (bottom) Clara, Lauren, Sarina, Granny-Mom, Elizabeth, Martha, Alexander, and Leslie… (ha ha breathe) There are a LOT of us!

Happy Birthday, Mom. I wouldn’t trade you in for the world. You’re my favorite!

Be safe and God bless!

Emma can be reached at emma@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard 2011 is sponsored by High Plains Journal and DuPont Crop Protection.