The Day After

Jane, Brittany and Chris at the Milwaukee Museum

Jane had to leave Monday after lunch, but we still had time to visit the Boerner Botanical Garden with Sharon, Brittany and John.

More

Brian, Chris, Frank and Donald

Facing front are Joyce, Mary T, Peggy, Mary Alice, John and Paul, blocked ore turned are Allison, Sharon and Beth.

This is Allison and Cassidy

Even More

Here are Jason, Brian, Donald and Frank with Allison, John and their children Tabitha and Cassidy.

Peggy and Beth

Matthew and Chris

Pete & Chris

Chris & Pete at the Loft

More

Below are John, Peggy, Pete, Mary and Paul

And there were children too, below are Nate, holding Lydia, Colin holding Riley, TJ and Alana. There were more, but...

40th Anniversary Party & Reunion

It was fun and we all seemed to have a great time. Of course we really don't see each other often enough. Below are some pictures from the week-end.

First we have a group photo of the family. It was a lot like herding cats and I m not sure everyone made it into this photo, but not for lack of effort if your find you were there but not here!

Here is the immediate family. For those who are not sure who that might be, by row, from left to right:
Jane, Chris, Pete, Bo, -- moving down a row Lydia in Melanie's arms, Mel, Kelly and Matt, and moving even farther down is Colin and Nate

Another family group, with the Nemeth clan, again left to right, Donald, Frank, Chris, Brian and Jason.

A HERO'S RETURN

At long last, after a total of fifteen months deployed, Matthew has returned home, safely and in good health.
We had a long wait on Sunday July 22nd, but the day was pleasant and warm. We all ended up a bit sunburned, but it was worth it.
Along with me were Chris and Kelly and Bob and Karen (Kelly's parents). We got to the arrival location at about 10 in the morning expecting a big crowd, we were not disappointed. The soldiers were due in at 1:00 PM, but did not arrive until nearly 3:00.
Below are a few highlights of the event.

THE BRASS ARRIVETHE CROWD IS WAITING

KELLY AND CHRIS WAIT TOO

MATT FINALLY ARRIVES

AND WE ALL CELEBRATE
LEFT TO RIGHT IS ME, CHRIS, BOB, KAREN, KELLY AND MATT

Not Much New

Wow, it has been a few weeks since I posted anything. The truth is there is not much new. We have been busy doing yard work and helping with the painting of Matt & Kelly's condo. Otherwise it has been really too hot to do more than a couple hours outside before you want to faint from the heat.
Here is a picture of or house as it looks now.

Father's Day 2007

Father's day was very relaxing this year. Chris & I took a short trip to Freeport, IL, a small city in NW Illinois. We stayed in a Hampton Inn, it was a Hampton Inn unlike any I have been in before, the best I have ever been in. Freeport on the week-end is pretty much vacant so we had the hotel and streets just about to ourselves. There is nothing to do, but relax and that was the point of the trip. We came home relaxed and rested. Below are a couple pictures I took there.


This picture is Logan & me resting in our room.


This is a Civil War Monument in Freeport. There is on octagon on each side, 3 have a list where they fought, the fourth a bit of the history. There are bronze plaques around listing the servicemen lost.
This is a shot of the Hampton and you can see the monument to the left of the building.

This is the Lincoln-Douglas building about a block from the hotel.
And this is just one of the downtown buildings.

Mom's Duty to the Country

Ever concerned for those serving in the military, Chris baked a few cookies to be sent.
Henri, our sommelier is drowning as the pile is so high.
However, these have already been packed and will be winging their way to Kuwait.
Matt keep an eye on the Post Office.

More of the visit

Of course company means "Good Eats" as Alton Brown would say.

Chris really enjoys her grill.And even better we always enjoy the goodies that come off the grill!

Of course there was time to relax and survey the yard.
Logan is pointing out the highlights and telling them where not to step.

Bob & Ann come to town

Bob and Ann Foley were in town. Here they are along with Chris and Logan. Logan in a overt gesture of friendliness managed to tie Bob up in his chair. It took all three of them to de-tangle Bob. The next day Bob was more careful of where he sat and Logan could not encircle him with his line.

Here is Ann, enjoying her wine and counting her fingers.
They were all there!

Kelly was able to join us for dinner on Saturday evening. We always enjoy her company as did the Foleys. It will be nice when Matt can join her, it is just a few weeks now!

Kelly again thinking of Matt I am sure.

Finally a picture

Okay, so it took a few days, but here are two of Chris & me on our anniversary.

40 Years: June 3, 1967 to 2007

[A picture or two are coming I just haven't brought the memory chip to the computer yet.]


We cannot believe we have been married 40 years. The time has gone by so quickly. It is odd that when it is before you that it seems like such a long long time, but once it has passed the past is compressed into a very short view. We celebrated the day rather quietly. Had breakfast and lunch at home, read the paper and some other reading, watched Samantha Brown (Travel Channel) as she traveled around. We did go out for dinner to the local Olive Garden. Of course the big event is planned for August when all the kids can be here and we hope that many of the rest of our family and friends will be able to make it. We already know of several who will be here.

More from Mother's Day 2007

Mom and her new grill. She was grilling us steak for dinner.

From Mel & Family, Mom and one of her new salad dressing bottles. This one has the stirrer built in.

Roses and a SPA gift certificate from Matt & Kelly

Happy Mother's Day

While all the kids remembered Mom this Mother's Day I have posted pictures of Matt & Kelly's and Melanie's floral gifts from the previous holidays. This time we see Jane's gift. I would like to post more, but "Blogger" objects. However, Mom was very pleased with all of her gifts. Matthew was even able to make a phone call to wish her a Happy Mother's Day.

On another note, Matt's time is getting short, but that does not mean it is getting easier for him. He has EXTREMELY limited access to the Internet or to the phone, so do not feel as if he is ignoring you if you don't get email replies. As you might guess he finds it rather frustrating. Please remember him and it seems that he can still get snail mail even if his email is limited to non-existent. Notes, cards and letters of support are always appreciated.
As far as we know you can still use:
SPC Matthew Mulholland
HHC 1-121 FA
APO, AE 09317

40 years ago

Cleaning up and going through those piles and files you need to thin and you come along with some wonderful treasures. Here is a picture from 1967 of 4 of the people who I loved and had a great influence on my life as I grew up. For those who don't know them, facing the camera from left to right are my aunt Margaret (Dad's sister), my Grandmother "Pearl" Hogarth (Dad's Mom), my Grandmother Dora Stafford (Mom's Mom), and my aunt Eleanor (Mom's sister). I am not sure what the function was as I cannot identify any of the folks in the background and neither could Chris. Looking very closely in front of aunt Ellie is a cup, a pack of cigarettes and what looks like a bingo card??
This brought back some very fond memories of these wonderful ladies!!

Spring Is Really Here

At long last we have finally been having some spring weather. The first picture is a plant Mel & Family sent us for Easter. Initially we (jokingly) referred to it as the bucket of dirt, as it was a dry basket, full with dirt and a couple of nubs peeking through the surface. But, it said to water it and it would come to life. As you see it did, with one of Chris' favorite spring flowers, Lilly of the Valley.

Another spring achievement, we have finally conquered the squirrels as evidenced by the full planter below. Although we enjoy their crazy antics all year long we did not appreciate their bulb eating. For those who have battled squirrels yourself the magic ingredient is about 3 inches below the soil surface and just above the top of the bulbs, chicken wire. The bulbs grow through and the pesky grey creatures find an annoying barrier to their treats, not that they did not try as evidenced by the holes we found in the dirt that they had left behind in their attempt to retrieve a snack.

Here is another view of the tulips, they look really good, almost good enough to eat, NOT!