Dave and Kristi

A Tribute To Our Mothers

2009-06-01T17:45:00.005-05:00

There is a time in our life that our Mother is our whole world. They willingly sacrifice everything for us to put our needs first. As we grow older our relationship changes and we are quite independent and not so sure that our Mother knows everything! When we have our own children our appreciation of our Mother takes a new giant leap- for the first time we realize what raising us really meant. Then there is a period of time when we are fairly equal and enjoy spending time and even vacations with our Mother. As they become elderly and frail in mind or body or both we become their parent. It is not something we would choose and it is difficult to accept for both parties. We end up making choices for them when they can no longer choose for themselves. Sometimes it takes a great effort to go see them because it saddens us and makes us grieve for what they have lost and what we have lost. But the excited smile on their face when they see us and their simple pleasure in our company makes it all worth it. So this past weekend was spent with both our Mothers at separate times. My Mother is frail in mind more than body but really enjoyed her time at the zoo with both daughters. Dave's Mother is much younger and not frail yet but doesn't live nearby and is lonely at times. So if you still have your Mother tell her how much you love and appreciate her!

Two special girls

2009-03-24T17:30:00.004-05:00

Six years ago this month two special girls came into our lives ( along with their parents). When they came from India it was only to be for 12-18 months. We are very pleased that they have never left! Apoorva was 6 and Amoolya was only 8 weeks.

Pheasant Hunting

2009-03-21T13:45:00.003-05:00

Tristan and I went pheasant hunting with my friend Nick and his Dad. We ended up with 11 birds. This was Tristan's first time hunting pheasants. Last time I went was probably 25 years ago!

Spring Break

2009-03-19T19:52:00.005-05:00

Tristan is home for spring break. We love having him home! He cooked us an awesome meal tonight: Marinated seared ahi tuna steaks with dipping sauce, asian rice, garlic roasted green beans, sparkling grape juice.

Chef Tristan
It was even better than it looks...
Tristan after a day spent pounding the pavement in downtown Milwaukee in search of a summer internship. They really should hire him just for how good he looks.
Tristan definitely understands the "break" part of spring break! This was one of his 2 hour naps after 12 hours of sleep! His schedule at school is so grueling that we love spoiling him and letting him sleep.

MONDAY

2009-03-09T18:35:00.002-05:00

It is still winter- will spring ever come? This is the picture above our bed, It is what I dream about- summer and the beach!

We had a cultural evening on Friday... Gene and Sharon O. invited a bunch of their friends over for a light supper. Gene had us all sing many golden oldies from before my time! I guess I am not so old after all:) Then we went to a barbershop quartet performance. I wasn't too sure about going but I am so social I had to go. Actually I was pretty amazed and impressed! Saturday we were in Illinois ( Dave's old stamp'n grounds) for the funeral of a faithful man. He died very unexpectedly at the age of 60. It is a good reminder that life is very fragile and uncertain. Sunday was 2 meetings and then out to eat with good friends and some good laughs!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

2009-03-02T21:17:00.012-06:00

We celebrated my 29th birthday once again! We met the kids at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells for the weekend. We stayed in a great condo and the water parks were fun but there were more people than there was water! Younguk, Hyesoo, Minzie and Minah joined us on Saturday for the day. It was wonderful to spend time with family. We really are enjoying our adult children and we are glad they seem to be enjoying us also! Tristan had his usual 36 hour weekend but Shane and Nikelle were able to spend all three nights with us.

Minzie is fascinated with phones and carried on a lengthy one sided conversation.....
Beautiful Minah Grace with her wild hair!
The birthday "girl" and the "kids".
The rest of the group getting ready to feast on Dave's famous spaghetti.
Sunday we ate at Moosejaw and Shane interacted with the moose??!!

FRIDAY FONDUE NIGHT

2009-02-21T11:07:00.008-06:00

We hosted fondue night and we had a leisurely dining experience with tasty food, good friends, and lively conversation. First course was a spring mix salad with blackberries, sugared almonds, and raspberry dressing. Second course was cheese fondue with dippers: bread cubes, cauliflower, and apple chunks. Third course was Coq Au Vin fondue with steak, shrimp, and pork. Last but definitely not least was chocolate fondue. YUM!
Shanna and Todd

Amanda and Ananth

Anders and Joyce indulging in chocolate fondue with strawberries,bananas,pineapple,pound cake and cheesecake.
The host and hostess.

Bling Bling

2009-02-21T10:28:00.002-06:00

Many of you readers probably think that Dave and I are all alone since Shane got married and Tristan is at college most of the time.... but no! We still have Bling Bling. Nearly 8 years ago we agreed that Tristan could get yet one more pet. So Bling Bling entered our lives. Well he is still with us and although we were not terribly thrilled when Tristan left for college without his rabbit.... we are now quite bonded with the little rascal who likes to pull up carpet strands and goes bonkers over yogurt drops.

JANUARY HAPPENINGS

2009-02-15T12:05:00.009-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Ananth 25 Mason 1 Amoolya 6

We took a trip to Iowa to see our college boy Tristan. We had some good family time since Shane and Nikelle met us there. Thanks to our friends Craig and Lani for all their wonderful hospitality.
Gavyn and Kekoa before meeting.

Sunday dinner. Nikelle, Kristi, Kekoa, Lani and Gavyn. Craig was working keeping the crime under control...
Feeding the hungry college boys! And Shane who is finally not in school (for now anyway).
Perry, Erwin, Gaylen, Charles, and Darin. We had to say good bye to Gaylen and Darin since they headed to Louisiana to help the folks down there. We appreciate all the wonderful help they have been to us. Erwin has returned from 45 years in the Phillipines and we are so glad to have him. Charles V. came from Georgia to fill a need here in WI- thanks Georgia!

To my critics!!

2009-02-14T22:22:00.002-06:00

For all of you who have harassed me about never updating my blog.... well I am not quite caught up but I really must get to bed. More later.....

BEAUTY IN WINTER

2009-02-14T22:17:00.004-06:00

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

2009-02-14T21:43:00.017-06:00

We stayed home over the holidays and had some lazy days and some very busy days. Just good to have the family around us...

Tristan enjoying doing nothing after slaving away all semester in his architecture program.

Grandma and her grandkids.
Mother and daughter.

Shane and Nikelle making dipped pretzel rods.
New Years Eve at our house. Happy 21st Birthday Tristan!
Meika- the youngest partygoer.

Everything is hilarious at 4 AM. A hardy few stayed with us into the wee hours.
We get to meet Minah Grace on New Year's Day
One of our favorite families.
Good friends make the occasion special.
Anna,Christine and Nikelle.
Minzie and her horse Tristan!

DECEMBER IN FLORIDA

2009-02-14T21:19:00.010-06:00

In December Dave went to Orlando, FL for his work and I went along. We stayed at a very nice hotel and while Dave worked I relaxed! We even got to go deep sea fishing near Cape Canaveral.

NOVEMBER IN CALIFORNIA

2009-02-14T20:50:00.011-06:00

In November we went to California with Randy and Cathy. They very graciously shared their time share with us. Since Shane provided us with a wonderful daughter when he married Nikelle.... we have new friends to travel with too! Randy and Brenda met us in CA and stayed with their friends Ron and Terri. Ron and Terri were gracious tour guides...

The view from our balcony.
We took the ferry to Catalina Island for the day.
Cathy apparently owns a business on the island.
Catalina Island harbor

Randy and Cathy

JAMAICA

2009-02-14T20:13:00.013-06:00

Our Jamaica traveling companions..... A great vacation is all about location, weather and good friends. We were fortunate to have all of these on our trip!

Peggy and the guys!
Gary and Ellen
Dave and Bonnie
Richard and Barb
Dave and Shirley with Anders and Joyce
Anders and Joyce
Wayne and Marilyn
Randy and Brenda
George and Debbie

All tanned and happy in Jamaica!

JAMAICA

2009-02-14T19:55:00.009-06:00

We had a wonderful trip to Jamaica at the end of Jan and beginning of Feb to The Grand Palladium in Lucea. Wonderful weather with even more wonderful friends!

Our beautiful view every day at lunch.
Sunset Cove- a peaceful beach.

The last night in Jamaica.......

Free Lunch!

2008-12-24T09:40:00.003-06:00

Another 3-5" today...

DAVE WON AT CANDYLAND!!!!

2008-11-28T22:38:00.005-06:00

Nikelle had NEVER played Candyland in her deprived childhood and Shane was frustrated from losing Wizard by 300 points! So, we decided to play Candyland, a game I always made sure he or Tristan won when they were little! Dave was embarrassed to even play and then he SMOKED us! Evidence below:

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-11-28T22:22:00.005-06:00

Subnote: Nikelle updated the blog, but she showed me how to do it now, so I might remember to update! Don't hold your breath!

??

2008-11-17T19:53:00.000-06:00

When is Kristi ever going to update this blog thing?

GO Brewers!!

2008-09-28T17:03:00.003-05:00

play off: a series of games played after the end of the regular season to determine a championship

Last time the Brewers were in the playoffs: 1982!
* Kristi and I were married just one year
* Shane was T-2 years!
* Tristan was T-5 years!
* Ronald Reagan was president!

Glenwood Springs

2008-08-09T21:09:00.004-05:00

On Monday after Shane's wedding we drove to Glenwood Springs and hiked up to Hanging Lake. Monday night.. we went to the 1 million gallon Natural Springs pool. Tuesday morning we went rafting on the Colorado river then drove back to Denver and flew home Tues. night.

Shane & Nikelle's wedding

2008-08-09T09:47:00.002-05:00

Nikelle's Shower

2008-08-09T09:29:00.004-05:00

Summer 08

2008-08-09T09:18:00.004-05:00

Shane, Tristan, Kristi, Dave went to Door County for a couple days in late June...

Kristi's Flowers:
Family pix... Kevin here to move Keith to Florida.

Shane's Graduation

2008-08-09T09:11:00.004-05:00

Shane graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree in nursing... He is now working at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in the Heart ICU..

Delinquent blog keepers

2008-06-11T22:13:00.002-05:00

Soooo.... we have had complaints about our blog being out of date. Dave thinks I should learn how to update it! He is the one who started it so what is that all about anyway? Well, I will try to figure this all out and add new photos someday- be patient.

march

2008-03-18T22:25:00.004-05:00

hllo vryon. hat's n at th garnrs? I spilld coff on th laptop and no som of th lttrs don't ork. spcifically, its th lttrs that com aftr d, v, &p... Kristi is not vry happy ith m , but it as lik th only ay I could think of to convinc hr should gt a n Mac, ha...

Snow!

2008-02-06T20:56:00.001-06:00

A little snow fell today! Maybe 14-15 inches since last night.

Our Trip to India

2008-02-06T17:29:00.000-06:00

I think I just figured out a way to do this.... This is MUCH easier.... Especially for a large number of photos.

Click on link, then view as slideshow. (I reduced the resolution of pix to speed download time, so some might be 'fuzzy'..)

http://picasaweb.google.com/daveandkristi/India

Leaving for India

2007-12-16T22:54:00.000-06:00

Ananth arranged a Limo to take us to O'hare! It was cheaper than riding the bus and picked us up from home!

Thanksgiving Day 2007

2007-11-26T22:12:00.000-06:00

On Thanksgiving Kristi, Tristan, Mikaela, and I went to Doug and Karena's in Illinois. Dave & Arlene were there, Ida & Russell Carroll, and Karena's parents, Dave & Joani

Here's Trevon keeping his eye on the Turkey!

Tristan & Mikaela keeping Kiera entertained....

Visit to see Tristan at Iowa State in Oct.

2007-11-26T21:41:00.000-06:00

We went to see Tristan at Iowa State over the 1st weekend in November.

Here's the whole gang.. missing from the picture was Lynn and Dale who were at the football game..

Our neighbor, Betty, went with us.... After meeting on Sunday she drove to Omaha to spend a week with her sister.

Here's Tristan explaining some of the projects he's working on in Design Studio.

Saturday afternoon we played football and grilled out at a park in Ames. Some of the friends around Ames joined us... Craig & Lani, John & Laura , Dave & Judy, Josh ...

Shane turns 23!

Kristi Fl Trip

2007-11-15T22:20:00.000-06:00

In October, Kristi went to Florida to visit her brother Kevin who just moved from Talahasse to Gainsville. He has a house on 10 acres.

Can't go to Florida without a day at the Beach!

More Hunting!

2007-10-28T18:48:00.000-05:00

While hunting up at Gene's I finally managed to put an arrow through a deer! Only took 9 years of bowhunting! I don't have a picture because Kristi had the camera with her in Florida while visiting her brother. Guess I'll be leaving the camera at home from now on if it changes my luck!

Now this: From Randy Winberg...

Just think hunters all over the USA spend millions of dollars a year on
equipment, fertilizers, water, grass seeds, sod, soybeans, corn, etc. to
lure deer to their hunting blind, when all you really need is good
shade!

Fall Color

2007-09-30T21:21:00.000-05:00

Dave went with Gene and Tanner up to Gene's cabin for a day of bowhunting... Saw several deer... they are still safe :) The fall color was awesome!

Shane & Tristan

2007-09-05T21:32:00.001-05:00

This is house Shane is renting with 2 other guys in Rochester. Old house, but newly remodeled!

Here is Tristan outside the building where he attends Design Classes, trying to explain to Dad the model he is constructing of a house from the 15th century!

Tristan making us breakfast on Labor Day.

Misc. Summer Pix

2007-08-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

We moved Tristan back to Iowa State for his 2nd year of Architecture. He is sharing an apartment with 3 other guys.
Nikelle is 21!
The rest of these pictures are from the Milwaukee Lakefront.

Shane & Nikelle are engaged!

2007-08-05T21:45:00.000-05:00

Shane proposed to Nikelle on top of the Ferris Wheel ride at Navy Pier in Chicago! They are planning on getting married next summer!

Fishing on Lake Michigan

2007-08-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

Nikelle, Tristan, Randy, Kristi, and Dave spent an evening fishing for Salmon on Lake Michigan.
It was a beautiful night to be out on the water and 12 fish made it into the cooler! Shane was working and Mikaela did not feel up to going after having a flu bug :(

Door County Camping

2007-07-26T21:11:00.000-05:00

Some pictures from our annual camping trip to Door County.

Trek 100

2007-07-12T23:10:00.000-05:00

Mike Olson, Jeff Anderson and I rode in the Trek 100 mile ride.

Kale's wedding

2007-06-30T21:57:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth1

2007-06-27T21:46:00.001-05:00