Independence Day 2013

Red, white, and blue

Dr. Eric trying to fake out his Aunt Lulu...

Bob was our margarita man. :0)

Enjoying my salted margarita with Rosey

Eric got a hold of the camera.  I can tell grandma was surprised!

Grandpa and Rache

Good one of  your parents, Eric!!

What the heck, Eric??!!

Paige being goofy...

The newlyweds...

Another goofy family pic...

Much better :)

Sparkler fun...

It was all too much excitement for Dakota!! 

In Memory of Miriam

Claudia and her sister, Miriam, who died of MSA (Multiple Systems Atrophy)

at the age of 59.  

     Oddly enough, her sister and brother-in-law live in Billings where he has been a pastor for the past eleven years.  Since I am in Sheridan, I headed to Billings on the day of the wake to spend time with Claud and her family.  She really wanted to spend time in the pool and hot tub, so I went and bought a new suit in order to do so.  (It is one of the things I forgot to pack for my trip.)  We had a couple of hours by ourselves and spent some time with her daughter, her sisters, and one of her brothers.  She was very appreciative of the support as ten of them had "caravannned" from Minnesota for the funeral services on July 4th, and she was so grateful to see a familiar face during a difficult time.  

Claud wanted a goofy picture taken, so here it is. :)

Lemonade Fair

     Before we headed "Out West," Alison and I spent a couple of hours at the Lemonade Arts and Crafts Fair.  We usually spend the whole day together, but we needed to leave in the afternoon to head to Montana for Danny's wedding.  Nonetheless, we had a great time!!

     As soon as we arrived, I heard, "Mrs. Ostendorf?"  A former student, who attends SCSU, had just finished a test for one of her summer classes.  She recognized me and stopped for a visit.  It's always nice to see former students and catch up with them and their lives.  Although, I am always amazed how fast time has gone by when I am visiting with former students.

     Here is a picture of our favorite find this year.  It is a magnetic photo holder, and it came with really cute matching magnets.  We each bought one for our classrooms and another one for our kitchen refrigerators. They would definitely make great gifts too!!  Good thing she had a business card! :)

Sara's Wedded Bliss

Congratulations to my friend, Sara, who was recently married as well!! 

What a gorgeous bride!!

Congrats to the newly wedded couple, Matt and Sara!! :)

Time to Cut Loose

Reception time!!!!

A very cool idea...

These crossword puzzles about Danny and Paige were on every table.

     In addition to being a kindergarten teacher, Paige works at an antique mall.  She arranged the table centerpieces from her own antique collection.  Very neat!!

A very beautiful and yummy cake was made by Paige's grandmother.

     The groom's cake was a copy of an original painting that Danny had painted of a lake trout.  My sister has the original painting hanging in her house.

A closer view of his magnificent work!!!

Here come Mr. and Mrs. Danny Bealer...

Bob and Debbie

Rachel and Kenny

A very happy groom

Time for a blindfolded Danny to guess his bride's foot...very funny!!

Nope...that's cousin Rache's foot...

Time to cut the cake

They were very nice to each other when feeding one another their first piece of wedding cake.

Bridal bouquet toss

Danny being led in to capture the garter...:)

Their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Bealer

Mother/son dance

My mom and dad dancing

     Here is the DJ announcing them as the "winner" of the dance contest since they were on the dance floor the longest based on their 57 years of marriage!! :0)

Grandpa and Paige

Grandma and Danny

Eric, Jessica, and Rachel dancing to "Cotton Eye Joe"

A bunch of us doing the train

     What a blast this evening was!!!!  Best wishes to our nephew and newest niece for a wonderful life together as husband and wife!!