Lorin-the Bouze

You got it right - Bruce and Dean called him Bouze- whatever that is. I wish I knew the method to their nickname madness. Some day I gotta sit them down and have them explain it to me. Lorin was a kind of quiet little guy-caught in the middle. Too little to keep up with Bruce and Dean and too big to fit in with Tim and Paul. Well, I guess he didn't want to play house with Deb all the time either. Ever since I can remember, Lorin wanted to be a truck driver. When he was small, and heard the milk hauler truck coming, he would run to the edge of the lawn and sit down and stare. It was something about those wheels turning that really made his day. As he got older, it was bikes and scooters and of course the old dune-buggy! I bet he was the one that drove it down in the sewer ditch. Oh, what fun they had with that thing. I wish now as I sit here and remember, that we would have a picture of that contraption- it was a real work of art!!! The Meyer cousins were in on that too. Oh, yes by the way, Kevin was "Mysie "and Gary was "Snare" My goodness how is a person supposed to keep up with this.

This is Lorin and Julee taken at Tabby and Andy Leischer's wedding. These two are truly a couple of builders and shakers! They have built or remodeled so many houses, we have lost count. They always said each time,"this is the last one"--but guess what--soon we would hear that they were looking to build another one. One nice thing, they always invited the whole family to every one of their homes at Christmas time to share their hospitality. Gee, now that I think of it, we have been to the A-frame for the last three Christmas parties- just maybe they've found their dream.......

Tim, the Nirk

Why on earth would you call such a cute little boy, Nirk??? Tim was one year old on this photo. Notice he is wearing the same sailor suit that Paul wore when he was a year old. Not much variety a far as clothes in those days. Use it up- wear it out-- make it do! Boy, did we ever. At first Tim was called "Worm", then later when he got a little older, he became "Nirk." Oh, yes, it was big brothers again that labeled him. I remember Tim always trying to see how fast things could go. Riding in those bike races after supper every night
or just running. In school he could outrun all the other kids in his class. And jump-- man he could jump. Who would have thought that he would grow up to be so plain and easy going. I always tell him he should find an Amish girl to share his life. He says,"now wouldn't that be the best of both worlds."

Helping Mom

Tim was our explorer-always looking for adventure. When I needed him for something, I could usually find him in the haymow looking for little kittens or swinging on the hay ropes or building tunnels in the bales. He liked to take things apart to see what makes it work. Dad always was looking for his hammers and tools when Tim was on a mission. He collected little creatures like frogs, lizards, and caterpillars. Boy, he had fun scaring his little sisters with them. I don't know how we ever caught him in the kitchen baking cookies, but here he is doing just that. Looks like he even is wearing one of my aprons!

Tim & Charli-2007

This was taken at St. Paul's church for the church directory in the year 2007. Tim's family keeps him rather busy these days. Chad pops in quite a lot with Lily and Peyton. I think Tim enjoys the baby sitting with those two little ones. He also has his dog, Fizz to keep him company. Of course the is Charli, who just got into basketball at school. Now the running starts with that. She will turn thirteen on Friday, January 30,2007. Hang on, Tim--Oh, those teen years!

Paul, alias-Bear

This is Julie and Paul again. Notice the coat Paul is wearing. It was made by Aunt Myrtle Emmerich for her son Jay. She brought us clothes for our kids to wear when Jay outgrew them and this was one of those. The coat was coal black with a cap to match. Paul wore it for a couple winters, thus the nickname, "Bear." Can you guess who started that? Of course-big brothers Bruce and Dean!! Seems like Paul and Julie were pretty good buddies, huh. Was that dog's name Lassie? I bet is was. We always watched the "Lassie" show on TV in those good old days. Paul was one to play alone a lot with his tractors and trucks out under the trees. He had a little village and farm built with roads and fields. Later he spent a lot of time building plastic models of cars or whatever we could find for him. About that time, he was drawing pictures of buildings too. I saved one of his folders of churches that I really liked. I think he may still have it.

Baptism day

I don't know why we waited so long to do this. I guess the babies were coming so fast, I couldn't keep up. I remember my father-in-law, Alfred , asking me every time I came with the maternity top on, "Don't you have all those babies out yet!" Paul was number six, and Julie was number seven.

This is now

Paul and Lynn today are living in their dream home-a log home that they almost built by themselves. Dad and I love to go out there and sit by the roaring fire in the fireplace. A lot of their furniture was built by Paul's own hands. All he needs to do is see a picture of something and he can build it! They are both active in the local archery club spending a lot of time helping others to enjoy the outdoors as much as they do. They also grow apples and berries that they use to make wine. My favorite is the new raspberry one . Lynn really labored a lot of time to pick those berries-right Lynn? Hummm, I wonder what they have brewing now....

Doodie is the nickname here

What are you doing now, Julie? I know you like it up there in that tree, but you better get down before your Mom has a heart attack! Yes, her nickname was Doodie. Again Bruce and Dean gave her that one. They really had a language of their own.

Our Christmas Baby

Oh yes, Julie was born on Christmas Day, 1963. I will never forget that day! Ken was diagnosed with hepatitis the same day. We all had to get shots so we didn't get it too. Bruce, Dean and Lorin also had it by the time I got home from the hospital. Family and neighbors all came and did the barn chores for about a month. Some how we made it through the winter. Over the years it seems like Julie and I have a special link- we think a lot alike. Sometimes we finish a sentence for each other. I can go to the phone and dial her and she was just thinking of calling me or vice- versa. We like a lot of the same things as well.

Jules as she is today

Julie seems to have her life in her hand today. She pretty much is always helping some one else get a job done. Her world revolves around her family and her faith. Of course the apple of her eye is her little granddaughter, Felicity Jo. Brian has a lot to do with keeping the smile on her face too. Life is good!

Little Annie Oakley

With her dog and her pistol, this is Patti. Some where along the road of life, Bruce and Dean tagged her with the nickname "Pluck". Who in the world knows how they came up with that?

And Then There was Patti

The last of the gang is Patti. I named her that after one of my best friends from high school, Pat Olson. We danced every day during lunch hour and played on the same volleyball team when there was no dancing. Of course that was before I knew a certain football player! Patti was a little girl that loved to sit on any body's lap. Even in some pictures, she is on mine or her Dad's lap. She was (and I think still is) a cuddler. One time when she was about 10 years old, her Uncle Ernie and Aunt Florence Westrich were at our home. We were sitting around the kitchen table talking and of course Patti came and sat on my lap. Auntie Flo said "I bet when you are out of school, you will still like to sit on Mama's lap." I just closed my eyes and tried to picture that one--made me laugh. We have to try it sometime, OK, Patti.

The Baby of the Bunch

How's this Dad? Am I doing it right?I think this one was taken at Poyda's home at a graduation party. Dad is looking for someone to learn how to play his concertina so Patty had to give it a try. Doesn't she look like she got it figured out?I won't tell you what it sounded like!

Our Wedding Day

The good old days!! Our wedding day was cold and windy. Every time we went out the door, I had to hold onto the veil so it did not blow off my head. Were married at St. Paul's Church and the meal was at my parent's home. The dance was held at Schlias Hall in downtown Gad. Does anyone know where that is now? We only had one month together and Ken had to report to Fort Sheridan, Ill. to go off to the Army.

Here we are at our twenty-five year anniversary
party was held at Earl's bar of course. A good time was had by all. About this time was when Ken got the nickname "Hayseed". That came from his brothers when they were all on the same bowling team, since he was the only brother that was a farmer, he was a hayseed! As for me I was nicknamed "Cook" by my father-inlaw, Alfred. He worked in a logging camp in his younger days and they called the the man that made the meals,"Cook". He always said that I was always in the kitchen so I got labeled "COOK". I'm not sure I really liked the handle, but all the kids and nearly everyone we knew used it, so I knew I was stuck with it. I only have one request; Please, don't put it on my tombstone!!!I will haunt everyone of you!!!

Dad in Arizona

Working on his tan--this was taken in March when we went with Roger and Sue and Sis for about 5 weeks. Dad wasn't too happy to stay so long and he didn't like all the people .

Rick and Julie

This was taken in the summer of 1964 when we were at Mondeaux Dam for a picnic with Kathryn and Roy Deml. The little guy with Julie is Rick Deml, Kathryn's grandson.