A Quilt of Honor

WOW - what a great surprise - A Quilt of Honor....  On Veteran's Day Larry Hauserman was honored to receive a beautiful handmade quilt. This quilt was made by daughter Teresa Hunter and the "Piece" Corps Quilting Club of Minnesota.  Larry served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 36 years from 1959 to 1995.  

Congratulations and Thanks for serving Larry....

Carrie and Denver

Included with a team of twelve from Hope Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, Carrie and Denver departed for Ghana, Africa where they would spend several days in about seven different villages teaching the word of God, education on Malaria and deworming the villages.  A few of the team (including Denver and Carrie) spent one night in a village and lived like the natives lived - sleeping on the cement flour.  Carrie even tried to carry water on her head like the natives do.  Just a few pictures below to share with you what some of their experiences were.  They will return to Iowa on August 11th.

 

The Mission Ghana team spent the first full day in Ghana with our GlobeServe partners in a village reviewing living in a healthy village, educating on Malaria, and distributing Malaria nets. A great day with about 200 wonderful children as well including a game of duck duck goose... All is well and we feel blessed to be here.

Carrie in middle of top row, Denver in green shirt.

 Picture not too clear, but look at the "pants" that were made for each.  When they were on their last day of this "adventure" they were all presented with a special homemade shirt for each team member.

One day was a free day to do some "sight seeing" which as you can see, they got to visit with the elephants coming in to drink water and the monkey playing below.  In the below picture I'm not sure which one was the monkey ????? 

  

Carrie was honored at one of the morning meetings.  The leader was naming new born babies, called Carrie in front and this lady wanted to name her baby after Carrie - so Carrie is holding "Baby Carrie". 

 Handing out de-worming medicine to the village.

 Quilts were made to take over, as well as other items that were sent to leave at the villages.

 We made several "rag dolls" and sent for the children.  If they had "food" and a "doll" in front of them, they would choose the food first - but they were also delighted to have a toy to play with.

The kids had never seen a jump rope, but soon Carrie had them all jumping for joy.

 This is one of the dolls that Grandma Phyllis made for the children.

 Denver and his soccer team.

The team took quilts, medication, flip flops, rag dolls, baseball caps, and many other items to share with the villages.  The last village wanted to give the team something as a gift which consisted of a chicken (it was really a rooster) and a guena hen.  Needless to say, these were left with the pastor there, as they couldn't fly home on the plane with them. 

A Man To Be Proud Of

We can all be proud of this young man in the De Joode family.  Richard De Joode (better known to us as Dickie, but now most call him Rich)...  Congratulations are in store.  Also, his daughter (Angie Ofstead) beside him is working for the Des Moines Police.  So proud of them both.

  On July 24, 2014, Richard De Joode received a Certificate of Commendation --

Two Des Moines Police Officers and one Assistant Polk County Attorney were given the Police Department's Letter of Commendation in a ceremony held on Wednesday.  Congratulations to SPO Richard De Joode for his outstanding work in the Pawn Shop Detail. He has been instrumental in recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars in property. He has also helped to renovate the pawn shop data base. Congrats to Senior Police Officer Brady Carney and Assistant County Attorney Steve Bayens for their outstanding work and collaboration in the investigation of the sale of dangerous Synthetic Cannibanoids. Several search warrants netted multiple suspects, paraphernalia, drugs and financial records leading to the discovery of money laundering, tax evasion and a multitude of other finical crimes.  Daughter Angie (standing beside her dad) is also working for the Des Moines Police Department, so if you are speeding and get stopped by a cute little lady, you just might get a ticket....   Many comments were also posted about Richard from the community that they were so grateful to have someone like him on the police force.  We are so proud of Richard and know his father would be also.

2014 Reunion

Hi All,

I can't wait to see everyone.
My hubby is coming with me!  Our 30th wedding anniversary is that following Monday and he wanted to spend Saturday with me no matter what I had in mind.  I'm so luck to have him.  He loves me just for me!

This Sunday morning, May 25th, Jenny, Max & I are heading to Kansas City and we will pick up Jessica at the airport late Sunday night.  Early Monday morning we are heading to Topeka to see MOM!!  & Larry!
We are so excited.  I feel like a terrible momma because I haven't seen my Jessica since Christmas!  I told her that I will NEVER let that happen again!

Her and her boyfriend Michael are coming back to Minnesota twice in June.  Once for my nephews wedding and then a week later for our family vacation.  I'm so excited to get to spend time with them.  I can't tell you how much I miss them.

Jessica & Michael have a website where Jessica sells a line of jewelry she's designed and made.  Each piece is unique and fun.  She has a "Spring" line of jewelry coming out soon.  She still works for Van Michael Salon in a suburb of Atlanta and loves her job (and they love her).  Michael is the Creative Director for Cheri Media.  They have so much fun together.

Jenny is a stay at home momma now and loves it.  She also is an Initials-inc Creative Partner
(http://www.myinitials-inc.com/JENNYSTIFTER/).   This provides enough income for her to be able to help fill in the gaps, if needed, plus gives her time with other adults and she loves to be involved with something like this...she is an organizer and has done very well!  She is hoping to attend the National Conference in Nashville in July.

Josh, Jenny's husband, is an Animator for Augsburg Publishing in Minneapolis.  He does all kinds of projects like making animated Sunday School curriculum, and most recently has made a pilot for a kids Christian series that he hopes is approved so he can continue with the series.

Tony is busier than ever.  He had to take care of me with my broken ankle all of April and still a little bit.  He was so good to me.  He is in charge of a huge project at Cargill right now and was promoted to 2nd in command with the Army National Guard Band.  He is now First Sargeant.  He loves all he does but he is busy.  Plus he laid a beautiful new patio in our backyard complete with a raised garden and fire pit and now he is fixing the yard (from all the construction) and trying to get the pool open so I can swim for therapy on my ankle.

I'm busy with a new owner at my work but we are getting along fine.  I love working 1 mile from home.  I also sew, sew, sew.  I sew clothes, purses, wallets, bags, toys, quilts, etc.  I just love to sew.  It is my stress reliever.  I also spend as much time as possible with Max.

Well...I hope to hear from all of you.  I put an alarm on my phone to remind me to blog at least monthly.
You should too!  Love to all, Teresa

My Max

Hi Everyone,

My Max won't be going to the reunion this year but I wanted to share a few pictures of him.  I can't get enough of him!

Love you all!
Teresa

Sorry...I can't figure out why this won't rotate right!  This is a fairly current picture.

Congratulations Nick Hipsky

Nick is now a member of the Boy Scout's Order of the Arrow and finished his Ordeal.

Nick Hipsky OA Ordeal 5/2014

BS Troop 454

Congratulations Dakota

Dakota has been attending Iowa State University - Ames, Iowa and will be a junior this fall.  All dressed up and ready to go - Dakota is ready to go for his Engineering Internship Interview. He got the job and will work all summer at a building site in El Paso, Illinois as an intern for Elwer Engineering Services constructing a 6 story building for corn processing.  Congratulations Dakota.

Danielle Rae Hipsky Graduates From College

Dick and Phyllis spent a week in Wisconsin to celebrate Mothers Day, Lynsley's birthday and then had the privilege of attending Dani Rae's college graduation.  Dani Rae graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison on  May 17, 2014.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, and a Minor in Global Health.

The school's mascot is the Badger - kissing his nose is suppose to bring you good luck.

All the graduates decorated their caps.  Dani Rae used the symbol for DNA.

 Of course the parents, brothers and grandparents were quite proud of Dani Rae as she worked very hard the past four years for this degree. 

Chris, Nick, Dani Rae, Lynsley and Joe

Dani Rae with her parents 

Granpo, Dani Rae and Grammo (that's what she calls us)

All the "students" would set on "Lincoln's" lap and rub his nose - this was another good luck practice.

Dani Rae plans to stay in Madison, to continue her education in the medical field. 

 

There were over 7,000 graduating students at the Camp Randall Stadium.  This picture only shows about half of the students. Although we were prepared for cool weather, we did appreciate the bright sunny day for this ceremony. What a great day. 

N E BODY OUT THERE....

IS THERE N E BODY ELSE N THIS FAMILY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN UP TO?  OUR YEARLY REUNION IS COMING UP THE FIRST SATURDAY OF JUNE, SO HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE...

Our Visit to Madison, Wisconsin

Thursday, May 1, 2014

 Dick and Phyllis Connett were back up north just in time to attend granddaughter Danielle's last music concert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, held at the Mills Hall on Sunday, April 27th. This performance was the last for conductor Mr. Scott Pierson and Danielle as she will graduate from the university in May.   Danielle has been with this band all her years at Madison.   

Danielle is first chair flute.  (She is the one with the ribbon around her waist). 

 Danielle had the honor to play two separate pieces by herself. 

Danielle has been playing the flute since 5th grade and has been in "first chair" since the 7th grade.  She also plays the piccolo. 

Lynsley, Danielle, Phyllis and Dick

Paul and Danielle

 Lynsley, Dick and Phyllis and her special friend Paul enjoyed the afternoon with Danielle.  Had a wonderful afternoon meal at Olive Garden, then back to Freeport. 

 

MAY DAY...

Sending flowers to brighten everyone's day.

 

HAPPY MAY DAY

Working in Texas

Thought some of you might enjoy seeing what we have been doing in Texas.  It was quite a job but went off real well and I'm so glad all this "stuff" is out of my living room.  I hope you enjoy the article.

On February 10, 2014, Hostess Joannie Miller, Phyllis Connett and Trudy Hauserman hosted a "Dazzle" day for the Leisure World Red Hatters.  Red and purple covered the Leisure World rec hall as 110 red hatters joined together to have a fun day.  Leisure World and Trails End drew for their seating as they entered the hall and made new friends for the day.

 Wayne and Mary, Scott, Pat and Rita (Roger missing from picture) was our great kitchen crew that prepared and served the sloppy Joes and chips for all. 

We made all these little dolls.  I swore I never want to see another "bead" again.
Little red hat dolls, bookmarks and little red dress pins were placed on each table for our guests.  As each guest arrived they received a "white sack gift".  Orange "goodie" bags for each guest were compliments from Kristi "Welcome Home Winter Texans".

 Each table had a personal hostess to welcome the guests and to help with the craft. Rosemary, JoAnne, Lucy, Donna, Joanne, Hazel, Connie, George, Jeannette, Mary, Linda, Yvonne and Mary.  Our craft (Martha Stewart's) slippers were enjoyed by the ladies.  If you are curious as to what these are, ask a red hatter.

 All the ladies had a great time in making the slippers from the Kotex pads.....

 Pat LaFoe sold tickets for all the great prizes below that were donated for this event.

One of the ladies in the park gave me this antique doll to do with as I wanted.  I chose to give to the red hats.  I dressed it for the occasion and some lady won it.

 Olivia Taylor (from Harlingen) presented her beautiful homemade jewelry.

 Thanks to Kay Monroe who manned the RADA table, and thanks to Dick Connett, our photographer for the day. 
 
Valley Queens as well as back North Queens were presented with a gift and all February birthday ladies were presented with a purple flower for their hair.  Our Leisure World Men (Bob Thompson, Bill Hedlund, Jerry Cantu, Art Miller, Don Kurtenbach, Jack Napier and Lorn Cook) were great helpers as they sat up the tables, kept tables in order and took tables down.  Hostess's Joannie, Phyllis and Trudy would like to thank all who had a part in making this a great day for all.