LaFrenz visit the Wisconsin Dells

While Melissa and family visited the Wisconsin Dells, they became gangsters for a short time.  Cute picture.

Adam (Brianna's friend), Brianna, Jim, Melissa, Michael and Matthew. 

On The Road Again

It has been non-stop traveling for Dick and Phyllis.  Since we arrived back in Illinois, we have made a few trips to Iowa for Alumni Banquet, Memorial Weekend and Family Reunion.  But this last few days we spent time with some RV friends who we meet with each month.  This month we made it to the little town of Big Rock, Illinois.  The campground was beautiful.  We had thirteen Winnebago coaches that gathered for a four day outing.  Out to eat a lot, shopping at unique shops, but two outings that stood out was the tour through a "House of Wool" and for the men, the Air Classics Museum of Aviation.

They came by Air...  and changed history forever.  From the bitter-cold skies above war-torn Europe, to the scorching-hot desert of Iraq, air power has decided the outcome on the battle field - ultimately the world.  As Americans, we owe the freedoms and riches that we're blessed with, to the heroic sacrifices of our fighting men and women in the air; for without their courage and determination, it would be a much darker world indeed.  It is at the Air Classics Museum of Aviation who were dedicated to preserving these planes.  We have four men from our group who were once or still a private pilot, so this was really enjoyed by them.

Dennis Olson (Rockford, Illinois) served in Viet Nam and flew in a helicopter exactly like this one.  This is were he sat.

Dick Connett (a private pilot) in front of the 725

Jim Gastel (another active private pilot) also from our town - Freeport, Illinois

I think the men all enjoyed the museum very much.

THEN, while the men were away, the ladies

went to the big town of Hinkley, Illinois to an old home that has become a house of wool. 

The family raised sheep and decided to open up the home to selling wool and the products.  It was amazing as to what our guide could do with the lambs wool. 

The Esther house was named after the first sheep that they raised, which lived to be ten years old.  The house had many items of what could be made from wool.  She showed us how to dye the wool, how to spin the wool into thread and other techniques.

Our lady on the left (next to me - Phyllis) was our guide. She could make almost anything from wool.  She showed us how to take a "frame",  put some wool in the frame and punch down with a special needle to make felt. 

The heart below is an example.  She also made the owls.  (Purses, clothing, bird houses, figures, bracelets, you name it, she could make it)

She demonstrated how to make the wool into thread...

It was a very interesting morning.

HAPPY TUESDAY

54th De Joode Family Reunion

Family Reunion

Yep, it's Monday again and another weekend gone by.  Dick and I spent the weekend in Iowa again and visited with family and friends.  Saturday we had our 54th De Joode Family reunion at Prairie City, Iowa with sisters, our brother, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  With approximately 69 in attendance, one of the smallest reunions we've had in years. We had food galore, bingo, games, picture taking and visiting.  This year Trudy and her family were in charge. Had a few from the Harmison and De Joode cousin side, but not as many as usual.  Guess they forgot we don't send out invitations anymore, but it is always the same time and mostly the same place each year which was announced last year.  Hope to see more back next year which will be same time and place. 

From left is Trudy Hauserman, Carolyn Richeson, myself - Phyllis Connett, Bev Pearson and Barb McGrean.  All back home now and busy with their own surroundings. 

Happy Monday to all. 

Milton High School

Milton High School (Wisconsin) placed FIRST in the state in the Saxophone band which Nicholas is a member.  Nicholas is right in the middle of the picture with the red shorts.  This is not their "usual" uniform, but they were having a great time for this picture.  Nick is the son of Chris and Lynsley Hipsky and grandson of Dick and Phyllis Connett.  Way to go Nick.

A Visit To Iowa

Dick and I spent the weekend in Runnells, Iowa.  Outside of visiting with our family, we attended Phyllis' High School Alumni Banquet with four of us who represented the class of 1959.  All those who graduated from the school were celebrating.  Phyllis only had 16 in her graduating class and five have already passed, so four was pretty good...but we did have a great time.  Dick attended with us even though he didn't attend that school.

Jeanette Grossnickle Cashatt, Ralph Busby, Phyllis De Joode Connett and Janice Kain Thomas

Saturday we visited four different cemeteries checking out the family who have gone before us.  All the cemeteries were beautifully decorated with the flowers and flags.

This tree was bad but instead of cutting all down, an artist came in and created an "angel" to look over the cemetery.

My mother and fathers grave site.  There were seven we decorated and could have done a lot more.

Dick with his sisters Alice and Bobbi, visiting his grandmothers grave site.

Again Dick with his sisters standing over their parents grave site.

We also had time to visit the Runnells museum.  This is in an old church where Phyllis attended as a child.  The town has bought the building and have created a very nice museum for all to enjoy.  The chair below belonged to Phyllis' family and all the kids once sat in this chair for their meals....If you haven't visited the museum you need to do so.

There were many interesting items that were all so familiar from the town and our family.  Below is an old "singer" sewing machine which I used growing up.  The black long wool skirt is one my great-great grandmother made and wore.  Notice the piece where my mother had once started to make another quilt for the family.  In the background is the original equipment from the town barber shop.  So many of our relation (including my sister Barb) who works so hard to keeping the museum organized for all to enjoy.

And of course we had to eat.  Had a great meal with sister Barb and her family.  This particular meal our youngest daughter Carrie prepared for us.  There was a lot more besides these pictures....

We just purchased an iron skillet for her and a iron skillet cookbook, so she had to give it a try.  A huge granny apple pie.  We headed back to Freeport to accomplish a few things and will be going back to Iowa next weekend for the big family reunion.   FUN, FUN, FUN....

Orpha Jane Harmison

If I got the information correct, mom (Orpha Jane Harmison - De Joode) is in the front row, third one from the left.  I believe it was said that she was in the third grade.  As you can see all are holding a little doll in their arms. 

Picture was taken in front of the Runnells Consolidated School where Mom graduated and most of her children graduated from this school, up until the Southeast Polk School was built.