Friday, October 31, 2008

Daddy, STOP! (Tickle, Tickle)





Oh, I am soooooo tired!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Iowa

There are many things to love about Iowa.
- the green, green grass
- the big expanse of blue sky (even in the winter)
- the corn
- seeing for miles and miles
- the early morning sunrises and beautiful sunsets

There are many things to not like about Iowa.
- the smell of ripe manure being spread on the fields, especially this time of year.
- hog smell
- WIND that makes you wonder why anyone would live here!
- wind and bitter cold in the winter
- um, these little black bugs that never used to live here when I lived here before, but now live here since I have moved back. They come during the harvest, and spit acid on your skin (which totally burns).

I am sure there are pros and cons to every state and country. I thought I would share with all of you the things I like and don't like :)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

cousins


After Hurricane Ike hit Houston, TX, Julie and Eden came to stay. During their time in Iowa, we had a get-together at the Trowbridges where we decided it would be good to get a picture of the Droog kids. From oldest to youngest: Katelyn, Samantha, Jennifer, DJ, Shayla, Josie, Shiloh, Emma, Shalom, Eden, Yishai, Charlie and new baby (Dan and Julie) on the way!!!!!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

My Grandpa

My Grandpa Crull passed away this past Sunday. We have been busy this week packing, traveling to Illinois, seeing family that I never knew I had, attending the visitation, the burial and the memorial service.

I never lived close to my Grandpa and Grandma growing up, but my parents made a big effort every Summer to visit and stay with them for 2-3 weeks while my dad helped with the farming. It was one of my favorite memories of childhood - going to my Grandparents in Illinois. They had a huge farm with an orchard of apple trees, a swimming pool, GREAT food, pedal cars (yes the classics!), cats/kittens, cows, a riding lawn mower, and the list could go on and on. I was always sad to leave when our time was done.

My Grandpa was extremely musical. He LOVED music and sang all the time for weddings, funerals, with a Barbershop Quartet, etc. I remember when I was learning to play the piano, he would love to listen to me and would always encourage me to play with more feeling. (I suppose that is why today I "feel" so much through music). He would literally sit at the piano with me and sing with feeling. It was such a learning experience I never knew was even happening.

The last time I saw my Grandpa was over 2 years ago. I have to say that when my Grandma passed away when I was in 6th grade, our relationship changed. He remarried and we were still living far away, so everything changed. We did not see him as much as we had all the other years.

I think what saddens me is that our ties to our life and memories of Illinois may be gone forever. A part of history/generation is ending. A cousin of mine told me yesterday that he and his wife had visited a few years ago and video taped Grandpa for about 2 hours. They drove around and heard all kinds of stories - where he grew up, things he had built, etc. I have never heard those stories from him, but we now have it documented. History doesn't have to be lost if we stop our busy lives and spend the time talking, sharing stories, etc.

I will forever be grateful to my cousin who took that time to do that for our family. I look forward to hearing and learning more... from my Grandpa - in his own words, his own facial expressions. That will be something to cherish and hang on to for the next generation.

Thank you Brett and Julie!

Friday, October 10, 2008

PEEK-A-BOO


During Charlie's younger days, he figured out the game peek-a-boo all on his own. He would somehow get the blanket over his head, giggle and kick awhile, then quickly pull the blanket off. I think he is learning quickly how to self-entertain, which is a great thing to learn - I just never thought he would have it down at 4 months old, when he started this new trick!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Bathtime

The whole family gets involved with Charlie's bathtime! He loves the sink because he fits so perfectly, plus he can just splash away without falling over :) (Notice that poor Charlie is way in the back of everyone. Someday soon he will be fighting for the front.)


Friday, October 3, 2008

1st Tooth!


Do you see it? There it is FINALLY!! We had a hard time getting this little tiny thing to come through, poor baby.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Birthday Celebrations

DJ and Josie turned 7 and 9 in August. I am a little late in the game with pictures, but here they are!

Mom's homemade cake for Josie. The kids like to pick their decorations, and Josie wanted squiggles. I can do that!!


All the kids together. This could be a first!
DJ chose a spiderman cake (mom did NOT make this one). We had a combined b-day party. Josie seemed fine having a "boy" cake too. :)