Charlie Brown Plants

This little rose was given to one of my teachers in May of 2007. She tried to keep it going by setting the pot in the courtyard at church. March of 2008 I saved it and took it home. It only had two sets of leaves for the entire summer. This spring I repotted it and decided it would either do better of get pitched. Must have heard me for now it is growing great and getting ready to bloom.

This lovely was a gift to Jennifer by her former secretary, Julie. I worked to get it through the winter and it was all but dead this spring. More repotting and it is now responding. Thanks Julie. Perhaps you will get to visit this year and see your gift blooming.

Jennifer is trying herbs in pots. We are so natural.

Andrew and Sarah - God Parents

What a joy to see Nate baptized into God's family last Sunday. Andrew and Sarah were asked to serve as co-sponsors for little Nate. Daddy, Jerry performed the baptism and preached a great sermon for this service. Saw some old friends and were blessed by the time spent in St Louis.

Sawyer is getting a good look at little Nate. Gretchen's brother, Scott, was also a sponsor. He is on the far right in this picture.

Looking Back and Having Fun

Just 30 some years ago we all looked like these fine people. The special t-shirts were all the rage.

Now we have aged a little but hidden there is that same old spark that made us so special..

Any one recognize the Baldingers and the Kamms? College friends from the 70's.

Grandson Sawyer Reminds Me of Son Andrew

Above is Sawyer, my grandson and below is his father at about the same age. Can you tell they are related?

Andrew Minor was always sure he wanted to go to Concordia - St Paul Minnesota. He got this sweatshirt and wore it for many months...

Andrew was often a messy eater. Sawyer is much less messy and doesn't wear a bib due to his careful habits while eating.

Took Sawyer to the same spot on Saturday. I'm not sure this is the same giraffe of not? Seems very similiar in the spot layout???

Baptism Party - Nate Hays

This weekend Nate Hays will be baptized into the Lord's family. His adoptive parents, Jerry and Gretchen Hays, will also be celebrating Jerry's ordination as a Lutheran pastor. Jerry and Gretchen are good friends with our kids, Andrew Minor and Sarah. Over time, we have become friends with them as well. Here is Jennifer holding Nate.

Here is daddy Jerry with baby Nate. He now weighs nearly 15 pounds and is growing like a weed.

Saw my old friend Cheryl and husband Monte Haun. Pastor Monte is on staff at Concordia Kirkwood where Jerry will be pastoring. Cheryl and I have been good friends for many moons.

We also met Elizabeth's friend - Andy (Elizabeth is our daughter-in-law, Sarah's, younger sister).
Elizabeth is studying architecture at Wash U. Sarah's family are all in town to celebrate with the Hays family. Jerry was Sarah's youth director for many years in the Twin Cities.

Botanical Gardens and Mr. Shaw

While in St Louis we visited the Missouri Botanical Gardens begun by Mr. Shaw. He really started something that has gone on for 150 years. What a wonderful place! Son, Andrew Minor, walked the grounds and enjoyed the plants with us. They also had some of that Chihuley art work. You know the glass guy.

Mom and boy enjoy a quiet moment in the shade.

Needed to get Jenny a drink to boost her energy. The zoo and the botanical gardens all in one day were exhausting. She was skipping after her diet Coke.

St Louis Zoo with Sawyer

Our grandson, Sawyer, took us to the St. Louis Zoo on Saturday and the weather was perfect. We talked to the peacock and saw lots of interesting things.

The Primate House was terrific with lots of moving monkeys and lemurs. Sawyer pointed out many of the differences of each type.

The whole gang, Andrew Minor, Sarah, Sawyer and Nanna (plus grampa) walked and walked and looked and looked.

By 11:00 a.m. some of us were getting all poohed out and looked to catch a few winks.