Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wishing all a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day!!

I have not been on in a while as I thought no one was posting. I had always gotten the blog posts directly into Outlook like an e-mail, but nothing has appeared since May I believe. And don't ask why I never went to teh site, I guess I have just been busy. Finally I did and I saw all the posts for teh last months...

So, I am back and will be posting some stuff on here soon.

My parents, Tony and I are going to Fountain's of Loveland, in Loveland Colorado for a Thanksgiving Buffet. It is nice since it is just the four of us to do something differnt than cook at home. We will stay at a nice hotel in Fort Collins for two nights - the Cambria Suites.

I am thankful for family, no matter how crazy and how distant, I still love you all. My greatest desire is that you know Christ Jesus as your personal Savior and it is to Him that I am most thankful of all!!

Be blessed and thankful in & for all things this Thanksgiving Weekend! Jimmy

Shaun's Thanksgiving

Hi guys...

If you have a minute...click on the link above and you can go view the pics from Shaun's Thanksgiving day in his classroom.

Their class is doing 'inquiry learning' and this term the topic is "foreign cultures"...soo I was invited to come tell them about Thanksgiving.

I spent the WHOLE day there with 28 6 to 7 year olds. Was EXHAUSTED! lol But was a great day...we made turkeys and had a real-live Thanksgiving dinner.

The pics are about 1/2 way down the page on the link..there's some other great pics too. Shaun's teacher is AMAZING! I dont think she makes any money at all....as I KNOW she puts tons of it right back into the children.

I adore her...I think I'll cry when Shaun moves up (finger's crossed Zoe gets her next year!)

Enjoy the pics...

Love to all,
Sandy

A beautiful Eastern Shore night when the schooners visited












The morning the schooner prepare to Sail

Thanksgiving

Hi everyone!

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I've been feeling a little homesick! I've been invited to Shaun's class next friday to teach the kids about Thankgiving---a foreign holiday over here.

We're going to make some turkeys and pilgrim hats and teach the kids about being thankful. Also going to have a thanksgiving dinner...complete with chicken instead of turkey (a 5kg turkey over---roughly 11 lbs---will set you back about $60)....

Anyway..feeling homesick, since i've been thinking about Thanksgiving so much, I decided I was going to find the Macy's Parade and watch it online this year--to share my favourite thanksgiving tradition with the family. I searched for ages for a link to a website that broadcasts the parade to no avail. Not to be outdone, I emailed Macy's directly.

Now, I have to say I'm amazed at the speed of their reply! Sadly, the reply was that NBC owns the rights to the coverage of the parade, and does not broadcast it over the web. They suggested that I have someone record it on a DVDR or similar and burn it to a DVD and send it to me.....SOOOO is there any of you that could do that for me? Pretty Please? You'll be my favourite! lol Or do you know someone who could do it??

I know it's a pain...but would mean a lot to me!!

Thanks!

Love,
Sandy

PS...I'll post pics of Shaun's class thanksgiving after the event!!

Black Water

1st you play an outside concert,
Then you are getting gigs in the local establishments then before you know it the city of Salisbury is asking you to play at Pemberton Monor

Pam, Jim, James and Maddie at the Yankees VS Orioles game on 9-17-2010

Two more

Philip and Nalini Fraser

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA

Nope no matter how old Joey gets, you will remain older, Join the croud. But seriously Happy Birthday!!!!!

Lara and Alphonso have a little girl

This is a picture of Little Maria Elizabeth Rodriguez.
This is a picture of Lara Beth Ketchie Rodriguez when she was a baby.

Little Maria Elizabeth Rodriguez was born at 1215pm, 17 Sep 2010 and weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. She definitely looks like her mother. It would be hard to tell the mother from the daughter.
(Of course, this is Lara's Daddy and Maria's Papa posting this! But she really does look like Lara. It will be fun watching Maria morph between looking like her handsome Daddy and beautiful Mommy as she grows up! We can't wait to get down to NC to see her!!!)
Our love to everyone in this ever expanding family! Debbie and Barry

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY LAVERTY

Happy Birthday Joe. The big 16. Cars, girls, music ...the world is at your finger tips. Make the best of it. When you find yourself in a situation and don't know what to do, ask yourself what would dad do and then do the opposite I am sure that will be the right choice. Tee Hee ever the clown.

Hi guys

I was just sitting here wondering how Uncle Jim's carpal tunnel surgery went. How did it go? I was thinking about it..cos I was thinking I should blog and tell everyone my liver biopsy is scheduled for tomorrow. (it's funny...when you get old and need to update family on what weird procedures you're having...ay Uncle Jim? Aunt Debbie? Uncle Rick? Aunt Eileen?? LOL!!!)
I have to be there at 9:30am for the procedure which will start at 11:15 am and then they keep me for 4-6 hours after. I had to have some blood tests today...one was for the blood service to 'type' me. I turned to nathan and said---holy crap..they think I could hemorrhage (I know it's just a precaution---but scary!). I had a blessing yesterday--all will be fine!

Just keep me in your thoughts/prayers if you wouldn't mind!

Thanks...love to all,
Sandy

ps..Uncle Jim...let us know how it went!! UPDATE!!

Carpel Tunnel

We In just a couple hours I will go under the knife. Going to fix the wrist. The doctors says the actual procedure only takes 5 minutes. I go in at 2:00 surgery a 2:30 and I should be able to drive home at 3:00. Doing it while I am awake so I will share all the gory details latter.
Wish me luck!!

25 things you should know?

I found this on my computer. I think I wrote it when some one, I think Sandy, wrote 25 things you should know and several of us posted them. So enjoy or laugh at my simple mind......

25 things you should know


By Jim Laverty

25 things you should know
This is a task where you might not know,
Is it better to bear the truth or
Keep things close for those who need to know?

A risk in deed is before you now
Do I go…? Should they know?
You will find the answer
Though I no not how.

If Roses are Red and Violets are blue
What if you are chartreuse what do you do?
If the sky is Blue and dark is black
What do you do with a monkey on your back?

Friends and family may be surprised,
Or maybe scared to look in your eyes.
There may be something that they had expected,
The truth may need to be more than protected.

Or maybe there are things that are good,
The good person in the neighbor hood.
One who does wonders and thinks all is well,
You are the one that should do and tell.

Oh such wonderments, such rely
Make me rethink my reasons why...
Why did I answer they way I did?
I’ve now got a bustle in my hedge grove.

Do I re-write or let it go
I am not sure I want them to know,
Or is it me and my insecurity
To let them see the one called me?

Sandy

Sandy,
Mike asked me to thank you for "Clifford the Big Dog Birthday Party Book". He really enjoys your sense of humor. He received your book an had to laugh and read it as well. It felt good to take his mind away for a while. Pam and I sent him a card and some books and he received a Birthday Card from our church. Several people and kids signed the card. He said it was the best day he has had in a long time. You never know how the little things can mean so much and that your love is so needed and felt. But that is what God has asked us to do isn't it?.
Please keep up you correspondence with him. he is working very hard to get his life in line before he is released.
Please everyone keep him in your prayers please.

Please read

August 1st. is Michael Hipps Birthday.  As you all know he is in prison and will be until December and maybe longer. I know we all have differing feelings but I am asking you to set those aside for a moment and send him a birthday card.  Mike is in a cell 23 hours a day no TV, no Friends, no phone and he is not received mail in a very long time from his kids and family. I never knew how difficult isolation can be.
I am not going to give any hard arguments for or against Mike, all I can say is he is trying to improve and a little encouragement can go a long way.  So if you will please send his card to the address below. You do not have to make a comment or anything on this post, just do what you feel is the right thing and go for it.
Jim

Clifford Michael Hipps
OID# 231718
Minnesota Correctional Facility - Faribault
1101 Linden Lane
Faribault Minnesota 55021-6400

Happy Birthday Steve Phelps

Happy Birthday dude Tuesday July 27th. I know I am late but better late than never!  So what did you get for your birthday?

Family History Pictures

Henry Buehler is standing on our far right.


Laverty kids 1955 - Debra Lee, James Walter, Lynda Susan
Clifford Corbett Laverty
Eileen Claire Kuyava Laverty
Eileen Victoria Akerberg Kuyava

Hanna Banana Happy Birthday!!!!

Or is that Mrs. Hanna Banana?  Either way have a great birthdaty this Sunday. Stop bye the house we are having a cake for you.  I hope you like Caravel Ice Cream Cakes.  They are my favorite!!!!!! I want nothing but the best for you this Sunday.
Love Uncle Jim and Aunt Pam

How old are you now Miss Madelyn?

Happy Birthday to Madelyn Loux. Saturday July 17th is a big day. I hope you have a  wonderful Birthday.  Eat a big piece of Birthday Cake for Uncle Jim and Aunt Pam. I heard that Grammy Eileen is going to have a big Ice Cream Cake at her house for you. So don't mail me a piece because it would melt!!!!  ;-)
Love Uncle Jim

Happy Anniversary Rick and Donna

Well,
Sorry I am late posting this, but as long as you guys have been married what is a couple days ....right? It should have been on July 14th. but by the time you guys get back together to celebrate this day will have passed. Now not to start rumors but for those that don't know Donna is in the UK and Rick is in the USA.  What do you think is going on? Does absence make the heart grow fonder or is distance the secret to longevity? Or is it more sinister than that.. "Fare and honest you decide"

riiiight so here are the pictures..that go with the blog!

KidZone 2010

Yesterday we took the kids to KidZone....every year about midwinter a local high school has this fair...it's a bit expensive to get in, but once you're in all the activities and supplies are free (food...of course is extra! lol)
Anyway..the kids had a great day (mum and dad too but for us the cold wasn't so fun)
they got their hair and makeup done (the princess and the clown----exactly who they are without makeup btw), they rode a miniature train, went in a big pool on boats, made puppets, kites, candles, and marble games, played with leggos and a in a sandpit, made a volcano, listented to a puppet show and a singer, made gigantic bubbles and rode on a merry go round, and SOO much more...and there still wasnt' enough time for them to do it all!

Thought you'd like to see the pics!

Love to all,
Sandy

Where are we heading?

I know this is not suppose to be a political forum but here I go anyway.
Al Capone started as a thug and ended up one of the most notorious criminals in US history. King Kong was once a little monkey. Obama was once a community activist.....Our government is getting so corrupt and huge is size and power that it scares me. Obama has not had one honest appointment that has not been a blatant criminal since he has been in power. The old "Chicago way" has hit Washington.
The political appointments and the new look of the Supreme Court is so left that we will all be government employees owing our soul to Obama, no 1st Amendment wrights, not 2nd amendment writes, czars that are unchecked where does it all end? I ask you. Now share the wealth...how about giving or donating your own riches Pres and show us how to do it.  That will be the day, he won't even take care of his own family.
We now have a president that ran on openness, bills being posted on the Internet, fair to all. Now we find out he lied about being open as well as many other issues, but the issue that worries me most is the outright socialist he is and is showing. Health Care alone is going to break the backs of the working class. He passed a bill that would not raise  taxes, you could keep your insurance, doctor, no death panels and now he in the darkness of his openness appoints a devout card carrying socialist to oversee health care reform.
You all need to take a look at what is happening and vote these people out of office before we become the United Socialist States.

We are excited to be expecting little Baby Maria Elizabeth Rodriguez on September 21st. This is from our 4D ultrasound that we had last month.

(sorry it took me so long to get it posted, Mom!)

Henry Buehler's picture

The picture of the Civil War soldiers standing in front of the tent: Henry Buehler (also spelled Buhler) is standing on the far right of the picture. Henry was described as being 5'4", with grey eyes, large mouth, auburn hair, round chin, light complexion and oval face. If you don't have this picture let me know and get you a copy. Barry is flying so I can't download it - maybe someone else can. Anyway, Sandy I guess your auburn hair goes way back!! And brother Jim, when I look at this picture, I see your face! So Jim has a lot of Buhler in him and Rick looks like a Griffin! Me? I STILL don't know who I look like - okay keep those comments to yourself!
I'm done for a while now!! Someone else's turn!!!

More info on Henry Buehler

Guys bear with me, but this stuff is SO interesting. The 20th Regiment of NY Volunteers were made up of members ot the NY Turngemeinde and their Civil War nickname was "The United Turner Rifles". So I did some digging to find out what THAT meant.
Here goes:
"Prior to 1848 no club or society for the promotion and pursuit of physical exercises in NYC existed.....the 1st society organized for this purpose was the NY Turngemeinde. Its organization took place on the 28th of November 1848, by chance, at a social meeting in Hoboken. The founders were mostly former members of Turner Societies in different parts of Germany, who had taken active part in the revolutionary movement of said year, to upset the monarchial institutions in Germany and who had to quit the land of their birth and seek refuge on this soil after that noble effort failed. On June 6, 1850 the Society moved to Beekman Street, near Nassau...
True to the traditional tendencies of the Turner Societies, from the days of Father Jahn (sic), the society not only put on its programme the development op physical strength, health, and so forth by means of physical training but it also made the development of the mental capacities, the fostering of sociability and last but not least, the propagation of progressive ideas on political, social and religious subjects, a part of its endeavors."
This is SOOOOO COOOOOL! Our ancesters were so into religious freedom! Remember we are also descended through Poppy, from French Heugenots - the Gerow line!!!!
It looks like we still have some pretty strong DNA running through our veins!!

Civil War info

I solved the mystery of the billy club. It was called a "turnverein". It was actually an athletic club. Many of the members of the NY 20th, belonged to a turnverein club. The German is as follows: turnen means "to perform gymnastic exercises" and verein means "club". So in the club the members used a club to exercise with. Dad would have really enjoyed this bit of information. There is a really good website with info on this unit. gkkapp.home.infionline.net/20NYSV.htm
I question the "i" in there "infion" but that's how it is listed.

Pam's Mom went to be with the Lord this morning

I just wanted to let everyone know that Pam's mom passed away this morning at 3:55 am.  Patsy was her name. I know Rick knows her and of course 28 years ago you all met her at our wedding.  Patsy was a strong Christian lady and we take great joy in knowing that. This morning she sits before Jesus and get to see His smiling face as he says "Well done my good and faithful servant". What great joy that must be.
But with this also comes a time of loss and grieving so please Keep Pam and her Brother Tim in your prayers.

Where is Bavaria?

Bavaria is in the south eastern portion of Germany, right above the Alps. Until 1918 it was a sovereign kingdom. Most people from Bavaria still consider themselves to be Bavarians. When our ancestor left, it was not part of Germany, so we can add Bavarian to our long, long list!
Just so ya know!! :) This is what insomniacs do for fun! Hey Rick and Donna, you were there weren't you?

civil war veteran

Hey you guys - let's get back to the blog!!
I was working on our family history again and I found another civil war vet Henry Buhler was a vet and Poppy had his discharge papers. Well, Gustav Reeb who was born in Baveria/Bayern and who was married to Mary, served in the NY79th Regiment, company D from 13 May 1861 to 14 July 1865. His name was incorrectly entered as Ribe and Rebe. You can google the regiment to find out where they went etc. He was not even wounded.
Now to tell you who he is in our line, he and Mary were the parents of Catherine Reeb who married Johanne Frederich Christian Helmuth who was the Father of "Fred Helmuth" who was the father of Mildred Evelyn Helmuth and Florence Helmuth. We all knew Mildred as Nanny. She was married to Poppy, James Walter Laverty, the father of James Helmuth Laverty and Clifford C. Laverty, who was the father of ..... need I go on? I'm sure we have MANY ancestors on James Laverty's line also who served but I haven't had time to really look yet. Too many names and so little time hint, hint.
Anyway, I thought the grandkids and great-grandkids would like to know.

Happy Father's Day!

Well guys, happy Father's Day to you all - that's a lot of men in this family! Happy Father's Day to Poppy and Dad! My kisses and hugs to heaven from Bub with love!

Happy Birthday Sandy!!!!!!!!

Ouch you are getting oooold. Yet I remain so young. It is phenomenal how that all works.
Have a great birthday!

Pam Too!

OOPS! Thanks to Jim and Pam! Thanks for all the tips on where to go and what to see. We added to our Alewine pottery collection. Beautiful stuff!

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Thanks to Jim, we were able to sneak in 4 days at Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here goes:

Little Maria

Barry and I just finished watching real-time video of our 5month in the womb granddaughter, Maria. It is so amazing being able to watch a little one try to suck her thumb, grab her toes, and get into the lotus position before she is even due to be born! She already has LONG eyelashes, lots of hair, and long slender legs. Of course right now there is no chub at all lol We could hear Lara and Al and the tech. It was so incredible to be able to "be there" even though we were 400+ miles away!!!! It was a wonderful present for our 21st wedding anniversary! Kyle sat watching with us and suddenly said, "I can see Papa in there!" It was Barry's reflection on the screen. Maria was very active and of course, we all end up wondering what she is thinking about. I asked Kyle what he was thinking about when he was in his Mommy's tummy. He said, "The WII". I don't know why I even asked!!
So congratulations to Lara and Al and little Maria!
Eileen, I hope you get to do the same with your newest little one!

May birthdays

Has anyone besides me noticed how all the INCREDIBLY
WONDERFUL people are born in MAY!!!!!!!!!

And....Happy Birthday Zoe beans

Phew! Last birthday that I have to plan for the year! (3 this month!)

We celebrated Zoe's 5th birthday a couple days early today with a party at Chipmunks (kinda like Chuck E Cheese but no pizza). I made her a castle cake...been planning on making it for her 5th birthday since she was 2..lol I must be an incredibly good guesser...because everything we bought her was "JUST WHAT I WANTED" she said!

She's off to school for on Monday (hoorayyy says mum).

Ok...enough post from me for a while!

Love to everyone,
sandy