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As summertime comes to a close, we await sending our little ones (and big ones) back to school. We’ve got first year of college, first day of pre-school, and a daily speech therapy program going on our household. My hubbie’s new job, and the re-organization of my biz. Busy, busy, busy. I hope you’ve all enjoyed your summer. Stay tuned for the holiday specials that will begin in September. In the meantime, enjoy our backyard brawl with the broken water hose.
cheers!! 
Our family hardly ever vacations but sometimes getting out of house is needed. However, traveling with a 4 and 2 year old has its obstacles, especially when dining out {shaking my head because I do not think we had one outing that went smoothly!!}. But the beach was marvelous, cool, and always fun. We ventured to our regular hangout at Pismo Beach…but also ventured Shell Beach and Avila Beach. Would I recommend the central CA coast? YES!! In addition to the beaches, there is the marvels of wine tasting. Our favorite in the Paso Robles region is Tablas Creek Winery.
Here are just a few of my favorites!!
My grandmother, also notably called, “Nanny” is 91 today. She still does crossword puzzles, plays bingo, and eats dinner at Jackpot Junction in Redwood Falls. We Love you, Nanny!!!
A photo showing my family tree. “Nanny” was born Annabelle Pape. She married, Kenneth Schmidt; had my dad and all his siblings. They lived on a farm outside of Milroy, MN raising cattle and all kinds of grain. Around the time my dad was 15, Kenneth died of a heart attack. “Nanny” was then introduced by a charming widower, Raymond Turbes, also known as Grandpa Ray to many of us. They spent a great deal of their time traveling…mainly down south to escape the cold harsh Minnesota winters. Nanny got her name by her first grandchild, Parris, who could not say, Annabelle. It came out “Nanny” and has stuck ever since. Even the great grandchildren call her “Nanny”. Nanny was noted for her yummy chocolate chip cookies, homemade cherry pie {she did take the blue ribbon many times at the Redwood County Fair while growing up}, upside rhubarb cake, pie and sauces {oh sooo good} and all kinds of desserts. We never left the dinner table without dessert. Christmas was the best….all of us would get together {that included almost all the aunts and uncles – 7×2 – and all of my cousins} for dinner and presents. Our summers we spent up north at one of the many lakes in Minnesota with all of us.
photos restored…original digitals are lost…another project in my hands
This is all of us now {and most were not present!!}
photo taken August 2008
Nanny with her kids {except Aunt Janice who was not able to make it}
photo taken August 2008
To view more photos from Nanny’s birthday last year on Uncle Butch’s farm, visit my Family & Friends link HERE.
Happy Birthday Nanny!!
If you know Nanny, share your story!!!!
Little Evie received her naming ceremony among the beauty of nature in Mammoth Lakes this July. It was a joyous event filled with fun, laughter and spirit. Amazing what mountain air can do for you despite the altitude…. It was a very casual event witnessed by many friends and family that were in attendance. Now, where does this butterfly story come in…
During the ceremony, around the time when Nana and Mary were discussing the long ago stories of their grandmothers, out of sky appeared a beautiful yellow butterfly. Its presence stopped moments of time as it passed over Nana’s parents, and over Mary’s mother, sister, nephew and aunt, and making its way over Baby Evie, Nana and Mary before venturing off into the mountain side behind them. The moment was too beautiful and serene for photos. It was as if this was a little angel casting wishes and blessings upon them. Then realizing what this moment would mean, I frankly searched through my zoom lens in search of this fluttering creature of beauty. But it was no where to be found….{for those at the ceremony noticing my subtle rapid movements in trying to get the perfect shot…this was why:) }…this was a story I could not leave untold and a story for Baby Evie to remember forever about her special day.
The Forest Chapel on Twin Lakes
Nana, Mary and Baby Evie
Remembering….
Receiving her blessings…
Mama Otieku with ceremony water…
Monty with his wonderful words…. {notice Max Parker, too!!}
The family admiration……
The keepsake boxes….not to be opened until Evie’s 18th birthday…
The beauty…
and of course every celebration must have a party….wonderful food drink and natural surroundings…
moments before Baby Evie took her long and awaited nap nap….whew what a day for this little one!!! Many Blessings Baby Evie!!!
