Ireland Christmas

I remember all the Christmases together at Grandma & Grandpa's house. With all of us there I'm sure the house was busting at the seams. I know the roof must have been raising from all the noise. I remember opening gifts and sitting with our own families, then we went around and told what we got and from whom. I remember all the goodies everyone made. Grandma's Hard Tack Candy - yum!! There were always tables of Pitch being played and when you got old enough they grabbed us kids and we got to learn how. But most of all I remember getting tired and waiting for Mom & Dad to be ready to go and starting to doze off. You would hear all the talking and then it just became a hum as you got sleepy, but every so often someone would laugh and you'd wake up. It was a good childhood and so wonderful to be part of this big lovable family!

Summer Vacation

Some of my best memories from being a kid were spending summers on the ranch. As soon as school was out, Mom and Dad would pile all of us in the car and we would head off to South Dakota. We would always stop at Brooks' and get penny candy and that's when I knew that we were almost there! In my mind, I remember Brooks' as being a candy store but Mom is quick to point out that it was really a general store and we were probably stopping for groceries... but I just remember spending lots of time trying to decide what I could get for my few cents.

The folks would usually stay for at least a week or two but then they would have to get back home for work and they would leave Dan and I behind for the whole summer! We always had to help out with chores and stuff while we were there but it seemed more like an adventure than a job. And when the summer was over, Grandma and Grandpa would pile us in a car with somebody they knew who was heading to Denver and that's how we'd get home again.

Hey all you cousins! I'm so glad we are going to get together for a happy occassion! Can't wait to see you and swap stories, memories, & pics. We are definitely planning on coming and James too! Talk to you soon! Love Nicki