Friday, August 30, 2013

Bathroom!

While we were off vacationing, Jason was home working his tail off as usual. He finished the bathroom tile work and it looks amazing! I don't think he'll be pursuing it as a new career though, it's back-breaking. The kids were over the moon to be in their own bathroom and new bathtub. It's a pretty deep tub so Jayden can stand up and hang on the edge (perfect since he loves to stand all the time) and I am looking forward to having a relaxing soak myself.

Vacation Highlights

We had a lot of wonderful time up at the lake this summer. It was not especially warm but very pleasant for spending time in the yard and going for boat rides. We even did a little swimming! Here are a few highlights:

Mini-Golf and Go-Karts (Daddy/Daughter date), A&W Root Beer Floats, Nisswa Turtle Races, Crazy Days (great new shoes for school), Crow Wing County Fair (lots of animals, tractors and a bandstand), more mini-golf, fishing, swimming, boating, tubing, and other lake adventures!

Annual visit to the A&W for root beer floats

Pony rides at the Crow Wing County Fair

About town with Papa

Playing with my Aunt Allie

Swinging with Grandma

Learning to fish, and also making new friends

Discovering LOTS and LOTS of new books

Walking buddies

Swimming off the pontoon boat.

It's not very warm but it's sunny and still (and clear)!

Jayden's first foray into the lake

Happy boy with Grandma

Layla (and Mom) go tubing.

Back in the cities, at the Walker Art Center Sculpture garden.

Temporary mini-golf exhibit at the Walker

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Uncle Bud

My whole life I remember my two Great Uncles, Bud and Chat. It took me years to realize that these were not their actual names. Chat was a nickname for Chatelain, George's last name and Bud, well I don't know why we called him Bud. He passed away last week and maybe this weekend at his memorial I will finally learn why.

My Mom said that you could always tell how people knew Bud by what they called him. My Aunt Jeanne sometimes called him Norman, but that was his middle name. His first name was William and in the 35 years I knew him I never heard anyone call him that. But, I think he went by Bill at work and something else in the service.

Bud was my Grandma Wilma's little brother, the middle child of the three. He was a Navy man, serving in WWII and Korea, taking after his own father. He went to college on the GI bill and became a mechanical engineer, had a great career and raised two children. He was a University of Minnesota alum and Gopher enthusiast who held season tickets for football every year.

A few years ago he and Jeanne moved into a co-op in Osseo. It was the same place my Grandma had lived. As fate would have it, they ended up living in the exact same unit. Very strange. I will steal a little of Jill's blog here to say that about a week ago Bud was re-united in Heaven with his sisters. This earth was blessed with 93 years of a loving and kind man who will be greatly missed. I am so grateful to have had him in my life and that we got to see him only a few weeks ago.

Wilma, Bud and Audrey in 1925

Bud with Mom and Jayden 8/4/2013

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William N. Bud Edberg

Edberg, William N. (Bud) 93, of Osseo and long-time resident of Crystal, died Tuesday, August 13, 2013. Survived by wife of 62 years, Jeanne E. (Meyer); son, John and daughter, Laurie Gerber; grandchildren, Kathryn and Benjamin; six nieces and nephews and their families. Graduate of North High School, Dunwoody Institute, and the University of Minnesota. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Employed for 36 years by MLO/Honeymead Products of Fridley as a mechanical engineer and plant manager. Lifelong active member of North United Methodist Church. Service at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 24 at North United Methodist Church, 4350 Fremont Ave. N. Visitation one-half hour before. Interment following at Crystal Lake Cemetery. Memorials preferred to North United Methodist Church Missions Fund. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Swanson Chapel 612-529-9691

Published in Star Tribune on August 18, 2013

William N. (Bud) Edberg

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William N. (Bud) Edberg

Obituary

Guest Book

Be the first to share your memories or express your condolences in the Guest Book for William N. Bud Edberg.

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Published in Star Tribune on August 18, 2013

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- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=166509062#fbLoggedOut

William N. (Bud) Edberg

Obituary

Guest Book

Be the first to share your memories or express your condolences in the Guest Book for William N. Bud Edberg.

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Published in Star Tribune on August 18, 2013

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- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=166509062#fbLoggedOut

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Making Dirt

When life gives you little pieces of 'garbage' each day, what do you do? No, this isn't a philosophical question, it's just to tell you that we finally have something to do with all those little veggie scraps and eggshells that used to go in the disposal (when we had a disposal) or just into the garbage can.

Now.....we are making dirt! I even have my neighbor (and gardening champ) in on the game. Wait until you see the tomatoes we grow next year!

Thanks Mom and Dad for picking up (literally) this awesome new composter for us while we were at the Crow Wing County Fair a couple of weeks ago.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Back to School

Our Layla Bean was back to school today, starting in the "Sunflower Fours" room. After a month of vacation she was both nervous and excited about getting back to school and seeing all her friends. Her teacher for this year is new in her position but a familiar face at our school and an experienced teacher. She will have her hands full with our group of precocious, mostly first sibling, kids. From our view they are well-prepared for the coming school year and are eager learners. It's so fun to see them continue to grow and learn.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Sidelined

So, part of the reason for my absence was that we spent a lot of time vacationing and trying to unplug over the last month. I also had surgery to repair 2 hernias (abdominal and umbilical) the week following Layla's birthday. The surgery went well, and I am healing fine although not as quickly as I would have hoped. I was so happy to never have had a c-section, and now sadly still ended up with a scar on my tummy. Ah well. I guess my life of bikini-wearing was probably over already anyway. Now I'm just another mom at the pool with a tankini and skirted bottom.

Part of the recovery process requires not lifting anything (or anyone) that weighs more than 20 pounds for a month. Thankfully, my parents were able to be in town for the surgery and then take the kids up north for an extended vacation which they have loved. Jason was up for a long weekend and I have been back and forth in between.

This past week I was in Minnesota and learned of the passing of Jason's great-uncle John. John was a great influence on Jason, they spent a lot of time together when Jason was young. John was a terrific man, always positive, humble and welcoming. Although I didn't know him very well, he made an impression on me and I wanted to be there for his service.

Layla has been to a few wakes, but this was the first where she knew the deceased personally. We had last visited with John in February and she remembered him and being at his house. She handled it all very well and was also very happy to see some of her younger cousins.

The Joski clan is a big one and John was very active in his community. When John's Dad, Nick (Jason's great-grandfather), died the funeral was overwhelming and this was very similar, I think most of Kewaunee was there. The veterans presented the flag to Pat and the 7 man rifle party did a three-volley salute. It was a beautiful day, from the doors of the church you could see the sun sparkling off the lake.

John N. Joski
(March 31, 1941 - August 10, 2013)

John N. Joski Sr., age 72 of Kewaunee died of a heart attack on Saturday, August 10, 2013. He was born on March 31, 1941 in Preble, WI to the late Nick and Ann (Danielski) Joski.

He graduated from Premontre High School in 1959. He served in the Wisconsin National Guard during the Berlin Air Lift. He married Pat Rentmeester on August 11, 1962 at All Saints Church in Denmark.
He and his brother, Bob, started Joski Tile in1962 which continues to be operated by the next generation. In 1972 he purchased a farm in the Town of Pierce where he dairy farmed and lived the rest of his life.
He was a long time and very active member of Holy Rosary Parish. He was a member of the Kewaunee County Board of Supervisors as well as Chairman in the Township of Pierce for many years. He derived his greatest joy from using his many skills helping his children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. He was most happy working on his skidsteer which is where the good Lord called him home.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-one years, Pat; three sons and daughters-in-law: John Jr. And Bonnie Joski; Luke and Cathy Joski; Matt and Jackie Joski; three daughters and two sons-in-law: Becki Joski; Sarah and David Starr; Angel and Tim Rude all of Kewaunee; fourteen grandchildren: Nathan (Katrina); Emily; Sam; Rachel; Cody; Hunter; Sophie; Abby; Isabelle; Olivia; Josephine; David; James; MaKenzie; Gustav; brother and sister-in-law: Bob and Sandra Joski; four sisters and three brothers-in-law: Mary Ann and Cal DeBaker, Luxemburg; Donna and John Deprey, Green Bay; Rose and Ron Piontek Denmark; Barbara Lax, Wyoming; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Alan and Jane Rentmeester, Green Bay; Eric and Linda Rentmeester, Denmark and Kurt Rentmeester, Kewaunee. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Ray and Rita Rentmeester and one brother-in-law: Nobert Lax.
Friends may call after 4:00 p.m.Thursday, August 15 at Buchanan Funeral Home, Kewaunee. A parish wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. with Dcn Robert Pribek officiating. Visitation continues on Friday until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, Kewaunee.

Layla is Four!

Layla had been talking about her birthday for awhile (months really) and finally, the big day arrived! We had a fun day on her birthday and went out to dinner at a Glenview Mexican restaurant. Layla loves quesadillas and would have been happy as a clam at Chipotle, but we thought it would be nice to have some more options for the adults. Mom and Dad were in town to celebrate with us! We had a party over the weekend with a handful of Layla's friends from school and their families, along with our parents. The weather was perfect and the kids all enjoyed playing in the pool and running amok in the backyard. Layla had a wonderful time!!