We knew we were somewhere in their neck of the woods, and so Tim called Grandma Bixby last Friday to see where exactly the Dierkings live in PA. Sure enough, our route from Berwick, PA, to Darlington, MD, was to take us right by their town, Mount Joy, PA. So Tim called them Friday night, and Uncle Phil & Aunt Debbie were gracious enough to arrange their Saturday around us so that we could spend a couple of hours with them on our way past their house. We were only with them for about two hours, but we packed a lot in! The boys were working in the garden when we arrived, but paused to entertain M & M royally! Our kids had a blast with them! Uncle Phil walked our kids to a pear tree on their farm that was ripe for pickin' and we enjoyed sharing their produce with them. Then we took a drive to a nearby apple orchard, and it didn't take long at all for our troup to fill two boxes of apples. That area is really beautiful! Then we swung by Uncle Phil's place of work, and he showed us his truck and the eggs in the cooler. (He retrieves and delivers eggs--more than 400,000 dozen in every truckload!) Our brief visit with them was a lot like an agricultural field trip! We are glad that we stopped in, and are grateful for the Dierkings' last-minute hosting of us.
Nati got in tonight for a week's vacation. Markus came with him. I will have more pictures in the morning but just wanted to let you know that he is here. We are excited to have our favorite Swiss son home! It has been almost exactly 9 years since he came for the first time. Hard to believe.
Huguette came up to visit me yesterday. She has "wheels" again since she had to get rid of her car. Quite the little get-a-bout but I think the car was safer! She really is doing great--it has been a year now since her stroke.
We love you and hope that you have a very special day!! It is hard to believe that you have been married sooooo long!!
Today we had Sunday dinner with the Beals. Mrs. Beals, sr. made Johanna a tradional (for them) birthday cake. It was great! We had a good time.
Here are the traditional "Pictures in front of the door on the first day of school."
OK, you all--humor your parents and post some pictures!!! We want to see the rest of you! We didn't do much for Labor Day--except go to the Outlets (forgot the cameras!) Jo and Brian went out on a date in the evening and we babysat. Stefan got a tyke bike from some people in the church. Reminded me of Bobby as a baby--he loved his tyke bike and went everywhere on it.
