jude

ok - lots of typo's in the last blog, and no picture of jude. i just fired myself.

here is a picture or two of handsome jack

kaliforneyeeh?

Hi all,

Thanks for all the updates you have been posting. It's a great way to keep in touch. Nice funnel cloud Tim!

Ella turned 5 today! Thank you all for the notes and gifts. She has had a wonderful weekend. The birthday part was a sleepover with a few of her friends and a morning visit by a princess. This princess, while viewed skeptically by one of the guests, pefrormed magic tricks, sang songs, and did some face painting. Ella told Trish that her dreams had come true. It was quite lovely.

You probably know that Ella started Kindergarten this year. So far so good. She seems to love it, and is quite fond of her teachers. First day pictures are included.

Jude is doing awesome as well. He is talking up a storm and having a great time trying to be as independant as his sister. He cracks us up with his seriousness and focus. He can hit the golf ball like it's nobody's business. That's my boy!

Trish just returned from another trip to Europe - only this time with a stop in Dubai. She loves to visit the foreign lands, but was not impressed with Dubai.

We are starting to think about our holiday plans, so we'll let you know details soonly.

Miss you all, Jon

Audrey's first day of Kindergarten

Sorry about the editing - for some reason, it isn't letting me move pictures around this time. Audrey loves Kindergarten. Here she is all dressed up for her first day.

And here is a picture with Gabe:

Note the box of tissues on the steps behind Ingrid. Audrey's teacher was prepared.

And lastly, there is a picture of Audrey with Miss Donahue.

They have after-care in Audrey's school, and it is run by her Kindergarten teacher. She loves it.

No pictures of Ingrid's first day - that was back in August. Ingrid still can't stop talking about how much fun she has there.

Nobody took pictures of my first day teaching at Clark.

Heather

Spencer Summer pictures

Jacob and cousin Laura












Dave and Molly who you often hear from and about, but never really get to see. Aren't they a handsome pair!!










Lots of people pictures from the reunion, but here is the farm-where the aunts and uncles spent lots of time as kids. ok, Elaine and Eli are next, but I can't get the cursor to go down there!!!!!!!

Torch Lake update

The Spencer family had a few days together at the lake in August. We enjoyed being together and took advantage of everyone being here by taking a family picture. Since we had a 'professional' come and take them, I can't post them on the blog, but will be sure everyone gets one when the holidays roll around.

Most of you know that Matt has a new job as the principal of Sparta High School. This happened fairly suddenly in early August when the principal he had worked with took a job in Montcalm County. Jacob started kindergarten this year and loves riding the bus with the big kids to go to school. Eli considers the childcare at the YMCA to be his school and proudly announces that whenever he drives by. Of course, Jacob tries to set everyone straight by reminding us that it isn't a real school!!

Molly has kept everyone pretty well posted on life in St. Paul. We sure enjoyed having the Parker clan here for a few weeks this summer. Hard to believe that Ben is seven!!

Andy, Katie and Will made a quick (four day) trip to Michigan in August. It was such fun to see all the cousins together! Katie's folks joined us for a couple of the days, staying at the golf course since we were full!

The new Community Services Building that Bob has been working on for three years is completed, dedicated and in full use. This has taken quite a bit of pressure off of him so the job seems more manageable. Still we are looking forward to November 20th at noon when the new Supervisor begins his work. We are hoping to take a long week-end in Chicago soon after he finishes.

We have enjoyed having Tim and Jana and Kate and Jim so close. We see them and any of their visitors regularly. So, we've been able to see Gary and Michelle, Nancy and Skip, the Lisenbee extended family and all but Ben in the Tim Johnson family. Life is great up north and we invite any and all of you for a visit!!

The responses to the inquiry about the family Christmas party lead me to believe that we should have it the Saturday after Christmas at Lisenbees. All in favor? Then it is settled. Details to come later but I think you can pretty much plan on a repeat of the last several years. Who has the owls?

I didn't do my homework with summer pictures before I started this so I can't send any. I tried to add them to this from Picasa, but failed. I will try again sometime.

Funnel Cloud

Skip and Nancy stopped by the cottage on Sunday. When we went down to show them the beach there was a funnel cloud hanging over the bay. Not sure how far away it was. The pictures below were taken with a telephoto lens. I am thinin that the cloud was at least 15 miles away.

First Day in Minnesota

Ben's first day was a week ago today. So far, he seems to be loving his new school and doesn't mind the bus ride at all.

Andy and Laura Kate started yesterday at Crocus Hill. Andy was excited because he's in "the biggest class" this year. Laura Kate didn't want to go (so she said at home)... but once we arrived she had her coat off and was saying "Bye, Mom" pretty much immediately. So, everyone is off to a good start this year.

And speaking of pictures, Aunt Kate, how about a few new ones of Gwen???

First day of school

Hey,

I know there have been at least three little ones on their first day of school. How about some pictures, we know you took some.

Katie

Lisenbee Family Update

Hello Family,

I haven't blogged in awhile so I thought it might be time to give a Lisenbee family update. We all had a wonderful summer and got up to the new cottage quite often. It's so much closer than Lost Lake Woods. Nate and Kendall even got up there a few times with the baby. Speaking of the baby, Gwen is doing great! She's getting big, her eyes are still blue and she is sleeping through the night! Kendall goes back to work part time at Mary Free Bed Hospital at the end of the month and her mom is going to babysit when needed. Since Kendall works nights, she'll just need to come in the morning when Nate leaves for work and stay until Kendall has had a chance to get a few hours of sleep.

Jillie is still working for me, but she is still planning on moving to South Bend in the near future. She decided not to start classes this fall on her Master's of Public Health; she'll probably start in January and give herself a chance to save some money first.

Liz and I went to the Johnson family reunion in Yale on August 16. I will try to include some pictures for those of you who were unable to attend. It was a really nice get together, but I was called Paula and then Judy by several different cousins. Actually, I was surprised by all the people that showed up! It turns out that Sharon's son Steven, has a home in Lost Lake Woods. Uncle Harold thinks he sold Mom's house to Paula's husband and now he wants a finders fee. If they buy it, I might think about it. He does need a hearing aid..




Hopefully, you can see these pictures when I post this. If not, don't tell me, just ask Tim to post some pictures. That's about it for us. I'm exhausted from trying to get these pictures on the blog.

Love,

Katie