Wedding Picture

http://www.karenyouker.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?pagenum=128&action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&id=3061314&eventid=36887

Married

It was so nice to see so many of you at the wedding this past weekend. Bryan and I had such a great time. I'll let you know when pictures are posted on the photographer's website. Thanks for coming!

Torch Lake

I missed doing my update in May and chances are pretty good that I will miss it again in June so thought I would use a rainy, cold Sunday to bring everyone up-to-date on the senior Spencers. This spring we had the opportunity to spend time with all of our grandkids and with Jon and Trish. I am going to try to put some pictures in at the end of this post. (ok, I tried to do it at the end, but here they are at the beginning.) We took a short trip to Washington, DC as well. Our timing meant that we missed the Cherry Blossom Festival (which may have been a good thing), but we enjoyed our visit and the opportunity to see so many things of national pride. I especially enjoyed visiting the World War II monument and the Vietnam Wall. Also visited Arlington Cemetery and witnessed the changing of the guard. One of the attractions at Arlington is the perpetual flame marking the grave site of John F. Kennedy. All of the memories of that horrible event in our history came flooding back. It was pretty emotional though it has been such a long time since the event Recently, we have been spending lots of time in the yard getting ready for the summer season: checking to see what the deer left for us to enjoy, feeding the flowers and trees and moving the summer toys out of the big garage.

We are looking forward to seeing many of the million Johnsons at Jill's and Bryan's wedding in a few weeks. Bob and I are hosting a 'rehearsal dinner' of sorts-if you have a part in the actual ceremony, you will be forced to have dinner at the Rowe Inn in Ellsworth (a truly lovely place with great food). If you only need to practice sitting in chairs and raising your arm in a toast, you can enjoy dinner at our house. If you are in (or near) town on June 26, we hope you will come. The menu will be more like picnic fare, but we think it will be fun to get together. Jon and family and Tim and family will for sure be with us. Gwen Lisenbee will be the center of our attentions since her parents will be dining at the Rowe. Finally, it is rumored that our brother, Matt, will be arriving sometime that afternoon. Come anytime around 4:00 p.m. For planning purposes, let us know if you can join in the fun.

Now comes the hard part, I will try to add some pictures: ok, they're here but not where I wanted. Hope you enjoy.

A Bunch of Minnesota Pics

These are photos of Ben with his track-and-field day ribbons, and of the end-of-year art show at Andy's & Laura Kate's nursery school.

Minnesota Update

Hi Everyone,

I just posted this on Facebook, but for all of you who are not yet on Facebook, here it is (P.S. come on over to Facebook, it's fun!):

We went up for a short visit to Gooseberry Falls and the Lake Superior shoreline nearby, then the Duluth waterfront. We saw a freighter come in for loading - pretty cool. It was fun, but not as fun as a Memorial Day weekend in northern Michigan would have been. Here are some photos:





























































Andy & Laura Kate have their last day at nursery school tomorrow. Ben's done on June 9th. We're looking forward to summer.

I had the most awesome dream of Grandma the other night - she gave me a great big hug and it felt exactly like a Grandma hug. Okay, right now: everybody, imagine one of Grandma's wonderful hugs around you.





















Wasn't that great?

Love you all,
Molly

I did it!

Hi Family,

Many of you know that I have been training for a mini-marathon (13.1 miles) with Jillie and Mick. The marathon was last weekend in Indianapolis and we all were able to complete the run. I even got a medal! Actually, it was alot of fun. On just about every other corner there was a band playing, and people lined the route cheering the runners on. We ran one lap around the Indi 500 speedway. That was my first experience as a runner and my goal was just to finish the race and not care about how fast I went. Mick was already showered and dressed by the time Jillie and I got back to the hotel. I think I might do it next year.

In other news, the wedding date is getting closer. We had a wonderful shower for Jillie two weekends ago. I would attach some pictures but I am at work right now. Maybe when I get home. The invitations for the wedding should be going out soon!

Baby Gwen is doing great! She is ten months old, not quite walking yet but she will walk while holding onto things. She got her fist haircut last week and Grandpa Liz got in trouble with her Mom by saying she looked like a Beetle! I think she is going to keep her brunette hair, it doesn't seem to be lightening up like Nate and Jill's did.

That's about it for now. I'll post some pictures if I can when I get home. Can't wait to see you all at the wedding.


Katie

I love you!

I feel like the blog has been neglected a little lately since so many of us have adopted Facebook (yes!!!) so I am going to give it a little attention before it feels unwanted and unappreciated.

I am nearing the end of my third year of teaching... getting closer to Tenure and am very excited. My year in second grade started off rough, but after much growth and training (for my students as well as myself) I know I will be ending my year on a good note. My class is wonderful, they are so cute and loving and have made a lot of growth this year. I am very proud. I have one student who (I know) is going to be a doctor when he grows up. He was telling me about his baby cousin who is one year old, and how he has been sick lately. He told me his cousin has Ramonia (pnemonia). Then a few months later, he was out sick for a few days, when he came back to school, he told me that he went to the doctor and the doctor told him that he had a weasel in his chest. You have GOT to love kids!

Since I dont have babies to talk about, I will talk about the closest thing I've got. Lily is big and she is trained! YEAH! She is currently chewing on her toys and not my feet or the couch which is just wonderful! She got a Red Wings collar for Easter/1st birthday and I have decided she is their good luck charm.

I will be home this summer for Jillie's wedding and through the month of July. I hope to see as many of you as possible!

LOVE
Julie

The 23rd

Not much news from Torch Lake, but it is the 23rd and since I give my brothers and sisters encouragement to provide a monthly update, I am trying to do the same. Bob and I have been home just a few days from a visit to Molly and Dave and then a short stay with Matt and Elaine to help celebrate Jake's 6th birthday. Next week we are leaving for a few days to go to Washington, DC. I have never been there and Bob has just passed through. We have booked a day-long tour so that we see the highlights and then will spend a day or two on our own just poking around.

Andy, Katie and Will are all well. They are enjoying having Katie's mom and dad living in San Francisco for six months. The Millers and Spencers joined Jon and Trish and family for Easter dinner. A trip to Torch Lake is in the works for August.

Matt and Elaine, Jacob and Eli had a wonderful trip to Disney World over spring break. The boys loved the rides and the fun of the park. Matt and Elaine just enjoyed being away from the distractions of life as a high school principal and nursing student. Elaine is feeling well and of course they are thrilled about the prospect of a new female family member. Each time we see them there is something else pink just waiting for August!

Molly and Dave, Ben, Andy and Laura are looking forward to a family vacation towards the end of June and then a trip to Torch in August. Ben is losing teeth! Two this week, he has that 'all I want for Christmas. . . ' look. Andy will start school in the fall-all day kindergarten. Laura goes to pre-school three days a week and is all excited about a father-daughter night today.



ok, so by now you have figured out that I can't manuever the pictures too well. Anyway, enjoy. Love to you all.

Torch Lake Spartans

Go State!! Seems to be the theme around our house this week-end. We are planning to watch the semi-finals with friends on a screen bigger than ours. Tomorrow we will go to Traverse City and wait in line for our tickets to watch the final game on the theater screen on Monday night. Free tickets are available for this community service project offered by the State Theater.

The snow continues to fall on northern Michigan, the consoling part is that it doesn't stay long anymore. Piles are still visible where previous snows were stacked (from Oct to Mar) in order to keep the driveway passable. We are ready for spring!!

Our trip to California was delightful. Spring was in full season. The flowering trees and bushes filled the air with scents we long for here in Michigan. The geraniums are in bloom and the farmers' markets are lush with local (or almost local) produce. Jon and Trish, Ella and Jude, are all doing well. It is nice to see how the children are growing and developing. Ella is a real organizer, gets everyone doing the 'right' thing. She had the kids (Will and Jude) and that Grandma, Aunt Jill dancing after dinner one night. It was nice to have an extended visit with Andy, Katie and Will. This is the first time that we have had the opportunity for such a long visit. Bob and I took a couple of day trips to the ocean while Andy and Katie worked; I joined Trish for lunch and a shopping trip to Palo Alto one day; took many trips to the park with Will and just generally enjoyed going outside with only a light jacket on and no boots!! The pictures we took are still in the camera so I won't have to struggle with how to add them in here. However, if you have a facebook account, you can see pictures on Andy's page of he and his dad skiing. Well the picture of his dad was taken while skiing; the picture of Andy was afterwards.

Love to you all.