Memorial Day

I don't remember doing anything special on Memorial Day until I moved to Kansas. Of course, I still had all of my Grandparents and a couple of Great-Grandmothers at that time so there were no graves to decorate.





After moving to Kansas, Grandma Wood (Goldie) would tell the story of Decoration Day and what it meant. From what I gather it was first used as a day to decorate graves and to honor and remember those who died in service to their country.


These first two pictures are from the cemetary at Logan, KS. Many veterans are buried there. Every Memorial Day there is a ceremony to honor Americans who served their country here and abroad. Often times it is emotionally hard to visit the cemetary during the ceremony.



In May 2000, it was hard - it was the first time my Daddy was among those being honored. Last May in 2008 it was hard because it was the first time I remembered my Uncle Jack not being a part of the ceremony - his health had really failed and he had to sit in the car. In his place my cousin Leland and his son, Eli took part in the ritual in his place.

Even if it is hard, it is an honor to be able to salute the flag and listen to the speeches which make you thankful and proud to be an American.

This memorial is in our hometown. It serves as a daily reminder of the fact that many men and women from Phillips County, KS served our country in the military.

These last 2 pictures are from the cemetary in Agra, KS. There is a ceremony there every year too. My husband's family knows just about everyone, or at least part of their family, who is there on Memorial Day.
Every year the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts go through the cemetary putting poppies on the graves of veterans. Then someone reads the list of names of veterans buried there and the war they served in.

This year was a tough one, my Father-in-law, Lowell Keesee who served in WWII was among the veterans buried there.

I liked Grandma Wood's version of Memorial Day. Not only did she honor those who served their country, but it was a time of remembrance of loved ones gone on. She would tell stories about her mother, her baby who lived such a short time and had lots of curly hair, and it was a treasured time. Many times I would hear a new story that I could recall and even ask someone else about to see what their memories were about that person.

Through the years we took our girls to the cemetary on Memorial Day. We used the time to tell our girls about their great grandparents, uncles, and other family members who were not around for them to know. As time passed, they had stories for during their lifetimes they have lost a great, great grandmother, several great grandmothers and grandfathers, their two grandfathers, and many other friends and family members. They have a rich heritage and many stories to share. It all begins with "Do you remember the time.." or "Have you heard about the time..." and ends with "Yes, I remember..."

Thank you God for family and for memories!

Meet Uncle J

Jared was really excited about meeting Miss Chloe. He was Jacqueline's "online" doctor and answered many questions during her pregnancy. He was great with Chloe and I think he is going to love the role of uncle as much as Jeremy. We joked and said if Uncle X wasn't holding Chloe, then Uncle J had her. That was true it was hard to get her away from the two uncles!



Uncle J holding Chloe during her first cookout.



Uncle J, Chloe and Auntie AJ

Uncle J didn't even mind the tears!

Auntie Pam & Uncle X

I don't have pictures of when Pamela and Jeremy first met Chloe Mae because they met in Kansas City and traveled home together from there. I think they are going to be great to have for an aunt and uncle. They will live less than an hour away from the Sikes Family during the next 3 years. It sounds like they will provide many ADVENTURES for Chloe plus they live out in the country which is a great place for kids to visit!

Now A Word About Uncle X

Many months ago, Jacqueline spoke with Jeremy (Uncle X) about making Chloe's crib. They discussed the type of wood Jacqueline wanted and over Labor Day while Pamela and Jeremy were home he showed me on the internet the wood, some designs and was excited about making the crib. For Christmas he gave Jacqueline and Jordan a cutting board (see picture) made out of the wood he was going to use on the crib.

Jeremy & Pamela sent out an email to the Wood & Keesee families to see if anyone would be interested in helping to pay for the wood and he would provide the labor for this family heirloom. Many Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins helped with this project and Jeremy started to work.
I had seen pictures which Pamela posted periodically to keep us update on the progress of "THE CRIB". It looked great.



Pamela and Jeremy delivered the crib in late February and put it up the night they arrived in Chicago. Pamela was able to attend the Baby Shower the church ladies hosted for Jacqueline while they were in Chicago.

Like I said, the crib looked great.











On April 9 we finally got to see the crib in person. IT WAS AMAZING! It was even more beautiful than the pictures showed!
Chloe will indeed have an heirloom. Jeremy did a fantastic job on "THE CRIB" and he even made a changing table.
You can tell from speaking with Jeremy that he loves making things, and he was especially glad to make this crib for his first niece. He is crazy about Chloe and he has even spoken about taking her hunting and fishing (two other things he enjoys doing.) WAY TO GO UNCLE X!

(If you need anything made - contact Jeremy)

Great Bend Shower

Brenda and I were able to attend a shower for Annie in Great Bend, KS. The hostesses were ladies from church and the guests were church ladies and co-workers of Annie's. It was easy to see how much they love Annie, how happy they are for her and how much they are going to miss her.

All of the guests "designed" a different portion of Annie's wedding gown. The result was cute and we all had fun.

Most of the "gifts" were gift cards and money. Jared and Annie are going to have a great time shopping for things on their registry.

The hostesses and Annie. The decorations were lovely and the food was delicious. These ladies did a great job with the entertainment, the food and the atmosphere.

Brenda and I had a great time at the shower. I sure did appreciate her going with me!

Shower Guests

Friends of Annie's that attended the shower. Do you recognize anyone?

Here are guests from the Wood side of Annie's family.

From the Keesee side of Annie's family including some from the Keesee Family and the Haskett Family

Annie and her future mother-in-law, Lorana.

Mints, Invitations & A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE

Over the last 11 years our family members have made wedding mints for family weddings. It started with my niece Becky's wedding. The mothers of the bride and groom and the bride made the mints for their reception. I guess that was the start of a Wedding Tradition. During the month of June, my sister, niece, mother and mother-in-law will gather to help Annie with more of her mints.



The weekend of Annie's shower here in Phillipsburg, Jared's parents, Don and Lorana came for part of the weekend. The 5 of us made delicious mints in the shape of leaves, roses, wedding bells and hearts. We had a great time visiting while making mints. Yes, the Dads really did help!











Don also got a chance to tour Phillips County and show Bob some of his Boston pics!

During the morning and after lunch the 5 of us worked on the wedding invitations. We got all of the envelopes stuffed, labeled, stamped, and then Annie and her Dad mailed the "out of town" invitations. I think Annie was relieved to get that done and I know Lorana and I felt better once they were in the mail!

It was easy to see that Don and Lorana love our Annie. I guess she will soon be "Their Annie" too - she is blessed to be marrying into the Johnson family. God has answered our prayers in a positive way.

Through the Eyes of a Child

JOY, EXCITEMENT, and so many other emotions are evident in this photo of Megan and Annie at her shower. Megan had helped to pick out the gift Annie was opening and she picked out the "Hoops and YoYo" talking card. Annie loves buying those musical and talking cards and she has given many to others. Megan has received some from Annie and she KNEW that Annie would love the card - can't you just see the JOY in her face? She also had knowledge that Annie loves picnics, so Annie would love the Picnic Bag in the gift box.

It did my heart good to see all of that joy and love Megan has for Annie. It also made me think about gifts and giving just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Think of the person and pick out a gift that you know they will love and enjoy. I also think Megan knew that she and Annie always had fun together when they had picnics or any meals together - maybe she's hoping to get to go on a picnic with Jared and Annie. It is so simple and I'm thankful for moments like these to remind me of that fact!

Showered With Love

On Saturday, May 16 Brenda, Megan and Becky hosted an "Around the Clock Shower" for Annie. Megan was so excited to be a part of the shower - she didn't even give any hints when she knew what was in the packages Annie opened. The decorations were neat (brown & pink), the chocolate dessert was DELICIOUS, the game was fun and the guests were great!

Annie wasn't too sure Aunt Kim's package was safe to open. Kim had 6:00 a.m. guess you can see she didn't blush too much.





Annie worked with her Uncle Jack for 2 summers during college. She learned alot about fixing things, grew to love shopping at Home Depot and can do some simple repairs all on her own. I guess Sherry knew this about her and bought her a PINK TOOL KIT. What an appropriate gift for our fix-it gal!











As you can see, Annie had a great time and received many great gifts and good wishes. It was easy to see that Annie is well-loved and that friends and relatives are happy for her and Jared!

Meeting Great Aunt Brenda and some Chanley Cousins

Great Aunt Brenda had to work (imagine that at a Florist Shop!) on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend so she just had time to give a quick hug and show her off to fellow workers. She did get time with Miss Chloe on Sunday.

Uncle Norman and Aunt Brenda gave Jacqueline a purple Tea Pot with flowers for her first Mother's Day. Aunt Brenda loves having Tea Parties with her Mother, sisters, and granddaughters and she wanted to be sure Chloe Mae would enjoy some Tea Parties with her Mama.









Cousin Becky loves babies! Guess Megan comes by it naturally and both of them loved Chloe. I think Megan was thinking of when Chloe will be big enough to play with and have Tea Parties with.

Our Guys plus Miss Chloe

Our guys were all home over Mother's Day weekend too. You guessed it - they are all crazy about Chloe Mae. Most of the time if Jeremy wasn't holding Chloe, Jared was. Those uncles really love her!

Our Girls

Over Mother's Day weekend all of our girls were home to visit, including our newest girl, granddaughter Chloe Mae Sikes.

Moving Day

On Friday and Saturday Bob and I were in Great Bend for Annie's final move as a single gal. Bright and early Saturday morning, Annie & PJ's friend Reba came over with doughnuts and coffee and PJ went home with Reba to save him from the trauma of the loading up. If you know anything about PJ, you understand the wisdom of him spending the morning AWAY from the house.

Bob and Annie picked up the truck and shortly before 9 Annie's church family started showing up. Under the direction of a seasoned mover (Chuck Marshall) the truck was loaded by around 10. Annie's future in-laws, Don and Lorana, arrived. They helped load the truck AND their car. Don's job was to drive the U-Haul and he also got to unload the truck in Wichita.

Sometime during the loading process Pam from the church family brought homemade cookies and muffins. Everyone was glad to see her and the basket of goodies. She and many of the ladies left to go to a VBS workday and after finishing the loading the men were headed there too. Annie sure did appreciate them helping her before beginning their workday.

Somewhere around 10 we waved Don, Lorana and Annie off. Annie was picking up PJ before heading to Wichita.

All that to say this: I thought it would be awful to tell Annie good-bye - she is moving farther away from us! It was easier than I thought. She was so excited and giddy and I am so happy that God brought her and Jared together that I couldn't be even a little sad. Annie is ready to move on with her life and begin the new adventure of being Mrs. Jared Johnson. I'm excited to see her in her new role and will keep you posted...

Chloe Meets Her Great Grandmothers

Chloe meeting Great Grandmother Noma Keesee - Chloe will probably call her Grandma

Chloe meeting Great Grandmother Lovetta Wood - she'll call her MaMaw