10-15-13

Me: The touring continues...but now we're in Ohio! I flew out of Des Moines, IA last evening, Bob flew out of Dallas, TX and we met in Cleveland where our friends, Karen and Charlie picked us up. They are graciously hosting us for 2 fun-filled days. This is their lovely home (of 30 years) in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

It's such a beautiful time of year to sight see. Cool, crisp air and colorful leaves everywhere.

Tappan Lake is just outside New Philly. Coincidentally Bob's parents grew up not too far from here (Bob Sr. in Hopedale, Ohio & Pat in Burgettstown, PA). We set out today to track down some of their old stomping grounds. Tappan Lake is a place that Bob Sr.'s mom liked to paint while he fished.

1st little town we stopped at; Cadiz, OH. Bob's dad would come to Cadiz with his dad as a little tyke to get his hair cut at the barber shop. Cadiz is also Clark Gable's hometown.

 Then we arrived in Hopedale, OH and found Bob Sr.'s childhood home. Born and raised through high school in this cute house. Fun to see!

Hopedale High School (now an elemantary school).

 This is Alameda Inn - their hangout after games. We hear there was even dancing in the back room! Alameda Inn has since closed and now needs a new owner and some TLC.

We went on a scavenger hunt to locate this place. Bob Sr. gave us directions to this trough. He remembers riding his bike here (a few miles out of Hopedale) when he was young. He also had a good story about being mischievous with firecrackers out here.

Our travels would not have been complete without DiCarlo's pizza. It's famous in these parts, was another one of Bob Sr's high school hangouts and I must say, it's pretty good pizza!

A little more driving with a lot more pretty trees!

 We soon arrived at the farm of Aunt Ester. Aunt Ester (Bob Sr.'s mom's sister) lived here, just outside Burgettstown with her brother, Uncle George. Fun fact: this is also where Bob and Pat met when they were in college. They and a bunch of friends were swimming at Aunt Ester's pool. :-)

Aunt Ester's farm was sold about 10 years ago but we enjoyed poking around the place and visiting with the current owner. In the photo they're looking at some old letters from 1892 that she found in the house.

Good-bye to the farm cows and we were off.

 Welcome to Burgettstown. This is the town Bob's mom grew up. Landmark - The Climax Plant smokestack.

This is the home where Pat's grandparent's lived. Pat's mother was a little girl here and remembers her grand-parents running a general store (with lots of candy!) in the lower level. They lived upstairs  with 5 children.

This is the lovely home that Pat grew up in. Her dad built this home himself (impressive)! Burgettstown is an old mining town and filled with fun stories from the Garcia relatives.

Here's one of those Garcia relatives! How lucky we were to surprise Marlayna; Pat's first cousin and close friend (they grew up together). Marlayna and her husband Nick still live in Burgettstown (a beautiful home in the country). They've raised 5 kids and now have 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grand child. It was great to visit with Marlayna. She made us laugh with funny stories of her grandchildren (many of them live in Pittsburgh - just an hour away).

 Back on the road...

We drove past Tappan Lake again followed by supper at The Yard (delicious).

What a day! Thank you, Karen and Charlie for accommodating this family history tour. It sure was a delight to visit with you two while viewing the gorgeous OH, WV, and PA countryside!

10-14-13

Me: Yesterday's photo of mom and I.  Today was our last Iowa/IL travel day. Since arriving in Omaha last Tuesday we've covered some ground! Everything went so smoothly and we were able to see (last time I counted), 41 family members. It was unique to see so many nieces and nephews in their homes and get a glimpse into their daily lives with kids, work and school. Bob and I are so very proud of them ALL! I know mom (Grandma and Great-Grandma) is extremely proud of her kids, grand-kids and great-grandkids and was thrilled to make this trip. Thanks to everyone for your hospitality during our whirlwind tour!

10-13-13

Me: A beautiful fall day here in St. Charles, IL.

Just the kind of weather you want to host Ava's baptism reception. This morning we set up the serving table. Joan found the verse and ribbon and I wrote it on the poster board.

The 6 of us had fun getting food prepared and toys ready. A lot of kids would be coming over to celebrate this day! Mom and I made Danish open faced sandwiches. We had brought the supplies from Elk Horn: Danish rye bread, pork roly poly and Danish havarti cheese. We also added egg with anchovies to the Danish rye bread delights. Brittany remembers eating these sandwiches at Grandma Hoegh's house when she was little. So do Joan and I. They are unique and so yummy!

Here are a few of the little kids at the baptism. Pretty Isabella in the middle.

Ava and her parents ready for the baptism service.

Andy & Brittany with Ava's Godparents Yogi and Jenny.

Andy, Mom, Joan, Brittany, Stephanie (Brittany's sister) and Dean. Stephanie's husband, Tom isn't in the photo. He was entertaining their two boys at the park.

Steph & Tom's boys; Bryce and Carson. They have gotten so tall! Carson likes to run like his dad and both are into dinosaurs and all kinds of critters.

Sweet great-nephew Bryce!

Precious Ava was the star today! Though she did sleep through most of the excitement.

So glad mom and I could be here for this special weekend! The reception was lovely with a houseful of family and friends celebrating. Thank you, Joan & Dean!

Lov'n my great-nieces!

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Sending big birthday hugs to my mother-in-law, Pat. Bob's mom celebrated her birthday in the bay area by taking a Model A Tour with friends and viewing some airplanes with Bob's dad. I suspect they enjoyed some cake and ice cream too!

10-12-13

Me: Arrived at Joan and Dean's last evening and got to meet Ava Brittany; my 4 month old great-niece and one of mom's 25 great-grand children. PS: Two more great-grandchildren will be here by February 2014.

Grandpa Dean playing with Ava's big sister, Isabella (3 years old).

Today we headed downtown St. Chales for the Scare Crow Festival. Got caught in some rain but had a good time. Mom, Brittany, Dean, Isabella, Joan and Andy.

Thought these skeleton dogs were clever. 

These tombstones made us laugh. "Send this e-mail to 10 people or else! They were'nt kidding!" :-)  

We had a fun day getting in the Halloween spirit. And it felt like Fall with the cool temps, some rain and pretty changing leaves.

10-11-13

Me: Mom and I were able to see Clint, Daira (niece) and Kyler last night in Des Moines. Clint is an elementary school P.E. teacher and a basketball coach (though he's not coaching this year so he can spend more time with Kyler). Bob had to fly to Dallas for a 3 day trip that started today. Bob got in a lot of family visits but mom and I are still on the Tour de HOEGHS adventure. Curt and Nancy hosted a BBQ supper for family last night and then we stayed over at their home.

Daira & Clint's 8 month old is such a happy boy!

My brother, Rod (Daira's dad) holding his grandson, Beau (Reggie and Laura's youngest).

Laura and Ryan. Ryan is 3 and likes monster trucks. Laura is a high school English teacher and volleyball coach. And Laura's also getting her master's degree!

My nephew Reggie just opened up a new facility for Crossfit Des Moines. It's a high intensity workout that will whip you into shape. I didn't have time to do one of his classes but Nancy and I enjoyed touring his gym this morning.

Crossfit Des Moines looks great! Reggie and his partner did all the set-up, painting, and build-out to get it up and running. It's become very popular in the area too.

Afterwards we popped over to Reggie and Laura's house to see Reggie's mom, Susan babysitting the boys, Beau and Ryan. Side note: Reggie and Daira's sisters are Danielle and Dana (my nieces in Denver who we just hiked two 14'ers with). They also have a sister in New York (Dawn) and a brother in Missouri (Robby). Dawn is married with 2 girls and Robby is married with 2 boys.

It was a quick 20 hours in Des Moines but lots of fun! I even got up at 5am and took Daira's fitness class. She teaches and is part owner at Nutri Sport - a personal training gym. She's really good and I'm sore! Now mom and I are driving to Chicago to see Joan, Dean and family out there. Mom's doing great by the way - she's a trooper to do all this traveling and wonderful to have in the car to talk with.