BARKER FAMILY BLOG

Forgot this pic!

2009-04-06T22:11:00.001-05:00

So Much Fun!

2009-04-06T21:17:00.005-05:00

Yes folks - we had another great weekend with our grandbaby! We had Dillon over for most of the day on Saturday to play and he was so much fun! Billie and Mark came to the lake to visit for the weekend so we all had some much needed "alone" time with him. As you can see, he was performing for us with a few smiles and general happiness - he took a nap under the cross-stitch blanket that was made by his Great Grandma Caroline (he looked so sweet and comfortable like she was there wrapping her arms around him!!) and in some of the pics you can see that he was fascinated by his Great Uncle Mark's whistling. What a doll - I just can't get enough!

We had a great time with Bil and Mark there - and our cousins Scott and Deanne and their daughter Ashley and her boyfriend Joe came over on Saturday nite. A great time - and so nice to see them! Lots of fun. Greg got home on Saturday from his classes for his new adjuster job. He said it was interesting, but they threw alot of information at him for 4 days - and it seems a little overwhelming. We are all sure he will do wonderful at this new venture - he just needs to jump in and do it - he will be fine! And as we look out the window at all the snow left to melt and the water around - we are again thanking God that we made the decision to get out of farming when we did! Whew! So nice not having to worry about when the crops might get in!

Easter this year will be spent at the lake - we are having the fam over for a late "picnic" style dinner. I didn't want to deal with ham gravy so we are doing salads and Billie's "lava hot" mashed potatoes. We are also cooking a turkey for the non ham fans like me! I can't wait for the first salads of the "summer". They always taste so great the first time of the year! I have cut back at work to 32 hrs a week getting every Friday off so it will be a great weekend and it makes it so great when it can be a three day weekend! Getting everyone together is certainly icing on the cake! Have a great Easter everyone! Love to all! Becky

Is it over yet???

2009-03-28T13:43:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone- that question applies to both winter and the flood! Granted, I have not much to complain about, we still have our house and the water is nowhere near us, but I am getting very tired of all the problems that come with this flood. I spent all last week carrying around my suitcase after spending one night at Bil and Marks in Harwood so I wouldn't miss work. There has been so many questions about what the river is going to do - and Tom is making us take vacation time if we miss work (and I'll be damned if I will waste a vac day on that!). So day to day I try to decide where I will spend the nite. Right now I am at home (Sat) after I just tried to get to the lake to see Dillon (I miss him soooo much!!). I-29 is blocked from Hwy 200 south so if I want to get to the lake or Harwood for that matter I have to go to Casselton to get there! I will need to do that either Sunday nite or very very early Monday morning to get to work the way it sounds cause as the ice and snow melts, the water over the interstate and 81 is only going to get worse for the next few days. Again, I hate to complain about this, but it just ticks me off.

Now for the real problems - my Grandma Elliott was evacuated from Bethany Homes to a place in Bismarck for goodness sakes - they took them on a 30 minute plane ride! I haven't talked to her to see how that went yet, but we know she got there safe and she is ok. I worry about her. Jenn and Mike have been sandbagging all week so they are exhausted, Greg has been pumping the yard all week because the ditches are still frozen to a certain extent and the snow is still melting filling the yard with water, and he also has to make sure the sump pump keeps running, and he is supposed to go to Fergus Falls this Tuesday to start his class for Crop Adjusting. He call his "boss" and told him the problems around here, and he said with his background they would possibly waive this class and just let him do the reading and classwork on his own. So that was good news, cause if I have to stay in Harwood - someone needs to be here for Riley and to watch the pump. Oof - what mess! I hate when plans get changed - it drives me crazy!

Also - while Billie and Mark were in Norway, we had to try to decide what they would do with this flood coming. On Wed nite when I stayed there, Dana their neighbor called me and said that the city was very very nervous that they would not be able to get the equipment they needed to build the dike on the north road by their house. He said he was getting all the "important" things out of his basement and advised us to do the same for Bil and Mark. Now, how do you decided what is important for someone else??? I just started bringing up all the small stuff that I could carry and then we called in help the next day for the bigger things. We basically took all the electronics, pictures, and anything we thought that would be irreplaceable. My only concern is that I was the one that unhooked the computer, internet, speakers, tv, etc. You can imagine what mass of wires that was - I sure hope my favorite brother in law can get it all put back together without too much trouble! They fly into Mpls Sunday at 5:30 so they will call to see what the options are - whether they should drive home that nite or wait till Monday morning. So many questions! Everyone in our area wants this to be done!! With no more damage to anything! Pray for spring - when this will all be a memory! Take care everyone! Love, Becky

2009-03-16T20:05:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone! As you can see we had a great weekend at the lake with our favorite new little person! We got to babysit Dillon overnite on Saturday while Andrew and Meagan went to a "March Birthday" party at a friend's house in DL. It is Meagan's birthday today! Happy Birthday to you, Meagan!! They were a little nervous about leaving him overnite, but it sounded like they had a great time and so did we! Dillon is such a sweetheart and we had a great time playing, talking, dressing him up in Bison clothes, and I even saw my first real smile while I was changing him! It was so sweet! He likes his plug as you can see, and for some reason that's the only time I had my camera going, but he doesn't always use it! He is eating great and growing like a weed and we just had a ball having him. What a treat! We also had Briggs this week while Jenn and Mike are in Hawaii. She texted today as they are on their way home late tonite - she said they have had a wonderful time and she is having a hard time leaving paradise! I myself can't wait to have her home. We were gone one week and she the next so it has been along time without phone contact between us. It has been weird! I Will be so glad when everyone is safe at home again! And that includes Mallory in May, and Bil, Mark, Shannon who are going to visit her at the end of this week in Norway. The snow is melting and the weather is getting better! We have to go thru all this water to get to the really good weather, but that's ok. Let's just hope the flood doesn't get to bad.

Also GOOD LUCK to the Bison on Friday as they take on Kansas in the "Big Dance" and the Sioux hockey in the Final Five also in MPLS. I wish I could at least watch the bb game on Friday, but its at 11 am! How am I going to concentrate at work with that going on?!?!? GO BISON!

Have a good week everyone. Love Becky

We Had to Come Back?!?!?

2009-03-10T13:09:00.010-05:00

4 1/2 days ago we had our tootsies dipped in the Carribean on the beach at Aruba and now we are looking out the window at a full blown blizzard! I'm lovin' the storm day, but wondering why the hell we live here! Yes, we had a wonderful time on our cruise and the memories and pictures will just have to keep us warm until spring finally arrives if ever! We cruised to St Martaen, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba, and we were surprised by how much we loved Bonaire, and totally fell in love with Aruba. We whale watched on Dominica, sailed on a old Dutch historic sail boat on Bonaire, toured the "Spice Island" Grenada (they love Americans for "liberating" them in 1983), saw boobs and butts on the beach at St Martaen (ick for me but Greg wasn't complaining), but it was a beautiful beach, and spent almost the whole day at Palm Beach at Aruba after shopping where we bought a beautiful emerald necklace! We found a great beach bar at the beach and had a wonderful lunch and many beers and we certainly want to return for a week sometime so we have more time to explore! Our day at sea home was spoiled a little by 50 t0 60 mph winds so being 13 stories high on deck was a little scary, and very NOISY! We finally gave it up and went to our balcony where it was better and I got some more sun and read. Our table mates at supper were from Atlanta - he a very rich software salesman, and she a true southern belle! The second couple were from New Jersey - he was a Joe Peschi (SP?) look a like and she was a pilates teacher who talked like they were rich, but we are not really sure. It was definetly interesting talking to people so different from us, and I would love to hear how they described us!!! We had totally wonderful food (we even remember lobster nite - hee hee - no pirate ship this time!!) and equally wonderful wine and martinis - a great time - very relaxing! I'd do it again in a minute! How about tomorrow - anyone care to join us??

We were thrilled to get home (thanks again Mark) and find Andrew, Meagan, and Dillon there waiting for us! I got my baby fix - got to spend some alone time with him - took over for Andrew and Meagan after they fed him at 4:45 AM and we talked and bonded for about 4 1/2 hrs until he couldn't wait to eat again and Mom had to get up. I loved every second of it! He gets cuter every minute!! On Sunday we went into Grandma Elliott's and took a five generation picture - we think it turned out pretty good!

Jenn and Mike are leaving (hopefully) tomorrow morning for Maui - lucky ducks! We have Briggs here and he is being so good! He and Riley are getting along wonderfully finally and while I'm sure he misses his "mommy" I am loving spoling him rotten! It's so great to have a lap dog again! To the lake this weekend where we maybe get to babysit for Dillon on Sat nite! Whoo Hoo! Can't wait! Hope you all enjoy the pics - may post more later. Stay warm everyone - pray for spring!! Love to all, Becky

Cutie Pie!

2009-02-22T13:41:00.007-06:00

Yes folks - he gets cuter everytime we see him! How am I ever going to be away from him for 2 1/2 weeks??? We leave on vacation this Friday for a week and we won't get to see him until we get back to the lake the weekend of the 14th! Oh my gosh - he could be walking and talking by then for goodness sakes! I'm sure I will have to sneak down here a little early that week we are back cause I just won't be able to take it! Jenn and Mike came for a visit this Sat- it was great having everyone together. We went to Zorbas for supper with them and had a great time! Andrew and Meagan had some friends stop over so they stayed home - but they needed to get to bed early anyway. Dillon is sleeping pretty well - but sometimes likes to talk and play with Mom after she gets done feeding him, so he doesn't always go right back to sleep. Most of the time, but not always. He is a really good eater and is growing like a weed. I just can't get enough of him!

Greg and I leave for a Carribean cruise on Sat. We are flying to MPLS on Fri nite cause the plane leaves really early Sat morning. I can't wait to feel some heat! I an getting so sick of this winter - I hope it is getting nicer by the time we get back! We get to see some islands we've never been to before, Aruba, Grenada, Bonaire to name a few. Should be alot of fun. We will sure miss our traveling companions Bil and Mark, Mike and Lavaun, and Dave and Kim though. But it will also be nice to get away together and just relax just the two of us. Jenn and Mike get to go to Hawaii (Maui) the second week of March. It's a business awards trip for him, and they are really looking forward to it! They have both been there before, but not Maui so they are very excited. We will watch Briggs while they are gone - I'm not sure how he will survive - he is very attached to his Mommy. I will just have to spoil him rotten too! This will be my last post for awhile, so Shannon you will have to rely on Meagan to keep you posted with pics - but I hear you get to see the real thing this weekend - so sorry we will miss you! Take care everyone - love to all - Becky

Great Weekend!

2009-02-16T16:30:00.008-06:00

Here we are traveling back home after a three day weekend at the lake. It was wonderful - saw Dillon quite a bit - relaxed - ate out - just perfect. On Saturday we went to some Polar Fest activities in DL. We watched the Polar Plunge at the Lakeside and then went to Zorbaz for the Chili Cookoff. It was a cold day, but no wind so not to bad. Lots of crazy jumpers just like Meagan last year and she is already planning her jump costume for next year!! We also drove on Big DL lake and watched the fireworks show. It is so beautiful when the air is so cold like that! I was a little freaked being on the ice, but survived! Afterwards we went out to the old Holiday Inn for Valentines Day supper. It was ok - not spectacular - but nice anyway. Anytme someone cooks and cleans up for me its ok. Sunday nite we had Andrew, Meagan, Dillon, Jill, and Mandy, and Chase (Meagans Mom and Sister and her son) over for supper. Mandy came to do Dillon's photo shoot on Monday morning. We stopped there and they said they took over 700 pictures!! OMG - what a treat to have a professional photographer for an Aunt! I can't wait to see them and share with you! They will be very special for sure. With such a beautiful subject how could they be bad They said he cooperated very well by sleeping through it all! He is changing and growing gaining a pound just last week, and sleeps alot and is eating really well. Just perfect - very mellow - and the kids are sure hoping it stays that way! Greg and I did get to babysit on Friday nite for about 2 1/2 hrs while they went to the curling club for a bit. It was so much fun!! Anytime guys - anytime! Have a good week everyone - Take care, Becky

I Forgot the Best Picture!

2009-02-08T12:54:00.003-06:00

He IS a Beautiful Boy!

Even Better Than Imagined!

2009-02-08T11:13:00.021-06:00

Hi Family and Friends! Words can't even describe how much fun it is to have Dillon Lewis in our family. Now I'm not telling you grandparents out there anything new, but the excitement and joy we feel now that Dillon is here is overwhelming! He is such a sweet baby and Andrew and Meagan are the best parents. When they talk to him he is calm, quiet and very attentive, looking at them, as they are beaming back at him. It is so wonderful to see the type of parents they are going to be - careful, but not crazy as he is being passed from person to person. They have had alot of company which they love, but I'm sure they are anxious to just settle down to their normal family life as they know it now. We had a wonderful weekend at the lake with Mom and Dad, and Billie and Mark visiting. We spent time with Dillon off and on (never enough for me of course!) and on Sat nite we had everyone over for a wonderful crab feast including Jennifer, Mike and Jack. I love having a house full and we had so much fun! Thanks to "ChuckWagon" Mark and Billie (lets call her "Cookie" ) for doing most of the cooking including breakfast!! Yummy! Love to all, have a great week, pray for no ice and snow!! We really don't need a storm!!! Love, Grandma Becky PS Please keep in your prayers Chris Bohn who is traveling with his wife Jody to Mpls this week for some more testing and meeting with doctors. It sounds like he is getting stronger every day, but still needs our prayers for a bone marrow transplant match. Thanks!

More Baby Dillon

2009-02-04T19:26:00.004-06:00

These are some beautiful pictures that Mandy, Meagan's sister took this morning. She is a professional photographer and she did a wonderful job with Dillion's first photo shoot. He was even more beautiful this morning. We got to see his hair all clean and shiny and it is so black!! I think we got our Choctaw baby!! I sure hope his coloring, eyes, and hair stay this way!! But Meagan says her sisters kids all started out with dark hair and then went blond so you just never know! Great grandparents, Wayne and Jo came to DL today to meet Dillon and they were just beaming! Dad says he like them a little bigger before he holds them to much, but he was very very proud! They and Billie and Mark are coming to the lake this weekend to see him again, so it will be fun to see how much he changes. We had to come home tonite so I could go back to work, but I can't wait to get back! Auntie JJ (Jenn) came to visit too - and while we knew that Andrew and Meagan would make beautiful babies, she just couldn't believe just how beautiful he is. Of course we are just a bit biased. :) She looked so happy holding him - it's amazing how you can fall in love with someone so new and little!!

Take care everyone, have a great weekend coming up and enjoy the warmer?? weather. Love, Grandma Becky

He's Here!!!

2009-02-03T22:07:00.006-06:00

We are so proud to announce that Dillon Lewis Barker has arrived!!! He is a 7lb 8oz, 19 in long beautiful baby boy with a beautiful head of black hair and from what we can tell, brown eyes. He was alert and looking around when we met and his eyes would move to all the new voices he was hearing! It was a total surreal moment watching our son holding his new son - Life is WONDERFUL!! Andrew and Meagan are naturals and they are all doing beautifully! Here are the first (of many you can be sure!!) pics! Isn't he cute??

Deep Thinking

2009-01-20T19:19:00.002-06:00

This may seem strange, but as I was reading Jenn's blog today about it being Briggs' 1st Birthday today - I started to think about how much she has fallen in love with that dog and how that will translate into her being a wonderful mother some day! I know that may be weird, but when I see her with Briggs and even more so when I see her with Mike's son Jack - I see that she is a very loving person and I know she will be a wonderful Mother someday. Not that Jack needs a mother - he has one, and a very loving one I'm sure - I just know that she has alot to give and Briggs, Jack, and all of us are better for it!

I also know that I was the kind of mother I was because of my own Mom, whom I love dearly, and I hope that some of me rubbed off on my kids too. I know both of my kids will be wonderful parents - it is so gratifying to look back on their childhoods - while not perfect of course - and know that they turned out to be such wonderful people! I feel such pride in my heart for both of them and I'm so grateful that our family is so close. Jennifer Jo and Andrew Aaron - I love you both so very much and thank God everyday for both of you.

Ok that's enough - I guess I am getting a little emotional with this new baby on the way! "I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!" Love to all, Grandma Becky

PS My Mom just called and said Grandma Elliott is in the hospital - please pray for her to get better! I love you Grandma!

So Excited!!

2009-01-19T19:21:00.002-06:00

Words can't describe how exciting it is to see your kids about to become parents! Andrew and Meagan are getting very close to "the day" their son will be born and the excitment is overwhelming! Meagan is the cutest pregnant lady ever and the ultrasound pics we saw today are so beautiful! I just can't wait to get my hands on my grandson! The baby's room is done as the most beautiful crib was built and delivered by Dick and Jill, Meagan's parents. It looks showroom perfect - they are such talented people! It completes the room that turned out just beautifully! Andrew is so cute and nervous - whenever Meagan has a pain he is practically grabbing the suitcase and is out the door ready to go! Nervous and excited at the same time! The next appt is Monday - the baby measures about 7 1/2 lbs today so by next Monday, maybe the Dr will be willing to schedule his birthday! I will keep you posted! (check out their blog for pics!) Have a good week everyone! It's a shortened one for me, no work today!!

Happy 2009!

2009-01-04T18:53:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year to all my family and friends! I wish all the best to all of you in the new year - may all your dreams come true! We had a very nice holiday season - busy but fun! We hosted the Barkers and the Radebaughs on Christmas Eve - served torsk, ham and lutefish. Greg did most of the work since I was working, and he did a wonderful job!! The fish turned out great - even the slimy lutefish and I think the meal was enjoyed by all! We served it dormitory style in our empty basement and it worked quite well! It was so nice to have everyone all together!! We had our own family christmas after everyone left and I got two digital picture frames to show off Briggs and our coming grandchild. One will fit in my purse for my Grandmas brag book and I can't wait to use it! Christmas Day was at Dave and Shortys and they had their signature prime rib. Even if I don't enjoy rare meat so much, they put a piece in the microwave for me and it is excellent! It was a wonderful, relaxing day. Back to work on Friday and then to the lake for some rest and relaxation! Greg and I went over to Andrew and Meagans and they primed the babys room to get it ready for Meagans Dad to spray it after New Years. It turned out so good by the looks of the pics and I can't wait to see it in person!

New Years was spent at the lake for the second annual party with Bil and Mark and Dave and Kim. Richard and Marj chickened out this year, but wanted to be kept on the guest list for next year! I was done with work by 3:30 this year (a new record!) and was there before the guests for a change. We had alot of good appetizers, good drinks, and great company. We played games and had alot of fun. The next day we did our bar hopping in DL and a great time was had by all! I was the DD since again I had to drive back to work.

We stayed home this weekend and Billie hosted a family baby shower for Meagan and Andrew. It was very nice, except that the weather was threatening so some the girls didn't want to venture out into it. It was to bad, but I'm glad we got it in anyway. It could be anytime now, and I think she enjoyed all the gifts she did get. Greg and I got them a Sony Camcorder so they can remember all the great times they will have with this baby and record every minute!

The time is coming for this baby and we are all getting so excited. Meagan is the cutest preggo lady ever and while I want the baby to come - it all seems to be going so fast! Maybe not for her, but for us! I just know that time flies way to fast and he will be here before we know it! I can't wait to get my hands on him!

I am dreaming of getting out of this weather for awhile - we are planning our vacation but waiting to schedule to see when the baby gets here. We don't want to go before cause we would hate to be gone when he arrives and don't want to leave to soon after he comes cause we would miss him - so the time frame is on hold, but my dreams are not. Right now we are thinking we may go to CA to see the relatives for a few days and then on to San Diego for a few days cause it looks really nice there. The weather sounds great and I have found some really nice hotels to pick from. It just sounds like a really nice place to check out with lots to do. Maybe, Maybe.

Take care everyone - have a great week!

OMG

2008-12-14T10:46:00.002-06:00

Oh my God! I forgot Meagan! I'm standing there drying my hair trying to make sure I didn't forget anyone and the mother of my first grandchild pops into my lame brain! How could I forget the women who supplied the troops with yummy caramel rolls, christmas treats from her cooking club, and her uterus to grow our very first grandbaby! She apologized when she was leaving for not being able to do much, but she is doing the most important job ever and we love her so very much. She is caring, sweet and a very loving wife to our son and I couldn't have picked a better match for him myself! Thank you for all you do! Love to you all, stay warm, Becky PS If I've forgotten anyone else, please forgive me. Old age is setting in very quickly in my head.

Plop Plop Fizz Fizz Oh What a Relief It Is!

2008-12-14T08:12:00.003-06:00

Dear Family and Friends - I'm not sure I could have ever imagined what a release of feelings and emotions occurred after Greg and I sat down and talked about what has just happened. The feeling of relief and stress and the weight off our shoulders was complete when the sale was over, but what we were both surprised about was that neither of us teared up much during the day - watching the auction process - watching the machinery leave the yard - we both thought would be alot harder. I think that just proves that we were both so ready for this to happen. I much longer than Greg of course , but he was so ready too. Leading up to the day was so much work and worry about the timing of it mostly - we needed to get a certain figure out of it and did we do enough to make that happen?? Would people show up? Would the weather cooperate? Did the farmers have enough money to spend b/4 the end of the year? Would they just be looking for deals? So many questions. The Steffes were the best convincing us it was the right time and they were right. We exceeded our goals - some pieces went low, but then others went high to offset it. All in all we are so pleased with the outcome. Now we just wait and see - meet with our tax advisor - see how all this shakes out - and plan the rest of our lives. I can't wait to see where this all goes. I'd like to be able to post some pics of the day - but THANKFULLY Tim Keckler has all the pics! I was so relieved to see his camera around his neck that morning - I was going to try and take pics but no one does it like he does - and we saw some of those pics later that nite and they were great!! He will make us a DVD of all of them and we will cherish it forever. Thanks Tim!!!

Now - it's time for the thank you that I wanted to say to everyone that nite at the party, but couldn't get out without the "ugly cry face" - so here it goes. We can never thank our family enough for all the support that we have gotten over the years. First and most important - ANDREW - without him and his financial planning knowledge and support of his father's long decision process - I don't think this would have ever happened. He took us by the hand and made us believe that this was all possible and we can never thank him enough. Greg can now take the rest of his life and decide what he wants to do with it - without the stress of farming hanging on his shoulders. There will still be money decisions to be made of course - we can't just sit back and sip umbrella drinks on the beach - but he can decide what he wants to do to make him happy for the rest of his life. That in turn will lengthen his life and then also lengthen mine. I can't imagine my life without him, and I was always so worried that farming would kill him somehow - the stress, and the fact that he was always alone in a terribly dangerous job. Andrew will help us manage all of this (yes folks - he's very good at his job 701-361-0661) and we will rely on him for the rest of our lives!! Thank you our number one son. RUSS - After Brian died and the whole family was reeling - you stepped in and helped Greg with his last farming season. Both Russ and Andrew took time away from their full time jobs and helped Greg get the spring work done and then the harvest from hell that wouldn't end - they were both there through it all! Russ, Greg couldn't have done it without you there and we thank you so much. You are the best and we both love you (and your crazy sense of humor) very much! DAD (WAYNE) You were also there offering your help whenever necessary to run the tractor or whatever Greg needed you to do. When it came time to get ready for the sale, Greg never doubted that you would come out and help if he called and he knew he could count on you to do whatever job he gave you without complaint. Your advice, support, and love will always be remembered and appreciated. JENNIFER, MIKE, BILLIE, MARK, TIM, RICHARD, JOSH, DAVE, SHORTY, MOM when we called in the troops to work cleaning, polishing, vaccuming, picking up food, buying groceries, cooking, apple pie, meatballs, wings, cleaning up the shop afterwards, and general LOVE AND SUPPORT, we don't know how to say thank you for all you did. You are always there for us whatever we need and we love you all so so much. We have the best family in the world and feel like the luckiest people on earth right now. Thank you all.

More Prep Pictures

2008-12-08T20:34:00.007-06:00

Cool Truck Huh??Andrew and Mark taking a break from the cold!

We are down to just the combine left to clean and shine - it is in the shop thawing out as I write this. Then...on Thursday the line up will begin and we will clean the shop up to get ready for the after party! The weather now sounds like a little snow and warmer temps. 25 maybe?? Really can't believe the day is almost here - we are so excited and anxious. Greg is really ready for the phone to stop ringing. It has been crazy ringing off the hook with questions! Well - thanks again everyone for all the help!! It is so much appreciated! Love to all. Becky

Prep Work & Counting Down the Days

2008-12-07T20:26:00.003-06:00

Well - the work is continuing and things are getting closer to being ready. We had a crew of workers this past Saturday and things really came together! Dad, Tim Keckler, Billie and Mark, Andrew and Jennifer all came to help us polish and shine up the machinery. Yes it's true - if things are clean and polished up it looks like someone really cares for their equipment - inside and out - and things sell better. Most of the pieces are usually cleaner than most people keep them already, but Greg is a little OCD about these things, so clean we did! After getting done, Billie, Jenn and I would call over the Inspector General (Greg) to have our work inspected. We usually passed with flying colors and things really did look alot better after we got done. It was alot of work, and we can't thank everyone enough for all their hard work. We got to work inside, but the guys had the tough part working in the freezing cold! The sale day is projected to be about 10 degrees, but no wind and sunny. I guess we can hope for the best - but it is going to be cold!!! So this week will be spent finishing the combine, and the semi trailer - then on Thursday the line up will begin! It will be so exciting and emotional at the same time - I'm not sure how I will feel. And Greg - I know he's ready - but I also know what a life change this is for him....he's not just quitting a regular job - this has been his life. But we both know there are many exciting changes ahead for us. Now - let's pray for sun, no wind, and lots of anxious bidders! I will post some pics from the sale and the after party next week. Take care everyone!

IT'S OVER!!

2008-11-24T20:31:00.002-06:00

The 2008 harvest is finally completed and we have to thank our wonderful son, Andrew - Greg's brother Russ - and my Dad Wayne. We couldn't have done it without them and we will be eternally grateful that they were there for us and we got the crop off. The corn ran like crazy and it took all of them to keep it away from the combine!! It was a great problem to have I guess! It takes a great weight off Greg's shoulders and now we can just concentrate on getting the rest of the machinery ready for the sale. This all really won't sink in until then - but we are so excited for the changes this will bring to our lives. It is all very exciting! I want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving - we will be thanking God for all our blessings this year more than any other! Love to all, Becky

Rolling Rolling Rolling....

2008-11-21T07:01:00.002-06:00

Yes Folks - the combines are rolling. Things are going well so far - the ground is now hard enough to be able to combine beans and Greg, Andrew, Russ and one of our new renters, David are combining like crazy! They start VERY early in the morning (actually Greg is just now getting out of bed the same time I do :) ) and get the filled trucks from the nite before in line at the elevator - and they start combining at sun up. They have actually been able to get in a couple long days so things are going good. Keep praying for NO SNOW and NO BREAKDOWNS. Greg says the trucks and combines make "funny" noises when it is this cold!! And with only 3 weeks until it is all on the auction block we don't need any repair bills!! Have a great weekend everyone - GO BISON!! And yes - I am still excited for the game even if it is "only" for the Dakota Marker.

The Harvest that Won't End!!

2008-11-12T19:45:00.002-06:00

Yes, folks - Greg hasn't turned a wheel in the field for 6 weeks!! His decision to retire is looking better and better all the time! If only----he could get the crop off and the field work done!! He is so stressed - along with every other farmer in this area!!-- We have never seen such a wet fall! He has over 700 acres of beans and one 1/4 section of corn just sitting there getting wetter and wetter! He said now not only is the ground saturated, the beans inside the pods are frozen and hard as a rock so if it did freeze the ground enough to be able to travel across the fields, the beans are so frozen they would go right out the back of the combine!! Quite a mess! He feels bad too cause he would like to leave the ground in perfect condition for the Mueller brothers who are renting it next year, but there is no way that's going to happen now - they understand of course, but he still feels bad. He's a little OCD that way and wants everything to be perfect. The auction sale is 0ne month from today - and he has been working his tail off getting all the equipment cleaned and shined!! We have the cleanest augers in Cass County!! And everything else he is done using of course! The pressure washer has sure gotten a work out!! Keep praying for no snow and not to cold for that day, ok??

The guys have been hunting and even with all the crop in the fields they have done pretty good. They have shot 6 bucks and need 1 more and two does. They have had to work really hard to get them though - lots of walking the tree claims! They had some fun too - Andrew, Greg, Tim and Josh Keckler, Dave Behm, Audie -Shane and Brock Brorson - I'm pretty sure some beer was enjoyed by most of the crew!!

After a very nice baby shower for Meagan (she is the cutest pregnant lady ever!!) at her cousins house in Fargo Sat morning, I picked up my grandpuppy Briggs for a sleepover cause Jenn had some friends from the cities in town for a Keri Noble concert. He is such a cutie patootie - with his "sit tall" trick - you can't help but feed him!! On Sunday morning I headed to the lake for a "hunting weekend" of my own. I made a couple of different homemade soups for Meagan, Andrew and my grandson to be, watched a couple movies, did some shopping, had lunch with our real estate agent from DL, read two books, and just generally relaxed in front of the fireplace! It was wonderful - and even better since I took Monday off and had Tues (Veterans Day) as a holiday! Didn't have to even think about HSB for 4 days!!!!!!!! Excellent. A perfect weekend that stretched into the week! Doesn't get much better than that! Already looking forward to going back this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!!

A New Chapter

2008-10-26T12:11:00.002-05:00

A new chapter in our lives will officially begin on Dec 12th 2008. We have decided to have a farm machinery auction and Greg will officially retire from farming this year. His hope always was to retire by the time he was 55 - that will happen in 2009, but the death of his brother Brian earlier this year really set things into motion alot faster. Brian was our help on the farm and with him gone, the prospect of finding someone to help Greg on the farm was daunting. We relied on Andrew, Russ and Dad to get the harvest and field work done this year, (and its not done yet!) and we appreciated that so much - but that is certinaly not a long term solution. We are excited and nervous at the same time as to the changes it will bring, but know this is the right decision at the right time. Greg has rented the land to two young farmers from Hillsboro, and is really excited to do so. Since Andrew didn't want to farm - it is nice to know that we can help to get some younger guys started and at the same time get out of the stressful business of farming. Greg says it hasn't been "fun" for quite a few years with the stress of the marketing side of farming, and dealing with unpredictable mother nature. I have struggled for years with the weather related side - wondering how he could put so much time and energy into planning, planting, huge money outlay, and then sit back and let the weather take over. Something of which we have no control over. Not to mention the marketing side of it - also of which we have no control. It is crazy to me. But - Any way it's been a great life - a great way to raise kids - and we are just so fortunate now to be able to look forward to something new. Our dream to retire at the lake is a few years off as selling the farmstead is not in the picture yet - and I will be working full time for a while longer. I am hoping the next job I get will be in the DL area when we move there full time. For now I will hang out at HSB as long as I can stand it. Greg has a few ideas on how to stay busy - he had offers from everyone he contacted to rent the land to work for them - so that is an option - but he also has other ideas. He knows he is to young to just sit back and rest. So - that is our big news for now. We have lots of work to do between now and Dec 12th, getting everything all polished up and shiny -AND we would like to invite everyone we know to a big "Shop Party" after the sale - there will be some celebrating to do!!

Random Thoughts

2008-10-03T13:02:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone! I'm sitting at home today after a "procedure" I had done this morning. I'm 50 - you take a guess on what it was. But I have to report it was no big deal. Everyone was telling me horror stories, but it was a piece of cake and I am seriously feeling very "cleaned out" today. I feel so good I may do that clean out about once a month!! And it's a beautiful day to be home enjoying the weather and baking cookies for the harvesters! It's fall - the leaves are turning, nites colder, and Greg is harvesting beans finally. He found one field that the beans are ready and the ground is not "to soft". He's only had to go around a few holes but he said there are no beans there anyway.
This field is running about 30 bu so not to bad for all the rain we had this season. They are forecasting rain for Sunday and Monday, so not good news. It would be really nice if this harvest went as smoothly as the wheat harvest did, but so far, not so. Andrew is here helping and Russ is dumping trucks in-between working, so as you can tell the "help" problem has not been solved. We are so thankful for these two offering to fill in, but it is really not a solution. We can't keep taking them away from their jobs, and Greg tried to get someone to work, but it's almost an impossibilty! If you advertise in the Forum all you get is the guys who want to use you on their list for unemployment - they really don't want the job. And just putting the word out amoung other farmers has resulted in some calls but nothing worked out. This is quite a problem, so everyone pray for good weather, so we can get this crop off, ok?

Fall also brings our nephew, Elliott's soccer games. He starts for Fargo North and is the quickest player on the team. Now I don't know alot about soccer yet - in fact sometimes it drives me crazy cause they get so close to a goal and it just veers off, or someone steals the ball - oof - crazy game. Anyway, I think his speed is being wasted cause he plays mostly defense, but I am told, his speed is needed back there and he is great on defense. He is almost certain to be all conference or whatever kind of awards they give out now days. He's really fun to watch, and I bet all the HS girls agree with me too!!

You can also see that our Aunt Beverly was home for a visit last week. She came mostly to see her sister Gloria who is in Bethany Homes now, but we got her for one night for supper out at Russ and Janets and it was really great to see her! She is so much like Caroline, it feels like for just a while that Caroline is back with us, but also makes us realize how much we miss her. They both had and have a great love of life and we always laugh so much when Beverly is around - we just love her! Hopefully soon, we will have more time for travel and we can go see her and Jim in Washington - it sounds like they have a wonderful place and also have their motor home at a beautiful campground at a lake. She showed us some pics and it looked like a great place! Can't wait!

Things are going better at work. We are finally used to the new building and everyone has things figured out now - so my days are not so long anymore. Thank goodness. We have our grand opening next week so that should be fun. We are not just bank tellers lately - we are also tour guides. Everyone wants to see it which results in alot of extra traffic and and we have picked up a substantial number of new accounts. Things are going well. We are also answering alot of phone calls about this "banking crisis" we are all involved in. People really aren't all that worried around here they just have some questions. I think since almost everyone seems to think the crazy wanna-be vice president Ms Palin is the next best thing since sliced bread, I am going to start talking, winking, and acting like her. "Darn right Harwood State Bank is just fine - you betcha your FDIC insured money is safe - also you don't have to worry about a darn thing because also we are doin all we can to safeguard your money and also we didn't get involved the sub-prime mortgage thing. And you can be assured that even though Tom the President is a maverick, he will continue to make sure you can also trust your money is safe with us!! How's that sound - Think it will work?!?!? What a joke - that women is a disgrace to all women. Come on - how long will cute last?? God - hopefully everyone will come to their senses by Nov 4th!

It is Bison homecoming this Sat and since Greg is combining I get to take Dad as my date! Tonite before supper with Bil, Mark, and Mallory, I am going to Scheels to get him a new sweatshirt to wear. He has had the same Bison sweatshirt (hanging next to his Sioux sweatshirt) for quite a few years now and it is time for a new one for sure! It will be a fun game, and after having to keep my voice down at the bar for the last game (remember the old people giving us dirty looks) I can't wait to get there and scream my voice horse! I hope its a great game!! Go BISON!! Take care everyone - Becky

A Beautiful Day!

2008-09-22T17:28:00.005-05:00

September 13th - The Kecker-Behm Wedding was a beautiful day and as you can see by the pictures I have included, the Bride and Groom were glowing! The weekend started at the rehearsal, and dinner at the Speak Easy. Greg and I were included because I was the "Wedding/Reception Assistant". I got a mention in the program, and got to wear a flower and everything!! It was so much fun! I would have done it even without a flower :) but I was so happy to wear one!! The way Jenn talks this will be the closest I get to planning a big wedding- so I enjoyed every minute of it. The planning was done way in advance by the very well organized Bride and her wonderful Mom. All I had to do was make sure the actions followed the plans! And I can proudly say everything went off without a hitch!! I do have to make special mention of the "star" of the show. Kristin and Dave had a rockstar ring bearer in their nephew and godson Kaeleb. He must have said "cheese" a hundred times if he said it once during the pictures, and he walked down that aisle like nobodys business (once the photographer got out of the way!) He is soooo cute! The wedding was beautiful, everyone looked great "in their new clothes" as Dave says, and the reception and dance was great too! The speeches were excellent Tim, Julie, Jenn, Dave, and Kristin (best man too - name escapes me) I don't know who you all did it without crying, but I was Very Very impressed!! I just can't say it enough - it was a perfect day!

It took this 50 year old woman about 2 days to recover from the fun we had at the dance and by Wednesday I felt better and couldn't wait to get to the lake! We hadn't been there for 2 weeks so I was missing it bad. I drove down and spent Wed thru Sunday there and had a ball. The weather was just like summer and there were no bugs so it was great! I mowed, read, relaxed. Even though I was driving back and forth to work, it was worth it. I just love it there so much. I call it "my happy place" and Greg just shakes his head at me. We took one last pontoon ride with Andrew and Meagan on Friday nite. It was actually hot out there at least until the sun went down. Just beautiful. On Sat Greg and I went to a bar with a big screen TV and watched at the Bison get beat - a terrible first half - no defense to stop the run - and 4 INTERCEPTIONS - hard to win many games that way!! Yikes - I hope this bye week does some good and the next home game I will be able to cheer like I want to. This table of old people kept looking at us funny - and asking the manager to turn the volume down. Geez - eat at home. Hee Hee. I hope I am never that way!!

I can report that our Grandson is growing like a weed and is as handsome as can be! Probably the cutest baby ever!! We saw the ultrasound pics in person and they are so cool! He looks like a real baby in there!! The parents to be are beaming now that they know for sure its a boy. I think the fathers don't really feel involved until they see pics like these. Meagan can feel him moving, but when Andrew saw him circling around in there I think it made a huge impact on him. He is already planning hunting, sports trips, nascar Sundays with the little guy I think!! It will be so neat to see our son as a father! He has had a great role model - so I'm sure he will follow in his Dads footsteps!

Take care all! Love, Becky

Pics from Last Weekend

2008-09-06T11:33:00.005-05:00

Here are the pictures I promised - we had a wonderful weekend, except for the wind the weather was perfect! Hot and sunny - and all we had to do on the pontoon to avoid the wind was stay on the east side and south end and we could skirt around it. Andrew and Meagan's end of the lake was terrible!! Anyway - Dave and Kim came and we had alot of fun - we had a smorgasboard of frozen drinks - Kim mixed up one we called Labor Day Love Juice - with pineapple juice, peach schnapps, etc - sweet but yummy! Our fluffly grandpuppy came to visit and he and Riley are getting along better. The pics show them "playing" - Riley growling a bit and "chewing" on Briggs as they dance and roll around each other. Briggs was soaking wet when they were done, and sometimes even rolled over and played dead to rest! It was pretty funny. The girls went garage saleing on Sat and at one house at Melissa I found a twenty dollar life vest for the new baby. It goes up to 30 lbs and looked brand new. It is one of the neoprene ones so it looks really cool and the expectant parents seemed pretty pleased with it. I also found a cute unisex lake hat for the baby - reminds me of a Gilligan hat only print. Can't wait till next summer to see him or her in it! The pic of me peaking thru the railing on the boat is of course my trademark "dipping" procedure. We didn't spring for the portable bathroom when we bought the new boat so this is the next best thing - except for the last couple weekends when the water turned extremely cold!! A girl has to do what a girl has to do, right??

We stayed home this weekend to clean my nasty house - kinda let it slip this summer - eek! It is also BISON football tonite so we are meeting Dave and Kim for beer and appetizers before the 6pm game. Now that is getting closer to the time FB should be played. Hopefully the powers that be will someday realize that the ideal time for a FB game is about 3 or 4 pm. That way you can do something before and still be able to go out afterwards if you want to. GO BISON!!

Summer's Last Hurrah??

2008-08-29T18:19:00.002-05:00

I surely hope not! Seems like it just started and the forecast for this weekend sounds great (except for the wind of course!). It better hold true!! And by the looks of the beans, the warm weather better hold out for quite a while - they need alot of time!! The wheat harvest went really good. The average bushel number was GREAT and the harvest only last about a week, so things went really smoothly. Thanks so much to our wonderful son, who stayed with us, worked at his real job in the mornings and then came and ran the grain cart for his Dad. It helps so much and he really is a farmer at heart so think he likes it alot.

The bank move is complete and we have been in there for two full weeks. The building is beautiful, and I love it, but getting used to all the changes has been hell. Maybe I'm to old for this change - I don't know - but this hasn't been as much fun as I was hoping it would be. For one thing Kathy and I have been putting in 10 to 12 hour days trying to keep everyone on track and get things running smoothly again, and I KNOW I am to old for that!! Boy am I tired at nite and my bad knee is killing me! The place is 2 1/2 times the size of the old one and the walking on all the ceramic tile is not great for the knee. Anyway - enough complaining - It is getting better and every day goes a little better. The 3 new part timers should know their stuff in a couple of weeks and then I can get back to my regular hours! I have racked up 4 1/2 days of comp time so far this year, which would be really great news IF I would ever see compensation for them or an offer to use them as vacation days! I'm sure that will never happen though. At this point even a thank you from management would be greatly appreciated!

I am writing this at my happy place with a beer by my side so all is well now. Dave and Kim Jones are coming for the Labor Day holiday which will make the weekend all the better and you can bet some pontoon time will be necessary. We also have Briggs visiting this weekend (he and Riley are actualy getting along better finally!) while Jenn, Mike and Jack are in South Dakota for a visit with his parents. They actually live in Arizona but are in the area for a visit and went to their home state of SD to visit some friends. We will meet them for the first time on Sunday or Monday so are very much looking forward to that! Jenn says they are great people and very easy going - not surprising since they raised such a great son!! I will post some pics from the weekend later. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend - stay safe - Love you all. Becky

Another wonderful weekend!

2008-08-12T19:59:00.006-05:00

Yes folks, the summer is rolling right along - much to fast as everyone can agree. We had a beautiful weekend at the lake with some good friends along to keep us company. Bil and Mark had Tom and Pat McManus from the cities at the cabin and Dave, Kim, and their daughter Kate Jones came to visit us. Along with her dog Oden a black lab and hound dog mix who came to play with Riley and Briggs. They got along splendidly and chased after the ball like two good friends should. We even had a tandem poop in the tall grass that we were wishing we had a camera for. Kinda gross - but it made us all laugh! Briggs spent most of the time wishing I would let him off the chain so he could run too, but most of the time he would run straight to the mud side of the dock and the cute white puppy would be a smelly, ugly, mess!! I was a mean grandma and kept him by my side most of the weekend to keep him out of trouble! He is so cute and we did our duty and delivered him home, tired, cranky, and dirty! Watch out Andrew and Meagan - we will do the same with your baby except for the dirty part!!

We spent all day Saturday on the pontoon again, and it was a perfect day. Not to hot - no wind - and a mixture of our first Hop Skips of the season to make the day! It was hard to leave the water again, but Billie and Mark had planned this wonderful meal that we put together at our house. It was delicious as always!! A fire, star gazing, and listening to We Fest from afar rounded out the nite. Perfect. I, like all of you, wish summer would never end.

This week at work has consisted of packing and hauling boxes and boxes of "stuff" out of the old bank and into the new. This Friday at 10am the bank will close and the big push will begin. We have movers to haul the bigger furniture, and computer geeks hired to get all the computers moved, but it will still be and has been a huge undertaking. It will be so worth it when it is all done, but getting there is a long process. I have a hard time believing I had to haul bank record books from 1919 from one bank to another but my boss (my favorite person in the whole world right now - ha ha) says we need to. I tend to disagree. I'm surprised he hasn't fired me yet. I tend to get a little cranky when I'm hot and tired and I can't seem to keep my feelings to myself!! Probably waiting until the hard labor is done and then will fire my ass for insubordination. Oh well - could be the best thing that could happen to me maybe?!?!? Anyway - think of me this weekend when you are all enjoying your weekend. We will be working until we are ready to be up and running for business Monday morning at 7:00 AM. No matter how long that may take!! Tom says he will supply pizza and beer to make up for it. Big spender.

Congrats Beautiful Bachlorette Kristin!

2008-07-28T16:07:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone! This past weekend Jenn and I hosted a Brides Luncheon and Bachlorette party for Jenn's best friend Kristin Keckler. She has been a part of our lives since the Keckler's and us threw the kids together when they were babies, and has always felt like a second daughter to us. She is a kind and wonderful girl and we are so happy she has found a great guy like Dave to be happy with for the rest of her life! They are to marry on Sept 13th but before she can do that we had to party! We started at the Fireside for a brunch complete with Mimosas and salad, and a great video of Kristin and Jenn at their first t-ball game! The video made everyone laugh as much as I do everytime I view it! Then we went to the lake to enjoy the beautiful weather on the pontoon. It was great - as you can see. Briggs even went swimming as he never gets very far from his "mother"! The pic on the deck is of Kristin's bridemaids, including from left, April Brorson, Kari Wosick, (Kristin), maid of Honor Jenn, and Danelle Tate. Reluctantly we had to get off the pontoon to get all dolled up for the Limo that was picking us up at 6pm. We went bar hopping around the lakes area and everyone had a great time! There were three generations of Brorson's there with Jeanet (Kristin's grandma) and Julie (her Mom and my best friend) in attendance! It was great to see and Jeanet had no trouble keeping up! Just the opposite in fact - she put most of us younger ones to shame!! I HAD to play the Mother Hen at our last stop (The Hotel Shoreham) about 1:00 AM rounding everyone up. (The limo driver insisted we go home - huh 7 hours for the price of 6 - you have a problem with that?!?!?) It was quite a chore as the place was packed and just as two or three would board the bus - three or four more would disappear!! Whew - I managed with just a little pushiness (not being a bitch mind you - just forceful - Ha!) and we were home by 1:30 am. Wow - what a day! It was wonderful and I hope the beautiful Bride had a day/nite to remember! Lots of great stories to tell and re-tell! I dropped my camera while the bride to be was opening presents or I would have some great pics to share from the limo - maybe thats a good thing???

The next day the blurry eyed troops went home and I spent the day being a lazy bum - enjoying the weather again. It was such a nice day, but I was so tired I drove home fairly early afraid I would have a hard time keeping my eyes open later in the day! Great weekend - lots of fun! Have a great week everyone!

Vacation Report

2008-07-14T20:06:00.006-05:00

Yes dear family and friends - today was back to work and the only saving grace is we have the new bank to look forward to or else I may have cried all the way to work!! We had a wonderful 4th and a great vacation at the lake! The 4th was so much fun with all the family around and the weather was perfect. Our weeks vacation started out rainy, but Greg caught some fish off the dock and Billie and I went to do a little shopping and lunch. We had a great day and a few purchaes were made! Billie had the week off too so we got to spend alot of time together - it was great! Tuesday we had the family over for supper and Greg cooked kabobs on the grill - Bil and I did the prep work and he got most of the credit. Usual. They were great non the less. Wednesday Greg graciously let me stay at the lake while he went to the farm to mow. (Thank you, Thank you!) I had the best day laying in the sun, reading, washing a few clothes and playing with Riley. It was marvelous and the best weather day we had! As you can see, we became "God Damn Tourists" on Thursday (which was also our 32nd anniversary) and went to Walker MN for Moondance Jam. We saw the biggest Muskie (hey kid, where's the big fish??) the ugliest Paul Bunyun, the town famous for the Taste of Dorset but there was absoultely nothing open or to see there, and basically the lakes area we never see because we rarely leave the DL area. We had a great time. We found a great little bar made out of a classic boat that was so cool. There was a roof over the middle and a patio around it. We are pretty sure it is a million dollar idea and we could call it Ivan's Boat Bar. (Greg's nickname in college) We are sure it would be a huge success, but we would need to open it on a beautiful island in the Carribean to make it work! Any interested investors our there?? Greg also taste tested a "loaded Corona". The waitress picked him - he took a drink from a regular Corona and then the bartender poured a shot of Bacardi Limone in the bottle. He said it was pretty good until it got warm and then not so good. He also reported he could feel it pretty strong after just one! Dangerous! We took a bus from the casino to the concert site. It was much smaller than We Fest, and we saw the bands: Hairball (interesting costumes, bad music) The Guess Who (excellent again - love their music) Sammy Hagar (by far the best showman and best music, excellent) Boz Scaggs (old, slow, and boring music) and Crosby, Stills, and Nash ( again, slow and boring, and by the time they played a song we liked it started to rain and we left) Many gallons of vodka and beer were consumed by the four of us and we poured ourselves into bed after a much needed supper break at about 1:30 AM. Whew! Friday was a resting day, and then Kim and Dave Jones came to visit. Dave just came home from a 5 1/2 month service in the army. It was great to see them both and we had a wonderful time! The weather on Saturday was horrible - the wind was crazy - we did some driving around and visiting cause it was just to crummy to be on the lake! They provided us with a great steak supper that evening! Our kids came over earlier too and surprised us with a beautiful anniversary present. Its a board picture that says Welcome to Munson Lake with a pic of an old fashioned boat and it also says "The Barkers" in the middle. It is so cool and I have wanted one ever since we moved in. They special ordered it and really surprised us with it!! Thanks Andrew, Jenn, Meagan, and Mike and Jack! We love it! The pic of Shannon is after her first day at the hospital in DL. She is doing a shadow/intern type thing. 3 weeks of it - and she is staying at our house while she is there. It was so fun to hear her stories and see her in her white coat. So cool and yet hard to believe our little Shannon is close to becoming a doctor!! Ok I'm sorry abut the screwy pic formation - I did this on my new laptop for the first time and am having trouble movin the pictures around. Getting tired now and have to go to bed!!

Well - that is the vacation report - hope you enjoy the pics! I am counting the days until we can go back to the lake! I never get tired of it! Take care everyone!

Happy 4th! Happy Vacation!

2008-07-07T17:31:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone - reporting from sunny Munson Lake - a great day on the 4th with some of the most beautiful weather I can remember for the 4th of July. A very successful Munson Boat Parade! Our record (we think) is 17 boats and we had 15 this year! We had a wonderful spread of food at the cabin after some water fun and then came here for some games and fireworks. Kim, Kimberly and Sean Gowenlock along with Aunt Jo of course were here, and Sean was having so much fun helping to blow things up! Jenn and Mike stopped over too and She was also very entertaining!! The kids had given Greg a Bean Bag toss game for Fathers Day and we played it for quite a while! After 50 years I have finally found a game I am reasonably good at! Ha! Anyway - I held my own and Jenn and I beat Greg and Mike so that was fun!! The fireworks show was GREAT as usual and a good time was had by all. Billie and I went shopping today at Summerhill Farm by Park Rapids and then back to DL. It was a very nice day and we had a great time. It has been spitting rain today and even one pretty good shower but now the sun is out so we hope it stays that way for the rest of the week!! For the 1st time since we bought this place Greg finally wet a line and caught a good supply of sunfish for some appetizers! Can't wait! He's pretty happy we our done with our major "projects" around here for now and this week he can relax alot! Have a great week everyone and I will post some pics from our vacation later!

Travel Time!

2008-06-26T19:13:00.004-05:00

News Flash - Live From Omaha Nebraska - The Barker's and the Keckler's along with our wonderful daughters, travel down to Omaha to see live action from the 2008 College World Series, thanks to Mike Boub so graciously giving up his front row, right over the first base dugout seats!! We want to thank him for the wonderful seats (maybe next time we can all go??) - the weather was perfect (except for a few rain delays) the seats were to die for - the games were great!! I haven't seen such great baseball for quite a few years and it was so exciting! We saw a couple of grand slams, a few home runs, and even a streaker!! You can see them leading him away in the bottom pic. To bad he wasn't as least cute (check out the man boobs - ICK) any way I can for sure say I hope that's the last time I see that!! If you looked real close on ESPN you could see us when there was a left handed batter and sometimes when they scanned the dugout. I was wishing that they would have gotten Julie on the big screen doing the chicken dance, but no such luck!! We ate good (traveling rule - you can't eat anywhere you could eat in Fargo) drank a bit (even though we couldn't have a cool one at the game due to NCAA rules!?!?) - and had alot of laughs! If we didn't know this before, we sure do now - our girls are quite entertaining!! We all had a wonderful time! Maybe next time Andrew and Meagan can go too - I know they wanted to and after looking at the pics, Andrew will be wishing to go next time!

Getting ready for the 4th and my vacation which technically starts July 3rd at 3:01 PM. Much needed break from the smiling through my clenched teeth training I am doing of two new part time employees. We are getting ready for the move to the new bank and new longer banking hours which will happen about the week of July 25th. I just keep telling myself that these girls are the ones that will work the new longer hours so I don't have to and it makes it better. Oh well, better days ahead!! Think warm for the 4th and everyone have a safe and wonderful 4th of July holiday!! Love to all, Becky (Gramma to be :)

Happy Happy News!

2008-06-17T19:05:00.005-05:00

My Dear Family and Friends - I have been patiently waiting for my wonderful daughter-in-law to post this on their blog first - but I just can't wait any longer! I have told most of Cass County and now am starting on strangers including sales clerks and cash wash attendants. I'm pretty sure everyone thinks I'm crazy. So it's time to scream it on my blog. We are going to be grandparents!!! Whoo Hoooo! We were so excited to learn a couple Saturdays ago that Andrew and Meagan are expecting a baby in early February. They told us by giving us a book named "A New Barker In The House", and the tears started flowing instantly! We were having Billie and Mark's anniversary party at the lake house so they told us in the morning and then told everyone else later on that afternoon. There was such excitement on the deck when they gave the same book to the new great-grandparents to be! We are all so thrilled. Tears were flowing then too. It's been since Connor that we have had a baby in this family so do you think he or she might be a bit loved (spoiled in a good way!!)?? I pretty sure of it. Can't wait to watch Meagan grow and glow, and to see what a beautiful baby they will have. The anticipation is the best part!!

We had a beautiful day for the 30th anniversary party and it was so nice to have the house and yard full of people. The spread of food on the table was amazing and the company was the best. Congrats again to the wonderful couple on 30 years!! It was great to have Aunt Jo, Les and Chris at Munson to help them celebrate too!! A good time was had by all I believe.

This past weekend we had a few good hours of sunshine on Sat and got to spend some time on the pontoon finally! Then the awful clouds moved in and we were at our house in case the basement was needed. It was kinda scary for awhile! We did manage to get the pork chops done in spite of the weather!! This Friday Jenn, Greg and I, Tim, Julie and Kristin Keckler are going to Omaha NE to see two games of the college world series. Mike has connections thru work and gets tickets almost every year if he wants them. Mike and Dave (Kristin's fiance) can't go so the rest of us are. Tim was given the tickets on Father's Day as a surprise and I guess he is really excited! He has always wanted to go so it should be fun. The weather sounds great and baseball is my second favorite sport (Bison FB first of course!) so what could be better than baseball, sun, cold beer, and good friends. Looking forward to it. Will post some pics when we get back.

Have a great weekend everyone - Love from Grandma Becky :) HEE HEE Love the sound of that!!!

Summer has officially started!!

2008-05-26T18:08:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone - I was giving my nieces so much crap the other night about never updating their blogs I figured I'd better update mine right away so they couldn't give me a hard time too! It was a great weekend at the lake - the area was certainally busier as people move back to the lake for the summer! The top pics are of the goose that has been visiting our lawn and leaving us reminders of such visits! Lovely - we are used to dog poop but now goose poop too!! Yuck. Our wonderful "neighbors" Mark, Dad, and Connor came to help Greg with the dock on Sat. It was so windy and cold on our side of the lake!! Greg really appreciated the help! The weather was ever changing, but we got a beautiful day on Sunday and I'm sure Deanne and Scott were thankful for that as they hosted Ashley's grad party at their beautiful house. It was decorated so cute and the food was wonderful! Thanks for inviting us and congrats to Ashley! It's nice to have everyone back at the cabin and we had a wonderful meal of free salmon (given to me) and free steak (won by me at the Pub Fri night) on Sat nite. We are all such good cooks!! Jenn and Mike and Briggs, and Kristin and Dave stayed at our house on Sat too. They looked a bit hungover on Sun morn as they were at the Sandbar listening to 32 Below. It sounded like they had a great time! Sunday nite after we had supper at Shoreham, we had a fire with our favorite people and only went to bed because the weather switched again and got cold!! It was a great night! This week will be extremely busy - we always pay for a day off at the bank by being extra busy on Tuesday, but my saving grace is I only have to work 2 days this week - Thursday and Friday off!! Whoo Hoo!! I know I should be thrilled to be having another birthday because the alternative is not good at all, but 50?!?! Geez.....how the hell did this happen? 30 was hard, 40 a piece of cake, 50?? a few martinis will be necessary!! Take care everyone! Have a great week. Love you. Becky

Great Weekend!

2008-05-05T18:55:00.011-05:00

It was so nice to see everyone at Nate and Anna's wedding on Sat - What fun we had! The Bride and Groom looked so happy and a great time was had by all! It's great when the families get together for a fun occasion for a change! The dance floor was filled with so many great moments, its hard to pick a favorite, but here are a few of mine. Cute Colin dancing up a storm (not just "watching the folks dance!); Jenn, Mandy, and Dad dancing together; screaming the extra lyrics to Mony, Mony (always a favorite!!); and last but not least, the Full Moon compliments of my craziest cousin but the crowd favorite Scott!! I don't think I've had so much fun for a long time!

The weather was so much nicer too - not perfect cause the wind was kinda cold both days, but a marked improvement over the weekend before! It was a beautiful sunrise on Munson Lake Sat and Sunday morning! That is my favorite time of day at the house. I love it. After a little recovery time and breakfast at the 611 Pit - everyone left for home and I stayed awhile and read and slept a little. Greg (poor guy) had to go home and work - actually got started in the field and is going strong planting. Keep your fingers crossed for no rain for about 2 weeks! That would be wonderful! Well, everyone have a great week and for all the mothers I won't see, but love none the less, Have a wonderful Mothers Day on Sunday! Becky

Time to Reflect

2008-04-28T18:28:00.008-05:00

Hi everyone - I want to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts. The prayer service and funeral were packed with people and it was so nice to have people around. Greg is doing better although no one seems to understand yet what really happened. We got the preliminary results back from the autopsy, but it didn't show much. We are waiting on the final results. A "non-heart attack event" whatever that means!!

On Saturday Greg just wanted to get out of Dodge to "our happy place" so we left for the lake about 1:00 - and drove into terrible roads about Hawley. We could not believe the snow at our house!! It was crazy! There was more snow in front of the garage on Sat than there had been all year!! The deck was inpassable - we did go out for supper quick on Sat nite, but then right back home. There were no plows as I'm sure they were waiting for the Sunday Sun to melt things off. We also got to take care of our "grandpuppy" Briggs for the weekend. Jenn and Mike went to the cities. He is soooo cute as you can see and he and Riley are getting along better. Andrew and Meagan came home Sunday nite from Florida to their impassable driveway! By all reports though they had a great time, but were really sorry to miss the funeral. Couldn't be avoided. We are now looking forward to the Anderson wedding on Saturday. Will be great to get together for a happy occasion for a change!! Have a good week everyone and we will see you all soon.

Are we dreaming?

2008-04-21T11:17:00.002-05:00

As you all probably know by now, Greg's brother Brian passed away on Saturday night and we are all reeling. As we sat across the table yesterday morning, trying to make plans just 11 months after Cecil died, the feelings of "why Brian, why us, what the hell is happening" were overwhelming. The shock of someone so young dying is unbelievable. Please keep us all in your prayers as we get thru this week - especially Sue. She is a wreck - she doesn't know where to turn next. They were together as a couple for almost 20 years. And we haven't seen BJ yet, but I'm sure that is going to be awful! I am so thankful that Brian and Greg worked together last year and a little this year farming - their relationship survived that test and actually improved alot! Taking a page from Meagan - live every day to the fullest - tell people who are important to you that you love them every day - and enjoy every moment you are given on this earth. We never know what day might be the last. Love to all of you, Becky

What the heck happened?!?!?

2008-04-07T19:02:00.001-05:00

Ok - Friday 56 degrees - Saturday, cleaning out the garage at the lake in our shortsleeve shirts (so we can get is sheetrocked) and Saturday nite the sky started falling?? Good God - we went for supper with Andrew and Meagan and at 9:00 it started raining, by 10PM the flakes were so big I couldn't see the road!! Woke us Sunday morning to what looked like a foot of snow! Jeez - I was ready to put my new spring flower display out on the deck with my new cool yellow chairs and this happens! Gotta love ND/MN!! Anyway, the supper was great - we went to Spankys on Rose Lake and had a great meal - the kids had never been there before so they were impressed. It was a nice evening. Other than that the weekend was pretty quiet - I started a new book, we watched a couple movies, and Greg watched the race. We wanted to have supper with Jenn and Mike in Dilworth, but the snow stopped us from going home Sunday nite. We left the house at 6:15 Monday morning and I finally made it to Harwood about 8:10! Whew! I know why I don't like to drive that during the winter. Summer fine - great trip - but not on icy-rutted roads! I got to wear jeans to work though since I wasn't planning on staying Sunday nite. Not complaining though - I never want to leave the lake so one more nite was just fine with me!! Have a great week everyone - will post again soon!

OK - Ready to try Again!

2008-03-30T17:46:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Since I posted last we now have high speed internet service at home thanks to Verizon Wireless (DAMN Qwest and their dial up service to Hell!!) so I can try this at home. Whenever I started to post at work I would get interrupted. Huh - what?? I have to work at work? Oh, who knew? Oh well, since the last post, Greg and I have been traveling - to the lake most every weekend, Mexico in January on the KFGO trip, and we just got back from Vegas with our favorite traveling companions Billie and Mark. We had a blast!! A great time was had by all, and 3 out of the 4 of us were winners. I was hoping to call in to work on Monday "rich" but alas, I was the unlucky one and my alarm will be set before going to bed tonite! Crap! Anyway, we saw alot of new sites including the Voodoo Lounge where these pics were taken. Alot of walking, drinking, laughing, and fun. Hard to come home to the cold wind and snow, even though alot has melted, it was 75 to 80 and sunny in Vegas! Thanks to Andrew and Meagan for taking care of Riley for us, I'm sure he had fun with the cats and Andrew and Meagan spoiling him rotten!

and as you can see, we also have a new puppy in the family. Jenn has added Briggs to her family and we got to take care of him while Jenn and Mike were doing their own traveling to Montana for skiing and Mexico for a trip Mike won for work. He is adorable and it was hard to see him go home. I was quite attached! Riley was not though and was dancing in circles as he watched the kennel being carried out on Easter Sunday. He is now happily settled

back in his home biting everything and everyone, including Mike's

son Jack who I hear is not to happy about it! Hopefully he will grow out of that soon!! Well, these four pics and writing this has taken me way to long - hopefully I will get better at it and do more, but don't expect miracles. I am kind of challenged in the computer department sometimes!! Anyway, thanks for reading!! Becky

Ready, Set, Go

2008-02-05T07:17:00.000-06:00

Well, since it seems like the thing to do, and since I totally enjoy reading every one else's blog, I decided to try our own. I can't promise how much I will update since I have to do it at work (we have dial-up at home, ya I know I can't believe it either!!) so I will sneek it in when I can! If I can think of anything exciting to write I will! Pictures are more fun, so I will try and post those too. Well, happy blogging and happy reading!! Think spring - I am so sick of winter I could scream!!