Shower #1

This was Abbey's first shower, hosted by ladies from our church, Christ's Church. It was a beautiful shower. I hope I'm not missing anyone, but so many people helped to make it very special, thnak you Beatty's, Yen's, Webb's, Heather E., who made the cake, Strands, Lauren made crasages, Carlson's, Von Holten's, and I know so much went into making it a wonderful day for Abbey.
Raeanne and Megan C. plus Anna V. wrote and preformed a very meaningful song for all us. We're still trying to figure out how to share it on the blog. :)
Again, thank you Christ's Church, we feel very blessed.

We're back!!

We've had computer problems...it all started with that dreaded blue screen. Mark Andrew said he had to pull out his old forensic tools and tricks to rescue our data, but he managed to save everything, so we hope.

So we'll try to catch everyone up on what has been going on in our house.

It is 10:36 AM Saturday morning, February 16. Next week at this time Bob will have one beautiful girl on his arm, ready to walk down the isle. We've been preparing for that event for the last few months.

Above collage is from "Do it yourself Messiah", way back in December.

fishing with the guys

Sherah's Shower

Even though we spent the afternoon at a beautiful shower for Abbey, I thought I'd put the pictures up from Sherah's shower, which happened (actually) Dec. 30th. Abbey's shower pictures aren't quite altogether yet, so I'll get those up as soon as we can get them together (lots of fun stuff to come!)
First picture above is of Sara Lennon, Abbey, Sherah, Brittany C. and Aubrey (C.) F. I'm fairly sure it is Marty being silly with the bunny ears behind Sherah, no wonder Daniel and Marty are great friends :)
We've known the Baumgarten's for a very long time. Let's say Daniel and Sherah met when the two of them were the "only children", which wasn't very long for either of them. Also for many years the Baumgarten's and Hill's, along with several other families have fished together, vacationed together and just had a lot of fun together (and lots of other things, like the Baumgarten's have blessed our family more times than we can even begin to mention.) Lately, Daniel and Marty (Sherah's fiance) have taken up a good friendship, they also work out most mornings. Very soon, Sherah and Marty are getting married (the end of March), and Daniel will be standing up in that wedding. So here are some pictures of Sherah's shower and some of the people we were able to visit with.

Abbey, Wendy, Tessa and Brittany

Julie B., Sandy C., Bev F., and Nora Sp.

Luke Z. and Daniel

More of Sherah's Shower

Speziale girls: Tricia, Kate, Michelle


Marty and Sherah opening gifts, with the little helpers who are not little anymore!
Lots of Baumgarten cousins and Jessie O. Plus Anna B. writing down the gifts.

Collage pic.: row one: Erin and Kara; Marty, Sherah and Stacia B.; Daniel embarrassing Brianna I.; Aunt Ginny, Aunt Teresa and YaYa (Mrs. Berwick.)
2nd row: Grandma Baumgarten; Luke, Kara and Christina; Allysa and Lydia B.; Marty and Sherah
3rd row: Marty and Daniel being silly; Grandma B., Kate Sp., Ali and Iggy; Julene F. and Linda L. and sorry I did put your pictures on our blog, but they are little pictures and very good, so maybe it is OK.; Tessa, Jenn L., Sara L. and Christina
Repeat of first row.

The Wedding Party

Eleanor drew this special picture for Abbey, it was so special and so cute we wanted to share it.
It is Abbey and Josh and all the little flower girls and Justin.
Very special Eleanor, we love it!

The end of the day, Christmas day.

Christmas with the Hill's

Hill family, Christmas day, 2007.

From Wendy Elise around the back: Wendy, Aunt Dedee, Andrew, Kyle, Daniel Collin, Josh, Abbey.

2nd. row from Katy Lynn: Katy, Mark Andrew, Uncle Mark (Kent), Kurt, Laura, Aunt Wendy (with the green shirt)

Front: DeeDee, Quin on lap, Grandpa Jack, Lynn, Justin on lap, Michael, Holly and baby girl Kennedy expected May, 2008, and Bob

Missing: Jordan and he was with his girlfriend Leah.

Christmas afternoon we had Christmas with the Hill Clan, and what a group we are! Sebastian Fowlks joined our family and he was able to click the picture and tried to make the little ones smile and look at the camera. Thanks Sebastian.

Grandpa and Katy always exchange special gifts. We've seen very interesting and creative gifts that only Katy and Grandpa could enjoy. But this year, Grandpa out did himself. Since Katy has followed in Grandpa's footsteps and is now teaching 5th grade, Grandpa gave Katy a keepsake album that was presented to him when Grandpa retired after teaching 6th grade for (about) 30+yrs.

Christmas with the Hill's

Grandpa presented Aunt Wendy with a special gift.

Christmas with the Hill's

Grandpa Jack brought all his old photo albums for everyone to look at and to divide up the photos. There was a photo/scrapbook from Granma Shirley starting when she was a little girl, which included sweet letters written to Granma Shirley (as a young girl), from her mom. (which would have been Bob's Grandmother). Pictures of Grandpa Jack running track, hurdling, playing football, etc. Plus all the pictures of the growing up years. It was a lot of fun, trying to figure out who was whom in the pictures.

Fun with Aunts

Working on calendars with Auntie Elena; pictures of the girls with gifts from Aunt Judy.

Strand's visit

Strand's came to dinner and for a visit on Sunday evening. It was very last minute and after and a bit of funny misunderstandings, we all ended up at the same house and food to eat also. After dinner we spent time talking, visiting and learning about all the strange things we had eaten (at other meals, not this evening's meal). Then before the Strand's had to leave we (well the kids) built a pyramid. Lots of fun.

A family

More pictures of the Allen Christmas gathering...

MaMa and PaPa decided last minute that they would brave the cold, arctic, non-golfable Chicago weather and join us at our Christmas gathering. We were so glad most of us were together. Julie and Freddie were in UT at the Air Force Base. We always tried to get a "MaMa and PaPa picture with the grandkids", the picture seems to be growing in number and height.



Dee's brother's family and mom and dad. Across the back Sean, Jacob and Ryan. Across the front, Mom, Dad, Rich and Elena.



There just seems to be a flurry of activity.

Abbey and Wendy got matching sweaters (you can still see Abbey's tag in some of the pictures). Dad loves yellow, so our girls were bookends that everyone wanted their picture taken with them. If you notice Sean is taller than both of his girl cousins.

Christ's Church Christmas Celebration

I guess this group picture was taken another day, during the Christmas season. Almost every family is represented by a least some of their family.


We had a meal together and then music and a play in the afternoon.

They're done!

Abbey designed (with the help of Josh and her dad) the inviations. Next took a lot of ink and paper, (thanks Uncle Rich), along with several trips to Hobby Lobby in order to come up with the final product. Then Abbey invited her bridesmaids (and an extra) to help her and Josh put them together, and I do think they have turned out beautiful. Thank you girls:
Jessica and Joanna Erber, Brittany Crist and Wendy (and Tessa too!). Also, Daniel was there to offer advice, be the entertainment and he also helped keep Justin occupied with other things.
Josh and Abbey, the invitations look great.

Snowball fight