12th Annual Paul and Marley Zoo Picture

It all started back in 2002 when I took a picture of Paul and Marley walking at the Forest Park Zoo. My mother-in-law, Priscilla, loved the picture and a tradition was begun. Each year I have taken a new "zoo picture." Paul says the last one will be at Marley's wedding.

2013

2012


2011


2010


2009


2008

2007

 

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

Patriot's Day at Lupa's Zoo

Monday, Patriot's Day, Spring Vacation for Marley, Mark's, Janelle's, Paul's, day off from work (what luck that I have every day off, lol).  It was the perfect day for a day at Lupa's Zoo. 


Mark has a funny thing that he does with Mason, making an ostrich hand thing, so of course I had take a picture of him doing it to a real ostrich.




Mason has a super sensitive smeller and didn't like the smell in the barn.

Checking out the ducks.





One of Mason's favorite things was feeding (actually having someone else feed!) the giraffe.




 He has a huge purple tongue!

Sitting on the plastic animals has always been a favorite of Marley's, and now Mason likes it just as much.

Another favorite....the playground.  Last year Mason didn't have much interest in it.  This year he loved it!




Radtke men.




Janelle and Mark.

Mason, Marley and me.

Fun time. 

Until......Janelle's sister Amy called to tell us about the Boston Marathon bombing.  So sad......

Prayers for Boston!

40 Years Ago Today....

I can't believe that we have lived in our house for 40 years. 

It was the winter of 1973.  We were living in a two bedroom apartment.  Kristen was about 5 months old.  In the apartment below us lived a couple of Springfield Kings hockey players.  When they would win a game they would really party, loudly, late into the night.  After one sleepless night I remember Paul getting up in the morning and saying that he thought we should buy a house. 

40 years ago today, Friday, April 13, 1973, we signed papers on our house and moved in that weekend...and we have been here ever since. 

This was our house in August, 1973.



In 1981 we added a second floor to our house.

Our house last September, 2012.

I have loved living here.  Our neighborhood was a wonderful place to raise children.  There were 26 houses on a circle.  Most of us were young couples with children. 

Now it is a great neighborhood to have our kids and grandkids visit.  Many happy memories here.  Here's to many more!

Red Bucket Sugar Shack

We took our annual trek to the Red Bucket Sugar Shack in Worthington today.  What a great place.  Mason is fascinated by the fact that there is a tree in the middle of the restaurant with a table around it.  The table is too small for all of us, but one year when there were only a few of us we actually sat there. 

Marley, Big Baba and Baba in March 2006



We all had a great breakfast (except Mason.  He smelled the pancakes and said he didn't like the smell and wouldn't eat any!). 

Kristen wanted me to take a few pictures of the new hat and scarf that she just finished for Marley.

Here are a few more pictures.  I love coming here; and it makes a good backdrop for pictures!

Toby is looking for mica in the rocks

Throwback (Monday) - Today would have been Priscilla's 85th birthday!

I have always loved this picture of my mother-in-law and my daughter.  It was taken in 2000.  Kris and Toby were home from Ohio for a visit. 

Priscilla has been gone now for almost nine years.  I still miss her.  A lot.  I could not have asked for a more wonderful mother-in-law.  She was the best!  I am so thankful for the relationship both of my children had with her. 

Happy birthday GG.