Ed & Gloria, Neil & Rosie visiting White brothers

On July 27, Neil & I, along with my twin brother, Ed Nordby & his wife, Gloria, took a day to visit our Mom's brothers who are living in or near the Spokane area. Our cousin, Linda, tried to make arrangements to bring our other uncle Ed White (93) over, but she was unable to do so. It was a day of memories, and remembering so many times we shared with Mom's family when we were growing up.

Curt White (78), our Mom's youngest brother, Ed & I

Ed & Curt White, who lives in St. John with his wife, Lorraine

Our Mom's brother, Don White (90) who lives in Pomeroy, WA at a Senior Home.

Mom's oldest brother, George White (98), with his wife, Betty who is 89. Behind George & Betty, with Ed & I, are our cousins, Judy Nelson, and Marlene Landers.

Deer Park High School, Class of '62 Mini-Reunion

One of Rosie's classmates from Vass, NC, Darla (Stevens) Howe, was in the Deer Park area visiting her mother and asked me if I could get any of our classmates together so she could visit with them. I contacted the local classmates, and invited them to a Hamburger Potluck on our deck here at the lake. We had 22 Adults, and 5 Grandchildren here that evening. Jackie Reynolds & I furnished the Hamburgers/Buns & Condiments, and everyone else brought Salads. Darla brought a cake with "Class of 1962 Forever" on it, and Dan & Doris Berg made Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Food was great, conversation the best with old friends.

Loretta (Baker) Sicilia, Katie (Francis) Ewart, Darla (Stevens) Howe, Jim Qualls, Jack Leliefeld, Pete Reynolds, Linda (Pakker) Miller & Dan Berg
Doris Berg (Dan's wife) Jackie Reynolds (Pete's wife), Alaine (Leliefeld) Qualls (Jim's wife), Neil Dewey (Rosie Nordby's husband), Jim Miller (Linda Pakker Miller's husband), Katie (Francis) Ewart, Darla (Stevens) Howe, Jim Qualls, Chuck Ewart (Katie's husband)

Good friends: Rosie (Nordby) Dewey, Darla (Stevens) Howe, Katie (Francis) Ewart, Karen (Berg) Fortune, Linda (Pakker) Miller

Classmates & Spouses

Very Back row: Stan Sicilia, Dan & Doris Berg, Alaine Qualls, Clark Adamson

Middle row: Pete Reynolds, Jackie Reynolds, Linda (Pakker) Miller, Karen (Berg) Fortune, Judy Adamson, Jim Miller, Jack Leliefeld, Betty Jean (Whitney) Leliefeld

Front row: Katie (Francis) Ewart, Chuck Ewart, Darla Stevens, Gloria Nordby, Loretta Sicilia, Rosie (Nordby) Dewey, DeeDee Hodgson, Neil Dewey, Sharon (Jensen) Hutchings, Jim Qualls

CLASSMATES:

Back: Stan Sicilia, Dan Berg, Clark Adamson, Darla (Stevens) Howe, Jack Leliefeld, Betty (Whitney) Leliefeld

Front: Pete Reynolds, Linda (Pakker) Miller, Rosie (Nordby) Dewey, Karen (Berg) Fortune, Katie (Francis) Ewart, Sharon (Jensen) Hutchings, Jim Qualls

Grandkids at the Lake - Summer 2009

Every year we invite grandkids over to Loon Lake to enjoy a couple of weeks of playing in the water, and enjoying time with Grandma & BaPa. This year we had Kyleigh (12), Aspen (10), Braydon (6) and Brooke (4). Kyleigh & Aspen have been with us for 6 summers, Brayon for 3 years, and this is Brooke's first year. Here are some pictures to capture the great time we had. Neil & I look forward to this every summer!!

The grandkids playing in Field at Great Grandma Ev's

Brooke Weddle showing how well she can swim in deep water

Brooke Weddle with Cousin Timberly McDonald (Ed, Rosie's Brother's, granddaughter) playing dress-up at Great Grandma Ev's.

BaPa shooting Aspen & Kyleigh with the Water Blaster from the dock

The Grandkids playing on the water float. Brooke just came off the slide; Kyleigh is watching her (yellow life jacket), and Braydon getting back onto the trampoline.

Their favorite thing to do was riding in the tube behind the boat. All 4 of them are in the tube. They kept motioning for us to go faster, and make sharper turns. There is No-Fear in this group.

On their Trampoline/Slide Float - (Left to right) - Kyleigh, Brooke, Braydon & Aspen.

For their birthdays this year, we bought the 3 older kids this trampoline/slide float. They are all laying on the trampoline. They had a great time on it. We were concerned about Brooke being able to enjoy it, but she swam right out there (deep water -- but with life jacket), went down the slide many times, and had as much fun as the bigger kids!!

Grandma Rosie with her four grandkids over at Great Grandma Ev's place. Grandma Ev has fixed a lunch for them (Hotdogs & Root Beer Floats) every year since the kids have been coming to the lake. Ed's grandkids were also there (Nelson, Cody & Timberly McDonald)

The four of them "snaking" through the water behind Aspen paddling the Kyak. Holding on to the boat is Kyleigh, followed by Braydon and Brooke bringing up the tail.

Aspen (10), Kyleigh (12) Braydon (6) and Brooke (4)

Here are the four grandkids the first day they arrived. Aspen, Kyleigh, Braydon & Brooke. Apsen & Kyleigh are VERY good swimmers, so if Neil or I were at the dock, they weren't required to wear life jackets. If we weren't with them, they also had to be safe with life jackets.

When the four kids had to leave to go back home (Nathan & Tracy came over to pick them up), we all had a "Crying" time. It started with a couple of the kids, and then Grandma had to join in with a few tears. It's always so sad to see them go home, but we know we'll get to enjoy them again next year!

Ladies from Roslyn Presbyterian Church at the Lake

Marian Russ & I put together a Ladies Retreat at our place on Loon Lake and invited ladies from our church in Roslyn (Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian) to come over for three days. We had such a great time.

Saturday morning trip around Loon Lake on Pontoon Boat. Lila (in front row, middle) gave wonderful devotion while we enjoyed the serenity of the morning on the lake with our friends.

The results of decorating our Flip Flops, and giving each other Pedicures. Can you tell whose feet are whose?

Merrily Larsen, Lila Knox, Marian Russ, Marge Hathaway, Beth Matanich & myself.

On July 9 Five ladies from our church in Roslyn arrived at our place on Loon Lake for a summer Retreat. Neil was at an Air Show in Arlington, WA, so was a good time to have a "Ladies Retreat". This is the 2nd year we have been together to laugh, relax, do crafts and just enjoy a wonderful time together. Becky Isley wasn't able to make it this year, but Lila Knox was able to join us. We decorated the shirts and hats you see in the picture, and also 'fancied-up' flip-flops to wear to the craft show in Chewelah the next day - Chataqua. Marian & I had also found the bags and embroidered their names and filled them with items they might use while here (water, napkins, lip gloss, sun glasses, etc.). Also everyone painted Bird House planter decorations and put them into a pot with a Martha Washington Geranium. Later in the week a Mary Kay Representative gave us facials. We enjoyed hilarious laughter giving each other Pedicures to get ready for the Craft Show. Of course, we had plenty to eat, drank lots of tea & coffee, and just had a fun time.

LTR120SCChallenge. Beth Matanich in the lead, Lila following 2nd

This was a "Lake to Road 120 Stair Climb Challenge." From our Lake to the road where we park the cars, it is 120 steps. We came up with the idea of a stair-climb challenge on the first night. We were all breathing pretty hard when we made it to the top

Marian & Marge enjoying a relaxing swim on Saturday morning

While on the boat on Saturday morning, Lila gave us all a flyer with "de-stressers" listed. As we read through them, we all marveled at how many of the statements we enjoyed during the weekend. Some of these were: "Laugh", "Cry", "Eat Almonds" "Think about wonderful things" Have lunch with friends" "Get a Professional Massage" "Treat yourself to something special" "Be open to sharing your life and faith with someone else ..."

Merrily, Lila, Marge, Marian, Rosie, Beth having facials

I invited a Mary Kay Consultant over on Friday evening to give us facials, and also to help us with Foot scrubs, etc. We laughed alot....but I'm sure we all came out beautiful. Can't you tell by the picture above. Another fun evening

Visits with our kids & Grandkids

MELISSA & the GIRLS

After spending the evening & night with the Weddle Boys, I got up the next morning and headed north to Melissa & Ryan's home at Lake Stevens, WA. We had a such a nice time just catching up with things, and Grandma got her "Grandma fix" by getting her hugs from Payton & Gracie. The weather was beautiful so we sat on the front steps while Gracie was napping, and watched Payton playing in the front yard. What darling little girls...

Melissa & Gracie

Payton in the front yard

She was picking Dandelions and bringing them to Melissa & I. She's full of energy & spice!

Gracie.
Look at that red hair & huge blue eyes! What a looker!

VISIT WITH THE WEDDLE BOYS & THEIR FAMILIES ...

Aspen's Baseball game

Last week I got an excited phone call from Aspen Weddle telling me he had hit a "Grand Slam" in his baseball game. This was the same night Ichiro (from Seattle Mariner's team) hit his first grand slam of the season. Since Neil was gone to Tonasket, I decided this would be a good time to go and watch one of Aspen's games. I called Nathan & also let Jon know I was coming over. Jon & his family also came to the game, so was a great time to be together. Afterwards we went to Nathan's to have Pizza.

Jon & Rachel Weddle...Kyleigh, too, watching the game
Tracy Weddle, holding Brooke, Braydon & Kyleigh

Nathan Weddle, Brooke & Jon Weddle.
They moved to the top bleacher to sit in the sun.... It was getting cold

Back row: Braydon Weddle, Tracy Weddle & Jon Weddle

Front Row: Rachel Weddle, Kyleigh Weddle & Brooke Weddle

Aspen Weddle getting ready to hit another Grand Slam. Didn't happen this time, but he got on with a base hit. Good stance, don't you think?

THE HUNTING CABIN near TONASKET, WA

This past weekend, Neil went up to the Hunting Cabin near Tonasket, WA, to spend a few days with Ryan Dewey & his boys, Trent & Kaden. This has become a yearly event in the spring. Unfortunately, Trent decided to stay home to not miss any school, but the other three had a great time. Kaden went looking in the woods for Antlers that had fallen off deer, bird eggs and coyotes. Sounds like he kept BaPa and Dad busy.

BaPa and Kaden in front of Hunting Cabin

Ryan & Kaden Dewey

North Dakota and Montana .. and finally HOME

That's all folks. We had planned on spending a couple of days at our home on Loon Lake, WA, but after being gone for over 3 weeks, and spending 4500 miles driving, we just wanted to get home. We have wonderful memories..... I hope you will enjoy reading through them....

Montana

Following our visit with Ed & Gloria, we spent the next night with friends, Don and Donna Harbaugh in Missoula, MT. We didn't take pictures (guess the camera was tired), but sure enjoyed being with them, and also meeting their two daughters & families.

We spent three days in Begrade, MT with my twin brother, Ed, and his wife Gloria. Since taking a job as a Building Inspector 2 years ago for the town of Bozeman, MT, we don't get to see each other as often as we did. We always take advantage of being together when we can.

Ed & Gloria Nordby, Rosie's Twin Brother

North Dakota

In the town of Rugby, ND is the geographical center of North America. We took a picture of Flat Stanley with it for Cody.

After driving out to the old homestead, we went to the County Musesum in Watford City, ND, (which is always open) and on the wall found this picture taken in 1904. It shows Neil's grandfather, George Benn, and his wife, Bertha Sigurdson. Apparently this picture was taken before they were married, because her name is still listed as Sigurdson. In the top row is Matt Benn, which was probably George's brother. We don't know anything about Matt. Neil's uncle, Jim Olsen, bears a striking resemblance to his grandfather.



In the early 1900's Neil's great-grandfather settled in McKenzie County in North Dakota. When a dam was built on the Missouri River, his land was flooded and he had to relocate. We wanted to try to find the location of this 2nd homestead where they settled. It's also known that he donated a buckboard to a local museum, and we wanted to try and find that. Unfortunately most of the museums are closed for the winter, so we weren't successful in locating that. We did go to the County Seat in McKenzie County (Watford City) and read through all the Deeds of Record for the early 1900's. Eventually we found the records where he acquired his property for the 2nd homestead, and also the deed for the sale of it to his son, Sidney. We were able to determine the location of his property, so then drove the 40+ miles to locate it. This is a picture of the land as it looks today. There is a creek going through it, and just a piece of a building that has fallen down. We're assuming it was part of the original homestead.

Ice on the tree branches in Minot as we were driving out.

We drove into Minot, ND, in normal weather, and the next day when we turned on TV at the Hotel, it said schools in Minot were closed. We looked out our window and saw snow blowing sideways. They had had a blizzard come in over the night, and everything was closed, including shopping malls. Some restaurants were able to be open that were right off the freeway. Neil & I ended up staying in Minot for two days, and our car was even stuck in the parking lot of the Best Western with snow drifts blown around it. When we were finally able to leave, there was black-ice on the roads which made for careful driving for the first 50 miles or so.

Niagara Falls, Canada, Classmates & Friends

Best Friends in Michigan; Classmates in New York and Michigan

Proud Grandma, Marian, and her granddaughter, Lucia (Luci)

Grandpa Ken, and Luci. She just started walking a couple of weeks ago.

Our best friends, Ken & Marian Russ, from Roslyn, WA, were in Lansing, MI visiting with her son and family, and helping with some upgrades to their place. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop by and spend some time with them, and also meet their granddaughter, Luci. We hadn't seen her before. On the first day, we helped them work in their son's back yard, had dinner with them in their camper. The next morning we met for breakfast and then Marian & I went shopping at a neat fabric store -- she just had to show me! . At the store they had a special promotion going on where you spun a wheel and whatever number you landed on, you got that amount of discount for your day's purchases. The majority of the numbers on the wheel were 5%, 10% and 15%. We were very excited when Marian got 40%. Then it was my turn -- and I got 50%. As you can imagine, we did quite a bit of shopping.... great time! Their granddaughter is adorable!

We also stopped in Traverse City, MI, and spent and afternoon and evening with another Classmate -- Curtis Holliday, and his wife Sandy. They took us on a driving tour of Traverse City, had dinner at Applebee's Restaurant, and then went back to their place for more time together. We spent a lot of time discussing what we should do for our next reunion (50th) that's coming up in 2012.

One of my classmates from Deer Park High School lives in Niagara Falls, NY. Neil & I made arrangements to meet for dinner with Joyce (Riehle) Koch, and her husband, Gary. After a very nice dinner, we went back to Joyce & Gary's home to continue our chat. While there, we dug out our Senior Album from 1962, along with a Reunion picture from 1972 (10 year reunion). It was fun to reminisce and laugh about our High School days.

NIAGARA FALLS, from both the New York and Canadian sides

The Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side. It is difficult to get a clear picture as the mist is always coming up from where the water hits below. It's an awesome and breathtaking site.

Neil & I, with Horseshoe Falls in background. It was very,very cold -- my hair was wet with icicles forming on it by the time we made it back to the car.



The American Falls from Niagara Falls, New York, side. Notice the big chunk of ice in the front of the picture. On the day we were there, a man had gone over these falls in an attempt to commit suicide. They were able to rescue him.... and he got served with a huge fine. I can only imagine how cold that water is.