The Growing Edge

Family Gathering Memorial Day Weekend

2006-06-08T21:29:00.000-05:00

I apologize for not blogging in a while. With both our jobs, planting a new church, and helping the Hills through the transition period, we have been consumed with too much to do. We will fill you all in at the reunion. Joel and Jill moved this spring into a new home away from the busy corner where they risked their life everyday to get in and out of the driveway. They are still in Bolingbrook a 5 Lacebark Ct. which puts them in cul-de-sac with much less traffic. We got together for the first time in months. Sad how we are so close, but yet so far. This is Anna's graduation time as well so another one off to college. This will have to hold you till I take some more pictures.

2006-06-08T21:27:00.000-05:00

Back view of the house. You can almost see the rainbow to the left.

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Relaxing after a good meal.

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Paul has found a friend. Now go away doggie!

2006-06-08T21:17:00.000-05:00

Someone from Joel's houshold is looking to Scooter for some dessert too!

2006-06-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

Joel is serving up dessert in the newly remodeled kitchen.

2006-06-08T21:11:00.000-05:00

Guess who is growing up to be a "big" girl? Abigail is just growing into her hair, which is gettting lighter by the week.

2006-06-08T21:09:00.000-05:00

Guess what noise Zeke and Sam are going for?

2006-06-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

Elia and Shawn enjoy some ice cream. Do you think they like ice cream?

Visitations

2006-02-08T21:29:00.000-06:00

Abby and Jo have been visiting me at the office quite often lately. Jo & Scooter live about 5 minutes from the office so it's on the way to Costco, Jo's favorite store for feeding 2, no make that 3 growing boys . It's good they stop in often cause Abigail changes so quickly. She certainly is the princess who knows what she wants and how to get it! As you can see she has not missed too many feeding times.

We also have some other visitors who are not so welcome. I've tried to get rid of these squirrels, but they know where their bread is buttered. Can't have the birds without the squirrels. When I visited Jeff and Dena, Jeff gave me a squirrel feeder, so now they have their own toy to play with.

Now I just try to co-exist with them so that we can all be happy. Maybe I need to invite the Bremer family for a weekend. Then we could take care of the squirrel problem and have some good eat'in!

Florida Rain

2006-02-08T21:21:00.000-06:00

We are home from Florida now, but was one of the most rainy trips I can remember in over 30 years. Didn't do too much sun bathing!

In Memory of Dad Estes

2006-02-03T16:41:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week we traveled up to Bushnell, Florida to the Florida National Cemetary to visit the resting place of Cdr. Leland F. Estes. We went with wife Ruth, eldest daughter Kim and son Steve.

It was amazing how many new graves have been added this past year. Our World War II heros are quickly passing on and it feels sad to lose this generation of men and women who so valiantly fought for our country's freedoms.

I felt honored to be in the presence of greatness as I thought of all the stories represented by each memorial stone standing so tall and proud within the boundries of this hallowed resting place.

It was a beautiful, sunny, peaceful day with a gentle breeze blowing across the fields of flawlessly placed head stones. Stones that reflected the faith of each person who lay at rest in this sacred place.

Thank you for your faithful service and sacrifice on our behalf.

Chocolate Factory

2006-02-01T20:53:00.000-06:00

One of our first stops in Florida was to Diadre's Fine Chocolates by Design to witness the making of chocolate delicacies. Kim's brother, Steve took us to the chocolate factory where his wife Patti makes all kinds of chocolate designs made from molds. Of course we also benefit from her creative abilities. Fortunately she occasionally makes a mistake which comes home to roost around our waistlines. If it's going to go to waist it may as well go to mine!

We watched Patti make truffles using a $100K machine that keeps the chocolate at the exact temperature it needs to be to produce exquisite tasting chocolate every time.

Steve, Kim's brother shows us some of Patti's creations.

Sweet Tooth! Specialty chocolates made for a dentist.

The final product is truffles, perfectly made ready for consumption.
Bon Apetite!

Wheaton, Illinois Sunset

2006-01-27T15:25:00.000-06:00

We have some beautiful sunsets here in Illinois too. We just have to put up with the darn telephone poles and street lights!

Florida Bound

2006-01-25T17:45:00.000-06:00

We are headed for Florida soon to visit the Estes clan down there. This is a picture from last year when Ruth Estes, Kim's mom celebrated her 80th birthday. We are looking forward to spending some time down there soon. The picture on top is of Mother Estes and her children: Kim, Christie, Johannah, and Steve. So glad for your life "Mom"

January Morning

2006-01-21T18:08:00.000-06:00

It has been unseasonably warm here, so there has not been any snow for awhile. This morning we awoke to this beautiful sight out our back window.

The snow brought all the birds to the feeder for food since the snow now covers all their food sources. Welcome!
Mr Cardinal

Mr. Nuthatch takes his turn. Kim got me started feeding the birds and now I have taken it over. Jeff and I seem to share the same passion. He counted 65 birds in his back yard last week and named 12 different varieties. And he lives in Tennessee where it doesn't even get cold!

Showalter Reunion at Deer Run Camp and Resort

2006-01-12T12:46:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Deer Run Camp and Resort where we would like to have the 1st annual Showalter Reunion. This is the main building with 7-8 bedrooms and complete kitchen, dining and activity areas. Each bedroom has it's own bathroom.

The house has a complete kitchen and dining area. This shows part of the kitchen. The rest is around the corner to the right as you can see below.

The other end of the kitchen has this and other tables to eat indoors if we decide to have some meals in the house.

The main house has lots of rooms for reading or talking and as you can see below, all kinds of activities.

Lots of rooms for gathering and chatting or playing games. The deer head is for you Greg. We just want you to feel at home.

Out the bedroom windows is nothing but trees. By July we are counting on green instead of bare trees.

Deer Run Camp and Resort Continued

2006-01-12T11:17:00.000-06:00

It was tough to see the bedrooms and bathrooms as there were some people staying there while we were taking the tour. But you can see it is pretty plush.

This is in the "Treetops" bedroom as it is on the top floor. If you go over to where everyone is looking down you can look right into the kitchen 2 floors below.

The back porch is a wrap-a-round porch that we could use for eating or just sitting out to play games.

Dena, the ogranizer, talks to the camp director to make sure everyone has a place to stay. This is Dena and Jeff's second trip to tour the grounds to make sure this is not just a reunion, but a great family vacation.

Down behind the house is the camping area and lake. This building is the shower/washroom/and eating lodge.(brand new!) The gentleman who manages the camp is also the builder and he is doing a good job of creating a rustic feel. He is also going to build a grilling area, so we can do outdoor cooking. There is a complete kitchen in this building as well.
There are five miles of biking and hiking trails, so there are places to be as active or as relaxed as you want to be.

Across the creek from the lodge is a campsite if you want to sleep in tents with your kids or build a fire in the fire pit and make smores.

This is the fun part. A lake to go swiming, canoeing, fishing, and a cable line to swing out over the lake and take the plunge! I believe the lake is stocked with fish and it is spring feed. Burrr!

It will be beautiful setting to be together as a family and Dena is planning a fun excursion to Nashville on top of this, so please try to make it this summer, July 1-5. Check-in will be 3:00pm Saturday the 1st, and checkout by noon on the 5th.

Ya'll Come!

Meet the Martin Animal Shelter

2006-01-11T21:55:00.000-06:00

Meet Summer

and Magic

and Holly, who spends most of her time trying to play with the bird in Dena's office. Jeff gets the frogs!

Spencer and Joshua

2006-01-11T17:26:00.000-06:00

Spencer gave us few concerts, but spends alot of time in his room. I think his family calls him "The Mole in the Hole" Great job on the piano Spence!

Aside from giving us concerts, Spencer helped me set up my iPOD that I received for Christmas!

Josh stretching for "Fight Night"! Spencer is into Ta Kwon Do. That's not how you spell it but you know what I mean. They hit each other alot and someday will break huge boards over their heads!

Josh in action

Martin Family Activity

2006-01-11T17:21:00.000-06:00

Jeff is suffering from cauliflour ear and it's not from wrestling.
This is where you will find Dena, when she is not in the car driving somewhere. You can see that she has company.

Visiting The Martins in Spring Hill Tenn.

2006-01-11T17:02:00.000-06:00

We took a quick flight down to visit the Martins over the weekend. It feels like the Nashville area agrees with them. Don't be surprised if Jeff is the mayor of Spring Hill in a few years!

Jeff is the leader of their subdivision and on the Planning Commission for his city so he is on the way.

As you can see Spencer has surpassed his parents in height and Josh is well on his way. I will post some pictures of their activities later. Stay tuned!

2006-01-05T22:00:00.000-06:00

The Showalter Family Christmas 2005. Scooter and Jo Hill with their three children Zeke 6, Eli 4, and Abigail 3 months. Paul and Allison married 1 1/2 years, and Grandpa and Grandma Showalter

2006-01-05T21:51:00.000-06:00

Zeke and Eli actually like their new sister!

Abigail Ruth Hill

2006-01-05T21:47:00.000-06:00

This is our new grandaughter born October 21st 2005. The "Princess" has arrived!

I'm Blogging!

2005-11-22T17:02:00.000-06:00

It's probably not the norm that an old guy like me gets to blog, but here I am. I hope that this will make it out there so I can join in the fun