Interesting Cardinal Game . .

Cotlon, Kyle and Eric

Went to the Cardinals vs Phillies game tonight.  This had to be one of the most unusual games I have been to.  We started out eating at Joe Bucks BBQ and then headed over to the stadium.  As you see from pictures we were early!  The game was very long with 33 hits, numerous home runs and the Cardinals losing 10-9.  During the game there was an interruption as a streaker ran across the outfield!  That provided much entertainment for the stadium crowd of 41,000 +.  Loved that at the next pitching change they played the song "The Streak".  Had a great night with three of the best baseball fans around!

Stopping the streaker near left field - note they have him covered up!

Da Bears . . . .are winners!

Matt's Summer team, Illinois Bears, winning the championship at their tournaments last weekend.

Matt and Grandpa  - we know where his height does NOT come from!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Happy 17th Birthday Matthew!  Matt is a fun loving guy who enjoys life.  Matt is finishing his junior year at Monticello High School.  We all know he loves the game of basketball!  Happy Birthday Matt - enjoy your day. We love you and are proud of you!

Celbrating this past weekend on Friday night!

Jake's Graduation from NIU

We attended Jacob's graduation from Northern Illinois University today!  Jake - we are proud of you and your collegiate accomplishements.  Here are some pics of the grad and family.  Jake will be continuing his education in the graduate program at NIU. 

Matt, Lori, Jake and Rod

Grandpa Daryl Kruse

Lunch at Hillside Restraunt in DeKalb after Graduation

These are some of the honors Jake has had this year: Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Outstanding Graduating Senior in Geography goes to Jacob Kruse. This award was presented to the outstanding Senior in Agronomy, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Recognized by American Society of Agronomy - Crop Science Society of America - Soil Science Society of America Jacob Kruse was awarded the Burton W. Ray Scholarship Award in Soil Science is given in his memory to a college student who is enrolled at an Illinois college or university and who has achieved the highest individual score in the regional collegiate soil judging contest for that year. Jake also played 8th in the nation at the National Soil Judging Contest held in West Virginia. Jacob Kruse was awarded the Excellence of Scholarship in Geography by the Association of American Geographers.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Today we celebrate Jacob's 22nd birthday.  Jake will be graduating from NIU next weekend and starting graduate school in August!  Enjoy your day - celebrate you! Happy Birthday!

COC Day at the Ballpark!

Church of Christ Day at the ballpark is a great way to start our Cardinal season. Beautiful weather for a spring game and the Cardinals won!  Here are a few pictures from the day!

Kyle and Eric -

David and Vicki Bearden - dear friends!

Karrigan and Dalton waving at Fredbird

Isaac and Kalista

Woods Family

Erin and Alissa

Only a year ago . . .

April 22, 2011 a F4 tornado roared through Bridgeton.  We had a lot of damage to home, yard and all 3 vehicles.  Our landscape has forever been changed by the trees that were toppled and tossed.  Blue tarps dominated rooftops for months! Blessing was that nobody in area was hurt or killed  - so much more fortunate than those that have followed this past year.  Thank you Lord for protecting us.  Here are a few pics of some damage.

Privacy Fence was toppled -tree was a Christmas tree we had planted as kids

Looking up our street the next morning

The deck roof collapsing

 

We never saw these houses before from our back deck