An Apple a Day . . . .

Eric and Nancy went to Monticello for the weekend. Friday night we went to the Monticello Homecoming game (they got trounced). Saturday morning we went to Curtis Orchard. We picked apples - had apple donuts - the boys did the corn maze - beautiful fall weather. Eric and Matt played basketball for a couple hours Saturday afternoon as it was open gym for 7-8th graders. We had a awesome weekend. Here are some pics from the apple orchard.

Eric -age 14

Matt - age 13

Rod, Eric, Matt, Lori

Great Buddies - Matt and Eric

Wacky Tacky Day for Matt

This is Homecoming Spirit Week in Monticello! This is Matt getting ready for Wacky Tacky Day at school - oh my!

Eric and Aunt Nancy are headed to Monticello for the weekend. We will go to the homecoming game on Friday night! Go Sages!

Happy Birthday Nancy (Marlin and Carolyn)

Happy Birthday Nancy

Nancy Ann Henley was born at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Hammond, IN September 24, 1960 at 3:33 pm. Nancy had beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. Nancy and parents moved to IL in 1961 and then to MO in 1962. Nancy attended Harding Academy and Harding University in Searcy, AR .(1976-1982). Nancy had a few more stops to Papua New Guinea and Chicago, IL. before returning to MO. We are happy Nancy is in back in MO. Nancy works at Pattonville and continues to be involved in Camp Ne-0-Tez and the many activities of the Maryland Heights Church of Christ.

The Divas and Destin!

Carolyn and three of her diva friends , Carol, Dale and Marcia spent last week in Destin! They spent their days at the beach and then each night found a new seafood place for dinner. Their compound on the beautiful white sands . . .

Mom and Marcia . . .they were roomies and pretended that they were on College Spring Break!

Saying Good-Bye to Jack

Monday we said our final good-bye to our neighbor Jack McKelvey. Jack was a delightful neighbor. He always watched out for you, baked for you, and put a smile on your face. The last 6 months had been difficult health ones for Jack. The Saturday before he passed away Dad had taken him to early dialysis and then he wanted to get a haircut and go to Tony's donuts. In true Jack style he bought a dozen donuts and had Marlin take them to the church bldg where we were getting ready for v-ball tourney. For those who are at our house on Halloween you will remember Jack as the guy next door who came in a mask with his own bowl so he could get plenty of chili to go. Jack was the kind of guy that when a flyer for a camp dinner blew out of our trash and he found it he brought over a check for a camp contribution. It was nothing for Jack to show up at 7 am, in his bathrobe, with a hot loaf of Amish friendship bread he had just baked.

Dad and Jack shared a special friendship. A piece of Jack trivia - he was the 1948 Webster Groves Quarterback! Dad was faithful to go and check on Jack and his wife at home and then to call and go to hospital during a couple extended stays. Jack we will miss you.

Dad was a pallbearer and here is a picture of him getting ready to head to funeral. You don't see Marlin in a suit very often!

Marching Band Competition Season Begins

Kyle and the SCW Marching Warriors kicked off the marching season on Saturday afternoon at O'Fallon Township (IL) high school. The name of their show is Reflections. They placed 2nd in their class overall and 1st in visual performance! These are a couple pics from the game on Friday evening - they didn't wear their traditional uniforms (white pants and mud are not a good combo).

Friends from Down Under

Carolyn and Marlin spent the day with friends Margaret and Sam Kirkpatrick. For years Margaret and Sam were missionaries in Papua New Guinea, they were sponsored by the Maryland Heights congregation. In the summer of 1981 Marlin and Gene spent two weeks in PNG with them. In the summer of 1982 Lori and Nancy spent 13 weeks in PNG working with Sam and Margaret. They are in the USA to visit their son and Marlin and Carolyn spent the day with them. Their son lives in Hillsboro and they went there to pick them up.They spent part of their day at Camp Ne-O-Tez. They checked on the sewer system going in and the shingles for the cabins that were delivered today. Sam and Margaret now make their home in Bayswater, Australia. A common bond of the Lord makes for a small world!

Ne-O-Tez Volleyball Tournament

Sunday was the Annual Sand Volleyball tournament to benefit Camp Ne-O-Tez. We had a great time and were profitable for camp. I'll post some of my favorite family pics here and check the NEOTEZ blog for more pics. We always have a concession stand but this year we expanded big time - more space and added french fries (Marlin) and funnel cakes (Mike). They were a hit. Colton, Kyle and Eric all played - Eric on Middle School Team, Kyle on High School team and each team can have an adult so Colton played on a high school team. The middle school team got 2nd place - not sure about High School team. There were 20 teams competing in two divisions.
The frying station - Dad and Uncle Mike - assisted by Mom!

Colton - what form for serving!

Eric - watch out for the ball . . . . .. .! Eric told Aunt Nancy he didn't really need to practice because he had picked up a lot of tips watching Olympic beach volleyball! Kyle waiting for the ball . . this was the first year Kyle has played.

Concession Stand Cuties - Kim, Carla and Chris.

JD cooking hot dogs, brats and burgers. He then ventured over to the "frying" area to try his hand at deep fried oreos (he wants to add those to menu next year).

Steve and DiAnn supporting their kids college choices - Amber at Baylor - Justin at Harding!

St. Louis Polish Festival

We try to go every year to the Polish Festival in St. Louis. My Grandma Henley was a Bugaieski (maiden name). It is downtown at the Polish Falcon Hall. Dinner is kielbasa, cabbage rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes, and pierogi. The baked goods are unreal - I can't begin to spell them all so you will just have to trust that they are a delight. Tonight Carolyn, Nancy and Carla with their friend Carol were heading to the Cardinal game after dinner. Dad caught a ride back home with Uncle Mike. JD., Dad and boys went to see SCW play at Lindenwood tonight - at least they saw a winner!

The Polish brothers - Marlin and Mike!

Carolyn and our dear friend Carol. This was Carol's first time at the festival.

I think Dad must have "moved" when he took this picture! Maybe he just wanted to get some more kielbasa.
At the game - it was a beautiful night.