Granpa's Bridge

Great story.  

Click here to read about Garry & Larry.

Saying goodbye to BG

Jaelyn and Addison found a turtle at Grandma and Grandpa Leindecker's about four months ago. They did pretty well with their first foray into owning a pet....with a lot of support and reminders from Andy. Despite their well-intentioned efforts, BG began showing signs of a skin disease, so we all decided to release BG back into his natural Coshocton habitat. There were some tears, but when they saw BG's exuberant swimming in the creek, they were extremely pleased with their choice.

Jaelyn and Addison believe they can now choose their next pet; Andy and I believe we will now adopt a picture of a rabbit and see how we do...

Beginning Skateboarder + Asphalt + Vulnerable Human Flesh =

Grandpa Garry

Many people have recently asked about my dad and his battle with the insidious disease we call cancer. He continues to fight the pain and fatigue that the chemo and its side-effects bring to his daily life. Currently he is still recovering from a blood clot in his leg. The pain is overwhelming at times and has been on-going for almost three weeks. Breathing continues to be difficult for him, especially on windy and humid days. He still gains great joy from his friends who come to visit frequently. He's always been very social and that has not lessened, although he gets tired even from socializing. His spirits seem to be as good as can be expected at this point in the process.

Prayers are appreciated.

Summertime memories

Summer is the BEST! It's always been a time to catch up with people we love and to spend extra time on new adventures with our kids and our extended families. This June/July we were able to spend two weeks in MI. During that time we had many family events, time with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Some events surrounded the greatly-loved swimming pool while others were at beautiful Lake Michigan. We are also able to take the train to Chicago with the Livermores. Great urban adventures ensued there.

Cousin Emma at the beach.

Aunt Gigi. If you look closely you can see the Virgin Mary in her earring.

The annual Rudd cousin picture gets more complex and entertaining every year.

Isaac's look of wonder at the firework display on July 4th.

Jaelyn completes a complex pose in Millennium Park in Chicago.

The Rudds and the Livermores leave the Shedd's Aquarium. The parents are exhausted. The kids wanted to stay longer, but a wonderful dinner in Chinatown awaited.

The Livermore and Rudd kids.

The exhausted adults. But, of course, the conversation never lagged.

Addison runs down the dune to Lake Michigan.

I don't know why we don't visually document our Canton lives during the summer. It has felt rich and delightful so far. There have been many afternoons spent at Dogwood Community Pool, catching up with friends. We've had good meals and conversation with friends and many trips to Ros for ice cream.

The fall horizon looms closer and closer, but we're squeezing all we can out of this wonderful season.