Good-bye Aunt Norma

My Aunt Norma died last week. She was one of a kind---the most generous person I've ever known. But, she was so self-assured that Mother nick-named her "Auntie Mame."
As a young woman she was tall, thin and had darker coloring than her brothers and sisters---I think she was striking and statuesque. Here she is with her first husband Hampton (Bud), Steve's dad.
She was always impeccably dressed---I remember being in awe of her closets and shoes---all neatly stored in shoe boxes in her closet.
She started our tradition of family Easter egg hunts, first at her home in Ellisville but later in her home in Riverview. She always had a few twists to the egg hunts which included prizes---a tradition we carry on today.
Here she is with my parents on the left (Dad was her older brother) and her second husband Eddie.

Maxine, LeRoy, Norma

She loved family weddings---pictured above with her brother (my dad) and sister at her niece's wedding.

Norma with my brother Jim

She never missed a wedding even flying thousands of miles to attend a great-niece's or nephew's wedding after she moved to California.
She spent Easter 2008 with us. My brother gave her a crown and declared her Queen of Easter. Here she is leaning on her cane watching the children hunt for eggs looking every bit the Queen she was.
She is survived by her son Stephen, daughter-in-law Marisella and granddaughter Jacqueline and dozens of nieces and nephew who loved her very much.

Watching Roman

Watching Roman is always an adventure---I don't mean we were babysitting him---we just watched him---he's very entertaining . We stayed with his mom and dad while we were visiting in Kansas City. Above, he found his cousin Libby's dress ups at Brett's First Communion Reception.
The next day, we accompanied him to his gymnastics at Mercury Gymnastics in Tiffany Springs.
His teacher was so patient with him and the other kids. Above he is hanging from a bar back by the tree.
Above is like a giant trampoline that he was supposed to be hopping down into a foam pit. Here he takes a few moments to wave to us.
Here he is swinging into the foam pit. I was really impressed with the facility and instructor.
Later that day, we watched him at soccer.
I took him out on the field and played with him hoping to get him warmed up---he did a great job one-on-one.
He is #9 on the right listening to "Coach" give them all a pep talk.
But, when it came time to play. . .
I think it just looked like chaos to him and he wanted no part of that.
Finally the coach thought he might be better as goalie.
He was soon joined by two boys from the other team----he's not the only one who doesn't exactly understand the complexities of soccer.
But, he's got that sitting on the ball down pat!

That's OK, Little Buddy, WE know you can play soccer very well, you're just waiting for ORGANIZED sports.
And, we think you're SUPER! Happy Birthday, Roman!

Brett's First Communion

Go to my daughter's blog for more photos of Brett's First Communion.
First, the obligatory photo of this handsome young man by his proud Mom.
We went to the church where we found the appropriate pew with this banner.
We (the Morgans and Twenters) filled a pew and spilled over into another pew.
It wasn't exactly as boring as the photo above looks---it was Libby's nap time, Dave blinked and Davis. . .ok, he's yawning.
But, then it was time for what we'd all come for---Brett taking communion (with Mom taking a few snapshots).
Then, we went back to Rachel and Kyle's house for a little reception and a chance for all of the cousins to play.
Some had a good time playing together. . .
Some didn't. . .

Azaleas in Charleston . . .Missouri

Parkway's Community School sponsored a trip to Charleston, Mo for their Azalea festival.
Azaleas and dogwoods were in bloom almost everywhere we looked.

The town even canceled school for Thursday and Friday because there are so many people coming to Charleston for this event.
In addition to the azaleas, there was a craft fair and a quilt show. I'm so in awe of the cathedral window quilt above since mine still only has 4 panes done after 30 years. . .Click here to see mine.
It was a nice mix of contemporary and traditional designs.
Then we went on a house and garden tour.
This is the historical society's Moore House.
It was beautifully decorated inside and outside.
While we knew Charleston was the home of Betty Hearnes (our former governor's widow), I didn't know this was where the Danforth's came from, nor did I know the story behind the checkerboard logo.
We also visited a house that is currently being restored.
My favorite was a house about the same age as Leah and Todd's which had beautiful leaded glass windows and front door---all original.
And, they had converted their third floor into a recreation room with exercise equipment, game tables and television.
Then we headed to Sikeston to Lambert's "home of the throwed rolls".
It was a fun day with several friends from church---Delores and Sharon. Wish a few others could have joined us.