Our dear (great) Aunt Ruth, who lives in Wisconsin, celebrated her milestone birthday of 90 last year! We were so blessed and excited to be able to make the trip to celebrate with her.
It had been many years since visiting Ruth in Wisconsin and although it was a quick trip, we enjoyed it very much!
Dad made the drive up from Nashville and together with Amos, Flannery and I, drove to Stephen's Point, Wisconsin on the last Friday in March.
It took us all day but we arrived before dinner and found our family hanging out together. It was so wonderful to catch up with many family members that I haven't seen in a while and meet new ones. After a fun pizza dinner, we got ready to hit the pool and had a great time swimming. Amos made friends with Owen, my second cousin Mandy's son, who is a year younger than Amos. Owen was also born prematurely at 30 weeks and Mandy and I enjoyed catching up and sharing stories.
The next day, after Amos, Flannery and I found breakfast at Starbucks, we got back together with everyone for more games.
Later that morning, we took a trip out to the Boys' Camp that Aunt Ruth
used to manage and run each summer. She lived out on the lake near the
camp and Cousin Pat, her daughter, still has a little cottage close to
where their house was. For lunch, we found one of the local watering holes (next door to the
other!) in Amherst Junction, literally a one stop-sign town!
That night, we returned to the hotel restaurant for a big dinner celebrating Ruth's 90th birthday and Cousin Gary's 60th birthday. It was a lovely time all together!
Afterward, it was time for family photos in the lobby, where thankfully, there was a beautiful fireplace for a backdrop.
The next morning was our last one there. The kids were so excited about Mickey Mouse pancakes and more playing before we got in the car.
After breakfast, we spent a little bit more time with Aunt Ruth, as she was interested in hearing Amos read to her. Being a teacher, she has always been passionate about books and reading and has been very helpful and a huge encouragement to me as I was homeschooling Amos and teaching him how to read.
We made the long drive home later that day and again, it was a beautifully sunny day, perfect for driving.
Aunt Ruth has been an enduring presence in my life and even though I've only seen her a hand full of times in my life, she has kept up with me by writing letters and emails and sending pictures and books. She is the sister of my dad's mother, who I never knew and Ruth's stories, both about her sister Harriet and my dad and his brothers, have always been interesting puzzle pieces and treasured treats.
I am so glad that we got to be with her on such a milestone of a day, that she got to meet Amos and Flannery, and that we got a chance to spend time with her and the many others of our extended Hofer family!
No comments:
Post a Comment