Christmas Lunch with Mom

Sharing Ice Cream

Ranch Day

We went to Gering got mom and went out to the ranch on Monday. Mom is on a steady journey. It was good to be with her.

Took a few shots of the old equipment around the ranch. Another large cottonwood tree has fallen since we were there last.

Tumbleweeds Invade the Ranch

We had a wonderful afternoon with mom at the ranch.

She started attacking the tumbleweeds with abandon!

To Gering Again

Because of the bad weather early this week we went to see mom on Friday instead of Monday.

Early this week mom moved to a new room. She was doing fine but somewhat confused thinking that she had been moved to another building and not to just another (more secure) wing.

After lunch at Runza, we did some shopping at Herberger’s for some spring clothes for mom. Next was a trip to have her hair done then back to her room for Toni to “do a few things” for her.

We also drove around for a bit so mom could see some of the aftermath of yesterday’s storm including Brad and Roxie’s home.

Scottsbluff Trek

We made a trip to the Awana Olympics in Scottsbluff, NE today with Janelle and our three grandsons. The Cheyenne Team played hard and were great sports. It was wonderful to see the coaches in action and the support of the parents.

After, we went to see mom and then took a trek to the top of Scotts Bluff Monument. Toni took down this inscription from the plaque that overlooks the Oregon Trail. “1853 Near Scotts Bluff, ‘The landmarks indicated our progress and helped to break the monotony – like the milestones along the journey of life, there was one less to pass.’ - Phoebe G. Judson.”


On the way back we stop at Meriden and caught the flags doing their regular thing in Wyoming! Jon had a "day off" from training and was in Philadelphia seeing the Liberty Bell and Consitutional Hall.

Nancy Sent us this Picture

Mom is 75

Mom celebrated her 75th birthday today. We had lunch with her and her sister Katherine and cousin Nancy. After, we went to Heritage Estates and had cake (from the Gering Bakery!) with some friends from her neighborhood. Toni then open and read some 50 cards that Ida Lou received this week.



Psalm 90:10, The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away ... (12) Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom ... (14) Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days ... NIV

Early Easter Dinner

Benji and Dayton give Nana the “stare” when she came in to take their picture while they were watching a DVD.

We had a nice family gathering as a send off for Jonathan on Monday. He is leaving next week to get ready for a tour in Iraq through this fall. All the immediate family and cousins were here; Brad and Roxie brought Grandma from Nebraska; and Richard’s Aunt Laura from Fort Collins made for a nice family time. Toni cooked her traditional “Easter” meal that included prime rib.

Mom is Moving

Mom is moving on Monday to Heritage Estates in Gering. Her window has a view of the Scotts Bluff Monument. When she leaves her room (Cedar 607) she is greeted by hall windows that look into an open court yard with flowers and a fish pond. http://www.heritageestates-gering.com/

Mondays with Mom

We took our normal Monday trip to Nebraska to spend a wonderful time with mom. First some lunch at Runza, then a drive by Dad’s gravesite, a stop at the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument, shopping at Herbergers, another Runza stop for smoothies and finally back to the ranch. I took a few pictures of the ranch, since some were asking about how it looks this spring with so much “green”. They are at http://www.crockerpages.com/.

Good Day with Mom

We had a great day with mom. Her flowers are beginning to bloom and after the rain yesterday the bluffs were green. The ritual is the same go out to the ranch, go to town and eat, then do some shopping and return to the ranch to do a few "odd" jobs. Today mom needed some help making her bed properly.

A Wonderful Spring Day

It was a wonderful spring day to go and see dad's headstone for the first time. Mom was pleased with the ranch "brand" and windmill. The entching is of the bluffs behind the ranch. Reunion time is coming!