Boating at Sam Dale Lake

by Caroline

The day that we were coming home from Grandma and Grandpa's, we went boating at Sam Dale Lake! And everything that looked like an alligator or crocodile was just a log. And my Grandma and Grandpa Harrell was there, but they didn't go boating. My dad was the paddler. The boys maybe paddled, too.

And we went to the park there and we ate lunch there.

And we went to see a mule! And my Grandma knowed its name, but she forgot. I fed her and she almost bit my hand off! I mean, it just slobbered on me.

Scooter had fun at Grandma and Grandpa Harrell's, too!

(a little out of sequence)

And when we got to my Grandma and Grandpa Gill's we saw my Uncle Bob and Aunt Vicki and we saw Aunt Debra and Aunt Karen came. And my Uncle Joe. And he works at a button factory! He really does! He makes paint for buttons and he's like Joe that worked at the button factory. ha ha ha

And my Aunt Julia and Uncle Neil came. And at The Depot, we had the Anniversary! My mom already did those pictures.

The End.

50th Wedding Anniversary

Once upon a time, this beautiful girl and this handsome boy went out on a July 4th date in 1959, and then the next day they got married. Well, kinda like that.



They lived in Illinois and then moved to California and then Illinois and then California and I'm getting dizzy, but in the meantime, they had these four wonderful children, minus the young children, no offense.

The couple moved back to Illinois (sistermercy, what if they hadn't?!) and lived in at least 32 more houses before settling in on the Gill Farm, the place that will always be "home base." Over the years, their four children accomplished much educationally, got married a few times, and produced nieces and nephews for the original children to enjoy, which could also be known as the grandchildren. The original couple seemed pleased that their first date had grown into this big mess of a family and by mess, I mean as in fish.

That brings us to the present when family and friends coming from near and far celebrated the happy occasion of true love lasting 50 years and beyond, and this became a day at The Depot to remember for our lifetimes.














This family-- there's nothing like it! Well, except for the other millions of family units on this Earth, but ours, well, I personally think it is this one that is really special.




And while I have you all here, saves some postage you know, you are cordially invited to Diane and Gary's 50th in 2046. Mark your calendars now!









(Um, Karen, by then maybe a new dress? But Joe, the pilgrim shoes are ok.)

All kidding aside, it was a most wonderful day and so meaningful to me, and I assume I can say it was so meaningful for all of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being together through thick and thin, supporting all of us, sharing your love, and creating this

family.

Happy Anniversary!!

and can we do it again on August 28??

Oh, what a weekend!!

There's so much to say about our past weekend and the fabulous time we had. We'll give you a hint. It involves these two and a whole bunch of others. More to come......

Grant Gill's 9th Birthday

By Grant

One week ago, June 29 was my birthday!

Two nights before, my best friend Chris spent the night but he couldn't go to the City Museum like I wanted for my party. The City Museum is really fun.

At our party at home, I got Lego sets. And I got cool cards and money in the mail. Thank you to everyone who sent me money. I think I will use it for an airsoft gun.

We think Sam misunderstood the invitation since he showed up in his birthday suit!

Catching Up

The past couple of week's Go-Go's:





City Museum for Grant's birthday. What a unique and fun place! The whole family went and it was a blast. Only three injuries! Two of them were on Grant. Happy Birthday! http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp





Raging Rivers to use up free passes the kids earned for reading last school year. And then we had to pay for Diane's speeding ticket. Guess it all evens out. Raging Rivers was great and perfect for all the kids to enjoy. And mom. http://www.ragingrivers.com/





We also went places like to Bethalto IL to order Diane's contacts, to see the Transformers movie, out to Buffet City (froglegs!), and Jack to Clay County.





By Jack:


Two weeks ago I spent a week in Clay County. I choose the worst week to come. In the day it was too hot do anything and it was otherwise raining. So we only got to squeze a couple of things in like shooting turtles and swimming at Aunt Karen's pool.








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Who thinks he overlooked one of the main events of that special week??





BEFORE































AFTER

Gary on the Go

by Diane

This is Gary.

This is Gary mowing the yard with the reel mower.

This is Gary mowing with the reel mower on a 100 degree day with sky-high humidity.

See the haze in the sky? That's when you know it is hot.

It was a day last week when there was a heat advisory in effect.

{Warning: Leaving the G-rated family-friendly realm for just a second}

Our neighbors tease us that this is our means of birth control.

Too worn out to do anything more?

A Scooter Story

By Caroline Gill

Tonight my dad put a leash collar on his neck and barked. And then he put a pen on it and then he letted me put my hands on it and it was supposed to sting. Jack did it and my mom, and my mom jumped away. When my dad put the leash collar on Scooter and he barked, then he squealed! And everybody laughed, but me and my mom were upstairs. But I didn't hear it but my mom did. The end.

[where leash collar = shock collar]