A Summer of Growing Challenges

You might know that the one year that I wanted my gardens to be perfect for the wedding, it would be a year in the North Country of cool tempetures, too much rain and not much sunshine! It was a lot of work to get things looking the way I wanted but it did turn out pretty good! These pics were from the first week of August and at this time I had hired a talented lady to do the day to day watering, weeding and dead heading. What a godsend she was! Thanks Kathie!

Ziggy

You would think that when your parents left you,
you would be a little homesick! Not this cat!
He has made this place his own!
His only regret is that the Dog of the House, Dasher
really doesn't care that he's even here!
Ziggy sleeps in our room.
Ziggy trys to get Dash to play.
The only time Dasher pays attention to him
is when Dick is playing or petting Zig and then
Dash is right there on the other side of Dick looking for attention too!
Don't worry Zig, Mom and Dad will be here in a couple of days!

"I've never seen a woodchuck climb a tree!" Richard L Wright

Dick came running into the house today yelling "Get your camera!"
We drove up the road (I can't run) to our neighbors property!
Sure enough there was a woodchuck in the crotch of the tree!
"I've got to have pictures or no one will believe me!" So here they are.

Happy Father's Day!

To my Husband Dick who has always been an amazing father and now grandfather!
And to my son Nick for being such a great Dad!

My Dad, Richard E Winter
Happy Fathers Day to the Men of my Life!
You have all made my life complete!
Thank you!

Shower on the River!

The Northern group of maids!
Jen Shaver, Jill O'Brien, Michell Durr, Matron of Honor
Amy Wright, "THE BRIDE", Shawna Sias, Jessica Fields and Emily Wright
Flower girls Makayla, Jenna and Lily Wright!
We missed having Makenzie, Junior Bridesmaid with us!

June 13th the bridesmaids from here had a Shower for Shannon. It turned out
to be a great day on the river although the sun wasn't out. We had a large turnout of wonderful friends and a tremendous amount of delicious food!
Shannon received many beautiful gifts!
The bridesmaids and matron of honor Amy deserve all the credit! Thanks again Girls!

Southern Ladies Shower the Bride!

On Sunday June 6th we had a shower at the Springdale House and Gardens a
wonderful place for a party!
Shannon's bridesmaids and friends were in charge of the decorating
and games! Kelsey Geary drove in from Charlotte and her college friend Julie Becraft
from Atlanta also drove up! My friend (and Shannon's dance teacher!) Vicki Lewis
drove down from North Carolina. Bridesmaid Laruen Dumsky drove from Florida.
Bridesmaids Tara Connor, Katrina Smaciak, Amie Smaciak and flower girl Kayliegh Smaciak
and ring bearer Tyler Smaciak were all part of the festivities! Shawn's mom Elaine
also attended!
We had such a great time and she recieved many nice gifts!

Bachlorette Party in South Carolina!

It was so great to travel to Columbia to be with Shannon for
her parties! I arrived on Thursday and she had arranged for me
to have a room at the Hilton Downtown. What a nice treat!
Of course we did some shopping. Almost a natural for mom and daughter!
Ate out at great restaurants and generaly enjoyed ourselves!
Saturday evening my friend Vicki Lewis drove down from North Carolina to join me!
It was so great to see her. I had not seen her in 9 years! We had a lot of catching up
to do. She spent the night with me and met Shannon's friends.
It was also a chance for me to meet her friends who I only had known by name.
All very nice young ladies! Thank you for including me and making me feel welcome!

And now it's Shannon's turn to be Congratulated!

Shannon has finished her Master's!
with a GPA of 3.86!
We are very proud of her!
Now she is with her girlfriends and
sisters-in-law in Daytona Beach to relax!
The soon to be Mr.& Mrs. Smaciak have a right to smile!
Love you so much!

Congratulations Shawn and Amy!

We are so proud to announce that Shaw n graduated from University of South Carolina on May 9th. We were there to share in their celebration with his family and friends. Best of all he already has a job. Phyiscal Education teacher at an elementary school. Bad news he starts on Tuesday after the wedding!

Amy graduated this past weekend fron SUNY Canton with a Nursing Degree. But she's not done yet! Big future for her. She received the McCallister Award for being the Outstanding Senior Nursing Student! Our extended family is as talented as our own. Love you guys!

It's Time To Go North!

Everyone has gone home! We are the only ones still here! They have returned to Maine, Ogdensburg, and Ohio. And you notice the way Dick is looking it is to the North. A week from today we will leave for South Carolina to celebrate Shawn's graduation. And then home by the 12th! Miss everyone! See you soon!