In an attempt to keep all my opening paragraphs from being predictable and boring I will not talk about the weather, what farmers are doing, or how time seemed to have flown by this week. Please enjoy the news from the Swann household. (Vicki is happy now.)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I really should have said this two newsletters ago because Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob's 50th anniversary was August 1st. The reason I held off until now is that they are in Helen, Georgia, this weekend for a special anniversary trip. The trip was planned for them by their children, Ann Beth and Jim (and their spouses, Daryle and Dianna). And since this is such a special family occasion the whole family is in Helen together. I know they are having a great time celebrating with their kids and grandkids. Congratulations on 50 years!
ROAD TRIP. I got to take a short trip this weekend. One friend from church, his son and I drove up to Pinckneyville, Illinois, for their Threshing Show this weekend. We left Friday, spent the night in Benton, Illinois, and then drove over to Pinckneyville for a full day of looking at antique farm equipment, watching some tractor pulls, and seeing some equipment demonstrations. It is a lot like the show we have in Adams each July but bigger. One of the most interesting attractions was a 1903 Hart-Parr tractor billed as the oldest tractor in working condition known in the world (we assumed they meant tractors with internal combustion engines, putting steam engines in a different category). It is on loan from the Smithsonian. (A picture of the Hart-Parr tractor is currently on the American Thresherman Show's home page--you might want to check that out before they redo their page for their October show)
I had heard about this show because some of the people from Pinckneyville drive down for our show each year. Vicki, the kids and I went last year. I am looking forward to taking Ben and Nate back.
WHILE I WAS AWAY Nate spent Friday night with Pauline, Ben stayed with Mom and Aunt Mar, and Vicki and Jenna had a girls night out. She and three other friends from church and school (along with their moms) went to Springfield to see The Princess Diary 2. They also went out to eat at O'Charlies and the girls got a booth to themselves! Vicki says the ensuing gigglefest was not exactly princess-like.
A PARADE. This is one of those Kodak moments with your kids. Jenna and Ben have collected all their riding toys and tied them together with yarn. Then they all three load up on different toys in the train and ride through the house. It is a slow moving train and they have to help Nate make the turns but a cute picture (still picture that is--his squeals would not be pleasant to hear on a video).
WHO NEEDS GUARDIAN ANGLES WHEN THEY KNOW SCRIPTURE. Being a first grader Jenna is in children’s choir at church now. Tonight's practice was more of a fun time--a swimming party at the home of one of the choir leaders. When she came home we had her hit the shower. As I was walking by the bathroom I decided I would aggravate her by reaching in and turning off the light. When I cracked open the door I heard her talking to herself and after listening for a moment I just couldn't bring myself to pull the switch. She was reciting John 3:16, her memory verse for the coming week.
Joe
