One of the reasons I like reading the obituaries is how interesting they often are...

I was recently reading the newspaper in the town where I grew up.

Being who I am, I went first to the obituaries, to see what I might find. I found one about an 89 year old woman, who had recently died at home after a long and full life.

And they mentioned that she had 112 grandchildren and 263 great grandchildren. I don't think I have ever seen quite that many before.

And you wonder why the Amish are one of the fastest growing denominations in the US?

My Mom on the right

Here is my Mom with most of her sisters, two brothers, a brother in law and a husband to be... unless they are married at this point. I also don't have many pictures of my Mom from her childhood and youth (Plain Menno, the Great Depression, nine kids... take your pick). I like this one.

I think the order is: Aunt Peg, Aunt Zeb, Aunt Helen, Uncle Sam Zook, Uncle Bud?, Aunt Betts, Uncle Bob, my Dad, my Mom.

If that is correct, then Aunt Tina, and Uncle Glen are the only ones missing of the nine Krepps children.

I know they can all sing (Pap Wesley taught them well), but I don't ever recall hearing Bob sing. I bet he had a good voice. My loss.

My Dad, before he got married

I don't have many pictures of my Dad before he got married (the ol' Amish thing), so was fun to get this one. That would be him, second from the left. Not for sure, but I think that is Aunt Lydia on the left, with Uncle Amos (Fred K's) on the right, and Aunt (or soon to be Aunt) Joy. Not sure who the boy is... is that Joys' brother?

Nora Grace Had her eighth birthday today, and these days she looks like this

One Year ago, Nora Grace had her seventh birthday in Varanasi

Two Years ago in Varanasi, with her friend Reuben

Three Years ago making roTi for her Birthday

FOur Years ago today OUr Fair City

Five years ago today, stateside

Six Years ago today, just back in the US

Seven Years ago today, Varanasi

8 Years ago today, Varanasi

Newly dyed Saris drying in the sun in Varanasi

Too much lunch

Nora Grace had her first day of third grade today, going in a real school bus, with a real school building, school uniform etc etc.

She was so excited.

At supper she mentioned to Amy that she had too much lunch in her lunch box, and that Mommy should not pack so much lunch. She had so much lunch to eat that she was almost late to her next class.

As Amy had not packed very much lunch, we were a bit puzzled. But then the story unfolded a bit more.

It seems the problem was not too much lunch (which was mostly uneaten anyways). Turns out the problem was too much talking. Nora Grace spent most of her lunch time gabbing and didn't eat her lunch until the last minute.

Well, that is one of the things we were hoping she learns this year.

Come to my Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Annivesary Celebration on October 11, 2009

I think this is Rockville Mennonite Church, is that right?

SAVE THE DATE

My Mom and Dad got married 50 years ago, and we are going to have a little celebration on Sunday, October 11, 2009.

If you have any connection to them at all, you all are more than welcome to come.

From 2 to 5 PM at The Refuge, 921 8th Street SE, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

And an RSVP might be helpful.

On Line

Well, we have moved into a house, and hope to stay put for awhile. And I finally got the phone on and the internet connected.

What a deal.