Happy 80th Birthday Mom aka Grandma or Oma

What a grand lady God has given us. Mom turned 80 years young on December 4, 2007. We had quite a celebration which actually started in July/August. With an unforgettable trip to Greece and then Vienna. We had quite a celebration in Vienna where Uncle Peter gave a wonderful speech auf Deutsch honoring this exceptional lady.

Here in Eagle River, we had started with a coffee/tea gathering with a wonderful German friend followed by a large gathering of family for Greek food and then dessert. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you.

Happy 28th Birthday Gretchen

Happy 28th Birthday to Gretchen Kimberly who was born at 4:11 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 9 1/2 ounces and 20.5 inches long on November 26, 1979 in Palmer, Alaska. Call or e-mail her and wish her a Happy Birthday. Gretchen is a blessing to us sent from God above!!

We had a batter-fried halibut dinner for her after church and then some family came over for ice-cream cake and visiting.

The first picture is of Gretchen and Phil on Baby Dedication Day at church. Finn was looking mighty cute up on the platform with his parents. I believe he was the cutest baby up there.

Thanksgiving 2007

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Psalms 103:1-3

Thanksgiving was full of wonderful food, family, (including three new babies!) and coversation.
Thanks to Ramona and Gary who hosted this large gathering and always do. We sure did enjoy ourselves. I want to give a "shout out" to Rosalee who was the photographer for the time we were there using my camera. She did a great job. Also a "Happy Birthday" to Kale who turned 8 years old on Thanksgiving Day. Now they have another brother Aiden who was born at 9 lbs 9 oz and is beautiful who completes their family.

Tiny Basketball Coach and the" Fall Fun Fling"

Here are a few photos from Angie's first game. The team didn't actually show so they scrimmaged against the boys who won. It was a good way to get the jitters out of their system for the first game though. Tuesday they play again so we'll keep you posted. We think it's kind of funny how the coach is shorter than some of the players.

Friday night was the night for the Fall Fun Fling at church. You can see Fred and Wilma and the cutest little Bamm Bamm ever. He was so full of energy. The guy sporting his Austrian hat and authentic leather vest is none other than Bernie Kale. He even yodeled for a few friends. We worked the hula hoop booth and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. There was a great turnout and always so much fun to see the children and their parents enjoying themselves. Carsten did have fun (these pictures don't show it) but thought he would like to have been Buzz Lightyear, Batman, or perhaps Spiderman. I think he wanted to change costumes all night. Maybe he thought he could exchange with someone and be a Super Hero. He is a hero Bob the Builder.

Autumn in Idaho

It's so beautiful here in Idaho with sunny, mild weather. We have been on the go since I arrived. The zoo was first, then Natalie came in on Tuesday with Greta. We then went to the apple orchard and picked an easy 50 plus pounds of Red Delicious apples. Matt Thompson came over for schnitzel dinner Wednesday evening and kept us laughing the whole time.

Construction has been ongoing since the beginning and so speedy I can hardly believe it. The framers said this was their first job this month since construction has slowed way down. The roof is now on and the posts will be set today from the landscapers for the patio in the backyard.

Emme has been quite enamored with Greta and loves to hold her. Levi is taking steps right and left and almost there walking by himself. Today we are going to the mall and prepare for the party on Saturday. Time is flying by and I'm loving every moment of this vacation.

"Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give thee the desires of thy heart".

Dividends Well Spent!!!

Here is the picture of the new beautiful bedroom furniture. Dad finished laying the vinyl in the bathroom on Monday, the new carpet is laid, and we are sleeping on a new bed which is not broken. The picture of us is taken by Gary Elmore this past weekend when we went to the Bridge Restaurant over Ship Creek for our 31st anniversary.

IT'S AUTUMN ALREADY!!!

There is a chill in the air and the leaves are beginning to fall. Here are some pictures of what's been happening here in the Kale Family in Alaska.

Bernie left for Qatar on August 30 and has been keeping busy working 12-14 hrs a day loading planes. He and Angie(his fiancee)are in phone contact quite often throughout the week. Their wedding date is set for June 14, 2008. If you would like to drop him a line his address is george.kale@auab.centaf.af.mil. He would love to hear from you. Also be praying for him and all of our service men and women as they serve our country. Bernie should be home in February. This picture is of he and Angie taken right before he left during a photo shoot thanks to Dori.

Our beautiful chocolate-brown, plush carpet has been installed. We have the downstairs put together again and are working on the upstairs. We are replacing our bedroom set this week so things are not quite put back together yet. We love it and are so thankful it's done before all the grandchildren come home for Christmas. It was quite a job pulling all of the old carpet and pad out but it was well worth it.

Thoughts on commitment. "Everyday of my life I discover more of the Lord that calls for greater commitment, and I also realize more of myself that needs to be committed to Him. I've also learned that commitment is the open secret of living the abundabnt life. Hourly. Moment by moment. Commitment means surrendering myself to the Lord repeatedly, constantly in the relationships and responsibilities of my life. Love is the essence of commitment. Loving others as Christ loved us spells out the cost of discipleship, our desire to share what He means to us, our servanthood in the problems of society, our radical obedience to Him in all of life. Relinquishing to God to control ourselves, our needs, and especially our fears and frustrations. The Hebrew word for commit is literally "roll" as though we roll over onto the Lord a burden. Picture rolling your burdens over onto the back of the Lord and surrender them to Him." Quoted from Conversation With God by Lloyd Ogilvie

Here are more pictures from our trip, all of Austria. The United Nations where Bernie and I are standing, the view from Leopoldsberg overlooking the Danube River, cobblestones to make the road while we were in the Wiener Wald (which is the Vienna Forrest), the monastary from Mehlk (sp?), an inside view of the paintings on the ceiling..14th century, our delightful icecream dessert from Tichy's. These are just a few of the many pictures we have.

Peggy, I'm sure I have repeats of yours. PS I also want to tag you to list 8 random things about yourself. Write soon.

Eight Random Things About Myself...

I've been tagged by Natalie so here goes. I've so enjoyed reading the random things about my daughters and their friends and, I'm a little unsure of what my response would be.

1. I so admired, respected, and loved my grandfather on my mother's side. He lived with us off and on while I was growing up. He helped by always fixing and repairing things around our home. He never complained and he made us all laugh. He was sweet and sensitive. He even baked homemade rolls for us. When we got home from school, he would have a warm snack ready for us. In some ways, Bernie reminds me of my grandfather because he is incredibly handy and can fix, build, and repair almost anything.

2. We have been blessed with four wonderful children who taught me much about myself. I didn't know anything about raising kids since I was the first to get married in my family. Little by little and with God's help and grace, Bernie and I have thoroughly enjoyed parenting. Laughter and a sense of humor sure does help.

3. I used to be awkward and completely unassertive. When we were building our duplex, Bernie was gone a good part of the time. I would take the three girls who were, Natalie an infant, Gretchen a 3 yr old and Bridgette a 4 yr old to Pay N Pak to buy lighting fixtures or whatever. Sometimes it was very busy and chaotic. I also had to deal with hiring a carpet layer, talk to the contractor, find someone to install the vinyl and choose the colors and patterns etc. going to the different stores. It brought me out of my shell so to speak because of necessity.

4. I love dark chocolate and I really do enjoy hazelnut and coffee icecream.

5. I think my mom and my sisters are some of the best cooks ever.

6. I used to be so scared when the kids rode their bicycyles close to the edge of the white line and also when we rode over the overpass it used to freak me out. I have a fear of heights. Also I hate it when Bernie gets on a high ladder to hang windows or do whatever. I have to close my eyes.

7. I love to ride on the back of the motorcycle with Bernie. He's such a good driver. We have this great intercom system and listen to music or talk. It helps if its a nice day. I don't like it if he goes too fast and I let him know it.

8. My mom is one of my greatest heroes. She gives of her time and talent always and her policy is open heart - open home. She loves to entertain and so do I. She always told me if you want your house to get cleaned, invite someone over. She's right!!

9. This is a bonus. Grandparenting is the best. Our grandkids are so smart, cute, funny and beautiful. We absolutely think the world of Emme, Levi, Finn, and Greta. I pray we will be good grandparents.

I forgot that I need to tag someone so I tag DeEtta, Ramona, and Susie. So let's hear from you ladies!!

Our Big Fat Greek Vacation 2007

I don't know why these pictures posted twice...They are from Greece again. The pictures of Bernie and I standing near the wall of the ancient monastary buit in the 14th century high upon a mountain ledge bordering the deep canyon. We hiked up and down to get to where it was built. It was so cleverly hidden from their enemy, the Turkish Moslems who were always attacking them. The painting on the wall was actually painted where monks had built a church. The church was down lower than the monastary itself.

Tom and Mom are standing side by side with the exact same pose..the pose you do when you're entirely hot and sweaty.

Bernie took a fantastic photo of a hummingbird sipping nectar from those beautiful flowers after dinner one evening. The last one is of the rock houses they build in mountains. Everything is built from rock, structure, roof, steps, etc. The hotel owner told us, nowadays they cannot use rock from their own country Greece but must import stone in from Albania, their neighbors.

T