Bunko

 I hosted Bunko at my house.  It was so fun having the ladies over.  I wish I would've whipped out the camera to get a picture of my friends.  Maybe next time.

Here's the food that I made... Chocolate Zucchini Cake and White Christmas Popcorn.  Those lovely fall flower arrangements were given away as prizes as well as a Halloween candy dish, and some fall candles.

I was the big winner of the night!  I got 11 Bunkos and scored 391 points.  

As the host, it was strange for me to win the big prize... this lovely home decor piece:

It looks perfect up there on the shelf!

Hallstrom Family Reunion - Day 1

CLiCK on CoLLaGe To ENLaRGe

Grandma Jean & Grandpa Jerry with ALL the Hallstroms

On July 4th, we had a family reunion at my parents' house. There were 27 people in attendance, 16 of which were "Hallstroms." The others in attendance were: Grandma Jean, Grandpa Jerry, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Becky, Daniel (cousin), Aunt Ruth, Uncle Robert, Scott (cousin), Hannah (Scott's wife), and their two girls, Emmaleigh (2 1/2) and Isabelle (7 months). We had a huge home cooked meal. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, Grandma Jean's famous cinnamon jello, Grandpa Jerry's famous corn, tasty sweet breads, etc. Aunt Ruth made the best desserts... thick M&M brownies and a frosted cinnamon bunt cake. Click on Collage to Enlarge

My Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jerry had just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on July 3rd. In their honor, my brother in-law, Seth hosted a Family Feud game. I thought I knew my grandparents very well, but playing this game proved me wrong. I realized that there were specific things about their lives that I didn't know about. (Oh, and in case you were wondering, my team, Team Wayne, LOST). Better luck next time. CLiCK CoLLaGe To ENLaRGe

**Here are the questions and answers from the Family Feud game:
Who visited the Van Wie's at the farm the most regularly in the late 60s and 70s?
1. Ramona and Keith Heckman
2. Dora
3. Stanley and Mary Jane
4. Beth and Clayton

What does Grandma like to do most with her time?
1. Knitting, sewing, etc.
2. Read books
3. Play piano

What crops has Grandpa grown?
1. Corn
2. Wheat
3. Soy beans
4. Potatoes

When they were dating, where did they like to go on dates together?
1. Dancing
2. Movies
3. Play cards with friends (Canasta)

What are Grandma's favorite foods?
1. Peanut butter
2. Chocolate
3. Tuna fish
4. Salt rising toast

What did Grandpa do to earn money as a kid?
1. Milk cows with his father
2. Raise rabbits to sell
3. Collected copper wires to sell
4. Trap muskrats, sell their hide

What kinds of pets did Grandpa have while he was growing up?
1. Pigeons
2. Dog
3. Cat
4. Turtles
5. Rabbits

Name as many of their grandkids as you can.
Jerry, Barry David, Jon, Daniel, Anne, Bryan, Nathan, Amy, Emily, Lisa, Michael, Jennifer, Laura, Mark, Ryan, Scott, Craig, Bethany

After we played the game, we had a family music recital for my grandparents. The 5 Hallstrom girls sang, "Love One Another." (Our accompanists were Aunt Becky on piano and my sister in-law, Alice on violin). Laura played a piece on the piano and sang a couple of songs. Ryan played the trumpet. Mike played the piano, and Alice played her violin. Here is Alice performing a song that Grandpa Jerry requested:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com