Wine Tasting Party - May 31st

Phil and I hosted our Wine Tasting Group Party on Sunday, May 31st.  The theme was French Wines and everyone brought at least one bottle.  Phil made appetizers and we were able to have them outside on the patio.  Wade made a Claret Punch and Lemon Drop Martinis.  Our group consists of Rose Ann & Chuck Schuermann, Chris & Chuck Colombo, Gary & Joan Banstetter, and Dianne & Ralph Winn.  

Here are some pictures from the party:

 

 Rose Ann with French Chocolate Bark   

 

                           Dianne and Phil

 

Chuck Colombo, Gary, Ralph and Chuck Schuermann     

 

       Rose Ann, Chris, Wade and Joan

Paris Trip 2009

Phil and I traveled to Paris, France on May 14th with two very good friends, Rose Ann and her husband Chuck. Two other friends, Lisa and Debbie, were already there and we joined them as well.

We stayed in two different hotels for 4 nights each, the Marriott Rive Gauche and the Renaissance Le Parc. Each hotel was very nice but we enjoyed the Le Parc hotel best. It is located in the Trocadero area of Paris which is not too far from the Eiffel Tower.

We took a day tour of the Loire Valley Castles and visited, Ambois, Chenanceau and Chambord. You will see pictures of each and I would recommend this region to anyone wanting to gain some insight and history of early French culture.

We also took a train ride for the day to Bruges, Belgium. We had been there before and wanted to go back to visit this charming town. It is known for chocolate and lace but we wanted to experience walking along the canals and enjoying the sights on this great spring day.

There were so many happy experiences, ones that we will not soon forget. Paris is truly an amazing city and one that none of would ever tire of visiting. Phil and I are lucky to have visited Paris more than 8 times in the past years and hope to return to the "City of Lights" again.

Here is the link to our photo album: http://gallery.me.com/wc1208/100133

Dream House and Tea Room, Ballwin Missouri

The gift shop that Phil helps with was on our local television show "Show me St. Louis" again.  All of the ladies do such a nice job and the gift shop looks amazing.  Judy Macher, the owner, has done so well with her events, lunch menu, and gift selection for the gift shop and tea room.  

Here is the short video that was used in the program today.

Aspen Ski Trip 2009

We had a great time again this year in Aspen.  Phil arrived a week earlier than I did but he had trouble getting into Aspen where I had a blue sky day with no troubles at all.  

We stayed at the Hotel Durant again this year...9th year in a row?  It was so nice to be greeted by Rhonda  at the front desk and then to be able to see Brian, Cynthia and to meet Sam during our stay.  The hotel and guests are the highlight of the trip and we met many people that we see each year and were able to meet new friends as well.  

Tom from London, David and Susan from New Jersey, Ginger and Jim from Evergreen, CO are friends that we see each year.  This year we met, Doris and Karl from Germany, Lesley and Ian from England and Mike and Sue from Australia.  They each made our stay so enjoyable!

It was fun having dinner together at Jimmy's with the regulars and to watch the super bowl at the St Regis Hotel.  Even though Arizona lost, it was still a great game.  

The snow was perfect for skiing and Phil and I both agreed that the snow was "faster" this year.  It enabled us both to ski really well.  

We are already looking forward to next year.  Here are just a few pictures from the trip:

 

   Phil with new ski jacket and pants

 

 Phil, Ginger and Tom

  

David, Wade and Susan

    

Wade, Doris, Phil and Karl

                                                   

Susan and Jim

    

                     Phil, Wade. Ginger and Jim

Elf Dance 2008

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Visiting Jim and Helen Montague in Clio, Michigan

Jim, Wade, Phil and Helen

This past weekend, Phil and I made a trip up to visit Jim and Helen Montague in Clio, Michigan. They are actually the parents of a friend of ours but we are so close to them and claim them as our own too! They both had birthdays this week and we wanted to visit them to help them celebrate.

We flew into Detroit and then rented a car for the drive to Clio. It is close to Flint and also Frankenmuth which is a great German town! It is known for being the home of Bronner's (World's largest Christmas store). We took Jim and Helen to Zehnder's for a great chicken dinner on Friday evening. On Saturday, Phil and I were able to visit Bronners and also walk around the nice shops in town. Close to Frankenmuth, there are Outlet stores and we were able to wander through them as well. That evening, we joined other family members and had a great meal at Lucky's.

Great weather, flights, food and laughter made the trip so much fun for us! We hope to be able to visit Jim and Helen again next summer! Happy Birthday Jim and Helen!

Frankenmuth Historic Marker

Zehnder's Family Restaurant

Rachel and Donita

3 Generations - Rachel with mother, Donita and grandmother, Helen

Dream House and Tea Room

A close friend of ours, Judy Macher,  is the owner of the Dream House and Tea Room located at the intersection of Kehrs Mill and Clayton Road.  Today, her gift shop and tea room was featured on our local Channel 5 television station (KSDK).  Here is the link to the 2.5 minute showcase.  It is a beautiful shop and Phil was instrumental in the design and also gets to do some of the buying for it. 

Click here to view the video.  

Click here to view the gift shop website. 

Good going Judy! 

 

Tennessee Visit 2008

Debbie, Wade and Gena

Debbie, Mike and Elizabeth's home

Fall decorations

This past weekend, Phil and I traveled to east Tennessee to visit my sisters and close family members.  I have 2 sisters and a brother in Tennessee and was sure glad to see both of my sisters again!  Debbie and Gena live about 3 miles from each other in Seymour, Tennessee at the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. 

We left St Louis and drove to Nashville on Thursday, Oct 16th and stayed overnight.  The next morning, Phil had the chance to see a beautiful Tennessee autumn morning.  The leaves had begun to change but had not peaked as of yet.  

Friday night, Debbie had invited our sister, Gena, her husband Scott, daughter April and son Jared.  Also attending were my cousin Danny and his wife Ann along with their son, Brian.  Debbie and her husband, Mike, along with their daughter Elizabeth were our hosts.  

It was a lot of fun catching up and hearing old stories of the times we all shared together when we were much younger.  I am so glad that Phil was finally able to meet my family!  

Gena and Scott have 2 beautiful children and have done very well raising them!  April is very pretty and off to college now and Jared is in the 3rd grade.  I can remember playing with April as such a small child..it just amazes me how fast they grow up.  This was the first time I had met Jared and was so glad to finally meet him.  He is such a gentleman and very smart too!  

Danny and Ann live in Sevierville and I was so happy to see them again! Brian, their son,  continues to work with Oak Haven Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Take a look at the website and make your plans early as each cabin is so beautiful!

Debbie, Mike and Elizabeth added on to their home this past year and did a beautiful job!  Elizabeth is now in the 8th grade and it was fun getting to pick her up from school.  We got to watch a video of her riding horses at the summer camp she attends too.  

Enjoy the pictures and I hope each of them will come visit us in Missouri soon!

Brian Murr

April Jett

Danny and Ann Murr

Scott, Debbie and Mike

Jared and Elizabeth

Gena and Phil

Gena, April, Jared and Scott

Debbie, Wade, Jared and Gena