Or maybe this......

Ok, this is closer to the kind of house we might consider putting on our property someday, Lord willing!!!

Just dreaming......

We've been "playing" on our newly-acquired property up in the hills, clearing briars, and brush, and doing some mowing in order to visualize the lay of the land. Today, Floyd "copied and pasted" a house into the "homesite" area of our 10 acres.......it's not quite the house style we'd like, but the orientation might work.......fun to dream!!!!!!

40 Years Together

We spent our wedding day (August 16) enjoying the ride thru the Coast Range and a bike ride out the Bay Ocean spit along the Tillamook Bay.....gorgeous weather, blue ocean and sky, enjoying just being together.......amazed that after 40 years it still isn't "old".

Can't help loving this photo!!

Mommy Susan and 2 year old Curren....such sweet faces!

Patio outside the Break Room at "my office"

The patio leads to the employee entrance at West Hills Healthcare, where I work. A very lovely space in which to take a coffee break, wouldn't you say?!

How did he get up there?

This is son Jonathan on top of Eichorn Pinnacle, Sierra Nevada, CA!!!.....and how would one get down????

Happy Birthday #2 to Curren

He carefully and purposely blew out his two little candles on his Firetruck Cake. What a boy!

Bubble Fun!

Bubble lessons for Curren
The whole family gets into it!
Eli is amazed!
Oma ia amazing!
Oma is REALLY amazing!! Thanks to www.bubblething.com

And then there was Peter on this day 39 years ago!!!!! We celebrate the day!!

Peter's birthday, but at a different time and place - Siletz, OR
Little Peter learning to write in Puebla, Mexico.
Bathtime in Puebla, Mexico.
Still amazed at the wonder of it all........a living, breathing, little person!!

The Good with the Not So Good

In spite of the losses (mom, dad's independence) the week was a good one, working and hanging out with family.

Farewell to Mom

Edna's Story

Edna Benner Styer slipped away peacefully on April 15, 2009, at the age of 84 in her residence at the Souderton Mennonite Homes. She and her husband E. Kermit Styer had recently observed their 63rd wedding anniversary in March, 2009.

Born in Souderton on January 4, 1925, as the 8th child in a family of 10 children, she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Leanna M. (Yoder) Benner. (Two older brothers died in early childhood.)

Edna's parents were strict, orderly, and hard-working. Church and home were at the center of their family life together. Edna attended school thru the 12th grade in Souderton public schools. Walking the mile to Souderton High School in any kind of weather was a familiar story. Edna did well in school, studying hard, and spending time with her friends. She was third highest student in her graduating class. That achievement required a memorized speech at graduation, and Edna always grimaced when she recalled the embarrassing moment when she forgot some of her lines.

For a number of years after graduation she worked at Souderton Hosiery Mill, where her father was her foreman. During that time she caught the attention of the love of her life, Kermit Styer. Kermit had left for CPS shortly after they met, but they carried on their courtship from a distance while he was serving at Hagerstown, MD. Not knowing when World War II would end, and having dated for three years, they decided to marry in March, 1946. After the wedding and a honeymoon to Niagara Falls, Kermit returned to CPS and Edna continued to live at her parents' home. Fortunately, the war ended a few months later, and Kermit returned to his new bride.

The newlyweds took up residence with Kermit's father and grandmother in a rowhouse on Diamond Street in Souderton. Being one of two cooks in the kitchen wasn't always easy for Edna, but in her unselfish manner she found a way to make it work.

In a few years, Kermit and Edna moved to their own place on Chestnut Street where they lived for a number of years until Grandmother died, at which time they moved back in with Kermit's father. Edna then had to learn how to share her household with her father-in-law. Because he wasn't a Christian until late in life, and did not attend church, Edna and Kermit were concerned about how that might affect their children.

Five children were born into their family over a period of nine years. A stillborn child that came later was a painful loss for Edna and took a long time to heal. She cared for her young family with every ounce of energy she had, and with great resourcefulness and creativity. Always frugal, she was an avid gardener and preserved lots of food from a very large garden, sewed most of the dresses and shirts for her children, and generally knew how to stretch every penny. With careful budgeting she and Kermit sent their children to Franconia Mennonite School (now Penn View) and Christopher Dock.

She taught her daughters how to sing alto while washing the dishes, with the hymnbook propped on the windowsill.

As a mother, she always encouraged, but never pushed; she expected good behavior, and spanked when nothing else worked, or the offense was too great to ignore. She worked hard, never sitting around. Some of her children presented more of a challenge than others, but her love and patience always prevailed. An open relationship with her children was always more important than winning an argument.

Early in their marriage, Kermit and Edna accepted the call to help plant the new church in Finland where they continued to attend for many years. They have been members for the last twenty years at the Souderton Mennonite Church, where Edna served as an elder, a member of the visitation council and a youth advisor. She was active in many sewing activities, particularly the MCC School Kit and Health Kit Projects, and served as director of the Hatfield branch of the Needlework Guild of America. She made hand-stitched quilts for her grandchildren, and the one she was working on at the time of her death will be completed by Merrill Clemmer.

After the children were grown and out of the home, she worked for a number of years at
Pennview Christian School as a kindergarten helper. She also volunteered for many years at the
Rockhill Mennonite Home, changing the bed sheets for the residents, bringing love and cheer
to each one as she went from room to room .

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are five children:

James Styer and his wife, Beth, of Telford, have two sons, Michael and Andrew. Michael and his wife Cate, and their son, Henry, live in Palo Alto, California. Andrew lives in New York City.

Mary Styer Schrock and her husband, Floyd, live in McMinnville, Oregon, and have three children: Peter lives in Pasadena, California; Jonathan lives in Bend, Oregon; daughter Susan Ellis and her husband Mark and their two sons, Eli and Curren, also live in Bend.

Lois Styer Halsel and her husband, Gary, live in Hellertown with their two children, son Ben and daughter Laura;

John Styer and his wife, Judy, of Framingham, Massachussetts, have a daughter Kate of Pittsburgh, and a son, Ben, of Framingham;

Alan Styer and his wife, Grace, of Greenford, Ohio, have three children: son Matt of
Philadelphia, and son Jon and daughter Amanda of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

There are a total of 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Each one brought special delight and joy to Edna.

Also surviving are a brother, Willard Benner and his wife, Marjorie, of Phoenixville; two sisters, Irene Alderfer of Souderton, and Dorothy Shenk and her husband, Paul, of Newport News, Virginia, and two sisters-in-law, Sarah Benner of Souderton and Vivian Benner of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Daryl Styer, and six brothers, Claude, Jacob, Paul,
Marvin, Edwin, and Merrill Benner.

More than anything, Edna's faith in Jesus Christ was real and unwavering. After raising her children, she had a real sensitivity to young women in distress and reached out to them with acceptance and love.

She had a tender heart for anyone who needed a friend. She cared about those in need and gave much of her time to help provide clothing to the poor through the Needleguild in Hatfield.

In the last 6 or 7 years, when serious illness brought changes to her life, she always believed and hoped for the best. It was disappointing to her when the outcome was not what she had hoped for, but she faced each challenge with grace, a positive attitude, and deep trust in a loving God.

Happy Belated Birthday to Eli

Eli turned 5 on January 15th, but his Daddy was in India at the time, and then time passed and finally the time came to make the "castle cake" that he had requested. His birthday cakes are always a major production, thanks to mommy Susan! This one was made at Oma and Poppi's house last weekend, in the company of some of Eli's little friends. Fun time!!!!

Daffodils are Glorious

Spring is really here....but a photo doesn't really capture it's full essence!

Peter showing up in Belfast!

Just wanted to show you my daffodils.......

Parenting seems to come easy.....

Henry is growing up way too fast...........sure looks like they're all having lots of fun!

The Man Henry!

Little Henry certainly looks to be thriving!!!!! And happy! Good job, Michael and Cate!!

Blessed we are!

Recently the Benner aunts (Edna, Dorothy, Irene, Sarah, Vivian, Marjorie) and Nieces (Mary, Lois, Wilma and Kayla, Rhoda, Linda, Bev, Carolyn) had a wonderful lunch together at the Souderton Mennonite Home Sunflower Room. We spent about 4 hours reminiscing and enjoying the richness of our lives together over the last many years. We honored our Mom/Sister/Aunt Edna as well as our other aunts who have so faithfully modeled an honorable and Godly life before us. Our hearts and voices raised a joyous sound of music together. (As you can see, the group was infiltrated by Uncle/Dad Kermit. Uncle Paul was also in attendance! They were kind and gladly tolerated the ladies' chatter in exchange for a tasty lunch!!!)

Anything's a toy for CURREN

Moving right along....

The weather is still chilly, but the sunshine this weekend bodes well for spring flowers bursting forth....I thought I'd help the cause by planting some pansies!!! Spring is splendiferous!

Backyard Time

Meeting of the Minds

Josh and Kate

In the Eye of the Beholder

It's hard for me to tell that this was an Ugly Sweater Party!!

Would this be Pittsburgh??

Alan and Grace

Jim and Beth and Family

Hanging out with Pop-pop

Peter and Jonathan (and the rest of the Schrocks) spent 9 days in PA over Thanksgiving! Had a great time!!

The Schrock/Ellis kids go to New York

Peter, Susan, Mark and Jonathan spent the better part of two days in New York City.........................walking..............

Happy Birthday, Dear Mom!! #84

Mom turned 84 years old today!!! Yeah, Mom! (daughter Mary, mom, daughter Lois and granddaughter Susan)

Jim/Beth Famiy Gathering in Palo Alto

Henry sleeps while Dad Michael, Mom Cate, and Uncle Andy do some sightseeing along the CA coast.

A New Grandpop Styer

Looks like he has the touch! Little Henry looks perfectly content.