The day is here and Andi is officially 30! Happy Birthday- ANDI!

The party celebrating this momentous event starts at 4pm this Saturday, Oct. 15th. Weather is predicted to be great and sounds like perfect bonfire conditions.

See everyone Saturday. Have a wonderful birthday, Andi.

Hi,
As I check the October birthdays I see we need to correct Ron’s to the 24th. He and Don share the same day as twins.
Thanks,

Hi All,
The weather is to be nice Saturday and Sunday from what they are giving now. We could have rain Wed and Thurs which would be nice to wet things down good before setting the bonfire.

See you all Saturday. Safe journeys…….
Donna

Born in 1933!

Hi All,
Illinois (and Iowa too with help from CO) is buzzing in final preparations for the BIG 30 B/D Party 10/15/05 at 4pm. Virg is off to the woods to bring home more logs he and Don cut up last week. Virg says “Thanks, Andi and Joe, for my wonderful Houston B/D card”. He has the area mowed and looking party-ready as we speak. He always wanted the party this weekend as his birthday is tomorrow- now we will see which Saturday has the best fall weather!

Jeanie and Mary will be here soon to update my computer world. Then we are off to a bonfire party at 4 at Sheila and Danny Chick’s. It is a beautiful day here in Illinois. Tomorrow at 6 “The Aunts” are heading to Gays Mills, WI to bring home fresh cider and apples and cheese for the BIG 30. Monday morning at 5 I am off with Florence, Richard, and Carlene to- you guessed it- Gays Mills, WI for apples and cider and cheese. A couple of years ago I went with Florence’s family one weekend and then took Mom and Doris the following weekend so it is OK to go more than once in October.

Have a great week and see you soon.
Donna

It is 61 degrees this moring. You would not believe the difference 35 degrees can make. And it happened over night. Not much to report this Saturday morning. But that’s only because everybody keeps telling me stuff that I’m not allowed to tell. I mean, that’s just rude. Why would you give me great juicy info, and then not let me tell. I’d say they don’t know me very well, but, alas, they are my family. The quick SATURDAY AM update is as follows: Joe is headed to the ranch today to continue the work assigned by hurricane Rita; I am working on my quilt still — I quilted two gathers into the back of the quilt last night in my haze, so today — seam ripping… fun times (yes, I live like a rock star); Michelle tells me she will clean her room today, but she’s been telling me that since she was 8 years old, so I’m going to have to walk by faith on that one; I think the Minnesota crew is attending Isaac’s football game, I understand that he is a natural; Rob & Kristin continue to get pregnant-er; they are debating baby names — according to Kristin, Rob doesn’t actually like any names, and the current plan is to let the child go nameless until she can talk and name herself; I don’t know what Liz & Benn are up to, other than I know Liz recently affirmed “I am not pregnant” — so let your mind at ease. That’s all from the Texas-Georgia-Minnesota branch of the Frieden Farm. See you all next week.

xoxo,
Andi

Born in 1981!

Hi Michelle and All,
I got our beautiful birthday bonfire invitation yesterday. YES, Virg and I plan to be HERE. Chad called and said they won’t be able to make it, and I told him I could let you know.

I hope the response is good. Don and Virg cut down 4 old trees and got enough logs to help our pile to burn well into the night. Pray for a perfect fall night. We are anxious to get some idea of how many are coming. Virg spotted some great willow sticks which Don will help him cut the day before the party. I unearthed my new-in-box white mountain ice cream freezer so hopefully we can have some great ice cream.

Love,
Donna

Hi all,
Don and Virg are in the timber as we speak sawing more logs for the bonfire. Virg spotted a beautiful bunch of willow sticks to cut on the 15th. It is shaping up into a spectacular party for Andi’s 30th birthday. Bret is planning on helping with a hayrack ride (since the Clydesdales couldn’t come this year). By starting at 4 we should have plenty of time for a ride before settling into the bonfire party.

Mary is due in this coming weekend, and I have the 10th off from work so we can go up to Gays Mills, WI for the fresh apple cider and apples and cheese and stuff. We are all checking out our recipes and ingredients for the side dishes. I hope to dust off the box with my NEW White Mountain electric ice cream freezer and try a batch to share. As a backup I do have 4 dozen vanilla dixie cups ordered. They are nice to put on the apple and blueberry pies we plan to bake. We will plan to have our coolers ready with ice for BYOB, pop, bottled water, etc.

Virg vows this really is his last bonfire. We have enjoyed many over the years but his favorites have been with little Riley who has attended several in her 5 years.

Hope to see you on the 15th.
Donna
PS For those who would like to do a card shower for Virg- his 72nd birthday is Oct. 9 and I know he would be thrilled and surprised (Virgil Anderson, 14928 - 294th Street West, Illinois City, IL 61259).