Hey, That's Not Larry!

You're right! That's Stephen Larry, presenting dad with his gift on "41 days until ..." It's intended as apparel for him as he and mom take their sailing vacations in the Caribbean. 

Strawberry Shakes!

So day 46 was Strawberry Shakes. This is one of the things that both men in Emily's life LOVE! So Larry and Spencer enjoyed the shakes after we had burgers made with fresh ground beef. Good Stuff! Can't wait to see what is in store in the next 45 days.

Learning About Tractors

Dad's in Texas and we hope he is enjoying all the tractors!

Day 47

Today was a working day, weeding, moving logs, and taking Christmas stuff out of the attic. Larry also helped Emily put garland up on her front posts and start putting lights up outside. They are going to finish putting lights up tomorrow. Before we sat down to enjoy the Packers vs. Saints game the day 47 treat showed up. Rootbeer floats!!!!!!! 

Yesterday Larry enjoyed some other yummy treats given to him by his youngest daughter Emily. Squirt and Fig Newtons! These are the treats Emily remembers them having on their trips across Iowa to go visit the Farm. Lots and lots of good memories!

49 days and enjoying family

Emily joined us this AM and brought along some fresh Texas pecans. Larry will likely use them when he makes his wonderful cinnamon pecan rolls.

Then we went to lunch with our nephew, Ethan and his wife, Lynette, who were in Austin from Seattle, WA for a job interview. Ethan knew he was in Sun City when he saw all the golf carts driving around - he remembered them from Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Doris' home in Sun City, AZ. 

50 days and "Wake up and smell the coffee."

Emily knows well that Larry likes his morning coffee. She let us borrow her coffeemaker and surprised him with a favorite blend. 

For lunch we drove up to Salado and had pumpkin soup served by our favorite waitress at Adelea's. (Emily - for those of you who don't know. 

Later on we had dinner at our own home courtesy of the George Foreman. Larry thinks he can get used to this life.

51 days and TEXAS

It was dark and cloudy and COLD when the limo pulled into our driveway at 5 on Thursday AM. And 6 hours later we were driving out of the Austin airport at 70 and sunny. Stephen had sent along a packet of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal for day 51 so we'd have something for breakfast while we're here.

Supper was at Emily and Spencer's. Larry and Emily collaborated to make a great veggie pizza with the tomatoes and eggplant from their garden (plus green and red peppers and onions). It was yummy. 

After supper Spencer coached Larry on his ESPN fantasy football team. (Present record in the league is 2-9 and he's in need of assistance.) Since they play each other this Sunday we should probably be a little suspicious of Spencer's recommendations. Larry is not projected to win. 

52 days and time for future FUN!!!!

Imagine walking into the kitchen and finding tennis balls all over the floor!  And then reading the note - Stephen was in charge of today's surprise and Grandpa can't wait until they can play together again. 

53 days and proud

First thing this morning Larry received an email from Heather reminding him that it was two years ago today that he was watching her get married in Germany. Then he headed outside to our 1994 Chevy Astro and placed the Bucknell sticker from day 58 on the back window with the 7 other college stickers. He's had the privilege of moving lots of stuff in the back of that van!

54 days and more driving

Day 54 brought a special treat for the long drive home. Thanks to Lisa and family, Larry had some Dad's rootbeer to quench his thirst while he drove along Interstate 80. Don't be concerned. He's a very safe driver. He doesn't usually take his eyes off the road, but we were stopped in traffic in Ohio because of an accident.

We enjoyed the rolling drive through the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania. As we neared the Ohio border we began to experience some lake effect snow. That continued off and on through both Ohio and Indiana. It took us 10 1/2 hours to drive from Lewisburg to Plainfield with only two brief stops. 

55 days and going Continental

On Day 55, Anthony and Heidi drove to meet Larry and Kathy in Pennsylvania. We all attended the final session at the conference and then spent a few hours exploring Valley Forge National Park, where George Washington's army spent the winter of 1777. It was there that Larry and Heidi tried to see what they would look like as Continental Soldiers.

Will the real George Washington please stand up?

57 days and in PA remembering

31 years ago today Larry became a dad for the first time. This is what he has to say about what he remembers about that day. "I always wanted a family. Lisa coming into our lives exceeded all my expectations for what it means to be a dad, and that realization has only increased with the addition of Heather, Heidi, Emily, sons-in-law and grandchildren. Life is rich in large part due to my family."

Larry is presently in King of Prussia, PA attending the Christian Counseling and 

Educational Foundation conference with Kathy. They were able to spend time with their friends, Patric and Jennifer, and their son, Parker, who let them tour the World Harvest Mission office, treated them to a display of Parker's cool hot-wheel race cars, and then had dinner with them in a quaint Philadelphia neighborhood. We remembered again what a blessing they were to us when they served at our church and are thankful that they took time out of their busy lives to connect with us again. 

58 days and moving furniture

On Day 58, Larry and Kathy woke up in Lewisburg, PA at the home of daughter #3. They had come with a load of furniture to help her fill up her house.

Our family has an old minivan that has 7(?) college stickers on it, earned as it has helped move all 4 daughters into various universities around the country. The gift for Day #58 was a Bucknell University sticker.


Larry also wanted his picture taken on day 58 with his 58-year-old wife.


They're off to Philadelphia now but will be back in Lewisburg to celebrate Day 55.

59 days and travelin'

Here he is in far western OH. He figured out pretty quickly when he received his "59 days 'til 60" gift that he has this to look forward to every day - and then when he opened Heather's email with the blog post he determined not to wear the same shirt for the next 58 days - only when traveling. 

He's not likely to use his new immersion blender from Heather and Marc-Andre today. But he is the MAN his girls call when they need help in the kitchen. 

And now he's off to PA to see daughter #3 and help move some furniture in to her Lewisburg apt. Later on he'll likely talk to daughter #2 when he calls Marc-Andre for his birthday. With 8 hours to go - he'd better get moving.

29 years later...

... and better than ever.