in case you didn't know...

So I decided that I better share this with the fam. in case you all wanted to see what's happening in my life/photography business....my blogs:

1. my best friend and I have a summer bucket list and we created a blog to write about our adventures...check it out at www.beckyallie.blogspot.com
 
2. my photography blog... www.1023photography.blogspot.com

In case you are bored...check them out :)

Dominik and Rudi's Chicago Segway Tour

My German cousin Dominik Gesch visited the Gesch fam for the past two weeks. He came by our house on Thursday and Friday before flying back home.

We spent the day in Chicago and hit up a Segway Tour. It was AWESOME! I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested.

Actually, you can help me out. This Segway company (www.chicagosegwaytour.com) will actually refund my ticket it this video gets 300+ views. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday Auntie Jean!

As you'll no doubt notice from the family calendar, it's Auntie Jean's birthday. Happy B-day to you, Auntie Jean!

Every time I hear Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," I typically replace it with "Auntie Jean" (and disregard the rest of the subject matter and content of the song). So... in honor of Auntie Jean, please play the Michael Jackson song above and enjoy.

AFRICA

Dear Family,

As many of you know, I will be heading to Ethiopia on Saturday night for a 3 week trip with a group from our church. I am very excited about this and how God will use us to teach adults about teaching children about the Bible. I will be sharing more when I come back! Have fun at the golf outing and see you all later this summer :)

Disclaimer: I am not Liz or Anna and therefore will not have an amazing blog to share ;) But I'd love to show you pictures when I get back!

That's the Way It Is

If Rudi and Anna are allowed to live near each other for any length of time.. expect results like this. That's the way it is.

Family Golf Outing

Our tee-off time at River Point Golf Course in Hobart, Indiana, is 12:00 noon. (6700 Country Club Rd.)

Mike & Kim have graciously offered to have supper at their home after we golf. Those who are not golfing can stay at their home. We have capable family members to care for those who will be at Kim & Mike's home.

Our menu will be: hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, chips, drinks, and ( you will be able to sign up for a dish at Conor's graduation party.)

We are looking for someone to help arrange 4-somes. We will have a list of golfers at Conor's party also.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Indonesia!

As most of you know, I am teaching in Indonesia for a few weeks this summer! I thought I would share the link to my blog if you feeling like hearing more about it!

http://elizabethvandrunen.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Elizabeth Van Drunen is not Anna Gesch. So if blog posts aren't intellectually stimulating, cunning, clever, creative and all of the above, or not up for book publishing immediately after completion, you know why ;)

Xander June 2011

6 months old! (December 7th).

Alex's Graduation!

Karen, Nick, and grandma crammed into the backseat :) 

processing in

Alex and Heidi - officially graduated! 

at a reception the night before graduation

New York City

Yous Kids are moving up in the world! Congrats to all the graduates this year from high school, college, and further education too. Here are a few pics from our trip to New Haven, Connecticut earlier in May for Alex's graduation from Yale! Grandma, Grandpa, Nick, Karen, my parents, and I went to the East Coast for the ceremony. The ceremony itself was rained out before the graduates could walk across the stage and the law school had a pathetic plan B: run inside in a free-for-all fashion. But after we were all crammed inside a smaller auditorium, they announced each person's name for an opportunity to be recognized and shake hands (or awkwardly hug) the Dean. Even with rain, it was a very cool atmosphere with some really interesting people. The rest of our time there was spent exploring New Haven, New York City, and Mystic Harbor. Alex is currently studying for the bar in New Haven for the next short while until he comes back to Wisconsin for his clerkship. So proud of Alex (and Heidi too!) for this amazing accomplishment.

Jason's graduation

We had an awesome weekend in MN celebrating Jason graduation at Bethel. We were so thankful to have our parents and grandparents there. Grandpa and grandma came from Birchwood and met us there and the rest of us caravaned. The graduation ceremony was great and the keynote speaker was Wes Stafford from Compassion - awesome. After graduation, Jason's favorite prof had some of the guys from Jason's cohort over for a cookout. We all were invited and it was nice to get to know the families of the guys who have been so important to Jason over the past 5 years.

Van Drunen Heating Salutes Veterans

Monday, Van Drunen Heating had an entry in the "Wooden Shoe Parade" in South Holland. (I'm sure they call it something else now, but I'm old school.) The entry consisted of Keith driving the pick-up (good job if you can get it), Cher and Karen handing out magnets and coupons, Eric, Liz, Anneke, Justin and Kate handing out candy and the Nickster and me making sure no kids were crushed under the second vehicle.

The second vehicle was a restored "Half-track" Army vehicle. (Wheels on the front, tracks in the back). The half-track was carrying precious cargo in the form of World War II veterans. What an honor to meet these heroes and hear their stories as the gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's prior to the parade and once we reached the park.

Here are some pics: