Siblings Reunited - Day 3 - July 21, 2007

On Saturday, Mom was up early again and making sure she had all the flower arrangements down at the church just in case she didn't make it back in time for Saturday evening mass. We all got back up to Janice's place by 10 or so that morning. Mom was glad to Delores and Jerry Kahnke.

Mike-George-Mom-Jerry-Rita-Bonnie-Paige-Peggy passing around some old photos and trying to identify ancestors

Bonnie with that big smile - showing off her son Sam to Delores and Grandma Rita (Bonnie & Sam had matching pants - they were so cute)

Mom brought up some stained glass for George and Bonnie to pick out as they requested. Later they decided to drive through Arlington on the way to the airport in Sioux Falls and look at more of Mom's stained glass and take some back with them.

I really enjoyed the ride we took later on out to the farm and then Ray drove us around the neighborhood to see all the old places Mom and Rita used to go as kids and also to see Stephanie's new home. George and Bonnie were following us in their car with Rita. We ended up back at Jenkins Nursing to visit with Jack some more. He seemed pretty good yet on Saturday and glad to have the company. He looked so much better than the other visits I'd had with him last winter. Rita had made arrangements to have supper with an old school girlfriend, so Mom decided she wanted to get back to Arlington for the evening mass. She was pretty tired again, but I really think she enjoyed her time up in Watertown.

Here is a panoramic view of the O'Toole farm - Leland is the only one living out there now - unless you count the many cats and kittens and one dog he has for company.

Leland and Mike visiting out in the back yard.

Mom visiting with Leland and dog Jack by his pool.

Peggy and Aunt Rita look over the remains of the gardens from days gone by.

The old flower bed looks pretty good - Leland keeps color all year round by using the artificial species - also a favorite shady spot for a cat.

Leland discussing a favorite old photo with Mom and Mike

Little Sam just couldn't stay awake out on the farm - wish we could all sleep that soundly!

Leland-George-Me-Mike (behind me)-Mom-Rita-Peggy

Sisters Marguerite & Rita standing in front of one of the original lilac bushes planted when they were children.

Bonnie Fleming & Ray Stern - the "out-laws"

This is back at Jenkins Home when George is getting a cheek swab from Jack to take back and get a DNA analysis done on the sample - he hopes to match it up with someone over in Ireland.

At the end of the Mom kept saying she wished she could get up there more often to be with Jack, but just can't drive anymore and Dad isn't able to get out as much as he used to. I know she was a little nervous in the days before Rita came up and worried it would all be way too much for Jack and maybe we shouldn't overwhelm him. But I think she relaxed a lot after seeing Rita and Jack both.