Photo by The Joneses Here we are (that's us on the right!) with Andrea (in the pink dress), and the newly married couple, Laurie and Oliver. — — — E-mail Gisela — — — SLIDE SHOW: A busy, fun time in Omaha
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

Our trip took us through Tennessee (Knoxville and Nashville); lower part of Kentucky; Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; across Missouri on I-70 (same one as Frederick/Baltimore), into Iowa and finally Omaha, Nebraska.

Many of the places we had seen before, but I never get bored with looking out this "panoramic" (a special Holiday Rambler feature) windshield and admiring the scenery.

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activities. We went to one Commissioning, two Commencements, and one wedding.

The first event was the Commissioning of my grandson Oliver; he is now a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nebraska National Guard. It was a very formal and impressive ceremony. I couldn’t help getting tears in my eyes when I saw my granddaughter Andrea, Oliver’s sister and Laurie, his fiancé “pinning” him — putting the Lieutenants bars on the jacket.

The next day we attended Oliver’s Commencement ceremony at Creighton University. Creighton is an old and prestigious Catholic University — this was their 130th commencement. Oliver now has a degree in Emergency Medical Services. Besides training for a helicopter pilot with the National Guard he is applying with the Omaha Fire Department. He loves being an EMT.

The third event was Laurie’s Commencement at the College of St. Mary, and all-women's catholic college. Laurie earned an associate's degree in Science Nursing Degree. She already has a job in one of the local hospitals working in postpartum and plans to continue her education in the fall.

Then we had a few days without any kind of event scheduled. This gave us time to shop for the wedding. We also had everyone over for a cookout and the "grand tour" of our coach. Great Omaha steaks, they are the best — I think I’ll be spoiled from now on.

Last Friday was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The dinner was at a neat brewery, very similar to Brewer’s Alley in Frederick. Good beer and good pizza and a lot of friends and relatives — what more can we ask for?

Last, but certainly not least, was the wedding on May 23. Laurie was a beautiful bride in a stunning dress and Oliver looked very handsome in his uniform. My granddaughter Andrea was one of the bridesmaids and looked absolutely beautiful in her gown. She looks so much like her mother — her mother was a very pretty woman. I didn’t cry too much during the wedding ceremony ... just a little!

What made these two weeks so very special was that my son Christopher, granddaughter Andrea and her boyfriend Oliver (!) were there also. They live in Germany and I don’t get to see them very often.

Andrea is going to a college in Berlin to get a degree in social work. She has two more years to go. This degree program is somewhat different than here in America. From the way she explained it to me she will have something similar to a master's degree and can choose any area of social work she wants to go into. She is leaning toward the legal area or community development (community organizer). Oliver is a welder and is a hard-worker, according to Andrea, and a very nice guy. They live in Berlin and I hope Ralph and I will be able to visit them this winter.

Christopher still has his jewelry business and is involved in several activities in his hometown Meseberg.

We also enjoyed meeting Laurie’s parents and extended family and visit with June Culling, Oliver’s grandfather on his mother’s side. The newlyweds will live with the grandfather —they have remodeled the basement and made it into a nice and cozy apartment.

Well I think I have done enough bragging about my grandchildren, but I can’t help it. Grandchildren are a pleasure, they are God’s reward for growing old. I am so very proud of Oliver and Andrea and our new granddaughter Laurie. These past two weeks have been wonderful and, again, thanks to our lifestyle — being "nomads' — we were able to be here and partake in all the events and festivities.

Now off to Sedalia, Missouri for an Escapee Rally.