Fiddler on the Roof

The Elkader Opera House produced another wonderful production this fall - Fiddler on the Roof. Russ was privileged to become Tevye, a Russian Jew dairy farmer, in the early 1900s.

Singing and dancing his way onto the stage, he entertained audiences for 7 performances!

Bravo Russ - you brought Tevye to life and showed us how we can all talk to God and consider him our friend.

She's in Italy

You can tell Rachael has arrived in Florence. The scenery is quite different from northeast Iowa. In the background you can see the famous bridge of Italy - the Ponte Vecchio.Grant and Rachael are taking a walk along the Arno to get some gelato!

Here are some famous scenes and art from Florence

Duomo cathedral and a replica of the statue of David

Michelangelo's Pieta and another view of the Ponte Vecchio

A Taste of Italy

The land of pasta and olives and wine! Here are some delicacies Rachael has enjoyed in Florence.











Left: Spaghetti al pomodoro e basilico Right: Chicken with sage and tomato salad












Cappucino at the coffee bar - to sit down costs more.






How about some fish - head and all. Yummy!













Or maybe a sweet gelato (Italian ice cream)
Something to partake in every day, perhaps?







Good news: True Italian pizza - inviting, delicious and filling.
Bad news: Italy doesn't do doggie bags. Grant and Rachael will share next time.

Russ turns 60!

Who is this? Who can it be? Who? Who? Who? Who?

Look under the beard and into the eyes - yes it is Russ!

For reaching his 60th year, he looks well preserved, don't you think? I say Russ is getting a little furry. He is growing the beard for the role of Tevye in the upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof. He plans to shave it off after the play - sometime in mid October. Then he'll look 50 and once again be a very young man.

If you are interested in seeing Russ perform the role of an old Jewish dairy farmer living in Russia in the early 1900s - the play is at the Elkader Opera House. Check out this link:

http://www.strutt.com/public/ohp/defaulttm.php

We celebrated his birthday all labor day weekend - at least 3 different groups of people sang Happy Birthday to him - he loved it!

Oh, What a Ride!

Yes, it is wild and free Barb behind the wheel of that Mustang convertible. As you know, I have always wanted to own a Mustang convertible - however, mine must be red and preferably a 1965 or 66 model.

Had a lot of fun driving Betty Larsen's Mustang on Sunday evening - roared down the road to Rossville with the CD blaring - born to be wild!

What great fun!

Off to Florence

Experiencing Florence as a student will be an exciting challenge for Rachael this fall. She left for the land of Italia about 3 days ago and will return before Christmas. Her courses include Italian art, Italian opera, Italian politics and Tuscan cooking - just to name a few. Of course, she will be seeing great works of art, experiencing the streets of Florence and possibly coming across some fine Italian leather.

Grant will be studying in Florence too! What an adventure - living abroad and learning a different type of culture.

We took this picture in Cherry Valley, IL where we left Rachael to catch the bus into O'Hare for her flight.

Hagen Reunion

Yes, the Hagens once again gathered on the banks of the pond. On Saturday, August 30 they enjoyed one another, good food and of course Rommegrot - yummy! After a hearty repast, the progam commenced. All Hagen's had their chance to be heard. The family has been busy the past 2 years - if you want to know what's happening - come to the next reunion in 2010 on the 3rd Sunday in July! The meeting was "rapped up" of course, I mean wrapped up, with the national anthem, led by all the music teachers - must have been half the Hagens! Superb! followed immediately a family photo.

Family Reunions

Guess what will get the family together? Food! Well, food and talking. Russ and Barb were able to travel to Prairie City, IA for the annual Romick Family Reunion at the beginning of August.


Of course there was food - but also the old and the young got together to visit and "catch up" on what is happening.





Uncle Raymond was the oldest and the youngest was a great-grandchild of uncle Tom.



Stay tuned for excerpts from the Hagen runion to be held at the end of August.

Joel turns 30!

Yes, Joel is now a little older...turning 30 on August 23.

Russ, Rachael and I traveled to Maquoketa and had a wonderful day celebrating with Joel, Kathilene, Scott and Karen. Steaks on the grill, and luscious sweet corn - topped off with strawberry birthday cake!

I told him, he was just a little more mature. He can't be old because as his mom, that would make me very old.

So we're both just a little more mature

Helicopter Landing at Springvale

On August 16, we had friends fly in for a visit. Tom and Jane Jones flew their helicopter up from Hudson and landed east of the barn (after a quick mow by Russ). Russ was delighted with a ride over the bluffs, down to Prairie du Chien, for a fuel fill-up and back to the farm.

Thanks for the delightful day Tom and Jane!

Sibling Support

Family members from northwest Iowa, central Iowa and Kansas City made it through flood waters and detours to enjoy the day.

Great to see you all! Thanks for coming!

Simply irresistible

Beautiful
Beautiful
Beautiful
Beautiful
Kathilene

All they did was smile...

Nothing could burst the happy couple's bubble. They emerged from the church in a cloud of bubbles.

The sun was shining...

A gentle breeze was blowing...

Friends and family were gathered....

amd the bride had shed her shoes!

Life couldn't be any sweeter!

Lifelike decorations....

The best decorations were the goldfish - some of them had new homes at the end of the day.

They were alive...



The frogs were not...



But they certainly made a statement at the cake table - sorry, cupcake table.

How do you make purple punch?

These girls were getting a little "punchy"

Great job at the purple punch bowl Ana and Sandy.

Aren't weddings fun?

Just 2 girls having fun at the wedding!







Another couple having a great time!

What are they thinking?

Once Upon a Time....

Do I love you because you're beautiful...

Or are you beautiful because I love you.

And here are the stars of the event - Kat & Joel.

There for a moment I thought Nicole and Tom and gotten back together.

Nothing could dampen the smiles of these two - although the floods of 2008 tried. The happy couple kept smiling!

Who is this Guy?

The Secret Service was there - wait, it's just the Father of the Groom - Russ is chatting away.

One Week after Wedding

Here comes the bride!

Yes, one of the Hagen children has finally married! We are all happy and excited. We welcome to our family the newest Hagen - Kathilene. She is wonderful and we love her dearly. (Joel does too - can you tell?) Our family number is now officially risen to 6 - will there be more in the near future? We are hoping.

The wedding day was beautiful - sunny day with no flooding! The bride and groom smiled constantly (you would think they were happy). Lots of purple, goldfish and frogs adorned the reception. Everyone ate well and there were bubbles galore!

Ceremony highlights were:

• Star wars slideshow


• Joel singing to Kathilene


• Ringbearer pillow toss


• The Kathilene/Joel story


• Barefeet


• and of course, the wedding kiss

Joel and Kathilene are enjoying a honeymoon in Branson, thanks to Uncle Jim, and the rest of us are recovering. The busy weekend took its toll - spawning head colds for Rachael, Russ and Ana. Sarah made it back to Hawaii late Friday night - she avoided the germs. And I'm just very very tired. I have been spending additional time sleeping this weekend.

I'm learning to blog so bear with me - I'll try to post some pictures of the wedding for you to enjoy.