Ladies' day on the blog

Two gals in the family celebrating on this day....Amy (Korkowski) Oxentenko is reaching a milestone birthday today with 40 candles blazing away on her cake, while Sue Korkowski (Joe's wife) (#44) has been there, done that!  Happy birthday, girls...and make the guys cook dinner tonight. :)

Amy

Sue

They must be really fun people....

A couple of weeks ago, when vacationing in Nisswa, we spent an evening with Marv & Judy Koep on their boat.  A bit of happy hour was enjoyed while on our way to Breezy Point for dinner, and on the way back, Marv piloted the boat into a small channel where there was a cozy 'settlement' of homes, but one of the homes immediately caught our eye with their flair for the unexpected!  First picture shows a bit of their beach, complete with tiki huts.....it looked like a scene from Gilligan's Island.  But, the real stunner was the tree house built to look like an ark.  What child would not love this place?!!  Grandpa promised the Oxentenko kids he'd build them a tree house in their woods.....maybe this is inspiration (and hard work)?  

You've heard "once in a blue moon"?

Well, hopefully you'll see it more than once, and if you're up and about on the evening of August 31 (Friday), you will indeed see a 'blue moon'....see below.

The first of many years.....

Another little person got his backpack all ready for the first day of school....Colby Hanson (Chad & Jackie Korkowski Hanson) was eager to hit the hallways for his first day of kindergarten on Monday.  Looks like he wanted to take baby brother Colin with for show-and-tell!  

It's not only the 1st day for the students....

Not only are some of the kids back in school, but of course, so are the teachers.  They've been at work now for a week or two prior to the start of school, gearing up for another year of teaching.  And down in Texas, Jim and Staci Korkowski are all ready to go on their first day of school...and a note from them reads:

Jim and Staci Korkowski enjoyed another first day of school at Willis ISD.  Jim is the math department chair and 9th grade algebra teacher.  Staci is on year number 19 in the elementary school.  She'll be in 1st grade again this year.  Looking forward to an exciting/drama free year!

Looking good, Jim and Staci!  

Summer's over for some kids....

Our first 'back-to-school' blog entry for 2012....Abby, Isaac and Evan Oxentenko (Shawn and Amy Korkowski Oxentenko) are all decked out in their school uniforms for a new year at St. Francis.  Gotta love those new shoes too.   Everyone looks great and happy to be there!  

This joke came in from Ron Magnuson....it's a 'groaner' so blame him if you like or don't like!

A Polish man moved to the USA and married an American girl. Although his English was far from perfect, they got along very well. One day he rushed into a lawyer's office and asked him if he could arrange a divorce for him. The lawyer said that getting a divorce would depend on the circumstances, and asked him the following questions:
Have you any grounds?
Yes, an acre and half and nice little home.
No, I mean what is the foundation of this case?
It made of concrete.
I don't think you understand. Does either of you have a real grudge?
No, we have carport, and not need one.
I mean. What are your relations like?
All my relations still in Poland.
Is there any infidelity in your marriage?
We have hi-fidelity stereo and good DVD player.
Does your wife beat you up?
No, I always up before her.
Is your wife a nagger?
No, she white.
Why do you want this divorce?
She going to kill me.
What makes you think that?
I got proof.
What kind of proof?
She going to poison me. She buy a bottle at drugstore and put on shelf in bathroom. I can read, and it say: "Polish Remover" 

Double the fun......

Always a doubly fun day when mother and child celebrate the same birthday, and today mommy Amber (#29) and Cecilia (#2) Korkowski will have their cake and eat it too  Happy birthday to the 'girls' of the family.  Looks like daddy Matt will be doing the party prep for this duo!

More birthday cake, please

Another birthday cake and candles today...this time it's Kiatta Korkowski (Rick & Deize) who will have 7 candles burning on the cake.  Enjoy these last few days of summer 'vacation', Kiatta; school is just around the corner...happy birthday!

The duo for today....

Another two birthdays for today....Grace Korkowski (Ron & Sue) is 11 and Leo Dahl (Jewel Barsaloux & Steve Dahl) turns 2.  Hope your day is full of all things fun and good...happy birthday, Grace and Leo!

Grandma "Koko" and Aleksander

The family tree has added a new little shoot by the name of Aleksander Kokotovich, and his proud-as-punch grandma is Shirley Kokotovich!  She sent the following note regarding her recent extended play date with the little guy.  
"Attached is a picture of my son, Nick and Shremattie’s baby. His name is Aleksander.  He was born March 19^th and is of course the smartest, most beautiful and happiest baby ever. Actually he reminds me of  Nick as a baby because he laughs and babbles  so much. I just spent a wonderful week with little  Alek  and my son while Shremattie was out of town for her job.  It is really great to watch one’s son show such good and loving parenting skills.   Shirley"

Back in the spring as a newborn....

and here's G'ma Koko and Alek today!

Ah, summer...where did you go??

It is with disbelief that we see the calendar states today is August 23, with only about 10 days until school starts once again.  The days are warm and the nights are cool...just the type of weather we love!  Hopefully, there will be several weeks to come of those lazy pontoon rides we've enjoyed this summer...wine glass in hand and beautiful sunsets like this to observe.  

Saying "I do" once again......

I'll bet it seems like yesterday to Dennis & Christella Korkowski as they celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary today.  Time has a way of flying by but along the way, many great memories were created....may there be many more to come.  Happy anniversary, Dennis and Chris!

And his motive???

As a parent, you'd have to wonder what your child was up to when you saw this written on their Etch-A-Sketch, wouldn't you?  Or is it simply a 'love note'?  At any rate, this testament of true love was written by Andrew Majhess to mom and dad, Jennifer and Joe Majhess.  Um, I wonder what he's up to?????

A ritual of summer

Many of us can remember the excitement (and perhaps a bit of fear?) at going off to summer camp.  Nothing like sleeping in tents, having bonfires, and trekking thru the woods on a mission!  Of course, there are the spiders to deal with, the mosquitoes in your tent, and all that, but years later, we still remember the fun we had.  That being said, Jacob Korkowski (Ron & Sue) is a legend at providing excitement so we can only guess what camp was like when he visited....or maybe not?  It looks like there are one or two others who provided the 'action' this time around!

Jacob in red on the far right

Jacob, a.k.a. Tarzan!

Skol, Vikings, let's win this game...

The Vikings looked pretty good last Friday night, and now we know they had the best cheerleaders possible urging them on....Mike and Zach Stark, along with g'ma Theresa Krentz, cheered and cheered to put the Vikings in the end zone time and time again.  Plus, they were seen rubbing elbows with some former Vikings players before the game...can't hurt to drop a name or two, does it?

Zach w/Grandma Theresa in purple and gold!

Zach, Bob Lurtsema, Stu Voigt and Mike Stark

She's 4 today....

The birthday girl today is none other than Courtney Zuidema (Nate and Andrea Magnuson Zuidema) who is 4 years old today.  We wish you the best-est birthday ever, Courtney...happy birthday!!

Time for an anniversary....

It's been a bit since we've had an anniversary but today we give a shout-out to Troy and Brandi Magnuson who are celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary.  We know there'll be a celebration of some kind....happy anniversary!

Doubling up

Two birthday parties today....Anna Korkowski (Paul & Sue) turns 14, while Cory Stadsvold has slightly more candles on his cake (#37).  Happy birthday x 2, Anna and Cory!

Irish eyes are smiling......

The wearing of the green may be back in March, but there'll be another celebration for the Irish Judi Korkowski (#69) as she celebrates her birthday today.  Happy birthday, Judi...may you find a lucky four-leaf clover today!

The boys are growing....

Things have quieted down for Jewel Barsaloux as little Eli puts his rocky start in life behind him, growing like a little pumpkin.  Here's mama with her three boys recently...Pierre, Leo and Eli...all out for a stroll.

Time for a joke....

A man decided to paint the toilet seat while his wife was away.
His wife came home sooner than he expected, used the toilet, and got the seat stuck to her rear. 
She was understandably distraught about this and asked her husband to drive her to the doctor. She put a large overcoat on to cover the seat before they went.
When they got to the doctor's office, the man lifted his wife's coat to show him their predicament. The man asked, "Doctor, have you ever seen anything like this before?"
"Well, yes," the doctor replied, "but never mounted and framed!"

Happy birthday.....

Another birthday to celebrate...this time it's Lezlie Sumstad (#31).  Here's hoping you have a great birthday full of everything good...happy birthday, Lezlie!

A picture is worth 1000 words.....

Aspiration: Minnesota Twins

Before the summer baseball season came to an end, Grandpa Cliff stopped packing early one day to drive down and watch Evan Oxentenko play the last game of the season.  We had heard that he has amazed the adults watching with his pitching and fielding ability, so expectations were high...and he did not disappoint!  His baseball idol is Joe Mauer, and his goal is to play for the Minnesota Twins some day.  We all know they could probably use someone about now to give them a boost!  Looks like a pretty impressive windup for a nine-year-old kid...you go, Evan!

A very special anniversary today

This is no ordinary anniversary today....oh no, it's been 55 years ago today since Sr. Cordy (a.k.a. Cordelia Cecilia Korkowski) became a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls.  She has dedicated her life and her tremendous skills to helping others, teaching or working in church ministries.  Happy anniversary, Cordy....we love you!

Won't be long now.....

Just a heads-up for moms and dads with kids going off to school....we look forward each fall to seeing your pictures of your children dressed in their 'first day of school' clothes so don't forget to send your snapshots our way....we'll be waiting!

A day of celebration.....

A birthday to celebrate on this day....it's Ben O'Donnell's 31st birthday, and we can only hope he takes a bit of time for himself to enjoy this day meant for just him.  Happy birthday, Ben...may you have a ton more!! 

Food is ALWAYS on the agenda....

What would a Korkowski gathering be without food...and LOTS of it...at the annual Two Inlets weekend? Everyone brings plenty of snacks, there are of course some great beverages, and then we also have meals. To prove the point, see for yourselves as several different occasions were celebrated....

First, some cake for Brenda and Mike Dupont's anniversary....without Mike!

How about Dave's 65th birthday?

Or, there was cake from Austin's graduation party!  And those were just the cakes....

A slow...and rainy...day at the resort!

We're back at Agate Lake for our annual week w/Gary & Colleen Boesen and Ron & Faye Magnuson, and needless to say, the lakeshore is still in miserable condition but it hasn't been too hot nor have we had rain...until this morning.  So, that being said, the men are getting a bit antsy with definitely no golf today and playing cards seems to be something we should only do at night.  Um....what to do?  Well, Colleen needed a manicurist so who would guess that YOUR brother-in-law Ron would rise to the occasion and perform such a delicate task?!  He will be happy to set up a table at the annual Korkowski holiday party so get your name in early!   And, then when he was done with that, two of our guys had to 'get up close and personal' watching the Olympics match on the television.  Looks like it could be a long day......................And from Colleen, is this how all your family acts???

More memories from Two Inlets, 2012....

Time to bring out some more pictures from the weekend at the 2012 Two Inlets 'retreat'.....

Norb, Dave, Cindy and Donna

Ron, Brenda and Norb

Donna, one of the official photographers!

Grandpa Ron, Kyle & Brenda, Norb

Jackie, Chad and boys