Family Helping and Playing

More photos taken on Saturday, March 11th, enjoying the warm day and having family here to help with some yard work.

 Sam adding ground-up asphalt south of the house.

Corban enjoying the "John Deere" tractor swing,

which was a Christmas present from Brent and Tauna's family. 

Mason and Jacob

 Todd pruning the apple trees.

Jacob, Sam, Todd, Corban, Shannon, Doug, and Trevor

 Sam, Jared, Todd, Ethan, Trevor, Jacob, Doug, and Isaac

 

 Picking up the pruned branches.

 

Todd, the "Master Gardner" about finished with the pruning,

which should result with a better crop and bigger apples.

 Megan and Trevor with 3-month-old Sadie.

 Sadie outside enjoying the sunshine with her mom.

 Corban and Mason

[left] candle jar from Marisa;

flowers and candle jar from Shannon.

[right] flowers from Trevor and Megan.

Celebrating Birthdays

 A Winter Wonderland - February 24th

The backyard covered with snow after the previous snow had all melted.

We have eleven family birthdays in February and seven in March.  It is fun when we can be together to celebrate; and when we cannot share the day in person, we appreciate the phone calls, cards, and remembrances.

Sarah and Derek's Paul and Scott and Kristine's Trent share February 18th birthdays.  We first took birthday greetings to Paul for his 2nd birthday and then returned to our home where Scott and Kristine had arranged for celebrating Trent's 24th birthday.   

Celebrating Trent's birthday on February 18th.

Birthday photo taken with my best friend!

I enjoyed being with family members who 

were able to come to help me celebrate.

The family celebration was on Saturday, the day after my birthday.

On the 10th, I celebrated with Sam and Hal and Christy Smith

going to the movie "Lion" and eating at "Kneaders."

 Visiting together after the birthday dinner.

Shannon made the "Cafe Rio" Mexican rice and pulled pork,

and others brought everything else for the meal.

It was delicious.

Tyler, Haley, Marisa, Maggie, Tayler, Kyle, Ryan, Shannon, Corban, Doug,

Todd, Kortney, Jared, Sam,

Derek, Narene, Amy, Jessica, Judd, and Trent

(Most of the younger grandkids were playing downstairs or in the sports court.) 

Jared, Brynlee, Shannon, Taylor, Maggie, Corban, Marisa, Haley, Tyler,

Kyle, Ryan, Todd, Sarah, and Kortney 

 Ryan and Todd

Seated at the table:  Amy, Jessica, Jenna, Chase, Trent, and Judd.

Behind:  Todd, Sarah, Narene, and Marisa 
The floral centerpiece was a gift from Trevor and Megan.
I also got a floral bouquet and candle jar from Shannon and Doug's family.

  

 

Beth crocheted this cover for my Kindle.

On my birthday, Beth brought me a serving of flan,

which is a treat I enjoy when it is available.

I received a candle jar from Marisa
and a gift card for eating out from Ryan and Tani. 

 Sam gave me attractive storage boxes for reorganizing my closet,

which I wanted and appreciate having.

 Having fun in the sports court.

(Jacob, Brynlee, Mason, Isaac, Joshua, Ethan, Doug, Jared, 

Kortney, Kyle, Shannon, and Corban)

Another pretty sky seen from our backyard.

As of this writing, our snow is now gone except some on the mountains,
 and we are currently enjoying spring-like weather.

Opportunities Here and There - Post: 2013

After coming home from our mission, we had been attending church in the Rosebud branch, which was about 45 miles from the farm.  Sam served as the councilor to President Roger Allen, and I served as the Primary president with Patti Busch as my councilor.  Being a small branch, Patti also taught the Senior Primary children, and I taught the Junior Primary.  At first, I also was the chorister; but after the Gilsons moved to Rosebud, she served as the chorister.  Michelle Allen was the accompanist.  Sam and I also served for a time in the Bismarck Temple and appreciated that opportunity to go once a month for the Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday morning sessions.

 

These are the cute kids who regularly attended my CTR class.

(Averie, T.J., Zeidyn, and Rogan 

I also served as the secretary in the Pierre District Relief Society.  The following two photos were taken at our last district enrichment social in Pierre on September 8, 2012, my last time to serve in that position.

Pierre District Relief Society Presidency

Phyllis Rogers (in maroon) - District Primary President

Darlene Olson (left) and Lorena Derflinger (right) - councilors

Narene Ireland - secretary 

Phyllis and I have been friends for years, going back to the time her son Wayne and my son Ryan were in high school together.  When Wayne, Ryan, and Brent were being taught seminary by Phyllis's husband, Bob, she and I would meet to study the Relief Society lessons together.  It has been a pleasure to serve with these ladies.  In addition to being the secretary, Phyllis often had me give one of the lessons, which I did on this day in September.  The theme of my presentation was "Out of the Best Books."   

A group photo of the sisters attending the

Pierre District Relief Society social

on September 8, 2012.

(I took the photo, which accounts 

for the empty chair in the middle.)

In the community, Sam and I worked with Joyce Wilson and others preserving and displaying historical items in the Martin Heritage Center and in promoting other historical events in the community.  Joyce was instrumental along with Rick Zeigler (now deceased) in establishing the Historical Center, and she is the catalyst for sponsoring related historical events.   A major achievement during the year of Martin's Centennial in 2011 was getting a book published with photos and histories of Martin residents, businesses, and organizations.  I worked on that big project with Joyce and Ardeth Kocourek.  We three spent many hours writing, scanning, proofing, and editing. 

  Touring two rural cemeteries, 

 Grace Cemetery and the Lady of the Lake Cemetery. 

 Joyce Wilson (right) organized these tours.

(Sam is in the middle with the gray cap.) 

Now that we are members of another community, we are having the opportunity of different experiences.  We are the coordinators in the Nursery at church, which we are enjoying.  Our ward building is a short five minutes away, which is nice.  Sam and I have also been called to serve in the Provo Temple, which is a wonderful opportunity.  My mother and father served in the Provo Temple years ago when the temple was first dedicated.  I think about that when I am there.

Wherever you go, there are new things to experience and appreciate, and Sam and I are grateful for our good health that we can continue to serve where we can and to enjoy being part of our family, church, and community.  

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Day seemed a good time for Sam and I to add our lock to our family marriage tree that was a gift from our children, which Beth had initiated and Sam and Brent made for our Christmas.  Scott and Kristine's family came Friday evening from Denver and were here for Memorial Day along with their newly married daughter and her husband who added their locks.

Our lock now hangs below the heart with the

inscription, "Ireland Family Tree established 1959."

On the reverse side of the heart, it reads:

"Nourished with love it will grow."

Kristine and Scott add their lock with their name

and the date they were married.

Matt and Brittney are the next generation adding

their lock below Scott and Kristine's.  

Now we have two locks for married grandchildren.

Sarah and Derek had added theirs at Christmas time

placing it below Curtis and Marla's. 

 

It is an annual tradition for the family of Howard and Mary Ireland, Sam's grandparents, to get together on Memorial Day for a reunion.  For years, they gathered in the home of Howard and Mary, and later in the home of Sam's parents here on the farm.  Next, Sam's Aunt Curly hosted these reunions.  As these siblings have grown older, the Memorial Day reunions have been held in the Masonic Lodge in Martin with descendants of the original family taking turns hosting.  This year it was the family of "Shorty" Ireland being in charge of the event.

Forrest Howard "Shorty" Ireland,

born February 10, 1923,

the last living brother of Sam's father.   

Of the 14 children born to Howard and Mary, twelve grew to adulthood.  With the passing of Sam's father on January 26, 2007, and Aunt Berniece "Beanie" this spring, there are now four living siblings.  These four were at the reunion on May 28th.  In addition to Shorty, there were Mable, Eulalia, and Wilma.

Mable Ireland,

born March 27, 1921,

widow of Otto Einspahr.

 

Eulalia "Curly" Ireland,

born September 28, 1924,

married to John Albert "Bert" Mansfield (left).

Bert is the only spouse still alive of the four living siblings.

Wilma Ireland,

born December 24, 1932,

widow of Kenneth Kindred
and also widow of Don DeBoer.

Jean Mansfield, the spouse of deceased

Wayne Ireland,

was in attendance with her daughter Janet Goossen

and granddaughter JuliAnn Hersch.

Memorial Day in Martin always includes a program held at the cemetery sponsored by the American Legion where the community honors those in the military who have lost their lives protecting our freedoms.  

Sam had two uncles who were casualties in World War II,

and they are included on the memorial wall at the cemetery.

 Oscar (February 25, 1918 - April 9, 1945) and

Melvin (March 5, 1920 - August 14, 1943) 

Again this year, the Martin Meadowlarks community choir were part of the program at the cemetery; and we sang "Blowin' in the Wind/America" and "God Bless America."  I enjoy singing with this group.  Our director is Marj Oleske, and we also had a concert last Wednesday evening and sang at the nursing home on Friday afternoon.

Narene and Sam standing by the 

Ireland Memorial entry gate into the Martin cemetery.

It was a sunny, but windy day. 

 Grave site of Sam's parents, Harold and Mabel Ireland.

Part of the Parade of Flags can be seen in the background.

Each flag represents a veteran who has died.

(Rachel, Shannon, Scott, Jenna, Brittney, Kristine, and Matt)

After the program at the cemetery, the Ireland family

members had a potluck meal at the Masonic Lodge.

(Tauna and Brent Ireland in the foreground;

Barbie and Roy Ireland in the background at the left.)

Sam, Weston, and Seth

(sons of Brent and Tauna and our grandchildren)

After the reunion, we visited the Martin Heritage Center

and especially noted things that had belonged to

Irelands or my parents. 

(Granddaughters Rachel, Jenna, and Shannon)

Scott enjoyed showing us the wrestling

uniform he wore as a freshman in high school.

Sam and I had worked on setting up this school room

before the Heritage Center first opened.

Behind Scott is the wall with photos and information

of the 30-plus rural schools formerly in Bennett County.

The Native American room with the outfits

worn by Homecoming royalty brought back memories,

as all members of our immediate family had

the honor of being part of the Homecoming royalty.

The high school team mascot is "Warriors."

The year Doug, our youngest son was a senior,

the royalty was changed from the Native American theme,

though; so he was "King" instead of "Big Chief."

Karen and Bill, Sam's sister and husband, were also

here for the Ireland reunion and Memorial Day.  
We always enjoy their visits.

Here is part of our group before saying goodbye to

Bill and Karen as they get ready to return to Scottsbluff.

(Scott, Brittney, Matt, Kristine, Karen, Bill, Barbie, Roy,

Sam, and Brent)