New Jersey

Michele here... I just got back from a business trip to New Jersey! The company I work for is teamed up with a technology firm located in NJ. I traveled there last Sunday with 3 other coworkers to work on a new IT system that we are building together. We have an October 27th deadline to get it implemented and running. The trip was mostly all work and no play, but we managed to squeeze two late evenings in of site seeing. The first night we took the train into NYC around 5:15 pm and arrived at Penn Station, which is underneath Madison Square Garden. We walked down Broadway Street and through Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and saw the Empire State Building! We also did some quick shopping in the NYC memorabilia shops and stopped in at the M&Ms World store. It was 3 floors of M&Ms madness, which I thought was pretty cool myself! We got back pretty late and the next day was a rough one. The last evening we were in town, the company we are working with wined and dined us at a fancy restaurant along the Jersey Shore. The tide was literally less than 10 feet from where I sat and we had a beautiful view of Long Beach. We had five courses! They ordered shrimp and octopus for our appetizers. Yes, I said octopus! I tried it and felt like I was on an episode of Fear Factor. I will have to say, I held myself together very well in front of the executives of the other company. I then proceeded to order a 10 oz. steak =). We headed back home late Friday and faced delays out of Newark and Chicago, but I finally made it home and have spent most of today relaxing!

Overall, it was a very productive trip! I am grateful for the opportunity to have went out there and learned so much!

The Empire State Building

Broadway Street & Times Square

The M&Ms World Store

The set of "Good Morning America"

Rockefeller Center

Another view of The Empire State Building

The Hudson River

Long Beach (Jersey Shore)

 Baked Octopus at The Avenue off Ocean Avenue

Times Square. . . .

Mishi was in New York tonight!! Wow!

San Francisco. . . . .

Jessica flew to San Francisco early last Wednesday morning for a conference. It was a very fast and exhausting trip. Before she left, she was anxious about going, but in the end, she thought it was so cool. And so glad she got to go! 

Alcatraz

Alcatraz at night......

Jessica & Pat (Executive Vice President)

(Pat's office is right next to Jessica's)

This is a video that Jessica took of the San Francisco Airport. Oh dear . . . . .

Topeka. . . . .

Of course. . . . . I went to Topeka this weekend to see the girls. The last couple years Jessica has told me about "Cider Days". And this year I decided to check it out. A BIG ole craft fair! I think we walked till we dropped. :-)

It was nice bonding. Our girls are growing up. Time seems to just pass us by! Last week Jessica was in San Francisco. (Post to come!) This week Michele is in New Jersey. How exciting!! Roger and I. . . . we will be in. . . . . Voda Kansas. haha hehe 

Random picture of the girls house. We had told Grandma Ummel that we would put a picture on here so she could see their house. Go figure that the last couple times I was in Topeka, we would forget to snap a picture. They have lived here since May and this is the very first one taken. 

 

Yep. . . . they are growing up!

Ness County News

Descendants of the late Henry and Katherine Ummel gathered for a family reunion on Sept. 1 and 2, 2012. Glada Ummel and family were the hosts and organized activities that included a fabulous dinner prepared by Herb Schwartkzopf at the Ransom VFW. Plaques made by Corina Ummel on weathered wood from the home farm buildings were presented to each family. Family members spent Saturday exploring the Arnold countryside and returning to the old homesteads of relatives and family members, the Arnold cemetery, high school and Methodist church. Ralph, who died in 2008, and Glada's family was represented by all their descendants that included 17 members: Audrey Ummel, Hays; Roger and Corina Ummel, Voda; Jessica Ummel, Michele Ummel, Topeka; Gabe Pierce, Topeka; Vicki and Dennis Dick, Cara and Kimberly, Wichita; Conor Travis, Wichita; Alan and Miranda Dick, Kayla and Caroline. Topeka; Kathryn and Tanner Nickelson, Teagan and Thane, Olathe; Other activities included a visit to the Ness County Historical Museum, the Oil and Ag Museum and the Veterans Memorial park in Ness City. Saturday night Roger and Corina hosted the group at their home which most of the younger generation (plus the oldest of the siblings) immensely enjoyed. Sunday morning the group gathered at the Arnold farm for a noon meal and outside activities primarily for the grandkids. A special treat for the noon meal was homemade ice cream made in Grandpa Ummel's handcranked ice cream freezer. Dennis Dick had completely dismantled, repaired the crank and bucket and had it in perfect condition for making ice cream. This brought back memories of past occasions of ice cream made in the old family freezer. Others attending: Evelyn Clark, Linda and Larry Dreyer, Darla and Brad Dauffenbach, Kevin Clark, Wichita; Mildred Fink, Don Fink, Bob and Donna Fink, Eunice Ummel, Salina; Don and Doris Ummel, Des Moines, Iowa; Dennis Ummel, Robyn Cleveland, Urbandale, Iowa; Dawn and John Goodlove, Marion, Iowa; Ken and Beth Ummel, Wichita; Marvin and Bonnie Ummel, The Villages, Florida; Craig and Jill Ummel, Chad, Omaha, Nebraska. A special recognition was given to Don and Doris Ummel who will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov.22, 2012.

The 2013 reunion will be in Wichita with Evelyn Clark and family as hosts.

Never forget. . . . September 11, 2001

Ummel West 2012

This year the annual Ummel Reunion was out here. . . . . West. The planning took some time, but I think everyone had a great time. Saturday evening we had a big meal at the Ransom VFW. Herb did a great job cooking the food!! Very delicious!! I didn't hear one complaint. Great meal. Door prizes. Lots of talking. And LOTS of fun! Can't wait till next year!!!!!!

my funny. . . . . this is the original homestead outhouse door!! :-)

 Don ~ Beth ~ Marvin ~ Glada

Doris ~ Ken ~ Bonnie

Evelyn ~ Millie ~ Eunice

The Ralph & Glada Ummel family.

The Roger & Corina Ummel family

Fun times. . . . . Old

and young

Michele & Uncle Ken ~ Laser tag anyone??  :-) hehe

Our MOST wanted door prize winner ~ Linda

Evelyn

Jill & Craig

The Cousins with their children. . . . .  :-)

Vicki, Jessica & Gabe

 

Michele, Grandma & Alan

Glada

The Marvin & Bonnie Ummel family

Tanner & Thane

Don & Doris

                   

The "Cousins" having WAY too much fun!!

 

Our "Birthday Girl"

Linda & Darla

Linda, Donnie & Millie

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After our wonderful meal, Roger and I were going to have a bonfire and make s'mores. Well, we ended up doing neither. 1~ We are in a burn ban because of the dry weather. 2~ Everyone was too full for the s'mores. But we did have a great time visiting. The evening was planned for everyone. Something for the "young uns". But we got joined by the oldest child. . . . Aunt Evelyn. Now, how much fun is that??!!?!?!?!!

Ever hear of such a thing?? Glow sand! The "littles" had soo much fun!!
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Sunday. .. . another day of fun, food & visiting at the farm.

Happy Birthday Teagan!!

See you next year in Wichita!!!!