Wiese Guys

The old and the young love their toys.

Kiefer fantasying with the Charlestown Pirate mascot statue.

Three of the 5 generations of Nicolaas'

Papa, Andrew, Kiefer and Nicolaas

Nicolaas

Kiefer, Papa and Andrew playing on Papa's scooter

Andrew did not want to give up the key when he realized it made the scooter go.

Happy 75th Nick

May Days Birthdays - 21 Nicolette, 22 Jarrod, 23 Nick, 29 Heather Anniversary - 21 Nico and Stacy '94 Yes, Sunday May 23th was Birthday- number 75! Nick had a nice day. All the kids called. (NICKs favorites - Steak-chocolate cake-strawberries-boating) Friday, Jenny and Janine brought over a card and gift certificate to Longhorn Steak House. Joni and family brought dinner over to the camper Saturday night. Sunday evening, Jenny and family asked us over for chocolate cake and homemade vanilla ice cream. yumm Our son, Nico (Nicolaas) brought a couple quarts of strawberries to the house - home grown from his backyard. Nicki and family in DC are taking us on a cruise. Janine and family are in FL. Both families called to wish him a happy day.

Our infamous MILO

Breaking News Update: Suspect arrested in Goshen carjacking incident By ROD ROWE THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — An Elkhart man who was watching wildlife behind the Goshen Sam’s Club store was the victim of a car theft around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to police. A suspect was taken into custody, but police hadn’t released his name by The Goshen News’ presstime.

Milo Wiese, Elkhart, explained he was watching turtles in a drainage pond at the southeast corner of the Sam’s-Walmart complex northwest of Goshen when a young man came running up to him, pulled a black handgun and demanded Wiese get out of his car. "He leaned into the window, pulled a gun from his waistband and said ‘You have 30 seconds to get out of that car,’" Wiese said. The young man jumped into the driver’s seat, but had to ask Wiese how to get theshifter out of park. Wiese said he had to explain that the driver must push on the brake pedal to move the shifter. Wiese also was able to retrieve his binoculars and a camera that he had with him. He said the suspect drove his 1992 Honda onto U.S. 33 and headed southeast toward Goshen. "It’s an old car. It has 220,000 miles on it," Wiese said. Goshen police were called to the Walmart, where authorities said a suspect had attempted to steal a cellular telephone and was followed out the store by Walmart security. When security personnel approached the shoplifter, police reported, the suspect lifted his shirt and revealed what appeared to be a handgun. Police say it was that shoplifter who then ran east around the Sam’s building and took Wiese’s car. Minutes later, Elkhart police responded to a one-car crash in the lawn at Mary Beck School at the south edge of Elkhart. Wiese’s Honda went through the intersection of Tipton and McDonald streets at the school, went over the curb and through the school yard. The car stopped in a school parking area, with three flat tires and damage to the undercarriage. Elkhart police apprehended a suspect on foot near the Energy convenience store at South Main and Star streets. Witnesses there said the young man was carrying a gun. Goshen Ptl. Josh Havens went to Mary Beck School, where he met with Elkhart police and took the suspect from them. The suspect, a 16-year-old, may be waived into adult court, Goshen Police Chief Wade Branson said Tuesday night. The boys was arrested on charges of robbery with a deadly weapon, carjacking and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. He was incarcerated in the Elkhart County Jail. Police also found the weapon that was displayed and determined it was a BB gun. Branson said the suspect ran away from Bashor Children’s Home, which is about two miles from the Walmart plaza. Goshen News, April 28, 2010

Derby May 1, 2010

The Historic Twin Towers

We do not gamble, but we do celebrate. Most any excuse will do. It goes back many years, to the time I lived in the shadow of the twin spires. Every spring, Derby “horse” fever would hit the neighborhood. Way back when (1940's) it was “safe” to let your children walk the neighborhood, we neighborhood children would walk over and watch the horses. We could wander all over the backside of the track. Before air conditioning and when houses were open to the breezes of Spring we could hear the race announcer calling the races. Derby Day we parked cars in our front yard - $1 a car. Notice how things have changed and yet they've stayed the same. Sign at the street of someones yard says DERBY PARKING $50 Below the sign : Rich and Patti state, "We did not park there!" Sorry, it was in focus on facebook. Yes, I borrowed some of these pictures from Clara's friends Rich and Patti, who came to Louisville to experience the Derby.

Rich and Patti Traditionally Speaking... Over its 136-year history, the Kentucky Derby has amassed dozens of traditions. From the Twin Spires that overlook the track's famous homestretch to the singing of the “song” to the collectible Derby glasses traditions all are an important part of the Derby experience. Our Kentucky Derby Family has brought together over the years several traditions we hold dear. We always get together – from the time the children were little to now - today. Sometimes, we have an all day party, a family picnic and sometimes we just gather to watch THE race. Sometimes, we have our own Derby Hat parade and judging. Sometimes, when we have the an all day gathering we watch the entire program of televised races and bet with play money. Each one begins the day with $200. One rule is you must bet at least $10 each race. You can not just hold your $200 till the end of the day. The one with the most play money after the Derby runs is the daily winner and wins a Derby glass. Always, we sing the song, My Old Kentucky Home with the TV audience. Always, we cut the names of the horses out of the paper and put them in a hat. A few minutes before the race starts we draw a name out of the hat – beginning with the youngest to the oldest. When the race is running we root for our horse. The one who holds the winning horse also gets a Derby glass.

Locally, Violet won the glass this year AND in the family out of town John won the glass.

2010 Derby Glass

Derby Day 2010

It rained all night on Churchill Downs. It rained all day. The track looked messier than I have ever seen it look in over 60 years of Derby watching. Everyone awaited the slog for the roses. Just as we sang the words “the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home” it was as if someone said “cue the sun” - eight minutes before post time the sun came out.

All the horses were the same color - muddy! Super Saver is in front on the rail at the stretch. The crowd of 155,804 braved heavy early morning rain and sporadic showers thoughtout the day to see Calvin Borel capture his third Kentucky Derby in 4 years on Super Saver.

The Great Steamboat Race !

The Run for the Roses is three days away. Wednesday afternoon, all eyes in Louisville are on the Ohio River and the Great Steamboat Race. Preparing 5th wheel for Safety Patrol and Aux PA activity during the Race

5th Wheel on Station at Duffy's Landing before the crowd fills the parking lot to watch the race.

Coast Guard Aux team preparing to help set a moving picket line for the race -with the Jeffersonville Amphitheatre in the background.

Public Affairs Display on Duffy's Landing

The race began promptly at 6 p.m. from the Clark Memorial Bridge.

Spectators lined the banks of the river as the Spirit of Jefferson and the Belle of Cincinnati race up river.

Belle of Louisville steaming up stream.

The Belle of Louisville is the only authentic paddle wheeler, still operating on steam. She fell behind early and only led for a short time during the return trip back down stream.

Spirit of Jefferson heading back to the bridge. Spirit of Jefferson and Belle of Cincinnati are both diesel powered.

Nick and crew following the steamboats in the moving picket line. The Belle of Cincinnati won the silver antlers.

Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville

Begin the day long celebration with the Air Show ! U S Coast Guard Helicopter U S Air Force Hornet U S Air Force Warthog

U S F16 Falcon Fighter

U S Army Chinook

Lima Lima Team

Saturday, April 17, 2010 Thunder Over Louisville is not only the official opening ceremonies for the two weeks of the Kentucky Derby Festival, it is also the nation's largest annual fireworks show.

March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb

March blew in and out so fast. Nick and siblings - Milo, Marianne made their planned heritage trip to Holland. Their brother Bill, who was to make the journey with them, died suddenly of a heart attack just before the trip. He was greatly missed. They came back with so many pictures I dont know where to begin to put them on the blog. A tip from Nicki, enabled me to take advantage of an opportunity to create a picture book at a great, highly reduced promotional price. I was able to make the 2 day deadline- 82 pages and 295 pictures later. My first book ever. I will try to link it up to the blog soon. While Nick was in Europe, Clara and I and Joni went to DC to visit Nicki. While we were there we celebrated young Clara's entrance into double digit birthdays - the big 10. I have a few pictures. Joni and Nicki took several. Will also try to get them posted soon. Easter was a beautiful day We were so blessed to be able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with family.

********************************************** Let me try to catch up on my blogging beginning with youngest. --- This is the Wiese Family over Easter/Springbreak. Stacy sent me the pictures and I am grateful. I believe they visited Cincinnati and the bridge is the pedestrian bridge over the Ohio River. They also visited the Louisville Zoo.

On the ground: Stacy, Nico, Andrew In the tree: Kiefer, Nicolaas, Sierra

Kiefer scored ten goals (soccor) this week-end and is also missing two more teeth.

Sierra got straight A's and is on the tennis team.

Nicolaas got A's and B's and has been selected for mempership in the Junior Honor Society.

This is their new puppy, a golden-doodle named, "Friedley" Andrew on the bridge. Above and below:

Kiefer - Where the wild things are! Andrew with the animal they named "Walking teeth"

"I'm forever blowing bubbles Pretty bubbles in the air- They fly so high They nearly reach the sky..... " Ggpa song

Nicolaas and Nico