Loose teeth

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE:
Dreams do come true, well almost... Louka got $10 for his first tooth, we suspect only because it was his first tooth and because he took such good care of it. Kali got $5 for her tooth.

UPDATE:
Louka's first tooth came out today, Wed. Aug. 29, 2007. It got very loose, dad was wiggling it -- and Louka wiggled away, leaving the tooth in dad's hand. When asked what he thought the tooth fairy would bring, he said $20. Dream on, little man! Disappointment is a lesson we learn early in life.

Here's a coinky-dink (one of my fav words): 17 year old Kali had her LAST baby tooth pulled out by the dentist earlier this morning. Kali told the dentist she IS going to put hers in her tooth fairy pillow tonight, too. Guess the tooth fairy gets a 2-for-1 trip!

Original post:

Louka has his very first loose tooth! He noticed it today, Aug 24, two days after he turned 6. Tammy and the girls lost all their baby teeth very late -- 17 year old Kali still has baby teeth, as does 14 year old April. Tammy is busy at work making Louka his very own tooth fairy pillow, with his name on it (dinosaur fabric of course), as she made for each of the girls. The tooth fairy is expected to make a visit in the next few days. Rose got $1 for her first tooth, April got $5 for his first tooth -- inflation takes it's toll. Tammy recalls getting a quarter, or a 50 cent piece.

Dennison kids, did the "tooth fairy" visit you? What was your prize? If not, what prompted you to begin the tradition for your children?

Louka's 6th Birthday

Louka had a terrific birthday party on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007. He had eleven children at a party at the Pomplun home. It was noisy, chaotic, but the kids had a great time. Louka chose a dinosaur theme, because he loves dinosaurs and can name at least 20 species. Becka helped Louka and Tammy make the take-home "goodie bags" which were paper mache dinosaur eggs. A paper mache dinosaur pinata, a homemade dinosaur cake and dinosaur decorations completed the theme. Many games were planned, but the kids had more fun at free play. In addition to Becka and Maddie, Grace Bolden attended.

We heard Bobby had a terrific birthday party the weekend before. Post your pics and news about the event. How did our other August birthday celebrants mark the occasion?

Migranes and other health issues

I'm sitting here snuggling Louka, who has yet another migraine (second this week). Five years old and he suffers migraines regularly. It's so sad, so scary. Silent tears drop as I hold him and we pray for him to get better and for it not to be anything more serious. Tammy, Rose and Jasmine all suffer migraines, but Louka is by far the youngest to start -- the others didn't start until their teens. Our migraines, including Louka's, include severe headache, sensitivity to light, and vomiting. We're tracking our headaches related to being outdoors (allergies) and sugary foods (diabetes) to see if there is any link there.
Do you suffer migraines, allergies, or other possibly genetic ailments? PLEASE add your comments to this, so that we might see a common thread, genealogy, for these pains.

Concerts

April, Secondhand Serenade, Christa
Kali, April and April's friend Christa Muchow went to see a concert last night, Secondhand Serenade. Christa is the daughter of Mitch Muchow and Laurie Fesenfeldt (the sister of one of Lisa's best friends growing up, Leora). Christa is the granddaughter of Carol Muchow.
April is quite the concert girl. She's seen Nickelback, Staind, Fall Out Boys, and Augstana.
Tammy recalls seeing Bachman, Turner Overdrive in concert (BTO). Louie remembers seeing Little Ritchie.
What concerts have you seen?

The Wiggles

Tammy, Rose and Louka, along with the little boy Rose takes care of (Daniel) had a great time seeing The Wiggles (characters from a children's TV show) Live at the Coliseum in Madison on Thursday, August 16.
Rose recalled seeing Sesame Street Live and Mickey and Minnie's Revue Live and when she was a little girl at the Coliseum.
Tammy vaguely remembers her fifth birthday when her mom took a huge group of her friends to a Madison TV station to see a live show. Was it the Bozo the Clown show? She also remembers going to the Coliseum to see the Circus.

Weekend in the Dells

The long, tired, red ride home...
The Pomplun family enjoyed a relaxing weekend in the Dells. Louie, Tammy, Kali, April and Louka stayed overnight Saturday. They went to Wizards Quest in downtown Dells and an outdoor movie. Kali saved the day (rather night) by finding a motel with a vacancy after the place Tammy booked turned out to be a dive!
Rose and Jasmine (and their friends) joined the family on Sunday for a free day at RiverView Park and Waterworld.
Tammy, Louie and Kali all came home scorched, despite sunblock. All came home very tired!
When's the last time you've been to the Dells? What do you do/see when you go?

Den(n)ison Family History

Here is the Denison (Dennison) genealogical info I have, with actual copies of the birth, marriage and death certificates. I believe I got this info from a Denison cousin at a recent (1990's?) family reunion at Lake Leota Park in Evansville.

Denison (Dennison) Genealogical Info

Birth Certificate for Baby Denison (Harry Sylvester), born Sept. 11, 1909, male, white, single birth, number in order of birth, third, third living; legitimate? Yes; father Fred Denison, age 28, born in England; Farm Laborer; mother Margeret Hopkins, age 22, born in WI, housewife; residence Oregon RFD, attending physician or midwife, J. M Brew? MA, Oregon, WI

Death certificate for Harry Sylvester Dennison (two N’s printed); pronounced dead Aug. 1, 1989 at 11:08 a.m. , age 79, county of death, Sawyer, Hayward, WI, natural causes, no autopsy. Cause: acute myocardial infarction, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Burial in Maple Hill Cemetery, Evansville, WI; Divorced; Residence listed as Town of Bass Lake, Sawyer County, WI, Route 2, Box 2312A, 54843; State of birth, WI, Father, Fred Denison, mother Margaret Hopkins; Education: 8; Armed Forces: No; Occupation: Carpenter in building industry

Birth certificate for Anna L. Cole, born Aug. 20, 19__ (not filled in or cut off in printing), Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky, born at Second Street Hospital or Institution, female, legitimate, second child born to this mother, one now living; Birth certificate info furnished by Felix W. Cole, father, attendant – Dr. J.W. Grubbs; Father: Felix W. Cole, white, 31 years old, born in Logan County, KY, telegraph operator; Mother: Anna Loafman, white, 25 years old, born in Logan County, KY, housewife

Marriage certificate for Harry Dennison (two N’s) and Anna Cole married on the ____ (nothing printed) day of July, 1941, filed in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana.

Fred Denison born 1882 in Leeds, England

Married Margaret Hopkins on March 10, 1906 by Justice Norton in Rockford IL

Margaret Hopkins born April 10, 1887 in Brooklyn Township

Fred Denison Certificate of Naturalization, age 61, Male, White, light complexion, blue eyes, grey hair, 5’11”, married; Petition #3061, Rock Co., Nov. 12, 1943; Residing in Town of Union, Rock Co.

Their children: (15)
Ellsworth born 4-4-07, died 4-4-82, heart
Margaret, born ?4-8-8?, died 2-20-32
Harry Sylvester, born 9-11-09, died 1989, heart
Elizabeth Delfina, born 12-1-10, died 12-21-10, unknown
Leland Standford, born 4-27-11, died 2-14-72, unknown
Harriett Stella, born 1-31-15, died 2-23-89, heart
Ruth, born 9-20-16, died 4-23-84, heart
Eva Belle, born 4-3-18, died 8-28-?, heart
Grace Udean, born 12-28-19, died 7-16-19? Of cancer
Clifford Duane, born 7-8-21, died 4-30-86
Leonard, born 4-18-23, died ___, 200?
Bessie Mae, born 9-3-24, died 3-4-19? Of cancer
Fred Jr., born 2-27-27, died 1-6-88 of cancer
Mary Louise, born June 28, 1929

Fred died July 17, 1949 in Evansville, WI
Margaret died Dec. 17, 1949

Leedle Denison
Born 1860 in Leeds England
Had three sisters: Mrs. William Johnson of Evansville; Agnes Thayer of Colorado; Eva Carberry of Iowa
Married Lady Elizabeth Richards of Leeds, England (born Dec. 25, 1878)
Leedle came to America in 1882, A year later sent for wife and two sons
Lived in Cooksville until 1920 then Evansville employed in punch room of Baker Manufacturing

Leedle - Died 1941 in Evansville, WI, 9:30 p.m. at Mercy Hospital, seriously ill for two weeks, funeral at Congregational Church by Grant Clark, Allen Funeral Home
Was a member of Masonic, Odd Fellows and Eastern Star

Elizabeth - Died 4-15-1940

Celebrated 50^th anniversary in 1928

WHY'D HE DO IT?

I think we're all in agreement that it was Harry Sylvester Denison who forever changed the spelling of the name Denison to Dennison. The questions are when and why? Do you have the answers? Please reply by clicking on "comments."

Click on "comments" to see Judy's response to the why.

Here is something interesting:
Harry's actual birth certificate only says Baby Denison (with one N). His name was filled in later. On their wedding certificate Harry's name is spelled with TWO N's and Harry's death certificate has TWO N's. By the way, an actual copy of their marriage certificate does not give a date in July, that space is left blank. It says "On the ______ day of July, 1941." Does anyone know the date?

Also, some of us have kidded about the prolificness of Harry and Anna -- but did you know that they were married in July of 41 and didn't have their first child until Jan of 44? So they waited nearly two years before their first child.

Young Aunts

You may remember that Dawn Cronin was only six years old when she became an aunt to Tammy (Babler) Pomplun in 1963. Tammy's mom Linda was the oldest child of Harry and Anna, Dawn was the youngest.
Now, Dawn's daughter Becka became an aunt at the age of six with the birth of Maddie Cronin in 2005. Maddie's dad Cole was the oldest, Becka was the youngest.
Bev Crans' daughter Katelyn first became an aunt at the age of eight when Tracy had Megan in 1994. Tracy was the oldest; Katelyn the youngest.

This all ties into the span of giving birth. Anna had children over thirteen years from 1944 to 1957. Bev had kids over a 21 year span from 1965 to 1986. Dawn had kids from a thirteen year span, from 1986 to 1999? Tammy also had kids over a 21 year span, in three separate decades -- one in 1980, (and 86 and 88) one in 1990 (and 93), and one in 2001.

Babysitters

Many of the aunts tell Tammy how they used to babysit her and Lisa, telling stories about them getting flour all over the house, and giving them piggy back rides from the park to their house. Which sisters babysat the Babler girls or other kids? How old were you and the kids? What other memories do you have of babysitting them? Judy still cares for many of her nieces and nephews.

The babysitting chain continues. Tammy used to care for Shona Burns and Janna and Billy Boettcher. Sandy Traxler is wonderful with her nieces and cares for them often. Katelyn Crans and the Pomplun girls have all cared for Becka and Maddie Cronin. Who else has done babysitting and for whom? What memories do you have of it?

Picture taken by April Pomplun when she was babysitting Becka and Maddie Cronin.

Block Party!

Click on the pics to see them enlarged.

The Pompluns hosted their annual block party for the people in their neighborhood. Although it started out rainy and became very hot and humid, everyone had a good time. We also celebrated Teresa Kimberley's 55th birthday at the birthday. You may remember that Teresa, who is mentally retarded, grew up across the street from the Bablers. Teresa now lives at the Kelly House, a nursing home in Evansville. Everyone was so happy that Linda came down for the event.

Have you had block parties in your neighborhood or do you remember any parties as kids? Tell us about them.

First pic: Betty Fellows, April Pomplun, Teresa Kimberley (seated), Louie Pomplun, Steve Kimberley
Second pic: Tammy and Louka Pomplun, Emmy Hurtley, Linda Babler, Don and Doris McCaslin, Teresa Kimberley, Gary Hurtley
Third pic: Rose Pomplun at the party with the baby she takes care of (Katelyn)
Fourth pic: Kali Pomplun at the party.

Church

I was talking to someone the other day, who had said that Anna Dennison went to church regularly. I recall her coming to the Methodist Church in Evansville with Linda Babler occasionally, and later she went to the Baptist Church with her sister-in-law, Ruth Corning. Does anyone have any memories of Anna being religious? I do know some of her favorite songs were church hymns, Amazing Grace and The Old Rugged Cross.
What about Harry? I've heard it said that while he didn't go to church, he was a "godly" sort of person.
How about their parents? Does anyone remember Fred and Margret going to church? Any stories of Felix and Annie (Loafman) being of a particular faith?
How about the Dennison sisters and Art? Does anyone remember going to church as a child? Where? When?

Great America Six Flags

Anyone go to Six Flags this year? Louka earned a free ticket to Great America from school by reading 6 hours, so the Pomplun's are planning on going -- no date set yet. This school promotion is smart thinking by Six Flags. Give away one free kids ticket and get six other adults to pay, plus all the food and other goodies they buy.

WI Dells, Sun, Aug. 12

For those who don't know and don't already have plans, WJVL radio station in Janesville (99.9), offers free tickets to RiverView Park and Waterworld in the Dells on Sunday, August 12, 2007. Tickets are available at Book World across from Janesville Mall or at 1 Parker Place, WJVL.
The Pomplun family goes every year for this low-cost fun day.

Evansville's Rummage Sales

Well, we made it. The rummage sale days are over. Dawn and Tammy had a sale at the Pompluns and sold a lot of stuff -- but still had a lot left over, which they plan to donate to the local (Goodwill type) Care Closet or other worthwhile organization. Ironically, Friday, the day before the City-wide sale, was busier than the official Sale Day. It was a lot of work! The kids had fun playing together, and everyone enjoyed a brat cookout (except Dawn who hates brats, and of course the vegetarians, Tammy and April, but all enjoyed the other food) on Saturday afternoon.

We had a great idea to put up Louka's bounce house (a big inflatable house little kids climb in and jump in) in the front yard. That way, people really notice the sale, AND kids have so much jumping that they don't want to leave, so the parents shop more. But we probably spent more on electricity than we made at the sale!

The rain started coming at about 1 on Saturday so we started closing up much earlier than we had planned. The Pomplun's use their proceeds for a day at the Dells (Next Sunday) -- the Cronins each keep their own money from their own stuff, including Maddie and Becka!

High School Days

What better way to remember your high school days than to look in the old high school yearbooks -- or would you rather not? At Girls' Night, Beverly showed photocopies of Linda, Bev, and Art from the 1962 yearbook. Tammy plans to go to the high school library and see if they have a yearbook that she can scan these images, and the rest of the Dennison kids', and have them available on this post.

By the way, what activities did you do in high school (be nice!)
For Linda, it said, GAA (what is this?), French Club, Glee Club...

will add more info as it becomes available!

Geneology

Several of us are interested in the family's geneology, especially Judy, who has a wealth of information, and Tammy. What can you add to this? Please fill in the blanks.

----------------

Harry Dennison, born Sept. 11, 1901 in Elkhorn, WI; married Anna Cole in July 1941 (no date on marriage certificate); died Aug. 1, 1989 in Hayward, WI

Harry was the son of Fred Denison, born 1881 Leeds, England; married Margaret (Marguerite/spelling?) Hopkins on March 10, 1906; had 15 children; died July 17, 1949 in Evansville
and
Marguerite Hopkins, born April 10, 1887 in Brooklyn Township; died Dec. 17, 1949 in Evansville

Fred was the son of
Leedle Denison, born 1860 in Leeds England; married 1878; died 1941 in Evansville
and
Lady Elizabeth (Richards) Denison, born 1858, died April 15, 1940 in Evansville
celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1928 in Union Township

Elizabeth Richards Denison was the daughter of _____________ and ___________ Richards.

-------------------------

Anna Lavelle Cole, born Aug. 20, 1919, Bowling Green, KY; died Sept. 20, 2002

Anna was the daughter of
Felix Winfield Cole, Sr., born_____; married Annie Caroline (Loafman) on __________; had ________ children; died ________
and
Annie (Anna) Caroline Loafman, born _______ (1895) in Kentucky; died ___________

Felix W. Cole was the son of ____________ and _________________
Annie Loafman was the daughter of _______________ and _____________Loafman.

Girls Night Out

Fun, fun! Girls Night was wonderful, with dinner on the lake at Piasons, followed by the musical. Everyone agreed it was Sue Ellen up there on stage, her part-counterpart in true form. Some of the sisters have said we should get together once a month, even if just to go for coffee. Special, special thanks to Dawn for arranging this get-together and pre-paying for the tickets.

Recipes

Here's a good one. Add your favorite recipe by clicking on "comments" and typing it in. Alice has some really good ones, and sent Kali, who loves to cook, a recipe book with her favorite recipes. Our family favorite, of Aunt Alices, is the Spinach Salad with Brianna's red wine vinagrette, very easy, but ummm so good. I'll post it later. Also, if you have any with family history, please say so, who used to make it, and any special pointers they gave you, like Grandpa Harry's peanut brittle or Grandma Anna's garlic chicken.

Pianists and other musicians

In addition to equestrians, we have several pianists in the family (hmmm.... we must have English blood in us, ya think?)

Becka Cronin is currently taking piano lessons. I asked if her mom or dad played and she said, no, her mom knew the notes, but it was Grandma Dennison who played. Tammy and Lisa took lessons as kids. The Weber kids also take (or took) lessons. Rose and Jasmine took piano lessons, but not their younger siblings (don't know why, just got too busy/expensive with four/five kids, I guess). As adults, Linda and Sue both took piano lessons and both play quite well.

Tammy also played guitar, Rose played the alto saxophone, and Jasmine, for a year, the flute. Did you or your kids play any other instruments? If so, what?

Do you remember Anna Dennison playing the piano? What did she like to play? Please share those memories with us by clicking on the "comments."