October

I can't believe this beautiful month is almost past. We have been blessed with warm, sunny cloudless days for nearly the entire month. Today is a mixed bag of weather. Earlier today it rained and I was in the basement due to a tornado warning and a watch is on until 6PM. The wind is blowing the last of the leaves off the trees and the dark sky is lit by brief moments of sunshine. Last week we moved the patio furniture and cleaned out some of the annuals to prepare for winter. I want to hang on.... I feel a sense of sadness during these dwindling days of autumn.

Yet, this was a month of celebration! Starting with Conley's 4th birthday. She celebrated for a week with her family. These are pictures of her princess luncheon.



We also celebrated time together with new found cousins from Nova Scotia who came to visit our known cousins in Kalamazoo. In this picture, Dolly who is my mother's 1st cousin at 92, is enjoying the visit with her daughters, their husbands, great grandchildren and cousins from Holland, MI and Nova Scotia.


It was on one of those beautiful Saturday's when we went to the orchard to pick up some cider and donuts. Yum! Conley and Tom pose in front of the big pumpkin and they look a bit lonely. Last year Conley was here with her Aunt Angie and Uncle Dan and cousins, Hudson, Claire, Cooper and Tucker.

I couldn't wait to give my sister her Christmas Present! So to celebrate genealogy weekend I gave her the book, "The Road to Englishtown," that contains the genealogy of our mother's side of the family. We read our books together and scoured over old pictures. We also visited with our brother, Gordon to hear his stories of his visits with our grandparents, we never knew.

This past weekend we traveled to Wheaton, IL to watch Jack and Natalie while Kim and Chris celebrated 6 years of marriage. Conley came along to play with Jack and be a "big sister" to Jack and Natalie. She was a big help to grandma and grandpa! We sure did get a big smiling greeting from Jack! There is nothing like a grandchild to make one feel important.

Natalie is an easy going baby who loves to lay on a blanket and roll to her toys and watch her brother and cousin. She also spent some time sitting up in the saucer while they danced around her.

So this is October 2010, and a beautiful one it was, praise the Lord! This is a picture from our woods earlier today. I suspect after another day of high winds, the leaves will be a golden path in the woods.

Surprise Visits

A few weeks ago, our son Chris flew to Japan for work so Kim decided to pack up Jack and Natalie and come home for a few days. It was fun and unexpected to see them. I loved having them for lunch and invited Joy and Conley to join us.

Jack wasn't interested in getting into the tractor, a few weeks ago, but when Conley got in with grandpa, Jack wasn't far behind.


Well, it's not a trip to grandma & grandpa's house without a ride on the "scooter, Conley shows Jack what a girl carries in her purse.

Natalie was glad to get out of her infant seat and stretch her legs on a blanket that I laid on when I was her age!


So the next surprise visit was the one we took to Wheaton when Tom's passport didn't clear the airport scanner. This was pretty frustrating but there is nothing like the cute faces of grandchildren to make you smile and feel better.

Birthday Weekend

Hudson and Claire turned four on August 15. Again this year, Dan and Angie planned a day at the outdoor water park in Denver. I guess we were way too busy having fun to take many pictures on that day. Everyone went on a ride. For some the faster the better, others of us liked the slow and easy. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day! but that was only part of the five days in CO.

We enjoyed a stroll through the botanical gardens in Steamboat, a wonderful lunch with Em in Oak Creek, Hudson and Claire time at MacDonald's, the library and park not to mention watching a construction site while eating donuts and chocolate milk. Oh, yes and one cartoon in the hotel room. We also had time with Cooper and Tucker at the Farmer's Market, at home and a short jeep ride before driving to Denver. While in Denver we met up with Aunt Nancy, Hiland, Em and Gary. Then it was birthday cake, gift opening, water slides, fountains, ice cream and the Butterfly Pavilion.

So here are a few photos that captured part of the fun:






All wishes come true as they blow out their candles.


"Oh, my own laptop." These children are so savvy!

So which one of these 1200 butterflies is the prettiest?


"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream," and we did.

Now, time to clean-up. Four jewels in the fountain which one will the fountain bless? All of them are blessed and a blessing!!
Another memorable celebration!


All the partyers!

Dream Summer

This has been a dream summer. It has been 35 years since I have had a summer off from work. It has been the summer I dreamed of. Most days I enjoy a cup of coffee on the front porch, spend time with Jesus and work in the yard. Since it has been a pretty hot summer I even come in for an occasional nap. It's my time to enjoy the small pleasures in life.
Like:

Visiting relatives in Alpena, this is Conley meeting her cousin Jillian who flew in with her mother from the state of Washington.

Having Jack and his little sister, Natalie come for a visit with their mom and dad.

Enjoying corn on the cob, fresh blueberries and blowing bubbles.



I have noticed that the flower garden is a lot more work than in that dream and these hot summer days have been brutal. Yet, I do enjoy the blooms of those drought tolerant holly hocks.

Oh, my lazy, hazy days of summer have been an enjoyable dream come true.

July 4th

Today in church we sang the Star Spangled Banner, first and second verses. I don't ever remember singing the second verse. I thought maybe those who read this blog would be interested in reading it and since this is the day we celebrate our country's birth and liberty, it would be fitting.

The Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key

O thus be it ever, when free men shalt stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
Over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Natalie's Baptism

Natalie's baptism was planned for Father's Day several weeks ago.

Her great-grandparents, and grandparents, aunts, uncle and cousin all set the date on their calendars to attend. Great-grandparents traveled all the way from Colorado to be present at the blessed event. You can only imagine the disappointment when Chris and Kim were informed, the afternoon before, that the service is canceled due to no electrical power in the church.

Kim called her pastor to ask if he would consider performing the baptism without the usual congregational service. He was absolutely willing! Natalie's baptismal service was private, precious and memorable. Jack even had a part when the pastor asked him what he was sprinkling on Natalie's head.

Great-grandpa and Jack explore the baptismal fount.

It was a beautiful and joyous day.

Being Father's Day made it really special for Chris, holding his new daughter and promising to teach her about Jesus' love.

As grandparents, we too, were reminded of God's covenant blessing to generations of believers. Natalie has many generations of relatives that loved the Lord, and grandparents that love her and will pray for her always.


For Jack it was a day about "water". First the symbolism of the washing away of sins and the afternoon of water's cooling pleasure. He and "Monley" entertained each other for hours!