Proud Parents...

Happy 17th Birthday Tyler....

Tyler it's hard to believe you entered our family 17 years ago!

WOW where has the time gone?

17 years ago we were blessed by your presence into our family. You have brought us so much joy and happiness. We are so proud of the man you are growing into.

We have seen you mature so much in the last 6 months.

You have

*left us to go work at Lake Ann for the summer

*drove to LA..2½ hrs away.

*mananaged to know when your laundry day is without me

*volunteered at LA beyond your 'job'

*see beyond yourself

*have taken to being a great big brother!

We can't wait to see the work God is doing in your life when you come back in August. God has a special plan for your life and it's been our priviledge to see you grow and make good decisions!

We are so so proud of you Tyler! You are an Amazing Son!

Dad and Mom

Shipsie...

The girls took a road trip!

On Tuesday, we headed for the border....the Indiana border! It's kind of a fun tradition to go to Shipshewana every couple of years.

Janice wasn't able to come to Michigan to see Julie and family but she was able to meet us at Shipsie.

Obviously, we parked at gate 14...and started our shopping! Tote bags & fanny packs in hand.

Hannah, Joanne, Julie, Janice & Linda were all present for the shopping extravaganza.

Here Hannah is trying the XXX hot salsa...don't worry she only lost feeling in her tongue for 20 minutes!

Hannah, Julie & Janice in a booth surveying the goods....

It was a hot and steamy day....90°...but we persevered...we rewarded our efforts with Frozen Lemonade and Drumsticks.

While we were enjoying lunch in the shade along comes Chris & Jerri Coates....I knew they were going to be there...but never thought we would see each other!

Posing for a rare sister shot...okay, no one told me we were standing in that direction. This IS in birth order, just in case you were wondering...Julie, Janice and Joanne.

Julie and Janice look like twins (and very much like my mom!)..I don't know where I came from???

Here we are in front of a store in the town of Shipshewana. We recognized the bench and recalled that we had our picture taken about 5-6 years ago on the same bench. Notice how I edited out our thighs...Ü!

This is going down as the most expensive Shipsie trips we've taken!...Hannah purchased a Tea Cup Chihuahua at the flea market.

Ladies and Gentleman, with out further adieu meet...

Indy Anna Henderson.....

She weighs in at 1.8 lbs and is almost 3 months old.

Busy Week....

On Saturday Tod, Julie and Hannah arrived from CA. We were having a good time visiting and playing games, when Hannah came upstairs carrying Trent...not a good sign.
I thought he was being too wild, so she was carrying him up...nope!

He had fallen on an end table in the basement and split his head open! It appeared he was going to need a couple of stitches. Steve and Tod took off for the Med-Center around 9:30....arriving back home around 11:30..not bad.

Trent was a real trooper. It is hard for this area to get numb, so they just put on a topical and start stitch'n. Steve said he never shed a tear..he's one tough cookie!

The crazy thing is, he was signed up for camp starting Monday..how would we get his stitches out in the recommended 5 days??? Lucky for us, one of our friends is the camp nurse so we cornered her on Sunday and she agreed to take them out on Wed. BTW...she called and she was able to take them out tonight.

Never a dull moment.
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Father's Day...

With all the busyness, we oped to go out to eat on Father's Day..I know, we should have grilled.

We went up to Cronk's Oakridge, it's a family type restaurant in Newaygo. We frequent it often..maybe too often!

Here's the crew that came. Neil & Bonnie, Troy, Dad & Linda, Hannah, Tod & Julie, Trent and Joanne (Steve taking the picture)

Steve and Trent (he's trying to show off his stitches)

Steve's gift, as at home, on the back patio waiting for a steak.







Dad...opening his present..oh, it's a red shirt and cashews.






Neil opening his present...oh, it's a shirt and a photo book. I made a book of the photo's of our 4-wheeling trip.
It's a great gift idea if you are stumped for a gift. You can make them online or right at Walmart (I'm getting a cut from all their photo book sales)



We are blessed to have great Dad's and Grandpa's. You guys rock....

EVERYONE LOVES A PARTY!!

Recently, our beloved neighbor, Bob Brott turned 85!

A couple of months ago, Bob was telling me about how his birthday was coming in June.

The wheels started turning, as I was cleaning for him.

My thought...a neighborhood birthday party...yes, that's it, a party!

We gathered on his front lawn on Monday night to celebrate with him! It was so fun to see an 85 year old's excitement!

Some brought plates, some silverware, some drinks, cake, ice cream....

We all pitched in...and he really enjoyed himself!

The kids on his porch..Katie, Landon, Jack & Trent

We are very fortunate to have wonderful neighbors. Bob has been a great neighbor to us. He & Lola moved in the year before Tyler was born. Lola passed away 2 years ago this December.

We even planned a block party for this summer while we were there! How fun will that be!

He told me the next day, he had not had a birthday party thrown for him, since he was a kid!

THE U.P. 4-Wheeling Trip

We were UPers for a week-end.

Here we are posing in front of the campground sign..all 8 Quads. (Three Lakes Campground)

Yeah...that's my camera on the yellow line of the road...good thing there isn't a lot of traffic up there!




This is one of the crazier places we rode. Along a railroad tracks....not the smartest ride! On one stretch there was a lake right next to us, I mean right next to us! Can you say c-r-a-z-y!





We rode to Fiborn Quarry and had lunch. This is an old quarry that was active in the early 1900. We parked under this nice pavilion that they left for us!

One of the many pictures of us all waiting....

On one of the days we went to an old military training base. There were lots of hills and bunkers to climb..a boys dream! Here is a picture of Steve jumping one of the hills.

Like father like son (Tyler)

Like father like son (Troy)

By a lake we stopped at..some UP beauty!

Tahquamenon Falls

The whole gang in front of the Falls...
The Wilsons, The Buckners, The Buckners & The Buckners

Lots and lots of dirty faces! Have you ever tried to take a bath with a wet wipe? Let me just tell you, it doesn't work well!

Here is Troy, Florin, Nic, Tyler & Trent




There were definite some memories that were made this week-end in June!

I can recall....

*getting caught in the rain two hours away from our tents.

*The dirt..need I say more.

*The mosquito's..all over, but I must say I didn't get even one bite!
*Old Red died.
*Seeing Grandpa & Grandma making a memory with their grand kids!
*Seeing cousins and friends having fun together without a TV.
*Seeing Florin and Darrick hauling in the 'mother load' of firewood.

*Hearing how the Big Boys (Craig, Steve & Darin) went out one night riding.

*Begging the Williams to let us use their cottage to shower.

*Hearing about how Steve had to pull Darin out of a mud puddle! One of Steve's prouder moments!

*The primitive campground...where are the showers and flush toilets?

*The massive fire the kids built to burn up all our firewood...the mom's were in their tents and the dad's were riding. Kristi..."G-pa & G-ma's motor home is glowing!"

Spending time together as a family...PRICELESS!!

Happy Birthday Troy.....

Here we are eating at Bostons Pizza and Sportsbar. We were overjoyed to find out that Bostons serves Gluten Free Pizza! Troy said "It was great pizza!"
What a fun dinner, when you don't have to worry about what to order! Neil & Bonnie and Dad & Linda were able to join us, so that made it extra special! They forgot a pizza topping so they went ahead and gave the kids this one and then brought out a whole other pizza...I'm thinking...lunch!

Here he is opening some of his presents

a machete

Happy Birthday Troy! You have brought us so much joy over the last 14 years. Your sweet smile and cute laugh. We always thought you looked like a Precious Moment figurine! You have blessed our life in so many ways. We are so so lucky God blessed us with you! Our little Troy-Boy!

The Week-end....

Saturday we went to Traverse City..well actually, Elk Rapids. Jared Isenhart graduated and they had his party on Saturday

afternoon. They had it at an enclosed pavilion right on the bay..it was a pretty location..but a bit cold and windy...but no rain..yeah!

Steve and Craig

Troy and Nic







At The Hotel.....

We booked a room in Traverse City and hung out with the boys...swimming, Cracker Barrel, hot tub..you know all, the fun stuff when you are hoteling it.

Trent showing off his jumping




Mini Golfing....

Sunday morning slept in, ate at the breakfast bar, pool/hot tub, took a nap, all before noon! We played a round of mini golf, at a near by course, then off to Lake Ann Camp.

Lake Ann is about 30 minutes West of Traverse City. Tyler drove up, so we would have his vehicle there, in case he wanted to come home on a week-end. He is on the cleaning crew. He will be doing a lot of vacuuming, moping, toilets.... We were able to meet with his boss, Doug Miller and the dorm-type parents, Tom and Dana. They all seem like great people. This will no doubt be a life changing summer for him. He will be much more independent when he arrives back in August. He will grow spiritually by leaps and bounds! I'm so excited for him and his future....the man he is becoming! Did I just call him a man?? WHOA!!

We were also able to show Troy around, as he is gonna be a camper for the first time this year! I think he is even kinda of excited about going...not that he would admit it! We looked at the boys cabins, new dining hall, new chapel, beach.... a lot has changed since I was a camper many years ago! Like paved paths....it used to be dirt and tree roots galore! It is very very nice.

I was so proud of myself, I didn't even shed a tear when we said good bye to Tyler...I'm so tearing up now though.

And Sunday....

She chewed up Steve's brand new hat from the Eddie Bauer store. She took a chunk right out of bill, while we were at church. She must have known how much he loved that hat.

Buying a hat for Steve is like a women buying a purse..it's gotta meet a lot of criteria! As a matter of fact, he bought one at the Nike store but then decided after a day that really didn't like it's feel. Now, I have to admit, Steve is not this picky on most anything..I can buy him a size 10 shoes...and he's good...Target, Meijers, Kohl's..anywhere..but hats, that's a different story!

Then there's me....I'm picky about everything.....I think I was born to be a queen! It has to "feel right" to me....you name it, purses, socks, belts, headbands, cell phones, underwear....everything!

Okay, I was writing about the Jaxi and Sunday and the hat... Lest you all think we are cruel to Jaxi for putting a shock collar on her..we aren't! That dog sleeps with Troy or Tyler, gets groomed 5-6 times a year, went to the vet to get her shots, (unlike when Steve would give them to Sadie at home) eats Iams (instead of Wal-mart) She is treated quite kindly here!

So don't anyone turn me into PETA......

Bad Dog!

Bad Dog or Good Dog....that is the question???

This little Jem was as naughty as can be yesterday. She is the most mild sweet little dog till about 2 :30, when she hears the roar of the buses coming by. She turns crazy!

So we know this and we are careful not to let her out. One of the biggest problems we have with her is keeping he in our yard. We have a playground in our backyard and she thinks the kids are their to play with her! We have a fenced in backyard but she has a few places she can sneak under.

So we remedied this, buy purchasing a shock collar...which she respects!! It has a tone button that you push before you use the shock button...which we have only used, like twice...she got the hint real quickly!! She would see us with the controller and she would come running!

So yesterday..she got in the school yard to visit some kids and they had a dog...what a circus! She ran and ran..the more you chaser the more she thinks it's a game! Oh, did I mention she is part Jack Russell! Everyone, at first, thinks they can catch her but then we inevitably hear...she's fast! So, 20 minutes later..Trent caught her! So we brought her in and I thought she was in the house for good and low and behold about 10 minutes later someone left the door ajar and she was off again! We all were so irritated! Off the the boys went to catch her. This time she ran and ran and ran! She saw in the distance some people...oh, that's a HS baseball game. You guessed it right on the field..stupid dog..some how Tyler chased her off the field and eventually caught her. They had to stop the game and wait for her. I did chuckle a little when they can home and reported this! We found out the shock collar isn't working correctly..fine time to find that out!!

And you thought that was all...again someone left the back door ajar and off again..to see another dog at the playground..bad dog. She was easily caught this time, as I think she was worn out!

Jaxi...I'm gonna start waterboarding you! Just kidding!

Year End Stuff....

Chuck E Cheese

Last week Trent's class went to Chuck E Cheeses for their year end party.

Here he is playing Smokin Token..he's awesome at it!

***Did you know that you can get 15 tokens for bringing in their report cards?***

Then he played one of my personal favorites..the bulldozer pushing game.(and that's the official name!)
We brought some past token receipts and he was able to spend 409 in tickets..which her got a sucker, Laffy Taffy, wristband and a tiny soccer ball....wow..like what a bargain!

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Whitecaps Game

The next day I went with Troy to a Whitecaps Baseball game. It looked like it might rain..but it held off! Whitecaps won..yeah!

Here he is with his friend Trevor, enjoying a big ice cream!

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Field Day

Then today we had Field Day..Trent loved it. He loves to compete and win, of course.

Here he is waiting for his turn to show them 'how it's done!'

Look at him go..he's light years ahead of Delany. Look at that form..he's gonna be a hurdler...I can see it in his eyes.......

Rooting for the boys team

They are doing the bunny hop, can you believe the air that he has? Notice he is in 3rd place....

On the return, they had to do the bear crawl. Now, who's in first...making up lost time! Come on Trent...bring home the gold!

I can still vividly remember field day at the Schoolcraft Football field. I certainly was not athletic..but, still competitive...is that possible? We would be out there all day. They served us hot dogs&chips from the concession stand...which I thought was pretty cool as a k-4th grader.