Wilson's Winter Wonderland...

Last week-end we were invited over to the Wilson's

to play in the snow!  We headed over to meet other friends 

the Winell's and French's. After some catching up, we bundled up, and headed out to 

Hess Lake.

 The temps were in the single digits...burrrhhhh!  Actually the only thing that got cold were my toes!

                  Here is one of the Winell boys whipping a donut...didn't he do a beautiful job!

                            Trent a little frosty..check out the ice crystals on his eyebrows and lashes!

                                         Tyler and Trent being pulled on a sled behind a quad....

                                                          Tyler pulling Troy...bare butted!

                                                   Snow Angels....Kelly and Joanne

 Obviously, because of the temps we didn't stay out too long..just long enough!  Had fun and we entertained a few people eating dinner at Smugglers Cove Restaurant...dinner and a show!!

Homecoming Banquet

Tyler and Alisha at her schools Homecoming

They had a banquet on Jan 21 at Sparta Baptist Church

 Here is the cute couple!

Ty

 This actually marks them being together 1 year!!  It was this very banquet last year that was their first 'date'!  To be honest, I barely knew what was going on a year ago!  Alisha is a very sweet, kind and beautiful young women...we couldn't be more thrilled to have her in our family...atleast for now!

Faucet Fiasco.....

It all started a couple months back.....

My kitchen faucet was leaking around the base....and like every good man, Steve hopped to it and rebuilt the insides with new gaskets.  I was so excited....it's the little joys for me!!  To my disappointment...it continued to leak..slightly.  Steve said it was worn out!  

So, I put that on my Christmas List...because...I'm a practical girl like that!  To my surprise I got one...it was a Moen.  This is where the plot becomes thicker!  It was a regular faucet.. you know, you turn it on and water comes out...perfect!  I liked it except for the way you had to turn it on...you had to turn it on then to the left or right...I know, I'm weird...but if you knew how long I had my old faucet, you would understand why I cared so much...it was going to be with me for a long while!  So I decided to get a Delta...which is the brand I had..and it served me well.  

So off to Menard's...but I just couldn't decide what to get.  We looked over the pull out sprayers versions, the tall versions, the $39 versions...all of them!  On another occasion I was going to go to Lowe's...'cause Lowe's Knows!  Mistake #1--I took along Troy and his friend Tyler because they wanted to go to Best Buys.  All was good but they were rushing me.  They were hiding in the display showers waiting for an unsuspecting customer..and putting out orange cones in the isles!  I panicked and grabbed the Delta that I thought I liked  (key word... thought!!)  Steve installed it, like all good men, and the side sprayer leaked... What!...how could this be, it's a new faucet..and the handle to turn it on was so short and stubby.  I whined and complained and Steve, like all good men, agreed to take it out and let me return it..I guess Lowe's doesn't know! I have to say Lowe's was very good about the return!

I re-looked over their choices, and then headed to Discount Home Improvement...I was tempted to purchase one there..but with my track record, I wanted one that I could return...only an in store credit...wasn't working for me!  Against my better judgement I went to Home Depot...I don't really like them..so I try not to purchase anything there...but I was desperate!

So back to Menard's....I finally decided on a pull out sprayer type....I mean...how bad can they be...everyone else has them!  So proudly, I purchased my faucet and headed home...I really wanted to cry over the whole thing!  Steve took one look at it and thought it looked good!  So, Friday before HFG, Steve, like all good men, installed the new faucet..I think the angels above were singing...relief & delight!

That was until we got it installed...it took us 2.5 seconds to realize how much we hated it!  Steve's words.."I'm taking that out in the morning and you are returning it to Menard's!"  The biggest problem..a design flaw....when you pull out the handle, to use as a sprayer... the hose kinks off and you have no water!  Then when we would pull out 20" of the 34" of hose they give you....you can't get it back in the faucet with out feeding it back in with two hands....helpful!

So, we are at 3 faucets purchased...2 installed...in case you are keeping track! 

Back to Menard's on Saturday morning...stewed, him-hawed, People were probably wondering what I was doing looking at the faucets for soooo long!  I decided on a Delta regular faucet with a side sprayer (which is originally what Steve got me!) (BTW..they didn't even have the Moen on display anymore..which at this point I was willing to have!)  I made a few friends in the faucet isle and explained my plight to a few compassionate women...they understood!  Standing in line I hear a voice from behind me..."Hey, what faucet did you end up with?"...just a friend from the faucet isle...we go way back!!...lol!

The story doesn't end here..there's more!  I brought my new purchase home...the kids are now rolling their eyes and are in disbelief that Steve has done all this for me....sweet little me!

After Steve, like all good men, installed it 1/2 way, we realized a ding in the face plate thingy....I know what you are thinking...live with it!!!  Back to Menard's! Score 5 faucets..4 installed!

So, I know you are all wondering what this beauty looks like?  Really, it's not that great..it just a faucet!  My old, slightly drippy, faucet was looking pretty good at the end of this fiasco!  

See she's not that grand!

Life Lessons I learned...

1)  To be content with what I have!  I should had a more content heart.  I bought into the worlds lie that tells me I need something better..newer..brighter..cleaner..I deserve it!  This has been my prayer as of lately...Lord, help me to be more content and love the things that matter in life.

2)  My husband really really loves me.  I don't know many men that would install 4 faucets for their wife.  Steve loves me so much he cares about MY happiness!  We sees joy in seeing my happiness.  He truly cares for me.  He didn't just tell me to live with it!  He was so sweet through it all.  With marriages crumbling all around us...it's rare that you see a functioning marriage relationship. I'm so glad he selflessly loves me!

3) Things aren't what they appear. I spent hours running from one store to another...and in reality you don't really know what you have till it is installed.  They all looked shine and new and I dreamed of using it to wash my hands under it's warm water and how pleased I would be with it!  Faucets don't bring happiness!

Final thought...

Learn to be content with what God has blessed you with!  

New Years Eve 2010...

Again this year we went to Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.  Cousin Jim has connections!  We had a great time together!  We arrived on Friday, which was New Years Eve day and stayed till Sunday.

 Here is a snapshot of our week-end.....

First, all the guys and kids got new T-shirts...Buckner's Hunting and Lodge...don't they look great on all of them!  Thanks Grandpa & Grandma

Then the Buckner gang headed over to Cracker Barrel, where we enjoyed a great dinner and great laughs!  Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!

Back at the hotel things we happening like......

                                                        Wii --- Mike, Jim & Steve

                                        Rack-O -- Darica, Carrie, Trent & Maddie

                                                  Wii-ing some more!

                       The girls like to talk-- Aunt Karen, Cara, Renee, Carrie & Kristi

                                      Euchre -- Joanne, Uncle Jim, G-pa Neil & Steve

                                      Paper Jamz Guitar -- Mike & David (father & Son)

On Saturday night we all ate together.  Potluck style

 Some of the kids hanging together

Troy, Nic, Trent & Maddie

Saturday after dinner....  We had the infamous 'Forced Family Fun'! (which, BTW is not very forced..the kids are very eager to participate & have fun...I believe it's in part because the Dad's and Grandma's are willing to participate!)

This year on the agenda--Music Video's to Veggie Tales songs.  We divided up by random drawing 5 teams and were given a pre-picked song.  Here are 4 of our leaders and Danielle (just outside the picture).  We were given 1/2  hour to develop our music video and then we performed it live!
                                                    Steve, Jim, Jared, Mike & Danielle

First group up...Danielle's with The Bunny Song

Next up...Jared's with Hairbrush Song?

Mike's group...The Pirate's That Don't Do Anything

Steve's group...Water Buffalo (that's Justin under the lamp shade & Michael under the sleeping bag)
The winners!

Jim's group...Keep walking

Down by the pool....
         things were happening--
                                               bald heads were spotted -- Mike & Craig

The girls were hanging out in the outdoor hot tub....burrrr baby, it was cold out there.

Carrie, Renee, Danielle & Kristi

The boys, old & young, took over the pool playing b-ball.  A guy came in the hot tub and announced to his family..."there is a wild game of b-ball going on in there!"..ha ha ha...we did admit that they were our guys!

Then I spotted these Mermaids

Maddie & Darica

Trent was mastering this log

Guys were still playing B-ball....very load but entertaining!

back up to the room for a Euchre tournament.  We won't mention Steve won first and Joanne won second! 

We didn't make it to bed till 3am that night (morning)..short night!  About 6am Trent woke me up and said he didn't feel well.  Yep..he was right..he didn't feel well!  He threw up till about 1pm when we left the hotel.  About 10 of us got the flu by Monday morning!  Some, far worse than others!

Aside from that we had a fun time together!  Fun Family Memories were present!

More Christmas 2010...

 The stocking were all hung.....

 The presents were being opened.....

 Dad looking at some of his gifts....

 After we opened presents the boys went out on the ice.  It was so smooth.  They shoveled off a huge area to..well, I don't know...what but a huge area!

 then of course a lot of eating...Linda made a wonderful Ham dinner!

And of course card playing....We were playing Prediction here..but we did play a fair amount of Golf!

 

We had a family picture taken at church by their tree

 And what could make a Holiday more complete??..Dinner at Oakridge...yes!  Oops the waitress cut Linda off  (she was there..next to John)

 On Sunday, we went to Neil & Bonnie's.  Here Trent is opening his Paper Jamz Guitar

Maddie smiling for the camera!

Trent

Troy

The boys opening their "AXE' Bags

Steve was repairing Trent's Paper Jamz guitar.  Loose wire I guess???

 I guess I never took a dinner picture..oops!  We had a lovely Prime Rib dinner with all the fixings..Bonnie's a great cook! Great Christmas !