Trent's Life!!!

On February 6..Trent turned a 11 years young!

We got him UNO attack, a Xbox game and a Nerf gun!

We had a bowling party for him the day after his real birthday....and lets just say it was blizzarding out...like really snowing!  Steve, the fearless 4x4 driver, said "snow wasn't going to be a problem!"  We got about 12"!

We went to Westgate and bowled 1 1/2 games!

Noah, Dolan, Trent, Abel, Carson & Brendan

we were all a bit "rusty"!!! 

Troy & G-pa were tied for a brief moment!

opening presents!

looking over his coin books!

Oh Trent!

Then we went to McDonalds for dinner!

The adults choose a booth away from the boys!

Then the last (tear tear) Valentines Day Party

passing out Valentines!

Then we were able to go on a field trip to the GR Symphony

& Ford Museum

Trent at the "Cabinet Table'

I was chaperoning a group of girls....

Delany, Elizabeth, Breeana & Nicole

viewing the Oval Office

Dolan & Trent getting ready for the Symphony to begin

They were lulling us to sleep...the girls were all starting to nod off...it was so relaxing!

fun experience!

Basketball....

Instead of doing the Upward Basketball program, Trent decided to play on a traveling KC team.

Here they are in action!

(side note...do you know how hard it is to get a GOOD picture of basketball players?....they keep running out of my picture ...lol!!)

THANK YOU Coach Derek and Coach Gus!

the team!

as of now, they are undefeated!

New Years Eve & Memories...

Moving right along....

Every year, during the holidays, we go to a hotel with Steve's immediate and extended family.

This year we went back to the faithful Ramada in Grayling!

We always incorporate FFF...Forced Family Fun night!

We played Take it All...it's a TV show with Howie Mandel hosting.

Here are the contestants.....

Wes opened a pair of Elf boxers

Jordan & Tyler

Florin & Trent

Uncle Jim & Craig

Darica & Alisha

Then there was the Euchre!

I think Jim & Wes liked their hand!!

....And Golf was fun

Look who won the Euchre Tourney!!

Joanne took Gold (peanut brittle..the only thing we could find "gold-ish")

Jim took Silver (cookie tin lid)

Tyler took Bronze and Jordan took last!

Watching the ball drop in Jim & Renee's room

We took over the restaurant the next morning

(sorry this is kind of blurry)

Starting out the New Year all together...

We have had lots of fun getting together each year . 

We have soooo many fun memories of these trips!

I looked back over some of the pictures ...Here's what I found!

during a talent show..guzzling water!

kids in the pool! 

a little friendly competition!

nothing says "I love you" like arm wrestling! 

and who wouldn't let the kids box? (maybe not the best idea) 

this is what you see the next morning after "boxing"

Grandparents & Grand kids spending time together!! 

Playing games together! 

...and cuteness!!!

Man circle 

FFF night!

playing in the pool! 

cards by the pool! 

We have had some fun years together!!! A personal thank you for all that have participated over the years and made such fond memories for me and my family!

A Michigan Love Story....

 So it begins like this....

My niece Hannah, from California, fell in love with a Michigan guy..go figure!

They were both summer interns at Styker Corp in CA!

Not only is he from Michigan, he attended UofM...which made her dad, a UofM grad himself, one happy guy! (and he knew how to play euchre) ...And not only is Eric from Michigan, he's a Yooper! 

He grew up in St Ignace.

He was a shoe in, if you ask me!

Eric, Kyle (his brother) and their sister, Nicole have/are playing for UofM.  So, while Tod & Julie were here from CA.we were privileged to go see Nicole play at the Crilser Arena!

Here we are having lunch at a deli near the UofM campus.

Trent is a M fan!

Here he is in all his glory!

Troy, Trent & I

(Steve had intended to make the trek but got sick at the last minute)

Uncle Tod & Trent proudly wearing their M shirts!

(I think I see a tear in his eye..he got a little choked up entering the Arena)

the new board

waiting for the game to start

that's Nicole..with the white headband!

when they announced her name....they put her picture up

in action!

Tod & Julie getting ready for tip off!

the happy couple

Hannah & Eric

the sisters...in their non-traditional pink M shirts

On the floor!

enjoying the moment with Trent!

the Rexford, Hendersons, Buckners + Lurinda (Tod's sister)

Nicole signing autographs after the game.  She is so sweet!

Eric, Kyle & Nicole + Hannah...she needs to get a little higher!

that's better Hannah!

A special Thanks to Nicole for getting us the tickets!

We had a great time together!  The Elmblads are a wonderful family! Hannah is a very lucky girl to be a part of their family (coming in August) and they are lucky to get such a great gal!  

We can't wait to see you all again in August at the wedding!