Thursday, July 7, 2011

Week-end

On Saturday we surprised the kids and picked them up at Lake-Ann.
It was fun to walk around and remember our years as campers and hear all their fun camp stories!
Here is what welcomes you....
the rock under the sign... 
The Welcome Center...this is defiantly a change from when I attended camp.... 
Tyler, Troy & Florin with their counselor 
Trent stayed in Otter 2 
after picking up the kids we went over to the Isenhart's to have lunch . 


and we did a little boating
Craig, Steve & Captain Jim 
the girls..Kristi, Joanne & Renee 
We had a wonderful time!! Thank you Jim & Renee!!
We were also able to visit with long time friends Jon & Susan Freyer.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Grand Haven....

This has become somewhat of a tradition for us...
when the kids go to camp, we take a night to head over to Grand haven to watch the sunset.
I checked the weather and Wednesday seemed like the best choice...so over we went!!!
I'm no photographer and I don't have one of those ritzy cameras..so this is all I got!
I look at others pictures and love them and how they look..but I know my A.D.D. self and know I would never be able to teach myself all the things you need to know about photography!!!  I would need Steve to read it all and and explain it to me...and then remember it when my feeble mind forgot it! Not gonna happen!!! 





that's all folks!!

Lake Ann....

Early Monday morning we were shipping three boys of to Lake Ann Camp near Traverse City.  This is Tyler's last year...which we thought he might not be able to get time off at Steelcase..but they let him have it off.  This was Trent's first year attending LA...he was sooo excited!  Troy...well..yeah he went...he plays like he doesn't want to go...but we know he does!!!!
Trent bringing is stuff to the bus!
Here they are getting ready to ride the bus up there.  Yes, that's a chartered bus..our church owns one.  I remember riding up to LA all jammed in a van..what happened to those days???
Five Buckner Boys heading to Lake Ann!!!
Tyler, Trent, Troy, Florin & Nic....ready or not here they come! 
Lake Ann is a great great camp and well worth the money it takes to send them there!!!!  As a matter of fact, I went to LA 4-5 times myself.  Some of my most fond childhood memories were from LA...spending time with my cousin, Dawn...why we ever signed up for Tee-Pee camping one year is beyond me!?!?!?  We do have a lot of memories to show for it!!! It was a fun year for us...oh, and that one counselor we all had a crush on...baby..was he hot!!!!  I think I got off track there a bit!
My dad was also a camper the 2nd year LA was started...back in 1948!
Steve's mom was also a camper there!  Third generation campers!

He's 19!

Tyler's Birthday was on Sunday..so we had a little party.
We went to Oakridge after church for dinner then we came back and had cake and ice cream at our house.  It's so hard to believe he's 19.  My goodness...seems like only yesterday he started pre-school!!
He's a handsome young man and we are so proud of him!
Awww....does a mom's heart good to see him loving on his brother! 
What Tyler's doing presently....
he's been working at Steelcase. His job title is "material handling"...and that's what he does...he moves boxes! He has to be there at 6, so he's gets up around 4:30 and he gets out at 3:30--working Mon-Friday.  He says "it's not too bad!"
Makes going to college and getting a good job appealing!!!!

Great Wolf Lodge.....

Last Thursday Steve was heading to Great Wolf Lodge for a fire show.  At the last minute his boss couldn't go with him..so Steve called me at 2:30 and asked if I wanted to go with him...my first response... I would love to but I have sooo much going..that I can't.  Needless to say we were pulling out for Traverse City at 4:00 with Troy & Trent in the backseat! Yes...we got ourselves packed in an hour! So, I guess things can be changed and re-arranged!  We stopped by a near by Fire department to pick up a truck for people to look at....and I followed Steve with the truck.  Once we got there, we had to give it a quick wash....it's a family affair!

everyone's helping! 
The next morning, bright and early, we headed to the water park. Steve had to stay out with the truck and do the show...so mom had to do the slides, play structure, lily pads....and of course, the river and the hot tub! 

Normally, we don't do the "extra's"....we did let Trent make a tie-die pillowcase...here he is before he started it 
me helping him 
then we played a game of checkers in the 'Cub Club'...yes I did beat him. 
Steve was able to come in late Friday PM for a few quick rides down the slides with the boys. 
and some basketball 
Trent was exhausted...isn't this precious! 
on of the other vendors at the show was a fire Truck Simulator.  It is a tool Departments buy to train their staff on driving the truck.  He let Troy, Trent and Steve give it a try. 
Trent can't be trusted yet, he hit a pedestrian. 
Steve said it was very very realistic..his heart was beating away and he was sweating after he got done! 
back to the water park on Saturday...Troy with Trent in the background. 
Trent's finished product..we had to wait to pick it up while it dried. 
saying good-bye for now! 
we will see you again soon GW! 

Saturday, June 25, 2011

A First....

for at least me...and a couple others!  
On Sunday, June19th we headed to Michigan International Speedway
for a NASCAR race.  
We traveled over with Dad & Linda ....only Troy & Trent could come with Steve and I .  
We were followed by the Coates family.
Here we are tailgating our sandwiches.  Some people know how to tailgate..grills, Easy-ups...the works!
We were cheap fans...we got our tickets for free from Coke & Meijers...we brought in drinks & snacks...and didn't buy any do-dads!  I should write a book on inexpensive things to do with a family!  
Let's just say there was a lot of  'Economy stimulating' going on! 
and it was Fathers Day..so I was able to spend the day with my dad and give him his present at MIS!!!! 
Jimmy Johnson fan alert
Trent couldn't wait to get his picture taken by his car!!! 
in the stands
Trent, Linda and Dad back row
Steve, Joanne & Troy front row 
Troy & Steve 
Here they come.  
I was rooting for Carl Edwards....I didn't care if he won (well, I kinda did) 
I just didn't want Dale Jr to pass him!!!! 
the group! 
it was a fun day and better because we spent it with family and friends!!!!

Friday, June 24, 2011

June is...

Birthday month for our family!!!
I share a birthday with my Mom & Grandma Elsie...June 10th
My sister Janice is on the 19th
Tyler's is June 26
Troy's is the 9th 
then squeeze in Fathers Day & end of school!
We enjoyed a big celebration at Dad & Linda's before we left for vacation on the 10th and Janice left for home in Indiana.
We enjoyed a pontoon boat ride after dinner....
Here is Steve and Trent
the Birthday Girls 
"Captain Trent" 
Opening gifts...at my age, you gets lots of money & cards! 
Joanne & Alisha 
Dad..opening Father's Day Gifts 
The June Birthday's
Tyler, Grandma Elsie, Joanne, Troy and Janice
Linda made us Lemon Meringue pie, Carrot Cake & Gluten Free Cupcakes..she is so awesome! 
Steve and Joanne 
another birthday month down in the books!!
Grandma Elsie turned 86
Joanne turned 43
Janice turned 46
Tyler turned 19
Troy turned 16