Cook Out

We had a family cookout on Wednesday. The weather was on the chilly side to begin the week and got a little warmer each day. Poor Christy had to go to buy new jeans, being from South Carolina, it was a bit too chilly for her. Jerry is cooking hambergers on the grill. We're not a family with a big fancy grill. This one works fine, thank you!

Shauna and Jessica, sisters-in-law. We haven't been together in two years so this was fun.

Maddie Bear (Madelyn Grace) and Elmise! I love this picture.

Mason roasting marshmellows. Sean watching.

Miller and Sean both working at roasting marshmellows. I was near with graham crackers and hersey bars!
Lord, thank You for our food. Bless it to our bodies.

Uh Oh

We had a mishap this week, of course. Mason and Jerry were playing a game, I don't know what it's called but it's fun. You toss and catch a ball. It would have been fine and fun except that Grandpa, somehow, tripped and fell. Thankfully he fell beside the rocks and not in the rocks. He landed face down on his stomach side. His face was bleeding in several places but he insisted he was alright. The game was now over. Mason felt so bad, but we assured him it could have happened to everyone or anyone. Now today he has several bruses under his shirt that no one could see!
Lord, thank You for being our Healer. Jerry could have been hurt so badly. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

Canada Day - Yesterday - July 1

Yesterday was Canada Day. I wanted to post this yesterday but it just didn't happen. Shauna passed out these lollypops for everyone while we were all outside playing. It was very appropriate since Shauna and Tim live in Regina, Sask. Canada. So to all my Canadian friends: I wish you a wonderful Canada Day...a day late.

Lord, I praise You because You are the Creator. Thank You for all our friends around the world. Especially thank You for our Canadian friends and especially family. I love them all and You love them even more.

VBS workers

VBS is exciting...not just for the kids who attend but for the workers as well! We have three attending VBS this week: Elmise, Armon, and Bella and they love it. We have three workers too! Megan, Haleigh, and Sydney and they love it too!

Megan works with ele kids. Haleigh and Sydney work with preschoolers.

Lord, thank You for VBS, for kids who love to go, for kids who are willing workers.

Basketball

This was a photo op! What a fun time and what an age range! In these pictures I see Rob 38, Armon 5, Mason 8, Miller 13, Max 15,

Megan 14, Haleigh 13, Sydney 11, Bella 8! It was a fun time!

Lord, thank You for grandchildren and fun time.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Vel! I hope your family gives you a wonderful day and year! I know this is a very busy summer, fun but busy! It must be thrilling for you to have all your family there. Just try not to over do, Vel. I'm thankful for you as my sister-in-law. Jerry says to say hi to Wilma! He loves you too.

Lord, thank You for Vel. She a super sister-in-law. Give her strength in her body to carry on. I love her as my sister-in-law and I know You love her even more.

Saying Good-bye

It's time to say good-bye to our Chicago family. It's been a good weekend. Even good times come to an end. Now, as I so often do...these pictures are backwards. Please be patient with me.

Auntie Pam and Sydney saying farewell.

Pam and me drinking coffee after Annie, Kaleb, Shauna, and Gene left for the airport.

At the hotel, I woke up at about 4:00 AM, got up and down-loaded pictures on my computer. Knowing Annie and Kaleb were leaving to fly home to Sask., Canada, I decided to go down to the lobby to tell them good-bye. It was now 5:00 AM. I wasn't sure what time they were leaving but I knew it was early, so I was sure I'd be there when they left. I dressed and went down. The desk girl said no one had left yet so I was okay. She made fresh coffee for me! That was nice. It was still dark out so I watched daylight arrive as I watched for Kaleb to arrive. (Kaleb had stayed at Pam's house, Annie stayed at the hotel) Finally, after two cups of coffee and two hours, I decided to get on the lobby computer. While on, I looked at the clock...it said: 6:00! I was all mixed up. I finally realized my computer was still on Eastern time! My cell phone time changes with the time zones but not my computer! So I had gotten up at 3:00 AM Central time, went down stairs at 4:00, and waited until 6:00 AM, Central time. Soon after Shauna and Annie came downstairs and then Pam, Gene, and Kaleb arrived. What a morning for me!

Saying good-bye to Kaleb and Annie. They have to go home to Sask. Canada to work! Tim and Shauna are coming to Michigan to visit us for the week. (Kaleb's not sleeping, he just blinked!) I don't know the next time I'll see them.

Lord, thank You for the time we had with Annie and Kaleb. Thank You for jobs for them. Please keep them safe and well while their parents are here at our house.

Some Random Shots of the Reception

The reception was very nice. The atmosphere was friendly, happy, and loving. The food was fabulous!!! The music started out with 50's songs, some of my favorites! It wasn't too loud...but it went on to other songs that I don't know and it got louder!

Matthew, Wolfgang, and Christina.

Matthew and Pam.

Len and Gloria, Gene's parents. Andrew's other grandparents.

Wolfgang and Gene. Wolfgang was their exchange student a few years ago. He flew over from Austria and is now enjoying an extended visit with them for a couple of weeks.

Christina and Matthew.

Katie, visiting; and the cake.

The wedding party at the head table. This was an elegant place for a wedding reception.

Andrew and Katie giving each other a taste of their cake. Notice her long blue streamers on her dress. It was really beautiful and unique.

I think I have the pictures backwards again. They are just coming to the cake. But here you can see the front of her dress. It was so perfect for her. Click on the pictures to see them up closer.

The best man is making his candid remarks about Andrew. He did good.
Dear Lord, bless Andrew and Katie in their new life together as husband and wife.

Reception

Andrew and Katie had a beautiful wedding and a fun reception.

Introducing newly weds: Andrew and Katie!

Katie and Andrew.

Parents of the groom: Gene and Pam!

Wedding cake topper! It couldn't be more fitting! Andrew, with his mechanical engineering degree, works on yachts and Katie has her master's degree in the study of sharks!

Shauna, Gene, and Pam. Are we having fun yet?

Lord, thank You for life, for good times, for family, for Andrew and Katie.

A Few Random Wedding Shots

Anita (Grandma), Katie (Granddaughter-in-law), Andrew (Grandson), Jerry (Grandpa).
The wedding of our oldest grandchild.

Wolfgang, Matthew, Christina.

Wolfgang and Matthew. Wolfgang came all the way from Austria!

Tim, Shauna, Annie, Anita, Jerry. We're ready, let's go!

Shauna, Tim, Anita, Jerry.

Shauna & Tim at the hotel.

Jerry & Me, ready to go to the wedding of Andrew & Katie.

Bella, Ted, Sydney.

Bella and Sydney.

Andrew and one of his groomsmen.

Kaleb & Andrew. Andrew is ready!

A sweet picture of cousins: Bella and Andrew.

Lord, this is a very special day. Please be present. Be in our conversation and our thoughts. Be especially with Andrew and Katie.

Burley and Pewter

We drove to Ted's to take them with us to Chicago for Andrew's wedding. Our first grandchild to get married! The cats let me take their picture!

Pewter is actually the color of pewter.

A good close up of Burley!

Another shot of Pewter.

Bella and Pewter. The girls love their cats. Cat's can be left at home alone for a couple of days.

Lord, thank You for cats. They provide a lot of enjoyment and comfort.