Friday, July 10, 2026, Bill took the trailer back home, We girls decided it was a good day to go to Tawas, packed up, got in Kimmy’s van and headed there. We walked through the shops in town, went to G’s pizzeria for pizza which is our tradition, then walked out on the dock. Came back, they all helped pack up everything so Bill wouldn’t have to do heavy lifting, we are so blessed, I watched the movie, I Can Only Imagine 2, again.

Peyton, Isaac and Eli at G's

All of us at G’s.  Their pizza was delicious and so were their breadsticks and cinnamon sticks

Peyton on the dock with a momma duck and 8 babies swimming in the background

The boys made it out to the end first.  This is them walking back to us with 
Arnie.  

When we got back, they all helped take the Clam down, the two tents down, packed chairs in the camper, packed the grill and stand in the camper, put the clothes drying rack in it’s case, packed up the big mat in the back, packed my plant stand and helped so much more even.  Then they loaded bikes on their vehicles and left.  Eli took two bags of garbage to the dumpster for me on his way out of the campground.  What a blessing they all to me and Bill.

I got up at 8:15 and got ready.  I was trying to be quiet, but came out and Vikki was up already getting stuff ready to take out to her car.  Bill got up at 8:30 and got ready to leave.  He forgot to bring the right stuff to work on the schedule for the State Rally, so had to leave earlier than planned.  Vikki is leaving after we get back from Tawas and pack up the campsite stuff.  Peyton and I painted our nails with her polish.  I did my left hand, then Kimmy offered to do my other hand and also gave both another coat.  I was so thankful since it isn’t too easy anymore to use my left hand and paint my nails.  It never was really easy lol.  Kimmy also turned the small part of our lock insert upside down and now our bathroom door locks easily.  Thank you Kimmy.

Vikki packed pops for us in the cooler.  I packed snacks for us.  Kimmy cleaned out the van some so we could all fit.  Then we all got in the van, Arnie and Lucy too, and headed to Tawas.  We listened to great Christian music on the way.  It was a beautiful day in the 70’s with a high of 76 and sunny.  I called Melissa to see if they were still in Tawas, but they had just got home.  We snacked on some snacks too.  I showed the girls where their cousin, Freddy, lives, then went by the church he and his family go to which is where our CMA chapter goes.  Next we parked and went in our favorite store, the Ben Franklin Store.  I bought everyone two boxes of candy sticks.  This year Eli and Isaac called them cigarettes instead of candy sticks, just to tease me.  Isaac told me he didn’t know why anyone would really smoke since they are $9 a pack these days.  I agreed with him that it would be way too expensive, besides being an unhealthy thing to do.  

We walked through just about every store in town except one that didn’t allow dogs.  Another store only let you have your dog if you carried it.  Vikki carried little Lucy, but Kimmy was going to just wait outside.  Eli went out and stayed with Arnie so she could come in.  Then Eli walked through carrying Arnie. He sure loves Arnie.  We walked back through town and to G’s Pizzeria.  We sat out on the porch and the dogs are allowed out there.  That’s where we always sit.  We all enjoyed our pizza, breadsticks and cinnamon sticks.  We were pretty full when we left.  We crossed the street and walked out on the big dock.  The boys and Arnie walked faster and got to the end first.  Peyton and I walked a little faster than Kimmy and Vikki and Lucy.  Then we’d let them catch up to us.  Peyton is so much fun to hang out with.  The kids didn’t want to swim, so we decided to just head home as we had walked a lot and had lots to do packing up stuff when we got back to our campsite.  It was a nice ride back.  We snacked on snacks again.  We drove down a side road to go by a place that Kimmy and Vikki had gone to a couple years ago to buy a bike for Eli.  They were impressed with how nice the people were.  The guy was driving his lawn mower and waved when we went by.  He didn’t even know who we were, but was really friendly.  That’s how my dad always was.  

We got back to the campground and everyone started pitching in helping put tents away, taking the clam down and all the other stuff listed above.  I am so blessed with my caring and amazing family.  They all worked so hard and got everything done so fast.  I couldn’t have done it without them and I’m so thankful Bill won’t have to do any bending or heavy lifting.  A huge thank you to you Vikki, Kimmy, Eli, Isaac, and Peyton.  I love you all and I am so thankful for you.  

After they left, I packed some things away in the camper.  Then I vacuumed the floors in the camper.  I watched the movie “I Can Only Imagine Two” which was so good.  Melissa called me and I talked to her durning part of the movie.  I miss her!!! The last concert they gave was at Red Rocks where Bruce, Melissa and the kids went on their Colorado Vacation.  I’ve always like listening to Worship concerts there because the sound is so amazing.

I worked on my blog, then am going to bed.

 

Thursday, 7/9/26, Kimmy came up, Adam and Grace came up, Bill came up, Adam and Grace went swimming, Vikki made shish kabobs, grilled potatoes, and Kimmy’s corn for dinner, Kimmy and Jared went for a walk, Bill and I went for a walk and met them,

Grace and Adam

Lucy joined them and smiled for the picture too

Shish Kabobs and potatoes on the grill 

Vikki’s food she made us was so good!

Kimmy and Jared enjoying their dinners

Peyton

Isaac and Eli

I got up at 7:30 and went to take a shower.  I found a dime on the bench, so figured that was the shower for me.  I’ve been trying to find money and put it in my cup holder like Vikki.  I’ve found 46 cents so far here at the campground.  I came back and dried my hair and then went to the store to sign up for them to dump us.  I don’t even know if it needed it, but decided I should do it.  The gauge in every camper we’ve ever had has never worked and this one is the same.  I read my Bible.  

Kimmy came up at 11.  She took the boys and I to the Dollar Store and me to the pharmacy.  Then we stopped and got Cops and Donuts and each picked out a donut and also checked to see what kind Vikki and Peyton wanted.  They were sure yummy!  Vikki and Peyton left after that and went and picked up stuff for shish kabobs for dinner and potatoes.  

Adam and Grace got here and hung out with us in the camper for a long time.  She is really a sweet girl and we all really like her.  She has a nut allergy and also is lactose intolerant.  Vikki picked out the right meal for her.  Adam and Grace went swimming at the indoor and outdoor pools, and then went in the hot tub.  Vikki prepared all the food and cooked it on the grill for us.  It was so delicious.  Thanks Vikki!  Kimmy had left to go home and drive back with Jared so she could ride at night with him.  Adam and Grace came back to eat.   Kimmy and Jared got here a couple minutes after we started eating.  Adam and Grace visited more with us and then went swimming again, this time at the beach.  Kimmy, Jared and Vikki walked down to see them.  Bill and I were sitting outside and stayed here.  

Adam and Grace left, then about 20 minutes later, Kimmy and Jared left.  We sure had a fun time with them.  Bill went to bed.  Vikki, Isaac, Eli and I played 3-13.  Vikki won!  We had fun and lots of laughs while playing.  Had M & M’s and cashews for a snack.  Played great worship music while we played.  It was fun hearing the boys sing along.  I went to bed after that.  Vikki read the Bible to the kids and they prayed.  She taught Eli how to play Speed with the cards after that.  Peyton relaxed on the couch and talked to her friend while we were playing games.  

Bill was on his phone still when I went to bed. 

Wednesday, 7/8/26, We slept in, I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast, Kimmy came up around 11, The boys rode their bikes lots and swam, Peyton hung out with us, Kimmy sewed toggles on our clam and Vikki and I assisted, The boys came and helped slip the toggles on, Peyton and Vikki went for a swim, and Kimmy cooled off by putting her feet in, I watched Arnie and relaxed while they were at the pool,

Our new clothes dryer...Isaac took it out of the box and set it up for me this morning to surprise me.  I was so thankful!

 

Isaac, Eli, and Peyton, helping us slip grommets on the clam so Kimmy could sew them

Isaac, Eli, Vikki and Me

It’s so much easier to have the grommets to slip through the loop than trying to tie them

Isaac and Eli in their new swim trunks

Peyton

We slept in til 9.  I got up and got ready, then Vikki got up.  I started making pancakes and bacon and Peyton got up.  Isaac and Eli came in and went to take their showers.  We all ate breakfast, then the boys were off to go swimming.  They rode bikes around after that and practiced a lot down by the pavilion on their new bikes.  Kimmy and I cut the toggles off the old clam straps that I saved.  Then Kimmy used the speedy stitcher to sew them all on.  Vikki and I assisted by putting some on (Vikki put tape on them to make it easer for the boys, Peyton and I.  Kimmy followed behind sewing them on.  When she did the underneath side, Vikki and I assisted by holding the material of the clam up so she could do it easily.  

Some had left over pancakes for lunch and some had PB&J’s and I had a grilled cheese sandwich.  All but Kimmy and I had Swiss Rolls for dessert.  Kimmy and I went back out and finished the toggles on the clam.  It is so nice to have it easier to put the sides up and down.  We came in the camper to cool off and Vikki, Peyton and Kimmy went to the pool to swim.  I was relaxing and almost fell asleep, so I stayed and watched Arnie while they went.  Kimmy just put her feet in.  They came back after a short time.  Kimmy had to leave, so called Eli back from the pool to get her hug.  He came right away.  She left, then I set our old clothes dryer racks out by the road and Peyton and Vikki each made a Free sign.  They were so cute.  Right after I hung the signs on, our neighbors next to us, were across the street visiting with friends and came across and took both of them to their campsite.  I was happy to see them go and not have to haul them home.  I called Kimmy on her way home and told her.  Vikki, Peyton and I played a game of 3-13.  Vikki was the winner.  The boys rode their bikes lots more.  Vikki, Peyton and I went for a walk around the campground.  We came in ate dinner.  We read the Bible and prayed, like we have been doing each night.  I worked on my blogs after that to catch up.  We put everything in the clam and closed the sides because rain was in the forecast.  It started raining around 10:15 pm.  The boys came in at 10:05, heated pancakes up, ate and then went to their tent.  It had been pouring, but quit long enough for them to make it dry to their tent.  Then it started pouring again.  I offered to have them sleep inside the camper if they wanted, but they chose the tent.  It’s really pouring out now.  They are back in for water.  Now they are running for the tent outside.

Tuesday, 7/7/26, Took Rehvyn swimming in the morning, Adam came to visit, We all went to a thrift shop in Pinconning, Rehvyn got a little bus that goes by itself,

Rehvyn playing with the bus I got him at the thrift store.  It was only 79 cents.

Eli with Arnie at our campsite

Melissa sent me these pictures of the boys with Elijah, their friend who moved to Florida.  They are having fun at the campground they are in in Tawas

Jack, Elijah, and Evan above and below

 We got up and got ready.  We took Rehvyn swimming to the outdoor pool in the morning.  It was a little cool, but felt good after a few minutes.  Rehvyn wore swimmies for the first time and did really good with them in the pool.  Vikki showed him how to close his mouth and put his face in the water.  He had lots of fun kicking and trying to move his hands to swim.  It was nice for me to get some exercise too.  We were the only ones in the pool until we were starting to leave.  Then one lady and her granddaughter got in.  

Kimmy and the boys came up and brought their new bikes.  The boys went for a swim.  We stopped at the pool and asked if they wanted to go to the thrift store with us.  Kimmy, Vikki, Eli, Isaac, Peyton, Rehvyn and I all went in Kimmy’s van to the thrift store in Pinconning.  Rehvyn was so cute, the ladies working in there talked to him and really enjoyed watching how cute he was.  I looked at lots of trucks and a bus with him.  He said he didn’t want any of them after trying them out.  We stayed in the store looking for a long time.  He finally told me he did want the little bus when I asked him again.  We left and came back to the campground.  Adam came to the camper shortly after.  He went on some walks and then said he had a headache, so didn’t want to swim.  He left a little while later.  

Kimmy stayed longer.  We ate goulash for dinner.  Eli made a sandwich because he doesn’t like goulash.  We girls played 3-13.  The boys worked on taking their new small bikes apart and putting them back together.  That took most of the day.  It was a warm day, but was really nice in the shade.  It’s supposed to be warmer tomorrow.  

Monday, 7/6/26, Slept in, went to Sam’s Club, Went to Walmart, went to Vikki’s, went to Kenzie’s, brought Rehvyn to the campground, went to the beach, went for ice cream, played 3-13, I won, played dice, Vikki won

 

These pictures are in reverse order, but I left them that way.  The first picture is actually when Rehvy was going to bed. 

Melissa with her cousins, Fred, in Tawas

Hailey didn’t have food at home because Bruce and Melissa went camping and packed it all.   I told Bill he should text Hailey and see when she could go out to eat with him.  He set it up with Hailey, plus called Rody because he was home alone and also had Peyton come when he found out she was home.  They went to Coco Loco’s.  He also filled up Hailey’s gas tank.  Hailey was so happy.  So sweet of Bill.

Rody at Coco Loco

Rehvyn having Blue Moon and Cookie Dough Ice Cream at Rita's

Vikki and I enjoying our ice cream too

Rehvyn riding to the ice cream shop

Nana and her boy

Rehvyn ate pizza for lunch

Rehvyn loved swimming at the beach with his swimmies

He loved playing with all of his cars on the beach and in the water too

                                                       He loved this puppy at the beach                                                               

In his work gear while working on the kdf

We slept in.  After we got up and got ready, Vikki, Peyton, and I went to Sam’s Club and I put gas in my car for $3.61 a gallon.  We went to Walmart after that and got Zyrtec for Vikki and some shower rings for the curtain by Vikki’s bed in the camper.  We stopped at Vikki’s and got her car seat and dropped Peyton off to stay and spend the night at home.  After that we went to Kenzie’s.  She and Travis were working on putting stone down in their driveway.  Travis was working super hard.  Rehvyn was helping with his little shovel.  He even had a hard hat to wear and some cool sunglasses.  Kenzie had Pita Rice and Chicken for us for lunch.  We sat out on the porch and ate.  We got to see Rehvyn’s new kitty, Gemi.  She is so cute and friendly.  When we got back to Vikki’s, she got what she needed and we went to Panera and got two Dr. Pepper fountain drinks.  We brought Rehvyn back to the campground with us.  We ate pizza, then went to the beach.  Rehvyn loved playing with all of his cars, driving them through the sand, getting them dirty, then rinsing them out again and again.  Eli and Isaac stayed at Kimmy’s again. They cleaned Kimmy and Jared’s barn really good.  It took them until 4 in the morning.  Kimmy stayed up too showing them what to do.    Rehvyn went to bed really good and while he fell asleep, Vikki and I played 3-13 and dice.