12/30/18....Went to church, Went to Culver's, Took a nap, Went to Applebees to celebrate Christmas with Stacie, DJ and Kody

I forgot to take a picture at Applebee's.  Stacie sent me this picture of Kody on his way home.  He loved his lego set and fell asleep holding it.  So cute!

Terry, James, Vikki,
Claire and Ava
Shane sent me this picture today!  Love it!

Love this picture Kimmy posted of the Russell boys.  Very handsome cousins and a cute doggie too. Had to borrow it and post it.

We went to church.  The message was a great one and worship was amazing.  James and his mom gave us a beautiful card with a $50 Olive Garden Card in it.  So nice of them.  We went to Culver's for a burger and concrete mixer.  Came home and we both took naps.  We met Stacie, DJ and Kody at Applebees and exchanged gifts.  We had a fun time.  So thankful God brought them into our lives.  Kody loved his lego set and kept begging to open it and put it together at Applebees.  Of course, they didn't let him.  We came home and printed off our airline tickets, researched what exactly we can and can't take, and I watched videos on packing.  Tomorrow will be packing day, because we are leaving Jan. 2 now.  Getting Excited!  Watched 2 Hallmark Movies after I read my Bible and wrote down some things Pastor said during the message today.

12/29/18...Went to breakfast at Bob Evans, Packed stuff for the cruise, went to Outback

Bill's new hobby.  Making walking sticks

Vikki's painting she reframed for her dad

Vikki and I hung the cute plaque she made for us

Isaac...he's outgrown Sandy

There were so many birds on the feeder today I almost had to put take a number out

Vikki Made this for me to hold these ornaments Kenzie and Travis made

Side view of it

We slept in until 8:30.  Haven't slept that late in a very long time.  We went to Bob Evans and each got a free stack of pancakes.  We were very full when we left.  We went to Meijer's and picked up birdseed for my new bird feeder Bill got me.  It's squirrel proof an I sure am excited to use it.  While we were out to breakfast, Vikki came and picked up the Painting of the Vietnam Marine she made for Bill, and took it to her house to reframe.  She brought it back and it looks beautiful.  We hung the board with the hook she made me and put Kenzie and Travis's ornaments on it.  She also helped me hang the beautiful plaque she made us for Christmas.  It looks so nice. We hung another wall hanging too.  Thank you Vikki.  When she got home, she called and told us the guy who bought Rody's car came and picked it up.  He just put it on facebook yesterday and had 250 interested people.  He sold it really quickly.  So thankful for that.  He is loving the car he got.  He found out there is electric start on his keychain so he can start the car from inside.  Another bonus from the Lord.  Very happy for them.  Bill and I went to Outback and had a steak dinner.  it was delicious.  Came home and watched a couple of Hallmark Movies.

12/28/18 The boys slept in. Bill walked at SportZone, I walked at home...The boys played the wii

The birds are sure loving my new feeder.  So nice that so many can eat at the same time

Evan and Jack playing Mario

These cute kiddos are being so good and are so sweet

Bill went to the SportsZone to walk.  The boys slept in, so I walked in the basement to get my steps in.  They ate breakfast and then wanted to play darts on the wii.  They went downstairs and played in the basement for a while and then played more wii sports.  They sure are having fun together. 
Bill wound up all of the outside lights and put away the nativity.  It was pretty windy today.  Good thing he took them down yesterday and just had to work in the garage packing them up today.  I went to the dentist for a quick look to make sure all is well before we go on our cruise.  It was just a run in appt., so I took Jack and Evan with me.  The dentist was talking to the boys while he was checking my teeth.  Then he said everything looked great and I started walking out the door.  He went to grab Jack and said it was his turn in the chair.  Jack smiled and said no way.  
Melissa and Bruce picked up the boys and headed to Muskegon from here.  She called me when she got there safely.  Bill and I watched a Hallmark Movie.  

8/27/18...Went through my shorts and tops to get ready for cruise...Jack and Evan spent the night,

Evan and Jack love the light up table

Jack and Evan at McDonalds

Evan playing

Evan and Jack

Evan and Jack sure had fun playing wii sports.  They bowled, boxed, played darts, played air hockey and lots more.  They sounded pretty tired when I kept checking on them, but didn't want to stop.  I did get them to pause for a little while so we could have a snack together.  

I finished the newsletter for Faith Riders.  Went through my shorts, capris, and summer tops and got the ones out that I am taking on our cruise.  It's getting close now.  Bill and I went to Penney's and got two large suitcases that expand 2 more inches, a backpack and a cute carryon for me that I can pull.
We came home and dropped them off.  Melissa called and Jack was done at his doctor appointment.  He has exeema on his little finger.  It looks infected, so the PA put him on an antibiotic.  I went and picked up Evan and Jack to spend the night.  We went to McDonalds and the boys ate and played for a while.  The playland is sure a lot smaller than it used to be.  Not much room for very many kids.  They had fun and then we got ready to leave. We stopped in the other room so they could play on the light up table.  They really liked that.  We came home and they wanted to play Mario.  After playing that for a while, they wanted to do wii sports.  They had so much fun with all the games.  They sure started sounding tired though.  I had them pause it and we all had a snack together.  Evan wanted chips and ketchup, Jack wanted two peanut butter cups, and I had chips and dip.  Bill didn't want anything because he ate late.  Bill and I watched a taped Hallmark Movie (so we could fast forward through commercials) while the boys played the wii.  I tucked the boys in and listened to their prayers and then prayed over them.  They are such sweet grandsons!  They both prayed for me.  I am blessed.

12/26/18...Walked at SportsZone, Vikki, Rody and the kids came over, Bill went with Rody to look at cars

Isaac and Peyton

Lucy on my lap

Peyton and Isaac

I love my bird feeder Bill got me for Christmas and so do the birds

Bill and I walked 2 miles at Sportszone.  I did some laundry and organized some stuff I got for Christmas.  Vikki, Rody and the kids came over and had leftovers with us.  Kimmy called and she and the boys are coming tomorrow. YAY!  We all ate and then Rody and Bill went to look at cars for Rody.  Vikki and I watched the rest of When Calls the Heart that she did get to see yesterday.  We also watched a couple of Elevation Church Messages.  They were great.   We finished putting the puzzle together while Peyton and Isaac played in the basement.  It was such a nice day. The guys got back and Vikki, Rody and the kids left.  Bill and I watched a Hallmark Movie and then watched the news.

12/25/18...Merry Christmas! Jesus was Born! Alleluia! He came to save the world! Rejoice

So blessed with all of these wonderful grandchildren

Bill, Max, Evan, Bruce, Jack, Melissa and Hailey.  

Beautiful table setting and beautiful Granddaughter Hailey

Bruce getting the food ready.  Hailey was helping and then she saw me coming with the camera and this was her pose

Hailey and Melissa

Max, Bruce and Hailey

Hailey, Melissa and Evan

Peyton and her matching American Girl Doll

Melissa showing me how she can hold a flower right between her fingers now.  Therapy sure has helped her improve.  

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Hailey, me, Max, Bill
Jack and Evan (We did a retake below because Bill was wearing his green John Deere Garden Gloves from Hailey in the picture ha ha

Hailey, me, Bill
Jack, Max and Evan

                                                Lenny, Isaac, Peyton and Lucy on Christmas Day

Peyton, me, Bill, and Isaac with birthday dog Lenny in front

Lucy sure loved the toy Melissa sent.  She took it right to her cage.

Isaac next to his flying drone. He sure is good at flying it.

Happy Birthday to Lenny today!  He is 3 yrs. old.  He loved the toy from Melissa too and took his turn with it.

Jacob, Adam, me, Bill
Wyatt and Eli...favorite picture with these handsome grandsons

Jacob, Adam, me, Bill
Wyatt and Eli (I love Wyatt's smile in this picture)

Three cute boys and their squished dad

Eli showing me how his cow suctions to the window

Adam and Jacob flying their helicopters!

Jared starting to doze off

Me and my sweet Wyatt.  He's so cute!

Papa engraving Eli's ping pong ball shooter he made him

Another great day.  So thankful for Christmas and what it means to us!!!

We went to Melissa and Bruce's at 9.  We had homemade cinnamon rolls that were delicious.  We all opened presents.  The kids were excited and cute.  The kids went first, then Melissa and Bruce, and then me and Bill.  It was cute when Bruce opened the box of Kimmy's and Jared's bowls.  They had asked to buy them for gifts for other people, but when they saw them, they decided to keep the whole set.  Melissa told me this when he was opening them.  They love Kimmy and Jared's bowls. Bill and I got nice John Deere Garden gloves from Hailey. Mine are pink and his are green.  She painted me a little flower pot turquoise with a heart on it and put zinnia seeds in it for next summer.  It's really cute.
She got papa a security wallet.  The boys got me a bar of charcoal soap which was made in Hemlock.
It smells delicious and a very cute snowman glass figurine that lights up and changes color.  They got Bill a travel bag to take on our cruise that opens and hangs up.
We ate an amazing breakfast on their good china after that.  Bruce made scrambled eggs, egg casserole, bacon, sausage, waffles, hash browns, American fries, hash brown paddies, homemade bread, fresh fruit and orange juice.  Everything was delicious and we were stuffed when we were done.  We visited for a while and then headed to Vikki and Rody's.  We had coffee and I ate a couple of cookies there.  It was fun seeing what the kids got for Christmas.  They were excited to show us.
It's Lenny's 3rd Birthday today.  We left there and headed for Kimmy and Jared's.  She invited us to eat with them, but we were too stuffed so they ate while we were on our way.  We loved seeing what they got for Christmas and hearing about how early Adam and Jacob were up (5 a.m.) because they were so excited about their presents.  They even got up during the night to check them out under the tree. We had a wonderful time with them too.  (Bill emptied out their candy kisses from the candy bowl)  He stuffed them in his pocket.  He engraved Eli's name on his ping pong shooter he made him and signed from Papa on it.  We headed home around 4:30.  Got home and watched a Hallmark Movie and then When Calls the Heart Christmas Special.  Another wonderful day with our precious family and lots of love shared once again.  So thankful for Jesus and a family that loves Him so much!

12/24/18...Christmas Eve!!! Our Wonderful Family Christmas today was so much fun.

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Some of the beautiful homemade gifts that were given today.  Our family has amazing talents!

Adam, Hailey, Evan, Eli, Peyton, Isaac and Jack. Charlie in back

Eli, Jacob and Adam getting ready to open their gifts from Aunt Tina and Angel

Peyton and Isaac getting ready to open their gifts from Aunt Tina and Angel

Jack Hailey, Evan and Max getting ready to open their gifts from Aunt Tina and Angel

Eli in his shirt from Aunt Tina

Isaac and Peyton in their shirts from Aunt Tina and Angel

Peyton and Hailey in their shirts

Adam, Hailey, Jacob and Max
Isaac, Evan, Jack, Eli and Peyton all in their shirts

Evan, Adam, Max, Kenzie, Peyton, Hailey, Isaac
Eli, Jack and Jacob

Kenzie and Isaac

Jack

Jacob, Kimmy, Hailey, Kenzie, Max, Travis and Adam

Sue, Charlie, Bill, Melissa, Bruce, me and Rody

Peyton

Travis and Kenzie

                                                                     Sue and Max

Max and Jacob

Rody, Peyton, Evan and Ei

Evan and Max

Jack

Jacob and Hailey

 Adam, Eli and Jared

Kenzie and Travis

Isaac, Jack, Peyton and Adam (in the background)

Evan was pretty happy when he opened his gift up from us

Evan and Max

Jack and Eli

Max, Evan and Jack

Max and Papa

Hailey

Bill and I

Bill and Max

Isaac with his toy Papa Bill made him

Ornament Travis made Vikki

Ornament Travis made me

Ornament Kenzie made me

Sheep ornament Kenzie made Kimmy

Two new beautiful mugs on the left from Kimmy and Jared

Yummy Banana Bread from Misty

Isaac and Eli

Adam, Isaac, Eli, Peyton, Evan, Wyatt, Jack
Hailey, Papa, me, Jacob and Max

Kenzie and Peyton

Kenzie and Isaac

Kenzie and Max

Kenzie and her papa

Hailey and Kenzie

Kenzie, Vikki, me and Peyton

Kenzie and Vikki

Kenzie and her Uncle Jared

Kenzie and her Aunt Missy

Kenzie and Travis

Kenzie and Adam

Isaac, Kenzie and Peyton

Hailey and Kenzie

Eli and Kenzie

Sign Vikki made for us.  We always say $Bill and Penny, the family that makes cents so that people will remember our names.  This was so cute, sweet and funny to open.  Great job Vikki.  We love it!

Everyone came at 9.  We snacked and Kenzie wrapped  Travis’s gift and Kimmy wrapped Bill’s gift for me.  Then we gathered in the Living room and listened to Bill read the Christmas Story in the Bible. Love this tradition and focusing on Jesus!  After that Jared, Rody and Bruce passed out all of the gifts.  They always do a great job.  We sure are blessed with great son in laws.  We all got such nice things and I loved all the homemade things given by everyone....Kimmy and Jared's mugs, Vikki's sign and gnomes, Kenzie and Travis's ornaments, Bruce's jam, and Bill's wooden ping ball shooters....lots of talent in the family!  Travis was so cute to watch when he saw all of the homemade things opened.  

Kimmy and Jared mashed the potatoes which were delicious, Bill cut the turkey, I made the gravy and everyone helped set everything on the table.  We ate lots of good food and Charlie, Bill, Bruce and Jared played Euchre, the kids played and Sue, the girls and I visited.  It was sure a wonderful Christmas with a house full of family and lots of love.  We are very blessed! Thank you Jesus, Messiah, Emanuel, God With Us, Savior of the World, Redeemer, and so much more for coming!