Monday, 5/31/21, Memorial Day...remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom!!! Vikki and Family and Stacie and Family came over

Mia and Hailey at the pool at Bay Shore

Hailey and Mia getting ready to go canoeing

Stacie, Kody, DJ and Bill 

Kody had a busy weekend and was super tired today.  He usually has lots of energy.  He did walk around and collected feathers to take home

 Stacie holding Peyton's doll...she was just like the rest of us with it

Isaac finally went all the way under in the pool today

Isaac and Peyton

Isaac

Peyton

Jacob, Adam, Eli, Jared and Wyatt...they went on a family hike today in Hartwick Pines

 Hailey and Papa pumping her gas

Got up early to spend time with the Lord before things got busy.  Mixed the potatoes salad up.  Made burger patties.  Texted with Adam.  Kimmy called and wasn't feeling good because of her cold.  She even had to sleep in a chair at around 3 a.m.  We talked and decided to cook out next weekend since she was congested.  I sure am praying for my sweet girl.   Praying protection for everyone else too. I talked to her a little later and they were going hiking.  She said she felt good enough to do that.  Melissa and family came last night for a visit, so they didn't come because Jack and Evan were catching up on some school work.  They are making good progress.  I talked to Kenzie and Travis and then Face Timed with them. They have to make pendants and stuff for an art show they are going to be in.  They have sold most of their stuff, so they didn't come so they could work and get stuff made ahead for this show in June.  Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Issac came over.  Bill cooked hotdogs and burgers on the grill and we all ate and enjoyed his good cooking.  We had baked beans, potato salad, salad, strawberries and Rody's delicious Banana Pudding Dessert.  Stacie, DJ and Kody came after Kody's Cub Scout Memorial Day event was done.  They ate when they were here too.  We had a nice time visiting, Peyton and Isaac had fun swimming and Kody had fun looking for feathers.  Isaac went underwater for the first time this year.  It was still burr cold.   I texted Lela to see if she was ok.  I was concerned because she hadn't posted on her blog in a few days.  I sure was happy to hear she was doing good and only has 4 more days of radiation.  She sent me a cute squirrel video and we texted for a while.  Bill and I watched the National Memorial Concert 2021.  It was so touching and really makes you appreciate what these hero's did.  We watch these concerts every year.  A couple came and Bill showed them Vikki's sailboat and they bought it for $450.  I was talking to Melissa on the phone, we talked about Hailey being home.  That reminded me that we didn't get gas today at Kroger.  It was our last day to get 50 cents off a gallon.  I hung up and got dress as I already put my pj's on.  We called Hailey to see if she needed gas and she did since she drove to Sebewaing and back.  Bill filled my car first, then Haileys, the his truck and two gas cans and came to exactly the 35 gallons we could use the 50 off on.  I visited with Hailey while he put gas in both of our cars, then we girls left while he filled his truck.  She was working on homework when we called her.  We were sure happy she could come get her car filled.  We tried Vikki, Rody or Bruce but they just filled their cars.  Then we though of Kimmy and waited so we could see if she needed gas.  She ended up not coming and we totally forgot about the gas.  Good thing I talked to Melissa.  We love our family and their family extensions!

Sunday, 5/30/21, Isaac went with us to church, Read Bibles outside, Helped Vikki with sailboat, Peyton swam, Melissa, Bruce and the boys came over

Vikki took these pretty pictures of some of my plants today and put them together in this picture

Sailboat Vikki found along the road and put in her Prius by herself and brought it home.  

 Bill power washing the sailboat

Me scrubbing the sail

Bill and I 

Watered most of my plants while Bill had the hose out that far

Peyton ready to get in the pool

Peyton surprised us and stayed in the pool a long time...it was very cold

Isaac showed us how he rides his little motorcycle

Isaac when we ate in the car at Culver's.  He and Papa both got a hamburger with catsup and onions.  Isaac didn't want ice cream, but got a Pepsi. Papa got a concrete mixer.  While we were ordering, Isaac told me it would be nice if we paid for the car behind us.  When we got to the window, Papa paid for theirs too.  Isaac is such a sweet kid.

We went to church early.  Isaac went into prayer with me before church started.  Isaac was so happy to be at church in person again.  He worshipped so good and I noticed him on his phone and looked, and saw he was looking up the Scriptures Pastor was reading.  I am so proud of this sweetie and his love for the Lord.  Worship and the message were both amazing!! After church we went to Culver's and ate.  We were the second in line at the drive through.  When we got home, we all sat out on the deck for a while.  Vikki called and said she found a sail boat along the road and took it home in her prius.  I told her she should power wash it here.  Bill and I went to get it and bring it here because Vikki didn't want to drive that far with it in her car.   Isaac stayed with Rody, and Peyton came with Vikki.  Bill power washed it, while Vikki and I scrubbed the sail.  It sure looks nice all cleaned up and put together.  She's selling it.  It will be neat to see how much she gets.  Peyton went swimming when we were done with the sailboat.  She sure stayed in long for as cold as it felt.  Vikki and I relaxed up on the pool deck and Bill relaxed under the Gazebo.  So thankful it wasn't another windy day.  Vikki and Peyton left, and I started peeling and cutting potatoes, cutting onions and cutting celery for potato salad.  I boiled the eggs in my Pressure Cooker XL.  It only took 6 minutes for a dozen.  Then I put them in an ice bath.  Sure is an easy way to do them and have them peel great.  Kimmy showed me how when I was at her house Thursday.  Melissa, Bruce and the boys came over to look at the sailboat.  That was so nice of Bruce to do...he knows a lot about them.  Vikki didn't even know he was coming to do that.  She was asking him what price to sell it for. It sure was nice seeing them all.  Hailey is at BayShore with friends.  I came in and finished cutting up potatoes and cooked them.  

 

Sat., 5/29/21, Had fun with Peyton, Vikki came and we took pool cover off, Bill hooked up filter and all went great, Isaac stayed with us and spent the night

Peyton by the pool right after we took the cover off...It was crystal clear

Peyton

Isaac beating me at 3-13

Isaac blowing up the balloon Papa gave him

Papa had Isaac pull the tractor into the shed

 Look at this little precious grand baby

Peyton with my great grandbaby

Such a sweet baby!!

He's got little eyelashes already

We almost had to set a timer to hold him because no one wanted to share

 Nana and Peyton sharing the baby

Isaac played a beautiful worship song on the piano for us.  He did amazing!

Peyton slept in this morning.  I got up first, then Bill.  I put the siphon on the pool cover 

to drain the water off from yesterday's rain.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys were planning on coming to help us get the cover off and I wanted it to be ready.  Bill came out to help me.

Peyton got up, and when I came in she told me she had been up a while.  She's so cute.

She was looking forward to spending a special day with her mom while Isaac stayed here.  She is a mommy's girl and misses her lots, but she still loves spending the night at Nana's.

We played Tonk and I won by just a few points,  Bill got all the leaves and stuff off the pool cover, so we decided to take it off.  I called Vikki and she came to help.  All of us, and the over being so clean, we got it off easily....with a little help from the strong wind.  We were so happy to see that the water was crystal clear.  Bill put the hoses in and started filling it up the rest of the way, while he hooked the filter up.  He did a great job and got it all set.  We all worked on getting the steps to the pool cleaned.  Peyton worked hard scrubbing it and then she wanted to clean the two lounge chairs too.  She's a great helper.  Bill, Vikki and I worked on putting the solar cover on the reel and getting it on the pool.  All went well there too.  It was a very windy day, so we did have to work against the wind.  Peyton was the only one to go in the pool.  She did it for a Kit Kat Bar.  I sure wouldn't.   Isaac and Bill ate spaghetti, Peyton ate a bagel, and Vikki and I ate cabbage buns for lunch.  Vikki and Peyton left, and then Isaac and I played 3-13.  He was beating me by 50 points.  We had lots of leaves blow down from the Maple tree.  I went out to tell Bill not to mow them and let the fly on my plants.  He told me I could finish if I wanted to, so I did and he went in to play the last 3 hands of 3-13 with Isaac.  He won two rounds, but the last one he got stuck with 20 points, so he lost for me.  He picked up the grass and leaves with his tractor and attachment after I was done.  Isaac kept checking the water level of the pool without even being asked.  He let us know when it was high enough to turn the filter on.  All went well land there were no leaks.  Great job Bill and Isaac. I put the pool chemicals in and was finishing up when Vikki and Peyton came back again.  Vikki sent me a picture of a "Real" Baby she and Peyton got at the thrift store.  She told me she was babysitting a baby and I believed her.  These dolls have hair and features like real babies.  I saw them advertised a long time ago and thought they were so neat.  They came over to show us, and we FaceTime Melissa and she thought it was real too, but Peyton told her right away it was a doll.  I got snacks ready for Isaac to have while we watched a Movie about Golden Retrievers.  I made popcorn for him and Papa too.  After our movie, Isaac got his pj's on and we read the Picture Bible.  Then we both prayed and I tucked him in.  He wanted to sleep on the couch, so we made it nice and comfy for him.  He is such a great kid and a great help.  Very responsible too!  Love this sweet grandson so much!

Fri, 5/28/21, Went to Pat’s, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came, Peyton spent the night, Vikki had fun with Isaac and went to Cracker Barrel

                      Fun time with Peyton.  She is such a fun girl to have spend the night.

She knows how to pack too!

Peyton and Papa love spaghetti

Vikki was with Isaac at Cracker Barrel...not many tables and only one other table had people at it in her section.  

I got up early.  It was cold 45 degrees and super windy out.  The wind even moved our pergola a foot.  Bill will be bolting it down after the wind dies down.  We moved it back. Made more cabbage buns.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came.  Vikki had a couple of cabbage buns and we all had chips and Vikki’s yummy salsa. We had chocolate marshmallow cookies too.  Peyton is spending the night, so I am one blessed Nana.  Vikki and Isaac left.  Peyton and I played 3-13 and had Reeses Pieces for a snack.  She won me.  It was close all the way, but the last hand, I ended up with 20 points and she was at -11.  We went for a walk outside after that.  We walked all around, looking at plants and picking up some big sticks that blew down from the big maple tree.  She checked the milkweed just like her mom does.  We went in the camper for a while.  It was much warmer in there.  When we came in, I made spaghetti (which she loves) and baked the cabbage rolls and 3 regular rolls.  We had spaghetti, broccoli and rolls.  She ate really good.  She sure loves and misses her mom!  She texted lots with her.  She was missing Isaac too. Vikki and Isaac went to Cracker Barrel for some alone time.  She sent me a picture and there was hardly anybody in the restaurant.   Each section only had a few tables in them.  The waitress commented on how polite Isaac was and wanted to keep him.  Peyton, Papa and I had popcorn while we watched Leave it to Beaver Episodes.  Peyton also had some green grapes.  She remembered her medicine on her own and brought it and told me she needed to take it.  Very responsible girl.  Vikki forgot to remind me of it.  I had to finish the Faith Rider’s Newsletter while we watched tv.  Peyton decided she wanted to sleep upstairs in the bed.  She’s the first to sleep in that room since the remodel.  We prayed and then she asked me if we had time to read the Bible.  Of course I said yes.  She went to bed so good.  Vikki is raising some really kindhearted, polite and sweet kiddos.  

Thurs. 5/27/21, Took Peyton and Isaac to Kimmy's with me, Bought plants with gift certificates from boys fundraiser

 

Isaac and Peyton taking a reading test during online school.   They both did great
and Vikki said they got all A's in all of their classes!  Great job kiddos!!!

Isaac shooting the air gun

Peyton just wanted to watch

 Isaac and Peyton

I had an awful nightmare last night, and was thankful I woke up enough to start saying Scriptures (a lot from worship songs I listen came to me right away).  I kept declaring what Jesus did, and that He is my Lord and I got peace.  Glad I don't have nightmares often.  I got up early, and put on worship music.  Vikki came and had coffee and ate her breakfast.  We talked to Kimmy while she was here too.  After Vikki left, Peyton, Isaac and I loaded their computers and headed to meet Kimmy at Lapman's Greenhouse to use our gift certificates from Jacob and Eli's band fundraiser.  They weren't real organized there, but we found nice plants we liked.  I was was $5 over my amount which I thought was great, and Kimmy was only over $2.  We all went to Kimmy's.  Kimmy and the kids got the computers set up and ready, then we all walked outside to look at Kimmy's beautiful plants.  They are beautiful and her place looks so nice.  We went inside so the kids could start their tests.  Kimmy boiled eggs in her smart pot and it was so fast and easy.  I will be doing that!!  She made yummy egg salad sandwiches on flat bread and we had pretzels and Doritos to go with it.  Kimmy is just like her grandma (my mom).  She had the window open, and was ready to shoot at the Starlings to scare them away from the suet feeder.  That's was Granny Oakley, as we called my mom, did.  The kids finished their test, and Peyton ate a half egg salad sandwich.  Isaac wasn't hungry.  We had Oreo's too.  We all went outside and everyone but Peyton took a turn at shooting the air gun.  We walked through the woods and looked at all the plants and trees coming up.  It's always fun to walk out there.  The kids checked on eggs with Kimmy.  There were lots!  We didn't have the basket to put them in, so didn't collect them.  We went back inside and packed up everything, so I could get the kids back to my house where Vikki was waiting.  They still had school to do.  Kimmy sent them off with lots of snacks, and a DHS player and games.  The kids were so happy.  She is such a good Aunt who is always so thoughtful.  Isaac is becoming quite a good back seat driver.  He knows a lot and gave really good advise, so will be quite a good driver when he learns to drive.  He was so cute!!!  

Wed., 5/26/21, HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JACOB, OUR FIRSTBORN GRANDSON! Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac, Wes and Gayla came over

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JACOB!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Isaac, Nana and Peyton

Isaac and Peyton

Cat Kenzie is giving me...her name is Lily and she's a sweet outdoor cat

It rained in the morning.  We got about a half inch. Happy I don't have to water.   I got up early so I could read and pray before the business of the day.  Called Jacob and sang Happy Birthday to him and talked to him for a few minutes.  Made a blueberry pie and made two batches of bread dough for cabbage buns.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  We talked to Kimmy on the phone and drank our coffee.  She had an extra breakfast sandwich from McDonald's that she gave me.  Yum!  We walked her out when she left for work and did our usual waving goodby.  Worked on spelling.  For reading today, we listened to a young boy read You love Ewe.  He was a good little reader and it was a cute book.  We listened to Wonky Donkey after that.  Rody had done that one with them, so the kids wanted me to hear it.   Finished cleaning the house.  Another very windy day, but it got up to 79.  It cooled down to 55 in the evening.  Adam FaceTimed me today, and we connected.  He was on his way home from school.  Last night we couldn't connect.  Took care of feeding birds, and took care of some early spring plants that needed cutting down.  Bill blew off the deck and I washed down the tables.  I stuffed the bread dough, then baked the cabbage buns.  Wes and Gayla came for dinner.  We had a salad with the cabbage buns, then had the blueberry pie for dessert.  We sat out on the deck and visited a long time, then played 2 games of 3-13.  I won the first and Bill won the second.  It was fun having them over.  They left when it was just getting dark as they had the motorcycle.  Bill tried to call Jacob, but couldn't get Kimmy to answer.  I texted Adam to have Kimmy call.  I didn't hear anything, and he had already told me goodnight, so I told Bill just to use my phone and text Jacob.  He doesn't have an I phone.  He sent a really sweet message, and Jacob answered it and then called him.  They talked for a few minutes.  Melissa sent me two cute pictures of Hailey with her instruments, so I am posting them on yesterday's blog.  It was a busy, but fun day.

Tues., 5/25/21, Dusted the house, did laundry, cleaned off cushions outside, Went to Hailey's concert and it was amazing

Hailey with her trumpet she played also

Peyton and Isaac's last spelling list for the year!!!

Evan, Jack, Melissa and Bruce up on the hill watching

Bill and I down by the pavilion so we could take the pictures and videos

Hailey is in the last row, second from the right in the video

Hailey with her French Horn she played

 Hailey in her Symphonic Band Concert

She played the French Horn since she injured her right wrist.  She usually plays Trumpet

Got up early to read and worship.  Peyton and Isaac came and we started doing the words on their last list for the year.  We did our reading and then they had some free time.  Ate Chicklit chops (chocolate chip) for a snack.  Did some cleaning in the house and out on the deck.  Got the tables washed off and the cushions cleaned.  Lots of stuff blowing from the trees with the strong winds we had today!  Great weather for Hailey's concert though.  The wind died down by then, but there was a nice breeze.  It was warm, but nice.  The school concert was an absolutely wonderful concert.  The first since Covid.  Nice to see people we haven't seen in a long time.  Hailey was so happy to finally have a concert, and we sure were excited to be able to go.