12/20/13 Bruce, Jack ,Luke, Max, Ally and Hailey singing Christmas Carols at Walmart and ringing the bells!

Our Christmas tree this year!

Loved hearing them sing!  Trying to post a video but haven't been able to so far.

 

When I got up this morning I turned TV on to see if schools were closed.  They were because of icy roads.  Kimmy, Vikki and I were supposed to get together to bake cookies, but decided I would start baking them at home myself.  Kimmy couldn't come because of the roads so she baked cookies at her house.  I made an extra batch to take to Melissa.  She wanted me to leave them plain so their family can decorate them.  After I dropped them off, I came home and baked 2 more batches.  I'm taking them to Kimmy's tomorrow to decorate cookies together.  Bill and I went to the Maple Grill for dinner tonight.  He had meatloaf and potatoes and I had chicken pot pie, squash and potatoes.  Very good.  We got an apple turnover to go.  Went and pick up Melissa and Evan on our way back, and took them to Walmart with us to see Bruce and the Kids Bell Ringing.  They did so good.  People really put money in the kettle.  Some would say they'd be right back and go to their cars and get their money.  One lady put money in and then gave each child a dollar to have themselves.  The kids all put the dollar in the kettle though.  So sweet.  Got home and cleaned up my baking mess and then Bill and I watched a movie.  Forgot to mention Papa took Kenzie shopping so she could get what she needs for wrestling.  Fun Papa/granddaughter time!

 

12/14/13 Schaard Christmas Party at Fred and Lourdes's House

Had another enjoyable and fun time with the Schaard family for our Christmas Celebration.  Ate turkey, Ham, red skin potatoes, salad, corn, and mixed veggies.  Everything was so good.  Then we played Family Feud.  Our team, Vikki, Jared, Bruce, Bill (captain of our team) and I came in second.  Fred and Lourdes had all sorts of wonderful things in a gift bag for each team.  The Baker's came in 1st.  We played another game next where Fred read a story which had a lot of left and right words.  We had all brought Lottery tickets for the game and he put them in envelopes and we all had to pass the way he read.  If you messed up you were out of the game.  Only Aunt Debbie and Denise got out.  Aunt Debbie didn't pass the envelopes and ended up with 3.

 This is my gift from Debbie this year.  All my grandchildren are the little marshmallows!  So cute!  Below is my gift from her last year.  So special.  Love all those grandkiddos listed.  I am truly blessed!  Thank You Lord!

 

12-13-13 Faith Riders Christmas Party at the Hall in Freeland

 Roz and Lonnie sat by us.  She and Rody's mom just made beautifiul cover up quilts for the twins.

 Bill and Joel having a good time.

 Wes and Gayla did a great job setting up!

 We were happy to have Joel sitting with us.

Had lots of fun at our Christmas party.  Enjoyed good food and fellowship, and then were blessed with Arlyn playing beautiful Christmas music and all of us singing along.  Great time worshipping the Christ of Christmas! 

 The Living Nativity is a yearly tradition and highlight of the Christmas Season!

 So happy Wes, Gayla and Joel came too and were part of our Shepherd family!

 Hailey loves making friendship bracelets.  I love the Christmas one she made me and also the cute key chain.  She sure a special little sweetie!  Love that girl!

Kenzie gave Mocha this electrifying hairdo!  She is so funny and sweet.  Mocha loves her so much and so do I!

12/5/13 Fun with some precious grandchildren!

The kiddos had fun playing together.  Peyton and Isaac loved the Christmas Snow Globe that plays music.  Loved turning it on and off.  Eli liked showing them how.  Kimmy found an inch worm that was just like the one she had when Melissa, Vikki and she were little.  All the kids loved playing with it. 

Max's Birthday Celebration!

Had fun celebrating Max's 8th Birthday!  We ate a delicious spaghetti dinner and then had yummy cake and ice cream.  It was so much fun watching Max read his cards and open his presents.  He sure is a wonderful young boy with a caring heart.  Sure do love this boy!

11/29/13 Heading home

We had eggs, potatoes, sausage, ham, toast, and fruit for breakfast.  Love the food at the Shack!  We packed up and loaded the truck.  Stopped at the Indian museum in Mt. Pleasant on the way back so Chuck could get a DVD he had wanted but they were out of.  They had it so he was happy.  We headed to Cops Doughnuts in Clare next.  Had wonderful doughnuts and coffee with good creamer.
They have a huge selection and such good doughnuts!  Hard to choose what kind to get.

We got home.  Turned the heat up as we had turned it down while we were gone.  After unpacking, I went to Melissa's to pick up Mocha.  Got great hugs and greetings from everybody.  Hailey started making a bracelet.  I saw her working fast on it.  To my great surprise, she finished I and gave it to me.  It is in Christmas colors so I will be wearing it for the holidays.  What a sweetie she is!  This Nana sure loves that girl!

Bill brought the tree up from the basement and had it all set up when I got home.  I spread the branches out and then we put the lights on.  One string was burned out so we quit and decided to finish the next day.  We watched a very touching Christmas movie and then went to bed.