11/26/17...Great message at church.....Kenzie came to church with Vikki, Finished decorating the house for Christmas, went to the Boar's Head

Nice picture Aunt Vikki sent me of James, Rob, Shannon, Ava,  Claire, Shane and Kelly

I dropped off Vikki's cake pan on my way to the church.  Took this picture of my cuties!

Loved going to the dress rehearsal of the Boar's Head Festival! This is a tradition that is brings the true meaning of Christmas to my heart.  Hailey, Max and Jack did a great job in it and so did everyone else.  Melissa, Evan and I had so much fun together too.

Melissa and Evan in church waiting for it to start. The choir and orchestra sounded beautiful while we waited.

Max and Amani as a huntsmen

Max

Jack in the middle in the green (second row)  He really sang great and put his all into it.  

Jack

Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus

Hailey leading the king with her candle

Hailey

Hailey

Hailey

Hailey in the middle, third row from front

Hailey in the middle

Max coming down the aisle

Jack

Max

Hailey and Ally...BFF's  (I always take a picture of them together!  It's tradition)

Came home and Bill had the toilet paper/phone holder from Angie hung up in the bathroom.  It's so nice and pretty too.

Went upstairs and expected to see the other one hung, but this is what I found.   Gotta wait for tomorrow.

Went to church.  I got a big surprise when Kenzie came to our row and gave me a big hug.  Wasn't expecting to see her, but it sure made my day.  Pastor gave an amazing message on the Lineage of Jesus.  There were no perfect people in his family except Him.  How blessed we are to have His grace and mercy.  After church, Bill and I went to Walmart to get a small set of Christmas lights for the evergreen bough on the china cabinet.  He picked up snowflake reflector lights, and I got an "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him" sign.  We went to Arby's after that and he got a roast beef sandwich and I got a grand turkey club.  We split some curly fries.  When we got home, I finished decorating the inside of the house.  He carried the heavy tubs upstairs for me.  Love having the Christmas decorations up.  I met Bruce, Melissa and the kids at the church at 6 to see the Boar's Head.  It really touched my heart and I was so proud of how good the kids did.

11/25/17...Bill had to go to a Marine Corp League acquaintance's funeral. I put the Christmas tree and decorations up.

Bill looked really nice before going to the funeral

So happy to have our Christmas Tree up

Not too much to write about.  I spent most of the day putting up the tree and putting Christmas decorations up.  I still have a little more to do tomorrow.  Made chicken, potatoes and string beans for dinner.  Put more decorations up.  Watched a Hallmark movie with Bill afterward.

11/24/17...We ate breakfast as the Shack, then loaded the car and headed home.

It was in the mid 40's when started for home.  Beautiful and sunny out.

I was so excited.  Bill took me to Paris!   Paris, Michigan that is.   We went through this Antique store

The set of glasses and wooden holder we brought 

Love the shape of the glass and design

Bill eating peanuts at the Texas Longhorn

This is when he looked up and realized I was taking a picture.

We took a load down to the car while we were going down for breakfast.  When we got to the car, Bill said he forgot his keys in his coat pocket.  He waited by the car and I ran upstairs to get his keys and brought the rest of my stuff down. We ate a good breakfast at the Shack.  Scrambles eggs, ham, sausage, toast, oatmeal, peaches, orange juice and coffee.  The guy told us another joke. We left and went through Remus, Big Rapids and then stopped in Paris.  We went through an Antique Shop.  A nice older lady owned it and she was so sweet.  We bought a beautiful set of 8 glasses with a wooden carrier from her.  We stopped in Mt. Pleasant and I used a Texas Longhorn gift card I had accidentally gotten a year ago.  There are none in Saginaw, Midland or Bay City so I was happy a few months ago when I saw one in Mt. Pleasant.  We stopped and we both got Sirloin Steak and a bake potato.  I got a house salad with mine and Bill got green beans.  He didn't like his beans because they had bacon and a sauce on them.  I ate a few of them, but didn't really like them either. The rest of the food was delicious.  We were right by a Penney's so we went in to Black Friday Shop.  Bill got me three tops for Christmas and he got a pair of gloves.  We also got some really nice King Size Sheets at great prices.  We don't usually shop on Black Friday.  We came home and unpacked and watched a Hallmark movie. I helped Sue load a digital coupon for 4x fuel points on gift cards.  That took a long time on the phone.  Then Bill and I watched a Celtic Christmas.  I caught up on my blog too.

11/23/17...HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at the Shack.

Cute little bear planter

Bill on our walk

Charlie and Sue

Beautiful swans across the lake

Bill keeping track of the number of people coming through the line.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.  MY FAITH AND SALVATION, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL THE MANY BLESSINGS GOD HAS GIVEN US.  THANK YOU JESUS!  We had a great breakfast at the Shack.  Scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, toast, peaches, orange juice and coffee.   We didn't eat a lot as we are having a huge Thanksgiving meal at 12:15.  Will sure have to walk when I get home.  Chuck and Sue loaded their car as they had to check out at 10 a.m.  They just hung out with us after that.  We played cards and I went to our car and got our purple cards this time.  Sue and I did great with them the last time we played.  We played Euchre again and the guys won the first one and Sue and I won the next three.  We were pretty happy.  We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, and a wonderful salad bar.  We were really full afterwards, so we went for a walk on the trail around the grounds. Chuck and Sue left after that.  In the evening, we went down for banana splits again.  We had over 130 going through the line for banana splits tonight.  Marv and Jeannette did all the scooping and cutting bananas for all of those people and she commented to me what a blessing it was.  Love this couple.  At quarter to 10 it was our turn to get our banana splits.  The line was way back to where the Amish lady is in the picture and stayed that long for a long time while people kept coming.  We met a guy named Larry Otto whose dad was related to Jared's family that the book, Jacob's Choice was written about.  He knew all about the people in the book too.  He was very interesting to talk to and he had a great testimony about God's miracle hand upon him and His provision for him and his family.  He reminded me of Jared.  He was really friendly and he had many of the same features.  He sure knew a lot of jokes and kept coming up to the counter where we were and telling us them.  

11/22/17...We left for the Shack, Stopped in Shepherd for breakfast

Bill, me, Sue and Chuck eating dinner at the Shack (the picture is blurry, but I put it on anyway since it's the only one I took today.

We went to Chuck and Sue's at 9:30 and followed them to the Shack.  They could only get a room for one night because they waited till the last minute to call and we are staying two so we couldn't ride together.  We stopped in Shepherd and walked through some a shop we always go to. It's in an old house and is really neat to go through.  We used to go to Loafer's Glory...a shop we loved there, but it closed.   I bought a couple of pillows at the shop we did go to.  We went to breakfast in town too.  Had amazing bread pudding afterwards; the best we have ever had.  Bill and I split one.  

We enjoyed our nice ride to the Shack.  We checked in and took our stuff to our room.  We were on the second floor.  We haven't been up there since the first time we went 6 years ago.   We went to an Amish Country Store. Bought some oatmeal, chicken soup seasoning, Weber Chicken spice, tea tree oil, and some homemade molasses cookies.  The cookies are delicious.  We ate dinner at the Shack.  We had tender roast beef, chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and fresh salad.  So delicious!  They always have great food there and all of our meals are included in the price for our room.  Charlie, Sue, Bill and I played Euchre.  Bill and Charlie won 3 games.  Sue and I were the losers.  At 8:00 we went down for banana splits.  The sweet Christian couple who own the Shack are so sweet.  He is 87 and she is 83.  She cuts all the bananas and he scoops all the ice cream.  There are 9 flavors to choose from.  Bill pours water into cups for people and I get the ice for him and watch the toppings to make sure they are always full.  We started helping our a couple of years ago.  It is a good way to get to know the people staying there.  95% of those staying there are Amish from Indiana.  Lots of people ask us if we are related to the owners.  Bill is funny, he says no, but I would like to be.  We enjoyed our banana splits lots.  Bill asked Mark for big scoops. Mine were too big for me, can't imagine eating more.  

11/21/17...Went Special Friend day at Hailey, Max, Jack and Evan's school, dropped off turkey and a cookie sheet at Melissa's, Went to Kenzie's, Went to movie with Charlie and Sue

Hailey playing her trumpet

Evan in Chapel

Hailey in the choir

Ben and Hailey.  Hailey got an award for being helpful in class, encouraging kids and being kind.  

Bill with Max...Bill was his special friend

Hailey in Chapel

Vikki and Hailey...Vikki was her special friend

Me and Evan in chapel...I was his special friend

Evan wearing his turkey crown we made together in his class

Hailey, Ally's Grandma, Ally, Mikayla and her dad

Jack and Nora

Jack and Nora doing a craft

Turkey Jack and Melissa made...Nora worked on cutting scraps

Love this picture of Evan and Melissa and the necklace he made her.

Isaac and Peyton

Bill and I went to Special Friend Day at Hailey, Max, Jack and Evan's school.  We went to chapel first.  There was a wonderful message on blessings and being thankful.  Hailey and Max played their instruments in the orchestra, Hailey sang in the choir and did a worship dance to It is Well with My Soul,  She did great.  Jack got an award for being a whiz in Math.  Hailey got one for being kind and caring and helpful.  Worship was great.  I went to Evan's classroom afterwards and we made a turkey crown and then had donut holes and juice.  Evan was so excited about the donuts.  

After that, I went to Max's class and gave him a hug.  Bill was in his class.  We walked and found Hailey's class and went in it.  I went and saw Hailey and then gave Ginny's mom a hug and talked to her.  Her husband has been in the hospital and rehab for months now and he's getting close to coming home.  We saw Melissa right before we left as she was coming into Hailey's room.  We came home and warmed up Thanksgiving leftovers.  I went to Melissa's after that to take her cookie sheet, Max's calendar from Sue and the dark meat turkey for Bruce.  Went to Kenzie's after that and took her to the bank to cash a couple of checks.  We went to the Secret Garden Store then and walked around.  It is such a neat shop with lots of nice things.  We went to a store Kenzie wanted to try, but didn't like it at all so left.  I took her home and came home to get Bill and we left right away to go to see "Wonder" at the movie theatre with Charlie and Sue.  It was a really good movie.  We got home and I went to take Mocha to Vikki's.  I stopped at Goodwill to get a cat condo/climber that Kenzie wanted.  I was happy to see the kids when I got to their house. Bill and I watched a Hallmark Movie and packed to go on our trip tomorrow.   

11/20/17...Walked at SportsZone, Charlie dropped off Kimmy's Shoes, Bill went to greet Soldiers returning at MBS, Took shoes to Kimmy, Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac came over and moved furniture and brought our tree up

Love this cute picture of Jacob, Adam and Eli's kittens.  They are so cute!

Isaac and Peyton on their way home

I got up early and went and walked 3 miles at the SportsZone.  Came home and shampooed our carpet.  Talked to Sue and told her Kimmy has the wrong shoes because they hurt her feet. Charlie brought the shoes that Sue had and I headed to Kimmy's house.  I saw the eagles by their nest on Midland Rd. which was so nice.  Called Kimmy and we decide we would meet at Tim Horton's because she was just getting out of work and had the shoes with her.  She tried the shoes on right away and knew they were hers.  She treated me to a French Vanilla Cap. and a banana nut cake.  We had a great visit and when we went to leave, we grabbed our backpacks and decided we better check to make sure we had the right one because they are both alike.  We had the wrong one so switched.  Good thing we checked.  We laughed at that!  Kimmy rode with me to Salvation Army. We found a few things and then I took Kimmy back to her van since she had to go get the kids from school.  I took the shoes she gave me to Sue.  Kimmy and I prayed that she would know they were her shoes because she thought the other ones were.  I dropped them off and she tried them on and immediately knew they were her shoes right away.  What a relief to have them both have the right shoes.  Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac came over for left overs.  Afterwards, we moved the living room furniture around to make room for the tree.  Then they brought the tree up for us. Bill wasn't feeling well so he didn't help.  He was having chills. The kids were so excited about them bringing the tree up.  We had dessert after that.  I am so thankful for Vikki and Rody helping me so much. I am so blessed!