12/16/17 Got up and started food. Schaard Christmas Party today at our house

Schaard Christmas party at your house.  For some reason the pictures didn't go on in order

In a circle ready to pray for our dinner.  Isaac prayed first and prayed that the food would be good.  Gotta love that boy!

Lourdes, Pekae, Fred and Isaac

Two silly grandkids and Isaac

Peyton, Kenzie, Isaac, Vikki

Me and Hailey

Isaac, Kenzie and me

Kenzie and me

Isaac and me

Jacob and me

Isaac and Peyton

Fred and Bill

Me and Debbie

Me and Max

Bill, me and Jared in our red flannels

Ma and Mocha

Fred and Vikki

Vikki and Tom

Fred, Debbie and Bill

Pekae, Fred and Lourdes

Peyton, Rody and Isaac

Everyone listening to Bill read the Christmas Story 

Ann, Peyton and Debbie

Debbie and Fred

Hailey and Debbie

Isaac, Max, Jacob, Adam, Evan, Peton, Eli, Jack and Hailey with Aunt Debbie .  They are holding the ornaments she gave them. 

Hailey, Pekae, Fred,, Max, Shanie....the December Birthday Buddies

Debbie and Vikki

Jacob an Adam

Fred and Matthew

Amanda, Tom, Steve, Shani, Lourdes, Fred and Matthew

Ashton, Fred, Jim, Denise, and Bill

Ann, Debbie, Vikki, Jared, Kim, Rody, Bruce and Melissa

Eli, Adam, Jack, Hailey, Evan, Jacob, Isaac and Peyton eating in the basement

My techie grandkids....Max, Eli, Adam, Jack

Isaac and Peyton eating some snacks

Peyton, Adam, Eli and Max

Kenzie and Hailey

Kenzie and her mom

Kenzie and Isaac

Kenzie and her Papa

Kenzie, Peyton, Vikki, Isaac and Rody

Jacob, Kenzie, and Peyton...Jacob has passed Kenzie  and is taller.

Silly Kenzie and Max

Kenzie and Max

Kenzie and Max

Kenzie and Peyton

Me, Kenzie and Vikki

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

Nana joined the grandkids in the picture

Peyton, Kenzie and Isaac

Vikki and Max

Some pictures of Bill's brother Fred and wife's, new home in Oregon.  They will move there in 3 years when he retires.

Got up at 5 and got the stuffing made, the turkey in, and the ham going.  Took my shower and then worked on putting snacks etc out.  No dishwasher working today!  Bummer!  I got most of the food in crock pots so we don't have to work so much when everyone is here.  Vikki came early to help and was really as huge blessing.  I mashed the potatoes and got them in crock pots and then Bill cut the turkey and we put it in the over to stay warm.  Everyone started coming and when Debbie, Tom and the kids got here we ate.  I went last so didn't notice that the ham wasn't out and the gravy wasn't out.  Everyone had a good laugh and wondered what was coming next ha ha.  Next time I will at least get in line first to just look and make sure I haven't forgotten anything.  Bill came and gave me a hug and told me I did a great job.  What a sweetie!

The girls were a great help.  Kimmy and Vikki let me sit and visit while they did all the clearing of the table and did the dishes for me.  What sweethearts.  They were cute.  They couldn't get to where the silverware went without asking people to move, so they put it in the dishwasher which had just had a cycle run in the morning when we noticed it leaking in the basement.  Great thinkers.  After everyone left they put it away for me.  The kids were all so good and had lots of fun. !  When just Debbie and her family were left here and the girls and their families, Vikki and I made Cappicino's in my new coffee bar for everyone.  They all love them.  I forgot to heat the milk for Debbie's so Vikki had to heat hers after she tried it and it was cold.  What a great day and wonderful family!

Friday, 12/15/17...Made two batches of rolls, set up tables, went to Joey's funeral, Came home and worked on stuff for party

Bill in his new tractor.  He sure was happy.  

Showing me how it works snow-blowing

I got up early to make rolls before we had to go to Joey's funeral.  Went to the funeral.  It was very emotional with lots of tears.  Everyone said how kind and sweet Joey was and how he loved the Lord.    Continuing to pray for his family and friends.  We came home and they delivered Bill's John Deere Tractor.  He was so happy and so cute driving it.  I got a lot done for the party tomorrow so it will be easier.  Face timed Kimmy and showed her everything that was done, so she wouldn't have Jared drive her here in the morning and drop her off and then go back home to get Jacob.  Jacob went to the   show with Nick to see the new Star Wars Movie.  After I showed Kimmy all that was done, she was convinced not to come early.  Kimmy is always willing to help and goes above and beyond.  Vikki is coming early to help.  She is always willing to help too.  Melissa is always willing too.  I am blessed.

Thursday, 12/14/17....Went to Vikki's to drop some cheesy potatoes off. Picked up her crockpot

Peyton and Isaac

I dropped off some cheesy potatoes for Vikki.  Also picked up her crockpot to use for the party.
Took a cute picture of Peyton and Isaac.  Vikki's new recliner looks beautiful.  She sure finds great deals.

12/13/17....Big snow storm, no class tonight....cancelled because of snow

It started snowing in the morning and snowed steadily all day and evening.  They closed many schools around here early.  Bill picked Melissa's kiddos up in the 4 wheel drive truck, because their school stayed open all day.  Just worked on things for the party this weekend.  My class tonight at church was cancelled because of the snow.

12/14/17...Worked on getting stuff ready for the party. Trying to do more ahead of time as tomorrow we have to go to Joey's funeral.

Peyton and Isaac

Set up tables and put table covers on.  Got things out to thaw for the party.  Cleaned more of the house.  Made a delicious Carmel coffee in my coffee bar.  YUM!  Bill had to go to Ann Arbor for them to take the broken off earplug out of his ear.  Charlie went with him since I had to get stuff ready for the party.  I went and did some last minute shopping and then went to Vikki's to pick up her crock pot and take her some stuff I had for jello salad she is making.  Took a cute picture of the kids while I was there. They were excited to show me their rooms.  Vikki's end tables and coffee table look great.  Lenny was really good while I was there.  He is much better about not jumping now.  Such a great dog.  Bill got home safely right at the same time I got home.  I made brownies in a muffin tin and put a chocolate kiss in each one for the funeral tomorrow.  We watched movies at night.  He anointed me and prayed for my leg.  I did something to it when we did outside lights and it still is hurting.  Thanking God for a godly husband who prays for me and declares the Word over me.  I am blessed.

12/11/17 I got some very sad news today. Joey who goes to ur church passed away. Vikki and the kids came over and we baked Christmas cookies. She made a batch for them and I made a batch for us. The kids had fun helping. We went to Wes and Gayla's afterwards to play cards

Peyton rolling out the cookie dough with Isaac watching

Isaac rolling out the cookie dough

I made a few cookies like my Great Grandma Daisy did during the year when I was little.  She cut the dough in circles and then put a raising in the middle and sprinkle sugar on it.  YUM

I will sure miss Joey.  He passed away this morning at the age of 14.  He was always so sweet and I loved having him in my class in Kindergarten and first grade.  Even at 14 he would still come see me and talk to me and give me a big hug.  He was the most caring kid with his sister and brother.  God used him to touch my life in a very special way.  I am so sad, but rejoicing that he is with Jesus.

12/12/17...Went to breakfast, Stopped at Melissa's, spent day getting ready for party, took Bill to get remote starter for his truck for his Christmas Present, Bad news about his knee and ear, Fun party

Small group picture

Small group picture.  Kim Reminder is missing as her husband just had a kidney transplant

Andrea, Chuck, Ralph, Nancy and me

Bill, Penny and Dennis

Susan and Heather

Roy and Marie

Bill being silly with his hat and Marie laughing at him

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The Christmas Light show in Freeland was beautiful this year

Bill had a dr. appointment, so I went to breakfast by myself.  There were only eight of us.  We sure missed Bill.  Gayla passed out Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees and we ate them and then ate our food and forgot to pray first.  Bill usually is the one who prays.  We prayed after we ate instead.

Kay came for the first time today.  Stopped at Melissa's to see her tree.  It looks beautiful.  Played with Nora for a while.  Came home and made meatballs, decorated Christmas cut out cookies and made cheesy potatoes.  Set up the tables and put tablecloths on and got everything ready for our party.  Bill got home and he has to go Thursday to Ann Arbor because his silicone earplug broke and a piece is stuck in his ear.  Also, had an Xray and his knee needs to be replaced again.  The glue is not holding....this is the third time for this knee.  YIKES!  Please pray no infection.  I sure am praying for him.  By the Stripes of Jesus he is healed!  We had great food and a fun time at our Christmas party for our small group.  We sand Christmas Carols after and shared our Christmas traditions and memories with one another.  Love our small group.  After the party, we all drove together to see the Christmas light show in Freeland.  It was so beautiful!  What a fun night!