Day 145, 8/8/2020, Happy 22nd Anniversary Melissa and Bruce! Our hard working family came back to work all day on the decks

Adam

Eli and Isaac

Jacob, Adam and Jared (Bill through the door of the shed).  They sure did an amazing job on the deck to the shed and did it so fast too!  Finished picture below!  Lots of hard work.

Isaac 

Adam and Papa Bill

Jared and Jacob

Peyton helping me in the kitchen with dinner and muffins

We were all so happy when Melissa and Bruce came over.  We got to wish them and "in person" Happy Anniversary!  It made our day!  They had ice cream here for their anniversary!  I am so thankful God brought this amazing and loving couple together.

Bruce being silly

Jacob, Adam and Jared Working hard

Fun time with these kiddos plus plenty of exercise...Eli, Peyton, Isaac and me.  Adam out of the pool!

Eli

Peyton, Isaac and Eli using the metal detector to find treasures

 Got up before Adam and Bill and went to Krogers to get groceries I needed for today and some for our camping trip.  Got home and started sanitizing the groceries and Vikki and the kids came.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys came shortly afterward.  They started working hard right away.  Bill and I were amazed at all the work they got done and how the Shed Deck got done.  Every time I looked out, I saw smiling faces and very hard workers.  

Peyton was my wonderful helper in the kitchen.  She helped make both the beef and chicken Sloppy joes.  We peeled and got potatoes ready to cook on the grill.  We baked zucchini muffins using Bruce's recipe. We did have to call Melissa for an interpretation of his writing on the recipe.  He had OIL....but it looked like a letter and a number.  None of us could figure it out.  Melissa asked Bruce and found out it was OIL in caps.  We had a good laugh because we thought it was OJ 1.  Some kind of orange juice.   Peytons muffins were delicious.  We made some with nuts and some plain.  Everyone took a lunch break and we ate sloppy joes and chips.  They went back to work right away. Peyton and I ran to home Depot.   I returned a box of screws that was the wrong color.  I was also getting 3 10 lb. boxes of screws and bits for the drills.  I went to pay and realized I left my wallet home. I left my phone home too, so couldn't call Bill and ask him a question about the bits.  We headed home, got what I needed, and went back and paid for our stuff and used the Military Card of Bill's for his discount.  That's why I forgot my wallet.  I was answering Kenzie on the computer and Bill gave me his card for the store and I sat it on the table to finish answering Kenzie.  After we got home, Melissa and Bruce stopped over.  The rest of us had just had an ice cream break, so I told Melissa and Bruce they should have anniversary ice cream here.  They did.  It was so nice having them here for a while to talk to.  Everyone was trying to talk to Melissa at once, we were so happy she was here.  Peyton and I finished the potatoes and then Eli, Peyton, and Isaac helped me shuck corn by the garden.  Great helpers!  The younger kids swam quite a bit and had fun.  I went in for a while with them and had fun with them and got lots of exercise.  I got out and started cooking the potatoes and corn.  We ate and then they all got back to work and were trying to finish by 9 as that is the time Bill said they should stop for sure.  They finished for the day when it was dark, and they are coming back tomorrow.   I have the best kids and grandkids ever!  I am so thankful to the Lord for my family He has blessed me with.  

 

Day 144, 8/7/2020, Kimmy, Vikki, Adam, Eli, Peyton and Isaac came over. Bill's brother, Fred came for a visit

Fred, Bill and Bruce

Bill and Fred eating

Kenzie and Travis coming to visit with Uncle Fred

Kenzie and Travis

Adam was a great helper

Eli working hard getting screws out

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Eli

Travis helping with deck

Kenzie helped take screws out

Isaac and Kenzie

 Isaac

Kenzie took a pretty picture of her pendant

 Kenzie

 Peyton and Kenzie

 Kenzie

Travis and Adam

Travis

Kimmy and Kenzie

Adam, Peyton, Eli and Isaac

Peyton loved trying on close from Kenzie's box in the attic

Adam and Papa Bill went for an evening swim

Papa and Adam playing 3-13.  I was the winner!

Got up early and went to Jack's.  There were only one or two other customers in the store. I got burger, buns, lunchmeat and bread for tomorrow.  Came home and started getting stuff ready for our dinner with Fred today.  Bill forgot to tell me the girls were coming.  I sent them a text to see if they wanted to come see Uncle Fred while he was here and told them the time.  I also told them to let me know if they wanted to eat with us. Vikki called and asked me if her dad had forgot to tell me they were coming.  I thought everybody was coming Sat. Vikki said Kimmy packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for them.  I told her to let Kimmy know I would make food, but she said Kimmy was already on her way.  It actually worked out good because I had more time to visit with Fred when he came.  He was so sweet and such an encourager.  He told me I was the only one in the family looking 20 years younger.   He told me I look like Jill now.  Just kept the compliments coming.  It was so good to see him and have him spend so much time with us.  Melissa, Bruce and the kids came over and saw him too.  He was happy everyone came.  He complimented us on our wonderful kids and their families too.  We talked about lots of memories of when he lived with us as a kid and went to college.  He sure turned out to be a nice person.  When it was time to pray for our food, Bill prayed and he added a prayer to the end.  It was so nice.  The girls and kids worked hard again today.  We do have a wonderful family.  Adam spent the night with us.  He helped Papa pick up all the wood he needed for the deck tomorrow.  He is an amazing help and sure is a wonderful grandson. He and papa went for a evening swim.  The water and air were too cool for me.  We played 3-13 when they came in and I was the big winner.  I made popcorn for them after that.  

Day 143, 8/6/2020, The girls and kids came again to help us, Charlie came over, Took meal to Charlie and Sue, Kimmy and Vikki worked so hard today, Went for a walk with Melissa YAY!

Vikki and I forgot to take pictures, but Kimmy took this nice one of Adam

Hailey, Evan, Jack and Max

I asked Bill if he took any pictures and he said yes.  He sent me these four.  I was hoping some kids would be in some of them, but they are just of the work done today

Bucket of all the screws we have taken out of the deck.  WOW

The girls moved everything to this side of the deck.  Past the swing has to be screwed down yet and then we need to finish the other end of the deck.  Getting closer to being done with this great work crew.

Got up early, read my Bible, put cushions out on the deck and pool deck, moved plants off the deck, moved chairs to the garage, put two lounger chairs in the storage part underneath the pool deck.  Ate oatmeal and read my Bible.  Prayed.  Kimmy, Isaac and Eli got here and started working right away.  Vikki, Peyton and Adam came shortly after and started working right away.  I helped do what I could, and so did the kids, but the screws didn't come out very easy from the shed deck and the boards were very hard to get up.  Kimmy and Vikki were amazing.  They got boards off and took a sledge hammer to the ones that weren't any good.  Kimmy has amazing strength.  Vikki has lots too.  Me not so much!!!  Isaac was a great help, picking up wood and putting it in the wagon and taking it over and putting it on the fire.  The kids were all pretty tired today.  The work was so hard on that deck, we let the kids go swimming.  They had so much fun and sure deserved a fun day.  They have been amazing helpers.  The kids had pizza for lunch, Vikki, Bill and I had hotdogs, and Kimmy had left over grilled potatoes and corn on the cob.  Charlie stopped over for a short visit.  I made stuffed peppers, meatloaf, grilled potatoes, a salad with everything from our garden except store bought carrots and onions.  Bill and the girls and kids ate.  I took some the Charlie and Sue, and took two pieces of blueberry pie.  I ate when I got home. Adam loved my stuffed peppers.  I am so happy he tries different things and likes them.  Kimmy asked me for my meatloaf recipe and I told her it was her recipe ha ha.  I sure love those girls and grand kiddos!  Bill too of course!!!  Bill went to Faith Rider's Officer's meeting at the park by us.  He sure has worked hard too.  I went to Melissa's and dropped off the face masks I had adjusted, and picked up face masks from her so I know the right sizes to make.  Some just need new elastic on them.  I talked to all the kids for a little while.  My phone died and I couldn't take a picture, so Melissa took one for me on her phone.  She and I decided to go for a walk around her subdivision.   She did such a great job walking.  She walks so smooth now and didn't even need someone to go with her in case she needed help.  I was sure amazed and love seeing her do so much better.  I haven't seen her walk on the road in quite a while and it was sure a great improvement.  Love that girl so much.  I know she would love to be over here helping with her sisters, but has to stay safe which is just what I want her to do.  We sure enjoyed our walk and our time together.