Sat., 4/24/21, Went on first Faith Riders Ride of the Season, went to Vikki's and worked on putting the shed up

 

Vicki and Kevin, Don, Mike, Gayla, Bill, Wes ready to leave from Meijer

Bill...driving our bike on our ride today

Rody and Bill putting parts together...me in background

Jacob, Bill, Jared and Adam

Jared, Jacob, Adam and Papa

Great family team of workers, Jacob, Bill, Jared, Rody and Adam

 Peyton getting warm by the fire...Jared, Jacob and Adam working in the background

Adam, Rody and Jacob

Jacob

Adam

Jacob on the top, Adam in the door

Isaac and Peyton staying dry, Rody cutting that big bush down in the background

Me, Kimmy and Peyton trying to stay dry in the rain

Isaac, Eli and Peyton

 Me, Kimmy and Peyton

Eli on the hover board

Jacob and Adam

 Bill, Jared, and Eli eating...Jacob photo bombing

Jacob, Rody, Eli and Adam getting their food

Peyton sitting on her seat...a log

 Robin built a nice nest and is up there sitting...usually they don't make a good one there and it falls

Peyton

Rody, Jacob, Bill, Adam and goofy Jared

 Adam, Rody, Jacob and Jared

Jacob, Bill, Adam, Rody

Eli and Isaac

 Amazing Jared on the hover board...He learned quickly!

Jared, Jacob, Adam, and Bill

Jacob and Jared

Jared and Bill...the doors are on

 Jacob, Papa and Jared

 The Flag at the VA

We met up at Meijer for take off on our motorcycles to go to the Maple Syrup festival in Shepherd.  This year they are only having drive through pick up of meals.  The line was crazy long.  Since we were on our motorcycles, we walked up to the other side of the tent and found out we could pick up meals there.  We were first in line.  We all got our meals and went to tables outside to eat.  They didn't have anything inside the building, and didn't have anything set up outside like they usually do either.  We left there and rode to Standish to see if they had a fundraiser going on for a family whose house burned down, but couldn't find where it was.  It was sunny when we started out and in the 50's.  When we got a little ways, the sun went under the clouds and it felt lots cooler.  I didn't get cold, but it sure isn't like riding when it is nice and warm out.  We had fun though and I sure was thankful for those heated seats.  When we got home, we relaxed for a little while, then we went to Vikki's to start carrying out the shed parts to the back.  Vikki, Rody, Bill and I started putting the small parts together and window and sunlight covers on.  We finished right before Kimmy, Jared and the boys got there.  We all ate hotdogs that Rody grilled out and had lots of different chips too.  Then the guys all started putting the shed together.  They worked so good together and sure got it together nicely and quickly.  The kids had fun jumping on the trampoline and hanging out together.  They also loved using the hover boards.  Big kid, Jared, did too.  It rained for a little while, but the girls and I put our umbrellas up.  We sat around the fire, so we stayed nice and warm.  Isaac played his ukulele and sang for us.   

Friday, 4/23/21, Went to Freeland garage sales with Kimmy, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac

 

While we shopped at garage sales, Bill built this to go under Vikki's shed so it is level

Got a Dyson Vacuum Free at the garage sales.  They said they didn't know what was wrong with it but it could be something small.  I had just heard that if you see a Dyson by the road, get it because it's usually just a clogged hose.  That was last week, now I am cleaning one up.  Sure hope it works when I am done.  The above is the before picture of the filter and below is the after picture.

Isaac demonstrating how easy this is

 Peyton

Bill and I ate oatmeal, prayed and read our Bibles.  Kimmy got here around 8:15.  She brought a bowl of egg salad for sandwiches when we go to garage sales and then stop for lunch.  YUM!  I had talked to Vikki and she said we were all making our own lunch, so I thought I wasn't going to get the egg salad sandwiches Kimmy and I planned on.  Such a nice yummy surprise.  We went to the sales over by the school first instead of where we usually go.  Vikki and I found some stuff, but Kimmy walked for a long time with an empty cart.  Finally when we were almost done with that huge area of sales (I got 19,000 steps today to give you an idea of how far we walked), Kimmy saw a Smart Pot and asked me how I liked mine.  I told her how much I liked mine, but she still hesitated and ended up not getting it.  It was $20, but it looked well used and didn't have the books with it.  We went to another house and they had one for $30 that had never been used and had the books with it.  It was $30.  She talked them down to $25 and she got that one.  I think she is going to love it!  We sure love our carts Vikki got for us to pull around and put stuff in.  They pull so easy that you just need one finger.  Peyton and Isaac didn't complain once about all the walking we did.  They were such good shoppers and asked for a lower price for what they bought.  I found some stuff for Melissa's kiddos so picked a few things up.  I also got a battery charger, a couple of tops, a pair of jeans and a pair of leggings.  It was just fun to hang out together!  We went to a port-a-john by the schools when we finished that area.  The first one didn't have toilet paper, so we went up to the other end of the field and it had paper.  Lucky Kimmy.  We sat and ate our yummy lunch in the school parking lot.  Vikki and I noticed a person use the first port-a-john and we both thought it was our friend Catherine from church.  She drove by us and it was her, so they stopped to talk for a minute.  We stopped where Vikki's car was parked and unloaded our stuff as the van was getting pretty full.  We went to the subdivision we usually do first, next.  There weren't as many garage sales and there weren't very many shoppers.  We were able to drive and get through the roads easily.  Kimmy did a great job.  We were all tired by the time we were done.  We thought wearing the masks had something to do with being more tired.  We all came back to my house and had a muffin and coffee and relaxed for a few minutes before Kimmy had to leave.  Vikki face timed me, then Kenzie face timed me to show me all the trees she and Travis planted.  Melissa called me and I face timed her to show her the stuff I picked up for the kids.  The rest of the evening, I worked on cleaning the vacuum cleaner up, washing all the clothes I had bought, and reading my devotion.  Adam texted me a couple of times.  

Thurs., 4/22/21, Vikki dropped the kids off and told us about an estate sale, did some garage sale shopping with the kids, Went to Melissa's

 

 It snowed this morning.  We just got dusting though and then it quit. Very thankful!

 Peyton with her dolls. She also got lots of drinking cups with them and a couple of hair pieces for them

 Isaac with his two speakers on the outside, his cool remote cars, and his invisible writing pen that has a black light in it to see what he wrote

 I was super excited when I saw a bird on my oriole feeder and thought for sure it was an oriole.  I looked closer and it wasn't.  It looks huge in this picture, but I thought it actually was a nuthatch.  Not sure though.  What a disappointment!

 Here we are...us four girls...Hailey, Melissa,  Abby and me taking the picture.

Did our morning routine.  I just ate muffin and had coffee this morning.  Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  Vikki dropped the kids off and told me about an estate sale around the corner from us.  She visited until it was time for her to leave for work, then the kids and I went to the estate sale.  I called Bill and told him about it, and he came there right after we got there.  It was fun going through the house we pass by all the time.  I bought a cute thing for the bedroom upstairs to sit on the dresser.  We decided to go to some garage sales in the country.  No place was very busy and we wore our mask and sanitized our hands afterward.  

Most people were wearing masks.  We saw some friends we used to go to church with when we stopped at their house.  They weren't even outside, so we knocked on the door, went back to where we were by the garage door, and then they came out.  They stayed by the door to the inside of the house and talked to us because their garage had lots of furniture in it that they were selling.  Isaac put the money for his two $1 remote cars which were still in the box on the big shelf, and we said goodbye and left.  It was nice to see them as we used to get together a lot with them.  We probably went to 12 houses.   The kids had so much fun and were so good.  They have a great eye for deals like their mom.  Isaac bought two bluetooth speakers for a dollar a piece too.  Peyton found a box of little lol dolls that you fill their little cups and poke them in their mouths and the color of their clothes change or they cry.  It was a really cute set.  Plus she got another barbie size doll, all for $3.  Their personalities sure come out in what they buy.  I found a couple of tops for Kenzie for $1 each, and also some shorts and a long pair of comfy pants for Max. We picked up a hot and ready pizza and breadsticks from Little Caesars and came home and ate.  Vikki got here 20 minutes after, and she ate too.  I took a little nap.  I stayed up way to late last night.  Bill got the garden all tilled, and his grass where he put the grass seed is coming up nicely.  All my plants made it through the two nights of freezing temperatures.  Happy warmer weather is coming tomorrow.  We had round steak and gravy in the crockpot, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob for dinner. Went to Melissa's afterward and dropped off the clothes and money I always give to go to garage sales, plus birthday money I had left for her after buying her present.  Figured she might want to use that for shopping too.  Going to bed early tonight, because Vikki, Kimmy, Peyton, Isaac and I are going to garage sales in the morning after 8.  Texted with Adam and Eli today.  Face Timed with Kimmy and Melissa.  

Wed., 4/21/21, Vikki brought the kiddos over, Went to a couple garage sales, went to discipleship/class

Isaac's little spot...he's under that blanket

Isaac beat Peyton and I...he had negative 30 and we both had 92

Peyton loved that she had this great run in cards

Isaac with his hover board bag...Lenny too

Peyton and Isaac singing You are my Sunshine while Isaac plays the Ukulele.  He just learned how to play it.  So cute together!

I borrowed the pictures below from Kimmy's blog

 Jacob getting ready to do a drill on the agility ladder

 Jacob in action

Eli at his soccer game

Jacob and Adam

Adam took this of Wyatt with his big smile!!!

Eli must have got a good catch...Wyatt watching

Jacob with his magnetic structure balls creation...He sure reminds me of Papa when he was young...such a handsome guy!

 Close brothers and wonderful boys

Eli and Wyatt...another handsome Russell grandson

Great smile always...so handsome

Bill left for therapy.  I took a shower and got my hair done just as Vikki and the kids got here.  Came down and got my hugs and made coffee for Vikki and I.  We talked to Kimmy on the phone while we played some worship songs on the TV.  We waved to Vikki as she left, then Peyton started her reading online with her teacher and a couple of other kids.  I read my Bible and Isaac got some free time on his device.  When Peyton was done, I gave them a spelling test.  They both got them all right.  The did a good job reading Ralph the Mouse, and wanted to keep reading to see what happened.  I uncovered my plants once it warmed up above freezing.  It sure was a cold windy day.  The kids wanted mac and cheese for lunch.  I made Vikki and I an olive burger when she got here to pick up the kids.  We were going to a garage sale she saw down our road, then decided to check out and see how many Freeland Garage sales were open.  Only a couple, but I did find an Adidas sweatshirt for Jack. She wanted $5, but I asked if she would take $4 and she did.  It never hurts to ask.  

Vikki found some wool carders (sp) for Kimmy.  She always has a good eye for finding things over all of us.  We talked to Melissa and Kimmy while we were riding.  Vikki got something to put her mealworms in at the one down the road from us, Isaac got a cool thing, with little scissors that pull out, and lots of other things that come out.  I got some banners for my banner holder Stacie got me.  Adam texted me and showed me a picture his grandma Russell sent him of lots of snow in her yard.  Yikes.  I'm glad we didn't get that.  Vikki and the kids left, and I went to disciple Diane, then to Tough Questions Class that pastor is teaching.  It was very good.  Please remember to pray for Lela.  She is starting her radiation today.  I've been thinking of her lots and praying.  

Tues., 4/20/21, Vikki brought kiddos over, Bill took lights back to Costco, Went to intercessory prayer at church

Isaac doing his spelling test

Peyton doing her spelling test

 Peyton was writing and Isaac said she looked like a penguin with that on her head

Bill and I enjoyed our coffee and oatmeal this morning.  With the weather so cool, the coffee sure sounded and tasted good this morning.  We did our morning reading. Played some good worship music.  Vikki brought the kids and had a coffee here before she went to work.  She left and we waved goodbye to her, then I went out and uncovered the plants/flowers I had covered last night.  When I came in, we started spelling.  We read after that.  Bill went with Charlie to Costco to take the extra set of lights we bought back since we didn't need them.   He picked up a few things for me while he was there.  I went to make eggs for Isaac and and egg sandwich for Peyton and me.  There were only 3 eggs left, so I called Bill and had him pick up eggs too, so I could make Vikki a sandwich when she came back.  I made Vikki's sandwich while she set up the computer for the kids to do their assessment with their teacher.  After that, they left for home.  Bill cut up the big post he, Kimmy and the boys got out of the woods.  In the evening, I went to intercessory prayer.  Lots of good worship and prayer offered up to the Lord.  Kimmy called and said her Poison Ivy is worse.  Poor girl.  Jared's is better which I am so thankful for.  Now Bill has it on his knee.  Yikes...He was itching, so I gave him Iva Rest to put on it.  Kimmy and Jared got a really nice trailer for their kayaks/canoe.  Covered my some of my plants/flowers again tonight.  It's supposed to get down to 26 degrees tonight.

Monday, 4/19/21...Have my 2 weeks in since my second Covid shot, Kenzie, Peyton and Isaac came over, went to Lowes,

                                                                                    

Peyton, Isaac and Kenzie

 Blossom at the top is open now.  There were two coming out of one leaf, but the other blossom fell off

 Isaac and Peyton..loved the cabinets in this kitchen
.

They were both looking like Isaac in the above picture before I took the pictures

Peyton, Kenzie, Isaac, and Bill walking into Lowe's together

Kenzie and Peyton

Kenzie, Peyton and Isaac

Bill's ear is really looking better today

Cushions to go with umbrella

 Made an olive burger

 Chocolate covered strawberries

Got my 2 weeks in after my last Covid shot.  We had our coffee and oatmeal.  Ate inside because it was such a cool morning.  Finally put the Easter baskets, grass, bags, eggs, etc. away.  Kenzie brought Peyton and Isaac over to visit.  They wanted to come see Nana.  Sure made me happy!  Kenzie had got them Flurries and fries.  I warmed up spaghetti for Peyton and Isaac.  We all went to Lowes and Home Depot.  Kenzie got a refrigerator, washer and dryer at Lowes where she found the best deal.  She has really grown up and did a great job talking to the sales people.  Peyton wanted me to go look at paint colors for her bedroom with her.  She picked out her bedspread color so she could make sure the color she picked out for the walls would look good with it.  She was so cute.  She picked out turquoise.  We went to look for chair cushions at The Home Store.  They were all too big.  After Kenzie headed to Vikki's to drop of Peyton and Isaac, Bill and I went to Hobby Lobby, Meijer's and Macksood's look for cushions.  We came home so I could check online.  I ended up going to get the ones at Hobby Lobby.  They were only 11.99 each because they were 40% off.  Such a great price compared to the other ones we looked at that were from $22 to $45 each.  They were the only ones we really liked too.  I made burgers for Bill and and olive burger for me for dinner.  YUM!  I talked to Kenzie while I was making dinner and she told me Travis left her some chocolate raspberry candy on the cupboard.  She made me hungry for chocolate, so I used my last big piece of chocolate to melt and dipped the strawberries I got today in it.  Delicious!  I covered some of my flowers and plants because it is supposed to freeze tonight.  We watched a movie that was really good.  I tried to go back and find the name of it, but couldn't find it again.  It was a great movie about God's love and forgiveness shown to a pastor and his family.  It was a fun day today!  Texted with my Adam.  Talked to Melissa.

Sunday, 4/18/21, Helped with kids in kids church, We did our reading under the gazebo, Bill screwed down the umbrella on the pool deck,

 

Bill's ear is looking better today

Umbrella

Me

Bill

Got ready for church, played worship music, then read my Bible and prayed.  Went to prayer first, then went back and helped in kids church.  After church, came home and made eggs, potatoes, bacon, and toast.  Sat out on the deck and read our devotions.  Bill secured the umbrella to the deck.  It's jus the right size and can be tilted high enough so our tall grandsons won't bump their heads on it.  Walked around the yard and looked at the plants.  Realized I didn't have the stands for the orioles pulled out on the feeder, so got that done.  We came in and watched Brandon Lake Worship on You Tube.  Vikki had told me about it.  It was so good.  Took a little nap.  Went to Bay City to Roy and Marie's.  Ate Vegetable Beef soup, noodles, corn bread and berry and ice cream dessert with them.  Came home and watched a movie.  Texted with Adam and Eli. Talked to Vikki and Kenzie today.  Kenzie is spending the night at Vikki's, and will watch the kids tomorrow.  She is planning on coming here too.