Sat., 5/22/21, Went on 175 mile motorcycle ride, did lots of visiting

 

 Lining up for our 175 mile ride

It was a very scenic ride

Jerry and Judy behind us, Jerry and Sandy behind them

We passed lots of beautiful lakes

Ziggy by the bikes...he always has the joy of the Lord and a great big smile.  

Nancy

Lisa and Wayne, our State Coordinators

Our view at the top....it was so foggy we couldn't see Lake Michigan

Bill and I

Our fearless leader on the ride

Those of us who made it to the top...me, Bill, Jeff,  Wayne, Lisa, Ziggy and Jeff

Group picture at the bottom

We turned and didn't go into Frankfort

 Our get together in the pavilion in the evening

Ate breakfast, read outside,Julie, Phil, Sean and  Paul came for an outside visit. It was another beautiful day!  It rained lots during the night, but it was dry by the time we went outside.  At 10 we went for a group motorcycle ride that Jeff W. lead.  He’s from Cadillac, so knew a great route to take. We saw lots of lakes, trees, hills, curves, sand dunes and much more.  14 of us went on the ride.  We ended up being able to ride with just short sleeved shirts and no jackets.  We relaxed when we got back at 3:30 and then at 6 all ate at the pavilion.  So nice having everyone vaccinated this year and also being so nice outside.  Adam texted and he and Jacob want to celebrate their birthdays here tomorrow because they love coming to our house. I’m super happy because I love having them come.  I talked to Kimmy, Melissa, Kenzie, Peyton And Isaac.  Vikki and the kids had a great day hanging out at Melissa’s and having a cookout!  I love that my girls and their families love each other so much!!!

Friday, 5/21/21, Slept in, walked, went to small camper store, visited,

 

 My view out the window...Bill reading his Bible....I am so thankful for husband who read God's Word

 Bill checking his phone while relaxing

We walked around the pond and I took this picture

 Lots of outside visiting at our camper

I went for a couple of walks with Lisa around the circle drive in the campground.  Her cute little Maltese/Shitzoo walked with us and is so cute.  We sat outside with everyone and visited for a long time in the afternoon.  So much better than last year when the weather was cold.   This time we can actually sit outside and enjoy visiting.  Two couples from Trinity Riders came up.  They come to this little campground lots. When they made their reservations the lady told them there was a Christian motorcycle group here.  Tomorrow Jeff has a nice 120 mile motorcycle ride planned.  

We got food from the Cast Iron Skillet 

to eat.  We all sat around and talked in the evening too.  When we came in, we played 3-13.  Bill beat me!  Talked to Melissa a few times and Vikki a few times.  Texted with Adam 

Thursday, 5/20/21 Watched Peyton and Isaac, Packed Camper, Left for Cadillac for CMA Leadership Camping Trip

 Bill, Mel, Betty and Julie visiting with us

 Camper set up

 Bill beating me at cards

Bill happily writing he winning score

Got up early to shower than finish packing. Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac over.  As  Peyton walked through the door she told me she would help me with getting ready to go camping.  I gave them the spelling words they missed yesterday and they got them right.  They helped me carry things out to the camper.  They also wound up the long double hose I used to water the garden. 

I noticed I have four milkweeds coming in my woods where I’ve been planting things. Last year I only had one, so I am pretty happy.  After Vikki picked up the kids, I drove the truck with the fifth wheel and Bill led the way with the motorcycle.  We ran into some construction but it was a pretty smooth ride.  It was a hot day in the 90’s, so the cool ride was very enjoyable.  We got to the campground and had a nice pull through spot with full hook up.  There are five couples here today so we hung out outside our camper.   Bill and I played 3-13 and I won!  Happy Camper

Wed., 5/19/21, Up early again, got rest of groceries for camping trip, Peyton and Isaac came, Did spelling and Reading, Packed, Discipleship meeting

 

Evan...he ran to the door and greeted me when I dropped some stuff off for Melissa.  Such a sweetie!

Got up early to spend time with the Lord and then shower.  The remodeled bedroom is the best place to worship, and the deck is the best place to read.  Went to Aldi, then went to Melissa's to take a couple of things.  Got home before Vikki brought the kiddos.  She was talking with Kimmy when she came, so I got to talk to her too.  The kittens are doing good and eating much better now.  I forgot Peyton was supposed to have reading with her teacher today.  We did spelling and reading here, and then I packed some stuff in the camper while they had free time.  They did lots of cool drawings today.  They are pretty talented.  Isaac would write numbers and then make pictures out of it.  Very cool!  Bill went to BayShore to talk to Jeff about plans for the CMA State Rally for 2021.  Vikki and Peyton helped me make Vikki's yummy salsa today.  It is so good.  Peyton was a great helper, and Vikki cut those veggies so fast,  I would say that I helped some, but they did most of it.  I had to go to the store to get another cucumber and two green peppers because the ones I had were half rotten inside.  Thank you Vikki and Peyton for helping so much and showing me how to make it.  We all had to try a sample.  We took a sample of Bill's hot salsa out for him to try too.  We all agreed it is delicious.  Bill had the car wash open out back.  He washed his truck, the motorcycle, the tractor and then told Vikki to pull her car back there and he would wash it.  Vikki, the kids and I went in the camper while he washed it.  I had the air on so it was nice and cool inside.  After Vikki left, I walked around and got some exercise while looking at my plants.  Bill took a little nap, and I sat out on the deck for a while.  We went to church and did our last discipleship meetings.  James and Diane were sad because they had to put their dog down they've had and loved for 16 years.  I am sad for them, and have been praying for them.  Diane told me about a girl she knows who is a twin who was badly burned.  I told her Vikki sent me a picture of a girl who was badly burned and she wants me to be praying for.  It ended up that we had the same pictures of the same girl.  I know God wants me praying for the girl whose name is Aubrey.  She is a twin and her twin is pretty upset too.  We prayed together for her before we started going over our lesson.  Bill took James to the Marine Corp. League meeting, and I went to Kohl's to return an amazon item, Meijer to get Bill's Ice Mountain water he asked me to pick up, and Aldi for water which I forgot this morning.  Did more packing when I got home.  The first time is always the hardest as everything I took out for the winter has to go back in, besides what we are taking for the trip.  Can't wait to camp though.  I will be driving the camper up, so please pray for me.  Bill will be on the motorcycle ahead of me.  

Tues., 5/18/21, HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY ADAM! WE LOVE YOU! Bill took the garbage out, I went to get groceries, Kimmy, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over, worked on front landscaping, Picked truck up

I took a picture with the beautiful hanging flower basket from Melissa and Bruce along the walkway.  Today I ripped out lots of plastic behind where those purple flowers are.  Transplanted more of the purple flowers where I took it out and watered it good.

Ha ha....Isaac is under that blanket playing his game.  Peyton was super tired because she helped her mom with the baby kittens during the night

Isaac came out!!!

 Peyton with some yummy strawberry shortcake

We both got up early this morning.  I called Adam and sang Happy Birthday to him and wished him a happy birthday.  He told me he was up at 5.  He must take after his other grandma who is an early bird.  I went to Jacks and Meijer and got the stuff on my list for camping.  Vikki called me when I was done and getting in my car.  She said Kimmy was at my house and she was headed there.  It took me about 10 minutes and I was home enjoying their company.  I knew they were coming, but I thought it would be closer to 10.  I sure was happy to see them.  Kimmy was taking the kitty home to surprise Adam for his birthday.  She is keeping the other kitty for 2 weeks for Kenzie too, as she thinks they will do better if they are with each other.  I saw a video of Adam later, and he sure was surprised.  It was so cute.  He sure is an amazing grandson.  So loving and always sweet and helpful.  I love his big smile and how he loves being the tallest boy in the family.  Such a fun kid who always wants to help.  I texted him quite a bit today.  I love texting grandkids.  Bill took the garbage out, and he even picked up all my leaves by the pool and put them in the yard waste.  He picked up my weeds and roots I dug up last night too.  I sure was happy.  The kids did great on their spelling.  They have compound words this week.  We read Isaac's book after that.  Peyton and I played Tonk, but Isaac didn't want to play today.  I made strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Vikki had mentioned she was hungry for it.  She came and we ate sandwiches and then had our shortcake.  YUM!  They left so the kids could get their online school done.  I did my reading out on the deck and also enjoyed bird watching.  Took out lots of plastic from the landscaping in the front of the house.  It was a bugger to get out, but I managed.  I planted more flowers where it was and I'm hoping they will spread nicely now.  I tripped over something and started falling on the front porch and caught myself with my right hand.  Boy did that hurt.  I thought I might have sprained or fractured it at first, but I prayed and after about 5 minutes it was as good as before and I continued on working.  My hanging plant from Melissa and Bruce looks beautiful by the walkway today.  Bill and I went and picked the truck up.  He had the brakes on it fixed too.  I am sure happy about that as I will be pulling the camper with it when we go to Cadillac this weekend.  I have been praying about that trip for a while, for Jesus to help me drive it safely.  I went to prayer night at church.  So great to pray together for the needs of our body of believers.  Came home and watered the plants and flowers in the front yard.  Sat out on the deck for a while too.  Sad for James and Diane today as they had to put their dog who was 16 down.  James was so attached to him since he had his stroke especially.  Dogs become part of the family.  Did a lot of praying for both of them today.

 

Mon., 5/17/21...Bill went with Charlie, Cleaned leaves off pool cover, weeded, planted lettuce and planted Zinnias, Melissa and Bruce brought me beautiful hanging plant

 

 Bill reading his Bible when we did our reading on the deck this morning.  I love that he reads his Bible and is such a godly man!  I am so thankful to God for him!

 Leaves all cleaned off from pool cover

All the leaves I got off the cover drying on the ground

The kids had fun playing with dominoes

 

Isaac made a house and a truck pulling a trailer out of the dominoes

Peyton with the dress up doll she has always loved playing with here..she wanted to lay by it

 Cute Kitten Kimmy is feeding...the three of us kept taking turns...we were as bad as the kids with Stacie's kittens

Isaac and Peyton with the kittens

 Peyton with both kittens

The cute kittens look like twins

Charlie picked Bill up at 8:30.  They got a coffee from Tim Horton's and then dropped the truck off to get the brakes fixed.  It won't be done until tomorrow.  I walked 2 miles on the treadmill.  I was just making my breakfast when Bill got home.  He ate a bowl of cereal, then we sat out on the deck and read our Bibles and did our devotions.  I filled the grape jelly dishes for the birds.  I checked on the birds in the camper and still hear chirping.  Bill continued sitting on the deck since it was such a beautiful warm morning.  I skimmed leaves off the cover of the pool.  It won't be long before we open it and get some great exercise.   Vikki called and asked if I would pick Peyton and Isaac up from Grammy's.  Of course I was happy to. We went to McDonalds and got food and came to my house.  We upgraded the drinks to shakes!  Isaac gave me his fries because he didn't want any.  We got the dominoes out and all had fun making things out of them.  Then Peyton asked if she could play with the magnetic dress up doll she has always loved playing with.  Kimmy and Vikki came over.  

They didn't have too much time, but enjoyed having them.  I made an iced coffee for Kimmy.  Kimmy had to be home at 5 to go to soccer, so she left.  Vikki left with the kittens right after too.  Peyton and Isaac were so excited to have kittens for overnight.  She sure would like one to have permanently.  Stacie taught Vikki and Kimmy how to bottle feed them, and we all had fun trying.  Vikki sent me a video later showing me how good the one was eating now.  The other one did good too, but didn't eat very long.  I did some weeding, planted my zinnias and spring salad.  Watered plants and then got my camping list and went in the camper to check off what I already had in the camper.  Tomorrow I will get groceries, and also take stuff out to the camper that needs to be put back in.  Melissa called me and asked if I was home.  I saw them pulling in the driveway right when she called.  I told them I was in the camper, so they came walking out there and had a huge hanging plant for me.  They went in on the tree for Mother's Day instead of getting me a hanging plant like they usually do.  Well they surprised me today and got me one anyway.  It's just beautiful.  I sure am happy to have it.  They had some time, so we all sat under the gazebo and had the gas fire pit going.  It was so fun having a nice visit with them. I will have to post a picture of the plant tomorrow.  Forgot to take pictures while they were here.   

Sunday, 5/16/21, Went to prayer, than church, Stacey and Kody came over to bring me a Mother's Day present, Sat outside on the deck and enjoyed watching the birds

 This came up in my memories today on my phone...Jacob, Adam and Eli were sure little

 Nice gifts from Stacey, DJ and Kody for Mother's Day

Stacie and Kody

Hailey, Jack, Evan and Max camping in Muskegon

Melissa and Bruce...Behind that log, it goes a long way down.

This is Evan behind where the log was that Melissa and Bruce were standing in front of

Evan climbing up the dune

Evan 

Max

Max and Jack riding their bikes, Evan in front

 Jack by the weather rock...the boys thought this was pretty funny where they were camping and I agree

Got up early and got ready for church.  Read my Bible, worshipped and prayed, then we head to church.  Bill went to pray with the Elders and I went to pray with the prayer group.  Pastor gave another great message on prayer and worship.  Charlie came to our church today and sat with us.  Sue didn't make it.  Stacie texted me when I got home and wanted to come bring my Mother's Day present on her way home from Bridgeport.  I relaxed on the deck in the sunshine until she and Kody came.  We had a really nice visit and enjoyed hearing about their Yellowstone trip.  Kody was as cute and sweet as ever.  They gave me a book to right memories in...it asks questions and I answer so it is very nice to help me remember things from my childhood etc.  I have another one I'm almost finished with, but this one has different types of questions.  I wish I would have had one for my mom when she was here.  I would sure love to read about her childhood memories.  They also gave me a beautiful container with Count your blessings saying on it.  I sure have lots of blessings to count!!! I am using it for toothpicks.  I was happy to hear Melissa and family were home.  I was even happier when she called me and told me about her weekend camping trip.  I'm so happy they all had a good time, and could even stop for ice cream at an ice cream place where the workers were being really safe!  Bill and I watched a good movie in the evening.