Sat., 11/26/22, We went to check on the Russell animals, went to Big Boy, Peyton and Hailey helped me put the ornaments on the tree, we went to Culvers for burgers and concrete mixers

 

Jack came out to say hi when we stopped to get Hailey things she needed

Peyton and Hailey decorating our tree

Hailey and Peyton had fun watching Little House episodes.  I had fun too.

We went to Culvers after the girls helped papa pick up the tractor/snowblower he bought

Hailey and Peyton being silly at Culver's

I got up, got ready and read my Bible.  Hailey got up around 9.  Vikki was supposed to come at 10 and go with us to Kimmy's.  I called her and she was still sleeping so said she would come at 11.  Hailey talked to Bruce and wanted him to take her to Target.  She bought 3 tops there Friday and when she got home all three had those tags the store has to remove on them.  I told her I would take her, so we went to her house, picked up the shirts, then went to Target.  We prayed it wouldn't be busy.  We passed some stores that weren't busy and when we got to Target, they weren't real busy either.  We got right in, were second in line and were out in about 8 minutes.   Hailey hadn't eaten breakfast, because we decided to hurry to Target.  We got in the McDonald drive thru line.  It was 10:20 when we got in line.  She had wanted a burger, but then we noticed on their app, that you couldn't get a burger until 11.  She ordered a hash brown and a frappe' instead.  We waited a long time before we could order and then a long time before we could pick our order up.  It was after 11 when we finally left.  We were trapped in that line so couldn't leave like we saw lots of people on the other side doing.  Hailey ate while we were heading home.  Vikki and Peyton were waiting for us.  We all headed to Kimmy's.  We saw an eagle on the way.  We did stop at Taco Bell in Midland to get Hailey something good for her.  We checked on the animals.  Peyton fed the chickens, Vikki unlocked the gate and I locked it when we went to check on Bo and the Ram.  Bo was doing good and was happy to get more hay.  The cats both came to greet us and get some attention.  We stopped at Big Boy on our way home.  The girls got shakes and we got hot fudge brownie ice cream cakes.  Yum!  We came home and Vikki stayed for a few minutes, then headed home to spend time with Rody and Isaac.  The girls and I put the ornaments on the tree.  They sure were amazing helpers.  It went fast.  Bill went to look at the tractor he wants to buy again.  He came home and got the trailer because he decided to buy it.  He took the girls with him in case he needed help.  I decorated more of the house.  I went out to look at the tractor and help them when he got home.  We went to Culvers afterward for burgers, fries and concrete mixers.  We came home and watched Little Houses.

Thursday,11/24/22, Happy Thanksgiving! Yummy meals at the Shack, fun playing games with Charlie and Sue, banana splits at night, relaxation In jacuzzi.

Me in front of the main building at the Shack

Grainery Building where we stayed is the building at the end

View out the window where we ate our breakfast.  Two swans are on Robinson Lake 

Thanksgiving dinner time!

We ate breakfast at 8, then played Skip Bo.  Bill and I walked in the museum here, but lots of old cars and antiques had been moved out.  We all went to our rooms and relaxed for a while,  We met in the big room in our building and played a 30 card each game of Skip Bo. The guys got great cards and won.  Sue and I stayed and sat in the rockers and visited.  Bill came back and joined us.  Melissa called for prayer and we all prayed together.  Bill and I relaxed in the jacuzzi.  We went back to he big room to sit because our room was too warm.  We went back over to the dining area and we girls just ate a small salad and some bread pudding.  The guys ate a roll, ham and some bread pudding.  They served a big Thanksgiving meal again but we were still too full to eat much and we wanted to be hungry for our 8 o’clock banana splits.  We played a game of 20 card Skip Bo and a game of Euchre. The guys won both.  We visited with lots of Amish people from Ohio and Indiana.  Then we enjoyed delicious banana splits.  Came back and relaxed and talked with Melissa.  God answered our prayers in an amazing way just like He has done so many times before.  We were very thankful.

Talked to Kimmy and the boys in Georgia.  Talked to Vikki after her Thanksgiving at Rody’s Aunt Ann’s.  Many messages For Thanksgiving and notes of love today!  We are blessed with amazing family and friends.

Friday, 11/25/22, Came home from the Shack, Bill worked on his tractor, Guy came and is going to buy it, I went to Kroger for gift cards, Over to Vikki's, Out to Olive Garden with Bruce, Melissa, Jack and Evan, Hailey spent the night

Bruce, Evan, Melissa, Me, Jack and Bill at Olive Garden

Vader is looking beautiful after being groomed

Peyton, Wyatt, me and Lucy.  We stopped over after we were done at the Olive Garden for some of Rody's Banana Pudding cake dessert.  Yum!

Rody, Isaac and Bill

We got ready, read our Bibles, packed everything in Charlie and Sue's car, then went in to the main building for breakfast.  Breakfast was really good.  We visited with some friends we made there.  One guy and his wife told us they heard singing after they got in their room last night.  He came out and saw the whole dining room filled with Amish people singing praises to God.  He videoed it and it was amazing to hear and see.  

It was in the 50's and warm on the ride home.  We had a good trip home.  Bill worked on the tractor when we got home, and I went to get gift cards that were 4 x fuel points at Kroger and then went to Vikki's for a while to visit.  The guy was there looking at the tractor when I got home and bought it and will pick it up tomorrow.  Bill was really happy as he has another one he wants to get which is a Grasshopper.  

We took Melissa, Bruce, Jack and Evan to Olive Garden for dinner.  We had such a fun time with them and the food sure was good.  The boys sure are growing up and are so sweet.  

We went to Vikki's afterwards because she invited us over for banana cream pudding cake dessert.  Melissa and family weren't able to come.  We sure enjoyed that dessert. It was delicious.  She and Rody had a fire going in the fireplace for their first time.  It was warm and cozy.

Wed., 11/23/22, Went to Ala Mode Restaurant in Big Rapids for breakfast,

At Ala Mode Restaurant in Big Rapids for Breakfast

Our room at the Shack

Bill in front of the Livery

Bill and I played a game of pool.  He beat me, but I only by one ball

Charlie, Sue and Bill with their banana splits

We got ready and went to Charlie and Sue’s to ride with them to the Shack.  We thought we would eat at one of our usual restaurants on the way, but all three had closed. Very sad.  No 

other restaurants in these towns either.  We ended up going to the Ala Mode Restaurant in Big Rapids.  It was one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had.  They even had a space on the Big Rapids monopoly board.  We headed to the Shack after that and got in our room in the Grainery at 2.  Such a nice room.  We always love it at the Shack.  

We got settled in our rooms, then Sue wanted to take a nap, so Bill and I went to the main building to check out the gift shop, and walk around in the building.  We played a game of pool down in the basement.  Charlie called to let us know, they wanted to play Skip Bo, so we went back to the rec room in the Grainery.  We girls won the first game.  The guys won the second game.  We went over to the main building to eat dinner.  They had yummy meatloaf, chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, rolls, and a delicious salad.  We tried not to eat too much because they have banana splits every night at 8.  We went and played Euchre until 8.  The girls won 2 and the guys won 2.  The guys won the 5th game.  

We had our banana splits.  Marv, the owner who is 88, scooped the ice cream just like always.  There were 10 different kinds of ice cream to choose from.  Everyone gets 3 scoops, but Bill always asks Marv for 5 scoops and gets them.  We sure enjoyed those banana splits.  We visited for a while, then went to our rooms.

Tues., 11/22/22, Went to Special Friend's Day at Grandson's school, Picked up camper, put lights, Star and beads on tree

 

Evan and Bill in Chapel

Me, Jack, Connor and Caleb in Chapel

Evan and Jack sang in the choir.  They did great and the two songs sounded so good.

Bill and I waiting to write what we are thankful for.

I went to Jack's class after chapel.  It was packed!

Me and Jack in his room making our wreath

Jack working on cutting out things for our wreath

Bill and Evan's craft....Bill's picture on one side, and below Evan's picture on the other side

Jack's wreath

Jack and Bill

We went to Evan and Jack's school for "Special Friend" day.  I was Jack's special friend, and Bill was Evan's.  We met in their classrooms, then went to chapel for worship and a message.  Good message on being Thankful and a good video of a person who was not being grateful.  In the video, everything he used or had that he wasn't grateful for disappeared.  Then when he thanked God and had a heart filled with gratefulness, everything was restored.  It was a good message to make you think.  Afterward, they had class age groups go to different boards and write what they were thankful for.  

I went to Jack's class after that and Bill went to Evan's.  Jack's was packed and the seating was all over the place.  He and I were right back by the window.  They have had a sub for the last two weeks.  His teacher had surgery, so her daughter has been subbing.  He cut out a pumpkin and a leaf, while I cut out the turkey.  He colored the turkey, while I cut out the rest of the leaves.  We had fun working together on it, but those leaves were a pain to cut out.  Jack decided where everything should go.  It was cute when we got done.  They are giving them to patients in a nursing home which was a great idea.  

Bill helped Evan draw pictures of themselves for their project.  It turned out really good.  Pretty good drawings of themselves.  Evan's class was very organized.  We enjoyed the donuts and juice they gave us while working on our projects.  It ended at 10 and the kids got back at their schoolwork and we left for home.  Hailey was up when we got home and had eaten breakfast.  Camping World called and told Bill the camper was ready, so we left to pick it up.  Hailey went with us.  Hailey and I went in a new 5th wheel while we were waiting.  It was a lot like our last camper, but they have made some amazing changes.  I took some pictures.  I love our sturdy camper we have right now, but it was fun to look at some campers.

Hailey showing the new slender but long closet when you come in the door.  it has 6 hooks in it for coats

Stairs instead of steps going up to the loft. Great invention...the ladder was hard to get up and down from for us adults and most of the tall kids

We all ate Thanksgiving leftovers, the Hailey picked up her mom to go Christmas Shopping.  They slowed down to turn into Taco Bell, and the lady behind them didn't see them and hit them in the rear. It only did bumper damage, but jolted Melissa.  Her neck and shoulder started hurting later.  They called the police to file a report.  The lady who hit them was very nice Melissa said.  They still went Christmas shopping afterward, but didn't have as much time after all that.  I put the lights and the beads on the tree while she was gone.  Hailey came back here to spend the night again.  I packed for tomorrow really quick so I could watch a movie with Hailey and Bill.  We had cashews and M & M's and watched the  movie, Nativity Story.  It was good, but some things didn't exactly line up with Scripture.  Good thing we know what our Bible says.  We all went to bed after that. 

Monday, 11/21/22, Walked on treadmill, Worked on Christmas tree, very windy but got in the 40's, dinner at Coco Loco's with Hailey and Maddy, Hailey spent the night

 

I took Peyton and Isaac's picture when they stopped in for a quick minute

Me, Hailey, Maddy and Brielle at Coco Loco's

Hailey ready for popcorn and a movie...We watched Marriage Retreat...funny with a great message about Christian marriages.

 

I woke up early.  For some reason, the bag of wood pellets we put in the kernel burner burned super fast and the ash pan was filled to overflowing in the morning.  I had emptied it yesterday and it always goes about 4 days before I need to empty it.  It sure was a surprise this morning.  I couldn't get back to sleep after shutting the kernel burner off.  Decided I should walk on the treadmill, so just stayed up.  I walked 2 miles.  Ate my oatmeal when I was done, then read my Bible.  I spent lots of time straightening branches on the Christmas tree.  

Hailey, Maddy and I met at Coco Loco's to eat at 5:20.  Hailey and I had our usual beef and bean Nachos 1/2 order.  Maddy had enchiladas.  We talked and prayed together.  Such a nice time.  Hailey and I watched the movie Marriage Retreat and had popcorn.  Hailey spent the night.  Always love having her.  She is so much fun.

Sunday, 11/20/22, Went to prayer, then church. Vikki, Rody, Peyton, Isaac and Hailey came over for leftovers, Bill brought the Christmas tree up

Hailey with the small Christmas tree Vikki got her for her dorm room.  She was so happy!

Peyton and Hailey..they sure have fun together

Christmas tree is up...have to spread out beaches, then it's ready to decorate.  We will get the lights on it before we go out of town.  Then Hailey and Peyton are coming to decorate it on Saturday and are spending the night.

Evan on the far right...playing in basketball tournaments yesterday.  He scored twice and was so happy.  He is a new player this year!  He is doing great and will be an amazing player now that he is getting his confidence up.

Prayer was really good this morning.  Worship was awesome this morning.  The message was another great one.  Truth from the Word of God.  Scripture to back up everything spoken.  I love how Pastor Ken preaches.  

Vikki, Rody, Peyton, Isaac, and Hailey all came over and had leftovers with us.  This has been a tradition for a very long time now.  We were happy to have Hailey join us.  We girls watched a very cute and fun video of Hailey and Peyton having fun singing and dancing yesterday.  I love the one of them singing I Thank God by Maverick City.  I love that song.  It was very touching to see these girls having so much fun together.  They both love God a lot and that sure is a huge blessing.  They left after that.  Bill went out to work on his tractor he is selling and I called my friend Barb.  I haven't talked to her in a while, so we talked for about an hour.  We are all caught up now.