Sat., 12/3/22, Went to Sandusky Chapter meeting, went to Mennonite Store, Kimmy, Jacob and Adam came over, Vikki and Peyton came over Hailey came over, Jared and Eli came over, went to Living Nativity

Sandusky Chapter Meeting this morning

Beautiful inside the church

Sang Christmas songs in the church before going with our Shepherd, Reuben.
Bill, me, Jacob, Eli, Peyton, Hailey, Vikki
second row...Adam, Rody, Isaac, Kimmy and Jared

Walking through Bethlehem...Jacob in grey sweatshirts, Adam in front of him

Ended up at the Stable with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus

Cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and orange drink afterwards.  Love hanging out with family!

Rody, Hailey, Vikki , Jacob, Isaac, Eli, me, Adam, Bill, Isaac, Kimmy and Jared

Baby Brielle

 This morning we went to the Sandusky Chapter Meeting.  We had to leave at 7:15 to make it for breakfast.  It was a very good meeting.  Ching came and sang O Night Divine and sounded amazing.  Tonight at 7 is the Sandusky Christmas Parade.  The chapter has a float in the parade.  We stopped at the Mennonite store on the way home.  We got some meat, some bread flour and a few other things.  We got home, and shortly after,  Jacob dropped Kimmy, Jacob and Adam off at our house, while he went with Eli to Eli's band thing in Ovid Elsie.  Bill, Adam, Kimmy and I played a game of Skip Bo.  We had fun.  Adam and Bill won.  Vikki and Peyton came over next.  Hailey was next to get here.  Everyone but Vikki had chicken nuggets I picked up from the Mennonite Store.  Vikki ate pizza before she came.  There were leftovers for Jared and Eli when they got back.  

We went to the Living Nativity at 6.  It was so good!  We enjoyed singing the Christmas songs while waiting in the church, hearing kids play their instruments, and hearing beautiful singers, plus the highlight of the Christmas Story with the Angel lit up on the ceiling.  After that we sang more, then went out with our shepherd.  We had this shepherd before and he was really good at doing his part.  Everyone in the entire nativity journey did amazing.  Peyton was picked to knock on the door of the Inn.  There was no room, so they sent us where a couple had went earlier...a stable.  Shepherds were rejoicing when we got close, because the savior had been born.  Live animals were all along the way and at the stable.  It is always so special and meaningful to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.    

Hailey rode with us, then when we got home she took Eli to her house as he was spending the night with Jack.  Caleb was spending the night with them too, and Evan also had a friend over.  Bill and I watched the Michigan game after everyone left.  They sure played great!

Friday, 12/2/22, We picked Melissa up and went to Sam's, Lunch at Leo's, Bill and I went to Meijer, watched Movie

Bill, Melissa and I at Leo's for lunch

Bill drove the car through the new car wash.  He had a free wash.  It was very cool!

 

Started our morning with our regular routine...oatmeal, coffee, Bible reading and devotions.  Kimmy called and had a major catastrophe this morning.  I'm sure she will post the pictures on her blog.  Her shelves with most of their pottery on it collapsed and only a few pieces were spared.  I cried I felt so bad for her when I heard what happened.  She and Jared work so hard making amazing pottery.  We were thankful it didn't fall on anyone though.  There is always something to be thankful for!  

We picked Melissa up while we were talking to Kimmy.  We went to Sam's Club to shop.  We ate lots of samples and had so much fun.  We went to Leo's afterwards for lunch.  It is a new restaurant here.  Melissa had a club sandwich, I had a Reuben sandwich and Bill had breakfast.  Service was really fast and the food was great!  We took Melissa home after that and we came home.  We took a short nap and then we went to Meijer to spent two $10 certificates we had from there.  We bought a Skip Bo game and we let Melissa know she can keep the other game so they can play it with Max.  He really liked that game on Thanksgiving.  We picked up a few other things we had coupons for.  We came home and played Skip Bo.  I was the winner.  We watched the movie Christmas for a Dollar afterward.  I love that movie and the closeness of the family in it.  It always touches my heart.  

12/1/22, HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY MAX! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Max!  We love you so much!

Evan looking very cool in this Detroit Tiger sweatshirt

Claire and Adam....they had fun making gingerbread houses (Adam made a barn) and also melted snowman cookies

Kenzie stopped to see Max on his birthday but he wasn't home, so she had Melissa take a picture to show him she and Mylee were there.

Eli was a good doggie sitter for Mylee (he calls her Meatloaf lol)  He's really good with her.

Joel and Wes holding sloths.  They look so fun to hold and so cuddly.  

We talked with Max today and sang Happy Birthday to him, and also talked more afterwards.  We sure are thankful for Max and love him so much.  He's sure a great kid.We are thankful for all of his help when we need it.  He's a kind hearted thoughtful grandson.  

I cleaned the kernel burner today, then it wouldn't start afterwards.  The guy who was here a month ago, ordered a part and is bringing it.  He will have to get it started for us after he puts that part in.  

Love the picture of Joel and Wes holding those adorable sloths.  I would love to hold one.  We were supposed to go on this cruise with them, but cancelled.  Now I'm wishing I would have lol.  

I stopped over at Melissa's and took her some Molasses cookies from the Amish Store.  I took Evan's picture while I was there.  I made a roast today and when I got home, it was ready to take out of the oven.  It tasted yummy!  Kenzie came to drop of Mylee for Kimmy.  They met here.  Kenzie had some roast, carrots and potatoes, then packed some for Travis.  Kimmy had some potatoes and carrots when she got here.  Jared and the boys didn't want any.  Adam brought the ginger house barn he made at Claire's and also some of the cookies they made that looked like melted snowmen.  So cute!  Vikki stopped over too, because she picked a couple of things she bought up at a house nearby.  We all were excited and went to play Skip Bo, and realized we lent the cards to Melissa.  What a bummer.  We ended up playing on our phone, but it sure is more fun to play in person.  Melissa called and talked to us girls.  

 

Wed., 11/30/22, Breakfast with Jacob and Eli, Took the three boys to school, took friend, Kay, for her surgery appt. did some shopping, picked Jack and Evan up after Jack's basketball practice

Look at this handsome guy driving their new van.  It keeps him in the lane and also away from other cars.  Just what he needed lol!

Nice that Kimmy and Jared could buy Jared's parents nice van.  It will be such a blessing for them.

Wyatt looks good in it too!

Jack after I picked him up from school.  It was cold, snowy and very windy out.  I took it fast so he wouldn't freeze.  Same with Evan below.

Peyton found this at the Thrift Store.  We just took down our big angel picture like it and replaced it with a different picture.  She wanted this to remember it!

I got up early this morning and got ready, then woke Adam, Jacob and Eli up.  They wanted me to wake them up at 6:15 so they could lay in bed another 15 minutes.  They didn't quite pop up like toast like I told them, but they did get up pretty good.  Jacob, Eli and I ate breakfast together.  Adam didn't want to eat, so I had him drink a protein drink.  They were all ready on time and we were out the door by 7.  Got them all to their schools safely and on time. 

I got home, read my Bible and did my devotion, then left to pick up Kay and take her for her surgery.  I just dropped her off and went shopping until they called me to come pick her up.  Got my gift for our CMA Christmas party this Sunday, and also our Walmart gift card for the giving tree at church.  Got Hailey's gift yesterday too, so I have officially began my Christmas Shopping.  I have ordered Peyton and Isaac's too.  Max just wants money, so he will be easy.  He called Papa today.  His birthday is tomorrow.  Can't wait to wish him Happy 17th Birthday.  Went to pick up Kay and had to go in and sign a form since I was her driver.  She did great and I took her home to rest.  

I came home and took a short nap.  Bill got home from picking Adam, Jacob and Eli up from their schools and taking them to their house.  They want to go to youth group tonight and Kimmy and Jared are supposed to make it just in time to take them.  

I talked to Kimmy, Vikki, Melissa and Kenzie today.  We had to change the date we are going to the Living Nativity, but it worked out for everyone to go still.  Yay! 

Tues., 11/29/22, Vacuumed, put Christmas totes away in the attic, baked squash from the garden, Kimmy and Jared dropped off the boys to spend the night, went to prayer

I blew the leaves off the deck and blew them far enough away so Bill could pick them up with his tractor.  It looked so nice when he was done.  I should have taken an after picture.  Kit Kat loved playing with her toy mouse, but she looks kind of vicious in this picture.

Peaceful tree picture for 2022 

Eli...so happy he's spending the night

Adam, Papa and Jacob.  These boys must have stacked the deck when we were out of the room.  They played cards off their piles so fast.  It was almost the end of the game and I hadn't even played a card off my pile.  I finally played about 3 cards of my pile before they won a few hands later.  I'm so happy they are spending the night too.

It was in the high 40's when I got up, so I blew the leaves off the deck.  Wanted to get them off of there before they freeze or get buried in snow.  Bill picked the leaves up with his tractor when he got home.  He went with Charlie this morning.   Lucky me, Charlie sent Amish Molasses cookies home with Bill for me.  Yum!  Nice thing is they all arrive.  When it is a kind of cookie Bill loves, lots are missing when they get to me lol.  I put Christmas totes away in the attic, so everything is back in order.  

I brought some squash from the garden in from the garage and baked them in the over.  They smelled so good baking and sure tasted good when they were done.  I ate a bowl and put the rest in the freezer.   I also made a grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch.  Kimmy called and wanted to know if the boys could spend the night and I could take them to school in the morning.  Of course I was happy about that.  She wanted someone to pick them up from school in the afternoon tomorrow, so I got Bill set up to do that.  I have to take a friend to the hospital for minor surgery tomorrow, and had told Melissa I would pick up Jack and Evan from school tomorrow too.  Everything worked out and Jack and Evan will be at Jack's practice until 4:45 so that gives me plenty of time to get there.  Vikki was willing to be on call for anything needed too.  

Kimmy dropped the boys off around 5.  She picked up a pizza and breadsticks for them to have.  I sent her a message that I had food here.  It worked out good still, because I warmed up some chicken noodle casserole for Kimmy and Jared and put it in paper bowls for them with plastic forks.  They took it to eat on the way as they wanted to get started on their trip to Indiana.  They are staying with Jared's parents and buying their Honda Odyssey.  His parents got a pretty red new Odyssey.  Melissa and Bruce have an Odyssey and love it.   Great vehicles!   

I went to intercessory prayer for an hour.  It was awesome worshipping than had amazing time of prayer.  When I got home Bill and I were partners against Jacob and Adam in Skip Bo.  We had M & M's for a snack while we played.  They beat us both games.  They really beat us really bad the last game.  Max called during the game, and talked to Bill, then me, then the boys.  He said he wants to play Skip Bo again with us.  He just learned how to play on Thanksgiving. 

Kimmy called to let us know they were getting close to Jared's parent's house.  She wanted to tell the boys goodnight.  Jacob was practicing his clarinet, so we had been listening to some great music.  She talked to him first.  Then Eli came upstairs to talk to her.  Then I knocked on Adam's door and she talked to him.  He looked very comfy all tucked in bed with the night light on.    

Monday, 11/28/22, Finished decorating for Christmas, Maddy and Brielle came over, went to Menards, replanted my peace plant from Rody's mom's funeral

Transplanted the peace plant that Rody gave me from his mom's funeral. It's looking healthier already

Maddie gave me these coasters from her, Alec and Brielle for Christmas.  They each have a different scripture on them.  They are so pretty.  What a meaningful gift.

Bill using his new Grasshopper.  He mowed the grass and picked up the last of the leaves. He wanted to try it out so he could make sure everything works fine.

I sure enjoyed holding sweetie Brielle lots

Maddy posted this on Facebook

Brielle loved the toys I got out for her to play with

I walked 2 miles on the treadmill this morning.  Ate my oatmeal and drank my morning coffee in my Kimmy mug.  I read my Bible and did my Advent devotion.  I finished putting all of the Christmas decorations out this morning.  Maddy and Brielle came over for lunch and to spend the day.  Maddy brought me my Christmas present from them.  Such a sweet gift and we sure will enjoy using them.  We ate chicken casserole for lunch, then sat in the living room visiting till about 4:30.  I got to hold Brielle the whole time.  She's such a good baby and so sweet.  Bill came in and visited for a while too.  In the evening, we watched a good Little House Episode.  We hadn't seen this one before.  

Sunday, 11/27/22, Bill took Wes, Gayla and Joel to the airport,Went to church, Went to Caro CMA chapter meeting,

 

Vader nice and comfy...He loves his head on a pillow.  So cute!

Blossoms are starting to come on my Christmas Cactus.  Biggest one is on the left.  Small ones are starting to come other places, but are to small to show up yet.  

Eli sent me this cool picture of Bo.  

Bill got up at 4:15 a.m. and took Wes, Gayla and Joel to the airport.  They drove their van, and Bill brought it home to keep at our house.  I didn't even hear him leave.  I woke up later and saw the light on in the bathroom, then heard him get in bed.  I thought he had gotten ready and was going to lay down a few minutes before they got here.  I was concerned that he wouldn't hear them when they came.  I decided to get up and check the time.  I realized he had already taken them and was just getting home.  I guess I was sleeping pretty sound to miss him getting ready and leaving.  I was the first one up in the morning, not counting Bill being up in the wee hours.  About 45 minutes later the girls got up.  Hailey wanted to get ready for church before eat breakfast.  Peyton wanted to eat first.  She played a game of skip Bo on her phone with Isaac.  Bill got up 15 minutes after the girls.  While he took his shower, the girls and I read the Bible and started our day off with prayer.  I forgot to take any pictures, so only have animal and plant pictures. Very special animal pictures though.

No kids church today, so Vikki and I got to stay in for the message.  It was another good one pastor preached.  Peyton went home with Vikki and Rody after church.  Hailey came to our house and packed up her things.  She went home to eat Taco Salad and to help them decorate their tree.  I made eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for Bill and I ate my leftover spaghetti from the Olive Garden.  Max called us and we talked to him for about 10 minutes.  We told him we loved him before hanging up and he said he loved us.  Sure do love all our grandkids so much.  

Bill and I went to the Caro Chapter meeting.  They have a new member which is good.  There were 11 of us there.  It is our smallest chapter, so nice to see it is growing.  

Kimmy and family got home from Georgia.  She kept me posted as to where they were on the trip home.  I sure love knowing where they are, so appreciate her updates so much.  She let me know when they were home, and called a little while later.  I always love talking to Kimmy.  Nice that I got to say hi to Jacob too.  Eli texted me.  I talked to Vikki and Melissa too.  Face timed with Melissa for a while also.