Wed., 12/7/22, Made applesauce, picked boys up from school, took Evan to basketball practice and picked him up.

Kit Kat waiting for me to come pet her this morning

Bright sunny day today...love how it shined in and brightened my day

Got the rest of the 1/2 bushel of apples done  

Applesauce made for the freezer

Evan played the piano for me tonight

The wall painted at Melissa's.  Bruce took the tape off when he got home.  It looks so nice grey!

Went to bed after midnight last night and slept in until 8:20 this morning.   Did our morning routine, then started getting the rest of the apples ready to make applesauce.  Bill and I both had a bowl to sample it and we both liked it.  I picked Jack and Evan up from school at 3:30.  Took them home and went in with them for a while.  Bruce's paint job looks great!  He gave it one coat and then he and Melissa decided it was to white looking.  They picked out another color on the sheet and it looks really good.  Vader was happy to see me today.  Yesterday it seemed like he was afraid of my boots.  He was ok once I took them off.   He played the piano for me, was so kind and caring when he talked about his family and friends, and responsible because he wanted to make sure the dogs were fed on time.  He always likes to feed them.  He and Jack are great kids and I sure had fun with them.  I did some errands and then went back and picked up Evan to take him to his practice.  I dropped him off, then went to Home Depot to look for a metal ornament that turns the lights on the tree bright or dim and also off.  They didn't have them.  Kimmy called me and sent me links to order the boys Christmas gifts.  There was a coupon for $8 off, but she didn't know when it would expire.  I headed home and ordered them and got the money off.  I had three minutes left to order when I pushed the order now tab.  Thank you Kimmy.  I was going to go to Vikki's, but when I talked to her she said she had a cold.  Then she said she thinks it is really sinus because it's only in the morning.  She was a Qdoba's with Rody, so wasn't home anyway.  I'm not taking any chances this time of year because I want everyone healthy for Christmas and don't want to pass sickness to each other.  I picked Evan up and he said he was really tired from running so much at basketball practice.  He was really thirsty and drank lots of his water.  I told him he should wear my Apple watch and he could get lots of steps for me.  He said ya and then you could beat Adam lol.  He is so cute.  Melissa and Bruce were there when I dropped Evan off.  I went in for a while.  Melissa was sure happy with how the walls looked that Bruce painted.  They do look great!  I came home and Bill had popcorn made for me.  

Tues., 12/6/22, Lots of phone calls today, Delivered some soup, went to Hailey’s University Symphony concert

Hailey’s cute Christmas tree 

Hailey after the concert 

Hailey in the CMU University Band

                                  Hailey on the left center behind empty chair playing her French Horn

We slept in until 8:30.  Ate breakfast, did  morning reading and Advent devotion.  Went and dropped some soup off to friends.  Got some apples peeled and sliced and put in the freezer.  Didn’t have time to make applesauce because Melissa reminded me of Haileys concert.  I had talked to Kimmy who invited me to Jacob and Eli's concerts tonight and I told her I would love to go. Then I called Melissa and told her, she reminded me of Hailey's concert which I had told Hailey I would be at a back in November.  I had to call Kimmy back and tell her I couldn't come to the boys concerts.  I have been to their concerts this year, but haven't been to Haileys.  I am sure thankful they are going to live stream it.  I was supposed to be at Melissa’s at 5:45, but accidentally got there an hour early.  I went in and visited.  Bruce was painting the hallway.  He ended up going with us which was wonderful since he drove us.  I had him drive my car and he did a great job.  I was happy because I don’t like driving when it’s dark out and raining.  

Haileys concert was really good.   She did amazing.  We took pictures afterwards and then went to McDonald’s.  We went in and had burgers and Frappes.  Bruce just had coffee. We took Hailey to her dorm, then left for home.  It was just misting a little.   When I got home, I watched Eli and Jacob's concert on live stream.  It was a really good concert too and the boys did amazing.  Lots of talent in our family.  

Monday, 12/5/22, Made vegetable soup, Bill picked Wes, Gayla and Joel up from airport, went to Trinity Riders meeting,

Peaceful place to walk in the morning.  Treadmill is in the far corner.  I put my worship music on and walk away

Bill got wild with the new tractor and broke a board on the pool deck

Squirrel friend out on our deck eating corn from the neighbors field

Trinity Riders Meeting

I walked on the treadmill this morning.  Walked 2 miles, then came up and ate my oatmeal and drank my morning coffee.  Bill met Charlie for coffee.  I talked to Sue for over an hour. Read my Bible after that and did my devotion.  I talked to Kimmy and then sent a picture of something Jared told Bill he wanted for Christmas.  I got Kody, Stacie and DJ's presents ordered today too.  Peyton and Isaac's were delivered.  It sure feels good to get started.  Waiting on lists from the girls for them and their families.  I made a large pot of vegetable soup.  I'm going to give some to Chuck and Sue and Bev and Dave.  Bill went and picked up Wes, Gayla and Joel from the airport.  When he got home, we headed to Trinity Rider's Chapter meeting.  It was a good meeting and it was nice seeing everyone.  When I got home, we hauled a dehumidifier up from the basement that doesn't work anymore.  Bill will put it out to the road in the morning.  Melissa called and we talked for a long time and had some good laughs til we cried.  So much fun.  I talked to Vikki a few times.  She picked me up a surprise today.  That was so sweet of her.

Sunday, 12/4/22, Went to prayer, than church, CMA Christmas Party, Maddy, Alec and Brielle came over, Wes, Gayla and Joel's flight cancelled

Eli spent the night at Jack's last night.  Melissa sent me this picture of them with Vader.

Ziggy leading the meeting at our Christmas Party.  Ron listening

Dave, Chrissy, Lucy, Jerry and Sandy...Sue with her back to the camera

Bill in the center listening at the meeting

Julie and Phil

Bill and Brielle

We went to prayer than to church.  I prayed with Lisa before church for healing of her foot and leg.  Went to prayer and had amazing prayer time.  Found out Bev had been in the hospital, so making sure Dave lets one of us know next time.  Worship and the message were great once again.  Tamera and Terry came and talked to us after church.  They are a very nice couple we just met.  She was in my Bible Study.  

We read our Bibles, did our devotions, then relaxed for a while.  We went to our CMA Christmas party at 2.  We had a great time.  We visited, then ate, then had our meeting, and then did our gift exchange.  I made a huge banana cream pudding dessert and also chicken fried rice because Bill knew lots of things would have cheese in them.  It was a fun party.  

When we got home, Maddy, Alec and Brielle came over to visit.  They had some banana cream pudding with us.  They stayed a couple of hours and we had a good time with them. Gayla called me to let me know their flight had gotten cancelled in Houston. We were supposed to pick them up at the airport by us at 11:20.  Now they won't be home until tomorrow afternoon.  She sounded good and was joyful.  I can't wait to hear about their cruise and see pictures.

 

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.