Friday, 7/28/23, Went to Jack's, Meijer, and Aldi early in the morning, Made cabbage buns, made zucchini bread, did strawberries for shortcake, Jacob drove him and Eli over to swim, Melissa and Hailey brought Jack to swim, Kimmy and Jared came, packed lots more

Meat, cabbage and onion. cooked for Cabbage buns...our tradition to have our first night at BayShore with Melissa and Bruce.

Yummy zucchini bread made from zucchini Gayla gave me

Jack, Eli and Jacob having fun in the pool on this hot 90 degree day

They were so cute because they automatically posed for the picture without me even saying anything

Cabbage buns made and ready to pack up for camping trip

Loved working on stuff while watching the boys have fun

 

Hailey and Abby

Jacob thought he was taking each of Hailey's keys off her keyring, but instead it was Papa's camper key ring.  Whoops!  We all got a good laugh!  Hailey was happy it wasn't her keys and he wasn't so happy when he found out the keys were Papa's

Abby relaxing

Got up early to get to the stores before they got busy.  So glad I did.  It was cooler and I got done fast with not many there.  I had lots of coupons for what I needed so that was good. 

Came home and put what groceries needed to go in the camper in and then drove up to the house and put the rest away.  It was super hot out, so worked inside in the air conditioning making bread dough, cooking my burger mixture for Cabbage Buns, making zucchini bread, looking over strawberries and mashing them for shortcake.  I also picked some green peppers and made stuffed peppers for dinner.  Busy day doing this on top of packing.  

Jacob drove Eli here around 6 and Melissa, Bruce, Haley and Jack came shortly after.  Jack stayed and swam with the boys.  Melissa started some laundry of Hailey's.  I told them they could do some loads here, so between what they do at Melissa's and here it gets done twice as fast.  Hailey is going to BayShore for tomorrow, then she has an opportunity to work with a child with cerebral palsy at the camp she works at.  She said this is something she's prayed for, so he is going to miss the rest of the week at BayShore.  This will be the first time she has missed since she was a baby. When she took the job at the camp, she asked to have the week off for BayShore.  I'm happy she is responsible to decide to do something that will help her career in the future and give up something she loves to do it.  Jacob's first miss camping at Copper Harbor since he was a baby too.  Responsible kids for sure.  

While the boys were swimming, it started looking like it was going to rain, so Bill wanted to get the motorcycle in the garage of the camper quickly.  We really moved putting everything where it needed to be to put the motorcycle in.  We got it all done before it rained, but boy were we tired and hot.  Kimmy and Jared got here right as we finished.  The boys got out of the pool, and Kimmy and Jared left.  When we came inside, we noticed keys taken all off the keychain...then the story unfolded of what happened.  It sure was a good laugh.  

Everyone made it home safe and sound.  I talked to Kimmy and Vikki for a while and texted with Hailey.  

 

Thurs., 7/27/23, Didn't take any pictures today! Max came over and I forgot to take one Whoops. Went to breakfast with Bill, bought some groceries for camping, loaded stuff in the camper

I forgot to take any pictures today!  Now that's a rare thing.  I didn't itch near as much today. That is a very good thing.  

Read our Bibles.  I texted with Maddy.  She is having some digestive issues, so prayers are appreciated.  Washed and changed bedding.  Bill came out and asked me if I still wanted to go to breakfast.  Of course I said yes.  We went to Riverside.  Had a nice talk while we ate.  

Got groceries and some camping items from Sam's Club.  Started packing the camper. Got our clothes packed and some groceries and refrigerator stuff. Tomorrow we will get the motorcycle in and finish up all but the last minute stuff.  Will also get all the last minute stuff done in and out of the house before we leave.  I filled the hummingbird feeder today so it will be nice and full for when we are gone.  Max came over and practiced shooting with Bill.  I took him home when they were done because Bill was so sweaty and hot from being outside in these high temperatures and needed to take a shower.  Max was hot too, so I put my air on high for him on the ride home.  It was fun talking to him on the ride home.   He and Vader are  going to sleep in a tent this year at BayShore. 

We had subs for dinner.  Ziggy texted to let us know his 3 year old niece who is on a ventilator is hanging in there and to thank us for praying.  They won't know much til tomorrow.  They are probably going to take the tube out tomorrow for further evaluation.  Prayers are needed for this little sweetheart.  

Wed., 7/26/23, Met Charlie and Sue, Went to movie with Lisa, Went to Melissa's to celebrate Jack's birthday

We met Charlie and Sue at Tim Horton's after Charlie's doctor appt.  They told him he has what is equal to Alzheimers, but in his heart.  None of us ever heard that before.

I really trimmed back this Limelight Hydrangea last year.  I have kept checking to see if there were going to be blossoms on it this year, but there wasn't any sign of them.  Then today I noticed all these coming.  It is late for it to bloom, but I sure am excited it is

Lisa and I at the movie 

We celebrated Jack's 15th Birthday tonight 

Bruce, Melissa and Jack

Jack and Papa

Jack with some of his fencing armor he got on

Papa helping him get laced up

Smiling

Serious

They got it all figured out and on

Me, Jack and Papa

We read our Bibles, got ready and waited for Charlie to call.  When he was done at his doctor's appointment he called Bill and we met him and Sue at Tim Horton's.  It was so cold in there, we ate our food and had our coffee outside.  We had a nice visit catching up.  Before we left, we prayed for Charlie, then prayed for Sue for their health issues.  We came home and Bill started mowing the grass again.  I left to pick up my friend Lisa to go to see Sound of Freedom.  I had seen it, but she wanted me to go see it with her.  I like going the second time when I know what is going to happen, so I can pick up things I missed the first time.  I took my umbrella in with me, because I saw on the weather app that it was supposed to start raining.  Good thing, it was pouring when we got out.  Good thing we got a close parking spot too.  I dropped Lisa off.  Gave her and her mom some beans and tomatoes out of our garden.  

I came home and ate left over sloppy joes, a potato and some vinegar cucumbers.  Bill didn't want sloppy joes again so we stopped at Souper Cafe so he could get an egg salad wrap.  Then we headed to Melissa and Bruce's to celebrate Jack's birthday and give him his present.  He wanted money this year.  We had fun celebrating with them and the cake and ice cream were delicious.  He had fun opening his presents and then trying on his leather armor.  We came home and relaxed in our recliner love seat.

Tues., 7/25/23, Maddy and Brielle came over, Kimmy, Adam and Eli came over, Vikki, Peyton, and Isaac came over, Melissa and Bruce came over

Brielle really knew what to do in the barn today.  It helps that she can stand just hanging on with one hand

I left my phone where she could get it and she took some selfies lol

So Funny

Papa feeding her the bottle

Silly Billy put his glasses on her

Isaac and Jacob.  They both have new haircuts and look very handsome

Adam looking very handsome too.  He got a new haircut, but it's under his hat lol

Jack, Eli and Peyton in the pool

Isaac, Eli and Peyton

Beans, tomatoes, green pepper and a kohlrabi I picked in the garden tonight

Kenzie....baby is growing

Maddy came around 8:30 this morning.  Brielle was sleeping in the carseat, so we rode in her vehicle and went to get coffee at the Coffee Beanery.  It was delicious coffee.  I got milk at Pat's quickly too, so Eli would have the kind of milk he likes, not almond milk. Maddy and I drank our coffee and ate bagels while we visited. Brielle played in the barnyard.  

We had a good visit and some good prayer together.  Bill got home from his dentist appt. and played some with Brielle.  They left around 11:30 and after they went out to the car, Jack and Eli got up. They slept in because they stayed up pretty much most of the night.  I made them scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for brunch.  They sure have fun together and like hanging out with each other.  They did lots of ping pong playing today and lots of swimming.  Jared came when he got out of work. He took Adam to his soccer practice and Jacob drove himself to his band practice.   Everyone ate sloppy joes or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  We sat outside on the deck a lot.  Even though it was a hot day, it stays pretty cool on that corner of the house with the gazebo providing shade. The kids swam for a long time.  When they got out we all had drumsticks.  God sure is answering lots of prayers lately.  Sometimes it takes awhile, but God answers in his timing.  His way is best always.  The hen turkey came to visit right up close to the deck again tonight.  Vikki videoed it.  

Melissa and Bruce stopped over to pick up Jack.  She said Max was happy because they went to the Olive Garden today and he got his breadsticks. They visited for a little while, then left.  We will miss having Jack and Eli.  They are great kids and fun to have.  Kimmy, Jared and Eli left to go pick up Adam from practice.  The house became very quiet again.  Talked to Melissa on the phone.  Picked beans, another pepper and some tomatoes.  Also picked a big kolarabi.

 

Monday, 7/24/23, Did some cleaning, met Vikki, Kenzie, Peyton and Isaac for lunch, Max came over, Went swimming, Kimmy, Jared, and Eli came over. Melissa and Jack came over

Having lunch at Olive Garden together.  It was so much fun.

Vader and Kit Kat hanging out together while Max and Papa hung out on the deck

New arrangement for things Kim and Vikki did.  Jared hung the bluejay so it is facing the right direction.  He had to bend the hook.

More rearranging done. Jared was up in the tree for this

They arranged this cute too.  Can you spy Kit Kat?

Notice anything in this picture

Jack shooting the bow and arrow

Eli shooting the crossbow

Cousins having fun together.  We get to have them and be in on the fun!  They stayed out there even when it was raining!  We didn't stay out there for that fun.

Bill met Charlie for coffee. I slept in.  I sorted the tub of clothes pins I got for a $ and put them into different bags.  Then I washed the bedding in the camper and hung it on the line to dry.  At one, I met Vikki and the kids at Olive Garden for lunch.  Bill and Max got home just as I was leaving, so I was a few minutes late getting to the Olive Garden.  Kenzie took Peyton to get their nails done before we met.  They sure turned out beautiful.  Isaac only wanted a breadstick, Peyton got a kids meal of spaghetti and ate the whole thing, the rest of us got soup, salad and breadsticks.  It was fun being together. Our waitress was a tad bit grumpy, but we prayed for her and asked God to bless her and she sure was sweet after that.  Kenzie and Vikki said it was because her manager was behind her.  I was just happy she became sweet.  Kenzie took Peyton to Omi's after that and I went to Vikki's.  She made me a delicious cold brew coffee.  YUM! I relaxed with Vikki while I drank it.  Then I left to come home. 

I talked to Max for a while when I got home, and gave Vader some attention.  Then I went swimming.  It was hot out, the water was nice and it felt good to get some exercise, that doesn't seem like exercise.  Max was here for a long time, and was ready for me to take him home when I got done swimming.  We drove down our road to the corner and we were talking about me going to Olive Garden.  Then he mentioned he loved their breadsticks.  I told him I had a bag of them I brought home and I asked if he wanted me to turn around and go get them.  He said yes with a big smile.  Then he said he wanted to give his mom a couple so she would get addicted to them and want to take him to the Olive Garden.  He was so funny.  He did exactly that when she got home.  

I got a few texts from Eli asking if he and Jack could spend the night, then saying never mind because Aunt Missy said no, then another text saying yes, she had changed her mind.  I was happy to hear yes.  Kimmy, Jared and Eli got here and then shortly after Melissa and Jack got here.  Bill got home from an Elder's meeting at the same time.  He didn't know whose car was in the driveway.  It was Jared's loaner.  He didn't know the boys were staying because it all happened while he was at the meeting.  He got the bows and arrows out for the boys, then they had fun shooting.  Jared, Kimmy, Melissa, Bill and I visited on the deck.  It started raining while we were out there, but we stayed nice and dry under the gazebo. The boys got wet out in the yard, but they didn't mind at all.   Kimmy and Jared left.  When it got dark the boys had light saber fights outside.  Melissa came in and visited for a while which was nice. They went up north to visit their old neighbors Tonya and her husband, and their family.  The boys loved seeing Elijah and he loved seeing them.  They have remained best friends even since they moved to Florida.  They came every summer to visit and keep in touch between times. 

The boys played lots of ping pong and Bill played some games with them.  They always have fun! 

Sunday, 7/23/23, went to prayer/chruch, everyone came over, went to Jacob's concert

Stacie giving her goat a shot after Kimmy and Jared taught her how...Eli holding the goat and Jared watching.  Way to go Stacie!

Peyton and Morgan swimming

Peyton and Morgan playing the Wii

Isaac

Evan, Jack and Eli getting their sloppy joes

Jacob playing in the Eddy Band Concert

Morgan, Kenzie and Peyton...they were making bracelets while listening to the music

Eli and Jack loved Maddy's puppy

Rody, Isaac and Evan

Jacob, our star clarinet player!!! Bruce in the background!

Kenzie relaxing and looking so cute!

Vikki holding Maddy's puppy with Maddy in the background...so cute!

The sun was amazing looking...it is beneath the cloud line and was orange 

We went to church early for prayer, then went in for the service.  After our prayer group interceded for our congregation and the church service, etc., we closed in prayer.  Then Marie got everyone to lay hands on me and pray for me.  It was powerful  Then after our church service when we were done praying for people, I talked to my dear friend Phyllis and we went to a quiet spot in the foyer and she prayed for me.  I am thankful for friends who love me and pray for me for Jesus to heal me.  Kind of like the friends who lowered their friend through the roof so he could get healed by Jesus.  I am truly blessed with family and friends who pray and believe.  Today was my best day in a very long time....after three awful days it seemed great to not itch so much.

We picked up some burger and buns after church and came home.  Vikki was here with Peyton and Morgan.  The kids were swimming.  Vikki had picked up some stuff for sandwiches for lunch (which she doesn't need to do).  I made sloppy joes and got them in the crockpot and went out and joined Vikki outside.  When the girls were done swimming, they came inside and played on the Wii and played in the basement.  They went to Vikki's for a while, then came back later when Kimmy, Jared, Jack and Eli came.  Melissa, Bruce, and Evan came too, and so did Kenzie. We all had sloppy joes and chips.  It was fun hanging out.  Kimmy, Jared and Vikki rearranged all of my bird feeders and hung them with thin wire so the squirrels won't bother them.  Yay!  Great job everyone!  It looks beautiful.  I forgot to take a picture.  Jacob was texting with his roommate, getting to know him, so he couldn't come.  We have been praying for a great roommate for him.  Jacob said he seems nice.  

Jacob drove himself to the Concert, after he was done and practiced some.

We all went to the concert.  Eli rode with Bill and I and we loved having him with us. Maddy and Alec met us there.   They brought their new puppy, Winston.  He was a very good puppy.  I introduced  Maddy to Gayla.  I have been telling each of them about the other, so was happy to have them meet.  They are both very special to me.   We ate lots of snacks while the band was playing.  Kenzie was sweet and came and gave me healthy chocolate covered blueberries,  and chocolate covered raspberries, and I can't remember the 3rd kind.  She also shared some of her special candy Aunt Kimmy and Uncle Jared got for her to surprise her.  We shared a little baked thing she got from Biggby that was really good.  Kenzie and I walked over and saw a yorkie poo, that looked a lot like our Ginger we had.  She was black and a Shitzu.  She was the best dog ever and so smart.  It took us a long while to get over her getting hit by a car.  Kimmy and Jared stopped at our house afterwards to take some sloppy joes and buns home.  I made a big batch and the older boys weren't here to eat them.  Eli rode home with us, so they picked him up too.  It was a fun day!