Tues. 7/15/25, Happy Birthday to Jack who is 17, Sister Pam and Brittany!!! We love you! We slept in, relaxed some, went to the hardware store, drove through the other two Outdoor Adventures up here, went to the Amish Barn store near Au Gres, Stopped for ice cream in Omer, drove by the church Vikki and I had gone to, relaxed, to the Cabella Clam down, packed some stuff up, played games

Happy Birthday Jack!  We love you so much!

Vikki sent me all these cute pictures of Rehvyn at the beach in our town.  He’s just so cute!

Peyton holding him

Walking in the water

Grammy, Peyton and Rehvyn

Bill at the ice cream shop in Omer

Me there too.  Such a nice ice cream shop

My banana split was so big!  I had Armietto cherry ice cream, Bear Claw and Carmel Caribou for my scoops.  Yum it was the best!  Poor Bill asked for one after me but the girl making them had used the last banana for mine.  He ordered a large hot fudge sundae instead.  It sure wasn’t large.  I felt bad for him, but he enjoyed what he had.  

Big difference in the size of mine and his.  I would say mine was just right

At the Amish Barn. 

Switched what was on the shelves in the camper around.  Put the plates on the bottom and the bowls and extra paper cups.  Much easier for all of us to reach.

I had leftover G’s pizza from yesterday and Bill ate the last of the spaghetti.  Both were yummy!

I had been telling Bill to smile with no results.

He must have gotten a really good hand because he sure smiled when he saw them

I got up at 8:30 and made my coffee and went out and read my Bible.  Bill got up an hour later.  I’m glad he slept good.  I came in and he was reading his Bible in the recliner chair.  I did my grandkids and husband prayer book prayers for the day, plus my regular prayers, reading God’s Word, thanking, talking to God and praying the scriptures as I read.  My reading today was 5 of the Psalms.  So good!  

After we were done reading, we called Jack and sang Happy Birthday and talked to him for a while.  Then Bill asked me what I wanted to do so I gave him my ideas.  Then we left to do them.  First we stopped at the hardware and got the screws he needs for his project in the camper.  After that, we went to Outdoor Adventures in Sterling on the Rifle River and drove through.  The memory that came up was of me and Hailey in the pool.  She was probably 5 or 6.  An older lady was the only one in the pool with us and we started talking.  She told us she had spina bifida, but had surgery for it when she was a baby.  They didn’t know as much about it back then, but she said she was doing great and the surgery was successful.  To me it was a sign from God that Hailey was going to continue to be ok and grow to an old age without complications.  She had the surgery when she was a year old.  Her doctor who did the surgery had spina bifida too and walked with crutches.  She is still doing surgeries and they suspend her so she can operate.  She has done Hailey, and also Kenzie’s cousin, Lauren who had a brain tumor and had it come back so she had two surgeries.  She is 20 and is doing amazing too.  So thankful for this amazing doctor and the skill he gave her.  God’s healing power is awesome!

We drove through the Outdoor Adventures in Omer too.  Lots of good memories there of camping with Vikki and the twins, Visits from Kimmy and the boys, family times with everyone, and a special camping time with Max three years ago, when he swam with me, went in the hot tub, had fun around the campfire and ate and had ice cream in Pinconning.  Vikki left Lucy with us because he loves dogs.  Love all of these special memories.

We went down some back roads that were stoney and then on some amazing paved roads that were hilly and curvy.  Our next stop was the Amish Barn near Au Gres.  We walked through all three levels, and then went to the other barn and walked through the one floor of it.  Fun to look at stuff, but we didn’t need anything so didn’t buy anything.  We headed back and stopped at the Ice Cream Shop in Omer.  Yum was it ever good and the porch we sat on to eat it was so nice, cool and comfortable on this 84 degree day.  We were there relaxing and eating for quite a while.  

On our way back to the campground, we decided to take a little extra drive because Bill wanted to see the church we went to up here.  He missed pulling in, so we turned around and came back by it.  We got back at the camper and relaxed.  I packed some things and did the dishes from the food we used in the refrigerator.  It’s an easy pack up in this camper.  We are going out later to take down the Clam when it is cooler out. 

We got the Clam down quickly.  I took my hammock down too, but can’t find where Isaac put the case for it when he put it up for me.  I looked several times in the storage cabinets outside and checked my car a couple of time.  Bill even checked with me.  He’s sure he put it in my car.  Maybe he put it in Bill’s Jeep because he was here.  We will check more when we go home.  I had Vikki check her car because she has a hammock too and I thought maybe he was used to putting it in her car.  She didn’t find it.  Such a mystery. 

Vikki FaceTimed me so I could see Rehvyn.  He sure plays good with cars and he said Nana really plain and then said papa plain too.  He did the actions to The Wheels on the Bus so cute.  I loved watching him.  Loved getting to see Peyton too.  

Bill and I played 3-13.  We were tied on the King round.  He went out on the Ace round and the end score was 12 to 24.  

My arm has been sore because I hoed four rows of the garden, even between the rows, so hard and fast before I came.  It’s somewhat better, but still sore.  I mentioned it to Bill and when we were done with our game he prayed over me.  Expecting it to feel good fast now.

Monday, 7/14/25, Bruce and Melissa invited me for breakfast, Jack came and told Evan and I, I came home and got Bill, Bruce and Melissa and the boys went to Taras, Bill and I went to Tawas, went by Harbor Church, stopped and saw nephew Freddy, shopped, G’s pizza, Melissa and Bruce left for home, Bill and I packed changing room, and the tent

 

We went by Harbor Church where we are doing a motorcycle visit next Sunday.  Then we looked up our nephew, Freddy’s address and went by to look at his house.  He was outside, so we stopped to see him.  He was so happy we stopped.  We talked quite a while and found out the church we are visiting next Sunday is where he and his family go.  We were all so excited to find that out.  Can’t wait for next Sunday now.  The baby and Jobe were sleeping and Freddy said Ash was too.  Bummer we didn’t get to see them.  We will next Sunday though.

Bill took a selfie of all of us.  They have been doing lots of remodeling to their house.

Max with Vader at the dog beach at the Point

Max and Vader and Bruce and Badger

Jack ran into his friend from school there

Badger and Evan

Nice action picture Melissa took.

Fun at G’s having pizza, pop, breadsticks and cinnamon sticks

I was taking a picture of the cute lights on the ceiling and how cute the porch was decorated, so told Melissa to look.  I should have told Max lol.

Badger and Vader laying by each other while we ate.  So nice that G’s is pet friendly

Love driving by the water.  Lake Huron was beautiful today.  I had a handsome driver too!

Some waves and a Seagul

Evan slept on the couch air mattress.  We stayed up until 1 after we watched the Forge.  I knew he would be tired, so told him he could sleep in.  I was tired too, but got up at 8 so I could do my hair.  We folded the sleeping blanket and picked up the bedding, then put the couch back as a couch.  Evan ate a bowl of cereal and I was just about to when Jack came to our camper and told us his dad was making a big breakfast and asked if we wanted to come have some.  Of course we did.  I didn’t eat the cereal and thankful he came in time that I didn’t.  Bruce made yummy eggs, fried potatoes and sausage.  We ate at their campsite.  They decided they would just go to Tawas to the Dog Park.  I left to go home and pick up Bill.  I took Eli’s bike and tent strap home, Adam’s Bible and notebook, and Vikki and Peyton’s stuff.  I let them know it was there.  I forgot to take Vikki’s dog treats.  Bummer!  Bill was going to mow the grass, but it wasn’t that long and was so dry, I told him it wasn’t going to grow much by Wednesday when we come home.  I told him it would be fun to go to Tawas and Melissa and her family going there.  I fed birds, put chlorine in the pool, picked some lettuce and a kohlrabi for Bill and gave Kit Kat some needed attention.  Bill got his stuff ready he wanted to take up north and we left.  We decided to go right to Tawas.  When we got in town, he asked me to look up the church address we are going to next Sunday so we could drive by it.  It was such a nice looking building, that I said to Bill, I wonder if Freddy and Ashton go here?  I said I would have to ask her.  Bill wanted to drive by Freddy’s house too, so he looked that up.  We haven’t been there yet.  We drove by and I told him I thought I saw Fred outside.  We turned around and went back and it was Fred.  We got big hugs and visited, then Bill took our selfie.  We were so happy it was their church we will be going to.  I told Freddy how proud we are of them following Jesus and serving Him.  He said how happy they are doing that.  We went through a few really nice shops and I bought a cute top.  Then we went to my favorite store there, the Ben Franklin.  I got a cute prism with cute beads that hang to give to Marie when I see her next.  I talked to her on our way up north and she is doing great and already at rehab.  Yay!  Bill had texted Bruce and they were going to meet us at G’s after they were done at the beach.  We left Freddys and went to G’s and sat out on their porch.  Bruce and family were supposed t come in 15 minutes, so we ordered the pizza and waited for them.  It wasn’t long and they came and we got to sit in our usual spot on the porch.  We all loved the cinnamon bread sticks, regular breadsticks and pizza.  It was all so good.  We had asked Freddy and family to come, but he had to do some work for his job online.  We all were full when we left there.  Melissa and Bruce drove by Freddy house to look at it.  Then we all headed back to the campground.  We got there and about 3 minutes later Bruce and Melissa pulled in.  Bruce and Jack started packing up to leave and Melissa and Evan came over and visited us.  Bill and Evan shared some of Evan’s donuts, so I got our donuts out for Melissa and I and shared with them too.  

It sure has been fun camping with them. Before they left, Bruce and Evan moved the big picnic table out of our clam for us.  I was so thankful.

Bill and I packed up the outside changing room, the tent, some extra chairs. Then we played a game of 3-13 which I won and a game of dice which I won.  I had to pick up both games, but it sure was worth it.  Winner picks up!  I let Adam know I was missing him today.  

 

Sunday, 7/13/25, We all listened to Hopevale’s worship and the message on Proverbs 13, Read Proverbs 13, Adam went for a morning swim,

Melissa, Evan, Eli, Adam is in drivers seat behind Melissa all watching Hopevale’s church service.  It was very good and on Proverb’s 13, which is the book the Lord has us reading right now while camping

Jack watching the service on the computer with us

Evan and Badger

Melissa and Jack by their cute camper.  Love having them as neighbors.  So much fun!

Adam blessed us with three large pizza’s from Little Caesar’s.  He wanted to carry on his family tradition of pizza every Sunday after church

                 Jack, Evan, Eli, me, Adam and Jack eating our pizza (Melissa took the picture)

Eli after he and Jacob took down his tent and packed up

Max when he came in the camper to visit.  He was so happy because I saved the rest of the red licorice for him

Bruce and Melissa’s campsite...Bruce and Badger,  Max sitting and Jack by the door

Jacob, me and Jack

Jacob and Jack are the same height now

Evan and Adam

Jacob in the pool when he and I went for a swim today.  Not many in the pool after we got there.  Lots left and I asked Jacob if he put deodorant on today and told him I did.  It was funny but I guess people were just going back to their campers to eat.   It ended up that there were only six young kids in the pool besides us.

Awe...My three Russell grandsons had to go home today.  Boo Hoo!

Melissa, Max, Bruce, Jack and Evan by Bruce’s nice fire!

Melissa took the picture with me in it by the fire

Adam and I got up and got ready.  Melissa, Jack and Evan came over, and then we all watched Hopevale’s church service on my computer.  They are doing a series on Proverbs.

Since that’s what we are reading now, we picked it and will have to watch our own church services later.  The message was so good.  It was on Proverbs 13.  After it was over, I read Proverbs 5 to everyone.  We decided not to eat breakfast because Adam was going to get us pizza for lunch.  He went for a swim and then when he came back, he changed and left to go get the pizzas.  Melissa and I went to the outdoor pool and Eli and Evan had just got out of the pool so we told them Adam would be back with the pizza and a few minutes.  They were changed and ready when Adam got here.  We all thanked Adam.  It was so sweet of him!  The pizza was really good too.  We all love it!  There were two pieces left and I sent them home with Adam later when he left to go home.  

Adam went for another swim, then relaxed in the hammock.  Jacob got here and asked Adam to go swimming with him, but Adam told him he just got back.  I told him I would go with him.  It was so nice and sure felt good on this hot day.  I got lots of exercise which I really needed too.  I asked Jacob if he wanted to eat spaghetti before he had to leave for home and he said yes.  We left and Jacob relaxed in the hammock and I started making the spaghetti.  I had already cooked the burger, so just had to cook the spaghetti and sauce.  Jacob and I ate, (Adam wasn’t hungry).  Jack came over and he wanted spaghetti too.  They both said how good it was and liked it.  I had invited everyone, but Bruce cooked hot dogs.

We had to find Eli, so he could help Jacob take his tent down.  Finally, we saw him and Evan heading back to the camper.  Then they walked by, so I told Jacob.  He yelled out for Eli that he needed to help take the tent down so they could get home on time.  Eli and Evan were headed to take showers.  Jacob sounded just like a parent lol.  I asked Jacob if he had time for Eli to eat before going home and he said he didn’t.  As soon as Eli got back, Jacob and him took the tent down, and packed up all Eli’s stuff.  Eli’s bike was here and they didn’t have a bike rack, so I had them put it on my bike rack on my car and will take it home and Kimmy can get it from there.  Jacob did a great job putting the hitch and my bike rack back on.  Bill had taken it off to go dump.  We hugged and said our good byes and Eli and Jacob left.  Adam stayed for a little longer and then he had to leave too.  I sure am going to miss them.  I am going to miss my camping buddy for the past 3 weeks.  Adam was so nice to hang out with for all this time.  

Melissa and I went on a couple of walks.  We were trying to find a tool that fell out of the pouch of Jack’s bike.  Evan borrowed his bike and didn’t know the pouch was opened and it fell out.  He and Jack walked around to look for it too.  I found one tool, but it wasn’t the one he was looking for.  Jack said we could stop because it was so tiny we wouldn’t find it.  

We came back to the camper and sat outside.  Then Bruce started a fire in our fire pit and the boys, Melissa and I sat around the fire.  Max and Bruce went on a couple of walks with the dogs.  When the fire was ready for S’mores, Max was the first to ask for a S’more.  I put a marshmallow on his stick and he roasted it while, I got the other stuff ready.  The rest of the boys had S’mores while I went in and made Melissa and I a Chocolate Mocha.  Melissa came in a few minutes later.  The rest got cocoa from their camper.  Melissa loved the Mocha and said it was as good as Tim Horton’s. I went back out and Melissa and I made our S’mores.  We sat around the fire longer, then Evan wanted to watch a movie.  He picked the Forge.  It’s his second time watching it and he loves it.  Me too.

Melissa came in and watched part of it again and we all had popcorn.  I asked Evan if he wanted to spend the night and he did.  Melissa came back and said he could.  She had to get back to her camper, so she got Badger and left.  

After the movie, we went to bed.  It was a great day!

Happy Birthday Lela!  I thought of you on your special day today.  Hope it was a great one. 

Sat. 7/12/25, Bill and I got ready and went home, then went to the Faith Rider’s picnic, I got gas, got toilet deodorizer, and then picked Jack up to bring up north, Bill came back up a little later, Melissa and I played 2 games of dice

Elaine’s Birthday is this month.  So is Lew in the red and Cindy in the black next to him, but they let Elaine be the one to wear the Birthday Hat.

Gayla in the blue on the right, Joel in the red, Wes, tiny, Don, Ray, Jim
Next table, Barb in Pink, Elaine, Jim on other side, Cindy, Lew, Bill, Isaac

Ron cooking the burgers and hot dogs

Adam

Melissa, Jack, Eli, and Evan

Bill in the camper when he came back up

Adam

Evan and Jack made S'mores

 

 I overslept this morning, but hurried and did my hair and got ready.  Bill left and I got ready and left a few minutes later after, Melissa came over and we talked for a few minutes.  I put a towel down in the car to put the banana cream pudding dessert on.  Then I made a coffee for Melissa and showed her how to use the Keurig.  She wanted her caramel creamer init so went to her camper.  She came back and said their were lumps in it, so I told her to make another cup and put my creamer in it and take the creamer to her house since it’s and extra.  Well I proceeded to put the dessert in my car and drove out of the campground.  As soon as the gate ent down, I remembered I forgot it.  I had to drive and go in the front entrance and drive 5 miles an hour.  When I got to the camper, Melissa was waiting.  We got the dessert and I left again.  I’m sure glad I thought of it when I did.  

On my way home, I remembered it was supposed to storm, so I called Melissa and told her how to put the awnings in.  It’s easy with just pushing buttons.  I got home and had about 25 minutes to get things I needed to take back up north ready.  I found a trap with a ping pong ball in it and 3 small mice.  I let Bill know so he cold take care of it.

We went to the picnic for Faith riders next.  The weather was nice.  It was hot, but we were under a pavilion in the shade.  The chapter meeting was first and then we ate.  We had wonderful grilled burgers, and hotdogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, veggie salad, watermelon and lots of desserts. including little apple and cherry pies.  Melissa called and their hot water heater broke, so Bruce and a friend were replacing it (the friend saved him $500.  Jack really wanted to come up north, because he has been having to stay home and watch a friend’s bunnies.  Melissa called me and asked if I would be close.  I told her of course I could.  He needed time to finish mowing the grass, so I got gas at Sam’s, went to Walmart and got toilet deodorizer and the bank ATM.  I picked Jack up and he hadn’t eaten, but just had some snacks.  I stopped at Wendy’s and got him a burger, fries and a water.  He was very happy and thanked me a couple of times.  We had a nice visit on the way up north and the rain missed us.

Eli and Evan were in Eli’s tent.  I saw tennis shoes outside the tent to I asked if anyone was in there.  Eli has a fan in his tent so they were cool.

Melissa came over and we played 3-13. I was the winner.  Then we played dice and I won again.  Bill came back up.  I was grilling hot dogs for dinner.  He had a couple and Melissa and the boys all had one after they finished swimming..  I ate roast, carrots and potatoes that were left over.  Melissa and I went for a walk to try to take a picture of the kids swimming, but they were at the pond and we decided we didn’t want to walk there after checking the two pools. We came back to the camper and relaxed in the cool air again.  Bill emptied the tanks and then worked on adjusting the bathroom door.  He finally told me the door locked now and I should try it.  Well I went in and it didn’t lock.  Then he told me it locked from the outside.  Well who wants a door that locks from the outside...not me.  I got a good laugh though.

Melissa, Bill and I went for a walk around the circle.  Adam fell asleep in the hammock before we left.  Jack was riding his bike and the other boys took showers and just hung around together.  Bill saw Adam walking down the path so yelled at him because he was going home. Adam just thought we were all waving so then kept walking after waving.  Bill left and then all the boys came in the camper and ate their hot dogs.  They went back outside and Melissa, Adam and I played 3-13.  Adam was the big winner.  

Melissa, Eli, Evan and Jack had a fire in our fire pit and made s’mores.  I went out for a few minutes, but Adam and I were tired and wanted to rest.  Badger stayed in the camper with us.  After they put the fire out, Evan and Eli came in and watched a Lucy episode.  Jack was tired so went to their camper.  After that the boys went out and went to bed too.

I texted with Bill and we told each other good night and love you.  He will be back up Monday after his doctor appt.