Saturday, July 4th, Happy 250 years America, One Nation Under God!!!, Hailey left around noon, Kimmy and Jared came up, Jacob and Abi came up, cooked out, the kids went on bike rides, swam, went on walks, we all played games, went to the fireworks, Abi spent the night in the camper, Jacob spent the night in the tent

Isaac and Eli

Abi and Jacob

Abi and Jared

Nana, Papa, Isaac and Eli playing 3-13

Hailey spent the morning with us.  Vikki put two braids in her hair the way Hailey wanted them.  She left at around noon.  She was going to a party with friends to a friend's lake house.   Abi and Jacob came up.  They walked around the campground, went swimming and played games with us.  Kimmy and Jared came up too.  Rody came up right after we ate and stayed for the fireworks.  Then he had to head home as he has lots to do at church tomorrow.  Adam went to see Grace in Grand Rapids and was watching the fireworks with her and her family there.  Melissa and her family have friends who were their neighbors and are here from Florida, so they are packing to go camping with them.  We missed the ones who weren’t here, but loved having Abi as an added blessing.  The guys grilled hotdogs on the grill and we had grilled potatoes, baked beans and chips to go with them.  We had watermelon too and then had drumsticks for dessert.  Bill and I played 3-13 with Isaac and Eli during the day and then Abi and Jacob played the winners who happened to be Bill and I.  I won even in the last 2’s are wild with 15 cards hand.  Then the kids hung out more riding bikes, swimming and going for walks.  This is the first time they have only had fireworks one nigh held t and the first time on the 4th.  Next year, we are going to camp earlier and go to fireworks in our area for a change.  The kids don’t even remember going to really big fireworks.  We sat by the pond and a kid had a remote truck that he drove all the way across the pond.  It stayed on top until the last time he did it and it sunk.  A kid went in the pond after it.  Then two kids jumped off the fishing dock into the water.  They had their suits on, but that is against the rules.  They appeared to be drinking, but seemed way too young for that.  When the fireworks started, the ducks in the pond got scared and started making noise and heading for shore.  Lucy wanted to get them, but we held her and she calmed down.  The fireworks were nice and it’s always nice to just walk back to the camper.   Kimmy and Jared headed home.  Bill, Abi, Jacob, Isaac and Eli spent the night.  Vikki and me too of course.  

Jacob, Abi, Vikki and I played a game of 3-13.  I was negative the whole game, then Abi got a pat hand winning hand and went out right away and stuck me with a lot of points.  She ended up winning and was very happy.  We taught Abi how to play dice after that and she shook really good high numbers, so she won that too.  It was her night.  We went to bed around midnight.  It was a fun day with family.

Friday, 7/3/26, Got up at 8, read my Bible, Vikki took Eli and Isaac to Linwood to meet Bruce and Jack, Jared & Kimmy, Jared and her took Jack, Eli and Isaac to Mountain Bike trails in Midland, I made two batches of potatoes on the grill for tomorrow, got extra plates/cups out from the tote in the outside camper storage, Peyton, Hailey and I went to the camp store and got ice cream, I cleaned the grill, Bill got here and brought stuff I needed, Vikki, Hailey, Peyton and I walked around the campground, did prayer/devotion with Bill,

Hailey

Peyton

Hailey

My plant from Melissa and family is doing great even in this hot weather

Vikki and Peyton went to the thrift store in Pinconning after breakfast.  Everybody ate warmed up pancakes from yesterday for breakfast, except me because I ate the last bagel and had cream cheese on it.  

The boys went swimming and I read my Bible,  Vikki and Peyton got back and brought me a spaghetti scoop from a garage sale for 25 cents.  I looked for one last night, but didn’t have one in the camper.  

 Eli asked me Aunt Vikki or I could take him and Isaac to meet Uncle Bruce and Jack, and Aunt Kimmy and Uncle Jared in Linwood.  I told him I could.  They went swimming for another hour until it was time to go. Vikki got back and sat in the sun for a while.  Vikki told me she would take the boys since their bikes fit on her bike rack better.  I made two batches of Potatoes and put them on the grill.  Now tomorrow we will just have to warm them in the microwave, so the grill will be used for all the hotdogs we need to cook.  Hailey came.  Hailey, Peyton and I walked to the store and got ice cream. I got black cherry in a waffle cone..  Vikki got back.   She stopped and got Arby’s.  I went outside and took the grill apart and washed the pieces that could be washed.  Bill got here just as I was finishing it.  Sure got warm washing that grill.  I went inside and gave Bill a kiss and rested for a little while.  Bill, Peyton, Hailey and I ate spaghetti for dinner.  Hailey told lie it was delicious and had more.  We girls went on a walk around the campground after that.  I took the garbage to the dumpster since the boys are gone.  When I got back they had all the chairs in the clam.  We were supposed to have thunderstorms but then now they took them out.  

We sat outside for a while.  Came inside and made popcorn.  Vikki had to go meet Kimmy and Jared at Sporty’s to pick up the boys.  Bill and I played 3-13 and also a 2’s wild hand where we got 15 cards.  I won!  We played dice and I won at it too.  

The girls were cheering me on.  

The boys went outside right after they got here and said hi to us.  Finished the last part of my blog and I went to bed.

Thursday, 7/2/26, Eli, Isaac and I went to get groceries then stopped at the Dollar Store for them, Had RV tanks dumped, the boys swam lots, went on bike rides, texted lots with Bill, made spaghetti for dinner,Vikki and I swam with the boys in the evening,

The hot tub was so hot only Vikki could stand to sit in it

The inside pool water was cooler, but still felt good. 

The boys playing 3-13

We were up until after midnight last night, so we all slept in this morning.  I did get up at 8 to open the door outside to the dump tanks take the cap off, so it’s ready for the guy when he brings the honey wagon to dump our tanks.  Then I came in and went back to bed.  No one woke up in the camper.  Isaac was laying in the hammock outside the camper and Eli was still sleeping in the tent.  

Everyone got up at around 10.  The boys went to take their showers,  and I made pancakes and sausage.  We girls ate, then they ate when they got back from their showers.  Eli loved the pancakes and sausage and gave me great compliments.  I love cooking for him!!!!  He always says great things!  We hung out in the camper a lot again today because it was so hot and humid outside.  The honey wagon came around 1 and the guy emptied our tanks.  

We talked to Kimmy a couple of times.  She had to take pictures of her pottery at home and  had to turn the air conditioning off to do it.  She was really getting hot.  She also mowed the grass, so Jared wouldn’t have to do it when he got out of work and it was hotter.  I cooked up some burger to make spaghetti sauce and also froze burger for later when we have goulash.  I used the induction burner that Bill got me for Christmas.  I love using it because it doesn’t throw off a lot of heat when I’m cooking, the burner only gets warm from the pan being warm.  We all ate spaghetti except Eli.  I didn’t know he didn’t like spaghetti.  I offered to make him something else, but he didn’t want anything because he is trying to cut calories.  

The boys went swimming at the indoor pool because it isn’t busy, and Vikki and I went a little bit later to join them.  The water was cooler than the other day, but still felt good.

Vikki read her book, the boys played 3-13, Peyton was on her phone and I worked on my blog.  I read my book for a while too.  The boys came in the camper at 10.  They had built a fire and were sitting by it.  Vikki, Isaac, Eli and I played 3-13.  Vikki was the winner, then Isaac was next, then me, then Eli.  Eli was the scorekeeper.  We had fun and lots of laughs.

Wed., 6/1/26, Bill had an X-Ray on his neck at 9, Vikki took Isaac and his bike to Bay City, I made eggs, bacon and toast for Jack and I, I picked up our year passes for Outdoor Adventures, then came back and we put stuff away because there were thurnderstorm warnings, at 2:30 storm was over, ate lunch,

My plant is doing great and filling back out after being here

Jack in the morning while I made breakfast

Jack during the storm

Isaac during the storm

We had lots of fun playing 3-13

Bill sent me a really sweet loving good morning message.  He had his X-Ray of his neck this morning at 9.  Around 1 he picked up Max and was taking him out for a burger.

Vikki called and the bike shop in Bay City said they would put air in Isaac’s new suspension bike for free. She took him there,  I made eggs, bacon and toast for Jack and I.  Peyton slept in late. 

Vikki and Isaac got back.  I read my Bible and did my prayer books.  I prayed the grandkids prayer out loud over the kids here.  There were severe thunderstorm warnings for here at 1:45.  We put all the bikes, chairs, and everything under the awning in the clam.  We put the awning in because wind gusts were supposed to be up to 60 mph.  I walked over to the store and picked up our year passes.  I had gone there a little earlier and they said they had William’’s name down for picking them up already.  I came back to the camper and called him and asked if he had picked them up and he said no because their internet was down.  They didn’t really want to give me new ones, but since it wasn’t written in the computer, an only on paper, they did.  After I walked back to the camper,  and got inside, it started pouring.  The wind blew really bad and our clam top sunk down.  It was filling with water, while the boys were getting ready to go out and pop it back up.  Isaac and Jack together had a hard time getting it up because of all the water on it, but the water came off and then it popped right up.  It lasted for about 35 minutes, then the sun came out and the rest of the day is supposed to be sunny and nice.  I put the awning back out.  Vikki and I went out and I swept off the awning and Vikki and I put all the chairs back.  Vikki did most of that. 

Vikki left to pick up Eli and take him and Isaac to Youth group at her church.  Jack said he wanted to stay here.  They left.  I relaxed out in the no gravity chair and listened to worship music.  Came in and ordered pizza and breadsticks from Fergie’s for Jack, Peyton and I.   

Jack went for a bike ride until we leave for the pizza.   Picked up the pizza.  It was the best!

Jack is going home tonight.  Eli is coming back tonight.  Melissa and Bruce picked Jack up.  Vikki brought Eli here with Isaac after Youth Group.  Eli loved the Fergie’s pizza.  Isaac was too full from having pizza at youth group so is eating his pizza from Fergie’s tomorrow.

We played a game of 3-13.  Vikki won at -48 and I had 148 and the boys both had close to 200 points.  We sure had fun playing it though and had lots of laughs.  

The boys are sleeping in my tent tonight so they will have more room.  We are missing Jack.

 

Tuesday, 6/30/26, Bill took the garbage out at home, we all ate breakfast, then I took the boys to the Dollar Store, I gave Jack his $5 to spend, the boys and Peyton went swimming, then hung out at the clubhouse, Adam came up, He went for a swim, we all ate lunch, we had drumsticks, We hung out in the air conditioning,

Isaac and Eli relaxing.  Lucy waiting to get on my lap.

Jack relaxing

Yay!  Adam came to visit

Bill stayed home.  The raccoon was in the live trap this morning.  He took care of it.  He took the garbage out, then went to Sam’s Club where he saw Bruce and Melissa.  He said it’s too hot to do anything outside.  I am glad he is taking it easy.  

We ate breakfast in the camper, then I took the boys to the Dollar Store.  I gave Jack $5 to spend there because the camp store is so expensive.  I had already given the other boys money for there.  I picked up more water bottles, some chips, and a few other things while we were there.  We came back to the camper and the boys carried everything in.  It was in the mid 90’s outside.  Kimmy came up and we spent most of the day hanging out in the cool camper.  Adam came up after he got out of work.  The kids all swam lots, went on walks and bike rides, hung out at the clubhouse to stay cool.  We ate warmed up left over hotdogs for lunch and I made another pizza on the grill that turned out great and made potpies for us girls.  Jack ate left over chicken Fettuccine from Olive Garden.  

Kimmy and Eli went home before dark.  Adam was going to spend the night, but decided after his adult swim that he would drive home.  Eli and Jack slept inside the camper so they would get a good night’s sleep.  Isaac slept on the table be and Jack slept on the couch bed.  

Peyton slept with me.

  

 

Monday, 6/29/26, Bill went to Dr. Bindon at 8, Picked Vikki’s medicine up for her,went to breakfast at Leo’s, hoed the garden, Bill went to Dr. Adam’s, Picked Jack up, went back to campground, the kids all swam, rode bikes, an hung out together, set up tent for Jack

Hoed around the plants in my garden with the 3 prong hoe

Flower garden is looking great

Beautiful cool morning...it’s supposed to get to 90 degrees today

Set my live trap last night.  This morning the food is gone and the door is cl

Rehvyn with his new kitty Kenzie got him

Kenzie holding the Kitty (Gem) and Arnie trying to get to know the Kitty

Jack is camping with us for a while

Peyton, Jack, Eli and Isaac when they came in at 10

We got ready and went to Covenant to Dr. Bindon’s office.  He didn’t like the VA views of Bill’s hip, so they did two X-Rays there at the office.   When Dr. Bindon came in, he said he had seen the name Schaard on the chart and thought that’s not a real common name, so looked and saw the name William and checked to see what his wife’s name was and it was Penny.  He shook our hands and said hi and was really happy to see me.  He did my hip surgery 7 months ago.  He was happy to see my hip was doing great.  I told him it was as good as new.  He checked  Bill out and talked to us, then looked at the X-Ray and explained it to us.  He doesn’t have bone on bone, like the VA said.  He had mild-moderate osteoarthritis, and spurs.  He thinks the pain Bill is experiencing is Referral Pain from his back.  He said he will set up an appointment for Bill to get an injection in his hip to determine if surgery would help his hip.  If he feels great pain relief for the first 1 1/2 hours, surgery would help, but if not surgery won’t help.  I told him I was happy to see he was getting great reviews and he said he has surgeries booked into November.  He told me I was his first total hip replacement here when he first came.  He had done many others where he came from though.  I told him I was still telling people about him and recommending him.   He made Bill an appointment for 6 weeks from now.  On our way to Leo’s, we picked up Vikki’s medicine so I could take it up north for her.  We had a great breakfast as Leo’s.  When we got home, I started hoeing the weeds by the plants in the garden.  I was still pretty nice out when I started, but was getting pretty warm by the time I finished.  It looked nice when I was done.  I went inside to rest for a few minutes before getting ready for Bill’s appt. when he told me his appointment was a 2:30, not 1:15 like he had thought.  I took my shower, got ready and had time to read my Bible.  We went to his appt. with the Neurologist’s PA.  He was really knowledgeable and so nice.  He did lots of different strength tests with Bill.  He is setting up an MRI of the neck for Bill because if some of the pain is coming from his neck like Bill mentioned,  he wants to know.  I asked him how old he was and he said 33.  Bill asked him if he knew Dr. Bindon who’s 32.  He said he knew of him because he’s new and he saw his picture, but didn’t know him personally.  Dr Adams is only 38.  These doctors get younger all the time.  He set up the MRI for Wed.  Nice to have things moving along.  Bill dropped me off at home, He went to get the Jeep washed and said he might stop and get an ice cream.  I packed my stuff, then went to pick up Jack at his house and got his bike.  We stopped at McDonalds on the way up north.   I asked Jack if he wanted Subway, Taco Bell or McDonalds since they were the ones we were going by.  He said Subway was too expensive, so picked McDonalds.  I told him Subway wasn’t that expensive he could pick it, but he wanted a Big Mac.  He asked me if it was ok to get a Big Mac and I said yes, then he asked for a small fry and I told him he could get a big fry.  He said really and ordered a medium and got a Diet Coke to go with it.   He was so thankful and happy.  He is a thrifty boy.   We got to the campground and Jack went swimming with the kids.  He went on a bike ride after that.   The kids hung out at the Clubhouse, went on bike rides, and swam more.  Jack hung out with us for a while too.  He, .We sure are happy to have him camping with us.  In the evening, the boys put up Jack’s tent and then they and Peyton had a campfire.  Vikki and I played 3-13.  She was ahead of me from about the 6th hand on after she had a pat hand winning hand and stuck me with lots of points (45).  In the last hand, I had a pat hand winning hand and went out right away and stuck her with a lot of points.  I ended up winning by 3 points.  At 10, the kids came back to the camper and visited inside until midnight.  Then we all went to bed.  I tried to finish my blog in bed, but kept falling asleep, so decided to finish it tomorrow.  

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

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Sunday, 6/28/26, Went to first service at church, I taught Sunday school, left right after to go to Jacob’s baptism, Our seats were saved and Vikki and Kimmy let me know where they were sitting. We were right next to the rough Jacob was getting baptized in, It was a touching baptism and I plus many others were in tears. So thankful to God. We took everyone out to Olive Garden afterward. Bruce couldn’t come because he had so much to do at home, but Jack and Melissa rode with us so they could come, Fun time celebrating what God has done in Jacob’s life, came home, checked garden, pool, and bird feeders

Jacob giving his testimony in front of the church before he got baptized.  He did an awesome job.  I was in tears from him sharing, then Isaac came up from two rows behind us and just hugged Vikki for over 5 minutes and that made me cry more.  The Holy Spirit was really touching hearts.  

I am so proud of our first grandson following Jesus in baptism and committing his life to Him.  Jacob is a humble, repentant sinner, saved by God’s Mercy and Grace.  That is all it takes to receive Jesus as Your Lord and Savior.

Jacob being baptized

Our seats were right next to the aisle where he got baptized

He answered the two questions asked with a YES, a smile and it was done very joyfully and clearly

 

 

I couldn’t love Jacob anymore that I do

Group Family Picture afterwards

Another family picture

Rehvyn, Vikki, Jacob and Isaac, (Peyton and Regen had already gone to the car

Jared, Abi, Jacob and Kimmy

Jared, Jacob and Kimmy

Jack, Melissa, Jacob and Bruce 

Rehvyn and Jacob

All of us at Olive Garden after church celebrating Jacob’s Baptism

Bill and I went to the first service at our church.  Worship was awesome.  I taught Sunday School afterwards.  I have new Kindergarteners and they were so good and so sweet.  Happy to have my last years class who are in first grade this year too.  Hunter was my helper and did a great job.  He dismissed the kids for me so I could leave a little early and go see Jacob be baptized.  Kimmy called and said that Jacob was in an accident in the morning, but was ok.  His car needs repairs, but we are so thankful he and the other person involved were both alright.  Thank You Lord!  We made it. with just being 5 minutes late and the service hadn’t started.  Abi had saved us all seats and everyone was there but us.  Kimmy texted me and Vikki called me to let me know exactly where they were sitting so we could find them fast and easily.  We sure appreciated that.  The worship was awesome.  Jacob gave his testimony which was so moving. We are all so proud of him.  His baptism was so awesome to witness.  What an awesome God we have!  The pastor gave a great message afterwards and then there was more worship.  

After we took lots of pictures, we all (except Bruce who had to get home because of so many things to do) went to the Olive Garden for dinner.  It was a nice time of being together and celebrating the important step of baptism that Jacob took.  Our servers were outstanding.  They were the best I’ve ever seen.  They brought more of everything out and kept asking if we needed anything more.  When we were done, the brought us bowls of candy chocolate mints instead of just 2 a piece like other Olive Garden’s.  Then I asked for two containers, one for my soup and one for spaghetti I had left over.  They brought me a new bowl of soup to go and I had a little room I it to add my left over soup.  Then for the left over salads, there were nice clear containers, with a take home dressing space included in it.  Everything was amazing and tasted so good.  We told them how amazing they did.  We left for home after we said goodbye.  Melissa and Jack rode home with us and we dropped them off at their house.  Vikki, Peyton and Regen headed back up to the camper.  Bill and I stopped at Panera after we dropped Melissa off and got a large lemonade to share.  We both read our Bibles and did our prayer/devotional.  Then we went out to the shed to see if we could find my my hammock that I set up when I camp.  It was up in the loft.  I got it almost all the way down the steps by sliding it, then when it came to the turn below, Bill helped do that part.  I drove my car back to the shed to put it in my trunk.  

I started tilling the garden and it was cool out so wanted to finish before we get the hot weather.  Bill did the outside row and I wanted to work til I got in between the rows done,  so he had to get me gas for it when I only had between 2 1/2 rows left. He did some hoeing under the fence even though I didn’t want him to.  Then he started spraying the wheels of the mantis with the hose so I made him go inside and i finished the wheels and I took the tiller things off and washed them.  He came back and wheeled the Mantis back to the shed and I carried the other parts.  Will put them on tomorrow after it dries. Then I had to set the live trap to catch a raccoon.  Now I have to go to bed because we have to be at Dr Bindon’s office at 7:45 a.m.  I have to take a shower in the morning too.  Time to go night night.