Sherman Christmas Party 2008

Well another year has gone by and six of my siblings were able to join in on the festivities. I have posted the pictures to the right so please take a minute and see how our family continues to grow. Russell and Helen's whole family were able to join us this year. Rosemary, Bob, and Kori families were not able to join us this year but Lori and her family were there with Greg and I. Merry Christmas to all my families who were not able to join us and hopefully next August (second weekend) we will see you all.

Cookies and pillowcases

I got up early this morning and got my grandchildren. Lori had school today and Kevin went to work so they spent the day with us. Breaunna and Brandon make some chocolate chip cookies with splenda white and brown sugar plus low fat butter. They were okay but did not spread when they cooked. Then I had each of the kids draw pictures on material that were then attached to more material which we then made pillowcases.

SISTERS,SISTERS, I LOVE MY SISTERS

Helen and I went to our sister Rosemary's home for two days of sewing and chatting. When us three girls were little I would never of told anyone that the three of us would become so close but it is true and I am so grateful. Well we made a dress, an apron, and slippers this time.



Helen and Rosemary checking out a pattern

OCTOBERFEST 2008

Well Everyone the shirts have arrived now I need my family home to wear them. See everyone next weekend for the third annual corn maze/kick the can weekend.

Enjoying Each Other

Greg and I both usually have Fridays off from work now giving us a three day weekend. We try to get the work done around the house on Friday allowing us to enjoy a weekend. This weekend was no exception to that. Saturday morning we started our day with our weekly visit to the lake to see Greg's Ma and Dad. We decided about a year ago as long as we are blessed to have them in our lives we would make a point to visit each week. So after our morning visit we headed to the rail to trail located in Otter Lake. We rode our bikes to Columbiaville which is about 5 miles and had lunch and then did the return trip. Greg has been riding Michael's bike that he used while in Kalamazoo a few years ago. That bike had seen its better days so after the bike ride we decided it was time for Greg to get a new bike. Greg purchased a schwinn bike and I got a new seat for my bike, which use to be Becky's bike. So Saturday evening we took a ride through Davison. As the evening came to a close we visited the Pearsalls. I had made a weight watcher apple/blackberry pie using phyllo pastry instead of crust. The pie was a success and I will make another one soon.

Today we headed to the Renaissance festival in Holly. No kids we did not dress up this year but we had a nice day. The temperature was around 68 degrees so it was very comfortable to walk around in. Greg wanted to get a new walking stick but he never found one that he liked as well as the one he has. The festival is getting larger every year and has always been one of the few places that Greg likes to go to each year and it was great walking for me.

When your children grow up and start lives of their own it is a wonderful feeling to know that you and your spouse still very much enjoy each other.

Apple Pickers

The Smith Family joined us for a late summer day dinner and checked out the orchard. The kiddies each got a chance to use Papa's apple picker. More pictures to the left.

Grandma's pick up day

Another wonderful thing about working four ten hour days is that I now have Fridays off. I was able to pick Breaunna up from school and bring her to Grandma's house for a little bonding time. While I shortened her new jeans for school she made me some sparkle blinks. I also had to take a picture of her with her first tooth gone. Is she not precious? Well we certainly think so at this house.

Happy Labor Day

Greg, Lori, Breaunna, and I went on a ten mile bike ride this morning. We took the rail to trail from Otter Lake to Columbiaville and back. It was a beautiful morning and great company. I posted all our summer pictures so take some time and enjoy them.

The Smiths come to visit upnorth

This weekend the Smith family came to visit us in Beverton at our future homesite. There was a 60% chance of rain but we worked to have a wonderful weekend. Kevin put their tent up first thing on Friday afternoon when they arrived but by that evening we all knew everyone would be sleeping in the fifth wheel. I made supper for everyone and we all just vegged out for the evening. It rained most of the night but we woke up to blue skies on Saturday. The Smiths took a trip down the river on the kiaks. Girls in the red one and the boys took the green one. When they returned we packed up and headed to the beach in town for a picnic and swimming. On our way back to the trailer we stopped for ice cream and seen a quilt show sign. While everyone ate ice cream I went to the quilt show. The ladies in Beverton told me they had a two year waiting list to join their quilt guild so I gave them my name and address and placed my name on the list. By late afternoon the clouds turned black and we had another rain storm. After the rain stopped Greg, Lori, and the kiddies went on another boat trip to treasure island. Supper was made by the Smiths which was pizza sandwiches over the fire. The rain was non stop in the evening so smores were made over my stove. This morning was beautiful and the kids fished all morning before they headed home. It was a great weekend and the rain did not stop us. Enjoy the pictures to the left.

Zoo 2008 with my grandchildren

Each summer I am fortunate enough to take a week off work and spend the days with my grandchildren. Yesterday we went to Frankenmuth and to the wilderness Zoo. It is such a nice zoo to take young children to. It is a 1/3rd of the Detroit Zoo but you get to see a lot of animals. Here are a few pictures from the adventure. Enjoy the rest of the pictures to the right on the blog.

Give Me a B R E A U N N A

Breaunna getting ready for her cheerleading programWaiting with her team to performReceiving flowers after a great performance
Headed home and still flying high

Class of 2020

Washington DC

Greg and I drove to Washington DC over the weekend to see Becky. Becky had her first art show and we wanted to show our support. Becky is a wonderful art teacher and you can tell how much the children enjoy her.

Trent and Becky at the Art Show

Trent and Becky at the Museum

Trent and Becky picking on each other

Last but not least two precious children that fell asleep on the metro

Sunday Dinner with new friends

Michael brought a young Saudi Arabian couple for dinner and cards afterwards. Check out the pictures of the day. Michael has introduced us to a world that we never knew and it is wonderful. Lori, Kevin and the kiddies joined us also. We played a little kickball after dinner and did chalk work on the driveway.

Vlogging [Video Blogging!]

You know they say it's the future - video blogging! Here's our little Miss Breaunna Smith singing and gesturing her heart out on the stage at Central Elementary. Enjoy!

First Spring Day

I love SpringBrandon drawing a rainbow with chalk
Cameron standing by his chalk drawing of a swimming pool

Breaunna drawing a barbie tent

Lori and Michael visiting

Easter

We started our Easter by picking Becky up at the airport on Good Friday. Breaunna did not have school so she joined us. When we picked Becky up we had no snow but by Saturday morning the ground was covered and here is a picture of Ms. Becky not liking Michigan weather anymore.By Easter morning the snow was gone and we were on our way to see our grandchildren ring bells at Easter services.




Breaunna in long pink dress
and Cameron and Brandon with
white shirt and tie.






Then the Smiths came over and had Easter dinner with us. Unfortunately Michael was not able to join us for the holiday.