Busy, FUN Week!

Last Thursday I picked up Abby and Sophie from school and brought them to their art class. We had a few minutes for a snack at Holland Beach - loved the lighthouse shining through the snow flurries.



After art class, I had a wonderful date with Abby - her Christmas gift to me. What a joy she is!



We went for dinner and ordered dessert before our meal. The 'mile high' ice cream pie lived up to its name!




Silly Abby with my necklace on her head - we called it her crown :)





It was a wonderful evening with sweet Abby Jane! I treasure those times with her!


On Friday evening we celebrated the birthday of our nephew Byron. He will graduate in two weeks from Michigan Career and Technical Institute, rated 2nd in his class. Way to go, Byron!

Byron and Johnny (who is now officially an enlistee in the U.S. Air Force!)
We are so proud of both of them!

Nephew Joey with his terrific smile :)

Precious nieces Laiya and Lidia

On Sunday evening Tori showed us the tricks that she's taught Sammy....



I spent some time with Abby and Sophie during their afternoon off from school on Friday. We had a nice lunch, stopped to see Lucy at the Holland visitors' center, and spent time at the library.

The girls saluting the flag, just like the children in the statues

Sophie at the downtown fireplace

Abby at the library

Sophie

The rest of our week was spent at a soup supper at Heritage Church, a jewelry demonstration at Marva's, Joy Club and Kids' Hope, time with our friends Tom, Carmen & Kevin, a visit to our friend in Ionia prison, dinner with our small group, and the first of a 13-week Grief Share class that we are helping to facilitate. In between, there were several video chats with our California family :)





Laura sent these pictures of Annemieke and Amelia....



...and this pic sent by Ben


This morning Tori played basketball with her 5th/6th grade team at Byron Christian. It was great fun to watch her play :) She's # 3 in the maroon shirt.

Tori taking a shot

Free throw

And finally, a video of Amelia - just to make you smile :)

Wednesday to Wednesday

Quick update of the last week.....

Last Wednesday was a fun and full day that started with time with my friends at Joy Club - followed by tea with some of our neighbors, a 'welcome to our neighborhood' gathering for Linda (on the far left).



That evening we had dinner out with John and Jo, followed by coffee at their home AND a visit with our kids and granddaughters in California via Skype :) We're so blessed to share family with great friends!

Amelia :)

Annemieke

Saturday night birthday celebration for Nan!

Nan, Elaine, Lin, Karen

Karen, Jim, Lin, Chris, Rich

Sunday lunch dinner with Randy and Sharolyn and coffee with her Tuesday night - wish I had taken pictures....


My friend Al passed away early on Monday morning. He was a faithful member of Joy Club who shared his 8-year journey with cancer with the rest of us, always honest about the pain and struggle and always confident of God's goodness and providence. We will miss him so much!

On Monday I was introduced to Kallym, the son of my friend Linz - what a precious boy he is! Lindsay is a loving, affectionate momma :)



Laura sent this picture of A Mae - with two new teeth :) What an angel baby she is!



This afternoon I picked Noah up from school and took him to his snowboard lesson in Grand Haven. What fun to watch his progress! Won't be long and he'll take on Uncle Steve on the slopes :)

Each person mentioned or pictured in this post
has enriched my life. I am so blessed!

GRANDdaughters!

Steve and Tori made a great barn for Tori's horse collection. She's got a wonderful setup with barns, stables, and corrals. Wonderful!



I had the most delightful evening with Sophie! Her Christmas present to me was a gift card to Froggy's so we could have a 'date night'. We treated ourselves to hand-dipped ice cream bars and even had enough money left on the gift card to bring a couple of them home for the others to share.





Sophie loves to take pictures and she had a great time with my camera in downtown Holland. Here is a collage of some of her photography....

Tonight I am thankful for our sweet and lovely granddaughters

who bring so much joy to my life!