The Chrismas Dance

Many Blessings

It's at this time of year that I sit back and think of all the blessings God has given me. First of all, two parents that love and raised me with good faith and good values. I was blessed with brothers and sisters to spend time with, and play with through the years. The love and companionship of a faithful, hard working man, that has been here with me through good times and trying times. Three healthy, great kids that have grown up to be great adults and parents. Six beautiful grand children that, thankfully, I can keep up with. And a nice home to share our time, and make new memories in. I would like to wish everyone a Wonderful Christmas, and a healthy Happy New Year! Below are some nice pictures that Amanda has taken in the last couple of months. Jordan, Joe and Joseph

Rylin

Aubrey

Gena

Sophia

Giant Zucchini

This is for those of you who have wondered "Hmmmm, just how big would a zucchini get if I just let it grow?" the answer is 22 inches long, 19 inches in circumference and weighing in at about 13 pounds!! Joe and I let the last five of our zucchinis grow because quite frankly I was tired of cleaning, cutting, shredding, freezing and eating the little buggers!! I swear next year I will only allow Joe to plant two zucchini plants in our garden.

Aubrey's Third Birthday Party

On Saturday October twenty-fourth Aubrey turned three years old. Since her birthday is so close to Halloween the party goers came dressed in their costumes. Fun was had by all!

Aubrey, 3/ Gena, 6 /Jordan, 5/ and Sophia 21 months (little Joseph didn't want to dress up and was being antisocial)

When Joe and I came into the living room Rylin, 16 months (that was dressed as a bee) made a bee line right to papa and stayed with him for about a half hour. I guess she gets enough of grandma during the week.

Harrisville State Campground

Joe and I decided to go to Harrisville State Park the weekend of October 10th for one last get away of the season. We picked this park because it is right on Lake Huron. In fact you can park your camper right up to where the beach begins. The only problem we could find with this facility was that they don't allow dogs on the beach. We found this out only after we set up camp and decided to take Harley for a walk by the lake. We got about twenty yards down the beach and ran into, (not literally), a great big sign that read, "No glass or dogs allowed on the beach." Well, needless to say we were kind of surprised to read this because we saw at least three other dogs out there running around without a leashes on. At least Harley was on a lead. So we did what any law abiding citizen would do, we kept walking. We quickly found out that we should have brought our long underwear, with temperatures in the high thirty's combined with the winds off the lake, we were freezing. Even Harley was shivering! We still enjoyed ourselves and will go back there again, (when it's warmer), since it's only two and a half hours from our house. Ah, warmer weather, that sounds nice doesn't?

Birds and Blooms "October Challenge"

On October first I entered the Birds and Blooms online October challenge and these two pictures were excepted and appeared on the first page for a week. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement. They have since excepted eight more of my photographs!

Fall has really come to the "Thumb" of Michigan. The temperatures are dropping into the low forties at night and the trees are changing colors. The only thing that is missing is the rain. I've been trying to get out as much as I can to photograph the fall flowers. Here are some of my favorites. Heath (Many Flowered) Asters

Centuary

Monarch on Goldenrod

Smooth Asters

New England Asters and Goldenrod

The Martin Family Photo

I have to so this picture so you can see that some pictures did come out nice.

• I don't know if any of you watch the Ellen Show, but she has a segment she calls bad pictures we pay for. People e-mail the show pictures of crying children on Santa's lap, or bad school pictures, to Glamour Shots. Any kind of picture that you actually paid someone to take. Well this picture fits the bill and could probably make the show. My daughter-in-law Amanda and her best friend Ashley took their children to Sears to get their pictures taken. At some point Joseph, "Wee Man", he had had enough and decided he didn't want to pose anymore, and he showed just how he felt by making a face. I still laugh every time I look at this picture.

  
  

  Gena and Wee were definitely not ready when this picture was taken!
  
  

  
  
  

Jordan's Big Day

Jordan was the ring bearer for Amanda's girlfriend's wedding last Saturday. His big day started at 8:00 am. While the women of the wedding party fixed their hair and got dressed, Jordan and Madalyn, the shy flower girl played, looked at hair style magazines, and snacked together. When the big moment came Jordan and Madalyn did a great job. We're so proud of our Buddy! Madalyn peeks around the door to see what is going on.

Buddy is a great bubble blower.

The Bride and Groom walked through a shower of bubbles

Grandma's babies

Rylin is walking!!!

Fouth of July

Here Gena and Jordan sit on the curb in North Branch to watch the parade. We took the kids to see the tractor pull. Wee thought it was great!

Rylin's First Birthday

Rylin had her first birthday on June 27th. After eating a good dinner and singing Happy Birthday Rylin dung right into her cake. I don't know how much she actually ate, but she had fun doing it!

Our Girl's

This picture was taken on Father's Day this year. Joe's a pretty lucky father!

Nascar Day

On Wednesday June 10th Joe and I packed up the trailer and Harley and headed to Brooklyn Michigan to experience what is call Nascar. We went to the race on Sunday and watched Jimmie Johnson, (my driver) lead almost the whole race only to run out of gas on the finial lap. Oh well there is always the August race Jimmie.

Penguins

Wild Flowers

Anyone that knows me knows that I get excited when I find a new flower that I have never seen before. I get even more excited if I get a good shot of that flower.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures I've taken.

Joseph racing his truck

Little Raccoon Family

Look what I saw on one of my walks. There were four in all. Adorable!!