endoftheyear...

Bridgie got her hair cut today to celebrate the new year in style. One of the girls in the shop saved some of her hair so she could make her daughter's the same color. That was kind of cute.

Edward left on a Michigan winter run - complete with the Yaktrax on his shoes that we gave him for his birthday.


(because I could not get enough of X-country picture taking)

The day is rather gloomy around here, so it appears 07 is going out with a whimper. We're going to some friend's house tonight though so that should be a bang.

Christmas Light

I was looking back through my Christmas pictures when I saw how many times I had that maddening habit of forgetting to turn my flash on when I would try to capture a quick second in time. It's never quite the same when you have to say, Wait a minute, let me turn my flash on! The second is ruined! I'm often met with the tease, "Ok , Judy" (my grandma-who-fussed-with-her-camera's nickname), and hence that second and the beautiful memory is lost forever. You can see how important it is to carry the Light with us through all of our seconds or life will be a blur.

Today, in church we were challenged to think about how God has blessed us this year and how we can use these gifts to bless others. I thought of this Chris Rice song(click on the play button):

Maria's Christmas Gift

For Christmas, Maria received some art supplies and a watercolor book from her grandma (aka, the Queen Mother) since she loves anything creative like her grandma. She did her first watercolor (above) last night using the book and tips from Grandma. I think today, we'll go get some masking fluid so she can "paint" white.

P.S. Happy Birthday Aunt Michaela!

Flash Back Friday 49

Bridget & Allie, the Identical Twin Cousins, year 2000

Thank You!

The cousins enjoy their annual intense thank you note writing session at Grandma's.

I wanted to illustrate here how intensely thankful I am for all my blog readers as this year draws to a close! Sometimes I think I'm just about blogged out, but then like the Energizer Bunny, I keep on going. I am so thankful for the friends I've made through this blogging adventure and the friends and family I can keep up with because of it. If I were to run into you on the street, and you were to ask me what's new, I would likely reply, "Nothing." But when you blog a little bit each day, it all adds up to an amazingly colorful little portrait of how life is in your part of the world. It is so wonderful to have a place to show somebody my actual photographs. Thank you for reading about our part of the world, for looking at the pictures, and for every comment you make.

The Birthday Party

Yesterday, we celebrated Edward's 18th birthday in style at the Queen Mother's house. To see the guests who were invited, put your cursor over the picture below. Unfortunately, you can't see Tom & Paula very well, but maybe you can see why my mom is the Queen Mother!





Edward stopped laughing long enough to blow out all 18 candles in one quick breath.

Happy Birthday, Jesus (and Edward)!

God bless you all at Christmas and in the New Year! Edward is 18 years old today - another Christmas miracle!

Waiting for Santa?

The Blogger having Chrismas coffee with the Queen Mother


I get about a D minus for packing for this trip to Celeryville, but that's what I get for being woken up and rushed out the door yesterday to beat the storm. For the first time in about 27 years of coming to Celeryville for Christmas, I forgot my underwear! I think my Aunt Michaela would be more than amused to learn that I was able to get a 3-pack from Drug Mart for $2.99! This morning, I discovered I had also forgotten my deodorant, hairbrush and blow dryer. I must have thought I was going for a hike on the Appalachian trail or a 5-star resort where everything is provided. I was able to find everything I needed here, so I'm not exactly roughing it.

Eve of Christmas Eve

John woke us up early this morning so we could beat the impending blizzard headed over Lake Michigan. Maria drove us safely into Buckeye territory - driving to Toledo when she got hungry. We didn't think she was ready to eat while driving, so John took over. We came in time for the evening church with very traditional Christmas carols which I actually haven't heard much of yet this year.

Time goes by fast...


1998

Simple Saturday

Christmas in Celeryville, 1999, Edward, Maria & Bridget with cousins Hunter & Paige and Aunt Paula on the guitar

Today we are preparing for our visit to Celeryville for Christmas. Tonight, we will be with John's side of the family here in GR, and tomorrow after church, Maria will drive us south - unless the roads get too snowy. Then John will take over.

Flash Back Friday 48

Edward, 1992, almost 3 years old

One day this past week, Edward found out it was the last day he could register to vote in the upcoming Michigan primary and since he'll be 18 on Christmas, he went with a friend over to the township clerk's office to register. I was amused when I saw how enthusiatic they were about it, but even more so when I realized I was now the biological mother of a registered voter! He loved the story about how I turned 18 the day before I voted for Ronald Reagan - that really makes me sound old.

Meowy Christmas

I am Leo, King of the Jungle

Bump, Set, Bond

Bridgie had her last volleyball game yesterday and seemed happy to see her mom toting a camera.


It has been fun watching the girls on the 7th grade team learn the basics of the sport, but the main benefit for many of them was the social aspect.


At the end of the season, they were all quite happy to collapse into a big pile of volleyball player stew.

Netherlands Nuesday 10

Two of my half-dutch sisters pretending to be Dutch ladies on the street corner in Bedum, 2007