Happy New Year Everyone!

Say good-bye to 2010! I've had a great year, can't imagine the one ahead being any better, but looking forward to what's ahead.

Jensen's ultra sound was normal which is great, but the infection has gone to her kidney's. The Dr. says she has to be fever free for 24 hrs. before she can be taken off the iv meds and put on oral so she can go home. I talked with Brandi just a little while ago and her temp is near normal, so hopefully it stays that way through the night and maybe she can be home tomorrow.
Brandi said this pic was her first smile of the day, for a male Dr.

J and Amy have been sick all week, Amy went to the Dr. yesterday and J went today, both are on meds and haven't been able to work, now that they have meds they should be feeling better soon.

Miss and love you all! Have a great night and be safe!!!!

Rough Day

It's been a rough day for our family. It started early for Brandi, Jensen is sick. She has been admitted to Children's hospital. She has an urinary tract infection, her white blood cell count is really high, and Brandi couldn't get her fever to go down. I'm glad they finally admitted her, but it's hard for Brandi and it's hard on the other kids, they don't really understand what's going on. Pray that she gets well soon!

Phyllis heard from Jon and his arrival date has changed again. His time frame is now the 7 - 17th of January. Pray that he gets home safely and is able to be with us all at Great Wolf on the 15th, but especially pray for Phyllis as she and Olivia wait for his arrival.

congratulations Dan on winning the fantasy football league

Greetings from Gram

I have the feeling that everyone is doing like I am. After the hustle bustle of the holiday we are all hibernating getting ready for the next one! I think I have been in bed and sleeping every night by 8. I just want to thank everyone for my wonderful gifts. I have 4 days off coming up and will write you all then but wanted to say hi and thanks. This has been a really high God filled week for me even tho I am exhausted. Enjoy your week. Love Gram Bev

Something refreshing

We were looking for something refreshing after all the holiday eating, and tried this:

Chicken Salad

2 1/2 cups of chopped or shredded chicken or turkey

4 strips of crispy bacon chopped

1/2 c of minced celery

1 cup of halved grapes or apples

3/4 c of mayo

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp of lemon juice

1/4 tsp of ginger

dash of salt, pepper, and worsht.

It was delecious, the kids and I finished the bowl while watching Beauty and th Beast.

Hi

Hi Everyone. We had a great Christmas realxing and full of food, movies, and new toys. We had a great Christmas Eve with Rubens family and woke up and opened presents around 11. Of course we had egg nog and cinnamon rolls. I didnt evenhave to cook on Christmas because we had so many leftovers. I hope everyone enjoyed time with their family.

Christmas is...

Even though we are so far apart, there are times I feel so close.

How can this be...

I'm flying here and racing there, But you remind of the lake smell air.

How can this be...

You are family, truly it is that easy.

You are everywhere I am

For you live in my memory.

Christmas is as Snoppy says, and that is everyday!

Merry Christmas from Gram Bev

Well it certainly ha been an interesting few days! I worked Christmas and totally enjoyed every minute of it. So many people and so many co-workers determained to have Christmas even if we worked. Christmas Eve I spent with Sylvi Taylor and Helen and then we went to church together. Today Sandi and Wes and everybody came to my house for Christmas. We ate, and ate and ate. I don't care if I see any more Christmas food for a long time. Oh but by New Years Eve I'll be ready to eat again! My favorite part of Christmas was talking to family, the videos and just spending time with friends. God is so good. Well like Sandi, I am tired, guess it looks like a 7:30 bedtime for me. Love you all Gram Bev

Happy Day After!

Wow, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did. Actually we've had entirely way too many days of food, people, presents, did I mention food, and we're all extremely full, and tired. I decided my evening is going to be spent in bed reading and maybe sleeping. I put on my new thermal jammies, slathered my feet with the wonderful gift of shea butter, slipped on my toes into warm socks, and wrapped up in my new , very fluffy, very pink, robe with matching slippers, and am now climbing into a freshly made bed with lovely new sheets and settling down to read one of my gifts of great literature "Grandma Putts Old-Time Vinegar, Garlic, Baking Soda and 101 more Problem Solvers: 2500 super solutions for your home,health,and garden", or "Don't You Dare Throw it Out! 301 terrific trash to treasure ideas for cleaning your clutter and stowing your stuff".
My Internet will be shut off tomorrow for a couple week while we get a new cable/Internet provider, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up in a little while. Have a great rest of your holiday and Happy New Year! I'm excited for lots of new activities and projects I've been planning for the coming year.
Love ya
Sandi

Our Merry Christmas Video!

It began at 2:00 am on Christmas Eve....

Up at 2:00 AM and here we are....

At the station with our tickets

Breakfast on the Train

Ice carving of Santa's Sleigh

And us on OUR sleigh


MERRY CHRISTAMS, EVERYONE!!!

Google Earth Christmas

THE DIGITAL STORY OF NATIVITY - ( or Christmas 2.0 )

Olivia

We got to see Olivia today, Ruben and Gwen could not wait to see and hold her, she is still so tiny and eating every two hour, Phyylis says she is tired but so happy. She is busy doing a lot of reading and getting ready for their move.

Aunt Sandi you can tell Ian to change his state of mind here oranges are so expensive we cant afford to buy them almost a dollar each and seven dollars for the bag.

My Favorite Christmas Performance

Love you all!
Uncle Mike

Todays Ian Story

Well my children are so spoiled that they get woke up for school with breakfast in bed every day, and every day Ian moans and groans about what breakfast is. Always something like, I hate that or that again! Well today we had oranges for breakfast and I took his in to him in bed, and just like every other day he complained about having oranges again? Then he yells at me as I'm walking out the door, "We're so poor we have to eat oranges every day!" I laughed my butt off all day long. Sorry my poor Ian!
Have a great day
Love Sandi

It's almost here!

Christmas I mean. I went to work for a half hour today and got sent home because my throat is so sore I couldn't answer the phone. I just called off for tomorrow too. I feel fine just can't talk. We still have snow but it is not so very cold. I t was a toasty 26 this am. I still have 1 gift to get so I'll try to get it tomorrow or do I have to stay home in bed cause I'm not working? I'm working Christmas day and really look forward to it. Sandi's family will come to have Christmas at my house Sunday after church. Soon Jon will be home!! Enjoy each day. Love Mom

Miss you all!

I'm really missing my family today. It's feeling like Christmas here! I think this will be the first time we have had a White Christmas in KY. Tonight we are going out with J and Amy and some friends to see the new Narnia movie. I have just one more present to wrap, and everything is ready for Christmas day. I looked back to our post from last December, what fun! It's amazing how much Brandi's little ones have grown since then, and how many changes our family has had in just one year. Hope you are all having a great week! Happy Anniversary to Jon and Phyllis! Love you all!

Sun at last

We've been kind of glazed her since Wednesday nights ice. The main roads are fine but everything else has a nice layer of ice. Our side roads are nothing but ice, and since so many cars park on the road here, many of them have new scrapes and dents. It's been cloudy and cold, but today the sun came out! It was so pretty. It wasn't any warmer really so we still have ice, but everything seems so much better when the sun is out! It's supposed to storm again starting Tuesday, so it looks like we will have some snow for Christmas this year. Tomorrow I'm going out with a friend, to check out a tea room, and look through some of the store in Victorian Square. We are both done with our shopping but thought it would be fun to people watch. Today we visited with J and Amy, and skyped with Olivia and Phyllis, Olivia was wide awake and making faces. Her and Mommy were going to find a Christmas dress today. Jon is scheduled to arrive in CA on Jan. 4, so little Olivia is going to take her first plane ride Jan. 3, then another one on Jan. 14th when they all fly back to KS to join us at Great Wolf Lodge so we can celebrate Christmas together. I'm sooooo excited!

Its Christmas Time!

Were all keeping very busy these days. We finally got a snow day on Tuesday, and Wes last day of work till after the holidays was Wednesday. Ash and I made lots of candy Wednesday, and we rode out to pick up Tim on Thursday hes done till mid January. Alyssa had a Christmas chorus concert Thursday night ,and we had a great Christmas party with Dot and her kids today. Were having a progressive dinner with ash and grandma tomorrow and Sunday were going to the festival of lights. Tuesday Lyle has a chorus concert, and the kids have four more days of school till their winter break of 10 days. Ive been sewing and making Christmas presents for weeks, today I finished, now maybe i can catch up on my reading, well maybe after I get some sleep. Sleeping from 1 am to 5 am for days is not cutting it!
love ya
Sandi

Daaron's First Violin Recital

Sorry for the poor quality of the video and the fact it is sideways. I took it with Debra's phone and can't get it rotated. You can't really see Daaron, but here are two videos of two songs he played with the group. Love you all.
Mike

Borrowed Children

I borrowed 2 little girls a couple of nights ago. Their parents got a free night out and I got someone to bake cookies with. Sarah is 5, she was very eager to find out how to make cookies, as if she had never done it before. She was also very amused that an adult would play on the floor with a baby. Her sister Lydia is almost 1. She isn't walking yet, and Phil spent the evening crawling on the floor with her. It was fun! Sunday after 3 previous attempts to get a tree we finally got one! It's the first time in I don't know how long that I have had a full size live tree, I think it's beautiful! We had pizza, and homemade pretzels. It's been snowing so it really feels like Christmas. Today was Phil's drop day, he got up and went to the gym with me, it was empty, everything around was closed because of the weather. After we worked out we went shopping, we were actually the only ones in one store, then we went to a favorite restaurant for lunch, it was packed, we found out they were having a snow day special, 1/2 off everything, what a treat! So my house is finally all decorated. Tomorrow my friend and I are going to do some baking and share it all with our life group tomorrow night. I think I have all the gifts ready to put in the mail tomorrow! I found this book called Making Room for Christmas for Phil and I to use as our advent reading. It has a different reading for each night from Dec. 1 thru epiphany. It follows the Latin American custom of Las Posadas. It's a really neat tradition where they "join" Mary and Joseph in their search for lodging, each reading asks the question "Is there room here-in your home, in your heart-for Jesus to be born?" I really like it! Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas season! Love you all! Tami

Monday Morning

Its 7:30 am and everyone is off to school and work. Its 15 degrees which is the warmest its supposed to be today, and snowing. I wanted to go shopping today , but instead ill probably just sit in front of the warm fire and sew or read. Have a great day everyone

Love ya

Sandi

Rainy Perrysburg

HI Everybody Love all the pictures! Brandi your little ones are beautiful. After talking to Mike today I backed up to Dec. 2 and after a bit of changes I managed to hear Daaron play Jingle Bells, saw his advent calender and enjoyed the pizza! I have a lot to learn about this thing. Good job Daaron! It is still raining here and it sounds like the wind is picking up. Hope it dries up some of the water before it freezes. I don't work on Monday so if it freezes I'll just stay at home and get some baking done. I went to church this am and Sunday School and have been bothered by something all day. When did it become alright to sell things in the churh during worship service? And can we not deny our comforts for an hour to worship without eating and drinking coffee in the sanctuary during worship?? Maybe I've just become too old. After all I am a GREAT GRANDMA. Help me think this out. I have been almost near tears about this all day. Love ya all Grandma Bev

Busy and Tired

We have a quiet and interesting few weeks. Mom was hear for T-Day and Olivias birth, and then she was off. I was able to get a little christmas shopping done while she was here. We had a small shower for Phyllis and gave her the presents that everyone sent. She loved it. That same night we also put up our tree and had pizza and wings. Since thenthe tree has been knocked over several times, and the ornaments and consisently reaarranged and on the floor. I managed a week of drving my kids around in Ruben's little mazda that is meant to sit 4, and I have four kids, so we made multiple trips to and from work and to and from the sitters, and some days we went a little illegal. I finally got my truck back and i got pulled over because my kids we're goofing off intheir car seats, and earned myself a $300 ticket. They we're buckled in but that sure grabbed his attention. I turned right and did not pull into the the lane closest to the curb, I didn't know I was suppose to do that. Needless to say it's not good timing Ruben work has slowed and I am on vacation starting next week, and I still had christmas shopping to do. School of course is busy we are preparing for the chrsitmas program and we are making gifts for parents, and I am making gifts for my kiddos to give their teachers, I have been baking a making salsa. I was not real good about cleaning this last week because I spent two nights at the hopsital visiting my best friends baby and Olivia. then we had our christmas party for work which was agreat night out. So yesterday and today I am trying make up for all of that. Ruben has been helping his cousin put insulation in his home so he has been busy. Jensen is alsmost five months old, she is trying to crawl and teething. Its all happening too fast. She had caught a bug and has arunny nose and cough and yucky tummy. on top of all that she got shots yesterday. Poor girl. Well We love you all I have to go take somethings out of the oven.

Christmas Ideas

Tamis last post got me thinking about what to do for Christmas if you have no kids, no money, and cant eat sweets. Here are some ideas I came up with, the first list should be free, the next cost a little.
:find out if area schools are having holiday chorus or band concerts
:walk around your neighborhood and look at lights, make a best of show ribbon to give to the family with the best decorations
:light candles and turn off the lights, and listen to Trans Siberian Orchestra
:Read a Christmas book-we like The Christmas Box, and The Family under the Bridge
:Watch Christmas movies-Our favorites Elf, The Grinch, and Christmas Vacation
:Have a Progressive dinner with 3-4 families, (go to diff houses for appetizers, soup and salad, main course, and dessert)
:Have a present wrapping party
: See if any local group are caroling
:interview older relatives, neighbors, or nursing home residents about past holiday experiences
:make dog biscuits for friends or neighbors pets (as fun as cookies but you wont be tempted to eat them)
: invite neighbors, friends, or church family's kids to come decorate your tree, or frost cookies with you
:make pomander balls
: learn how to make mittens out of used sweaters bought from salvation army stores and give them away
:make thank you cards, rent a Christmas Carol cd from library and listen to it while creating
:see if your local library, historical societies or botanical gardens are hosting any holiday events
: host a Christmas tea
:make gingerbread houses
: go to worldvision.com and buy some animals
:go to college or church programs
:go to toys r us and buy the toy you always wanted as a kid and put it in their donation box
:adopt a family to buy gifts for(local schools or churches prob will have suggestions)
:sleigh rides are always fun!
any other suggestions?
Have a great day!
Love Sandi

Christmas Spirit

When I got off the plane Friday night it was snowing. I was really feeling festive! Phil and I spent the weekend driving around southern KY visiting each one of his Guard units and on Sunday went to one of the Christmas parties on Sunday. When we came home it was still snowing here. We have tried 2 times to get a Christmas tree, but still don't have one. I have no Christmas baking to do, no Christmas shopping to do, no parties to go to, so I'm really having a hard time staying in the Christmas spirit. So this weekend, I'm going to try to work on that. It sure would help if we had some kids around! We had so much fun putting up the Christmas tree with Brandi and the kids! So unless any of you want to come down and visit, I guess I'm going to have to borrow some kids!

Cold and Snowy-sort of

Well, It is cold, wind chill in the single digits. Everyone seems to have gotten snow except us. Buffalo way got 30 inches last week, Randolph got 50+ inches earlier this week, Perrysburg even has 20. Gowanda has about 6 were protected by the valley. Only 6 inches here, were bummed, cant even think about getting a snow day with totals like that! Anyways, did I mention its cold!

We received our first Christmas cards and packages this week, so exciting! I don't know whats going on with the kids, Cameron brought in wood and shoveled the driveway Tuesday without being asked, Ian shoveled the driveway yesterday without being told, and Alyssa came home from school yesterday and went right in and cleaned her room!? Must be almost Christmas.

Well have a good day, and stay warm, cause its cold!

Love ya

Sandi

Hi from Gram

Wow what a good day this has been already. I got to have breakfast with Sandi and shop awhile with her then a talk with Tami! Those kind of things are what make me happy. Oh and finally got the cap for my root canal. First it almost went down the drain, then it needed fixing then dentist dropped it and I felt it going down my throat! Yikes It is now where it belongs and I am told very secure. It is snowing and blowing so great... Alyssa helped me start to clean up and decorate for Christmas so now I'm getting in the mood. I love my FAMILY they just bless me so much. The pictures of our new little one are beautiful. Praise God for his watch care over both Phyllis and Olivia. Now I'm enjoying a ducky tea. Love you all Gram Bev

baby pics

If you haven't already, check out http://www.bellababyphotography.com/ password 1202olivialeroy. The pictures are beautiful!

Olivia Renay LeRoy

She's here, and so beautiful, this isn't the best pic, but it's all I can get you right now. Pray for Phyllis, labor and delivery were pretty easy for her, but she had some problems after delivery. She is getting blood transfusions right now, I just spent the last hour with her and Olivia, both seem to be doing well.

December 2nd in Michigan

Hi from New York. No camera to take pictures with, but a little web cam that'll work.
Mike
Well, can't seem to get the video to load properly. I'll keep trying. This shows up on the composition page, but for some reason is not available on the blog page. J, any ideas?
Uncle Mike

Cold and Busy!

It sure is a lot colder than the 50's we had the other day. It snowed for most of the day today and were supposed to get 6 inches tomorrow morning, All the kids have spoons under their pillows hoping and wishing for a snow day tomorrow.(spoon under your pillow , pjs on backwards, and ice cubes down the toilet=recipe for a snow day!)
Christmas activities are in full swing here. Ashley and I made gingerbread houses, snowman mints, and cut out cookies today, which the kids frosted this evening. Our advent calendars this year consist of 1 pyramid shape with 25 drawers that open ,with gifts and verses in them, the other is 25 presents taped onto the fridge with an activity that we will be doing that day printed on the back. The next 25 days are all planned and packed with movies to watch, crafts and goodies to make, projects to work on and places to go.
We're all excited about the new baby!
Have a great day!
Love ya
Sandi

Colder

It is so much colder here and the wind is freezing, we are in the teens this am. Yesterday we saw our first sno flurries, but it turned out to be sunny in the afternoon. Very differnet from our warm fall we have had, Ruben stayed home Monday and Tuesday because it was too windy to put up siding, and today on his way to work the truck broke down. So we are al going to try to fit in his little mazda so I can go to work today. What a busy morning we will have. Im working on a stir Fry to send with everyone for lunch Addi is off to school with Grandma, Ruben is still sleeping. Gwenis wactching her favorite cartoon, Dinosaur Train. Jensen just has a bath and is playing on the floor, she love tummy time, she will be crawling by Christmas. Mom will be a Grandma for the fifth time Tomorrow. We are so excited, I cant wait to see out new addition. Well I hope everyone has a great day and enjoys the weather whatever it may be.

tumble tumble tumble

tumblr .........it's so much fun

Global Warming for Perrysburg??

I see it's cold in KS. It's 9:45 pm here and it is raining and 55 degrees! Hey where's winter?? We are supposed to get a little bit of snow for the next three days but at 55 that is a hard one to believe. I got called into work early today so worked 11 hours. Every one has a stomach bug at work. I'm just finally getting over the sore throat bug so really don't want another. My duckie in my tea cup was a real hit at work today! I love it. I managed to get two Christmas boxes in the mail this am before work. One to Brandi and one to Uncle Mike's house. NO PEEKING!! Have a great week everybody. Love ya lots. Grandma Bev

Cold

Today has truly been the coldest day we have had, it is just started getting cold when the sun went down. The wind is what is really giving a chill. Ruben and I had a great break, although he has worked everyday, even Thanksgiving so it was really nice to Mom and Dad here for the weekend. We had a great Dinner the kids enjoyed it so much and dinner was so good we tried a new sweet potato recipe it was so good. We also did our traditional putting up the tree the day after with wings and pizza, so good also. Its so fun puttin gup th tree when you have some help other than six sets of helping hands, Mom and Dad are so good at putting it up. We got to listen to alittle bit of Christmas music Charlie Brown Christmas and some Casting Crown that I have been dying to get out. Phyllis and her sister came to visit and we got to shower her with gifts she was so greatful. Thanks everyone for sending gifts. Jon called that night to so we got to here from him. He's off the boat and packing up to get ready to come home. We can't wait for him to be home and safe. I will have my first niece here on Thursday. I can;t wait to be an Aunt. Jensen has her 4 month check up this week and shots, and we are enjoying extra time with mom, she decided to stay for a while. Yea!!!

Love you all Hope you have a great week. Brandi

1stSunday of Advent!

Wow can you believe its that time of year already? You got me beat Sandi. My tree is still in the box! I agree J its cold. I hung plastic on windows last week and gave in and put up the "cave" curtains in the living room last night. My heat works, just want to keep the wind out. Today in church we heard the story of Zachariah. I bet those 9months of silence were strange in that house. 500 years since God had sent and angel to talk to man and then shuts his ears and mouth up. I find it a bit ha ha funny. Old man cant brag tell anyone about anything.... God is so good. Have a great week. Love ya Gram Bev

Sunday Thanks-NY

Dear Lord thank you for long weekends with family and no work or school!
Sandi

Hello

Happy Thanksgiving late from me and Amy. I hope everyone had a good one, we had a good time with Amy's family. We got a little snow here on a Friday morning but it was gone by the afternoon. I hope we get some more, but not till someone comes and fixes the heat at our apartment, it is freeeeezing. Last night I went and bought a log for the fireplace. I opened the chimney but for some reason all the smoke start filling up and set the smoke alarm off so i had to put the fire out and then I couldn't get the smoke alarm to shut up.......eventually it stopped but nothing was warming up the house either.
I've decided to stop working at the mission for various reasons, and am looking forward to the new directions God is going to open up. I'm continuing to work at Starbucks and hoping to see my wife more often also.
I love you all have a good Sunday and hopefully we will see some more Fitzmagic over the Steelers it's on tv here today : )

and please..........will someone beat Uncle Mike already

Its Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

We received a great Thanksgiving surprise! 4-5 inches of snow , with no school or work to go to!

Love ya

Sandi

Great Day!

The weather has been great here! Today it is in the 70's. Yesterday was about the same so Phil and I went hiking at Natural Bridge. It was so nice. I took my camera and couldn't wait to get some great pics, but, I forgot to put the card back in it, so all I had was my phone. We still got some fun ones. It took us about an hour and to hike up to the top of the bridge, we sat for awhile and then started down, it was pretty quiet, not many people there. My legs are hurting a little today. I need to get some work done in the house, we have company tomorrow and we're leaving for KS on Wed. Can't wait to get there! Except I'm not looking forward to the cold, the high on Thanksgiving is supposed to be 31! Burrrrrr! Hope you all have a great day!

Thanksgiving week!

Wow! I can't believe it's Thanksgiving week already! My plan is to stay out of the stores all week. Hopefully I picked up everything we need, and if I didn't, we'll do without. Wes is taking the little boys hunting with him this year for Thanksgiving. Well have a great day! Its 60 here and raining. I'll take it! way better than 30s.
Love ya
Sandi

Sunday Thanks from Gram

I'm thankful for quiet Sundays at home. I'm still drinking tea and chicken soup and wishing I could stop coughing my brains out. Any good remedies? I am going to Sandies for B Day cake today but other than that will be thankful for my warm blankie and pillows. If I sound discouraged I am I have so much to do and no comption to go along. But this too shall pass.
Love ya Gram Bev

Sunday Morning Thanks from Michigan

I am thankful for stories like these:

Debra asked Daaron what he wanted for thanksgiving dinner. He said, "The hot and spicy potato chips were pretty good!" Debra responded "That's not very thanksgivingy." To which Daaron quickly yelled back, very seriously "Not thanksgivingy?! They're red! They can go right next to the cranberries." Debra thought she'd try again and said "That's fine, we can get some hot and spicy potato chips, but what would you like to go with thanksgiving dinner?" Not to be discouraged from his original plan, Daaron said "Cheese Puffs. They're also orange, nice and "fall-y". They can go next to the pickled pumpkin." So they had thanksgiving day figured out and Debra went on to plan for the rest of the week. "Daaron, what else do you want for lunch and dinner?" He replied "Pork". "That's wonderful," Debra thought. "We have a pork tenderloin in the freezer." She should have stopped when she was ahead but she had to ask the question. "Ok, great", she said "What do you want to go with it." "Salt and Pepper" he quickly replied.

I love stories like this. Then there's this one:

Aunt Sandi's package arrived last night and we found the Dreidle game. So Daaron and I are playing it using pennies and he's kicking my butt. He looks up at me and says "I'm pretty good at Dreidel Poker."

Have a great day!!! Love you all.
Mike

Gram's Friday

I had a nice birthday and lots of cards, phone calls and messages. Thank you all! Today I finally took a sick day and pretty much stayed in bed, slept drank tea and ate chicken soup. I feel much better and plan on working tomorrow. Hope you all have a great weekend. Love Gram Bev

Finally Friday!

This is a little late but I was going to write something about what Tami said on Tuesday. She said " I want to hold onto fall as long as I can." I found a quote that is exactly how I feel about this time of year. "Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."-George Elliot
Well its finally Friday and everyone is happy about that. Next week is a nice short one for school and work. Everyone has plans for this weekend. Alyssa is going to NYC for the weekend, she even skipped school today. Ian and Lyle are excited that they get to go play the new call of duty with Dan this afternoon , and then they have a dance to go to tonight. Those two love to dance! Cam has to work tomorrow. Were having cake for grandmas birthday Sunday. If shes feeling better. Then were going to the movies Sunday afternoon. Wes and I have the evening to ourselves, and Geri just had surgery yesterday so we get to go on the romantic hospital visit tonight! Well have a great weekend .
Love ya
Sandi

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hope you have a great day!
Love ya!
Tami and Phil

Jon's Address

Cpl. LeRoy, Jonathan, M
HMM 262
Unit 37238
FPO AP 96603-7238

Early Tues

It's cold this morning. Yesterday was our first cold day, last week was in the 70's. I had to get some pics of the beautiful colors before the rain starts and everything gets gloomy. I just want to hold on to Fall as long as I can!

Phil gets up at 5am for work, usually I sleep until 8. This morning I am wide awake. I've gotten a lot done, paid bills, dishes are done, dinner is taken care of, I know what snack I'm making for life group tonight. I've sent out a few messages I needed to take care of. It feels pretty good. I'm ready to go to the gym, but my trainer doesn't arrive til 9, sooo . . . what to do now? It's too early to make the phone calls I need to make, the library isn't open, maybe I will watch the news.

Brandi's computer isn't working so she asked me to let you all know that we are having a baby shower for Phyllis Thanksgiving weekend. I wish you could all be there! If you'd like to send a gift you can send it to Brandi's. Phyllis is registered at Babies r us and Target. The Dr. told her last week that this little girl should arrive within 2 weeks! I hope so, because that means she will be here while Phil and I are in KS. I'm trying to think of some little thing I can send to Jon so he can celebrate too, any idea's? Hope you all have a great day!

Thankful Perrysburg Gram

I'm thankful to be able to talk to all of my grown up kids today. I shopped with Sandi, Talked to Tami ,Phil,Mike and Brandi.Ashley and Dan. That makes me pretty happy. I'm trying to work up the ambition to put the plastic and winter curtains up tomorrow. YuK cave time. It will make it warmer and I need that cause my nose is cold tonight. I enjoyed the dinner theater Friday night and have a couple interesting evenings out set up for next week so I guess things are pretty good here. Thanking God today for Sunday School class that reminds us that God can be trusted. Don't know why I need to be reminded but I do. Love you all. Gram Bev

Sunday Thanks-MI

Well, I'm glad I read the most recent posts before I wrote this one. It fits right in. Sandi, tell Ian and Lyle not to shoot any flying squirrels, they just might hit their cousin. Wednesday Daaron's science teacher brought in a flying squirrel. Daaron was so excited. That night, Debra was woken up by a loud thump! Heading out to the living room she found Daaron leaping off the back of the couch. He had piled up all the cushions and pillows so that he was quite high up. He had one of his blankets tucked into his toes and then pulled up around him so he could have the skin flaps that flying squirrels had so he could glide across the living room. He's convinced he can make it work because he felt the air tug at his homemade flaps. He just thought he needed to be higher, like the balcony, so that he could glide to the other side of the house. We are thankful Debra woke up! Daaron just told me he's not. He would be, though, with a broken leg or arm! Now he's waiting for snow to pile up so he can try jumping off the railing of our porch and gliding into the trees at the bottom of the hill. We'll keep you all informed on how that goes.

Yesterday was another beautiful day and we visited the town of Tecumseh. It had a holiday open house and all the down town businesses were open all day as well as the little museum. Tecumseh is the first settlement in Lenawee county. It has a bunch of unique businesses on its downtown main street. We went to a British Tea Company, a little shop where they make goat cheese and many other products, we went to the largest individually owned lazy boy dealer, and, mine and Daarons favorite, the Hobby Shop. Wow!!! It was awesome walking in there. I'm sure we'll be going back. Its really a very cool town. Its not real big, probably a little smaller than Springville, but it is a great place. I'm hoping there will be a job opening there next year.

Anyway, we are thankful for learning and growing and experiencing all that God has put around us. Have a great Sunday, looks like a cold one here.
Mike, Debra, and Daaron.

Sunday Thanks -NY

I'm thankful that my kids can grow up on the reservation. Ian got to go hunting for raccoon with Wes and the guys last night they were out till 2:30 am. He was so excited when he got home, they got 9 raccoon and Ian himself found 3 of them. Wes' friend Bernie hunts raccoons and sells the fur , he also does a lot of trapping , something I'm hoping Ian and Lyle will be able to learn. Its not a bad little money making business when all else fails. I'm glad that the kids can explore, and learn the natural reasons for doing things, and when. Our house is in the perfect location ( there maybe structural and appearance problems with it but), the kids have the freedom to roam without too much fear, or fencing, and we still are in walking distance to town and school.
Another thing I am thankful for today is the amount of faith my family has in my God given talents. Yesterday a friend called and invited the boys to a birthday party. They were gonna pick them up in 30 minutes. Ten minutes later Wes comes in and says can you come up with a birthday present for the party? A present, wrapping, and a card in 20 min? Sure no problem! Sometimes it really irritates me that they depend so much on me, but other times I feel so blessed that they know they can depend on me. Thank you God for giving me the talents you have given me and the opportunity to use them daily.
Have a great Sunday.
Love ya
Sandi

November project

I haven't seen that anyone has come up with a project for November yet, and Ash and I were talking the other day that we should write up our favorite thanksgiving verse, poem , song or phrase and send those this month. Is that ok?
Sandi

So cute!

Ian and Lyles new adventure is to sit out behind the house with their bb guns and shoot the mice when they come out of the holes. This past time I like a lot better than when they wanted to shoot the chickadee's that are in my garden. They shot 6 mice in the past 2 days. The only thing I don't like about it is that they have their trophies lined up on the back step. They also went back to the trout creek today on the 4 wheeler with their guns, homemade spears, a sack of snacks and a water bottle. They're so cute!
Sandi

Nice!

Another 60 degree beautiful sunny day ! There are baked beans in the crock pot, granola, and pumpkin bread cooking in the roaster. The laundry is hanging on the line. What a great day!
Have a fun weekend
Love ya
Sandi

Wow

Wow! 65 degrees and sunny in November, in Ny!!
I spent most of my day on the road. Grocery shopping this morning. The kids got out of school at 10:20 today, then I had teacher conferences. Then I ran out to Houghton to pick Timmy up for the weekend. Have a fun one!
Love ya Sandi

Homemade pasta

Spent the day making homemade pasta with friends!

Rain Rain

Its finally raining ithas not rained on about two weeks its so nice, It would have been nice to sleep in too but the girls had a bette idea, cartoons and milk so I am on to laundry and cleaning the kitchen.

Ruben is going to try to get 8 windows installed today with and and an unexperienced helper so we wish him luck and will see if hes home by two like he hopes. My house is fairly clean so just catcing up a laundry and will need to clean bed sheets and car seats also.

I am looking for a recipe for potato soup, i think I have all the ingredients which is good because Ruben has the truck today.

We are watching the Cat in the Hat, Addi's favorite you should here her sing the songs. Her vocabulary is expanding quickly she has now added Wow!! What's that, good morning, lets go, triangle and afew others words she copies from Gwen and Ruben.

Well I hope you all have a great Friday.

Brandi

It's Friday!!

I am so glad for Friday, not only is it pay day but it means only one more day at work. I stopped and had one of those delicious cookies last night at Sandi's and let me tell you her house smelled so yummy. Tonight I am going with church group to Mayville to a Christian dinner theater sounded like something different and the weather is good soo here I go.Please pray for me to be able to get up for work tomorrow!!! Have a great day Love ya Gram Bev

Its Gonna Be Interesting

Well, for the most part, I tend to like to prepare for things ahead of time. My Thanksgiving turkey has been in my freezer for months, also my squash, pies and breads are in moms freezer. All the birthday and holiday cards for this whole year were made in February. Anyways, somehow I forgot that today is a holiday and the bank is closed ,so I cant cash Wes check so I cant go grocery shopping, and the kids are home from school. The kids of course were up by 7? So I told them our exciting challenge for the day was to come up with interesting recipes with what we have in the cupboard, fridge and freezer. Lets just say, they were less than trilled. They were actually almost in tears. Here is a list of what we have, maybe you can help us come up with some good recipes for breakfast, lunch , dinner and 2 snacks for 6:
CUPBOARD: sugar , flour, crackers, tea, coffee, cornmeal. dry Lima beans, instant potatoes, macaroni, bread crumbs, rice, cocoa, corn syrup, cornstarch, onion soup mix, salt , pepper, chicken bouillon, beef bouillon, popcorn, baking powder, can of carrots, spices, powdered eggs, pumpkin seeds
FREEZER: salsa, zucchini, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, raspberries, wild onions, cooked mixed beans
FRIDGE: 2 rolls , 5 slices bread, caramel apple dip, apple cider vinegar, mayo, chocolate syrup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, 3 meatloaf patties, 1/2 c brown gravy, minced garlic, candy corn and pumpkin spice Hershey kisses
(way more than what I had to work with when Alyssa was just a baby-canned spinach, corn meal, flour, cinnamon , sugar, and powdered milk -I had 6 to cook for then also- We had corn meal mush, cereal made with flour dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar with milk, cooked spinach and 10 cent Popsicles from the store down the road ,melted and used for flavoring in water. That was for more than 1 day too. Ashley still loves corn meal mush!)
I'm working on my list of meals, what can you come up with?
Have a great day
Love
Sandi

Wednesday smile-NY

Dunkin Donuts Sausage Bites and Gingerbread Latte, with Ash:)
Love ya
Sandi

Wednesday Smile

It's warm and sunny here again today, suppose to be near 70 all week! It's date night and Phil called to say that we are not going out to dinner but I do not have to cook? He's taking care of dinner. I assume that means he's cooking, yay! I did make some pumpkin banana chocolate chip muffins today, the house smells so good and they are sooo yummy, not to high in fat or calories either! What's not to smile about?

Good Monday

It is another beautiful late fall day. The sun has been shining all day. I'm thankful for daughters to talk to and visit with. Sandi and I enjoyed the reopened diner and it really looks nice and their prices are not bad now if they get a little heat in there it will be nice!! I had an hour and a half in the dentist chair again today and I must say he is really good. Only one visit left in two weeks. I've done some Christmas shopping by phone today and am still searching for one that I bought several weeks ago. "First the teeth now the mind Nobody told me they all go at once. I hope you found something good today while your shopping Tam. Our Gowanda Pharmacy has sold out to Rite Aide so I'm a bit sad about that. I don't do change very well. I hate to see some of the old ways passing. Hope you all are able to enjoy a bit of you day!! Get well soon Jensen. Love ya Gram Bev

Guilty

Wow, i really feel guilty writing my post after reading all that Brandi is doing! But kids grow so fast and things change so rapidly that Brandi will soon have days like mine. So this is what you can look forward to Brandi. After I took the kids to school this morning I went to breakfast with Grandma at the new reopened Perrysburg diner. Then we went back to Grandmas house and looked through her stacks of new sales catalogs fun! Then I went home to finish my chores before I have to start picking up kids. Were having pancakes for dinner and Ashley always comes over on Monday nights to watch Dancing with the Stars. Have a great day.
Love
Sandi

Silly

Well it has been a week, a couple trips to the doctor because Jensen had bronchitis, they did a few deep suctions to help clear her out. Work wa a little wild I had lost two studnts to am classes and gained another, who is totally wild and doesnt really fit in with my class of shy students, so i have to figure out a way to regroup them and bring them together, they are all almost five if not already, but there maturity levels are way differnt.

Avon was thought to be doing well I got really psyched up about this high sale order which turned out to be a girl scamming me, she sent me a check for 2800 dollars and wanted me to western union her the money , crazy so now I am stuck with this huge amount o money in my account froma freud check untill it clears, its not a good feeling. I also have been sort of scared of the computer like something bad could really happen from this. I am just afraid that I amy have upset the wrong person, so needless to say that has added alittle stress and the reason I really havent blgged this week.

The kids are doing great, Gwen has Potty Power now and is in big girl underwear and without a binky she s is growing up sofast and changing everyday.

Ruben is growing also loving to be able to carry his baby sister and just so proud that he a my biggest helper.

Addi also is doing well, we tried to have pictures done but she cried and cied until she fell asleep she was so upset.

Jensen is growing like a weed and changing rapidly its hard to say who she looks most like right now.

Thank God Ruben has been working to help us catch up on some bills but I sure do miss having him home onthe weekends I have been so spoiled this past year, with him coming home early. Its hard to adjust form me and the kids.

Tonite we had a birthday party for Tio Tito the Uncle. He is 25!!! We celebrated with a pink cake and Mole, which if you dont know what it it is, well its delicious and I made a huge mess, my blender exploded while I was mixing the ingredients and they went flying all over my kitchen and floor I cried.

So its been a busy day and I am more than ready for bed

Happy Birthday to all you handsome Warrior boys, and Happy Annivesary To J and Amy.!!!

Love you all

Brandi

Sunday thanks-NY

I'm thankful for this beautiful sunny fall day! We didn't get the snow we were hoping for ,but that's ok we have some things to get done before that happens. We did get 3 cord of wood stacked today and the lawn mower and bikes put away. Its been a very quiet day, Ian and Alyssa went with Dan and Ashley for the day, and Lyle and Wes went to a sportsman's show. Cameron hung out with Angel, so its been just me most of the day. I warmed up leftover pork chops and stuffing that Geri sent over yesterday , so I'm very thankful that I don't have to make dinner.(Although Lyle just took down a very large grey squirrel, and if he can talk his dad into helping him skin it , I suppose I'll have to cook some sort of squirrel dish tonight.)
Sounds like everyone is doing great!!
Happy Anniversary J and Amy!!!
Love ya
Sandi

Sunny Sunday!

It has been a beautiful sunny Sunday in Perrysburg. I had my day all planned I would sleep in and go to Sunday School and the Late worship service. I did sleep in, got up putzed around a bit got dressed for Sunday School and then realized I hadn't turned the clocks back soo went to the early service as usual. Doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible we shouldn't say I'll do this and I'll go there without checkin with God first? Guess he wanted me in that first service. I'm glad hes in control of my days. It is cool and brisk here even had snow in Catt. yesterday. It is so nice to have fall weather!! Especially when the sun is shining. Happy Anniversary Amy and Jay!!

Love you all Gram Bev

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Happy Anniversary J and Amy!!! It is a happy day for me. I'm happy for J and Amy, it's been so fun to watch them do their first year of marriage! I got a note from Jon, yesterday and he has been promoted again, he is now Corporal Jonathan LeRoy, so I'm happy for him. I'm going to see Brandi, Ruben and my Grand kids in 16 days!!!!! I'm going to see Phyllis while I am in KS and rumor says there is a very good possibility that I will get to see that grand baby while I am there too! Happy Happy Day!!!!!!!!

happy sunday!

Its Friday!!

Well, I did get to go have cheesecake with Geri today. I also got to do some of the things I wanted to do today. I made some cards and got most of my squash cooked up and put in the freezer. Tonight Ian, Alyssa, and Cameron will be going to Ashley and Dans to get ready for their quizzing tournament. So it will just be Lyle , Wes and I all night and all day tomorrow. Lyle has a smoke dance competition tomorrow , but hes getting a little nervous and I don't know if he'll actually go. Ians been home for two days with a sore throat and headache but he is feeling much better this afternoon. Alyssa and Lyle are watching Iron Man right now and Cam and Angel are watching Toy Story 3. I'm enjoying getting reacquainted with my wood stove and am currently doing 100% of my clothes drying , heating and tea making with it and about 70% of my cooking. I have to remember to use it more for cooking.
Well have a good weekend. Stay warm. Were supposed to get 2 inches of snow.
Love ya
Sandi

Thurs. prayer, Fri.

This week has gotten away from me. Yesterday I was listening to Air-1, and a woman came on and said, it's ok to ask God for things when we pray. That wasn't news to me, sometimes I feel like I ask all the time. At that particular moment I was thinking about Jon and Phyllis, and that their baby will be here in just a few weeks. My thought at the moment was that IF I was going to ask God for something it would be that Jon would be with Phyllis when their baby is born. So, that's my prayer. I'm asking that God would allow Jon & Phyllis be together when their baby is born. I know that God can do it, I'm not sure that He will, but that's ok. I'm asking.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NEPHEWS!!!!!!! Yes, I'm late with presents again, but they are on the way! Hope you have a great day, Cam and Ian.

Thursday Prayer-NY

My prayer today is one of thanks for the safe travels we've had the last couple days and the good safe time the boys had last night. It seems like I've been driving for the most part of the last two days. Tomorrow is finally a free day with no running around there are some things Id like to get done, but Geri wants me to come over for cheese cake so maybe nothing will get done, and that's fine. I'm tired now and really looking forward to bed tonight.
love ya
Sandi

Wed. Smile -NY

The boys are gone to the Sabres game. It makes me smile that they can do that, also that I didn't have to take them! The girls and I are watching girl movies, eating snacks and drinking tea. Big smile!
Love ya
Sandi

Wednesday @ Grams

It has been a beautiful sunny crisp fall day here. Work was great I was glad to get back there today. I got tons of great catalogs in the mail at home today almost as fun as Mrs. Gleasons mail box used to be! Just thanking God; just because. Have a geat day tomorrow. Love Gram Bev

Wed. Smile - KY

It's Wednesday, and it's Date Night! I don't know what we are doing, but just knowing that it is, makes me smile!

Brrrr!

It was 24 degrees here when I took the kids to school at 730 this morning. I'm so glad we have the wood stove its so nice and cozy in the house. Its a good thing that I have kids though because I would probably stay in bed under the covers all day if I didn't have to run around for them. Were taking Cameron cd shopping this afternoon, some new one are coming out today, and then were having cake and gifts for Dakota Cam and Ian tonight. I have to pick up Tim tomorrow and all the boys are going to the Sabres game tomorrow night. Hopefully they can get a win at home.
Well have a good day and stay warm
Love ya Sandi

Nov. 1st Already!!

This day has been nice but very cold. Stephanie, Aunt Shellie and Uncle Jim were here almost all day. We did some shopping laundry and changed a light bulb in grandmas bedroom ceilin light. That was interesting since the whole fixture decided to fall apart but Jim.Shelly and I managed to finally get it fastened up to the ceiling again. Then Shelly went to work and Gram, Uncle Jim and Aunt Lind went to Olive Garden to have birthday dinner for Great Gram T. I'm enjoying my visit and will be on my way home Tuesday in time to vote. Love the pictures Brandi. I'm praying your household gets healthy real fast. Love ya Gram Bev

Wow

Cathchin Up I was only gone for two weeks and missed almost 30 posts. Crazy and Amazing so nice that we have this.

We have been sick all of us except Ruben. I thought we were done but jensen went tothe doctors and has fluid behind her ears, and Bronchitis. They were able to do a deep suctioning which is awful to watch but I can tell she feels so much better. She finally ate today arounf 5:00. She went more that 12 hours without eating.

Then Gwen threw up and has a fever of over 103, so I had to run to the store and get her something to soothe her tummy.

I made a great dinner some meatball soup and corn bread. I like it not sure if anyone else really did. I got my soup recipes to go to the mail, but I dont have Uncle Mikes Address, it seams I always loose this one once I get my hands on it.

Well we are off to bed, we'll see what tomorrow holds for us.

What Next for November, who has an idea?

Love you all

Brandi