Moving On

The time has come for my dad to retire yet again, and Patty is joining him in retirement this time.  With this new chapter in their lives comes some big changes, mainly moving back to my dad's home town of Alpena.  They will make their journey north after my dad leads the Shriners in Sturgis' annual parade one last time this coming Saturday.  We won't even be there to see it since we will actually be in Alpena ourselves, but we look forward to welcoming them to their home (and using their showers).

With their impending move, my sister and I thought it only fitting to send them off with a small farewell party.   Both my dad and Patty have been active in this community for decades, so how to make sure we included all who needed to know was a difficult task.  We opted to plaster it on Facebook, hang a few fliers, put an advertisement in our local newspaper, and get our local radio station to plug it for us.  The turn out was pretty good.  Great Lakes Chocolate graciously allowed us to hold the event at their location.

We've kept Kees busy making cakes for us this spring.  The cake was humongous!

Here come the guests of honor.

I got the glorious task of cutting and serving cake.  Mind you, I'm not, nor have ever claimed to be good at this job.

The grandkids mingling and enjoying refreshments.

Mandi and Patty - Mandi is taking over Patty's massage business in town.

Dad and one of his former coworkers from his days at the Sturgis Police Department.

Grandma Patty opening a gift from Esther.

Jeff Mullins and dad - Jeff worked with my dad at LTI Printing and he and his wife Nicole bought dad and Patty's house last year.

My sister catching up (or pointing out her children I'm guessing) to Jack and JoAnne Grim.  I used to call them Mr. and Mrs. Grimmis when I was a little girl.  That was the era when McDonalds had all the cute characters like the French Fry kids, Hamburglar, and the purple guy, called Grimmis.

More family visiting with Patti Anderson (Jared's mom) and Rusty Kyle.

Both the girls grandpas together.  John will take any excuse to dress up.  Just kidding.  The Knights of Columbus, which he is a member of, had to be present at the church prior for Confirmation.

The Listons and Cheryl Jordan chatting it up.

Merry Jo and Kevin Tavernier from their church came for the event.

My dad's cousin Scott drove down from Lansing for the day.  It was a big surprise for my dad that I know touched him deeply.  Scott's family was actually up in Alpena for the weekend, so he graciously accepted our offer to stay for our family cookout after the party.

A pretty decent family photo of all of us together.

Dad and his girls.

The plan was to get all the family together for a picture at our house during our cookout later that evening since some of the grandkids had snuck out early, but we of course forgot.  The camera didn't make an appearance at our dinner, but we had a fun laid back evening spending time together and eating too much food.  

We wish nothing but the best of luck to dad and Patty on their move to Alpena.  We look forward to spending time up there with you both.

2nd Annual Sturgis Youth Triathlon

June 21st was a busy day for our family.  It started off with heading to the Community Pool so Olivia could once again compete in the Youth Triathlon.  The triathlon is now in memory of Dave Locey, a local Sturgis man who tragically lost his life in the fall.  Mia is one year to young, so look for her next year.  Olivia moved up an age bracket this year, so had longer distances for all of her events.

Olivia, pre race, excited and ready to go.

The 50 yd. swim was her first leg.  Hard to see, but she is in the 2nd lane from the top.  She was the out of the pool  along with another girl first, and out the door to the bike.

Heading out for her 1.5 mile bike ride.  She excels on this part.

Coming back in fairly quickly.

And she's off for the 3/4 mile run.

Hustling back for the finish.

Finishing strong.  

Post race smiles!

We sure are proud of her and love that she has a passion for such a healthy lifestyle.  The event is not timed as it is to be fun for kids and get them active, but Andy times her each year.  She finished in 17:01.  Not too shabby!  She was definitely first in her heat as well.  Way to go Olivia!  Both girls are competing in a youth triathlon in Goshen in mid July.  Olivia did it 2 years ago.  Look for that post in the future as well!  I'm so thankful we live in a community that puts on such amazing events for our youngsters.

Olivia Says Good Bye to Congress

I can't say a negative thing about Congress Elementary School.  It is the school both my sister and I attended as children.  To this day, I can walk up to the tile mural in the hallway, obviously illustrated by children and point out the things I drew and painted.  My childhood there is filled with nothing but fond memories.  After 4th grade, our district was having an over crowding issue in the schools and voted to build a new upper elementary school.  It of course was not ready for me to attend, but with some outside the box thinking, they moved 5th grade to the middle school and I had to say good bye to the school I loved and felt safe at.  A large group of girls went to my friend Kayla's after the last day of school, and the majority of us cried uncontrollably at that thought of leaving Congress.  Now I have the privilege to teach at this amazing school with an even more amazing staff.  We call each other a family and mean it in every sense of the word.  I am also blessed that Olivia has gotten to attend here, but now sadly, has to say good bye.  That new upper elementary school was completed many years ago and is where she will be heading in the fall.  I know she will excel at Eastwood Elementary, but am sad to see her go.  She doesn't want to go.  She asked both myself and her teacher if she could fail so she could stay at Congress.  Eastwood is another great school, but huge!  All of the smaller K-2 buildings feed into it, so instead of 3 rooms of each grade level, there will 10 next year.  It can be overwhelming.  

Olivia's class doing one of the field day activities.  The last day of school is traditionally Field Day at Congress where they spend half the day doing various outdoor games, getting wet at some of them, and just having fun.

Olivia at the puzzle station with one of her classmates, Jozette.

I think this was at one of the relay races.  (confession: I didn't take most of the photos because I was busy working the parent volunteer station, so I had a coworker run around with my camera.)

Olivia's class taking a snack break.

Time for good byes.  Many of the students were on a high from field day, giggling, joking, all smiles with the impending summer ahead.  Olivia was off by herself, being rather quiet.  She was holding back her tears.  When she hugged Ms. Roberts, the flood gates opened.  She was a terrific match for Olivia.  I didn't request her (I work with an amazing staff so I let the school choose for my girls each year), but was thrilled when that's who Olivia was paired with.  She wanted Ms. Roberts as a teacher since I first started at Congress.  They have a special bond and will continue their ice cream dates for many years to come I am sure.

Olivia with a classmate, Adam, that she helped out a lot this school year.

So, as this chapter of Olivia's life closes, a new one awaits her.  I can only hope it brings her as much fun, enjoyment, challenges, and excitement as Congress has.  Next year, Mia, will walk the halls of Congress School instead of my Olivia Jane.  It will be different for us all, but we will come out on top.  

First Communion

As usual, I am behind on my blog posts, busy spending time with family, rather than on the computer, but I prefer it that way.  A lot has gone one since the last post.  School has ended :), open houses attended, parties held and attended, but more importantly, Olivia had her first communion.  May 31st was the big day after taking classes all school year long.  She was prepped and we hoped, ready for the big event.  Not being Catholic myself, I had no idea what to expect.  I think I was more nervous that I would have failed prepping her since I felt like a novice.  Of course, everything went wonderfully well.

Olivia heading in wearing her new dress courtesy of Nana and Papa.

Callahan Lamb (our good friend's son) coming in.

Presenting flowers with the gifts.

Getting ready for her first sip of the Blood of Christ.

Callahan and his mother Kelli after communion.

The kids were cracking us up during the service.  Most of the time they were stoic and serious, but we knew secretly they were so excited to drink wine for the first time.  Their reactions were priceless.  Olivia went before a few of her friends and was warning them all that it tasted awful.  They agreed.

Cal's reaction to the wine.

We are proud that our daughter can now not just partake, but understand a little better the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.

We celebrated this joyous occasion with a delicious cake made by Kees Vanzelst after at our home.

Olivia sporting her new shoes Nana bought her.  No, she did not wear these shoes for her First Communion ceremony.

A close up of her Converse All Stars.  Some styles never go out of fashion.

Successful Soccer Season

It's hard to believe that both of our girls have competed in the Sturgis Youth Soccer program spring session for two years now.  I again co-coached Mia's team, and sadly all of Olivia's games were at the same time.  I usually could make it to Olivia's game sometime in the 3rd quarter since Mia's age group run shorter games.  They both had great seasons and enjoyed the friendly competition.  Mia scored her first goal ever at the first game this year.  We were so excited for her.  Olivia had a goal last year, but added two more to her recorded this year.  I only got my camera out for the last game of the season and of course, Olivia's game ended by the time I got over there, so I have few pictures of her in action, but I'm still proud of her.  She would come home pleased after each game whether they won, lost, or tied.  Her age group only had two teams, so they played the same team each game.  The improvement in her and her team was evident as the short season progressed.

Olivia on the far right

Olivia running on the left

Mia before the start of the big game.

All going for it at one time.

Watch her kick it!

Coach Sarah standing with Mia throwing the ball in to play.  We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Sarah and her daughter Kinder Smith this season.

Run, run, run girls!

Some of Mia's cheering fans watching from the sidelines.  Alice and Mrs. Starkey came to a few games to cheer on our meatball.  It was so nice to always have so much family and friends turn up to support our girls.  Jackie would come, Nana and Papa didn't miss a game, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Jen and Robert, Elizabeth and the crew, even Great Grandma, Aunt Ruth, and Aunt Doris all made it to a game!

Lining it up to kick her 2nd goal of the season....will she make it?

Goal for Mia...again!  What a way to end the season.  

Kicking again

Olivia, Katelyn, Kinder, Mia, Naomi, and Edelyn

We had an amazing team who showed up for every game.  They made me proud to coach them.

Olivia's large neon green team after their last game for a group shot.  Thanks to Matt Sutter and Ramon Lugo for coaching the girls this season.