Happy Birthday, Emily!

Emily's 9th birthday turned into a 3 day celebration over the week-end. Family dinner, friend party and cupcakes for her class on Monday - she'd make it a national holiday if she could!

Her birthday party was at an art studio where all the guests got to paint a picture. Emily chose a jellyfish - a fun project!

The Liskow Orthopedic Clinic

It has been an eventful October for Kyle and Heather. Emily fell off the monkey bars at school and broke her leg - up by her knee - and was in a full leg cast for 6 weeks. The day after she got her cast off and a knee brace applied, Samantha fell at gymnastics and broke her ankle! Heather said she felt like they passed the crutches like a baton in a relay race! Unfortunately, Samantha's injury required day surgery to place 2 pins to stabilize her ankle. Her surgery was on Halloween - she recovered well and went back to school today. It won't be easy - 8 weeks of non-weight bearing and then a boot. But, she is resilient and will manage OK. Long rehabs before they get to resume swimming and gymnastics!

Emily getting her cast off

Samantha had ankle surgery on Halloween

We were planning to leave Michigan on Halloween and were beginning to pack the motor home but, when we heard about Samantha's surgery we rushed to leave early and be there to help. On Saturday, right before we left, I went out on the deck and commented "the leaves are really slippery" - before the words were out of my mouth I had fallen on my butt! Ortho injury #3! But, nothing broke thank goodness - just bruised and sore!

Between the pouring down rain and Samantha's surgery Halloween wasn't as fun as usual. Emily said "first my sister has surgery and then it rains on my second most favorite holiday! Ugghh!"

Autumn 2017

We have been busy trying to finish house projects before we leave for the winter. It has been a lovely fall but it is getting cooler by the day.

The back of our house from the river

We just happened to see this deer soaking in the river!

Judy, Marilou and I went to Chicago the see "Motown the Musical." A fun overnight and a great play!

Carlos and Megan came for Jay's "Celebration of Life" - despite the reason we enjoyed their visit. They helped Roger clean up the trees he has cleared in the back yard and then we went kayaking down the river into Grand Lake.

David James "Jay" Burley - 1961-2017

Our nephew Jay passed away on September 21, 2017 from liver cancer - originally diagnosed with ocular melanoma. At 56 years old it was a life cut way to short. He loved cars and golf but most of all his family Kim and Ryan. We helped them move back to Jackson shortly before he died so they are closer to family as they move forward. Remembering many good times....RIP Jay.

Penny, Heather, Jay, Megan and Missy before Carlos and Megan's wedding

Busy Summer!

We have had a busy summer - working hard to settle in and make our new house our "home" - at least for the summer. Our friends, Mike and Lorraine spent the summer in Michigan and visited for a few days in their motor home. They pitched in and helped us in so many ways we can't begin to thank them enough! Mike helped Roger rebuild the landing from the garage into the house and Lorraine dived into landscaping the front yard! We got rid of the tree that was over powering the front door and planted a Japanese Maple and some new shrubs. Love the new look!

Mike, Lorraine and Mauer

Roger sold the enclosed trailer that we used to move and bought a tractor to "groom" the driveway and clear the woods around the house. Think they will be ongoing tasks! Good thing he enjoys the outside work.

Fall is in the air - 40's in the mornings and 70's in the afternoon. The trees are turning colors. Love this time of year but a little "chilly" for me!

We plan to return to Texas in November. Houston has suffered a lot of devastation from hurricane Harvey and the campgrounds are full. We are on a waiting list, for December, for the one near Kyle and Heather. Their subdivision was untouched by the storm - we are so thankful for their good fortune! Samantha and Emily are finally starting school tomorrow - they are ready! In the meantime we will stay in San Antonio. We are planning on spending the winter in Florida - if Florida is still there after hurricane Irma!

Our New Home!

I am behind on my posts because we bought a house in Michigan and have been busy moving! The end of an era - 10 years traveling the country - but, we are ready to have a more permanent place during the summers. We will still follow the sun in the winter and of course, Texas will always be our second home! We have absolutely loved the "full time" life style and have enjoyed so many wonderful adventures that this decision is somewhat "bittersweet." But, life follows different paths as we age and we know we will be content with the move.

Kyle, Heather, Samantha and Emily were here for this past week. We took the girls camping at Higgins Lake State Park and canoeing down the AuSauble River with Ray and Mel; Judy and Marilou; and our friends Mike and Lorraine from Arizona while Kyle and Heather enjoyed a few days in Traverse City. Even though they are city kids, the girls love camping, the outdoors and family game time! Lorraine plays the guitar so we even had a sing-a-long around the campfire!

We are still in a state of "flux" with half our things in the motor home and half somewhere in the house! The painter is still finishing the trim and inside walls so all the furniture is in the middle of the rooms. The kids were a god send in helping to unload the motor home and organize my pantry and make-up!

The excitement came when we returned home from camping and the big slide motor died so we could not extend the slide in the motor home. Consequently, we could not get any of our clothes, shoes, etc out of the closets or do any laundry. I wore the same outfit 3 days in a row! We had to go shopping for underwear and outfits for the girls!

Samantha Kate - 11

Emily Grace - 8

Kyle, Heather and the girls on the back deck

The girls having fun in our big swing!

EAA Adventure Oshkosh

Blue Angels F 18's

The Experimental Aircraft Association sponsors the largest airshow in the United States every July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Considering all the years we lived in Michigan and Roger's love of airplanes why have we never gone to it?! It was awesome!

We met our friends, Mike and Lorraine (Mike is a pilot too!) and spent two full days walking around the grounds and didn't begin to see all the airplanes and displays. The Navy's Blue Angels and several other aerobatic stunt flyers performed each afternoon plus many of the old "war birds" flew overhead in formation. The night time aerobatic displays were amazing - fire in the sky!

It was great that Mike and Roger got to go together because they talk the same airplane language! I don't know much about all the different planes but I sure can appreciate the talent, skill and dedication that the many volunteers share and put into building, restoring and maintaining this huge fleet of aircraft. Not to mention the owners and the money involved!
Hard to get good pictures - they are moving pretty fast!!

The Blue Angels in formation

Roger in front of the new fighter - the F-35. Notice the female pilot climbing out of the cockpit! Girl power!

The plane has multiple cameras and the pilots wear $400,000 helmets that allow them to see 360 degrees! 

1940 era B 29's fully restored