Mom's beloved, "Three Sisters".

Mom, 

perhaps it won't be much longer now and you will be with your sisters again....you three were always the best of friends. 

Nancy, Sarah and I are the three sisters now...the best of friends, too.

We love you and have such wonderful memories of many special times together.

We miss the old you at Christmas time, you always made everything lovely for our family.

LOVE YOU FOREVER

A VISIT WITH MOM AND DAD ON THE 26TH

 Mom is getting very thin and her days may now be few--but she is happy and waves at the people all about her. She said very clearly, "This is my daughter" when I was there the other day. I wish I could take her in my arms and just hold her and somehow help her but it is not to be.
The children were very tender to mom and to dad.

 There were two men there playing an accordion and a guitar--they asked Bethany, Josh and Zach to come over and sing a song--which they were happy to do--Liz helped!!!

Dad was holding Bethany's hand much of the time --Natalie got a picture of that and sent it over to me but somehow I was not able to upload it for the blog..If I figure it out I will post it later.

Anna's Christmas birthday

I love Christmas with all the red decorations--it is always a happy time for our family.

As children we would wait anxiously on the stairs until dad called and said we could come down and see if "Santa" had been to our house!!
He always had!!

The last 20 years have been extra special for us as Anna was born on Christmas Day 1992--20 years ago. It seems we have had so many birthday parties with most or all of our family but this year was different. Lena came early and then Joe and his family came on Christmas Day to help us celebrate Anna's big day.

 Anna's Walter piano

WHEN JOE AND HIS FAMILY CAME WE ALL SAT DOWN TO  ANNA'S FAVORITE DINNER--HAM, MASHED POTATOES, SALAD AND THIS YEAR I ADDED GRITS (WAS INTERESTING), CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING AND LOTS OF ICE CREAM.

AND THEN PRESENTS

 Anna was coughing

 Natalie was sneezing

 Zachary was all eyes---

 Anna is always happy with her presents--she is a grateful person.

After dinner we had our Christmas together.

 Joshua is so much fun--a real fireball.

CHRISTMAS 2012

 We had a heavy wet snow on Thursday the 20th and lost our power!
Lena, Adam and Samuel came on anyway from Illinois as we all thought the power would be back on by the time they arrived--not to be!!! We did not have our power restored until Sunday afternoon.
Samuel was a bit disconcerted about the tree not being lit up. We used candles and oil lamps and had a fun time anyway. Lena and Adam were good sports and that is not easy when one is just 4 weeks from having a baby!!

Samuel was so excited to don his snowsuit and head out into the snow--he came back in rather quickly as he had taken his gloves off and put his hands in the snow--IT WAS COLD!

WENT OUT TO DINNER AFTER WE ALL GOT A ROOM AT THE MICROTEL IN MANISTEE AND TOOK SHOWERS

 It is Sunday and the lights are on--yea! Had a nice gift exchange --Samuel is such a big boy now--walking all over and so happy.

We were able to visit mom and dad--Samuel really liked walking around and "talking" to all the ladies

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS AT SUTTER LIVING CENTER

 I was there the day the tree was being decorated. All the residents enjoyed helping.

 DOUG AND DAD HAD SOME QUALITY VISITING TIME!!

TWO YOUNG FRIENDS OF OUR FAMILY, MEGAN AND MEREDITH COOK, CAME WITH ME ONE DAY AND CHEERED THE RESIDENTS UP.

 DAD ALWAYS ENJOYS COMPANY

 MEREDITH SANG SOME SONGS FOR THE LADIES

Thanksgiving 2012

 We celebrated Thanksgiving at Crystal Mountain this year with Nat, George and Henry (Christy was sick with the flu and remained in Illinois to rest), and our friends, Laura and Brian Teeple. The food was fantastic as always and the weather was unusually warm--so nice!

 ANNA AND GEORGE

 ANNA, GEORGE AND HENRY

 ANNA AND HER OLDEST BROTHER, NATHANAEL

 SUSAN AND ANNA