Happy New Year!

Bring on 2014!  Always nice to start anew.  May God bless us this year with good health, joy and happiness.  Looking back on 2013...........

 

 

Reese's 4th birthday party in the park.

 

 

Relatives, friends and neighbors came in droves, as did Aunt Melissa and Uncle Adam.

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa Schel wouldn't miss it!

 

 

Grandma got a new car which looks black, but is Kodiak Brown!

 

 

Annual Easter Egg hunt on Shirlmar.

 

Attending church with son Scott, the Deacon!

  

 

Fun trip to Santa Barbara for Paul and Jeannie's anniversary.

 

 

Attending Maddie's annual dance recital.  She did a great job, as usual.

 

 

Multi-talented Maddie was also in the school play.  Mom and Dad were so proud.

 

 

Attended Duane's 50th class reunion in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.  Here he is with his three best friends from high school Ken Allen,  Jeff Deeley and Don Peloquin.

 

 

Duane couldn't wait to come home and grill some more bratwurst.

 

 

My niece, Chantelle came to visit on Labor Day weekend.  We had a ball.

 

 

Went down to Laguna Beach for a family vacation.

 

 

The weather was perfect!

 

 

Maddie plays soccer too!  The Pink Pandas were great to watch.

 

 

Then, before you knew it, Halloween was in the air, and we bobbed for apples.

Valerie got hers!

 

 

Turkey day was a hit, especially with those hats Melissa got.

 

 

Before you knew it, the Christmas tree was up.

 

My New Year's Resolution?????  Take even more pictures this year!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where Was Christmas?

This year, with the short period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had a tendency to rush everything.  Got most of the presents early (check), did not bring out all decorations---so decorated quickly (check), did not bake cookies (check), only put one lone small artificial tree on the front porch (check), and generally was not in the spirit of things.  Didn't even take any pictures!  

 

One of the problems was that my wonderful son-in-law, Jason had to work both Christmas and Christmas Eve!!!  Bummer!!!

 

 

 

Also, it was Melissa's family's turn to have Adam and Melissa with them for Christmas.  We missed them so much!

 

 

 

My beloved friend, Marian Koranda, was dying of cancer, which put a damper on the whole season.

 

 

 

 

And then, one of my favorite cousins, George Furphy, passed away suddenly the Friday before Christmas.  He is in the middle in this photo between Mary Ann and me.

 

 

 

But, all in all, my faith in God was strengthened, and I was reminded that no matter what happens, Jesus is the reason for the season.

 

 

Christmas Memories

                  Christmas is the time for memories, and I have so many good ones......

 

Like the time when Lindsey and Kevin came over on Christmas Eve with their new baby, Peyton.  Melissa was in heaven holding that bundle of joy.

 

 

Our precious granddaughters who always bring joy to the season.

 

 

What more could you ask for----a happy grandpa, holiday cheer, and a fire in the fireplace!

 

 

Cutie pie Reese with his proud papa.

 

 

My sister, Darlene, our poodle, Pompie, and me at our house in McHenry, Illinois.

 

 

 

Like mother, like daughter----always wear red at Christmas....

 

 

Little girls always wear frills.....Love my memories of tinsel covered trees.

 

 

A bewildered Adam opening a Fisher Price Airplane.

By the way, Reese got the same airplane for Christmas a couple of years ago.

 

 

 

But, who can top being an angel in a Nutcracker Ballet?