Fun visit in Michigan---August

It seemed like it was past time to get back to Michigan and visit our family.  Some of them had been out to South Dakota to see us.....but there were many more that we wanted to see again.  We left on a Sunday afternoon and arrived Monday early enough to get started right away with a fun time with our Overisel friends.  We all met at the local ice cream shop......I think there were 13 of us slurping on the good stuff and reminiscing and sharing and laughing-----good visit!!!!

Gary got hooked up with a project at our son Mike and Julie's place......making window frames for one of the buildings.  He likes to stay busy and this was just the thing.   He could spend time with the grandkids (they were a great help and also entertainment) and keep himself sane  :) all at the same time.

We took some of our carrots along for Holly, Dennis and the boys.  They love them ----and we had more than enough to share.   So I spent one of our days helping Holly get those carrots in the canner. They looked so pretty all done up......and will taste yummy this winter.

I also spent one whole afternoon with the girls at Lake Michigan.  It was an absolutely beautiful day for the beach.

So - we have Bette, Margo, Sue (who was visiting from Colorado) Glenda, my empty towel, and Sally --- what a great bunch of friends.  Thanks for the fun time.  The warm water was an added bonus!!

 

We went to Kalamazoo on Thursday to spend time with Marti, Tim and Oliver and Keller.   We went to a park and played on the playground because Marti was having their carpets cleaned. 

 Oliver had a good time on the ropes......

....and Keller mostly wandered from one thing to another.....kept us hopping  :)   But isn't he a cutie --- he has changed so much from our last visit.  But we were "ok" with him right away and that always gives us a good feeling

Marti and Tim made the purchase of a camper.  They have plans for some fall trips to different places.  We are sure they will have lots of fun and what a great thing for the boys ---- camping trips make for such good memories.

 Holly had been making plans for a "Peters Get-together".  The farm is now 100 years in the Peters family - so a Centennial Farm.  There could have been more ???? what would they be --- grandkids of Gary's nephews....... could have been more of them there - but we had a good turn out.....and a really good  time.  Holly put out lots of Grandpa and Grandmas old things out on display....toys that Grandpa made,  old Valentines from when Gpa was in grade school and so on.  We also went on a hayride.   Haven't been on one of those for years.  Gary got to drive the good old Allis Chalmers again - so it was a good time had by all.

We also had a crazy time with Mike and Julie's family on Monday.  Gary made several pairs of stilts with the leftover wood from the window frames.  So everyone got into the act --- hopefully I will be able to put a video on here so you can see some of the action for yourself.

We also had fun at the playground by Overisel Church.  What a neat playground!!  Holly and Clayton and Sawyer went there and waited for me ........ I had to talk with Pastor Scott about the "talk" we would give in church the following Sunday ---- which went good.   It's always a joy to come back to Overisel Reformed and see all those people who are praying for us and are interested in what we are doing out here and then to be able to share some stories about how God is at work out here.  We can't say thank you enough for their continued financial support and all the prayers that they lift up to God on our behalf.

I guess that about does it for the fun we had ------ we did take Colton home with us for a couple of weeks.   That update will come after we take him back (half way ---- mom and Austin will meet us around Des Moines).  We are having a lot of fun -- and so is he - but more on that later......
Gary and Barb