Off Our Front Porch

This is what we are blessed to see almost every day.

He is Serious

One thing you can count on - 
when Danny says he's going to do something...

"We get more air traffic than road traffic"

I think he is missing his children & grandchildren :)

POLKA DOTS

It's getting closer...Sheree's due date is fast approaching and Thursday was the day to start on the baby's room.  Garrett & Sheree' chose the paint colors & design & recruited Pippo & Pappy's help.
So we drove through the snow & began to work while Sheree' was at work.
Garrett primed & painted the walls - such a pretty brown.
Danny & Garrett put down a new floor.

Danny NEVER goes barefoot!

Not many dads will put pink on their fingers for their baby girl - but this daddy did.  Boy & if I thought Mary Beth was particular....whew her brother is, too!  These circles had to be just right.
Love the polka dots!   You did a great job daddy :)

While we were painting the pink polka dots, Pappy went to pick up Sheree' from work & take her to her physical therapy appointment.  She can now bend her knee 71 degrees & for the first time in over 3 months, sleep without her brace on!!! 

I think she was tickled pink!

She was very proud of her husband's hard work :)

Isn't that little belly just adorable? 

We had a great day!

We're getting ready for you Gertie Mac ~ can't wait to hold you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPPY

We are so blessed to have you in our lives.  

Thanks for being a Godly husband, father & pappy.

I Love You  

Happy 47th

Tyler ~ AHS 2011

I had the absolute pleasure of taking Tyler's Senior photos.  

He is a Senior at Alpena High School.

We had a great time taking these photos!   Thanks for being such a good sport :)

Keep on track with your Godly walk. 

Family Gifts & Talents

Garrett has quite a talent - leather work.   Danny received a belt for Christmas "Made by Garrett"
I love his work!  And I love his passion for it.  Maelea also received a belt with her name on it from Uncle Garrett.  And Mr. & Mrs. Hatch received personalized leather portfolios.
We are blessed to have children with such ability, creativity, gifts, talent & passion :)

Our daughter-in-law Sheree' & our son-in-law Alex made this wonderful art work for us.  We just love it &  it was hung immediately front & center on Christmas Day.
We are so proud of it & the titles it holds :)

We just LOVE being Pappy & Pippo!

Pippo received a new Hog shirt from Garrett & Sheree' ~ Wooo Pig Soieee ~
and the sweetest necklace from Mary Beth, Alex & Maelea with Pippo's Blessings & Maelea's name on it.
In April I will be able to add Gertie Mac's on there...

Oh I am so BLESSED!

Medical Leave

Ok if you have been wondering about the slow down on my postings....
The following put a little cramp in things - mainly my head.
Sorry for those of you who can't stand this kind of thing.

I had a basal cell carcinoma removed via the MOHS procedure (the latest thing in skin cancer removal) on Monday by Dr. Naugle in Springfield.  Nurse Danny has been taking good care of it for me.
Ever since I can remember I have never wanted anyone to know if I was hurt, how bad it hurt or if I was anything but TOUGH (no room for wimps & whiners in my arena).  But I have decided at age 46 who cares if anybody knows?????  I cannot tell a lie - it hurt dadgummit!
I have stayed inside since we came home because it has been soooo cold that I'm afraid if I go outside it might contract then explode.  The doctor said it may feel a little tight...  Tight I reckon!
But I have thought of my precious daughter-in-law Sheree' many times through this little ordeal...this is nothing compared to what she went through - thanks for the inspiration hon.
Thanks for all your prayers!  God is good.

Jim

My oldest sister Judy met & married a fine young man from Snowball, Arkansas.  His name was Jimmy Joe Wells.  I was all of 4 years old when he came into our lives.  He quite literally became my hero.  I truly adored him.   His nickname for me was "Tommy".  I thought he was the tallest man I had ever seen, because our family wasn't known for being big tall people.  He was over 6 feet tall and had to duck to go through the doorway into our kitchen.  Sure was fun to ride around on his shoulders.
Jim was a diabetic.  My favorite quote of his was "I'd give anything for a half rotten banana right now".

Sadly Jim passed away at the age of 23.  That had to be the most traumatic event in my young life - and as you can imagine for the whole family.  Judy had 2 babies ~ Joey & Mitzi ~ & one on the way ~ Jimmy.  Jim had 3 sisters & 1 brother ~ Janie, Jackie, Billie Faye & Bob.  His mother Otie passed away when Jim was a young boy.
If you would like to know what he looked like, all you have to do is look at Joey & Jake.  Sometimes it takes my breath away just how much he lives on in his children & grandchildren.

I had the extreme honor of going to Richland with Mitzi to take photos of his home place.  That is a day I will cherish forever.  Thank you Mitzi ~ Love you ~

Jim & his brother Bob played ball here.
I hear tell that Bob once scored 46 points in a game.

What a view.  And yes the water really is that blue.

Walk by the barn & cross this branch to walk home.

Cornerstone of the old home

Hand hewn & notched logs of the home

The View from home

The Window...

Johnny

Danny & I have been blessed with the friendship of Johnny McKinley.  What a treasure he is.  If you have any questions about our local community history, then you need to go visit with Johnny.  And he happens to be Elmo's nephew.  
Johnny married Samantha & they make a great team serving the Lord.  
Some day when he gets his store completed, stop in & have a soda, take a tour, & hear the story because the conversation is free.
I just can't wait to ride my horse over there & tie up to the hitching post & have a Grapette!

McKinley's Mercantile & Museum
J&S McKinley ~  Proprietors
Est. 2003
Johnny McKinley ~ Curator
"Free Conversation"
Fine Automobiles & Firearms

Elmo & Norma

When Danny, Mary Beth, Garrett & I began to look for land in Bergman to build a home on 16 years ago, we met the infamous Elmo Dees.  We didn't know it then but he would become our guardian angel & the kids' other grampa.  Elmo was very generous & helpful & quite a character.  Oh the stories he could tell.....
To the day he died we were:
Bill (Danny), The Old Gal (Stacey), The Girl (Mary Beth), The Boy (Garrett)
These are titles we carry proudly & with love.
And I would always get the best history lessons of Bergman when I took him to town.   It was quite an adventure to get groceries with Elmo!  You better be able to catch & move that cart just right :)
Elmo at age 98 went to be with the Lord in October while I was with Sheree' & Garrett during her surgery & Danny was the only one able to go to his funeral - that was very hard for Garrett, Mary Beth & myself.
But we all agree we were very blessed to have this dear old friend in our life.
~Thanks for everything Elmo~

Elmo's 1951 Chevrolet 6400