More Homecoming Pics

Homecoming 2008

We couldn't have asked for a better week-end than last for homecoming festivities.

AB actually won their first homecoming game since Nikki's been at that school (14-13)

YEAH!! Kaite looked stunning in her blue dress and Kenny looked adorable in his suit.

They make a real cute couple. He just adores her. Now some pictures. Take a look at

the group photo of the young man at the end. His pose was this way for all of the pictures

we took LOL.

Wedding Con't

So the wedding day went with out a hitch like I said. The girls and I arrived at the church at 3PM, the rest of the girls including Nicole were already there. We waited around till 4Pm when the ceremony started. Jeff and I walked down the aisle followed by Nicole's Mom Cynthia and her escort, Kaite and Grandpas, then Nikki & Dave followed by the rest of the girls with Nicole and her Grandpa last. Nicole's Mom and I had a bet with Renee (bridesmaid) as to who would tear up or cry first - Nicole or Jason. Cynthia and I knowing Jason, both said Jason first. Yep we were right he teared up when he saw Nicole walking down the aisle. I have to say I did not cry at all, Jeff's Dad, Jeff's Mom, Cynthia, Jay's Aunt Mary all were balling their eyes out. I guess I am so happy for Jay and Nicole that I didn't cry. The ceremony was really nice I liked the reverend who married them and afterwards there was pictures in the church. The church was huge and just goregous. When we were done we all went over to the hall "Crank's". I had a really good time. The DJ was excellent and did the traditional wedding songs and stuff, the photographer and her assistant were really nice (once I get some of their pictures I'll post more). I will say that her assistant made a play for Kaite. He asked Nikki if her sister was single, and Nikki said yes. He asked Kaite to dance which was nice but we learned he was 22. He thought Kaite was the older sister - go figure. Anyways he gave Kaite his business card and offered to take her head shot picture for her resume (acting). I DON'T THINK SO, UNLESS I AM THERE WITH HER IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!! We had a few wedding crashers from the downstairs wedding. A couple of the fellows came up and danced with us, had a few drinks. Apparently their wedding downstairs was a "dry" wedding and ended at like 9:30PM.

We had the traditional throwing of the bouquet. I had to laugh at Rod, he was like Meggan, Jessie go and sit down and when it came time for the garter throw, Jay was calling some of his single friends up and I was pointing to Nikki's boyfriend Justin and Meggan's boyfriend Mike, so Jay called them up with the microphone, to go and catch the garter HaHaHa. I think Rod was going to kill me LOL.

I was really busy walking around trying to talk to everyone we invited, but I like to dance too so I did some of that and missed saying good-bye to some of my family. The reception ended at midnight. Cynthia and I were the last to leave, but I think a good time was had by everyone.

The next day I spent 8 hours on the road taking Justin back to Grand Valley University, in Grand Rapids and Nikki back to Central in Mount Pleasant. Justin printed up the directions for me from GV to Central and had us take some back roads. I'll never do that again because I missed the road twice, drove past a amish couple in a horse and buggy and had absolutely no idea where I was.

All in all it was a long and memorably week-end. I couldn't be happier for Jay and Nicole.
This week-end we have homecoming.

"Wedding Day"

Jay and Nicole's wedding day went without a hitch. They couldn't have asked for better weather it was 78 degrees. Nicole looked beautiful in her dress as well as the girls. The ceremony was held at the Renassiance Unity church in Warren with the reception to follow at Crank's Hall. I've attached a few pictures for now and more on the wedding later.

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY !!!

Happy Birthday Nikki - Today you turn 18 WHOO HOO!!! Go out and have some fun, I know that you will. Love to you, Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!

Our beloved golden boy turns (6) today. Isn't that 42 years in people life?!

Little Bird has her wings

That is the phrase Jeff used last week about Kaite getting her driver's license. Yes New Baltimore, look out because her she comes!! Now our house really feels like an "empty nest"
all of our birds have flown or (in Kaite's case) are learning to fly :(

This week - Nikki turns 18 on 9/11 WHO HOO Partee time!

Update

Well we've been pretty busy since our last post. We moved Nikki to Central that all went pretty smoothly. I didn't cry as much as I thought I would, Jeff and I both had a moment on our drive up there. At one point he said "honey our baby is moving out" Yep, she is. In the past week, I've picked up her dress for the wedding and took Kaite's in for alterations. Luckily, Kaite doesn't need much alterations on her dress for the wedding or homecoming. I took Mom shopping for her dress for the wedding, she bought a pretty black long dress with a gold & black jacket. It looks really nice on her and I got these awesome shoes at Macy's, they are Nina dress grey/silver pumps for the great price of $13.79, couldn't believe it, for my dress. Now all that is left is picking up my dress this week and seeing if I need any alterations.

Jeff and I went camping this week-end with our long time friends from Hazel Park, Ken & Margaret. We went to Algonac State Park which is only 25 minutes from my house. We had a good time playing euchre, and bike riding (that seems to be mine and Jeff's passion these days).
Nikki and Justin came home Friday night. Nikki, Kaite, Jason & his best friend Chase came up on Saturday for dinner and the bon fire, and Sunday morning we came home. We then celebrated Nikki's 18th birthday last night with dinner out at Luigi's in Mt. Clemens, with Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Nanu, Jason & Nicole, Nikki, Justin & Kelsey, Jeff, Kaite and me. We had a good time and I also took her shopping for some clothes at Lakeside. Today she's going back to school for three weeks until the wedding then her and I think Justin will be coming home again.

Kaite moved into Nikki's room and started priming it the day Nikki moved out, now we just have to finish painting the room but it has been too hot to do that, hopefully this coming week-end we can finish it. The weather today is 87degrees but should be a lot cooler towards the week-end.

So for this week we have too... Kaite and I are getting our hair trimmed on Tuesday, Kaites is taking her driving test on Wednesday, Thursday we pick up her dress and drop mine off if alterations are needed then it's the week-end again WHEW!!!

Hope y'all have a good week ahead- Love ya Robin

Woodward Dream Cruise

So Kaite and I (jeff too) went to the Dream Cruise on Saturday. We met Jeff at mom's house then took the Jeep Wrangler to the cruise. Yeah, top and doors off. Kaite drove from Lincoln to 13 Mile and it took us over 2 hrs to get 3 1/2 miles. We had some fun though, people were making comments to us like "you go girls, but the old man in the back seat" LOL. Jeff wanted to sit in the back to take pictures, however, Kaite almost got a ticket. A cop pulled up along side of us in a camaflouge golf cart and told her if she didn't make her back seat passenger sit down he would have to issue her a ticket. That would be pretty funny since she doesn't even have her driver's license yet. Bummer for Jeff though since he had to sit on the seat to take his pictures. After a while the whole crusin thing isn't as fun anymore, there is way tooo many people there.

I think I need to get my own camera or else learn where Jeff puts our pictures that he takes with his camera.

Nikki & Justin

Stressful Days!!!

These last few days have been very stressful for me. You know the kind of days where no matter what you do it doesn't work out. All of my machines at work have stopped working the printers, copiers, etc., we've replaced a few of them so my office looks like a Office Depot for machines. But with the down time it's put me behind on my bookkeeping a day so I've been working 10 hours or more these past few days. After work I've been shopping (yeah for Targets) for the girls you know the "fun" school supply shopping thing, pencils, pens, paper, flashdrives, planners etc, the best part is I usually buy myself some new stuff too. I've also bought Nikki a lot of her bedroom and bathroom stuff as well, were leaving next week for school. She's going up there this week-end with her boyfriend. Justin turns 18 on Friday so him and a friend are going to Soaring Eagle Casino for some gambling while Nikki and Kelsey explore what the downtown of Mt. Pleasant has to offer. Today her, Justin, and his mom are at Grand Valley University in Grand Rapids for his physical tomorrow (he's running track for them). They'll all be home late tomorrow night. Kaite's been sick these past few days, not sure of what she has probably a cold or something. Sure hope she's feeling better tomorrow, she has been helping me at work a couple of days a week and I sure could use her right now.

On a positive note I have purchased the girls shoes for the wedding, Kaite's dress for homecoming (it is the week-end after the wedding), it is so cute, we put in on layaway for now and , my dress for the wedding. The only thing left is under garments, my shoes and Jeff has to get measured for his tux so that is a good thing. Oh yeah, Jason phoned today and they have the keys to their house. Their not suppose to but since they were pre-approved the realtor gave them the keys so he has been over there cleaning. Tomorrow after work I am going to stop by and see his house.

They Bought a House !!

Jason and Nicole purchased a house yesterday. Well at least they put in their purchase order. The house they bought is a cute bungalow with 3 bedrooms and 1-1/2 gararge approximately 1000 sq ft. It's in Hazel Park near the high school at 9 1/2 Mile West of Dequindre. Kaite and I drove by it and it's cute. It needs a little TLC ,I guess it was bank owned and has been vacant for some time, but Jay says it's in pretty decent shape. They got a really good deal on the house and hopefully will be closing on it by 8/25/08. I am so excited for them I remember when Jeff and I purchased our little home on Maxlow Street.

I have a picture on my camera if I can figure how to load it up I'll attach it this week-end.
Love to all. R

This is the shoe Nikki picked out. One thing I didn't really know is that after we have these dyed red we can take them back and have the re-dyed black. Both girls will have a nice pair of dress black sandles.

The hunt is on...

So I started looking for a dress to wear to Jay's wedding. The new fall line has just come out and the deep colors of blue, wine, purple are very pretty. I have one that I like at a Bridal Shop in richmond, if I can I'll take a picture of it on Saturday. I am having the girls go with me to try it on again and get their opinions. Were also having Nikki's dress altered Saturday so I am going to look at the boutique there too. We have purchsed dyeable shoes for Nikki and Kaite, actually I am going to pick up Kaite's tomorrow. I found them on the web and searched for a store near our house that carries them. This is the one Kaite picked out and...

Spark People

So I spoke with a good friend of mine this evening, Kathy reminded me that even though this is a sad time for me with Jay getting married and Nikki leaving for school, what I don't want to do is live in my children's shoes. I am very excited for both of them really but I have given so much of myself for my kids that I have completely forgotten about me. Well tonight I have decided to try and lose some weight and get healthy so I joined Spark People.com. This is a website very similar to weight watchers but is absolutely 100% free, you can track your calories, excerise, print reports etc. It's pretty cool - so here is to me Whoo Hoo :)

More Pictures

Oh yeah we had a "men's" table and for their favors I got them all little monster truck hot wheels at the Trade Show

Bridal Shower Pictures

Here are some pictures, I wish I could figure out how to add a slideshow to my blog :(

Bridal Shower

The Bridal Shower went without a hitch yesterday and everything was so pretty. The people at the Elks hall allowed us to use the bigger hall then I was suppose to have. We decorated it in red and white/off-white. Those are Nicole's colors. Mom (Grandma) made all of the centerpieces along with the two candle sticks in red, Lisa made the candy favors for me and I ordered the calla lilly candles for the table too. We played a lottery ticket game where you scratch it off to see who meets the bride at the altar and the prize we gave away was a homemade afghan that Mom crotchet. We had 2 of those. Instead of playing more games what I did was had everyone fill out this card I made and it read like this - Dear Nicole, as you enter into marriage my advice to you is:....................... that was great. So what I did was have Nicole draw those cards and read them out loud, and that person received a gift. It went over pretty good and she was given some good advice. Her and Jason received some pretty nice gifts and all in all everyone said they had a good time and couldn't wait for the wedding. PS - I can wait though I still haven't found a dress YIKES!

3 Weeks & Counting....

I just had a interesting conversation with one of our vendors today. His son is leaving for Central 8/16 too and after talking with him it made me realize I have just three weeks until we take Nikki up their. Yikes. I am truly going to miss her. I've been trying to cut the "apron" strings sort of speak. I don't call her as much as I use too. Your probably thinking how much is to much, well lets say maybe I call her once a day instead of 5 times a day. Nikki and I are alot alike, which is why I think we get along good. Our house once she is gone will really be quite, Kaite is not as vocal as Nikki, or maybe she will be once Nikki is gone. Nikki's not home much now, but I know that every night she does come home. It will really be a big change for us and for her.

PS- The bridal shower is Sunday for Nicole (Jason's finance) no wonder I am so stressed today!!

Grandma Hickey

Today is the anniversary of the day Grandma Hickey passed away. I miss her terribly. I'll never forget that day it was exactly 7 days after I had Kaite. I was really close to Grandma, we wrote each other all of the time and phoned every two weeks on Sunday at 9PM. She really understood me and always pushed me to do my best. I could talk to her about anything. I wanted to be like her, except no plastic on my sofas LOL. I've been listening to country music lately and hear alot of Johnny Cash, his one song in particular "walk the line" always reminded me of Grandma's family room at the cottage in Tilbury, Ontario. That was such a nice cottage. I often wonder what that area looks like today but I have no idea how to get there. After Grandma passed Grandpa and I became very close, he started calling me every other Sunday at 9PM and has since passed away in April 2000. I miss all of my grandparents very much. I often wonder what Grandpa Bud would think of today's technology?! Miss you all :(

Back from Canada

Well we made it back from Canada with 7 teenagers. I think the kids had a great time, I know I did. They went tubing, swimming, played volleyball, had a bon-fire and a major water balloon ambush. The weather was perfect, hot and humid for them, it did threaten rain but nothing transpired. Aunt Shirley and Uncle Larry stopped by as well as Randy on Saturday. We played cards and board games in the evening or during the day when it was too hot to be outside. Jeff took over 744 pictures with his camera, here are a few of them.

Vacation Pictures

HAPPY SWEET 16 KAITE

Happy Birthday Kaite 16!!! She was so excited and cute today. She had a date with Kenny who took her to the beach, afterwards they went over to his house where her friends were waiting for her. They threw her a surprise birthday party today!! She phoned me and she says "You knew" I told her yes I did and that I CAN keep a secret. She just laughed. This Friday we are all going to Canada to celebrate her birthday along with seven of her friends. Oh boy, I hope Cedar Island is up for this (Grandpa & Grandma too for that matter) LOL. Should be fun, the weather looks pretty good so far in the 80's. Jeff and I got her a beautiful birthstone ring - ruby and white sapphires, then next month its off to get her license, look out New Baltimore her she comes.

Cottage

Just got back from Cedar Island. Kaite and I went out there to help Dad with some cleaning. Not that it really needed any, but just some traditional woman cleaning you know dusting, vacuuming etc. Saw Barbara and Katrice they say hi to everyone.

Deleting Family Woes

Sorry for the post everyone. I was just upset and writing had helped me get it off my chest.

Back from Vacation

Well were are back from vacation. Jeff, Kaite & I went camping in Muskegon on Lake Michigan for a few days. I must say that when it rains there is absolutely nothing to do in Muskegon. That area reminds me of Detroit (not very nice). Camping by the lake was absolutely beautiful though for the first two days the weather didn't cooperate. We saw alot of deer, ducks, a hawk and the sunset on the lake was absolutely beautiful. After a few days we came inland to Sleepy Hollow which is NE of Lansing. A real nice campground and the weather was hot and humid.
Saw more deer, quite a few infact, rabbits, and chipmunks. We also had a night of racoons going throught our stuff. They tore apart my picnic basket and ate everything in it, they also threw around the dogs dish and ate their food too, must say I think they liked the fruit roll ups best because under the camper there were alot of wrappers. Buggers woke us up in the middle of the night screaching at each other. Kaite and I went shopping in Owosso cute town reminded me of Kingsville. I was able to use the internet at the public library. Missed the connection to the outside world. Nikki had the house cleaned when we came home, heard she had one party while we were gone LOL, knew she would. It's good to go but always good to come home.

Pet-a-plooza

Jeff and I went to pet-a-plooza Sunday held at Freedom Hill. We weren't looking to adopt any new pets, but we like to take our dogs there to socialize and see the different kinds of dogs and kitties. Here are a few pictures. This guy here is our dog "Buddy".

Jeff's illness

Jeff has been not feeling well for quite sometime, actually since last September. We had another test done today on his pancreas and the doctors have said that everything appears to be normal.
I am very grateful for this but also frustrated at the same time. I want his doctors to find something, but nothing too drastic, so that they can help him feel better. At that point, after a year of gallbladder surgery and countless tests for his stomach, I don't know what to say or do for him.
I just want him to feel better :(

Some much needed R & R

So this week-end I went to our cottage in canada with my dear friend Kathy. We both have needed some much R & R. Spent the days at the beach, going out to eat and shopping. The beach and the sun was the most relaxing I have felt in a long time. Needed a break from DH and kids. But I am glad to be home. You appreciate them more when you can take some time away. I must say that I was anxious to get on my computer to see how my niece was doing, when I got home today. Jen I'am praying very hard for all of you!!!

More Graduation Pictures

GRADUATION PARTY!!

Last night was Nikki's graduation party. We had about 90 people throughout the afternoon into the evening. The last few guests left around 11:30 pm. Wonderful food was prepared by my father-in-law and my dad also made beautiful cheese and pickle trays. Without the help of our parents this party wouldn't have been as successful. It was great seeing so many friends and family. I think I got around to talking to everyone, hope so! I tried karoake for the first time, probably sounded horrible but it was fun. My high school best friend/sister (we always called each other sisters since neither of us had any) and her husband came last night. I can't believe we've known each other for 30 years now WOW! She hasn't changed at all. I've attached our picture that Jeff took. The party I thought was a great success and now we plan for Nikki's departure to college in August. But first we have Kaite's 16th Birthday party at the cottage with her friends and family, then we have Jason & Nicole's bridal shower in August just before Nikki leaves. Wedding in September - Whew what a year so far, oh and yeah my niece's baby shower for the twins in June and the babies arrival in October. Our family is soooo blessed this year.

Jen if you read this I hope you are doing well I haven't been able to leave a comment on your blog can't figure it out. Love to all!!!

NO Power!!

Well here we are a few days away from Nikki's open house and guess what I have no power. Sunday we had a very bad storm, it was the closest thing I've come to a tornado and we lost power. Luckily we didn't have much damage from this storm, it has caused our schools to shut down which Kaite is not happy about due to the fact that Tuesday was suppose to be her last day. Our basement has also flooded. Whew!! Hopefully we will be ready in time.

On a family note, my niece Jen is in the hospital and if everyone could keep her in your thoughts and prayers for me!! I am thinking of you Jen and hoping everything will turn out well.

Co-Captains Varsity Girls Track

Seniors - Varsity Track

Commencement Picture