Happy 4th of July!!!

It's been a while!!

On June 11 I participated in a paint out at Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek.  It was the first time they had hosted such an event and did it very nicely.  We painted all day with a nice lunch provided then met for a reception.  Unfortunately the weather turned ugly and the tornado sirens and warnings went off just as we were getting started.  After hurrying to take the paintings down we spent the next 45 minutes in a cellar waiting for the all clear.  Crazy end to a nice day.  Below you can see me working in oil.

 I keep forgetting to fix this umbrella!!!

Next, we went to Crown Point to celebrate Paige's graduation with a great party.  Lots of friends and relatives showed up to honor Paige for her achievements and then Karen too, who graduated from IU, got a job teaching 6th grade science and English in CP, and is turning 40 too.  Lots of happy hugs, delicious cupcakes (200) and smiles all weekend.

The T-shirt quilt was a hit and highlighted all Paige's many interests and accomplishments over her school years.

 

Paige and Thomas announced their engagement on Memorial Day.  He is in the Air Force and a fine young man.  A July wedding is planned for next year!!! Meantime she will attend IU and transfer when she moves to Georgia next summer!!  No dust collects under this young lady's feet!! 

 

 

This means next summer we will have the shower, wedding, Alli's graduation and election year all rolled into a few months!!  Yikes!!

 

 

Next we had a visit from a grade school classmate and dear friend Karen Wellington Bennett, who travels the country with her husband Rick in their 5th wheel home.  They are currently visiting Michigan lighthouses and stopped a week near by to see us.  We had a great visit catching up and talked like we had seen each other yesterday.  Such fun to have Karen back in my life.  (We kept in touch when she moved in "58 but lost touch for about 20 yrs. in the middle.  I kept googling her name and found her again!!!)  We were so busy talking this time we forgot to take any photos!!!

 

 

And this past week has been busy with the boys.  My son in law came down with a fever etc after visiting NY for a conference.  As it got worse not better the doc sent him to the hospital where Kris stayed with him and I kept the boys and Ranger.  Despite lots of tests, all negative, they never really found the cause of his illness but antibiotics seem to be helping and he was able to come home yesterday.  Still ill, but hopefully recovering.

 

 

So missing Jeff, we had the big family birthday party here at the lake with all the family except him.  The kids had a blast swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and eating!!!  Crazy day and we were pooped at the end.

 

 

Today friends are coming for a picnic by the water and perhaps we'll stay awake long enough to watch the fireworks around the lake.  It's very pretty and ends a great day.  The weather here is finally perfect for the lake and we intend to enjoy it!!!  Hope your holiday is as fine!!!