Wine tasting party

Last night Pam and Tim hosted a wine tasting party! It was great! Many things were learned -- how to take the time to smell the wine, swirl the wine in the glass, how to hold the wine glass (it is different for white wine than it is for red wine), etc. We tasted four white wines, rated them on how we liked them, and then the different wines were revealed as to where you could purchase them and how much they cost. Then we had a variety of appetizers. Then we sampled four different red wines....I think everyone liked the white wines the best, but we learned a lot! After tasting the red wines were were treated to some great desserts and coffee!! My sister is very knowledgeable with wines and she did a great job! I didn't get even get a picture of her...but she is really amazing. If you every want to have any info on what wine to serve with your favorite dinner, or just general information -- she is definitely the person you want to talk to. Thanks Pam and Tim for a great party!!!

Linda and Tom really enjoying the evening!!
Jan and Dave - friends who love wine!!

After everyone got their reading glasses, we were ready to judge the wines for smell, aroma, balance, etc. then we recorded which wines we liked the best or worst.....

Wes and Ruth trying to decide how to rate wine #1

Randy and Pat liked the white wines the best!

Tim serving the wine in brown paper bags (he said that is how some of his customers drink their wine!!)

Dawn swirling her wine and trying to decide how to rate this one?!

Amy is sure she likes the white wines the best....they even smelled better!!

Amy's husband, Greg, liked the white wine better also.

Ruth was full of questions, she never had to work so hard on a Saturday night!!

Thanks Pam and Tim for a great party!!!

Saying Goodbye to Megan and Bob

A couple of Sundays ago, we had a farewell party for Megan and Bob - they are moving to Portland, Oregon.......it's great to be young and to go on an adventure! The party was nice (as all of Pam's parties are).....below are a few pictures of the evening....

Sarah, Allie, and Megan - Sisters!
The Koeze family

Bob and Megan......

Bob's family made a scavenger hunt for him and Megan......

The last clue led them to their car, where they found a GPS system to get them to Portland without too many missed exits.

The Strengs and Koezes talking about their recent Alaska trip and of course how much they are going to miss Bob and Megan......

Cindy and Bob, and of course Grandma Char were there!

Allie, Andy and Sarah - eating at the booth!!

As always, lots of good food for a bittersweet send-off....

We wish you all of God's blessings and safe travel. We will definitely miss you guys at Thanksgiving and Christmas! Keep in touch!! I love you!!

Calvin Christian Alumni Party

A few weeks ago, a group of graduates had a get together at Carol's house. It was a cool and wet evening, so we were unable to do a fire outside as we usually do, so we spent the night - eating, catching up, talking and laughing. There were a few regulars that weren't there, we missed you, hope you can make the next party!!

Ken and Jim
Rog - made some great spring rolls!!

Carol and Cindy..................

Julie and Rick.............

Cindy and John......so glad you are feeling better!!

Roger and Carol...........

Cindy and LouAnn......always laughing!!

Irene and Jim.....

Sorry, I missed pictures of Evie, Carole, and some of the spouses...can't wait until our next party!!!

Dirty Dancing - Chicago

Julie, Irene, and I went to see the play, Dirty Dancing - it was great........the theater was
amazing with chandeliers, paintings, etc.

We were on the third level....our seats were still great...........the sets were great, they showed everything the movie did, even the lake (water) scenes, the log where they practiced dancing. The girl who played Baby, looked just like her and played her part really well. The guy who played Johnny, did well, but there will only be one Patrick Swayze!!! The music was amazing! We had a really great time!!!

It was hard to get a picture with Johnny and Baby.....the crowd was huge.

The audience clapped and went crazy when Johnny said, "Nobody puts Baby in a Corner..." That was kinda our theme for the rest of the weekend! I wonder where our next adventure will take us girls!!!????

Chicago with Irene and Julie

Waiting for the elevator........we were on the 16th floor!
Julie holding up our hotel, while Irene looks on...

John Hancock Building....the weather was beautiful!!

The Chicago Skyline..........

Trying to figure out where to go.........

Dinner at Erins

Last weekend Jan, Beth and I were treated for a very special dinner at Jan's daughter, Erin's house. Erin gave her mom a dinner for Jan's birthday and Jan could ask 3 friends to join her. She picked Wendy, Beth and I. Wendy couldn't make it......we had appetizers with wine, followed by yummy lasgane, tossed salad, and garlic bread!!

Beth, Jan and I .....
Thanks Erin! It was great!
After dinner, us girls played a few games of dominos.....and ended the night with Jan's favorite marble birthday cake!! Thanks Jan for including us for your birthday celebration!

Color Tour up North

Last weekend, we took a color tour up to Ludington and Traverse City...taking the back roads up north, we stopped at a few colorful sights to take a few pictures.....

Rogers Dam....on the Muskegon River...
Ludington State Park.......
where this deer was by the side of the road.....the trees were beautiful, autumn is here in Michigan.

Fall fun with Dave and Jan

Saturday afternoon we went on a bike ride with Dave and Jan. We were going to go 24 miles, but we settled for a 14 mile ride.....while riding we took a call from Nate.... It was a cool, crisp fall day, the colors are changing and the trail was not very hilly, which was great....
We stopped in Conklin, hoping to get a cup of coffee or something warm, but the only thing that was open was the local Irish bar...so we ended up having burgers and beer instead, oh well, ya gotta support the local ecomony.
Next to the bar was the Conklin chapter of Hell's Angels, so we think we could give them some competition, so we parked our "bikes" and tried to look tough...
Thanks Dave and Jan....it was a great afternoon.....Dave and I got our cameras out and took a few pictures -- they are posted below!