Thanksgiving 2009 at Koezes

Sarah, Andy, and Allie waiting for the amazing dinner!!

Ok, Sarah and I made the pies on Wednesday, there were two different types of crusts, I think that the majority liked Sarah's crust better than mine. That's okay! I made mine with butter and Sarah made her's with Crisco. Either way, we were really proud of our "made from scratch" pie crusts - and they both tasted great!!

Aunt Wilma and Allie checking out the sales that will be happening tomorrow! I am not a shopper that goes out the day after Thanksgiving!

Tim and Pam working on Thanksgiving dinner......

Pam mashing the potatoes! Thanks Koezes for a great dinner...looking forward to a great Christmas!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

A different kind of Thanksgiving this year. I have a new perspective on life. Since, I have been recovering from surgery this year, I was unable to spend Thanksgiving in Texas with Nate and Emily and their families, and my brother, Tim and Jalena because I had to stay close to home. I am very fortunate to have a sister, aunt, nieces, and others that I could enjoy Thanksgiving with this year. Of course every year we miss those who can't be with us because they live far away or that they are in their heavenly home. I keep thinking about the feast we will have when we all get to heaven. Above all I am very thankful for a God that loves me, watches over everyone in my family that live far away and time to plan on the next time we will see each other. The following song I learned when I was in elementary school and it has been in my head for the past few evenings while I try to go to sleep -

"Father, I thank you for this night and for the pleasant morning light,
For rest and food and loving care and all that makes the world so fair.
Help me to do the things I should, to be to others kind and good,
In all I do in work for play, to be more loving everyday" !

I pray that ALL the people I love had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Andy and Sarah are engaged!

My niece Sarah is engaged to Andy! I am very excited to have another wedding to look forward too!! Congratulations!!

Parting Shots

Went to take a picture of Elaina before I left and she was sleeping, but then......

Nate and Brooke got her up so they could say good bye as a family....

I don't do well at good-byes and this is the best picture of me while this is happening. I just don't look good when I am trying to smile while I am crying!! I love spending time with my kids and they are always so generous and hospitable while I am there. Why is saying good bye so hard to say when love them so much??

Hudson snapshots

I am saying "McQueen" grandma!!

I love to play with my daddy -- we like to wrestle, play football, race, and play cars! I think he is tickling me here, tho!

How can you not love this face?

Me and my mommy - she is so good to me and loves to play with me!!

Notice my big boy underwear!! This potty training is a trying process for me and my parents!!

Hudson goes to the library

So many books, I love books....I have to think about i!

I love it when my mommy reads to me!!

I have a lot of friends that meet up with at the library and our moms read to us, sometimes they talk to each other - I think it is a win/win library thing for both mommy and me!!

Even tho I don't read yet, I love to look at books and love it when my mom and dad read to me.

Elaina Snapshots

Elaina and her dad!

What a little peanut!!

Grandma, I am so sleepy!!

All ready to go out with the bow that my daddy bought me, I think he is getting use to all this pink!

Spending time with Emily and Ben

Emily and Ben made a great dinner - salmon, chicken, broccoli, and rice. I made some apple crisp -- we enjoyed spending the afternoon together, getting pedicures, doing a little shopping, ya know, all things girls like to do.

Ben and Emily joined us for dinner at the Holtvluwer a couple of nights also. I try to make some of their favorite things when I come to visit, so I made a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings - I enjoy cooking and baking for them when I am there!!

Hudson playing cars with Uncle Ben and Aunt Emily, there were a lot of crashes, but at least no one was hurt!!

The girls went out for lunch at a Tea Room where they live. It was a very quaint and cool place. I think that a place like this in GR would be a great venture !! We had a delicious lunch and it was fun just to catch up and take our time with lunch! Thanks girls!!

Hudson loves his baby sister

Hudson loves his baby sister, Elaina. He is very gentle with her, but I think she will probably grow up to be a tough little lady!!

Mommy, she is smiling at me!!

I think we can keep her! I love her mommy!!

Brooke is a great mom! She has two darling children and of course I can say that since I am their grandma! This household is getting busier and more fun by the day!! Thank you for letting me stay with you in Texas for a week!

The Holtvluwer Gang at the Pumpkin Patch

Hudson looking at pumpkins, wait....

there's a tractor, there is so much to see and my mom and dad want family pictures???

Ok, I'll pose with them quick with this wheelbarrow and then I'll go and pick out a pumpkin!

hmmm, I wonder which pumpkin Uncle Nick would pick? Don't you think my dad and I look cool with our orange pumpkin look alike shirts on? I want to look like my dad! He is a cool dad!!

My brother Tim visits Houston

Went to the pumpkin patch in Houston when Uncle Tim was here. Hudson is showing which pumpkin he would like. Hudson loves his Uncle Tim!

Tim gets to meet and hold Elaina....she is a precious little gift from God. She felt very safe in Uncle Tim's strong arms. So glad you could come to visit!!

Welcome Elaina!

The picture above was taken by my webcam a few days after Elaina was born - Nate and Brooke welcomed Elaina (Laney) on October 1. She is a beautiful addition to their family and I am very thankful for a beautiful new granddaughter!

Elaina at 2+weeks when I was able to get a better picture of her. I was able to head to Texas for a week to help them by doing some cooking, baking and some cleaning. Was also able to see Emily and Ben at the same time!

Beaching it with friends

On a beautiful day we went boating with friends Dan & Irene and Rick and Julie in Holland. We boated towards Saugatuck and transported our chairs, food, etc. to a beach along the way. We had a great time...even went swimming and enjoyed the great weather....

Julie, this picture is better than the other one I have of you!!

Dan and Irene

Julie and Rick

Checking out boats in the water....right??!!

Saying Goodbye to Friends at Healthier Communities

These are the beautiful roses that I received from my friends at work.....

I have worked in the same room with these great ladies for the past year and half. They were a pleasure to work with. They have taught me many things and they will always be a part of my life that I shall remember fondly. Julie and Jan have gone to the SH Business Service center to continue their jobs in registration. I will be moving on to a new position on the 3rd floor of the Seward building, working with the department called Physician Relations! We are all a little apprehensive about the change, but know that God is in control - and we will still be able to stay in touch with each other!

The support staff also had a time for coffee and cake for us on our last day...it was very good - a very bittersweet time.

We could get our posing down the first few times we tried for a picture - this is how we always were, always trying to keep life interesting. Love you girls!!

Happy Birthday Nate!!

Happy Birthday!! I remember very well the day you were born! Your dad was playing ball and I was anxious for him to get home so we could go to the hospital. Grandma Nola had already picked up Nick - so I was at home just waiting! Dad got home about 11:oopm and needed to grab some munchies for himself while I was in labor - also we didn't want to get to the hospital before midnight (so we didn't have to pay for that extra day). You were born about 4 hours after I got to the hospital, looking very much like your brother! I was very excited to have a brother for Nick and you were the perfect choice.
I am so thankful and proud of you! You are a wonderful dad and husband. I know you are looking forward to the birth of your baby girl, and Hudson will be a great big brother! I hope you have many more happy birthdays!!! I love you!!

Bethany and Jenny

I spent the day at the beach with Bethany and Jenny on a beautiful Saturday! We stopped at Subway to get some subs (of course) and headed out to my sister's cottage to grab some pop and spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach. We have been doing this yearly event for at least 7 years, and I think this is the nicest day we have ever had. We even went swimming!! I forgot to take a picture with my camera that day, so this picture is from last year. After spending the afternoon at the beach it was time to go home but not until we had our yearly ice cream cone together. It is hard to believe that Bethany is a senior and Jenny is starting high school this year. I always enjoy my day at the beach with these great girls!!