Building a Blind

What does a city girl know about building a hunting blind? Nothing really. On my first couple of trips up North with Jerome I would see the structures out in fields and thought, "how bizzare to have an outhouse way out in a field, but maybe that's how they do things here in the midwest". I was quickly corrected when I spent part of one trip huddled up in such an "outhouse" waiting to see some game. These structures were Hunting Blinds. Men and women spend days in these enclosed spaces waiting for the Big Buck to arrive. Jerome and I thankfully spent our time in one that doesn't leave the ground. His own personal blind is contructed up in the air. Logen, Jerome, Andrew and his brother Gene have helped to construct this new blind of his. Andrew and Jerome spent this past weekend putting a roof on it and shingling it. My poor Andrew is afraid of heights but mastered his fear for the day to join Jerome about 3 stories up. They say the view is spectacular, say a couple of deer that day and heard some cayotes. I tried to climb to see what the fuss was about, but Andrew's fear of heights he inherited from me and I promptly got stuck on the ladder leading up. Jerome says he will secure the structure and put on better stairs/ ladder leading up and assures me that I will be able to join him up in the high rise this fall/winter.

Swearing In

Logen is here in the back,
all of the cadets are standing at attention


The Fifth Third Ball Park


Logen took the big step of Swearing In as an AirForce candidate when he was 17 in Lansing, MI. It was after a full day of testing and we his parents and family were unable to attend. The AirForce had a public ceremony recently in July at the Fifth Third Ball Park www.whitecaps-baseball.com that afforded us the opportunity to watch our children take their vow to the country with which they are now sworn to defend. I was very proud once again at my son's stamina to attain his goal. The AirForce has been a dream since he was in 4th grade, promising a jet ride to his teacher Mrs. Otten when he recieves his pilot's license. It's unknown if he'll get that license while in the AirForce or a civilian, but I ran into Mrs. Otten last month and she assured me she remembered her promise to Logen all those years ago, same as he has. Logen leaves Sept. 4th for basic training in Texas and stays there for his tech school, but we do not know where he will be permately stationed at yet. I do know that I will miss him immensely!!

Summer Time at the Pool

What's a mom to do with summer heat beating down on her and her brood? Hit the local pool. Located not too far from our new home, the kids and I re-visited the pool that I started to take the kids years ago when Logen-whose now 18- was Kami's age (12yr). The pool hasn't changed, but the children have. On this occassion only Andrew, Kami and Jordan accompainied me. The temps outside hovered near 90* and dry so it was PERFECT. We arrived when the pool opened so no long wait to get in and the crowds hadn't assembled yet. We spent a good 3 hours there and went back later in the week for more summer time fun. Jordan went off the diving board for the first time. He seems a bit hesitant in the pics, but finally takes the big plunge. The pool boasts two diving boards, 2 swim laps, a deep end for jumpin in, large body slide, mushroom fountain and 0-inch depth entrance. This is a definate destination when my sister Steph and her own brood come to visit in Aug. Bring your swimsuits and sunscreen!!

Jordan takes the plunge!!


The local pool's water slide.
Kami and Jordan each take a turn.

Wheeeee...here they come!!!




Kami enjoys her time off the diving board.
More like a jumping board.

This is a giant mushroom waterfall and two small slides for the children.. Iam not sure that the gentleman is aware of the age limit.

Garden Goodness

For my garden entry this year muskmelon,(or cantelope for those who don't know what muskmelon is ~ I didn't :) ), peppers and tomatoes made the pick. This plot was filled with weeds, overgrown gladiolas and hausta's. I started out with mere seeds and have watched in amazment as they have grown and grown. Jerome says all of the blossoms will be melons. I think there are hundreds, but he assures me they're not that many, but alot of friends at work are going to enjoy from our bounty.




Next up are peppers and tomatos. This little plot was also run over by weeds. It sits smack dab in the middle of our front yard about half way between the house and the road. We had a little starter help with these beauties. 2 different kind of tomatos are grown and 3 different kind of peppers. We are excited about harvesting these products of the soil. Being a city slicker all of my life, I love the idea of having my own garden, to plant good food to feed my family well. Potatos, beans, peas, as well as cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, peppers etc is a dream that we keep alive. We need to determine the best advantage point on the property for such a dream to become a reality. It's hard when you live on a hill, but where there is a will, there is a gracious and loving husband to help see my dream into a reality. :)

Home from War~safe and sound

Jake in Afghanistan

Afghanistan Countryside

Jacob, Christina and Jayden

Jayden and JaJa

Jerome's son Jacob has spent the past 16months over in Afghanistan. He is finally on American soil after his tour has finished. He and Christina were married 2 years ago when he was on leave and both looked forward to his return. He is still stationed in New York until his enlistment is over. Christina resides in Grand Rapids, MI and attends the Community College studying Radiology. Jacob came home June 10th 2007. We are VERY happy to have him back with us and look forward to spending time with him, Christina and his son Jayden.

Forth of July

4th of July found us downtown on the Rivers edge enjoying the fireworks. http://www.grfireworks.org/ Unfortunately there was a HUGE tree in our view. We arrived early enough. Andrew went off to find his friend and ended up with the best seat across the river from us. Jerome and Jordan passed the time playing catch and Kami spent time with Logen and his girlfriend Nicole. She is a co-worker of Logen's, very sweet and he's quite smitten with her!



Jerome and Jordan enjoy catch



Kami and Jordan enjoying the evening

Other blogs that might be interesting

Hello all, I am going to include some other links of blogs that might be interesting to view~Enjoy

http://woertmanfamily.blogspot.com/ Freddy and Candy Woertman's family

http://piggsinva.blogspot.com/ Chuck and Steph Pigg's family

http://www.servenclan.com/ Marcus and Cheryl Serven's family

BAD to the BONE

GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS

MUSKEGON SUMMER CELEBRATION~2007

George Thorogood & the Destroyers

Jerome and I spent the begining of July at the Muskegon Summer Celebration (http://www.summercelebration.com/ watching one of our favorite performers ~ George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Niether of us had been to the Celebration before and were excited to attend. We secured front row reserved seating which was nice because we didn't have to bring in chairs, but next year we will do general admission to get the closer seating. We have seen him previously at a H.O.G. rally in 2005. http://www.michiganhogrendezvous.com/