Belated Thanksgiving

A slightly belated Thanksgiving Post because well . . . we were a bit under the weather after the big event.  The good news is that we are all feeling a ton better and having a jolly 'ol time. 

Dad and I ran the Long Grove Tukey Trot.  We had a lot of fun together.

I am thankful that Dad has passed on his love for running to me!

 We did a lot of cooking.  Tim & Pete roasted the turkey to perfection . . . I'm not even exagerating . . . Perfection.

I love freshly made cranberries.  Why do people eat canned cranberries when they can so easily make fresh? 

Addison thinks that Thanksgiving meal is a particularly good idea.

 One of my favorite pictures of the day of Lynn and Emily Ann.  Mom and I had been discussing how photogenic these ladies are - this is proof!!

 The stuffing came out great.  I used Grandma Nadeau's recipe.  Mmmm!  One of my favoriet foods. 

 Mom carved th e lamb shank. 

 Tim carved the turkey.

My plate:  Starting at 9'o'clock and moving clockwise:  Mashed Potatoes, Rootabaga, Cranberries, Stuffing, Lamb, Tukey, Crescent Rolls, Carrot Soufle, and 24 hour salad.  There were a billion desserts but I forgot to take pictures of those - so here is a picture of a beautiful pumpkin pie! 

 Alaina is a budding photographer and artist!  We spent much of the afternoon coloring while the football games donned the t.v.

 Later that evening Alaina played dressup!  Gotta love that belly.

Late in the afternoon I had the pleasure of baptizing/dedicating Addie Jane!  It was very special.  Later this week I will post the script for the service!!  Mom knitted her beautiful baptismal gown.  Look at how happy she was!  She loved it!!

And because I'm still a bit tired from the . . . um . . . sickness. . . I'm not going to put this in order.  Here are the Thanksgiving Chefs!

So many highlights from the day. 

Here is Poppy (Emily Ann's Grandpa). 

He told me some great stories about growing up in Indiana and then about his time in the war. 

What a treat!

A Thanksgiving feast of family and food

Adam and Isaac having a little fun outside

I think everyone enjoyed the feast....ad the leftovers.

Men.....bagging the Christmas

Upon close inspection, Adam gives the okay to the perfect tree. They took turns sawing it down. What a smile!!
Carrying out the prize....

Good job guys!!

Listen to Bob!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Ken & Carol's home! Bob, Linda and Grandma drove down from Ishpeming and we shared a delicious meal (thanks Carol!) and lots of visiting and yummy leftovers for everyone to take home!!! Adam went up early on Tuesday evening to get some extra time with Grandma & Grandpa. When we left Thursday evening we were a few miles down the road and Adam was a sad little boy -- he didn't want to leave! So we called Grandma Carol and turned around to drop him back off. We'll see him Sunday night : )

Something everyone and especially Bob was excited about is ...

The Ishpeming Hematites football team is playing in the State Championship football game on Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. Bob left on the bus to ride down so he can do the play-by-play and stats on the radio. If you'd like to hear Bob and the game he told me we can hear it at uplocalsports.com. We'll be tuning in!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Love, Joy

The Advantage

The advantage of driving 1mph through the city is that . . . I can take pictures of the skyline from the highway.

Day of Thanks

Wishing everyone a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'm thankful for all of my family. Sending LOVE to you all. Love, Debbie

Detroit Derby Girls

(Double click to enlarge)

On Saturday a bunch of friends went to see the season opener of the Detroit Derby Girls. They just moved from the Masonic Temple to Cobo Arena. It is a good old fashioned Roller Derby with a bit of a twist - Detroit themed team names (Motor City Disassembly Line, D-Funk, Devil's Night Dames, Grand Prix Madonnas, etc.), wacky athlete names (Ghetto Barbie, Cool Whip, Fatal Femme, and some a bit too racy to mention at this site), lower bowl seating which is affectionately referred to as "suicide seating" (strangely it costs a lot more to sit there), hysterical announcers, and well - the costumes - they are a trip - anything from fishnet stockings - skirts - spandex - and hotpants. This is a full contact sport that sports some fashion. Plastered on the costumes were the athlete's numbers which just plain 'ol cracked me up. My favorite was #O+. Others were #313, #24/7, #100%, and #911. Who comes up with this stuff? Hy-StEr-I-cAl!!

The night was filled with a ton of 'people watching' and trying to figure out the rules which were printed in the program. They are bit different - the rules and the people. The rules included things like:

8.4 - A Jammer pass, either initial or scoring, cannot be initiated by entering the pack from the front. If a Jammer who has exited the front of the engagement zone is then swallowed backward into the front engagement zone and/or pack, she returns to her previous pass (see ) until she again re-exits the front engagement zone. (See Section 8.6.4 for points scored before a Jammer returns to her previous pass.)
8.4.1 - If a Jammer is lapped by the pack and is swallowed back into the pack before she has begun her initial pass, that time she spends in the pack will not be considered her initial pass. Her forward engagement of the pack on her subsequent pass will be considered her initial pass.

All-in-all - it was fun - considering myself 'schooled' in Derby!

Oh - and I almost forgot, there was an impromptu visit/performance by the Detroit Marching Band.

Tree in the D

Week In Review

Monday's Mediteranean Feast

Friends came over to celebrate another year with me. We ate and ate and ate. Lemon Peppered Chicken, Spinach Pie, Meze Platter, Syrian Rice, Staffed Dates, Baklava, Pomagrantes, Cake, Greek Salad, and much Fun.

Tuesday's Two-In-A-Row

Tuesday I managed to double book myself, scheduling my alternating bible studies on the same Tuesday.  Nice.  So I met at Deedee's earlier to study Jonah.  It's kickin' my butt.  A quick drive home and I met the ladies of Genesis for our almost final week of our Church Wide Initiative Study "Portrait of a Disciple."   The ladies all brought me beautiful cards and for the second week in a row Michelle brought me FRESH eggs from the farm.  They are deliciously rich eggs.  I am thinking of photographing the eggs and using them for the art in my new kitchen.  The colors are perfect!! 

Wednesday's Whimsy

Wednesday was my birthday.  Carrie stopped into my classroom and announced my birthday to each of my classes - it was very sweet of her. I told my students that I was older than dirt.  They proceeded to guess my age . . . 24, 30, 52.  Fifty-two?!?!?!?  What kind of grade do you want in my class?   It was a pleasant day that ended with spinning class, meeting with my friend Luann, and going to Wednesday Night Bible Study and Fellowship.  I love Wednesday nights because it always ends with good friends and conversation.  I received a lovely book, several heart-felt cards, and many lovely calls and text messages.

Thursday's - That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles

It was work, work, work on Thursday.  My kids were fairly well-behaved and cooperative - even my not-so-easy-to-manage kids had a pretty good day working with nuclear reactions (alpha, beta, and gamma decay).  I showed them a video about the Radioactive Boyscout.  (A local man who got himself into a little bit o' trouble)  We thoroughly discussed the potential harm/effects of radiation in order to discourage them from getting any "wise" ideas!  They loved the clips.  Your'll love them too.

My Biology class finished their webquest and started making old fashioned "Flip Book" animations of cell division.  They then watched these two videos clips. 

That evening we had an open house for middle schoolers and their parents to see the school.  There are always a ton of parents and questions and kids and question and parents and kids and well . . . that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Friday's Fun

I rehearsed with James for Sunday's service after work.  I love to sing - to worship our Great God - and that is FUN for me :)

Weekend Plans

Clean up a bit, do some photo editing, lunch with Kim, take a long run, watch the derby girls at Cobo Center, grade papers, Sunday service & Community Summit at Genesis, and get things ready for Thanksgiving!  I can't wait!

Wedding fun!!!

This is Faith ready to go to the wedding, isn't she adorable.

Mom and Dad you guys look great!

I love these pictures of Tim and Pete

I love this picture but i couldn't get it to rotate.

Ryan you look smashing!!!!



Tim i have never seen you with a bigger smile on your face. Sarah you to must be a great match to put a smile on his face like that!!


Faith could have bowled all night!! LOL ( sorry couldn't get to rotate either)

What a blast bowling!!




Thank you Tim and Sarah for the wonderful family weekend! We had a great time!!

Crisp Cool U.P. Sky

but this i know

Today my Haitian (and facebook) friend posted this Press Release from UPS about Craig Arnold. I've heard a ton about the amazing work this gentleman has done in Haiti. I have a great respect for him even though I haven't ever met him. He used, is using, and will use his skills to make a massive difference in Haiti.  When no one else was able to get supplies in and out of Haiti he made a way.  People's lives were/are directly affected by his service. He embodies the idea of hero.

The video about Mr. Arnold is a great glimpse of where I was in Haiti - I recognize many of the buildings and the people.
UPS Executive Craig Arnold Returns to Haiti for Global Volunteer Month - UPS Pressroom

I can only hope and pray to do a fraction of what Craig Arnold has been able to accomplish - but this I know - I am meant to return again to Haiti to serve in the fashion that God calls me. Would you please pray with me that God would make clear when and how - the rest is just details.

You Look Beautiful

Oh oh - I found a new and exciting online photoediting application that is fully integrated with picasa.
I love what it did to this picture. I hate what it is going to do to my free time - can't help myself - I love to edit photos!
Mom and Dad - you look beautiful.

Two Cute :)

More happy memories

What a happy day this was!

Is is me, or are you getting younger, Emily???

Bro and sis

Sue and Paul

Too yummy to resist.....now we have to wear them off


Winter with Mom

A smiling trio

A beautiful ring for a beautiful bride

Same-age cousins....didn't they get married once???

It is hard photographing a moving target...the kids had lots of fun running around....