Fun in the Pool

The pool has been opened for about a week....and

it's warm enough now that we're enjoying it!!!!

Well, actually the kids and grand kids are enjoying it,

Grandma and Grandpa haven't ventured in yet!

Seth in his swimmies



Annabelle loved the pool !!!

Grandpa and Annie after she got out

Jason and Seth

Inside after swim time...I caught Isaac with his eyes closed....then

with his eyes "very" wide open

Jason and Emily just before going home

Mike and Sarah's girls....Abigail, Esther, Sylvia
What a fun time everybody had......we are looking forward to many more

pool times this summer!!! to see us last year at this time click here:

http://kenandjudynichols.blogspot.com/2007/06/swimming-in-pool.html June 15

http://kenandjudynichols.blogspot.com/2007/06/fathers-day-weekend-lots-of-fun.html

June 20

Joel's Special Olympic Baseball Games

Way to go Joel!!!! A double header....and two wins!!!!! YAY!

Area 32 (Joel's team) played Traverse City Area2

Game 1 13-8 Game 2 11-8

The weather was warm and sunny, the kids were excited, and the sportsmanship was great!!! Joel played outfield, third base, and pitched.

Joel batted 1000 and his last up to bat was a triple!

He had lots of support today from family and church friends! We're proud of you Joel.......keep up the good work!

Joel on first base
Don Wilson and Joel.....thank you Don for taking the
time to support your "buddy"!!

Annabelle chiming in on all the cheers

Nephews Seth and Isaac watching the game

Pastor Bart, Debbie, Ethan, me, Annabelle, and Emily's fingers

"Grandpa Don" with Ethan

"Grandpa Kenny" with Annabelle

Annie, me, and Ethan

(yeah......I know....dorky socks!!!!)

But I love my wrap around sun glasses!!

Visit to Onekama

On Thursday I went to my hometown of Onekama to visit my parents and a best friend from high school who I hadn't seen in 15 years. What a great time we had!! It's amazing how good friends can pick up where we left off.........and after a friendship of over 50 years we still feel that strong bond like sisters. Toni and I graduated in 1973....but went to school together since elementary. Our parents were always good friends too....so that made this reunion eve more special as we got together for lunch at Toni's parents house. Toni's sister Nikki was also there as were Toni's daughter Kayla and grand daughter Phoenix. We visited and reminisced about old times......enjoyed watching little Phoenix(2 years old) warm up to the company....and I was drawn back to my growing up years just by being in their house again. One of the first things I wanted to see when I got their was the room we used to play piano in and sing....and then Toni's room where we used to have our sleepovers!!

When Toni and I were Seniors, just before graduation, we went to Lake Michigan for a little "sun-tanning". Well....Toni had beautiful olive tone skin and tanned like a beauty......and I with my fair skin turned more like a red tomato and burned!!

I can remember walking the aisle at our commencement quite uncomfortable under my light blue gown.....due to the beach excursion! Toni however....looked radiant with her deep brown tone next to the baby blue gown!!! NOW.......I am a committed user of sun screen!!

Kayla, Eleanor, Devere, Nikki

Phoenix and Toni

Before going to Toni's parents house I was able to spend some precious time with my parents. They had just recently returned to Onekama from being at my sister Linda's house for several weeks while Mom received radiation treatments at the Alma clinic for her cancer. We visited over a cup of coffee and toast while we watched the many beautiful birds flit to and from the bird feeders. In the distance from the view of their dining room window was Portage Lake......a serene sight that brings back many fond memories. Then we retreated to the living room where I was pampered by my mom putting lotion on my thick skin.....something my husband does for me daily.....but it was a treat having my mom do that......taking me back to the "I feel like a little girl again" stage!! thank you mom!!

Phoenix and Toni

Phoenix and Kayla

Phoenix and I at the organ.....lots of little kids songs...with 2 fingers!

The day was delightful......and when I arrived home...I was pooped(not literally)...just tired...you know what I mean! As I reflect on the day and the blessings from it......I am happy and content!!!! and can't wait to visit again!

Some thoughts from Father's Day.........

Every year for Father's day for the past 26 years I have come up with creative, unique gifts for Ken on his special day......this 27th father's day was different.
According to statistics, this year wives spent an average of $94.00 on their husbands buying gifts like clothes, golf outings, books, grills, bibles, gift cards, recliners, hammocks, tools, photo collages, barbecue supplies... etc. etc.
So here I am.....year 27.....spending zero dollars.....feeling horrible.....and not being able to let it go, until today.....three days after the event.


Basically due to circumstances...we are cutting back on splurges that we used to make........and that has been a big life change. Yet today, in my quiet time with God, I had a peace come over my heart that took that "feeling horrible" mood away. When Ken and I were married almost thirty years ago.....in our vows we promised to love each other......"for richer for poorer", "in sickness or in health". These past months have been a true test of those vows.

I have come to realize that it is not the gift giving that defines our love and commitment to one another....rather, it is a deeper relationship of being one in Christ, serving Him together , raising godly kids, and loving each other unconditionally. That's what truly matters!
The joy we shared by spending this day relaxing together, enjoying good food, playing outside, and even "quad bogging" was engraved on my heart forever.

Oh.......Ken also wanted me to let you know this about our vows. when it came to my portion of the vows I said "I will not let the enthusiasm for my outside activities interfere with the growth of our marriage". (yes people chuckled!!!) And.......next year he would love a Home Depot card!!!!!

"Thank you dear Lord for my husband Ken, for our children, and for our marriage.

Thank you for fathers and their loving influences on their children and their grand children.

Thank you for leading and directing in their lives to better serve you

and advance your kingdom here on earth.

Thank you for your ultimate gift which is freely given to all of us.....

salvation in Jesus......our savior!"

Father's Day Fun!!!!!

Happy Father's Day to Ken!!!!!You are an incredible man with a generous heart and you have more love for me than I could ever imagine!!! Your role as a father and husband has always gone above and beyond what your sons and I have ever imagined!! Thank you for the godly role model you have given Jason, Kurt, and Joel, and now to your daughter-in-laws and grandchildren........thank you for always putting family first above your own interests......and for building a strong sense of commitment in our family and in our marriage!!! Oh......and also thank you for the amazing dinner today!! Your ribs are the best ever...............now you just have to write the recipe out!!!!

Happy father's day also to our son Kurt....and my dad Dale!!

Hope your days were relaxing and filled with joy!

Here are a bunch of pics from this special day......

Jason in his "Joe Fix-it" father's day shirt.

Jason and Annabelle relaxing on the grass
just before lunch.



Ken's famous ribs.....before and after!


Thank you Emily for helping prepare the food,

the delicious dessert, and the clean up! Ken really

appreciated all your help! (and me too!!!!)




After dinner Jason and Joel did some serious quad bogging!!


Basically.......let's see who can get the muddiest!!!

Jason got Joel pretty good! Now it's Joel's turn!

Jason tried smooching up to Emily when he was done...

but Emily wasn't so sure about getting this close to a muddy man!

We went outside again after lunch....Jason was calling

out Annabelle's name and she was looking around for

where it was coming from....

She looked up................

and there's Daddy in a tree!!!

Or is that Zaccheus?

waiting patiently for our "second dessert"

Ice cream in a waffle cone......yummmmmm

Ken and I after our cones

We ended our day with a small bonfire in our favorite camping

spot on the back of our property.....just the two of us

Ken's getting a good supply of firewood for our camping

weekend with our family in July
Below are some parting shots of my favorite spots

that I like to spend time at when we are out back!

If you could only hear the birds.....these pictures would be complete.

A beautiful ending to a wonderful Father's day......

Ken took these pictures from the deck of our pool.