Dad and Dolly's visit to Georgia, Quick Trip to TN

Dad and Dolly came down to visit during September.  We LOVE when family visits!  Dad was VERY sick in the hospital before they came down, so they were really unsure if Dad would even be able to make the trip.  After a few days in the hospital, Dad was pretty weak.  They were able to make the trip down, fortunately, and EVEN BETTER, Dad’s hospital stay was more for observation, than anything.  While in the hospital, they did start him on an insulin regimen, to better manage his sugar level.  He was diagnosed some time ago, but was able to control it without insulin.  The nurse assured him he would probably feel much better if he was able to control it more with insulin.  It sounds like she was right, as he seemed to start feeling better. 

When they came down, we didn’t want to overdo it with Dad, but wanted him to be able to set the pace for what he thought he might be able to do.  (Even a strong guy like my Dad can get weak if sequestered to a hospital bed for 4 days!)  We were initially thinking of driving across to Asheville, but decided against it.  Instead, we hung out in Atlanta and saw some sights.  It was still pretty hot outside, but we did manage to head over to an art festival in the Marietta Square, went to a very cool festival in the Newnan area (the oldest running festival in the Southeast, supposedly) to Cook’s Warehouse (where I bought a pasta machine! J).  We also all headed up to Donald and Anita Prince’s house for the following weekend, where we relaxed with them and headed-out on the town for a bit.  We said our “goodbyes” to Dad and Dolly at Aunt Anita’s, where Dad and Dolly headed back to Michigan and we headed south to Atlanta.

It was a fun, family-filled time! 

We miss you already, Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly!

Peace, love and memories made,

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam



Grandma Dolly reading Liam's favorite book:  Good Night, Moon.

 He finds new and inventive ways to hurt himself.  Can you tell?

 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Howell

We went to my second cousin Tiffany's wedding during the month of May.  It was a beautiful wedding!

Although she is actually my Dad's cousin (my Dad's Dad's sister's daughter), she is only a year older than I am.  Because we are so close in age, I grew up with her more like a cousin than "second cousin".  We were part of the same youth group at Royal Oak Church of Christ, part of Lads to Leaders together, went to Freed-Hardeman one summer for their Horizons youth camp, were in the Metro Detroit Youth Chorus together, packing partners on tour together, had many a sleep-over together, were fellow NKOTB fans (wait, did I just admit that?), and also attended Fraser High School together.  She was nice enough to DRIVE me to school for the card-marking I attended that school - the first of my junior year - before moving to Rochester / Rochester High School.  She is a sweetheart. 

After high school, she went to Lipscomb and I went to Harding.  We both kind of went our separate ways, so I haven't been as close to her (geographically or otherwise) as I would like.  I definitely wanted to be sure to attend her wedding.  It was beautiful.  She had GORGEOUS(!) shoes and dress.  She was beaming.  She picked a pretty light-green color for her bridesmaids.  Her sister-in-laws were two of her bridesmaids, along with her two sister-in-laws to-be and her best friend. 

Doug stayed out in the lobby with Liam while Ava and I watched the ceremony. 

I got a complete "money shot" of her, as she and her new husband were announced as man and wife to the wedding attendees.  Super cute.

The reception was at a nice hall in Columbia, Tennessee.  They had some fun dancing (Ava boogied) and even had FAYGO POP in bottles!  Very cool.  My cousin Chris (my Dad's Dad's youngest sister's son), with whom I actually attended high school at Lincoln (and is only a few months older than me) helped cater Tiffany's wedding reception.  It was well-organized with yummy food.  Aunt Anita looked like she was floating on a cloud all day, she was so happy.  I know Tiffany's Daddy couldn't have been more proud.

Wishing Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Howell a lifetime of happiness together.

Peace, love and wedded bliss,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam