Too Much Rain

8-6-17

We started out with a really wet August. On August 6th, it started raining about 10 am and rained all day, sometimes it was a real downpour with thunder and lightning.

See it pouring out of the rain gutter in the top picture?

The top picture is down the street in Shoemaker's field.  The middle picture is the trees between our driveway and Anderson's, huge puddle there.  The bottom picture is the parking lot by McDonalds and Ridleys. (I did not take this picture, I found it on Facebook.) Definitely a lot of water in just a few hours!

This is my parents house, the rain gutter had a leak and allowed the water to drip into the window well and leaked into their basement.  Blake got it fixed the next day, so it won't leak like that again.  We have had more rain during the rest of August, over 3 1/2 inches, the average is about 1/2 inch for the month.

Terry

Blake's brother, Terry passed away on Tuesday August 5th after fighting a battle with lung and bone cancer.  He was 63 years old.  He fought a great battle, the cancer was mostly gone for awhile, and he had some good days where he could work, but the Lord saw fit to bring him home when the cancer returned to his bones, so he didn't have to suffer all over again with it.

Cindy took this picture of Terry in May 2013. It speaks volumes. Terry was a big tough guy on the outside, and soft on the inside.  

He was a great example to all of us. He was my Sunday School teacher when I was in High School, and probably the best Sunday School teacher I ever had. He had a very funny personality, and loved to tell stories.  Blake was able to spend time with him quite often this winter  when he was too sick to go out.  He also drove him around several times when he was in too much pain to drive. 

We will miss you, Terry. We will try to continue to follow your good example and work hard.

Dr. James summer party

August 2, 2014

Dr. Michael James had a summer staff party at his cabin in Island Park. I wish I would have got a picture of the cabin, it is beautiful and so different in the summer than in the winter.

Blake helped to take the jet skis to the dock with this 4 wheeler. We are all settled in watching the people out on the water.

Jared, Nikelle, Randy, Courtney and Ashely (Courtney's friend) along with Mike Adam's family went out on the 2nd run in the boat.  Courtney, Ashely, Nikelle and one of Mike's sons got on the tubes. The tubes got tipped, and somehow Courtney hurt her foot.  She sat on the dock using the cold water for ice.  

On the third trip out, Blake and I joined Jared and Nikelle and Michelle's family and some of Mike's kids.  It's a very nice boat, and Dr. James is a great driver. The lake was beautiful.

Jared and Nikelle went for a ride on the tube, because Dr. James promised he'd just drive slow and straight back to the dock.

Randy and Jared took the jet ski out for a little spin.

It was a very nice party, good food and fun on the lake.  Courtney's foot was not broken, but bruised very badly.  Thanks, Dr. James for the fun party and looking at Courtney's foot on Monday.

Floating Macks River

July 19, 2014

We took a little trip to Island Park to float down the Macks River.  We ended up renting a flat bottom boat and a canoe.  Jared and Nikelle were in the canoe, Nikelle got pretty good at rowing, even though she didn't think she could do it.

The bus ride up to the launch was very interesting, filled with interesting people and a rubber raft.

Sometimes it got shallow, this time Jared had to get out and pull the canoe to deeper water. Jared and Nikelle caught up so Courtney could hold onto the canoe and they got a free ride.

Now we need to be pulled to deeper waters.

It was a beautiful day to be on the river.

Randy needed a little rest.

From Cindy's to Brian's to be the Grandma Nanny

July 7- July 15, 2014

Early in the morning on Monday, July 7th, Cindy and I took Blake to the airport in Grand Rapids so he could fly home. Then, she and I headed for Brian and Celia's house.  Celia was going to girls camp on Tuesday for 5 days and I was going to be the nanny, or Grandma! Cindy stayed with us until Wednesday.

On Tuesday, we decided to go to the Erie Zoo.  It was a fun zoo, the kids liked playing on some of the fun things, we went on a little train ride around the zoo.  Unfortunately, we only saw about 1/3 of the animals because it started to rain. 

We had taken a picnic and had planned to eat at the park by the zoo, but the rain changed that idea. We explained to Maden that we had to change our plan, we decided to go home and eat our picnic on the living room floor. As we headed down the road, Cindy asked if we should go to Chic-fil-A? Maden thought that would be ok, then they could play on the toy there.  Well, when we got there, it was still raining too hard, so we changed our plan again and went through the drivethru and brought it home and ate on the living room floor.  We learned that day that you have to be a little flexible with your plans.  I was sure glad that Cindy was driving in the downpour!

After Cindy left on Wednesday, we were "carless" while Brian was at school. I was glad that Cindy had helped me plan some activities to help keep the kids busy.  Maden started calling them "Grandma Activities".  They made things with toothpicks and grapes, and played a game with numbered paper plates and beanbags.  Annie loves to grab your phone and try to take a picture, she's pretty good with selfies.

On Thursday, our Grandma Activities included making snow in the summer with cornstarch and shaving cream, and a treasure hunt outside.

Friday, they painted a card to find a secret message. Maden made up a game outside using pots that he numbered and the bean bags. We also went down by the creek and played in the sand.  I had avoided the creek before then, because it had become a river with all the rain.

The last activity was smashing some rocks I had bought at the Grand Canyon to see what was inside them.  It looked like diamonds inside.  Maden had fun seeing if he could smash other rocks too.

We went outside for wagon and tricycle rides. Annie is such a little copy cat, she does everything  you do, puts her hands on her hips when you do, bends down like I was when I was trying to get an eye level picture.  Maden did some piano lessons so he could earn media time.  They were always glad when Brian came home, to have some Daddy time.

We went to the basement and played in the sandbox and with the trucks.

Saturday morning, we drove to girls camp to help Celia load up all her gear. I don't have a picture of Maden at camp, because he went off with his favorite Beehives. 

Annie is at the age that she loves to have her picture taken. She poses real cute, Maden on the other hand, kind of avoids getting his picture taken.  Annie thought she was really clever to sit at the "school" desk with Maden's notebook and pencil. They thought it was great to ride Brian's horsey legs.  Saturday night, Brian and Celia went on a little date and Maden wanted to wait up for them.  While we were waiting, we saw about a million fireflies! We went outside and caught two!

On Monday, Celia took us down to the Beach on Presque Isle. It was an overcast day, but nice and warm. Maden had to show me his muscles cause he was wearing his "muscle" shirt. It was a very nice day at the beach.

Annie is modelling the dress my friend Katie made for her, isn't she just a doll? Maden wanted the "pit" put together in case Annie needed to be caged up, looks like he wanted to be caged up.  What big eyes you have, Annie.  The top right, Annie and Maden are enjoying a yummy ice cream treat. The middle right picture is of the morning I left, Maden is getting one last time with the IPad, and Annie is supervising. The bottom right is how sad Annie was when she realized I was not getting back in the car at the airport. Just about broke my heart when Celia sent that picture as I was finishing up with security.  I had a great time being the Grandma nanny, I'll do it again any time! 

Quick trip to see the Mantei's

July 2 - 7, 2014

Blake does not have much time off work this year, and knew he would not be able to go to the Chambers Reunion, so he would not see Cindy and her family.  We got to thinking that since he would have July 4th off, he might be able to swing a trip to Michigan.  So, we flew out of Idaho Falls on July 2nd and arrived in South Bend, Indiana in time to see Cindy for a few minutes on her birthday.  We packed a lot of fun into those few days, of course including a dinner at Silver Beach Pizza. Here are some pictures of some of the fun.

Stormy always gets way excited when Blake comes to visit, and the cats always seem to find a time to jump up on him.  We thought it was funny how Cindy puts Stormy to bed.

Cindy and Sydney took us to Stover U-Pick farm to pick some red and black raspberries, blueberries and cherries.  We also went to their little market and bought some yummy cherry butter, about 3 different kinds of salsa and a blueberry pie.  We enjoyed the fruits of our labors the whole time we were there.

Cindy and I in our 4th of July attire, actually any day is a superman day for Cindy.

While we were waiting for our turn at the Sagautuck Dune Rides, we went to a flea market, it turned into a perfect place to take some pictures.  Syd is so cute and loves to pose for pictures, I love spending time with her.  I think the picture of the three of them all looking down is funny, it looks like maybe they don't trust the bench.  

Here we are on the Sagautuck Dune Ride.  I didn't get to go on it last summer because Annie was too young, so I stayed with her.  It was really fun, I liked it a lot.  We went really fast up and down the dunes and stopped and looked out over the lake. 

Blake found some antique farm equipment at the flea market.  Cindy and I got silly eating cherries out on her swing.

We found three frogs in the window well, Syd was very entertained with them, actually we all were.  She named them Alexander, Bay and Neal.

Cindy and Blake were able to play some good tennis. Ken came and played one day after he finished a workout on the track. I was a great spectator and picture taker.

We went fishing a couple of different times in different places, but did not catch any fish. Some people had built a fire and then left it burning.  Ken pushed the larger pieces of logs into the river, then Cindy and Blake used a plastic garbage bag to finish putting it out.

We went for a walk at Silver Beach down the pier. It was very windy, but fun to be out on the pier closer to the lighthouses.

Thanks Cindy, Ken and Sydney for the fun time!

Chambers Reunion 2014

June 16-22, 2014
St. George, Utah - North Rim, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Suzanne was in charge of the reunion this time, she found a house in St. George that was perfect.  The Purcell's were kind of scarce at this reunion.  Cindy, Ken and Sydney came and they thought that Courtney and I were going to be the only other Purcells, but a week before, Randy decided he could make it, so we decided to surprise the Mantei's. 

Randy, Courtney and I left Blackfoot about 7:30 am on Monday, June 16th. We stopped for lunch in Orem, then made our way to St. George.  I had a nice place to put my legs up in the car.  This is the living room/kitchen/dining room of the house in St. George.  I got to meet Michael Cook, Michelle and Adam's little boy for the first time.

On Tuesday, the 17th those of us that were in St. George loaded up and drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We were so surprised to see buffalo and go through mountains and trees on our way there. This is where we met up with Cindy's family and surprised her with Randy being there.  It was very windy as you can see by my mom's hair! Some of the family went on a little hike down the canyon a little ways.

We stayed in these little cabins Tuesday night.  They were very rustic, and small, but kind of fun.  Some of us watched the sunset over the canyon.  It was very pretty.

There was a beautiful lodge where those that weren't hiking waited.  Courtney tried out the top bunk, but things changed with some of the sleeping arrangements so she ended up in a queen bed with Randy instead.  The winds died down by Wednesday morning.  The canyon was amazing. 

Later Wednesday morning, we headed back to St. George. Everyone loved the pool, and basking in the sun.

There was a separate building that had a basketball court and other games.  There was a huge back yard with a trampoline and fire pit. Of course, there was a lot of basketball played, and ultimate Frisbee and marshmallows roasted.

There were a lot of games played at the kitchen table. There was a pool table, too. And with 41 of us staying in the house, there was a lot of cooking. Each family had 1 meal, so it wasn't too hard on anyone.  The house had 7 bedrooms, so since Blake wasn't there, I found a little nook for my bedroom.  I decided that I wanted a little bit of privacy, so I brought up these cardboard film characters from the media room.  It worked out really well, and no one had to share a room with me and my snoring.  Suz and Courtney thought it was funny that they were twins!  Some of the family went to Zion's National Park on Thursday, and on another hike on Saturday.  It was nice that those that wanted to could just stay at the house and relax by the pool or in the nice air conditioned house.

On Friday morning Mom, Dad, Lynne, Rob and I went to the St. George Temple. It was very beautiful.

Friday night we took some group pictures.  There were 41 in the big group picture, there could have been 52!  

It isn't very often that Mom and Dad have all their kids together, so we took one of us! Lynne, Randy, Tricia and Shauna on the back row, me, Mom, Dad and Suzanne in the front.

 The Purcell's represented were, Ken, Sydney, Randy, Cindy, me and Courtney. (We were missing Blake, Brian, Celia, Maden, Annie, Jared and Nikelle.)  

Kelsey, Travis, Mylee, Randy, Julie, Colton, Chelsey, Skylar and Matt were there from Randy and Julie's family.  (They were missing Tyson, Carli and Tanner.) 

 The Terry Family was all there, Logan, Nikki, Troy and Shauna. 

The Leifsons were missing Dallin. But, Joseph, Jackie, Ryan, Rob, Lynne, Samuel, Adam, Michael and Michelle were all there. 

All of the Taylors were there, Branson, Carter, Stefi, Suzanne, Alexis, Troy and Adam. 

 Richard, Zoie, Tricia and Corbin are all of the Murdocks. 

After the pictures we had an "untalent" show. After the show, we wrote letters to our two missionaries Tanner and Dallin.

The "untalents" were varied and fun.  Mom and Dad did a couple of silly boy scout skits. Cindy and her brothers came up with some "you might be a Chambers Grandkid if" sayings, it was very fun to hear all their funny/serious/silly ideas.  Randy and Julie did a spoof of a crossfit workout, they even involved Ken, the crossfit king, it was hilarious!  Shauna's family did some jousting with Shauna and Troy as the newscasters, very cute!

Lynne's family sat on an invisible bench till Lynne told them she'd move the bench, so funny. Suz's family did synchronized "swimming".  They are amazing.  Richard juggled three different sized balls, that was fantastic.  We decided we are all very "untalented"!

Randy and Courtney left early Saturday morning, then the Mantei's and the Murdocks left on Saturday afternoon to catch their flights home. The Terry's left about 9 Sunday morning. The rest of us went to the temple grounds and to Sacrament Meeting, then started the trek home.  It was a great reunion, with a wonderful house and lots of fun. We definitely made some memories! Thanks Suzanne for all you hard work! It was great!