It's been way too long....

April

The last time I posted we were preparing for Dad's memorial service back in April.  Goodness!  As I look back from that time up until now, so much has taken place.  I think the best way to catch up is to show some pictures of our Spring and Summer highlights.

Mom with us kids after the Dad's memorial service

Baby Brooke's first trip to Lake Michigan Beach!

Jess, Mom, Andy just after the memorial service for Dad

May
Mom came to Grand Rapids as she had an appointment to get hearing aids.  She stayed with us for a couple of weeks before going back home.  She got her first pair of hearing aids, but then they didn't work out very good.  She had a 30-day trial on them so she was able to order a different type.  These work much better for her and she's adjusted to them very well.

June
With Jess and Andy expecting a baby, there were a few baby showers that Mom and I were invited to.  One just happened to be in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, hosted by Barbara Rogers' dear friend, Karen Helm.  After we received the cute invitation, Mom and I talked about it and decided that we would go and surprise Jess.  We wanted to surprise her at the shower, if at all possible.

  Mom flying for the first time in her life!  There were a few people that couldn't believe she had never flown before.
She was treated like royalty by the crew.  

We made a plan and would fly from Grand Rapids to Baltimore and then take Amtrak to Philadelphia.  We had Ben Rogers pick us up and take us to our hotel. Then Candice, his wife, would take us to the shower where we would surprise Jess.

Ready for the shower and waiting for Candice to pick us up at our hotel.

Karen, our hostess read a special blessing.

The ladies ate at various tables located throughout the house.

Jess was VERY surprised that we were there!  The first thing she asked Mom was how we got there.
 She could not believe that she flew for the first time.  

Jess opening her gifts.  This is an afghan I made for Brooke.

Baby Rogers 1, 2, and 3!  Candice is due in October and Veronica is due in December!
The 3 baby cousins will all be within 3 months of each other! 

 Mom and I had a great trip together. After the shower, we went to the hotel and rested for a bit then went for dinner with the Rogers family at the Cricket Club.  We were seated on a beautiful open porch overlooking the grassy tennis courts.  Jess and Andy took us to the Little House Shop and the Valley Forge Flower Shop.  What a beautiful place!  Sunday we ate lunch at a yummy place called "The Meltdown" where they have various grilled cheese sandwiches.  It was a whirlwind weekend, but we made it without any incidents or health problems, thankfully!  I thank the Lord for this special time I had with Mom.  I will never forget it.

July

Then, in July, Mom, Pat Marquardt and I hosted a shower in the Grand Rapids area for Jess.

Jess and myself at the Grand Rapids shower

September
Summer came and went.  Now the end of September is upon us, and  Jess, at 40 1/2 weeks, is ready to deliver our little Brooke any day now!  Please pray that everything will go smooth for a healthy baby and smooth delivery.

Keith and I are looking forward to doing some loving on our little granddaughter right after she's home from the hospital.  (Oh and seeing the parents, too, of course!  Ha!  We won't leave them out! )