Annual kids skating party

For the past 3 or 4 years Daryl's family and Lori's family have met at the Howard skating rink in St. Joseph, MI during one afternoon of the week between Christmas and New Years. Here are Tyler and Rachel burning up the ice.

Tyler, Rachel, and Cheyenne stopped long enough for Grandpa to take this picture. Tanner and Allison, along with Daryl, were unavailable for pictures. Actually the lighting and large number of skaters made it difficult to get them in a picture.

Christmas 2010

The Grandkids who were able to come this year (l-r) Rachel, Cheyenne, Allison, Tanner, and Tyler. Shawn's kids Lexi, Zack, and Connor were not able to make it and we missed them.

The stockings all hung by the chimney with care in the hopes that the Grandkids will soon be here...

Of course they came and along with them lots of goodies. We had a nice visit while the last minute preparations were being done - opps we forgot to make the mashed potatoes.. so our visiting time was just extented. Then everyone dug in.



The Grandkids ate at the bar while the adults ate at the table. We have (l-r) Rachel, Cheyenne, Allison, Tanner, and Tyler. Rachel, Allison (she is wearing her invisible makeup so see first picture to see her), and Tyler are our oldest son Daryl's kids and Cheyenne and Tanner are our daughter Lori's kids.

Here are the adults enjoying the fine food. They are (l-r) Brian, Lori's husband then Daryl and then Tammy, Daryl's wife. Then comes Grandma (Fran) and I'm taking the picture.

After eating it was time to open presents. Tyler played the role of Santa by hauling the presents from under the tree to each family member.

Each Grandchild took turns opening a present so everyone could enjoy the opening of the presents.

Rachel began the opening.

Cheyenne was really happy with her presents especially the cell phone. She promised to phone Grandpa every day to "check in" especially when she starts Junior High next year!!!!

Allison and Tanner opening their gifts. Tanner loves to read, especially books that have a lot of facts about the world around us

Allison opening another gift while Tanner looks through his Facts Book.

Grandma asking something?

Tanner getting ready to open another gift.

Looks like Santas workshop on a very bad day. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the kids interaction with sharing of new things to play with.

Tyler and Tanner joined their presents of Hex Bugs to make one large habitat.

Then it was time to enjoy some special goodies. Tammy brought several trays of her famous chocholate treats. Grandma made her pie in the sky. Lori made shortbread. Cheyenne and Grandpa made ginger cookies and Cheyenne made some peppermint bark.

Lori made my Mom's christmas cake, jujubes and all. It was very good and reminded me of Christmas' past.

Family Pre-Christmas dinner

Since our youngest son Shawn could come down on Monday, Dec 20th we had an early Christmas dinner. These are our three kids; Daryl, Lori, and Shawn.

Daryl giving his youngest son Tyler a helicopter ride. He landed kinda heavily and wasn't sure about that kinda ride.

We are truly blessed. Three great kids and 8 wonderful Grandkids.

Aunt Lori with Tyler.

Tanner, Allison, Tyler, Cheyenne, and Rachel watching Miracle on 34th Street. Shawn's kids were uable to come down since they are in school until December 23rd (Zack and Connor). Lexi, his oldest, is in college at Central Michigan University.

Tanner turns 11

Sunday, December 19th we celebrated Tanner's 11th birthday by doing breakfast at Sophia's in Benton Harbor.

Nana and Tanner after breakfast.

Grandma, Tanner, and Grandpa with sign for Tanner's room. Tanner's Mom, Dad, and Sister Chey were also present. Our prayer is that Tanner will continue to enjoy life and music.

Happy 11th Tanner.

Daryl's family in Christmas play

The Granger Community Church where Daryl works and worships put on their Christmas play. Tammy, Allison and Rachel were part of the play cast. The story of Christ's birth was set in a modern story of a family torn apart by the father leaving and the son, daughter, and wife coping with the seperation at Christmas time. The Grandpa who use to work in the circus told the story about the good ringmaster who left and the wicked ringmaster who took over the circus. Then the angel anounced the birth of a child who would take over the role of the good ringmaster. It was a very good adaptation of the Christmas story set in a modern setting.
To view video go to http://www.gccwired.com/midnightclear

This was some of the cast. The fellow dressed in the clown suit has a very nice voice and sang several songs during the play.

This is Rachel looking very artistic!

Allison, Tammy, and Rachel. Tammy did a great job of keeping the smiles away!

Rachel seems to have caught the SAD part also.

I think Allison is having a hard time keeping the SAD look going.

Rachel enjoyed that bag of popcorn.

Allison seems to be asking "what comes next?"

Grandma & Grandpa McMullen 2010

These were taken at the CLS Departmental brunch on Sunday, October 28th.

Zack on High school hockey team

Zack is on the Chiefs hockey team. This is the High School varsity team in Cheboygan, MI. To follow his team go to www.cheboyganchiefshockey.com

Grandkids perform at Christmas program

On Sabbath, December 4th the Village school put on their Christmas program. Cheyenne played her guitar.

Can't believe our Granddaughter is in grade 8. She participates in just about all school activities from sports, music, school out reach programs etc.

Tanner loves the violin. He played the solo part for the program.

Very good job Tanner. We like to hear you perform.

Cheyenne sang in the mixed choir.

Good job Cheyenne. We are proud of our first Grandchild.

Chey performing a duet.

Celtic Woman / Chloe Agnew - ''O Holy Night''