25 years of wedded bliss!!!

Rachel & Jeff celebrated 25 years of marriage this year, and they had a beautiful ceremony to renew their vows on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008. It was really nice and even brought a tear or two to my eyes! Then afterwards, their kids put on a really nice party for them - enjoyed by all!



As their son presented them, "An OLDER version, of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff McCallus!"

Tina, Jeff Jr, and Jordan

Stacey and Justin

And once again, the happy couple!

I liked this picture of the three sisters - not too often do we pose together - (Tara's idea!)

A week on the lake....

We spent a wonderful week on Lake Titus this past week at "our" rented camp. I was SO privileged to have Tara and baby Emily up here for a WHOLE week, and Don & Wendy were so gracious as to share the week with us, as well as with Aunt Marilyn Rudolph! WE had some rainy days, but it was OKAY - we also had a few beautiful days and were able to swim and boat and catch a little bit of sunshine. Then again, some days we just stayed in our PJ's most of the day and ate warm cookies fresh from the oven, that Wendy so happily baked for us almost every day! It was a great week. As you can see, the lake was not the focus for many pictures, we seem to have focused alot on one sweet little lady!!!

And...by the way....next year I WILL beat one of you at Super Scrabble, Don or Aunt Marilyn!!


Emily napping in her borrowed car seat.


I'm not sure what scared these two, but look at those faces!!!

Aunt Mern relaxing...

And of course, me...slaving in the kitchen! (Just kidding, Don & Wendy did more of the cooking than I did - it was GREAT!)

Grandma got to help give Emily her bath at the Lake - what fun!

July 5th - Henderson Harbor Lake House!

I was invited to spend the day with Tony, Jenn and Brandon at Jenn's aunt and uncle's Lake House in Henderson Harbor and it was a beautiful picture perfect day!! I was so happy to get to spend some time with them and of course, to do my part in spoiling my little grandson! He's getting so big and grown up!! (Well, not really grown up, but it's amazing how much difference a few weeks makes at this age!) So here are a few of the pictures of the day. My camera battery was running low so I didn't get too many pictures.

This is the new lake house - absolutely beautiful!!

This is the previous lake house, which is actually closer to the water, and they now use for extra sleeping space when they're there, and/or it's available to rent to people they know (which would be me!!)

Sitting up ALL by himself!! Right on his new beach towel that Grandma brought for him!

Here are the "cool kids" heading out on the four wheeler! They didn't really have far to go, but wanted to take a ride anyway.

"Are you talking to ME, Grandma??"

Brandon & Daddy!

Women of Faith - Rochester, NY June 6 & 7, 2008

What an exciting, fun-filled, emotionally and spiritually uplifting weekend!! We laughed, we cried, we sang and we listened and learned. Here are just a few of the many pictures I took, I'll try to post a few more soon!

ANITA RENFROE - one of the funniest women I've ever heard!

NATALIE GRANT - a young girl with a POWERHOUSE voice!! Amazing!

From left to right, Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patty, Patsy Clairmont, Sheila Walsh & Natalie Grant...yes, I was sitting that close to them (well, with a little zoom help!)

SANDI PATTY - another one of the world's most powerful female vocalists! I love her voice!

And of course, PATSY CLAIRMONT - one of the spunkiest "older" women, I've ever seen! She has more energy than most 18 yr. olds!

Everyone home for Memorial Day weekend!

We had kids home, grandkids home, lots of family and friends from away and it made for a very beautiful weekend. Tandy Kay got married on Saturday and the wedding turned out absolutely perfect! And then on Sunday we had a dedication service for little Emily Joy and some of David's family were able to join us for that, so it also was a memorable day! I was sad to see everyone head for home again, but will live on the memories and many beautiful photos until I get to see them all again!! Here are a few, of course, the cute babies FIRST!


Brandon James enjoying all the bright and pretty things on the table at the reception!

And this was Emily Joy's reaction to her first wedding! But she looked so pretty!

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shaffer!!

And a group shot of the Powell clan after the baby's dedication!

And then on to OHIO to meet Emily Joy - who arrived on April 16th!

There's plenty more room in Grandma's heart - and LOTS of kisses too!!
"I'm home!"

And last but not least...all ready to go on my first outing with Mommy, Grandma and Great, Great Aunt Mern - we went to Target and STARBUCKS!!

A quick visit with Brandon James.....who gets cuter EVERY day!!

I love sitting on Daddy's lap, right up to the table where I can see EVERYTHING!!

And I met my GREAT-GREAT Aunt Marilyn - we had a nice visit!

A few more of my favorite pictures of Brandon!

He has the most beautiful eyes!!
Looking at one of his Baptism gifts - so cute!

And with his new "shades" for his upcoming trip to Florida!

What a lovely weekend with family & friends!!

He is just so kissable, Grandma can't get enough kisses!!! This was after the Baptism service and he was all comfy in his jammies!

At the church, with Mommy, Daddy and Grandma P.

And with the other Grandparents, Oma & Papa Volk!

And then an Easter Sunday pose, (this was before Brandon had a little "accident" in his outfit and we had to change into the alternate Sunday outfit before we went for dinner at Oma's house!)

My sweet little St. Patty's Day boy! 3 months old!

No time to write much, but just had to put up this picture of Brandon in his "wearing of the green" outfit. He's getting so big and cuter every day, I can't wait to see him this weekend! If you'd like to see more pictures you can check out Jenn's pictures at www.picasaweb.google.com/JPowellPics !!!

Have a great day everyone!

My sweet little valentine!!

This was my Valentine's Day card from Brandon, I think his mommy might have helped him create and send it!! Isn't he SOOOOOO cute in his Valentine's outfit??

I LOVE my daddy - even if he DOES have a funny Valentine frog on his shoulder!!

Just me, in my adorable outfit!

And a close up, so you can really see how CUTE I am!!

Some more pictures of the little cutie-pie!

I'm not sure where I'm going, but I hope they don't expect me to MOVE!! Is this what they call a straight-jacket?? Or is it a snowsuit??


I think I must have worn Daddy out - why doesn't everyone want to be awake at 3am???

The happy family by the Christmas tree on Christmas day - what a beautiful Christmas present!

Grandma's little sweetie!

I spent the weekend in PA cuddling and getting to know my new little grandson (especially during the "wee" hours)!! But he's so sweet, I couldn't help chuckling at him, even at 4am when he came to visit me in my room so Mommy and Daddy could get a little nap. I hated to come home, it was so fun to be with them all.

Brandon James, trying out his infant seat (he usually lasts about 5-10 minutes before he realizes there's not a warm body holding him)!

Look at those eyes, "DAD, what are you doing to me??"
Asleep, but apparently deep in thought......

Napping with Grandma - we did this a lot!!!

Going to see Brandon James...

Well, I am so excited, I'm going to see my grandson this weekend! Here are some pictures of his first bath! Mommy getting him ready.......
Daddy holding him after the bath.
The wonder of it all....isn't he sweet???
Is there a little boy in there????
Brandon & Tony's feet - how cute!!
So, Aunt Marilyn Rudolph and I will be heading to PA on Friday morning and will get to spend a whole couple of days with Jenn and Tony and the baby. And I think Aunt Tiffany will be coming over too, she's already had a glimpse and is anxious for more of her little nephew! More pictures to come after we get to see him in person!!!!