Christmas

The 18 grandchildren of my parents. Oldest is 16 years old the youngest is 7 weeks old. Tracey and Steve have Mackenzie & Amber front row right side in pink. Theresa and Pat have Jordan and Huck. Huck is in the gray back left. Jordan is 5th from right in back row. Willie and Kelly have Larissa,Ethan,Micaela and Levi. Larissa front row holding baby. Ethan is in the back row holding a baby. Micaela is 2nd from right in back row, Levi is 3rd fromleft in back row. Ralph and Wendy have Drew and Molly, Drew is 2nd on left in back row. Molly is in the back row far right. Kristine and Nathan have Lauren, Kaleb, Natasha and Eli. Lauren is in the middle back in red, Kaleb is 2nd from left in back row, Natasha is front row 3rd from left in red, Eli is in the back being held by Ethan. Daniel and Dawn have Autumn, Drake, Alana and Aubree. Autumn is in the front row 4th from left, Drake is in gold in the front, Alana is in the back row 3rd from right, Aubree is the baby in the front row.

Mackenzie and Amber opening gifts at our home Friday 12/21.

The girls working together to open a gift from Grandma DeLong. Christmas Day

Mackenzie and peach pose for the camera. They consider Peach their dog but she belongs to Aunt Ruth.

This a picture of the 32 of us at my parents on Saturday 12/22.

Merry Christmas!

Greeting from the DeLong family.
We are having a wonderful Christmas. We started our Christmas celebration this past weekend with my parents. All six of us kids were there with spouses and 18 grand kids. We had both great grandma's there on Saturday as well. What a wonderful time to be together with family.
We then gathered again on Sunday for more food and visiting. We always seems to eat well and it sure does show. I think we are going to kick off a "Biggest Loser Family Addition". So far it has only been talk, time will tell it we jump on board.
There seemed to be a theme this Christmas season with my family. It's the flu. So far 5 of the 6 sibling families have had at least one member if not more who have had the flue since Sunday. The bright side is it last only a short time. Both our girls have had it and Steve and I are trying to keep it at bay.
We headed north on Christmas Eve night to be with Grandma DeLong. We are here for a few days. It is a little quieter here. We went form 34 at my parents to 7 here. We love our time with our families.
I will try to post come pictures.
Merry Christmas to you all. I did not get Christmas greetings out this year. I think I will be sending a New Years Greeting.

Birth and Birthday

This week we added a new niece to the family. Aubree Danielle Deshetsky was born 11/6/07 to Daniel and Dawn. She is welcomed home by Sisters Autumn (6), Alana (2) and brother Drake (4). Mommy and baby are doing well.
Mackenzie turned 7 on Friday. We celebrated with family Thursday night 11/8. Grandma Deshetsky made her a barbie cake.
I could not find any halloween pictures. We took some so when I locate them I'll try to post the girls in their costumes.

WOL Superbowl

On Friday Night, 11/9/07, Steve and I helped with the WOL Superbowl. The evening started with a Pistons Game at the Palace. Pistons beat the Clippers by a good 30 points. We then stayed at the Palace and had a rally where there was a speaker followed with games. We had around 1500 teens attend this years event. We left the palace about 2 am and went bowling until 5:30 am. Our time went fast. Many teens and adults made a decision to be a follower of Christ that night. Following are some pictures from this event.
If the pictures do not come up. Hit the view all image area on the right and you will be able to see them.

Anyone out there?

I'm sure that is the question that is being asked about me. Okay, so Blogging has not been part of my life lately. I think I've only been on once. I hope to return to the bloggin world sometime soon but right now I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I think about you guys and am anxious to get caught up with you all. Hang in there and please don't delete me from your blogging friends to check in on.
Thanks!

Soccer!

The girls have started soccer. They had their first game on Saturday. Soccer is new to the whole family but the girls are loving it! Amber even had time to blow dad a kiss during the game.

The Last Three Weeks

Home...Boston...Flint....Traverse City....Vassar....Freeland....Vassar...Traverse City...Vassar...Saginaw

A lot has happened in three short/long weeks.



Steve and I were able to spend a few days in Boston. Our room was on the 30th floor with a beautiful view. In the evenings there were many sail boats out on the river. We had a couple of dinners out and enjoyed some adult conversation. Boston has much to offer and we enjoyed our time there.



We spent some time around Labor Day at Mom DeLongs in Traverse City. The weather was perfect. Sitting on the deck in the evening and watching the sun shine on the trees across the lake is always a favorite for me. I was able to enjoy that a few times while we were there.



Mackenzie started school on Tuesday. First Grade here she comes. She is in a 1st/2nd grade class with 5 girls in the first grade and two boys in the second. She was excited that she now has 3 recesses.



Amber started preschool on Wednesday. She goes M-W-F for a full day. Amber did great on Wednesday but Friday she had a hard time. She cried because she missed her family. We will have to figure something out if this continues.

I put together a slide show of a few pictures. I seem to be having technical difficulty tonight so I'm not sure if the pictures will show up. Sorry!

A look at Summer!

Since I'm new to blogging, I need some practice posting pictures. So, I went through some of my summer photos and thought I'd post a variety.
Amber loves rocks. Since she was little she has enjoyed a good chew on a rock. We would have to check her mouth often and remove a rock. She would have loved to bring a rock home from church every time we are there. After being told that they were Gods rocks and they needed to stay at the church, she would put them back. The picture of her with the rocks was taken just last week. The three rocks in my washer was after the repairman was here. One was a nice size one too. Rocks not pebbles.
I've posted pictures from camping in Caseville, the children's parade that the kids were in, Kid activities after the parade, the great capture of tweety from Barnes Lake where my grandma lives, a picture of my mom and I from a friends wedding and my college girlfriend getaway at Mackniaw Island.

North Branch Alumni Football!

Friday, August 3rd, 2007. North Branch vs Imaly City.
My dad along with my three brothers were involved in this alumni football game. Along with family friends.
It was a very warm day. I think it was in the 90's when the game started.
My dad (#15), did not play along with my brother Willie (#45). My brothers Ralph Jr. #55 and Daniel #44 did play. My nephew, Levi, was the ball boy.
Last year was the first year for this alumni event. North Branch was the winning team last year with Imaly winning this year.
No major injuries occurred.
They guys had a great time and it was like a school reunion with family and friends watching the game. I've put just a few of the 800 pictures Steve took that night in my slide show. My family loves having their own personal photographer!

A Day at the Fair!

On Tuesday this week, we spent a full day at the Imlay City Fair. I had 2 nephews and 3 nieces who showed sheep there. The kids did well. They each showed 2 market lambs. When it came time to judge for the Grand Champion Lamb each one of them were out there because they either placed 1st or 2nd in the weight class. My nephew Ethan had the Grand Champion Lamb and he then also had the Grand Champion Pen. Way to go kids!!! Your hard work paid off!
After the kids were done with their show we then went and rode rides. I have a niece and nephew the same age as Mackenzie and Amber so they had fun riding with Drake and Autumn.
Amber wants us to get a horse. Good thing we live in town. Getting a horse is not an option.

Family Gathering

This past Saturday, August 4th, we gathered at my parents home for a family party. There were 50 some who dropped in through out the day. We had a great time. It was a very warm day and I think Mackenzie and Amber spent about 12 hours in the pool that day.
Both my grandma's were there along with one of my dad's two sisters and 3 of my moms 4 sisters. Not all my cousins were present but more than half of them were there.
I've put together a few pictures from the day.

More pictures

Grandparent DeLong's

The girls and I have spent a few days in Traverse City with Steve's parents.

We always have a long list of MUSTS while we are here:

*We must go to the Island and swim!

*We must go and play at the tree house in the mall!

*We must go to the mall and ride the carousel!

*We must....we must.....we must....

This time we picked blueberry's. It was in the 90's. We even went before noon.

I'm going to try to post some pictures.

Poly Pockets go camping...

Who whould have thought that poly pockets could go camping? Well they were a big hit this year. The girls enjoyed setting up and tearing down complete displays. I guess it helps to have a few of the guys in green to do the heavy lifting. :-)

Steve

Back from Vacation and needing one!

We're back!
This is my first post. Steve set up my account and posted the first pictures. I still do not know how to post the pictures so it will be a few days before he and I can sit down together so he can show me.
We had a great time camping at Sleeper State Park in Caseville. I think we had rain every day but 3 of our 11 days there. We even went without power last Thursday for about 10 hours. No power means no bathrooms and no running water. At one point my nephew said there were 25 people lined up at an outhouse. I was able to use the bathroom in my mothers motorhome.
I'm excited about having a blog of my own. I've enjoyed keeping up with everyone on theirs and love the pictures that are posted. I know that I will not keep mine up to date like Kara but I will try to get something out there every week or so.
So.. I'm off to a MOPS play date. Hopefully I will post camping pictures no later than Thursday.
Enjoy your week!

Gone camping...

Hey!

We are camping so don't bother calling our home number. :-)

One of our most enjoyable times are at the beach and here are a few of the moments so far.