January Greeting

Who says I need to post a picture to post a blog? Okay, so I know the picture is much more excited than my words.

I thought I better write something because it has been a month since I posted anything.
I'll give an update.
Steve has taken some vacation days in January. It's been nice to have him around. He has had to use the snow blower a few times and enjoys not having to shovel the drive and sidewalks.
Tracey has read a few books. I found Karen Kingsbury this summer and have enjoyed reading the Redemption Series and the First Born Series and a few more stand alone that she has written in the past.
Mackenzie is enjoying school. Art is her favorite! She would love to skip spelling but she has no choice and she is improving weekly with her spelling tests. She loves to jump rope and play basketball in gym. She would rather leave the running to the others.
Amber has been on her best behavior in school these days. No more choking a fellow classmate. I just ran across the note from the teacher today. It was from October. It said that Amber had been bitten by a classmate in school in the morning and then later in the day she had her hands around a classmates necks. I asked Amber, "Why did Adam bite you? She said, "Mom! I was choking him!"" I know this is one of those times I should be serious but I had a hard time holding back a chuckle.

Mom DeLong is up for a few days. Steve and I worked the Mid-Year Word of Life Conference in Lansing. Mackenzie was sick earlier in the week. She only missed a half of day of school because no school was scheduled for Monday and then Tuesday was a snow day. She went Wednesday in the afternoon. Amber, however is currently the one not well. She has a cough and has a fever too. The fever keeps coming down and I hope she will be back 100% soon.

I'll try to post some pictures soon. Enjoy that cold MI weather. It actually felt warm today with it being in the 20's.

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.