Spending time w/ the AZ Dosdalls

Sorry it took me so long to post this, I have been so busy since I have been back from Arizona. I had so much fun visiting w/ John and Jayme and the boys....and it was really nice to hang out w/ Jaymes's family.

dylan ( din-din) is always happy long as there are food in front of him

jacob is the sweetest boy

another turkey leg picture....running joke at work

John's family in front of the ferris wheel

I don't know who had more fun...jayme or jacob

this is the only 2 home store that costco own, ones in Mesa and the other one in Seattle

On Sunday, Jayme mom planned a huge halloween party for her family. we BBQ, carved pumpkins, and played many games w/ lots of fun prizes.

jeff and beth

Jacob and his cousins

John the master cook.. or he think he is...lol

dirt cake

the mummy game

Happy Anniversary!!

Wow, I can't believe we have been in America for 25 years....where has the time gone? We have gotten older, hopefully little wiser, and bigger...lol. I still can't believe that we didn't even speak a lick of English...how did we do it?? thank GOD for the greatest family in the world.... I LOVE YOU ALL!!! and I would not be the person I am without you.

also Happy Anniversary Cynthia and BK!!!

Stanley Cup and Scarecrows

Yesterday was another eventful day.... we started out meeting John and Jen at her church to take picture w/ the Stanley Cup ( very big deal in Hockey Town aka Detroit). We had a wonderful brunch w/ them and then headed to Trenton for annual Scarecrow Festival.

We met up all the Smith Family (Sonya's kids were all dressed in skeleton outfits) and watched the dog's costume contest, dog parade, walked around to the craft vendors, and watched the kids go on the carnival rides.

The Smith family

Lucas eating a spooky jello concoction

After the festival, Jim and I headed to Grosse Ile to visit w/ one of our favorite people, the Llewellyns, they are always so sweet and gracious. It was so much fun to visit and they were gracious enough to feed us a lovely ham dinner. While we were on our way home something made me stop at one of my old stomping grounds "the Sportway" .....oh my gosh, did I have fun...first Jim and I took the batting cage, then we went several laps around the go-kart and then we finish by doing a 18 rounds of miniature golf, which I won in everything...lol, but who's counting. It was one the best day ever!

TGIF

Jim and I had worked a half day on Friday and wanted to take advantage of the beautiful, MI weather. We went downtown to check out the Detroit Riverwalk, which consists of a three mile stretch of riverside concrete that travels from Cobo Arena to the edge of Belle Isle. First, we went to the casino to validate our parking and donate a little moola...lol, then we walked to the Renaissance Center which led to the Riverwalk. After a little stroll, we went to the movies in the Renaissance Center to see "Lakeview Terrance". Just as the movie was getting good, they lost power in the whole building; so we left and had dinner with our casino voucher.

Renaissance Center (GM building)

Detroit Riverwalk

inside the Wintergarten....in the Renaissance Center

3 parties in 1 night

Last Saturday, my brother, David and I attended 3 very different party. I told him I'm not this popular....lol. First one was a loftwarming party in Downtown Detroit across from Greektown Casino. Her loft was big and little warm from cooking Indian food all day, but it was delicious and different. I was also admiring her loft and the old architecture, unfortunately I didn't bring my camera so I can't post any pictures from her party.


After the loft party, David and I donated some money to the casino and drove up to my friend Cindy's house for her husband's poker/ birthday party at her house. I love house parties being surrounded my good friends and and of course playing poker. Unfortunately we couldn't stay too long because we had one more party to attend.

me and Dee.... I haven't seen her in a long time...she's a hoot!
playing poker.....my favorite
David laughing.... i think Anji was telling a joke.

The third party was a huge backyard party w/ 6 bands. you need to wear black to get in....lol. Funny thing was my friend Linda went to the party to support one of her c0-worker in the band and happened to call Jim because it was in the our neighborhood and thought he may know some people, sure enough the group she and Jen were with were all his high school friends. I missed all the band performances but the party was still kicking after midnight.

playing some bonfire music

out of nowhere...this guy was wearing bedazzle jean jacket....I'm surprise he didn't get picked on...lol

Rain or Shine....the party went on

Sherry, Jimmy, and Linda

I love this picture.......they were so laughing the whole time
David cooking the hot dogs for the kids....he got some help from Sabe and Vaughn
Me and my great nieces
I hope people enjoyed the food
proud Grandma....Mary w/ her grandson Boog
Isabelle looks so cute in this picture
John and Jen....they were such a big help for the party..thanks

Even in the midst of a hurricane (Ike), we still had a wonderful turnout for Jim's graduation party. Luckily, I rented a large pavilion at Spindler Park that easily accommodated a large crowd. I was so worried about the kids being bored with all the rain, but they had a great time. The weather was warm so they were able to play in the rain the whole time. They were actually pretty amusing to watch, they were; running, playing in the puddles, playing on the playground, and just having a great time.

We also appreciated all your help to make this a party Jim will never forget.

Farewell to summer

At the beginning of the month, Jim and I had spent some time in Algonac to visit the Moving Vietnam Memorial Wall. The following week we went back for Ericka's bbq party and the Algonac boat race, then we finished the night by attending one of Jimmy's friends poker run party.

in front of the Moving Vietnam WallThe "missing man" table....very touching
the Korean flag from the moving hands-on war museum
our cute niece Ericka and her finance Jacob

Ericka's bbq in Algonac....crystal holding Sam and josh ( Jimmy's say that Sam is a mini Tnina)
Jimmy on his sister's big boat (wow, Soon Jimmy will be buying a boat just like this or maybe, even bigger!) ...jimmy added this comment

me and Sam

Before aunt Margie and uncle Jack travel back to Florida for the winter, their kids threw them a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary party. It was a great Shadik party, there was an abundance amount of food and drinks, and as always it is wonderful to catch up with the growing Shadik family.

The Browns w/ aunt Margie and uncle Jack

Jim and I also had the opportunity to celebrate Jeff's big 4-0 surprise birthday party in August. it was so much fun to see the Jeff's face as we all screamed "surprise". I think everybody had a great time and the live music was amazing.....this guy did the best Jimi Hendrix I had ever seen. We finished the night off w/ dancing and swatting mosquito's....lol

we all getting the ready for the big surprise

Noel, Tracy, me, Darlene, and Michelle taking a break from dancing

the hostess w/ the mostess....Noel made a fabulous cake

The birthday boy and Jimmy

On labor day weekend, David came over and helped put up a privacy fence in our yard, later we had a wonderful porterhouse steak bbq w/ David, John, and Jen. We finished the night by partying w/ our new neighbors for their wedding anniversary party. The next day we lounged around the house watching movies, until we had to go to a bbq over our friends Debbie and Mike's house. Mike is a fabulous cook and we always enjoy his meals. After dinner we played several round of pokers and David end up winning 2 of the 3 tournaments and I won the other one. Nothing is better than that, friends, food , and poker....lol. On labor day, we had such beautiful weather...we decided to go on our boat and take a stroll down Detroit River. It was the first time Jen, John, and David been on our boat. It was a great day for a boat ride... the water wasn't too choppy and the weather was perfect. We stopped a Sinbad's for a quick lunch and headed back to land to finish the labor day festivities.

John and Jen

docking at the Sinbad's marina

me, David, and Jen cruising the Detroit River

me and captain Jim

Detroit from the water view....it's beautiful.

P.S. last night I got quad 5's playing LET IT RIDE at a Vegas tent....too bad i wasn't in Vegas, I would have won about a thousand dollar instead of $ 45 ...lol, still it was exciting.