Day 17 with Evee...

Today was our last day with Evee. Dennis flew her back to Denver today to reconnect with her Dad and Mom who just returned from Liberia. He arrived less than an hour before Clint and Jamie arrived, which worked out great for meeting them directly at their gate. Okay, one more time to post a few more pictures of our last week with Evee.

We visited Great-Grandpa Jackson for his 75th birthday.

Took a drive out to Mission Point while in Traverse City.

Found a playground after church on Sunday.

That sweet smile...

Hey, Grandma, stop taking pictures of me!

Now I have a 24-hour turn around to be ready to leave for Cambodia tomorrow! It's just after midnight, so more on that tomorrow.

More of Evee...

A windy day on Tuesday forced the waves over the end of the pier. Evee laughed every time a wave crashed against the pier and made a big splash at her feet. If Dennis wasn't keeping her at a distance, she would have let herself get soaked.

Day 10 with Evee...

Okay, you're going to have to bear with the grandma side of me. I've got to post pictures of our time with Evee so far... still the sweetest little girl ever! We could just sit and watch her for hours. She's just that cute! And, I know, her Dad and Mom will appreciate any pictures we can send their way while they are in Liberia.

Michigan berries are the best!

She likes to sit on Grandma's lap while I'm at the computer.

Playing by Chinook Pier after a walk to the lighthouse

North Park Beach with our Small Group.
Evee loves the water, even if the air temp is 65 degrees.

We love our Evee!

No rides for Evee on Papa's scooter, but sitting on it
was fun enough.

Papa and Grandma heading out for a movie
while Rachel (living with us this summer) watched her.

An evening at the beach called for a nice warm bath.
All cleaned up in her new PJ's.


Gotta have breakfast at Morning Star
with Auntie Julie, Rachel and Grandma.

Grandparenting 101

We pretty much have done the long-distance grandparenting thing since Evee's birth almost 14 months ago... we've seen her an average of once a month or so, most of the time just a few days. But, now Dennis and I are in it for the long haul - we get to keep her for a whoppin' 17 days while her parents lead a young adult team to Liberia through Kingdom Building Ministries.


As we enter into Day 5, we can only say that Evee has got to be the sweetest little girl ever! She traveled well on the flight from Denver (where Clint and Jamie have been connecting with the team) to Indy, even with a 3 hour layover in Atlanta. She sleeps anywhere from 10-12 hours a night. She smiles and laughs and toddles around the house curiously checking out things. Singing and praying with her at bedtime only brings back memories of doing the same with our own children. She loves strawberries (just in time for MI berries!) and grapes, and especially likes sucking from the straw of her Apple White Grape juice box.

I think the hard part is going to be on her parents end. We're enjoying every moment with Evee. What a joy she is!

Morning play time

She loves standing in our fake fireplace.

The Addison's gave us some great toys.

Ohhh, the stairs...

Out for an evening walk with Papa and Grandma.

She loves her Papa!

Although I'm sure everyone will enjoy seeing pics of Evee, more importantly, I hope Clint and Jamie can access internet at some point and know their little Evee is doing well.

Big News from General Conference...

I don't have any pictures to show you of our time in FL, but the latest and best news of this time is that today Jo Anne Lyon was elected as one of our three General Superintendents in the Wesleyan Church! Her acceptance speech oozed with vision. This gives us great hope and we are excited for how her new role will shape the future of the Wesleyan Church.