Happy New Year

Happy new year! It seems like it yesterday we were all wondering what was going to happen for Y2K and now a decade has passed. I have posted some more pics from Christmas. Click the following link to view. Christmas pictures

Merry Christmas

Shaun and I hope you had a great year.

It was another cold and snowy winter in the woods. The snow is makes it beautiful out here but not so much fun to keep cleared out of the way. During the winter months we basically tried to stay warm and enjoy the snow as best we could.

We always look forward the warmer weather and spring. It wasn’t long before the sunniest and warmest Memorial Day weekend I can remember. Shaun and his friend were swimming already that weekend at Silver Lake.

The summer months are always the best with warm weather and spending weekends at Silver Lake. It was nice this year to have our own travel trailer all summer. If gives us some space so the kids can have a place to play video games or watch something else on TV. I took 3 weeks of vacation the end of July and first part of August and spend most of it up north. Lisa and the boys stayed with for a few weeks this summer and we enjoyed their visit. As summers always do they quickly turn to fall and cooler weather.

We are keeping busy with school and work and the year has quickly passed by. Recently I accepted a Material Planning position and after almost 27 years I am salary and do not have to punch the time clock any more. I keep thinking that I have forgotten something every day as I come and go.

Well the white stuff is back and Christmas is just about here again. Shaun and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Summer ends cold and windy

We had very nice sunsets but the weather for the weekend was cool and windy.
Click the Photos to see more shots.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas. Shaun and I hope you all had a great year. We have been very busy and I have been working 10-hour days all month.

The winter was beautiful but the snow removal was ever daunting. With cuts in funding for snow removal it was an interesting season getting down any roads around here. One occasion I had to snow blow from my drive to 104th street to get home which is approx a quarter of a mile. The snow finally melted and we welcomed spring.

In February we had a small friend come to our door looking for a home. A cat (Blackout) came to the door every day looking for a new place to live. Within a week he became a permanent member of the family. Shaun named him Blackout because he is dark gray and you could not see him in the dark. I never thought I would drag a cat to the lake every weekend but so it goes.

Shaun marched in the Tulip Time parades and we spent some time with the TT activities. The weather started to warm and we started to head north for the weekends. It may have been the coldest summer I can ever remember. The Fourth of July weekend was quite cool and we had the heat on to stay warm.

Lisa and the boys came to stay with us several weeks. We did not travel anywhere too far but spent time up north and hung out at home. It is a big change to go from just Shaun and I to 5 people in the house. The house seem very quiet when they went back to Hungary.

The summer is always good at Silver Lake. We walked to the lighthouse in Ludington and were able to climb to the top and check out the view. We had never been to the state park in Ludington and enjoyed the walk (approx 2 miles) and checking out the Lighthouse. It was interesting to hear how it was built and what life was like years ago when it played an important role to make maritime travel safe.

In August we bought a 30’ Dutchman travel trailer for Shaun and I at the lake. We were ready for a space just for the two of us and of course the cat. My parents have a cat and the two of them are not too fond of each other. It is also nice space for Shaun and friends to watch TV or play video games without driving us crazy. Teenagers do not want to hang with the parents too much.

Fall brought High School for Shaun at Zeeland. I can’t believe he turned 14 in August. Drivers training is not too far off so be warned.

With the economy turning for the worst I was moved back to the factory after almost 2 years at Material Planning. I am happy to be working and hopeful that things turn around and new opportunities will appear. This was year 25 at Haworth and things seem to be improving for the company.

I am looking forward to a having the week between the holiday off for some rest and relaxation. Depending on the weather maybe a small trip or two.

Shaun and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

New Trailer

I finally am posting pics of the new trailer. We went up today and winterized so the pipes won't freeze. Another nice fall rainy day. It started raining just as we finished up. Click the hyperlink for more pics. Looking forward to spring to get back up north! Trainer Pics

Summer or Fall ?

I am still surprised how cool this summer has been. Last weekend we were at the lake with rain Friday and Saturday. We went home Saturday night and it was sunny but cool Sunday. We are staying in Sandusky Ohio tonight and tomorrow we are going to Cedar Point. We will try the lake again Thursday for the weekend. I will post some pics of the trailer next week it was too rainy to take any last weekend.

Blackout

A little frend came to our door and begged to stay. Blackout is his name and he has become a house cat due the fight that sent him to the vet. The free cat who adopted us has become a regular member of the family. He likes to hide all the time and jump out and attack us.

Colten Joel Kleinjans

There is a new addition to the Kleinjans family. Colten Joel Kleinjans arrived a little early to make sure he could see the new year in with mom and dad. He was very sleepy tonight but didn't yell to much with all the new people around today. Colten we are glad you came to welcome in the new year with all your family. Happy New Year everyone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Have a Merry Crhistmas and a Happy New Year. The snow keeps falling but it is supposed to rain this weekend. The tree is finally up and there are many presents underneath. Shaun and I hope everyone has a great holiday season!

Where did our summer go?

I can't believe it is almost December. We got a nice batch of snow yesterday and it all melted today. Mud is fun. Here are a couple pics from the warm summer weather.

Memorial Day Parade and Golf in Traverse City

Memorial Day we were in Zeeland for the parade. Shaun marched and I followed the parade and took some photos.
Today we went to Traverse City to play golf Saturday and Sunday. We got lost and did not get to the resort until 9:30pm. We did see a great sunset on bay before we got to the hotel. Will post more soon. Only a couple days left before Lisa and the boys get here. Not much time to get the house in order and we are gone for the weekend.

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

It has been a while since I posted and with the snow finally gone I thought I would post a couple pics and update our friends around the world. Shaun and I went to Traverse City for spring break. Our plan was to hang out at the Grand Traverse Resort and golf a little. Long story short there was still snow in the woods and very cool and windy conditions so no golf happened. Shaun liked the pool and water slide and it was nice to get away for a couple days. Because they screwed up and let me make tee times for golf when the course was not open yet they extended our gift certificates and we have two more free nights coming up. We are planning to go June 13-15 and hope to have some better golf weather. Shaun will be marching in Tulip time this week and the school year is quickly coming to an end. My flowers are blooming but as always my tulip tree was frozen and the blossoms are dead. We got a heavy frost last week Tuesday. We will be busy with work school and getting the yards in shape. Will post again soon. John & Shaun