31 August 2009
Jim took Esme's 6th birthday pictures on 30 August 2009, the day before her birthday. We had planned (again) to go to the beach, but the unseasonable August cold kept us inland! We strolled around Grand Rapids and found lots of picturesque portrait backgrounds. These are our favorites - undoctored. Some of them need a little editing before we make prints, but they are all good.
25 August 2009
Aidan's Sushi Restaurant
Aidan spent a good part of yesterday building and populating a sushi restaurant with Legos. We think it's pretty cool, don't you? :)
17 August 2009
13 August 2009
Wanda & Earl's 50th Anniversary
My aunt Wanda and uncle Earl celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a luncheon and open house at their church in Columbia City, Indiana on 8 August 2009. (Their actual anniversary is 26 September 2009.) It was a super fun time for everyone and they have raised wonderful children and enjoy terrific grandchildren. We were honored to be there to celebrate with them.
Esme's First Tooth
Esme lost her first baby tooth on 9 August 2009. She got it out all by herself and was very excited! The tooth fairy came, even though we weren't at home, and left Esme a shiny new gold dollar! Esme said "I was sound asleep and I didn't see her!"
A few minutes after Esme pulled her tooth, her cousin Sylvia pulled one of hers, too! Here's a picture of the tooth buddies, courtesy of Sylvia's mom. Thanks Taryn!
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A few minutes after Esme pulled her tooth, her cousin Sylvia pulled one of hers, too! Here's a picture of the tooth buddies, courtesy of Sylvia's mom. Thanks Taryn!
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10 August 2009
Grandma
Thanks to Wanda, Juanita, Dave, Mom, Taryn and Travis for some of the photos in the video below, a very small selection of pictures of my beautiful grandmother throughout her life.
Nedra Ruth McEowen was born 31 May 1918 in Emerald Township, Paulding County, Ohio, to John Albertus and Cora Annis (Byers) Glander. Her parents had had a baby boy, Edwin Albertus, before her, who died on the same day he was born. Nedra also had a younger sister, Mary Dolores (Glander) Smith, who passed away in 2003.
Nedra was married on 23 July 1939 to Hubert Dwight "Mac" McEowen, son of Vergil Thompson and Alta Gladys (Clay) McEowen. Hubert passed away in 1977. They had six children: Wanda Carol (McEowen) Howell (husband Earl Richard Howell), Juanita Jean (McEowen) Miller (husband Jerry Lee Miller), David Wayne McEowen (wife Vonda Lee Crabill), Marcia Ann (McEowen) Hollopeter (husband Mark Leon Hollopeter), Edwin Lee McEowen (wife Mary Jo Akers), and Roger Allan McEowen (wife Jean Anne Sprunger).
Nedra has fifteen grandchildren: Catherine Ann (Howell) Jones (husband William Charles Jones), Deborah Sue (Howell) Kreider (husband Russell Spencer Kreider), Timothy Earl Howell (wife Debbie Clements), Melinda Lou (Howell) Hoffman (husband Gary Ray Hoffman), Taryn Leah (McEowen) Lopshire (husband Jeremy Andrew Lopshire), Travis David Mac McEowen (wife Erin Rebekah Alderson), Wendy Michelle (Hollopeter) Lowry (husband James William Lowry), Scott Jeffrey Hollopeter (wife Catherine Erin Chrisman), Melissa Elaine (Hollopeter) Powers (husband Ryan James Powers), Bethanie Jo (McEowen) Eicholtz (husband Jason Richard Eicholtz), Valerie Jean (McEowen) Teel (husband James B. Teel), Benjamin Lee McEowen, Daniel Thomas McEowen, Randi Sue McEowen, and Michael James McEowen.
Nedra has seventeen great-grandchildren: Brenton David Jones, Jennifer Marie Jones, Samantha Kate Jones, Carson Kreider, Colton Kreider, Caitlin Elise Kreider, Cooper Ross Kreider, Clayton Todd Hoffman, Annah Christine Lopshire, Sylvia Claire Lopshire, Caeden Chase Lopshire, Aidan Malcolm Lowry, Esme Nerys Lowry, Megan Olivia Hollopeter, Emily Anne Hollopeter, Kylie Jo Eicholtz, and Everett Lee McEowen. Another baby McEowen is due in February 2010.
Grandma's whole family was in the Fort Wayne area this weekend for Wanda and Earl's 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Aidan, Esme, Mom and I visited Grandma at the nursing home on Thursday afternoon, at which time she was coughing as an effect of pneumonia and not very comfortable. The staff had taken x-rays that morning to determine her treatment, and by evening Grandma had been taken to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. During the open house portion of Wanda & Earl's party, we received word that Grandma was unresponsive. Wanda, Juanita, Dave, Mom, Roger, Jean and I went to the hospital to be with her. We were joined shortly by Travis and Pastor White, and later by Earl and Cathy, Vonda and Taryn. I was able to share in holding her hand and helping to care for her in a few of her last hours. When we first arrived she was still able to respond as each of us told her we were there.
Grandma loved and trusted Jesus her whole life. I will miss her terribly but as my 5-year-old daughter astutely observed, "Great-grandma gets to see the Golden Road!" She will always be a blessing in our lives and I am very blessed to have known her for all of my 36 years. My children are blessed to have known her and I know they will remember her fondly and joyfully. We will tell her stories all our lives.
02 August 2009
July Flew By...
So August is here, and I am totally astonished. Where did that whole month go? It was a good one, anyway! You've already read (see below) about how we celebrated Aidan's ninth birthday, so here's an update on the rest of a very eventful month.
We had a rainy, overcast Independence Day, but that didn't stop us! We started our day at Marge's Donut Den, played some baseball, some tennis, and in general had a very relaxing day. We didn't make it to any parades or fireworks, but that was fine with us.
On the 11th of July, Aidan went to his friend Ian's birthday party at the zoo, and then we spent the day with the Dennies, celebrating Caden's 3rd birthday. It was great! We swam in Caden's grandma's pool, played with all sorts of outdoor toys, and enjoyed the company of our friends.
On the 12th of July, we were honored to attend Emily Anne Hollopeter's baptism at Scott & Cathy's church in Fenton, MI. Emily was a little star, Megan kept us all in stitches, and the after-party at Scott & Cathy's house was a wonderful time for all. We enjoy spending time with the Chrismans, Smielewskis, Boertmans and Hollopeters!
On the 15th of July, Aidan, Esme and I drove to Mason to Mom & Dad's house...and Cathy, Megan and Emily drove to Mason to Mom & Dad's house...and Mom and Dad looked after Aidan, Esme, Megan & Emily while Cathy and I went to Lansing to see the new Harry Potter movie! Thank you, Mom and Dad! It was a terrific break AND we got to see it on opening day!
On the 23rd of July, we began our day with a trip to the pediatrician's office for Aidan's 9-year checkup. It started out just fine - Aidan weighed in at 69.2 pounds, measuring 53 inches tall. That means in a year, he grew 2 inches and gained 4.8 pounds. We weren't expecting any vaccinations, but as Aidan had never had the chicken pox shot, the doctor decided to do it that morning. Aidan doesn't deal with such surprises well, and the nurse and I had to wrestle him to the table amid the screaming to get the vaccine over with. Afterward I promised Aidan that while he will still have to have occasional shots, I will never make him do it again without sufficient warning. Poor kid. In the past, when he's been prepared, he has handled his shots in a very grown-up manner.
Afterward, we drove to Mom and Dad's house and they took us to the train festival in Owosso. It was cool. There were a lot of real trains there, plus many miniature layouts in several different scales, and much to Aidan's pleasure, there was an enormous Lego layout, including several trains, lots of buildings, landscapes, etc. Very neat.
Last week, July 24-27, both children attended "camp" at Frederik Meijer Gardens, from 9:30-12 each day. Aidan's class was entitled "Garden Art," and among other things, he made a stepping stone, a flag, and a very cute sculpture from recyclables. Esme attended "Fun on the Farm," and she had a great time pulling turnips, making butter, creating a craft-foam "quilt," and learning about life on the farm - animals, games, chores. They both had a terrific time and made some new friends, too.
In August we're looking forward to spending some time with our extended family in Indiana, celebrating Wanda and Earl's 50th wedding anniversary, having some of our friends over for a cookout at our house, and celebrating Esme's 6th birthday. Jim is still working really hard on the RC Donnelly project in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. I'm plugging away at the Byers book, which is really coming along. Aidan spends time each day playing video games, reading, and running around outside playing ball. Esme pretends a lot - with her Legos, her "street cart," and her dolls, and she can occasionally be persuaded into playing ball with her brother, too! The kids get along, in general, but get sick of each other sometimes like all sibs.
In some ways I am looking forward to school starting (September 8) - quiet time during the day, back to a routine, the excitement of new teachers and new assignments...but there are also things I will be sad to see. My baby girl will be in school full time for the first time this fall, and those hours between 7:45 am and 4:00 pm are going to be really long for me! It's been good having the children home - even with the bickering! - and it will represent a new era for our family with both children away from home all day.
Aidan was so thankful for the remote-control train he received for his birthday from Grandma Margie. It is a really great toy and he's saving up to get even more track for his train.
Building his train for the first time on the morning of his 9th birthday...
He was also really thrilled to receive this circuit set from Aunt Melissa and Uncle Ryan. He's already built several of the projects, including a lie detector, a motion alarm, and an AM radio.
Laughing at the "birthday potty" joke card from Mom and Dad.
The Lightyear Blimp. :)
Impressed with Mom & Dad's gift of an Indiana Jones Lego set.
The Judy Blume book set from Grandma and Grandpa! (He's already read them all twice.)
In "training".
Perusing his Grand Canyon book from Danielle...
Some may feel they're too old for the Happy Birthday song, but they're not. :)
...and you're never too old to blow out the candles!
At this moment, Aidan was exactly nine years old - 8:08 pm, 18 July 2009.
"I built a radio!"
"Hear it? Really! I built a radio!"
Aidan, Esme and Papa in front of the Nickel Plate Railroad 725 engine. I rode behind this, Detroit to Fort Wayne, with my family when I was Aidan's age.
The engine after which the train in the Polar Express movie was modeled: 1225 of the Pere Marquette railroad.
A ride for the kids on a small-gauge train...
Dwarfed by the wheels.
Inside a caboose, Aidan climbed up in the observation area for a photo.
Last weekend, we had a beautiful rainbow here!
My dad and his tractor were in a parade, with his tractor club buddies. I wasn't there, so this is Mom's picture, but I can't resist posting this. It is quintessential Mark Hollopeter.
We had a rainy, overcast Independence Day, but that didn't stop us! We started our day at Marge's Donut Den, played some baseball, some tennis, and in general had a very relaxing day. We didn't make it to any parades or fireworks, but that was fine with us.
On the 11th of July, Aidan went to his friend Ian's birthday party at the zoo, and then we spent the day with the Dennies, celebrating Caden's 3rd birthday. It was great! We swam in Caden's grandma's pool, played with all sorts of outdoor toys, and enjoyed the company of our friends.
On the 12th of July, we were honored to attend Emily Anne Hollopeter's baptism at Scott & Cathy's church in Fenton, MI. Emily was a little star, Megan kept us all in stitches, and the after-party at Scott & Cathy's house was a wonderful time for all. We enjoy spending time with the Chrismans, Smielewskis, Boertmans and Hollopeters!
On the 15th of July, Aidan, Esme and I drove to Mason to Mom & Dad's house...and Cathy, Megan and Emily drove to Mason to Mom & Dad's house...and Mom and Dad looked after Aidan, Esme, Megan & Emily while Cathy and I went to Lansing to see the new Harry Potter movie! Thank you, Mom and Dad! It was a terrific break AND we got to see it on opening day!
On the 23rd of July, we began our day with a trip to the pediatrician's office for Aidan's 9-year checkup. It started out just fine - Aidan weighed in at 69.2 pounds, measuring 53 inches tall. That means in a year, he grew 2 inches and gained 4.8 pounds. We weren't expecting any vaccinations, but as Aidan had never had the chicken pox shot, the doctor decided to do it that morning. Aidan doesn't deal with such surprises well, and the nurse and I had to wrestle him to the table amid the screaming to get the vaccine over with. Afterward I promised Aidan that while he will still have to have occasional shots, I will never make him do it again without sufficient warning. Poor kid. In the past, when he's been prepared, he has handled his shots in a very grown-up manner.
Afterward, we drove to Mom and Dad's house and they took us to the train festival in Owosso. It was cool. There were a lot of real trains there, plus many miniature layouts in several different scales, and much to Aidan's pleasure, there was an enormous Lego layout, including several trains, lots of buildings, landscapes, etc. Very neat.
Last week, July 24-27, both children attended "camp" at Frederik Meijer Gardens, from 9:30-12 each day. Aidan's class was entitled "Garden Art," and among other things, he made a stepping stone, a flag, and a very cute sculpture from recyclables. Esme attended "Fun on the Farm," and she had a great time pulling turnips, making butter, creating a craft-foam "quilt," and learning about life on the farm - animals, games, chores. They both had a terrific time and made some new friends, too.
In August we're looking forward to spending some time with our extended family in Indiana, celebrating Wanda and Earl's 50th wedding anniversary, having some of our friends over for a cookout at our house, and celebrating Esme's 6th birthday. Jim is still working really hard on the RC Donnelly project in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. I'm plugging away at the Byers book, which is really coming along. Aidan spends time each day playing video games, reading, and running around outside playing ball. Esme pretends a lot - with her Legos, her "street cart," and her dolls, and she can occasionally be persuaded into playing ball with her brother, too! The kids get along, in general, but get sick of each other sometimes like all sibs.
In some ways I am looking forward to school starting (September 8) - quiet time during the day, back to a routine, the excitement of new teachers and new assignments...but there are also things I will be sad to see. My baby girl will be in school full time for the first time this fall, and those hours between 7:45 am and 4:00 pm are going to be really long for me! It's been good having the children home - even with the bickering! - and it will represent a new era for our family with both children away from home all day.
Aidan was so thankful for the remote-control train he received for his birthday from Grandma Margie. It is a really great toy and he's saving up to get even more track for his train.
Building his train for the first time on the morning of his 9th birthday...
He was also really thrilled to receive this circuit set from Aunt Melissa and Uncle Ryan. He's already built several of the projects, including a lie detector, a motion alarm, and an AM radio.
Laughing at the "birthday potty" joke card from Mom and Dad.
The Lightyear Blimp. :)
Impressed with Mom & Dad's gift of an Indiana Jones Lego set.
The Judy Blume book set from Grandma and Grandpa! (He's already read them all twice.)
In "training".
Perusing his Grand Canyon book from Danielle...
Some may feel they're too old for the Happy Birthday song, but they're not. :)
...and you're never too old to blow out the candles!
At this moment, Aidan was exactly nine years old - 8:08 pm, 18 July 2009.
"I built a radio!"
"Hear it? Really! I built a radio!"
Aidan, Esme and Papa in front of the Nickel Plate Railroad 725 engine. I rode behind this, Detroit to Fort Wayne, with my family when I was Aidan's age.
The engine after which the train in the Polar Express movie was modeled: 1225 of the Pere Marquette railroad.
A ride for the kids on a small-gauge train...
Dwarfed by the wheels.
Inside a caboose, Aidan climbed up in the observation area for a photo.
Last weekend, we had a beautiful rainbow here!
My dad and his tractor were in a parade, with his tractor club buddies. I wasn't there, so this is Mom's picture, but I can't resist posting this. It is quintessential Mark Hollopeter.
