Reynolds Jonkhoff Christmas Party 2012

20121213-215950.jpg

On our way out, in the hallway of the beautifully decorated Traverse City Golf & Country Club clubhouse. The twist on the white elephant gift exchange this year was that you had to make the gift of bring a $20 gift card. I was impressed by the creativity of the group. We ended up with a quilted wall hanging that has a snowman on it and reads, “Think Snow.”

20121213-220249.jpg

Summer 2012

Summer is in full swing. It’s July 4th already, and the weather has been cooperating. I’m writing this post from our deck at 7:20 p.m. and it’s about 84 degrees. One of the expected benefits of the new house has been the beach access. Last year we only swam in the bay once or twice the entire summer. We’ve been in the water every day this week. Our beach is rocky for about 150 yards, so rock-socks are recommended. But then, just before the floating raft, the lake floor turns to sand.

We’ve bought a dog cable that can be screwed into the sand, so that Yogi can lounge in the shallow water while we swim out and jump from the raft. He enjoys the chance to cool off and doesn’t miss us too much!

One of my favorite things to do, once I’ve acclimated to the water temperature, is to swim low along the bottom of the deeper water – at the bottom of seven feet or so. The water is much cooler down there, and even more refreshing on these hot summer days.

Earlier today, we drove up to Leland to shop around. Mom and dad met us for lunch and to watch the parade pass. There were amphibious cars in the parade, and Lindsey commented that she’d love to see them go in the water. Well, as luck would have it, as we were walking back to the car past the Bluebird restaurant, four of the amphibious cars were driving into the river and motor-boat-caring around. It was very cool!

Happy 4th of July to all of our friends and family, and we hope that you’re having as wonderful of a summer as we are!

Our First Christmas Tree!

In search of a tree,
We drove to “The 40”;
Linds’ in high fashion
And me not so sporty.

Like slobber to walls,
Linds’ shot to the tree.
Eighty-seven pictures later,
The saw was set free.

To honor its branches,
A prayer we did say.
Then “Amen” was uttered;
The tree would soon lay.

When my turn was had
The tree last stood;
In a matter of seconds
Did soft snow hit wood.

Above my round head,
I hoisted our tree
And without any thought
I tossed it to Lindsey.

“Here ya go Honey,
You can lug it from here.
I’ll take some pictures
And look out for deer.”

What a woman she is!
That face full of might.
The prickly tree heaved
Right out of sight!

The snow came down softly;
And Yogi had fun.
It beat the heck out of
Some plain old run!

It’s not every couple
That gets perfect weather
When they go hunting
For their first tree together.

But what mattered the most,
(And I’m proud to tell),
Is all I kept thinking was
She’s pretty darn swell!

*****The End*****