Jennifer turns 50, and a great visit with the Schwarz family

It's hard to believe that I haven't been back to Michigan in 2 years. Time flies.
So when a $180 round trip airfare with Delta popped up a few weeks ago, I grabbed a flight and arrived in Detroit to surprise Jennifer Yess on her 50th birthday.  What fun it was to do so!

Thanks to Julie Rybicki quickly organizing a surprise lunch for Jen with a few of our ol' GM pals, I was able to walk in and join the celebration!  Then later on that Saturday night, I was treated to dinner at the top of the Ren Cen at Coach Insignia restaurant with Jen, John and 4 others.  I think John paid more for my dinner than my flight cost!


And then there were the Schwarz kids! I'd been looking for a reason to get there! Beautiful 21 month old Bella and her baby brother Bryan, just 2 months old! Me and Mom Alexis spent several days together playing, feeding, rocking, changing diapers, cooking, and lots of talking and hugging! It was so fun to see these lovely babies, and to give Alexis, and Jon, a little break. What a treasured time for me!

Several friends came by at Alexis' to visit with me so I could help out AND see people.  Penny through a family party on Friday night, so I was able to catch up all those fun kids and parents.

There are still some great airfare deals popping up.  I may have to do this again soon!

Love you all! 

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Isabella Rose

My God-daughter Alexis and her huband Jon are the proud, first-time parents of Isabella Rose born one week ago today, July 7, 2009. Seven is a good number in our family: we have 7 sisters! and our home phone number growing up was 777-7456!

Beautiful little Bella was 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and 19 inches long. Everyone is doing fine.

Here is a paragraph about going home after your first child is born... out of the book "Four Seasons in Rome" which I just finished reading:

------- tba-------

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Alexis & Jon's Wedding!

Carolyn flew in from San Diego to Chicago, then drove to Michigan with Joanne. Amber took the train. Rick and I flew in Tuesday night. Joel flew in from Las Vegas, while Julian flew in from San Francisco Thursday night! People were coming from all over! And that's just OUR family! We were ready to let the celebrations begin! Here's some of how it went.

NOTE FOR SLIDESHOWS BELOW: You can click on the slideshow arrow to watch it, OR, click on the picture anywhere other than the arrow, and it will take you to Picasa Web Albums for full-screen size photos one at a time.

Girly stuff: Alexis and some of the girls got nails trimmed, cleaned, polished, and pampered on Friday morning. Oh those leg and foot massages are so wonderful and relaxing! The boys were out having fun with a day of golf together.

Friday night, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Schwarz hosted a beautiful Rehearsal Dinner in the Conservatory of the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester Hills. It is such a nice hotel and what a beautiful room! It was fancier than our wedding!

Jon's Dad expressed how happy they are to have Alexis as part of their family, and ours feels the same about Jon!

Lexi and Jon met at Michigan State -- hence the MSU cake! We captured a picture of all the Spartans - current and past!





Saturday morning began early with Alexis and the girls getting ready with hair and make-up preparations:

While Michigan skies threatened now and then, the girls arrived and the excitement was really growing. The ceremony took place at the Chapel of the Academy of the Scared Heart in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It seemed as if Alexis floated up the aisle.

Look at Alexis dance:


All her planning and choices paid off: Her dress was fabulous, with her veil, hair, and make-up perfect! Great Oaks looked beautiful with the flowers, and even tables and chairs were draped gracefully.

Alexis looked stunning, incredible!
Jon looked handsome and happy!
They danced the night away with friends and family.

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The Day After:
Here Kevin displays how we all felt Sunday morning at the brunch:

While Anna and Leah show how we felt about leaving:

The Newlyweds are somewhere in Cabo relaxing in the sand and sun, and warm ocean breezes!
We all wish them a wonderful, loving, life together!

Check back: I'll be adding more photos, and some movies!

You may leave Alexis and Jon a "hello" or any message below (click on "comments").

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RICK AND FORD:

Meanwhile, Rick is getting his fill of great Detroit food!

NANCY AND GM:

And we are getting a chance to visit with lots of friends. Here's Melinda's Blog about our GM night in Royal Oak: Mindy's Blog

And here are my pictures:
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Anna's "magic trick" - wish I could rotate movies........

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Rick AND Nancy are coming to Michigan!

Rick and I getting ready for our trip to Michigan for the wedding of my Goddaughter, Alexis Schell, to Jon Schwarz on June 21st! We'll be in town June 17 to 29. It is the first time we have traveled back to Detroit together!

<-- Alexis & Jon

Julian will be flying in for just a long weekend: arriving late on June 19, leaving early the 23.

Lexi's wedding events will keep us busy Friday, Saturday, & Sunday (June 20, 21, & 22), but I'm working on our "visiting schedule" now. Let's get together!

We are staying in Grosse Pointe. We are actually "house swapping" with Rick B., as he and his kids will be coming out here! They arrive tonight!

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Meanwhile, Rick continues to move along with his projects. This week: he took out some railroad ties in our backyard and installed a short block wall.

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Michigan Trip May 2008

South Lake High friends at Buddys:

Above: Jeanette, me, Karen, Debbie
Below: Nan and Michelle

Ursula and Lynne:

I had a wonderful time visiting with everyone while I was in Michigan!! Thanks to everyone who came out for the lunches, dinners, and other get-togethers! It was one blast after another!

GM Engineering Lunch:

Congrats to my nephew Kevin for graduating from MSU with his Accounting Degree!

Alexis, Sparty, & Kevin at MSU:

And Alexis received her Masters of Education from MSU.
(And celebrated with a BIG dessert!)

Alexis looked wonderful for her Bridal Shower, was fun!
Having so many relatives in one place made for easy visiting for me!

Shower slideshow:

My birthday was very special with so many people
showing up at Bahama Breeze to visit and celebrate with!

Rick, Julian, and I will be back in town for
Alexis & Jon's wedding on June 21st.
Maybe I'll see some of you again then!
In December (brrrrrr) we'll be back a 3rd time for
Julian's graduation from MSU.

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