Corless Connection - 30 August 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Grandma’s Michigan Residence - The purchase agreement has been signed and the escrow payment and estate documents have been delivered for her condo. Everything is on schedule for her to set up residence in Michigan in late September.

Deck & Closet - Dad helped Ryan put a coat of sealer/stain on the thristy boards of their deck and install shelves in the new boy’s room closet. Looking good!

Beautification - Mom & Dad replaced a dying bush with a flowering Althea Hibiscus with great hopes it will grow and beautify this small corner of the earth. The yard really looks nice with all the flowers blooming.  The weather was so nice Mom & Dad took the time just to sit out on the deck one evening, to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and the sight of the moon rising in the clear sky.  It even inspired Mom to bring out the guitar and play some old songs under the moonlight.

Visitors - Thursday Morning the backyard was visited by four whitetail deer, which Dad photographed. Thursday evening Mom hosted the ladies of the Relief Society Board to a dinner and message; everything looked beautiful and they all had a good time together.  Saturday morning Mom & Dad went ot the airport and brought back Pedro Armando & Paula Gatti for a short, but fun visit.

Brazilian Connection - It is always a great joy to have a visit from our Brazilian family. Just to be with them is good for the heart and soul. In the afternoon, we went shopping to Costco, had dinner for 10 people at Brio, toured the homes of Jim & Vanessa and Ryan & Maureen to see the updates since their last visit and to play a game. Rex & Myriam and Pedro & Paula went on a cruise on the Detroit River.  Sunday family dinner and games for 17, included the Kulka Klan and Ryan & Maureen Corless Clan. Papa made a campfire for Jacob, Olivia and Sophia.  The time was short but we did pack in all the fun and love we possibly could.  Thanks Pedro and Paula for the wonderful visit!

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Whitetailed Visitors

Pedro & Paula - Detroit River Cruise

Corless Connection - 22 August 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Empty Spots - Nona & Papa are already missing Mia & Lydia, who left with their parents Ryan & Rachel for Denver, on Wednesday afternoon. With all the visits, get togethers, parties and meals together, we made some good memories - so it was a great visit enjoyed by all.

The Storm - Thursday evening, a violent tornado-spawning storm hit the area. Papa & Nona’s house only had a litte thunder and rain. But, Jim & Vanessa’s had a neighbors trampoline blow over 300 feet into their house to damage a rain gutter.  Stebar’s had a 18 inch diameter oak limb break off and land on their roof. Thankfully no one was hurt and the damage is minor and easily repaired. 

For the Birds - Papa helped Tyler with his Eagle Scout Project. First, there was the morning fueling of Tyler with 4 8” Waffles; second, a few of hours in Papa’s shop cutting out the wood parts for three  Purple Martin, (mosquito eaters) bird houses. It was a success - 1) Tyler got his stomach (temporarily) filled, 2) the bird house parts actually will go together for easy assembly and 3) all the fingers are intact as well as no physical damage to any body parts.  Go Tyler!

Sports Central - Monday night, Vanessa & Rachel played a game of soccer at Total Soccer. (The team was planning for next season and wanted Rachel, “the web”, to stay and play.)Papa survivied an hour of Racquetball on Friday morning and a 10 mile bike ride with Vanessa early Saturday morning. Also: coach Jim with Preston, Jacob and Joshua won two roller hockey games on Saturday morning. Go team !

Vanessa & Rachel Post Game

Grandma’s Michigan Abode - The purchase agreement for the condo is scheduled to be signed on Tuesday, which will kick off the minor repairs and the title work to be done, and the closing scheduled. All making ready for Grandma’s move to Michigan late in September. Go Grandma! 

Journey to Brazil - Nona has scheduled her flight to visit our Brazilian family - leaving the 7th of October and returning on the 18th of November. It will be springtime so the weather should be very nice and certainly warmer than last years mid-winter visit. Go Nona!

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Ryan, Mia, Lydia & Rachel

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 15 August 2010

Dear Family,

Inspiration & Perspiration - Inspired by kids and grandkids around us and working in the Temple.  Perspired by the very warm and very humid weather week.  We are all very grateful for family and air conditioning.

Cranbrooked - Papa & Nona hosted a lunch trip to the Cranbrook Institute of Science to take some photos and muse the special dinosaur skeleton collection and educational displays. Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100497

Mentor’s Memorial Morning - Mom & Dad attended the Memorial Service for Earl Mabery. It was a great tribute to an experienced engineer that Dad worked with and learned from at Ford for many years; as an excellent racquetball player, he taught Dad much in the court, too.  Dad will missed their weekly breakfast sprinkled with political and religion discussions.  Also, the service and following lucheon, was a wonderful opportunity to visit with several ex-coworkers that Dad has known for a few decades.

Dinner Disco Date - Mom & Dad had a tasty Mexican dinner at Abuelo’s and bowled in a Disco/Bowling alley with Jim, Vanesssa, Ryan, Maureen, Ryan, Rachel and Michael & Melanie. It was a challenge to bowl with flashing colored lights and music videos in the eyes and pulsating beat of the music in the ears. Jim had the guy’s high score and Mom was the lady’s high scorer.

Sports ‘R’ Us - Hockey and kick ball topped the family sport’s week.  Preston, Joshua and Jacob coached by Jim did better this week in their two team “under 8” roller hockey league. Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100480  The family kick ballers of Vanessa, Ryan & Michael won both games of a tournament doubleheader on Friday and will be in the championship game next week. Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100487 

Old Scouter - Ryan invited Dad to bring his scout memorabilia and tell a few stories about his scouting experience to North Shores troop of scouts as part of the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the USA.

Love y’all,

Action shot of the week - Michael dives for one!

Mom & Dad 

Hreinsons with the "Flying Turtle"

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 8 August 2010

Dear Family,

Safe Arrivers - Ryan, Rachel, Mia and Lydia arrived on Wednesday afternoon and it has been a party ever since. There was a pulled-pork dinner with Wii games at Ryan & Maureen’s on Friday evening; a surprise, early birthday, pizza party for Rachel with games at Jim & Vanessa’s on Saturday;  and on Sunday afternoon, we had a chicken and pasta dinner and games at Papa & Nona’s.

Zoopedition II - The hot & humid weather gave way to a beautiful day to visit the zoo, which, included a great show put on by the unusualy activate Polar Bears. Dad got a photo of a Kangaroo in mid hop with Ryan & Mia in the background.  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100472

Roller Hockey - Dad photographed Joshua, Preston & Jacob playing hockey together on Saturday morning. Jim was the coach assited by Tyler with Ryan & Vanessa adding positive parental support from the bleachers.

Temple Tuesday - It is never a dull moment for Mom & Dad, who were trained to be able work in the Baptistry.

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Mother & Daughter

Rachel & Ryan

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 1 August 2010

Dear Family,

Mover - Grandma Sparks came for a quick visit to find and buy a condo, which she is now in the process of purchasing. It is a beautiful home with two bedrooms, a den/library, two car garage, and a full basement. It is at the SW corner of Ryan & 19 Mile roads. We are anticipating her move to Michigan as soon as she is able to get her matter and matters organized enough to move - probably in early September. Photos of the condo are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100375

Itchy - Michael has almost fully recovered from his two-week-long vicious skirmish with Poison Ivy. He still gets itchy with the heat and perspiration, but is much better now. He has thoroughly enjoyed the return of his close friend Ryan Drake from his mission. It has been a great and joyful reunion for them.

Home Again - Mom watched Preston, Jacob and Sophia on Monday while Maureen safely returned from her short trip to California. Dad helped Ryan get the new and slightly too big sofa in the basement and add a few more finishing touches to the basement project. It is a really nice place to be.

Zoo-pedition - Friday morning, Papa & Nona took Samantha, Joshua, Preston, Jacob and Olivia to the Detroit Zoo to visit our favorite animal exhibits including the butterflies, river otters, birds, Reptile House, Arctic Circle of Life - polar bears, treeroos, penguins and Amphibianville. We all survived and even enjoyed the stroll in the zoo thanks, in part, to the great, sunny and not too hot weather. Photos of our expedition are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100445

That's the Ball Game - Along with a few of the grandbuddies, Mom and Dad watched the kick ball game featuring: Ryan, Vanessa, Maureen and Michael as the "star" players. The most exciting part of the game was Michael's game-tying home run, which was due to his speedy base running and a few defensive errors. Season photos with several stop action shots are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100283

Hockey - Saturday morning, Papa, after his 10 mile bike with Vanessa, took Joshua to the roller hockey game where they met up with Ryan, Preston and Jacob  It was fun to watch the little guys play hockey with oversized jerseys, all the pads and helmets firmly in place and, somewhat randomly, whacking at the puck with their sticks. Photos are at: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100438

Seafood & Friends - Saturday evening, Mom & Dad relaxed for a couple of hours in the company of the Stebar's while enjoying a  delicious seafood dinner at Big Fish.  It was a wonderful evening mixed with a dab of commiserating and a lot of laughing and sharing - good for the soul! Thanks to Heavenly Father for friends and family.

 

Love y'all,

Mom & Dad