Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 26 June 2011

Dear Family,

Indomitable Trekkers - From a rainy Wednesday through a partly sunny Saturday, Papa & Nona took care of Preston, Jacob, Sophia and Rex while Ryan & Maureen were a Ma & Pa at the Stake Pioneer Trek. It really rained hard and got everyone soaked, but everyone survived including Papa and Nona with the grandkids. Papa & Nona enjoyed the time with them specially the life energizing hugs from little Rex. It was exiting to hear the stories of the youth stepping up that Ryan & Maureen brought back. They were a great Ma & Pa and the youth benefitted from their being themselves and making the best of some very difficult challenges. The weather and their clothes were soggy and muddy, but their spirits were bright and shiny. For Photos:  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=217878741585125&set=pu.206248819414784&type=1&theater

Zoosters - Wednesday, Papa organized and conducted an expedition to the Detroit Zoo including exploration of “Dinosauria”, monkeys, Arctic Ring of Life, Prairie Dog Town, Reptile House, Amphibianville, the playground, Penguinarium  and all points in between. The hardy, expert and enthusiastic expedition team included Samantha, Joshua, Preston, Jacob, Olivia and Sophia and, of course Papa.  All had a great time together - what a joy it is to see them all having fun together.  Mom just loved staying home with little Rex.  His sunny grin, self made language, and golden head laying on her shoulder was the best therapy for any kind of illness.

More Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101000

Scientifical Field Trip- Thursday, Papa organized and conducted a quest to find more scientific information at the Cranbrook Science Museum. The “questers” included: Samantha, Joshua, Preston, Jacob and Sophia. They found: “Dinosaurs by Land, Sea and Air, Ice Age/Glaciers, Seasons, a Mastodon, About Us, Motion Lab, bugs, rocks, minerals and crystals. Once again the “Questers” had a great time together and learned a lot of stuff through this scientific experience.  And once again, little Rex filled Nona’s arms with warmth and her heart with joy.Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101016

Moviers - Friday afternoon, Nona took the excited family youthful movie fans (Joshua, Olivia, Preston, Jacob, Sophia) to see the brand new “Cars 2”. They all had a great time. Meanwhile, during a pleasant (non-raining) weather break, Papa took little Rex for a bike ride, joined by Vanessa. They pedaled around the subdivision and Partridge Creek Mall. Little Rex, like his grandfather, loves being outdoors.  

New Decader & Teenageress - Along with the summer solstice, this week Adam turned 10 (double digits, congratulations, Adam!) and Sam became an official teenager. She is so excited about her gift of a flight to visit her aunt Rachel in Denver for a couple weeks during July. It is extra special because this is the time Rachel was to be alone since Ryan will be doing his out-to -own rotation. It is a Win-Win.  Both aunt and niece should have a great time with the little girls, too.  Go Sam!  Go Adam!

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 19 June 2011

Dear Family,

Todays Celebrations & Congratulations - Happy 40th Anniversary to Mom & Dad. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads. Happy Birthday to Vo Gatti, who was born 106 years ago. Also, Happy Birthday to Jim, who celebrated his 39th on the 14th!

Deckodent - Dodging the rain showers, Dad labored long and hard to clean, strip, brighten and stain the cedar deck, planters and the railings.  Its a miracle, Dad turned the dark and dingy into a bright and beautiful place to be.

Two Score Years Ago - It was in Rio Grande, Brazil with daily partying and much ado, Mom and Dad were married on this date. Apparently, they have taken this marriage thing seriously by staying together for 40 years through thick and thin, with 7 children and 21 grandchildren to show for it (so far) . A celebration lunch was Saturday afternoon at Brio Tuscan Grill with Jim, Vanessa, Ryan, Maureen,Michael, Melanie and Grandma Nilace. We played a game of Bocce there (the girls won!).  A lovely Sunday morning greeted Mom & Dad as they had an intimate breakfast on the deck with red roses decorating the table. Since 40 is supposed to be the ruby anniversary, Dad gave Mom a beautiful, white gold, heart-shaped pendant with eight rubies  She says the center one is Dad surrounded by the 7 children. 

1971	2011
Street Snapper - A local Snapping Turtle, apparently with a death wish, wondered out of the pond, onto the street and into the risk of becoming a road kill. In spite of its vehement jaw snapping objections, Michael and Dad shoveled/herded it back to a safer environment in the creek.

  

QuesTexas - Thanks to Heavenly Father, David & Jana’s home hunting quest to Texas was a success as they found a not so little 4 bedroom house on the prairie in McKinney, Texas. They plan to move in and set up housekeeping on the 1st of July.  Meanwhile, David has been full-time conquering the mountain of legalities of becoming licensed to practice dentistry in Texas while Jana starts the massive job of packing.   Good Luck!

Father’s Day - Sunday evening the Corless Clan gathered at Mom & Dad’s home for a Lasagna dinner and a plethora of desserts. Activities including - flint and steel fire starting, football tossing, canoe paddling, game playing were enjoyed together. We had a phone call from David and a phone and video call from Lara. Thanks for all the connections.

Love y’all Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 12 June 2011

Dear Family,

Journey - After a delicious waffle breakfast and heart felt farewells, Mom, Dad and Grandma returned safely home via I-70 through Indianapolis. It was a joy to hug and wrestle with the grandbuddies, to attend the emotion filled graduation of “Dr. David” and be a part of the excitement as they plan their future. Go for it!

Viral View - Mom’s symptoms of, rash, and pain have not gone, but have somewhat subsided. Frustratingly, her normally high energy (gusto) level has not yet returned and may take a few more weeks to regenerate. Meanwhile, she has been maintaining a delicate balance of doing, but not over doing. Making the best of the situation, she has been reading books, which helps her pass the convalescing time quickly.  One notable book, “The Servant” uses Jesus Christ as the ultimate model for leadership. Thank you for your prayers in Mom’s behalf, we really appreciate them.

Spring Sing - Dad attended Tyler and Samantha’s Spring Choir concert at Wyandot on Thursday evening. It was a very good show. Tyler sang a solo as the last song (complete with a rose for his Mom), that had the house rockin’.  Jim put a video on youtube.

"The Wyandot Idol" - Tyler Kulka

Ol’ Sports Fan - Dad watched as - Michael kept the goal in a 90+ degree breezy Wednesday evening soccer game, and Jim, Vanessa, Ryan & Michael won their kickball game on a drizzly Friday evening.  Saturday morning, he watched a couple of innings of Joshua’s baseball game. He will probably never quit watching his kids play sports.

The Save by Michael " I am a Keeper" Corless

Biker Buddies - Saturday morning Dad rode his bike to Jim & Vanessa’s. For first time this year, Dad & Vanessa rode their bikes through portions of Clinton Township with a stop to watch Joshua play baseball. Dad was brought up to date on all the Kulka Klan happenings during their “Clinton by Bike Cruise”.  Dad returned home just in time to get lunch, go help Ryan return a couch set to Costco, and shop for Preston’s 9th birthday gift.

Practice Perfect Project - Wednesday, Holli came over and with Dad designed, cut out and assembled a shelf made out of the leftover material from the chest of drawers. It went very well and quickly - “practice makes perfect” 

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 12 June 2011

Dear Family,

Journey - After a delicious waffle breakfast and heart felt farewells, Mom, Dad and Grandma returned safely home via I-70 through Indianapolis. It was a joy to hug and wrestle with the grandbuddies, to attend the emotion filled graduation of “Dr. David” and be a part of the excitement as they plan their future. Go for it!

Viral View - Mom’s symptoms of, rash, and pain have not gone, but have somewhat subsided. Frustratingly, her normally high energy (gusto) level has not yet returned and may take a few more weeks to regenerate. Meanwhile, she has been maintaining a delicate balance of doing, but not over doing. Making the best of the situation, she has been reading books, which helps her pass the convalescing time quickly.  One notable book, “The Servant” uses Jesus Christ as the ultimate model for leadership. Thank you for your prayers in Mom’s behalf, we really appreciate them.

Spring Sing - Dad attended Tyler and Samantha’s Spring Choir concert at Wyandot on Thursday evening. It was a very good show. Tyler sang a solo as the last song (complete with a rose for his Mom), that had the house rockin’.  Jim put a video on youtube.

The Wyandot Idol - Tyler Kulka

Ol’ Sports Fan - Dad watched as - Michael kept the goal in a 90+ degree breezy Wednesday evening soccer game, and Jim, Vanessa, Ryan & Michael won their kickball game on a drizzly Friday evening.  Saturday morning, he watched a couple of innings of Joshua’s baseball game. He will probably never quit watching his kids play sports.

The Save

Biker Buddies - Saturday morning Dad rode his bike to Jim & Vanessa’s. For first time this year, Dad & Vanessa rode their bikes through portions of Clinton Township with a stop to watch Joshua play baseball. Dad was brought up to date on all the Kulka Klan happenings during their “Clinton by Bike Cruise”.  Dad returned home just in time to get lunch, go help Ryan return a couch set to Costco, and shop for Preston’s 9th birthday gift.

Practice Perfect Project - Wednesday, Holli came over and with Dad designed, cut out and assembled a shelf made out of the leftover material from the chest of drawers. It went very well and quickly - “practice makes perfect” 

Love y’all, Mom & Dad