Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 28 August 2011

Dear Family,

GM Wins One - Ryan is resigned his position at Ford and starting September 1st., will be working for GM at the Tech Center in Warren.  It is a significant improvement in compensation and he will save and an hour+ each day commuting time. Go Ryan! Good for you, bad for Ford.

“Better than it was” - Dad and Ryan changed the rotors and brake pads on the the Mazda MPV, which, successfully, eliminated an annoying brake shudder problem. Dad removed and replaced a faulty valve in the shower, which eliminated the  annoying drip, drip, drip. . . . 

Missionary Moment - After Mom & Dad’s bike ride on the Clinton River trail and his way back home, Dad rode his bike to pick up a part to fix the shower leak and to meet the new insurance agent. He knew Whitaker’s, who years ago, had given him a Book of Mormon, which he brought in and showed Dad.  After reviewing the insurance coverages, Dad showed him the record in 3rd Nephi of Christ’s visit to the Nephites and committed him to read it.

Clan Campout - Dad took the Explorer and pop up Camper trailer to Ryan’s on Thursday evening so the Corless/Kulka Clan could go camping at Metamora-Hadley Rec Area for the weekend. Mom & Dad joined the fun on Saturday by bringing fresh pizza for lunch. They used the brand new hitch mounted bike rack to bring their bikes to get back and forth from the campsite to the beach.  It was a beautiful sunny day with a nice cooling breeze. Games, bug catching, sand castle construction, hiking, biking and paddle boating activities filled the day between the daily meals. All combinations: grandparents, parents, cousins, siblings, husbands & wives all had such a good time with each other and together. Photos:  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101136

Kickball Champs - Friday evening, Jim (came back from the camp out) and Michael executed the right strategy and won the Championship Kickball game finishing with an undefeated season record. Dad took some photos and accumulated them on the gallery.me.com/rcorless website - http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101125

Freshman Football - Tyler played quarterback and linebacker in his first football game on Wednesday. It was 90 degree weather so Dad found the only shady spot in the whole stadium from which to take photos. He was joined by the rest of the (partially broiled) family after the first half.  After a few rough edges on their plays they started to connect for touchdown passes and won 29-0. http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101109

Love y’all,  Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 21 August 2011

Dear Family,

Pedal Pushers - The weather has been so nice. Mom and Dad have enjoyed biking the 3+ miles of the quiet and shady Clinton River Trail several times week.  They observed the happy and friendly faces attached to most of the walkers and other bikers and in contrast the determined yet tortured look on most of the sweat covered faces of the runners and joggers. Each to their own fitness methods.  They are all outdoors in the fresh air and moving. :-)

Ardent Arters - Mom & Dad went to Detroit Institute of Art on Friday for a nice lunch and to view more of the many exhibits.  Once again, they learned why they prefer the edifying & ennobling nature of the ancient and classical forms of art as compared to the more cynical attitude displayed in some of the Modern Art.  You know what you like when you see it.

Diego Rivera Mural

Joshua - the space walker

Patriotic Aircrafters - On a beautiful Saturday morning, Papa and Joshua attended, with throngs of other enthusiasts, the Air Show at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.  They heard and paused for the playing of the National Anthem. They saw and photographed numerous current and vintage military aircraft - static displays as well as flying demonstrations of acrobatic aircraft and military aircraft.  Papa explained the history and features of many of the aircraft to the eager ears of Joshua. Upon returning home, he was excited to show and tell his parents and siblings what he saw and learned. photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101103

Film Fun-atic-ers - Thursday,  Mom hosted a successful Relief Society Board meeting at home.  The theme was “obedience, a treasure unto eternal life”.  About 15 ladies attended and were physically and spiritually fed.  Meanwhile, Dad and Michael saw “Cowboys and Aliens” -  you got to love the never give up attitude of the cowboys.  On Friday, Mom & Dad saw the last “Harry Potter” movie - Mom hated the creepy snake and was so glad to see it finally get killed. Saturday evening, Mom & Dad watched a romantic comedy “Arthur” at Jim & Vanessa’s.  It was great - all the movies had happy-ever-after endings and once again, good triumphed over evil!

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 14 August 2011

Dear Family,

Matter Organized - Dad finally found a reasonably priced place to store the camper trailer and arrange to store it out of the way. Dad has been helping Michael get the various parts and tires for his Escape in preparation for his annual (1700 mile 2736 Km) journey back to school in Utah. Michael finished and submitted his application to attend BYU starting in January 2012. Also, the 16 year old air conditioner stopped functioning (gratefully the weather was cooler) and Dad arranged to get it repaired. Luckily, it was a $250 for a new fan motor and not a $2900 A/C unit replacement. 

American History Day - Wednesday was a very pleasant weather day so Papa & Nona took Samantha, Joshua, Preston, Olivia, Jacob and Sophia to Greenfield Village. They rode in a Model-T, and a vintage 90+ year old carousel, watched a theatre performance, saw Edison’s machine shop and laboratory, vintage homes, old school house, and, of course, turtles and fish in the pond.  Josh actually played old style baseball for a while. They had a picnic and Nona bought some yummy Hobo bread for dessert.

Model-T tourists

Naturalists - Papa and Joshua biked to the Sterling Heights Nature and down the Clinton River trail and back. The next day Papa and Nona took Samantha, Joshua and Olivia to the nature center and saw a movie and the animal exhibits of turtles, fish, snakes, salamanders, coyote, fox, various birds, etc. They walked down the Clinton River Trail a short way and back.

Kickballers - Friday evening, Dad watched and photographed Jim & Michael winning their game kickball. They won 10-1 and play for the league championship next Friday.  Go Team!

Michael & Jim sharing signs !

Michael gets some air time !

Sunday Dinner Party - Sunday Dinner Party - The home was full of sabbath day celebrators with 7 invited from the YSA Ward and a family of five invited by Mom and the Home Teachers came at 7:00 pm. It is wonderful to have a full house, even if it isn’t all family.

Love y’all,Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan 7 August 2011

Dear Family,

Dinosauria-ers - Mom & Dad and Eduarda met Holli, Joseph, Joshua and Isaiah at the Zoo to experience the animated dinosaur exhibit, the Arctic Ring of Life and other animals.  It was a warm day, but between the shade and air conditioned buildings we survived and enjoyed the short time together.  We missed Daniel & Nathan, as they were at a LDS Encampment of boys from several states in this region.

Soccer - There a bit of good Brazilian soccer playing blood in the Michigan Corless Clan.  Monday night Vanessa and Eduarda played forwards in an indoor game together. Eduarda came very close to scoring and Vanessa actually scored the winning goal.  Wednesday evening, Michael made some great saves as Dad video recorded it. Afterward, the referee told Michael how well he did stopping breakaways and making difficult saves.  

Farewell - Tuesday was a hard day for all of us because Mom & Dad had to take Eduarda to the airport to catch her flight to start her journey back home to Brazil and family. We are missing her here, but we are glad to hear she arrived safely to hugs and kisses as well as a great churrasco with her family. Thanks, Eduarda, for coming and bringing a part of our Brazilian family with you and, hopefully, taking a part of the Michigan family back with you. Thanks to all the family who made her stay with us a great memory for all of us. For more photos of her visit:  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#101064

Marine City Fish Company - For Friday date night, Mom & Dad went with Stebar’s and enjoyed each other’s company as well as very tasty dinner by the St. Clair River. We walked along the river and sat in the shade watching the boats and people having fun on a warm summer day. It was considered, at least, a small victory that everyone was feeling good enough to get out for a while.

Plumb Good - Ryan with Dad got wet, but they completed the plumbing of the drain and faucet for the sink in Maureen’s salon, thus making it a fully operational beautification station, which is now the ultimate weapon in the galaxy against the bad hair day. Go Maureen. No pressure, but more than ever, the fate of our hair is in your hands now!  :-)

Love y’all, Mom & Dad