Corless Clan Connection - 27 March 2011 - Michigan

Dear Family,

Sojourners - Tuesday night, thanks to Heavenly Father, Mom & Dad successfully completed the great 4500 mile “2011 Grandbuddy Tour”. The severe thunder & rain storms in Michigan  (in the way back), won the worst weather award for the whole trip - thankfully, the timely arrival just beat the freezing rain in Sterling Heights. Blessings in abundance were apparent on the long pilgrimage, specially in the form of family and friends.  Thank you all so much!

Bonus Connections - Mom & Dad spent a couple of originally unscheduled days in Utah, which allowed visits with Michael including: a flag football game; Mom’s American Sister, Susan, and her family; Bert & Barb Wanlass, including church on Sunday; the Hreinson Family, including Rachel & Ryan; the Carluccio’s, including Jacob and his wife, Misty. Thanks to Susan and Wanlass’es for the restful overnight accommodations and the “reconnection” with you. These visits were an added bonus to the already very successful time with David, Rachel and Lara’s families and Grandpa Corless.

Matter Organized - Dad honed his craftsmanship skills by helping Dan set up a work area in their garage, which included repairing, painting and installing reclaimed cabinets.  It looked pretty good and should be very functional for completing the “To Do List” for their home.  Dad & Holli were back in the shop honing their problem solving and woodcraft skills by successfully repairing a couple of drawer guides and assembling a bench with a storage bin for their dining area - it was a fruitful Thursday morning. 

Not Cool - The house was in good shape upon arrival except for the refrigerator turning itself into an incubator, which generated a horrific smell of rotting food.  The failure was blamed on a power surge or an overload in the compressor which blew out an $89 part which cost $213 to replace.  It is all cool now!

Jacob’s 7th - Ryan & Maureen hosted another great family party honoring Jacob. Everyone had a good time eating and playing games. What a pleasant time together!

Home Sweet Home - Weather is sunny and cold, but the hearts are warmed by the wonderful family and friends in Michigan.

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad 

Run Michael RUN!

RYAN & RACHEL

MICHAEL, JACOB AND MISTY

RACHEL, ANN, MYRIAM, SARAH

Corless Clan Connection - Caldwell, Idaho - 13 March 2011

Sunday 13th – Dear Family,


Project Papa – Dad and Dan have been working on a workshop area in the garage. Using reclaimed cabinets will make a real nice work area to store tools and facilitate the rest of projects for the new home owners. Dad and Holli have a plan for a few other projects when Dad gets back home.

Rupert Run – Dad made a run to Rupert to visit with Grandpa Corless at Countryside Care & Rehab at Minidoka Memorial Hospital. They had a great 4.5 hour visit sharing recent pictures of the family , stories of Grandpa’s military experience during World War II and his almost 40 years of work at J. R. Simplot Co. in Burley and Heyburn Plants.

Ross & Rex Corless - Rupert, Idaho - Countryside Care & Rehab

Disaster Diary – Mom & Dad have been following events of the after math of the 8.9 earthquake in Japan on the internet. What a terrible disaster with horrendous loss of life, unimaginable widespread destruction and potential of nuclear reactor meltdowns looming over them. It is a Modern Day Miracle that all the Missionaries are OK. The Lord watches over his servants, the missionaries.

Breakfast & Tour – Saturday morning the Sunrise Café was selected as the best place in Caldwell for french- toast, eggs, hash browns, omelets. After the delicious breakfast, a tour of downtown Caldwell included: the new renovation along the river; Dan’s boyhood homes, schools and the hospital where Dan & Sam were born.

Sarah & Abigail Mills - Ready for church

Homeward Bound – Mom & Dad plan to start their journey home from Caldwell on Friday Morning.

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Samuel Gregory Mills - Future Missionary

Corless Clan Connection - Caldwell, Idaho - 6 March 2011

Dear family,


The Long Journey – Mom & Dad’s (Papa & Nona) journey has taken them through Michigan, Indiana to Illinois, and through Missouri and Kansas to Colorado and through Wyoming and Utah to the Western side of Idaho. Dad has driven with Nona in the luxury of the MKX about 2000 miles in 35 hours and has seen the wonderful, happy faces of children and grand children in every home along the way.

Wonderful Weather – The intrepid travelers have been blest with dry roads the whole way. The best weather award goes to Denver with warm, sunny days up to 60 degrees, which accommodated walks along the Cherry Creek Trail and a visit to the Denver zoo.

Denver Delicious Delights – Café Rio was on the top of dining list. Mom & Dad became connoisseurs of fine, frozen yogurt at “Yogurtland”, which supplied a delightful dessert all three evenings with Ryan & Rachel.

Precious 21st – Little Samuel Gregory has to be a most precious child, straight from heaven. Sweet is the joy of getting to know him and great is the joy of participating in his blessing.

Knee Knews – Pedro Armando has been in the hospital for 55 days and has 35 more days to go. The good news is that he is doing well and getting better. Go Pedro Armando! We are praying for you!

Baptism – Papa & Nona attended the Baptism of Annie Jones (Dan’s niece) in Ontario, Oregon, on Saturday evening , where they got to meet Dan’s family many of whom they had not seen since the wedding reception. It was a great to see them and participate with the family in this ordinance.

Blessing of Samuel Gregory Mills - 6 March 2011 – Caldwell, Idaho

Hope all is well.

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - 20 February 2011 - Michigan

Dear Family,

Be My Valentine - Hope everyone had a Happy Valentine’s Day. Dad took breakfast to Mom in bed with a dozen roses. And they went to a movie “The Eagle” and out for a Fajita dinner at Abuelo’s.

February Thaw - Tuesday’s weather was warm enough for Dad to walk to the bank, K-Mart and Grandma’s Condo, without being frozen solid. The snow pile is now lower than the mailbox.  We all appreciate the break in the freezing temperatures, but it is not the end of the winter quite yet. It is snowing again today!

Mortified - Mom & Dad got a call Wednesday mid day that one of members of our ward (Dad’s Home Teaching companion) suffered a heart attacked and died instantly. Mom has been busy visiting, listening, consoling and helping the wife organize the affairs.  It was great to see all the support from the Relief Society sisters and Bishop as well as family. This causes one to ponder  how fragile, fleeting and precious our time on earth really is and how foolish and petty at times we are about things of little worth or value. 

Hop-a-long - The X-ray results of Dad’s left heel, showed bone spurs as the most likely cause of the heel pain he has been dealing with over the past several months. The treatment really only deals with symptoms and not eliminating the spurs. Apparently, surgically removing them has not been very successful in eliminating the pain and is only considered as a last resort.

Hoopsters - Jim asked Dad to video the annual 8th Grade team vs. Cardiac Arrest (Teachers and Parents) basketball game on Friday afternoon. The school gym was full of students cheering for both teams. The first several points for both teams were scored by Jim & Tyler Kulka and Vanessa was cheering for both of them.  It was a close game with lead changes, but in the end the 8th grade team were edged out by 1 point.

Spring Break - Michael came home on Friday for a week. Dad & Mom, Ryan & Maureen and Michael all went to celebrate at Olive Garden for dinner and watched a movie at home.

Knee Knews -  Pedro Armando is able to walk a little and has therapy twice a day. He has been able to keep up with his work through the internet, phone, and meetings, but still has about 6 weeks to be in the hospital. Vote for Pedro!

New Members - Saturday morning Mom went with Missionaries to teach an investigator and Dad attended the baptism of two children one of which is one of Dad’s home teaching family’s child. It was great to feel the joy experienced by the two families including Grandparents.

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - 13 February 2011 - Michigan

Dear family,

Pair Party - Mom and Dad hosted an “Empty Nester FHE”. Five couples came and had a great time getting know one another through a lesson/activity and socializing over yummy “Mom made” trifle and heart shaped brownies. 

Leftover Project - With great creativity and problem solving skills, Holli and Dad devised and commenced construction of a bench with a storage bin made out of the leftover oak veneer plywood from the chest of drawers project. It will be a very useful addition to the dining area.

Eagle - Wednesday evening Tyler passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review.  He called Papa with the good news and a “thank you” for helping him with his project. Congratulations TYLER! Go Buddy! This starts the third generation of Eagle Scouts in the family.

Stake Men’s Basketball - Ryan “the Craze” Corless led the North Shores ward to Victory Thursday night with a double-double (19 points and 14 rebounds); he dominated the boards, and continues to make crazy shots with tons of english.... way to go Ryan! (as reported by Jim)

One Pill-less - It is official and Doctor endorsed! Dad’s blood pressure is good enough to eliminate one of the hypertension medicines he has been on for many years. Go Dad! 

Artified - Mom & Dad perused a few of the exhibits (including the special show “Fakes, Forgeries and Mysteries”), had a nice lunch, and a relaxed at the DIA.  Fun time together.

Trained  - Mom & Dad attended the Worldwide Training on Saturday morning at the Stake Center and returned home to prepare for Sunday’s Valentine’s dinner with the family.

Western Ho - Mom & Dad have planned a trip starting February 26th to Alton,Illinois to participate in Peter’s Baptism, to Denver to see the Hreinson family, and then to Caldwell, Idaho, to see the latest addition to the Mills family - little Samuel Gregory. Lucky for Mom & Dad the temple is shutdown for two weeks of maintenance while they are traveling.   

Medallionists - The Mother daughter team of Samantha and Vanessa received the Young Women’s Medallion Award at church today. Jim, Vanessa and Olivia got up to speak to honor Samantha and Dad came armed with words from Mom and spoke to honor Vanessa. It was a special day for the “Kulka Klan”. Go Vanessa and Sam! You are valiant warriors of Heavenly Father. 

Knee Knews - Pedro Armando’s tenacious and clever infection has thus far eluded the antibiotics, and therefore, has not been eradicated. Unfortunately, it looks like he will be in the hospital for 50 more days. Let’s keep him in our prayers.

Love ya Dinner - Ryan & Maureen with their tribe and Jim & Vanessa and their tribe and the Sister Missionaries came for the annual special Valentine’s Lasagna dinner. After dinner all the cousins, aunts and uncles enjoyed seeing and chatting with Rachel, Mia and Lydia and subsequently, Lara, Abby and little Samuel Gregory via the internet. It was an “electronic reunion”.  Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!   Photos:  http://gallery.me.com/rcorless/100838

Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Award Earning Kulka’s - Tyler, Vanessa and Samantha

Corless Clan Connection - 6 February 2011 - Michigan

Dear Family,
Congratulations to Dan & Lara. Samuel Gregory Mills was born on Thursday the 3rd of February weighing in a 7 lbs. & 13 oz. (3.55 Kg). Mom & Dad enjoyed very much the video call from them through the WiFi in the hospital. They got see the little angelic arrival, Samuel, peacefully resting and also were able to see and talk with the elated parents, Dan & Lara.   Thanks, Thanks, Thanks be to Heavenly Father for the safe arrival of Papa & Nona’s 21st grandbuddy. It is truly a great blessing that all is well with them.  Congratulations!
Snow and more snow - The wind driven white fluffy stuff started to fall Tuesday night and filled our driveway to the point that it took Dad all Wednesday morning to dig it out and clear it. The snow kept falling and Dad cleared the driveway and sidewalks again in the late afternoon. Saturday, the snow came again and filled driveway and sidewalks; this time Ryan was here and helped to clear it off.  This has to be most snow accumulation and extended cold spell in recent history. Global warming - more like North American mini Ice Age this year.
Overnighter -  Friday night, Ryan & Maureen and tribe had an overnighter at Papa & Nona’s because Ryan & Maureen had an early morning meeting at the stake center in preparation for this summer’s Youth Conference Trek.  Unfortunately, Jacob was sick and emptied his stomach during the night. In the morning, Papa made pancake, egg, bacon and hash brown breakfast but there were not too many takers.  Thankfully, Jacob was soon feeling better.
Sidhu’s 50th - Saturday night, Mom & Dad attended the birthday party for Suki Sidhu.  There was socializing, picture taking, dancing and food & drink. Mom & Dad got to know some new people. Dad got a geography lesson about the excellent farmland and climate in Punjab (Five Rivers), which is very similar to Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay.  Mom enjoyed dancing to Punjabi music with the other guests. 
Sophia’s Birthday Party - Ryan & Maureen hosted the party celebrating Sophia’s 4th birthday with a spaghetti and salad for dinner and cake a ice cream for dessert. Games and fun time for all. Happy Birthday Sophia. 
Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - 30 January 2011 - Michigan

Dear Family,

The Dreary and Bright Sides - Wintry clouds, cold and light snow dominated Michigan weather this past week making it a bit dreary, but the pure white snow on the evergreen trees was a beautiful display of Heavenly Father’s handiwork.  Dad made the best use of it by getting out to sweep and shovel the snow off the driveway and sidewalks a few times and by taking a few photos.

 

Knee news - Pedro Armando continues to improve and is looking to being home again this week.

Sports - Tyler’s three basket ball games this week marked the completion of his season. Jim starred in the basketball game on Thursday against Walled Lake by scoring a career high 30 points. He was just filling in for Ryan, who was ill and could not play. All the other family athletes survived their soccer and basket ball games; even Dad survived another Friday morning racquetball and breakfast outing.

History & Creativity - Mom & Dad visited the Detroit Institute of Art to fuel their minds with a history lesson from ancient art and fuel their bodies with a grilled chicken sandwich and green salad.  It was mentally stimulating to see the similarities and contrasts of the ancient American,  Egyptian and Greco-Roman beliefs about the afterlife to each other and the teachings from the Restored Gospel. It was a great date.  Photos- http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100817

The Archaic & The Eternal Beauty - Kresge Court - Detroit Institute of Art

Love y’all

Mom & Dad