From 2 to 20 Reunion

It was 37 years and 10 months ago on Aug. 22, 1970 that Muffy Leber & Everett Halstead united to become a family of two. Madly in love ready to spend the rest of their lives together taking on the hard times, good times, fast times and slow times. I remember them saying they would never let anything come between them and then joking about which ever one of us kids just happened to be sitting between them at church, in the car, or at home on the couch. 2 to 20 + 1 coming in August

Here is the family breakdown:

1. Ev & Muffy Halstead

2. Jason & Jenni DeMarce w/ Tabetha & Ethen

3. Dalton & Sue Dueck w/ Jessica, Caleb, Benjamin, Jacob & Jeremy

4. Steve & Andrea Halstead w/Koty, Jayla, Maddie, & baby due in August

5. Thom & Kris Halstead
   

FAMILY FUN FOTOS:

Even Pop-pop Leber got in on the fun during our Family Photo Marathon.

Here is a photo taken probably around the fall of 1980. This photo hangs at Pop-pops so he can proudly display his first 4 grandchildren. Below this photo you will see the up-to-date summer of 2008 version. Tabetha and Jayla hanging on the couch waiting for photos to start. Ethen & Uncle Thom resting after a morning of photos!!

Here is Maddie reading to Gem. It was so cute to here her "reading" to Gem and then asking questions like the dog just might answer back.

Jayla and Daddy
Jacob attacks Uncle Jason with some leaves!!

Lunch & Video Games
Aunt Jenni reading our favorite book, It's Pajama Time by: Sandra Boynton!! All a person would have to do is say "It's" and from all corners of the house you would hear "Pajama Time" replies.

Uncle Frank & Aunt Karen, Dad's brother & wife, drove from Pittsburgh to see all of us.This is of the Halstead cousins. Melissa is Frank & Karen daughter.

Strong Daddy!! Where will he put number 4 coming in August??
Pop-pop with his 10 great-grand children!!!
I include this photo to show you what Jason & I were going for in the photo below. Thom made it look so easy I figured Jason & I could pull the same stunt but sitting on the bench. Well, was I suprised when Jason decided to stand up. (No husbands were hurt during the shooting of this photo. I have been reassured that it wasn't as rough as he was letting on!!)

We have a family tradition of building family pyramids whenever most of us are together. We now have an adult pyramid and kid pyramid.
As I'm sure you have gathered we had a great time! As our time together came to a close it was bitter sweet. The Duecks will be headed back to their ministry in Guinea, West Africa on July 22nd. It was so hard saying good bye this time since we had just spent the last 8 months ministering together in Jackson, Michigan. We also said good bye to Dad & Mom who will be joining the Duecks on the 29th in Guinea. Having Dad & Mom head back for their 2nd term is a testament to an amazing God. It was just about 1 year ago Dad started getting sick. We then found out in September that he had leukemia. It has been a long road but we are so thankful that Dad is in remission.

So as I end this post I can only say I don't really know when I'll be able to do a 2 to 20 something Reunion update. We will wait and see what God's timing will be for our next reunion all I know is the little kids won't be so little and the big kids will only be bigger!!!

March is still roaring like a lion!!!!

We woke up Friday morning to another 1-2 inches of snow. It started the night before and melted pretty much as it hit the ground. When we went out Friday morning it was snow with a nice layer of ice under it. So much for the cute little saying we learn in elementary school, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Here in Jackson the lion is still roaring! I am happy to report that my evening the snow had melted as for the most part was gone. What a way to start Spring Break!!

Jason's truck covered once again in white stuff.

Tabetha headed to school and not too happy with the snow.

Sleeping Bags & Frost!!

Looking forward to camping this summer Tabetha and Ethen decided to get a head start and "camp-out" on our balcony. They couldn't fit a tent so they started lugging sleeping bags and blankets, I think anything of warmth we own ended up out there. When I got up this morning they were still both sound asleep and quite warm dispite the 28 degree temp and frost on the ground.

They emerged from the blankets so I could take this shot, then it was back under.

Pizza Night!

Every Friday night here at NTBI is pizza night! Now you should understand that this is not just for the students but is quite the social event of the week for all the staff, students and families. Really, all the kids look forward to pizza night, and heaven forbid they should be grounded from a pizza night. So, I finally remembered to take my camera and get a few shots. These are mostly of the Dueck and DeMarce families with a few friends thrown in.

THE BOYS TABLE!!

This is the scary table! When I took the picture not all the boys had made it through the line yet. This is usually the first table to fill, eat and be gone. They only have enough time to shovel it in and they are off to the gym or outside to play. Amazingly they can consume a fair amount of pizza, salad and ice cream only to come home a few hours later hungry.

THE GIRLS TABLE!!

The girls table is usually around quite a bit longer than the boys. Please don't misunderstand me, there are plenty of things the girls could be off doing but what girl doesn't like just sitting around chatting.

Here is Jacob, with a mouth full of carrots, because he doesn't like pizza. He is a privileged child and get to sit with dad, mom, uncle and aunt at the "big people table." Note this is also the table you will have to sit at if you are grounded or have lost the privilege of sitting with friends.

Last but not least, Jeremy! I would have to say he may have it the best, all snuggled in the carrier, with not a care in the world!!!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY GEM!!!

These are the cupcakes we make every year for Gem's birthday. The kids in child care love that there is a "doggie treat" in them. The preschool class even sang Happy Birthday!!

This is Gem enjoying a quiet birthday evening snuggled up in mom's blanket on the couch. She had quite the eventful day. The morning spent at the Bible School with lots of kids. After supper she got to go to the park, her favorite evening activity!! The only thing left is a bath since the walk in the park was a muddy one, her least favorite activity!

Just a little interesting side note. As of today Gem is 29 in human years and I, Jenni, am only 5.75 in dog years. Should you be interested in finding out just how many dog years you are check out this link, http://www.onlineconversion.com/dogyears.htm