Reany 365

Day 5

2010-01-06T17:18:00.002-05:00

Day 4 - Soccerzone

2010-01-06T17:14:00.003-05:00

Day 3

2010-01-04T22:59:00.002-05:00

My "New-to-Me" Treadmill.

It was a craigslist deal. Its less than a year old and barely used. Bought it at a third of the price. Sweet!!!!!

Skinny here I come!

Day 2

2010-01-04T22:53:00.002-05:00

Walter

An Angel in the snow at dusk.

Day 1

2010-01-02T12:03:00.002-05:00

Here is my first day the second time around. Introducing the subjects you are likely to see throughout the 365 days.

Maria - age 8

Patrick - age 7

Frankie - age 4

Chris - age 3

Walt - age 1

Shaun's trip to Argentina

2009-04-03T13:51:00.008-04:00

Black Buck

Fallow Deer

Red Stag

While I am at it

2009-04-03T13:41:00.009-04:00

Walter Michael

2008-09-10T21:04:00.004-04:00

Introducing Walter Michael

Born: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 12:50 am

Weight: 7 lbs

Height: 20.5 inches

July 5, 2008 pictures

2008-07-11T15:32:00.005-04:00

Updated Photos from June 5, 2008

2008-06-07T15:02:00.006-04:00

The Tiebreaker is................

2008-04-26T14:55:00.002-04:00

Look for baby Walter Michael to make his appearance at the end of Aug/beginning of Sept.

Score - Boys 3, Girls 2

Chris walking

2008-02-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

Recent pics of the kids (by request)

2007-12-16T22:28:00.000-05:00

Chris -13 months

Frankie - 2.5 years

Patrick - 5 yrs

Maria - 6 yr.

Day 136 - August 21, 2007

2007-09-04T15:02:00.001-04:00

Riding the mechanical bull.

Day 135 - August 19, 2007

2007-09-04T14:50:00.001-04:00

Playing with Photoshop Elements

It almost impossible to get 4 kids all looking at the camera. I used the bottom 3 pics and combined them into the top picture.

Day 134 - August 17, 2007

2007-09-04T14:10:00.001-04:00

Day Out with Thomas

The view from our coach

Daddy with Maria and Patrick

Frankie looking out the window

Us on the train.

Day 133 - August 16, 2007

2007-09-04T14:06:00.001-04:00

Visiting w/Grandma. <>

Day 132 - August 14, 2007

2007-09-04T11:58:00.000-04:00

Let sleeping babies lie...

Day 131 - August 12, 2007

2007-09-04T09:33:00.001-04:00

Attempt 2

Day 130 - August 10, 2007

2007-09-04T09:24:00.001-04:00

Attempt to get a good pic of a 2yr old (part 1)

Day 129 - August 8, 2007

2007-08-13T11:57:00.000-04:00

A Series of Pictures of Chris

Day 128 - August 7, 2007

2007-08-13T11:50:00.001-04:00

Visiting with the Olsons

Brianna and Kyla

Brianna and Maria

Big sisters helping little sisters

Princesses

Day 127 - August 6, 2007

2007-08-13T11:47:00.001-04:00

I got to meet with Heidi and her son on the way to visit my mom.

Day 126 - August 4, 2007

2007-08-13T11:19:00.000-04:00

2007 Annual Family Reunion

Watching the Bocce tournament from the deck

Marilyn with her granddaughter Ashlyn

Pat and Blake

Arnie

The Bocce Champs - Gene and Michael

Shawn

Rick, Julie, Charlie and Blake

Michele, Gene and Abby

Susan, Mary, Isabella, Michael and Christian

Bethany, Abby and Chuck

Jackie and Dale

Janice and Milford

Day 125 - August 1, 2007

2007-08-13T11:17:00.000-04:00

Frankie just waking from a nap.

Day 124 - July 29, 2007

2007-08-13T11:15:00.001-04:00

This was pretty cool. I had the shutter speed really low and caught Chris' movement.

Day 123 - July 27, 2007

2007-08-13T11:13:00.001-04:00

Dancing on the deck

Day 122 - July 25, 2007

2007-08-13T11:08:00.001-04:00

The view from our rental house on Suttons Bay.

Day 121 - July 23, 2007

2007-08-13T10:45:00.001-04:00

Maxxamillian Goodboy ~June 9, 1996 - July 23, 2007~

Our dog Maxx was laid to rest. He was 11 yrs old.

Maxx was a good dog. Very obediant, very loving, very gentle, very good with the kids.....

We will miss you Maxx.

Day 120 - July 22, 2007

2007-08-05T16:42:00.000-04:00

This is what it looks like when Grandpa feeds the baby.

Day 119 - July 20

2007-08-05T16:38:00.000-04:00

Frankie on the swing.

Day 118 - July 18, 2007

2007-08-05T16:31:00.001-04:00

Here is one of my Favorite Memories of Chris, so I just copied from a blog last year.

Chris loved Maria and Patrick so much. Maria especially. I think that if he could have a child at that point in his life he would want her. Chris offered to baby-sit with Veronica all the time. When he found out that his unit was to be deployed to Iraq, he told me that one of his first worries was that Maria and Patrick would forget about him while he was gone. I assured him that I would not let that happen. I stuck his picture in the "Who loves baby" photo album for the kids to look at daily. We even made homemade cards for his birthday and mailed pictures to him. After he came back from Iraq he and Veronica would offer to baby-sit even more. Once they took Maria for the day to the mall. When they went out to eat they introduced her to others as their daughter.
June 6, 2003, we all waited anxiously for the busses to arrive at Fort Custer Base in Battle Creek, Michigan. We knew that after five months in Iraq we were finally going to see Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis. The whole family was there. Even Grandma Willis made the trip with several aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though Maria was only 19 months old and Patrick 6 months we brought them along for our reunion. We were told they would arrive at 10 pm. As 10 pm approached excitement grew. Even as 10 p.m., then 11 p.m. passed we didnt care, for it didnt matter what time the busses arrived we knew he was home. And he was safe. A short time after midnight the busses pulled up. I have never seen such a celebration. All the families were about to burst with happiness and love. Our soldiers were home!
As they got off the bus, we could see their tanned faces. Their bewildered yet proud eyes searching the crowd for family. As soon as we spotted Chris we rushed to his side. Everyone was talking a mile a minute. I could tell Chris was uncomfortable with the bombardment of affection, questions, and faces. Still it was hard to contain excitement at his homecoming.
We finally got to leave the base with our soldier hero in our caravan. Even though it was past 1 am, we followed to the house. Not wanting Chris to leave our sight for a single moment. Too afraid it was all just a dream and he was still far away. We drove through Paw Paw slowly. Many businesses had welcome home signs for him posted. The whole town was so proud and happy he was home safely.
When we got back to the house, I put Maria to sleep in the playpen in Grandma Bobbis room. Still holding sleepy Patrick, we sat in the living room with our chairs in a circle (everyone wanted a clear view of Chris). We all wanted to know what happened, how was he doing, give us some good stories. The uncomfortable look was back on his face. He looked like he didnt belong. Like we wanted his military family with whom he just spent 24/7 with, instead of all the strangely familiar faces that were interrogating him. I didnt say much. I just wanted to listen and to watch him. Just knowing that he was home was enough for me. Besides, no one wanted him home more than his parents who did most of the talking.
Several weeks later Chris and I were out on the back deck talking. He told me that the night he came home he was out of sorts. He couldnt erase the images from war, the constant heightened awareness, and the feeling that he didnt belong. He was uncomfortable with the way everyone was staring at him but he knew why. He told me that at one point he needed to leave the room, just to get away. He used the excuse of needing to use the bathroom. He used the bathroom in the hall to Bobbis room. He was unaware that I had placed Maria there. His movements woke Maria. When he looked down the hall, she stood up, stared at him with unconditional love in her baby eyes and put her arms up. He bent to pick her up. When he did she wrapped her little arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Children have a way of knowing when they are safe and loved. Chris told me that as soon as she did that all images and horrors from the war, all uncomfort, any awkwardness all disappeared. All he could think was how much this little girl loved him and how much he loved her. It was a moment of complete peace for him.
As he told me this story tears welled up in Chriss eyes. He hadnt told that to anyone else cause he was worried they would think he was just a big sap. I just thought he was the perfect uncle. Maria and Patrick were so blessed to have him as their uncle.
Another week or two went by and God decided to bring Chris home to Him. His work on earth was done. I miss Chris and am so sad that Maria and Patrick were so young at the time that they most likely will not remember Chris. Shaun and I do our best to talk about Chris and to put pictures of him in our home. We will make sure they know that they had an uncle who thought that they were the sun and stars.
WE MISS YOU CHRIS. WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis
March 2, 1979 July 18, 2003

Day 117 - July 16, 2007

2007-07-20T12:17:00.000-04:00

We went on a field trip for class. This was my best shot.

Day 116 - July 14, 2007

2007-07-20T11:59:00.000-04:00

Isabella's Birthday Party at Jungle Joes

Bella blowing out the candles

One of the bouncy rides

Maria and Bella riding down together

Christian

Day 115 - July 12, 2007

2007-07-20T11:42:00.001-04:00

More Beach Shots

We had an get together with my old college roommates.

8 adults + 17 kids (the oldest being 9 yrs old) = lots of fun!

Day 114 - July 10, 2007

2007-07-20T11:30:00.001-04:00

We went to the beach in Muskegon. Here are some shots I took. Thought they would look nice in b&w.

Day 113 - July 8, 2007

2007-07-20T11:06:00.000-04:00

Another thing we learned in class. The focal lenght of your lens can make a huge difference in portraits.

The top picture was taken w/20mm wide angle lens. I had to get really close to Frankie. Notice how big her sunglasses are and how tiny her shoulders are compartatively.

The next picture was w/55mm lens. She is much more proportionate.

The next two pictures are w/320mm zoom lens. She is shown in all her beautiful glory. And because I could stand quite a distance from her, she was much happier.

Day 112 - July 6, 2007

2007-07-20T11:02:00.001-04:00

Aunt Mo and her boys!!

Day 111 - July 4, 2007

2007-07-20T10:59:00.001-04:00

We were at Frank and Bobbi's house for the Fourth of July.

Frankie slipped and bump her chin on the side of the pool. She cut her chin pretty bad. After everything she said she would touch her chin with 3 fingers. Even when she woke up the next morning she said, "Hi, Mama. Booboo."

Day 110 - July 2, 2007

2007-07-07T14:13:00.000-04:00

Day 109 - June 30, 2007

2007-07-07T14:01:00.000-04:00

I went to a Mommy-Zone Meetup in Indiana

Tracie, Jessica, Katrine, Me, Suzanne, Sarah, Chris and Sean

Elliot and Frankie

Kiersten and Maria (BFFs)

Chris on the swing.

Day 108 - June 29, 2007

2007-07-07T13:55:00.000-04:00

Day 107 - June 28, 2007

2007-06-28T09:58:00.001-04:00

Day at the park.

Day 106 - June 27, 2007

2007-06-28T09:44:00.001-04:00

300mm

200 mm

135mm

75mm

55mm

18mm

I got a new lens for my camera a 75mm-300mm.

Here is the difference in the zoom. The bottom two are from the old lens and the top are from the new.

Day 105 - June 26, 2007

2007-06-28T09:34:00.001-04:00

Day 104 - June 25, 2007

2007-06-28T09:22:00.001-04:00

More Berry Picking

Day 103 - June 24, 2007

2007-06-24T22:36:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLA!!!!!

These are not new pictures, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my adorable niece.

Day 102 - June 23, 2007

2007-06-24T22:34:00.000-04:00

Its no secret for those of you that know me that I am not exactly the most graceful person on Earth. Just another reminder today.
I ordered a bike on Wednesday and had Shaun pick it up for me today. I had a rack mounted on the back for a baby seat and an odometer/speedometer on the front. When he brought it home I kept riding it in the driveway. It is only the second new bike I have ever had in my almost 34 years. The first I bought with my newspaper route money that the brakes wore out in 2 months. It is so nice. Shocks on the front wheel, shocks on the seat, padded seat. I love it.
I hook the baby seat onto the rack and asked Frankie if she wanted to go for a ride. Of course she did. I got her all set in the seat. Went to do another round in the driveway with her and I see Maxx our 11 year old Doberman Pinscher walking in front of me. I start to yell, "Maxx, move! Get out of the way!" I press on the brakes but don’t want to squeeze them or turn to quickly cause I am just getting used to the feeling with the baby seat on the back. Too late. I crashed into Maxx. Down goes the bike. It fell on my left side. I was so worried about Frankie being in the back that I twisted my body to try to catch the bike and the toddler that I cut up my right elbow and the pedal cut up my right leg. I managed to cushion the blow for Frankie to she was just scared and not injured. Maxx was fine too. Besides my trying not to use profane language in front of the children who were worried about me as I was bleeding we all turned out fine.
Just reminded me so much of the day in Highschool when I fell off my bike 3xs in one day. Oh the memories.

Day 101 - June 22, 2007

2007-06-24T22:23:00.001-04:00

These are cause Frankie makes me laugh.

Day 100 - June 21, 2007

2007-06-24T22:17:00.000-04:00

In class we were learning about shutterspeed.

Top photo - 500

2nd - 50

3rd - 15

bottom photo - 4

Day 99 - June 20, 2007

2007-06-20T19:21:00.001-04:00

The sweetest thing I've ever known is loving You.

Day 98 - June 19, 2007

2007-06-19T22:10:00.001-04:00

Day 97 - June 18, 2007

2007-06-19T22:06:00.001-04:00

I was messing around with photoshop. I turned the top picture into the bottom pic.

Day 96 - June 17, 2007

2007-06-19T22:04:00.001-04:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!

Day 95 - June 16, 2007

2007-06-19T21:59:00.001-04:00

Part of my class project for the week. The view in my rear view mirror of my driveway.

Day 94 - June 15, 2007

2007-06-19T21:44:00.000-04:00

We found some ripe black raspberries. Obviously not as many made it home as were picked.

Day 93 - June 14, 2007

2007-06-17T17:43:00.000-04:00

On a hot day, the sprinkler is fun!

Day 92 - June 13, 2007

2007-06-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

My handsome hubby Shaun with his wonderful parents Frank and Bobbi.

I truly an blessed. I have a husband who is very compassionate, fun, loving, generous, loyal, he loves his children and is a great father and he loves me.

My in-laws are truly fabulous people. Shaun learned to be the wonderful man he is from these two people. They care about everyone, friends, acquaintences and strangers.

I know there are people out there who dont get along with their in-laws but wow did I get the best of the bunch. Thank you God for the three people in the picture above.

Day 91 - June 12, 2007

2007-06-14T12:49:00.000-04:00

My beautiful niece, Mary Angela.

Day 90 - June 11, 2007

2007-06-11T11:10:00.002-04:00

I got to go out twice in one day. The top photo Shaun and I went to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters fundraiser with his parents.

The bottom photo Brooke, Susan, Mom and I surprised Mo at lunch with some gifts to get her excited for her up coming wedding. (Really she is excited but it was a good excuse to get together and give her presents).

Day 89 - June 10, 2007

2007-06-11T11:10:00.001-04:00

I made this ring bearer pillow for Mo's wedding.

Day 88 - June 9, 2007

2007-06-11T10:58:00.001-04:00

The kids love to draw in the driveway. I drew Maria and then she laid next to herself. Of course Patrick had me draw Thomas.

Day 87 - June 8, 2007

2007-06-11T10:42:00.001-04:00

I started a class this past Thursday. Here is a part of my first week's assignment. We needed to photograph 3 different subjects under four different light sources. For each subject, bracket the exposure one stop up and one stop down for a total of 3 exposures per subject, per light source. For a total of 36 pictures. Here is one subject (Chris) under Tungsten bulb lighting.

Top picture - f-stop=4.5, shutterspeed=4

Middle - f-stop=4.5, shutterspeed=15

Bottom - f=stop=4.5, shutterspeed 8

Day 86 - June 7, 2007

2007-06-11T10:37:00.000-04:00

Day 85 - June 6, 2007

2007-06-06T11:25:00.004-04:00

The kids all jumped on the four-wheeler thinking they were going for a ride. But this is what was actually happening below.

Day 84 - June 5, 2007

2007-06-06T11:25:00.003-04:00

This is what I saw when I went to bed. They were so sweet I hated to move them, but then where would I sleep?

Day 83 - June 4, 2007

2007-06-06T11:25:00.001-04:00

Shaun was doing TaeBo and the girls decided to join him.

Day 82 - June 3, 2007

2007-06-03T15:25:00.001-04:00

There is a storm a brewin'

Day 81 - June 2, 2007

2007-06-02T11:35:00.006-04:00

I am an aunt!!!

Mary Angela was born in the wee hours of the morning June 2. Mommy and new daughter are doing great. Shaun took Maria, Patrick and Frankie to go see her. I have a cold so it will be a little bit before I see the new angel. But Shaun did take pictures so I could see her beautiful face.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD MARY!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Day 80 - June 1, 2007

2007-06-02T11:35:00.005-04:00

Action shot of Patrick driving the jeep.

Day 79 - May 31, 2007

2007-06-02T11:35:00.003-04:00

Peek-a-boo

Day 78 - May 30, 2007

2007-06-02T11:35:00.001-04:00

I swear he liked the minnie mouse ears.

Day 77 - May 29, 2007

2007-06-02T11:34:00.002-04:00

Frankie and Mama

Day 76 - May 28, 2007

2007-06-02T11:34:00.001-04:00

Kissin a baby!

Day 75 - May 27, 2007

2007-06-02T11:33:00.004-04:00

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!

Day 74 - May 26, 2007

2007-06-02T11:33:00.003-04:00

Day 73 - May 25, 2007

2007-06-02T11:33:00.001-04:00

Grandma got silly string in her hair.

Day 72 - May 24, 2007

2007-06-02T11:32:00.002-04:00

Can you chew your toes? Would you even want to?

Day 71 - May 23, 2007

2007-06-02T11:32:00.001-04:00

Sorry I was slacker and didn't take pictures but here are some more from the kid's graduations.

Day 70 - May 22, 2007

2007-06-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

Patrick's Graduation

Day 69 - May 21, 2007

2007-05-21T15:09:00.001-04:00

Graduation Day for Maria

Day 68 - May 20, 2007

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Frankie.

Day 67 - May 19, 2007

2007-05-21T15:04:00.001-04:00

We have a 1935 Firetruck. We want to get it fixed and drive it in parades.

Day 66 - May 18, 2007

2007-05-21T15:01:00.001-04:00

My Peanut is getting to be a grown girl. She is so beautiful.

Day 65 - May 17, 2007

2007-05-21T14:55:00.001-04:00

Patrick made a train. He love the drive the jeep, then connected the bike trailer and then the wagon. His sisters usually ride in the trailer.

Day 64 - May 16, 2007

2007-05-16T15:32:00.000-04:00

Day 63 - May 15, 2007

2007-05-16T15:30:00.000-04:00

See how well Patrick's head healed?

Day 62 - May 14, 2007

2007-05-16T15:26:00.000-04:00

Day 61 - May 13, 2007

2007-05-16T15:10:00.000-04:00

When Shaun wanted to know what I wanted to do for Mother's Day, I told him I wanted to go to the park.

Day 60 - May 12, 2007

2007-05-16T14:54:00.000-04:00

When we got home, it was beautiful outside. I like the contrast between the focused and unfocused flowers.

Day 59 - May 11, 2007

2007-05-16T13:34:00.000-04:00

Have to upload picture of our dinner at Medievel Times from our other camera.

Day 58 - May 10, 2007

2007-05-16T13:28:00.000-04:00

Chris, happy to be in the warm outdoors.

Grandma and Lisa poolside.

Day 57 - May 9, 2007

2007-05-16T13:08:00.000-04:00

SeaWorld

We met up with my old college roommate at Seaworld. This is us at the entrance gate.

Maria and Patrick both got to try the bungee jumps. They had a blast.

The orcas.

A trainer on the tip of a dolphins nose.

Shaun, me and Kim in front of the Anheiser-Busch Clydesdales.

There were Chilean Flamingos walking down the street. Maria walked up to them.

Day 56 - May 8, 2007

2007-05-16T12:42:00.000-04:00

I got to meet Kim from MZ

Kim and Me outside Chili's

There were only 7 of the 11 children present. Grant holding Melayna, Garet, Myah-Cate, Gracein, Frankie and Chris.

Frankie and Myah-Cate. They are 2 months apart in age.

Frankie giving Myah-Cate a look. (she must get those dirty looks from her daddy cause that could never come from her mother)

Meeting for the first time.

Day 55 - May 7, 2007

2007-05-16T12:04:00.000-04:00

Animal Kingdom - Walt Disneyworld

Us with Mickey Mouse

Shaun got a huge turkey leg for lunch. He shared with the girls.

The tree of life had beautiful carvings like this all over it.

The kids playing the bongo drums outside the safari.

With Baloo from Jungle Book. Chris was in the stroller sleeping. We wanted him in the picture, but you cant see him. Frankie is terrified of anyone in a costume. She wouldnt take her eyes off Baloo and trembled in fear.

Day 54 - May 6, 2007

2007-05-16T11:56:00.000-04:00

My mom came on vacation with us. It was great to spend time with her. The kids just adore Gamma (as Frankie calls her).

Day 53 - May 5, 2007

2007-05-16T11:38:00.000-04:00

We spent quite a bit of time pool side at our rental house.

Day 52 - May 4, 2007

2007-05-16T11:36:00.000-04:00

On the plane to Florida

Day 51 - May 3, 2007

2007-05-16T11:31:00.000-04:00

A bouquet Maria picked for me.

Day 50 - May 2 Time to get caught up

2007-05-16T11:21:00.000-04:00

These are the tulips that Maria planted last fall.