Christmas at the Wickman's

This year was different, but the same for our family for Christmas. The different part was that we were at Pam and James' house in Mayville. The part that was the same was that we were together as a family, eating (too much), playing games, and just enjoying each other's company. Christmas was very relaxing for me, (Pam did a great job making dinner, and she said she was tired at the end of the day.) Thanks Pam!!! Here are some pictures of Christmas at the Wickman's! (The birtday hats are for celebrating Jesus' birthday.)

Christmas

Merry

Christmas!!!

I hope that you all have a great Christmas

with your families and friends!!

Mall Adventure

So yesterday I went to the mall. For those of you who know me well, I don't go to the mall. I bought a couple of Christmas presents and I was reminded of why I don't go to the mall. The mall is packed with stores for women. Even the few men's stores aren't my style. JCPenney carries Levi's and you can get t-shirts and sweatshirts anywhere. So I survived my yearly trek to the mall. It wasn't that crowded due to me going Friday afternoon, before school got out. I also realized that there are too many things to look at in the mall. I tried to look in the windows, at the kiosks and at the people in the mall and I started to get dizzy. My grandma Spear sometimes complains about getting dizzy in stores, now I know what she means.

So for another year I will do my best to stay away from the mall. I'm not against the mall, it just doesn't fulfill any of my needs.

Unexpected Surprise!!

Alright, so I come home from work today to find a surprise in my bedroom. Dave's cat left extra food that couldn't fit in her stomach on my bed and bedframe. It was so disgusting that I had to share it with all my friends. So here's some pictures of the mess.

Sometimes I really hate that cat. The cat is cool looking, but I really think she is the devil in disguise.

Hey Kelly, I thought of your incident with Sarah's cat and how her cat made a mess on your bed. Now I know how you feel. I guess I will be closing my door everyday to keep the cat out.




























Here's a close up of the mess, yuck!!

Rose Bowl Bound

Well, it's Michigan vs. USC in the Rose Bowl. Not what I was hoping for, but it figures...it's the BCS. The BCS did what we expected, to choose teams for the bowl games based on money and number of people possible to watch. It's a shame that it has come down to this, oh well. Maybe this will be another step towards a playoff system.

GO MICHIGAN!!!

Last Chance

Well today is the last chance for Michigan to get into the National Championship game. We just need UCLA to beat USC. UCLA is a big underdog, but anything is possible, especially this crazy year of college football. I'd like to see USC lose also if Florida also lost to Arkansas this would mess the BCS all up. I hate the BCS, they make a mockery of college football. I read this week that the governor of Louisiana called the Rose and Orange Bowl presidents to bargain some way for LSU to get into one of their games. This causes me to believe even more that the BCS is all about the money, rather than the search for the best teams in the country.

Chris' Life

Well my sister says I need an update on my log. The thing is that if you want to know what is going on in my life, check out Pam's blog, Stephanie's blog, my dad's blog, and Kelly's blog. They have the pictures to show you what I've been up to. Birthday parties, hunting with James IV and dad, holding little Alex (oh and not pictured...holding little Abby:)!!), and Hanging out with Ben and Kelly at Thanksgiving. I forgot my camara for all these wonderful events, but I still had fun!!

Michigan/Ohio State

What a Great Game!!!

I am bummed that Michigan lost, but I thought that it was a very even game. Both teams made an equal amount of mistakes, but Michigan couldn't capitalize on Ohio State's mistakes. I still believe that the teams should still be ranked 1, 2 in the BCS, but we will see.

I enjoyed the game with my dad and brother-in-law, James. Football is always better watching with other guys. (Ben, we missed you, but understand school is more important!)

GO BLUE !!!

Hunting with Dad

Well this year was my 21st year of deer hunting with my dad. I've had more successful years, but each year it is just relaxing to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods, the excitement of seeing a deer, and the afternoon naps. No deer so far this year. Maybe another chance during Thanksgiving break. I did however see a few deer, none that I could really shoot.

My dad and I stayed at Andy Briggs' home in Farwell and then hunted about 20 minutes away. This was nice because I was able to spend quality time with my dad. It was warm and comfortable at Andy's. I could get used to hunting like we did this year.

I took a picture of myself with my phone, but I have been unable to get it to post.

Driving Against Traffic

I had an interesting experience tonight. I've always heard stories of people driving on the wrong side of the highway, well tonight I experienced this.
I was returning from Traverse City and was traveling south on M-47, north of Freeland. In the northbound lane there was a truck going south (this is the wrong way!). I called 911 and reported this and they said that they would send a car out. Well this guy kept going and cars were running off the rode to avoid him. This is a divided highway with a ditch in the middle.
Finally, just before the the road turns into a two-way, he went through the median to the right side. I had passed him, but chose to pull over and wait for him to pass me so I could get his license plate number, which I did and then called 911 again. I followed him into Freeland while on the phone the the dispatcher. I lost him when he turned and I didn't. I went back to try to find him, but he was gone. I saw the officer that was looking for him and shared where I think he went, and then I went on my way.
About a half hour later, the officer called me and informed me that he found the man, and issued him several tickets for his reckless driving. I told me that the man was not drunk, and blew a 0.0 in the breathalizer. He asked if I would be available for court if needed, and I agreed.
This was an interesting experience that I hope I never have to witness again. I was very afraid that I was going to witness a head on collision and traumatize the youth with me, but thankfully this didn't happen.

Thirty-Five!

Well today I'm 35 years old. I don't feel 35, in fact I feel about the same as I did at 25. I guess that is a good thing. I took the day off of work and I'm just enjoying some rest and the lack of stress from work and being on the go all the time. I been able to find several hours this week to do some reading and have found that it is very relaxing to me.

Thank you all for the Happy Birthdays that you have sent my way!

Stress!!

I need to say that sometimes my job is very stressful...but, today's Michigan game seemed to be more stressful than anything at work. I can't believe that they almost lost to Ball State! The real stressor what that they weren't on TV (why isn't the #2 team on TV?). I tried to watch the play by play action on ESPN's gamecast. With 2 minutes left and Ball State on the 2 yard line the computer stopped updating the plays and I got left in the dark about the score. Here's where the stress really came in! Somehow Michigan ended up winning, I saw the score on the TV.
If Michigan plays like this against Ball State, we are in trouble against Ohio State. :(

GO MICHIGAN!!!

AGE...Deceiving at times!

Well I haven't written in a while, not because my life isn't exciting, but I'm just not sure what to write about. I was riding in the car with my grandma tonight taking her to church. I told her this was the first evening service that I had been to since summer and she commented that there really wasn't any service specifically for me. I pointed out to her that I will be 35 next week and that I guess that I am an adult and am okay with being in church with other adults. This sounds silly, but I have worked with teens so much over the past 15 years that I still feel like a kid sometimes. My grandma made me think that I am much older than I feel, thanks Grandma! Today was my sister's 33rd birthday which kind of got me thinking about this. I hope that my next 35 years will be as youthful feeling as the first 35.

LET'S GO TIGERS!!!

3 to GO...still.

U of M --- 8-0!!

Bring on the Buckeyes!!!

WORLD SERIES BOUND!!!

It's been a while since the Tiger's have been in the World Series. I remember when I was a kid, guys like Lance Parrish (my favorite), Jack Morris, Alan Trammel, Lou Whitaker, Tom Brookens, Kirk Gibson...They were average men that worked together to win the World Series. This team reminds me of them, no individuals on this team. They all earned this together.

I'm excited to watch and see if this year's Tigers can finish their run and win the World Series. If anyone is interested in getting tickets and taking me along, I'd be grateful...I'll even buy snacks at the game!

GO TIGERS!!! GO MICHIGAN!!!

Yesterday was a great day for sports and male family bonding. I was able to enjoy time with my dad and my brother-in-law James watching U of M smoke MSU and the Tigers beat up on the Yankees. I was also able to spend time with both playing PS2 Tiger Woods golf and Madden 07. (yes, my dad played PS2!!) We even had a man's meal, steak, potatos, corn...almost like tailgating.

It was a great day, thanks James and dad!

PS. Mom and Pam were at Barakel for the weekend, which made this possible. Thanks to you also.

Hunting

Today I went bird hunting with my dad, Travis and Gus. We had a lot of fun. Gus kicked up about a dozen birds for us today. We had about 4 shots. I shot twice and hit once. Dad missed all his and Travis didn't shoot. We did a lot of walking and got a lot of exercise. It was a beautiful fall day and I really enjoyed myself. Here is a picture of the bird that I shot.
Today reminded me of when I was much younger and I went hunting with both my grandpa's and several of my uncles and my dad. Back then I was the hunting dog. I was sent through the thick stuff. The funny thing was that we also had dogs back then and I still was sent through the thick stuff. Hmmm!

Dinner at the Wickman's

Tonight Pam made a scrumcious taco casarole for dinner. It was well worth the drive to Mayville. I also get to play PS2 with James, listen to story time when the kids go to bed and the play a game with Pam and James. (Pam never wins, and James and I make fun of her). Anyway, I am thankful for my sister's desire to make sure that I am eating healthy and that I have someone to talk to at dinner, just as Ben and Kelly used to do, (thanks Kelly!!).

New Blogger

It's nice to hear from my cousin, in Denver. I'd like to hear more from him and he should start posting news on his new Blog!!

P.S. Several times a week I think about visiting Denver and I can't wait until the next time that I can visit, soon I hope.

Life is Normal!?!

Well, I haven't written in a while. I've been busy working, working and you guessed it working some more. I still clean the church and mow the lawn in addition to my regular job, plus I've been working on the windows in the house.
I went to the Doctor this week for my arm which I broke this summer. He said that the healing is going "slow". New bone is growing over the break and my twisting movement and grip strength is not where it should be yet. I'm doing exercises to regain this and taking in calcium to help the bones heal. Two more months and I go back for a check up and hopefully will be healed to the Doctor's desires. There is still a soreness in the daily movements, but the flexibility is imporving. Thank you all for your continued prayer!

Home From Vacation

Vacation. It never seems to be long enough. Just when I know that I am lazy and rested, it ends. Back to work, wishing I was still on vacation. Oh well, a couple months and I'll be able to take another.

Vacation was great!! I had a lot of fun with my family. This is the first vacation that I have had with them in about 5 years. We did alot of exciting things. Some of the following pictures show the fun that we had.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, this has been a very busy week. It seems as though I have been working nonstop. Friday is the beginning of a ten day vacation with my family. I'm really looking forward to this. I should have some good pics and stories when I return. Stay tuned for more...

Tigers Game

Yesterday a group of 26 people from my church went to a Detroit Tigers baseball game. I had a lot of fun. We rode in a bus down to the game.

My dad drove the bus and gave us a smooth ride. Thanks Dad!!!

The ball park is really nice. This is the first time that I was at the new park and I was very impressed. The Tigers played very well and ended up winning 4 - 0.

It was fun to spend time with friends and watch the game.

I especially enjoyed watching the game with my dad.

I hope that we can go and see another game soon. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was even more enjoyable. Thanks also to the people who went to the game and for the good time that we all enjoyed.

Nascar

Today I was invited to go to Michigan International Speedway with my friends Dave, Cam and Lyle. I love Nascar racing and especially going to this race because we are on the start/finish line in the 23rd row. Great seats!! Thanks for the tickets Cam.
It was a lesiure day, tailgating before and after the race, eating brats and spending time with friends. It was also very loud, 43 cars going 200mph for 200 laps. Tony Stewart is the driver that I like and he finished 3rd, Matt Kenseth won and Jeff Gordon came in 2nd. There was a lot of good racing which also made it very exciting. I will try to get some pictures up on this blog.

My New Blog

Well I'm not sure what will be written in this Blog, but my friend Kelly encouraged me to start this blog. I have been able to keep up with the happenings of my friends lives, especially since many of them have just recently move out of Saginaw, so hopefully this will help them keep up with my life. So here goes nothing.

Today, I finally got my cast off my arm after 9 long, hot weeks. It looks pretty good, but it is quite stiff. As I'm writing this I'm soaking it to remove the dead skin. (I know this is kind of disgusting for my first blog, I promise it will get better). Once I figure out pictures I will post one of my healed arm.