Great picture of my Mom when she was a teenager. We will miss her very much but have lots of wonderful memories of her. The trip to Denver was a wonderful experience. It was good be with Mom before she died and as she took her last breaths and to have my brothers, sisters and wife there also. It was a wonder memorial service and it was good to remember Mom with a lot of friends and relatives. Mom was a warm and loving person who delighted in serving the needs of other people around her. A common thread in many memories about her was the wonderful food she made and served. We went through a lot of pictures that were stored at my sister Marge's home and that really stimulated our memories. Mom made a wonder home for us and has now gone to her home in heaven. She is now in perfect peace.

Disaster Relief Services/ Rapid Response Port Arthur, TX

Rich and Dan Bajema are back from their one week volunteer stay in Port Arthur, Texas. Does anyone remember Hurricane Ike? It does not seem to have captured the attention that Katrina did a few years ago. Actually all the work we did was in Bridge City, Texas where only 14 of 3500 homes are being lived in at the current time. We helped clean up flooded homes which included such activities as shoveling mud, tearing out wet and moldy drywall, hauling rubble to the curbside, pressure washing interiors, and spraying chemicals to stop mold and mildew. Great time but very hard work. Oh yes, Rich got to chainsaw trees for a few hours so he was really happy. We even brought home some holly and crepe myrtle logs to turn. We could see why the average stay of a volunteer is only 2 weeks. Now Joy is excited to go. Maybe it's the warm weather?


The first picture is our gang from all over. Canada, Illinois, and Michigan. Thanks to our leaders Gord and Shirley!







Second picture is a before shot where the house was partially gutted before we got there.







Last picture is an after shot just before we left.

Tale of two cousins in Idaho

The adventures of Kianna and Luke in Sandpoint, Idaho is now history. They get along really well and are a joy to all around them. Should remind Earl and Cathy of time they spent with their cousins Jeremy and Becky.











Kianna helping in the garden picking garlic. She looks like she is really into it and right at home at the farm.












It's dressup time down at the old coral. The cowboy and the princess look like they are having a grand time showing off. That's Luke's sisters Remy and Mariko keeping an eye on them.


















The is the farm house where they stayed. It belongs to Tom and Linda Tauber who are the in-laws of Tim Jr and parents of Tim's wife Cassie The farm is about 100 acres near Sandpoint, Idaho. Cathy, Luke and Kianna are now in Caledonia, Michigan at Grandma Joy and Grandpa Rich's and Grandma Joy got a new camera so I'm sure lots of new pictures will follow

A Weekend in Mackinaw City

Rich and I spent a wonderful weekend in Mackinaw City. The picture is of our summer campsite at Wilderness State Park--it looks a bit different in the winter. We rented snowshoes and enjoyed exploring the park--it was a great day with lots of sunshine and blue sky. Stayed at the Hamilton Inn which is a nice hotel right on the water. It was strange to be in Mackinaw City in the winter--most stores and restaurants were closed but we managed to have some great whitefish at one of the three open restaurants in the city. All in all it was a fun getaway weekend.

Winter Wonderland

Greetings from beautiful Michigan!! Our winter wonderland is gorgeous today so I thought I'd show my loved ones who are in warm climates what they're missing!!:) We're having lots of snow this winter and part of the "wonderland" is wondering when we'll see the ground again! We've had lots of school closings which teachers and students love but parents are a bit tired of it. We're also wondering when school kids will get out for the summer--hopefully by the 4th of July!!! Rich and I are well. Rich probably spends about 50 hours a week in his barn and is delighting in that. I've been enjoying volunteering and taking care of Steve and Mary's two youngest--Ben was here this morning and we played with blocks and trucks for a few hours--Ben is 18 months. I'll pick up Ellie from pre-school on Friday and we'll do lunch and maybe go to the mall for a little while so that she can ride the carousel. (actually we both get to ride it:) Rich will celebrate his 64th birthday on Sunday. We celebrated his birthday plus a few others with the DeBoer family this past Sunday--Church was canceled due to an ice storm but everyone managed to get here for dinner. This Friday evening, the Klops and niece Sarah are coming to celebrate Rich's birthday a second time and then, Rich and I hope to go out for dinner on Sunday to celebrate! Three birthday parties--I really love him!!!
Blessings to all of you.

Pic One: Our home in winter.
Pic Two: Rich's barn where he spends hours!
Pic Three: Our camper-we're not staying in it yet.
Pic Four: Our backyard with empty birdfeeders.

Too Much Time in the Woods

Yesterday as I was walking through the woods with my trusty chainsaw and axe looking for some trees that were likely candidates for cutting down to make blanks for my woodturning, I looked up in a tree and this is what I saw!!!! I turned around and walked right out of there.

We haven't spent a lot of time traveling lately except back and forth to friends, relatives, and church unless you we can count walking in the woods and out to the shop and back, but it's time to update the blog if only to stay in contact and return greetings we received for the holidays.

It's finally January and Joy is a little depressed and bored because there are not as many social engagements to take up our time and Rich has taken a deep breath and a sigh of relief for exactly the same reason. What a pair. We had a wonderful holiday season but missed all of those who are so far away, especially the grandkids.

Joy is learning to knit for the umteenth time and having some success for the first time. She also is looking for a calligraphy teacher in the Grand Rapids area. She is working part time in the Calvin Bookstore and loves being back on campus to smooze and play dutch bingo with the students and all her friends. Volunteering was a little slow for the month of December but will certainly pick up during January. Joy got several books for Christmas so she will stay busy along with those and CSIs and Law and Orders.

I am still woodturning and Joy is very hopeful because "this is the longest you have stayed with one hobby". We had a party before Christmas and a group of friend from early Calvin College times came over and made wooden pens for Christmas, it was a great time. I helped a neighbor mill some oak and cherry trees into lumber so I picked up several truck loads of cuttoff slabs for platters and plates. Get you order in soon. Also, I am mentoring at a local high school material sciences class where they are introduced to woodturning. I am taking a little time out to help nephew Jonathan build an aquarium but I still get to woodturn while the epoxy is drying. I need to update my website so don't look now but take a peak in a few weeks at http://rjanema.com/

We don't have many long term plans for travel the rest of the year but will undoubtedly get around a bit. We had such a wonderful time with Earl and Cathy and the families last September and hope it works out again this summer. We will be campground hosts at Wilderness State Park in Mackinaw Michigan from the week before Memorial Day to June 30th and would love to see any of you up there. Let us know and we will help you pick out a good site. We aren't real good about making long term plans but kind of like to just take off.

My sister Winnie and husband Don have moved to Grand Rapids where Don has a new position as Minister of Congregational Life at a church here. Joy is looking forward to lots of socializing with Winnie and Don and I are working on plans for a little fishing. It will be good since Winnie and I have not lived in the same town since we were kids.

We wish you God's blessing for health and prosperity for the coming years.
Joy and Rich

The New Jersey Connection

We took a short side trip on the way to New Jersey and spent some time in Lancaster, PA. Great place with lots of wonderful quilts, furniture, etc. This is an Amish buggy, you can tell because it is gray. The Mennonite buggies are black. You have to be a little careful where you walk.







Not Joy's idea of "woman's work.












A good way to limit the number of trips to the store and the things you buy. The speed limit sign is not really necessary.










Joy's brother Bob and his wife Dot. They were great hostess and host. It is great to visit with them because we Bush supporters can gang up on Joy. Also, Bob has been around Joy enough to really know how to pull her chains. We will be back soon since they got rid of the futon and got a real bed in the guest bedroom.






Joy's niece Wendy and her family minus oldest son Ed and plus Allison's boyfriend Steve. Nephew Bob and his family were over for Sunday dinner also but they sneaked off early before we could get a pic.









Saturday was quite a day no matter which way you looked at it. Bob and Dot took us on a roving cousins tour. Wow, it started at 11am and finished about 5pm. We saw all the cousins by showing up at their houses and knocking on the door. Joy was in her glory and we won't talk about Rich. This is cousin Ruth.







cousin Eleanor













cousin Bet

We also visited cousin May Lou, cousin Peter, and cousin Ed but didn't have time for pictures.









We are home now for a while we think. Hoping for a visit from Cathy and Lucas in December.

All Tucked In For A Winter's Nap

We had a fine camping season and the Durango 5th wheel is all set in it's winter spot. Here's hoping the critters don't get too attached to if during the winter. The water has been drained and all the food stuffs are out so we just need to put antifreeze in the lines and disconnect the battery and store it. It was a fine home away from home and we indeed consider it our cottage on wheels.

We are very much comfortable with life in the camper and spent probably 60 or more days in it between May and September. I think I am beginning to realize that the life of an RV'r is one of constantly fixing the myriad of things that go wrong. We really appreciate our cars because they are relatively maintenance free but that is not the case for our camper. We they delivered the old Ford Model Ts they also included a few tools because they knew you would need them to be fixing the car but the 5th wheel did not come with any tools!! With out getting into a long litany of all the things that went wrong it is enough to say that we are now much more knowledgeable about the electric, water, suspension, tires systems than we were at the beginning of the season. Thanks to an RV dealer who is alway ready to give instructions and hints over the phone.

Now we are off to see the Bob De Boers in New Jersey with a short stop off in Amish country in Pennsylvania. We have been greatly saddened with the news that brother Roy De Boer has adrenal cancer for which they have no treatment. We are thankful that he has recover from some serious stroke-like symptoms and is home from the hospital now. We will stop by Their home in Fenton, MI to see Roy and Kristin on our way to New Jersey and again probably on our way home also. Please pray for Roy and his wife Kristin.

Flashbacks Weekend

(left to right: George Zuiderveen, Bob Noordeloos, Elaine Destigter, Joy Anema, Gretchen Zuiderveen, Ann Mary Dykstra, Angie Stegink, Leroy Stegink, Barb Noordeloos, Rich Anema, and Chuck Dykstra) Sorry about the picture quality but the camera computer had a hard time dealing with all the gray hair and bald heads.

Wow, what a weekend. My ears are still ringing or to quote Chuck Dykstra when a couple guys took a break, "Too many words in there!" Thanks to Gretchen and George Zuiderveen for hosting this event again they have a wonderful cottage filled with love. We all made wooden ballpoint pens with a mini-lathe; the women took their annual shopping trip and visited 3 stores in 3 hours but the haul was down a little from previous years; Hobo pies were a new experience for many of us; but a lot of other traditions were observed like the shopping, oatmeal, and of course the Trivial Pursuit contest. I won't gloat about who won the contest but only need to say the men kicked butt as usual. I'm glad because with the arrival of Joy and myself on the scene a few years ago it gave the women an advantage so I wasn't so popular with the men.

It is really remarkable that even though we don't all see each other all that much during the year we get together up at Grand Marais and pickup right where we left off. Thanks again George and Gretchen.

The Bookless Club

Well, we are off again but only for a long weekend. For the last several few years we have been reunited with some old college friends. All the guys at one time or another roomed together at Calvin College. 4 of us guys have known each other since grade school at Denver Christian. It started long ago as a book club but no one read the book so it became a bookless club. We all get together each October at Zuiderveen's cottage in Grand Marais in the upper peninsula of Michigan. We already have some old traditions like the men vs women in a wild version of Trivial Pursuit. It's a grand time and I will get some candid pics this year. We also want to stop by Wilderness State Park to say hi the the staff and drop off some bowl we made from the maple and oak they gave us. Welcome along for the ride.

Home Sweet Home

Well, we did it. We left Caledonia, MI on Aug 26th and we returned on Sept 19. It was a grand tour and a wonderful time with all of the family from Washington, Hawaii and Colorado. We travel through Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota,Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa.The trip back from Colorado was non-eventful and we are ready to take off for the Wabisis Park Church campout this weekend so far unless we decide we have had enough for the time being and just stay home.

I would post a picture but it would look just like the first one we posted thanks to Jonathan and the Nick De Boers and neighbor Elaine taking such good care of the homestead. The camper is a little worse for wear and plastered with bugs but it was a very comfortable home away from home.

Our thanks to all who so graciously hosted and entertained us but especially to Earl and Nora who welcomed us so warmly. The yard on Dayton Pl. in Kennewick was definitely our favorite campground. Thanks Uncle. To all who read our blog we wish the best. We will be taking a break for a few weeks now. October 5-7 will be our annual trip to the Zuiderveen's in Grand Marais, MI. Well write more about that later. In later October we hope to go to New Jersey to see Joy's brother Bob and family. God is good, even with a few trials and some tough times.

Denver Times

It has been a good time in Denver, not an easy time but a good time. Last evening we were able to host some good friends and relatives out to the campground at Cherry Creek State Park. Greg and Jenna Hess came early which was great because we got to talk a little before the Anema gang showed up. Jenna is healthy and very pregnant, 9 weeks and counting and they seem so happy and it's just fun every time we see them. Jerry, my brother, and Marsha and their entire family minus Sarah came to see us. Aunt Dorthy and cousin Grace also came. It was good to see them all.


The main reason for stopping by Denver was to see my Mom who is in a nursing home and we haven't seen her for almost a year. She appears to be doing well and looks healthy for her 87 years. But, it is very difficult to communicate with her for a number of reasons. She is very unexpressive, hard at hearing, and only says a few words like "yes", "no", and once in a while a "what". It is hard to see a loved one like that but we are thankful for her care givers and trust our Heavenly Father to take her home soon.

This evening we had supper with my sister Marge and talked and talked. It was good to be with her and its seems like we pick right up where we left off when we saw her last. We missed seeing Keith and his family on such short notice and their lives are very busy, also we had spent a good deal of quality time with them at Wilderness Campground in Michigan in June.

Well, we leave for home tomorrow and I think we are ready. Having trouble with the battery and the DC charging system. Hope we make it home without having to get it fixed. The low battery alarm just went off so I need to hook it up to the truck to see if that will charge it for a while. I'm not sure if there is a circuit isolator to prevent the truck battery from draining so I don't want to leave it connected all night. Seems like rv life is a series of fixing things as they come up with the camper. To our GR friends, see you soon.

Rocky Mountain High

We are camping at Fort Collins and spent the afternoon up at Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I have arrived, I got a National Parks Senior Pass which is a great deal for only $10 and never expires. I remember when my Dad got the pass and I thought he was so old. Many, many memories as this was my parents favorite spot and we spent a lot of time there as a family. Passed several spots where we had rented cabins and took a hike around Bear Lake. That's where this picture was taken with Hallett's Peak in the background.


It was a bit cloudy and the aspen are just starting to turn in the higher elevations.











Joy just had to stop to get a good picture of this "moose". If you think this is something besides a moose you are probably correct. It was a great day and we got to spend the last few hours shopping in Estes Park. It was very crowded and there was a crafts fair in the park so we didn't stay very long. Tomorrow after church in Fort Collins we move to Cherry Creek Campground in Denver. We hope to see a few friends and family and of course spend some time with Mom Anema.

Camping at Wallowa Lake, Oregon

We have all been out of touch since Monday morning when we left for Wallowa Lake, Oregon. The weather was great and the family fun was outstanding. We hiked, bikes, roasted smores, and smores and smores'. Some of use rode a tram to the top of a large mountain while others rode go carts and others went shopping. It was just great. The smiles on these ladies' faces sum it all up. I don't know which one of the smiles is the cheesiest.

Today we had to say goodbye as the others went back to Kennewick, WA. Cathy and Luke leave for Honolulu on Friday and it's back to school and work for Earl and his family. It was a grand time and we are already talking about the next time. Maybe Yellowstone or Yosemite.

We are in Twin Falls, ID on our way to see Mom Anema and the family in Denver this weekend. Had an exciting tire blowout on the 5th wheel but had a spare and all the tools necessary to get it taken care of. When you get a flat tire you always wonder if you have the right stuff to change it especially for the first time. Now we are experienced. We are having a grand time even though it is a bit quieter than it has been for the past 10 days. We got the news about Marlene Cook and pray she will recover quickly and completely.

The Big Day- Kayla's Birthday Party 2007

The big party was today and the preparations are all coming to an end and we are all ready. Grandma and Grandpa are in their glory and the kids are all wound up. So, its party time.






We had an exciting visit from Spiderman and you should have seen all the wide eyed kids. There was dead silence when he made his grand entrance over the top of the roof of the house and jumped down onto the patio. Wow, it was so exciting. He was very entertaining and everyone got in on the act, even some of the adults. He is a friend of Earl that does this for a part time job and does a great act. We had a grand time and the kids were so wound up they took hours to come down.

This is Earl, Nora, Kiana, Lucas and the birthday girl Kayla with her tiger. It all took place in their backyard that Aunt Cathy helped to decorate with streamers and balloons. Earl and Nora worked many hours to set all this up.





If you look close in the back row you can see two older Spiderman fans. The party was attended by 40 to 50 friends of Earl and Nora's and was a very interesting mix of cultures and peoples. A great time was had by all and they stayed late to sing Karaoke in the living room and dance out on the patio. Definitely the highlight of our trip so far.

We are all here together

Well, we did it. The Great Anema reunion in Kennewick, Washington hosted by our son Earl. We are having a wonderful time. Cathy and Luke came in yesterday morning and we are all staying at Earl and Nora's home and having a great time. Joy is playing Grandma to the tee. Earl and Grandpa are doing all kinds of little projects and just enjoying each other. Cathy is out shopping the thrift stores and the cousins are all getting to know each other again. Luke and Kayla are really cute together, all hugs and kisses. Kianna is at her Mom's but we are all waiting for her to get back tomorrow morning, especially Luke. Nora is busy cooking with her friends for the big birthday celebration on Saturday for Kayla's 2nd birthday.

Here are a few pics of the gang at Uncle Earl's fire station.







Kayla and Lucas getting to know each other at the swing set.

Aunt Bonnie comes in today from Olympia for an overnight visit, more cooking for the party, getting everything else ready, and just basking in being with family. A very special time.

Couer D'Alene, ID

We are really getting closer to Washington, Spokane is only about 30 miles away. Today we took a long ride into the interior of Idaho along the St Joseph River where I have fished many times. One of the more memorable times was with Aaron and Don Klop. We stopped in Spokane to get Aaron his first fly fishing outfit. Great memories. Took Joy on a ride over the water shed from the St Joseph to Wallace, ID and it was the "longest 30 miles I ever rode". No napping on that ride.
This is the view from behind our campground. It is the Spokane River as it flow out of Couer D'Alene lake. Yesterday we rode down a great bike path that runs along the river and the lake all the way through town and along the lake shore the other side of town. It is actually a part of the Centenial Trail, anybody remember the BikeCentenial?



This is the campground where we are staying. Maybe a little bit like a parking lot as Joy says but it is close to town, the bike trail, shopping, etc.
The weather is warm, 90 during the days but it cools down fast a night and is good sleeping



Off for a little exercise. Not very much because it gets dark early here. Like 7:15pm





Ospery that lives behind our campground near the river. Beautiful big bird and very vociferous.



Tomorrow we are going to Cheney Washington to visit Dave and Nancy Terpstra. Dave is a brother inlaw who teaches at Eastern Washington University. Then the next day it is off to the Tri Cities to meet the gang.

Missoula, MT

We made it to Missoula, Mt-big sky country! However, there are forest fires in Idaho and some parts of Mt. and so Missoula is under a cloud of smoke--not exactly a big sky feeling. It's about 90 degrees but very low humidity and so it's comfortable. We enjoyed spending some time in Buffalo, WY--saw some of the great spots in the Big Horn Mts. yesterday. Today, we drove 520 miles which is a record for us--the trip was beautiful-saw lots of deer, antelope, mountains, rivers, big cattle ranches, etc. I kind of missed the Wall Drugstore signs-- NOT!! The KOA here is quite large, pleasant, has a nice pool, trees, etc. It's sort of like being in a motel in that it's really not a campground as you usually picture campgrounds--what am I trying to say?? Anyway, we'll spend the day tomorrow here as well--an interesting mountain town-kind of like Boulder, CO. We'll probably do some biking-they have lots of trails along the Clark Fork River. On Saturday, we hope to drive 160 miles to Cour d'lene, ID, and spend a few days there. We hope all is well with our family and friends.

Finally Out West

We are in Buffalo, Wyoming and finally it feels like we are "out west". The vistas are grand and wide open and not all cluttered up with trees and buildings. The air is fresh and just smells great, especially the pine trees. You can look down the highway and see where you will be in 15 minutes. You can watch the weather as is sweeps across the sky. Yesterday it was still 90 degrees at 8 pm but tonight you need a jacket and an extra blanket, make for great sleeping. It's not so cold that it keeps Joy from not wanting ice cream. She's off right now to the campground's ice cream social which is a double whammy with both ice cream and a social. That's my Joy.

We've had a great trip and driving the rig with the new truck is a dream. Both the mileage and diesel fuel prices are a bit of a disappointment but the power and comfort more than make up for it. The long hills are easy.

Well here she comes and she decided to forego the ice cream and the social. The was only one old guy and she actually decided she didn't need ice cream.

Joy deeply regrets that she placed Dan's childhood in South Dakota instead of where it belongs in Minnesota. Your talking about only 10 miles or so but I guess that's important.

The Mitchell Cornpalace

Now it's my turn to write--we're in Mitchell, SD which has the only cornpalace in the entire world. After readng the road signs for miles, Rich and I took a vote and decided 2-zip not to bother going there although we'll probably ride past it on our way out of town tomorrow. The pics are of Hills, SD, and specifically the former Bajema farm--Dan, we're impressed with the countryside altho there aren't very many shopping centers around!! We're having good travels so far--I'm glad that Vicks has been convicted for dog fights and thata Gonzales resigned. Other than those two things and lots of farm country, I don't have much more to say for today. Tomorrow we're heading to Buffalo, Wy where we'll stay for two nights. Weather is hot, bowels are good!
Love, Joy and Rich