2008 Art Fair

Emma's version of Starry, Starry Night received an Artist of the Month award and was displayed at the Jamestown Art Fair. Cory's "Self-Portrait" was on display too! In case you cannot decipher his hand writing, he wrote: "The things that are important to me are my family and friends. Also, video games are important to me and Legos so I don't get bored".

Easter 2008

Here's our family Easter photo!

I like the one with the terrified looking cat in it!

Hogwarts comes to Hudsonville

Cory had a Harry Potter themed 10th birthday party! Many of his fellow wizards and witches attended to celebrate. We tried to re-create a day at Hogwart. Activities included the sorting hat, potions class, defense against the Dark Arts class, a combined Quidditch match/magic wand war, and eating the "Golden Snitch" birthday cake. A splendid time was had by all....especially by Eric & Steve who made appearances as Professors Snape & Dumbledore. Check out the photos at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/millhoupt/HogwartsBirthday

Elwin Foss 1916-2008

My wonderful Grandpa went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 17, 2008. He was one of the most humble men I knew. He was a tiny little farmer who loved the Lord and lived his life pointing others to his Heavenly Father. I remember spending a week every summer at the farm following Grandpa everywhere. I loved to help him with the baby chicks. He even tried to teach me to drive the tractor one summer. I remember I backed the tractor into the hay wagon that was hooked on behind. Grandpa just chuckled and took over going in reverse for me.

We were not able to make it back to Iowa for the funeral due to the weather. That was a hard decision to make, but I kept in close contact with my Mom and Dad and they helped me feel like I was involved. To read some more wonderful memories of my grandpa, check out the posting on my sister's blog at www.bilbybunch.blogspot.com.

The Year in Review: 2007

I don't know if I can give a complete and accurate account of all we did in 2007. It seems like my short-term memory is getting shorter every year! Highlights were:

-Cory turned 9 in February

-Spring Break with the Wagner's & Bilby's in Iowa.

-Reading "The Tale of Desperaux" out loud for 2 hours on the way home from Iowa 'cuz the radio died.

-Cory's double-play the last game of baseball season.

-Emma's dance recital

-Denise & Eric's 10th Wedding anniversary in September.....and our week-end getaway to "The Shack" in Jugville, MI.

-Denise going to the MOPS convention in Orlando.

-Cory FINALLY getting to play center in football....and the picture of him with all the Rocket cheerleaders!

-Emma turned 8 in September.

-Cory starting 4th grade and Emma starting 3rd grade.

-Becoming "official" members of Searchlight Minstries.

-Moo getting trapped in the ice storm a few weeks ago. He came back totally encased in ice!

-Visiting Nana and Papa at the cabin this summer

-Going to Uncle Rich and Aunt Laurie's cabin on Lake Michigan and battling the killer waves.

-Both kids coming down with stomach flu the day before we were supposed to go camping at Mackinac. (We didn't go!)

-Denise and Eric performing in a number of skits as part of Searchlight's drama ministry team.

-Going to the Newsboys concert with Steve and Kara!

-Emma and Denise going to the Hannah Montana concert (I am so thankful that I did not have to go!)

-Eric auditioning for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at Civic Theatre and bumping into my old pal Scott Mellema!

-The Aluminum Overcast (see earlier post from August)

-Eric celebrating 18 years at GFS.

Well, that's it. My memory bank is officially depleted.

We hope everybody has a safe and blessed holiday!!

Love,

Eric, Denise, Cory & Emma

Christmas Program

The kids were in the church Christmas program on Sunday night. Cory was a shepherd and Emma was in the angel chorus. Both had one line to speak and did very well. The show came dangerously close to being "The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever, Part II", but was very entertaining!

Eric and Denise's Christmas Photo

Here is a picture of me and Denise from the GFS annual meeting. Denise is looking gooooood!!

I don't think I'll wear the vest/shirt/tie combo next year. I was mistaken for a valet parking attendant and a bellhop at various times through out the evening.