Merry Christmas

This is a test to see how well video will appear on the blog. I was not certain how well this would work. It may load very slow for people with dial-up connections. One thing I learned, mute the TV during recording.

I purchased a camcorder so I can take pictures of Alex and Micah. It should be cool to add video to the blog.

So after New Years, I expect to have video of the grand children.

Merry Christmas from Charlotte and Jerry

Mother, Father & Son

A few more pictures of Micah. Isn't he cute!

Keep 'em coming

Alex came to Thanksgiving with a T-shirt that says "Big Brother 2008". Alex, Esther and Dave are expecting a new addition to their family in July 2008.

New Arrival

Micah Grey Robinson arrived 7:12 am, November 27 weighting 7 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long. Lisa, Micah and Joel are doing fine. Charlotte and I are looking forward to see them over the Christmas holidays.

Last weekend I took a hike to a new place. Indian Fort Mountain is about 30 minutes from our house. It is a few miles east of Berea, Ky. The views from the top are incredible. The Fall foliage was great.

It is not so much a mountain, as a knob. A limestone formation topped with sandstone. There are a series of these knobs in southeastern Ky.

This location is in the National Register of Historical Sites due to the Hopewell Indian village that was located here 1500 years ago.

I took these pictures with Esther's 35 mm SLR. After having the film develped at Walmart, I used our HP PhotoSmart printer/scanner to scan the negatives into the computer.

By the way, the little town in the picture is Big Hill, Ky.

The picture below was taken last winter at Raven's Run. That roll of film had been in the camera a long time.

This past weekend, Charlotte and I went to Camp Nelson with Steve and Linda Jarrell and the Skidmore family. Camp Nelson was a Federal quartermaster depot and recruit training center during the Civil War. There were several demonstrations during the day and it was interesting to learn about local activity during the Civil War. Camp Nelson was a key supply point for the Union's western campains and Sherman's match to the sea. Unfortunately, I ran out of battery almost as soon as we arrived.

Lisa recieved 2 baby showers during our trip to Costa Rica. 1st, after the announcement in June, Charlotte knitted a sweater set and made a couple blankets for her new grandson. She also purchased a cute shirt & pants outfit and some sleepers. She presented these to Lisa during our layover in the Miami airport on the way to Costa Rica.

The 2nd shower was given by the ladies of the New Hope Baptist Church in Puerto Limon. On Monday evening they surprised Lisa and Joel with a bebe shower. Joel, Jay and Jerry were allowed to attend, along with Franklin and a couple other men from the Limon church. We had a great time. Following are a few pictures.

Last Saturday was Alex's 1st birthday. It has been one year since God blessed us with Alex. Esther, Dave and Alex invited family up to Aurora to celebrate. We had a great time.

Alex had a good time opening gifts. He is more experienced now than he was last Christmas. However, he was not certain he like having a ribbon on his head.

No matter how grown-up he becomes, Alex will always take time to provide his fans with a photo-op.

He could not decide whether he liked the sweet icing on his cake.

Grandma and Alex always find time to read a story.

The past 2 weeks have been very exciting. Charlotte and I left for Costa Rica July 31. We joined Joel, Lisa, Jay and Joan in Miami for the flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. On Wednesday we took a bus to Puerto Limon. During the next 3 days we help set the foundation and supports for a new kitchen building.

On Monday we installed concrete slabs between the supports to fashion 3 walls for the new building.

In addition to the building, we helped establish grass in the voids in the block pavers in the front patio area. We also helped line a drainage ditch with concrete & stones, cleaned a storage room, conditioned new trash barrels and spent time with the students. We worked with several, very capable, local craftsmen.

The students, school staff and members of the New Hope Baptist Church make Limon special. They are so open and loving. A true example of Christian love.

New Era

When Charlotte and I were looking to purchase a house in Lexington, we noticed the decor was a little different than we were acustomed to in NE Ohio. Charlotte liked her decorating style and she was not certain how she felt about the Bluegrass decor.

Last week Linda Jarrell and Charlotte were out shopping and they stopped by a furniture store. Charlotte found a chair she believed would fit a certain space in our living room. Saturday evening she and I went to look at the chair. The store had moved the chair and Charlotte did not see it immediately. While we wondered about the store, I saw a nice casual leather chair that I liked, but I did not say anything, since Charlotte already had her heart set on another chair. To my surprise, Charlotte's chair was the same one I liked.

Since we both liked the same chair, we had to buy it. I said to Charlotte on the way home, "I do not think you would have purchased that chair when we lived in Ohio." She said she didn't think she would have either. I guess old dogs can change.

In 2 days we will be on our way to Costa Rica with Joel, Lisa, Jay and Joan. Charlotte made the following banner for the church in Costa Rica. Becky Gurnish and Joan helped her with the Spanish.

This past weekend was very special for several reasons.

1st, we celebated my mother's 80th birthday. My sisters planned an open house in Akron for this past Saturday. All mom's children and grandchildren were there, including Joel and Lisa. We also were able to visit many of mom and dad's brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and many friends.

2nd, Charlotte and I were able to visit with Charlotte's mother and father Friday and Saturday evening. We also had brunch with Steve, Nancy and Ben Saturday morning.

3rd, Joel and Lisa announced that they are expecting a baby boy near the end of November 2007.

4th, We attended Sunday morning services at the Ellet Grace Brethren Church. We were able to see many old friends. It was a good sermon and a good time.

5th, Charlotte was able to visit with some of her friends (Cackling Hens) Friday evening.

Finally, Joel, Lisa, Esther, Dave and Alex came home to Lexington with Charlotte and I on Sunday afternoon. We were able to visit together until Tuesday afternoon when Joel and Lisa returned to Santa Clara.

We spent Monday at the Natural Bridge State Park no far from Lexington. Following are a few pictures.

We also spent many hours this weekend laughing with Alex and his cheezy grin.

A view from the top of Kentucky.

The Grace Bible Church occasionally observes Sunday service at the Natural Bridge in Kentucky. We had a good group today. Here are a few pics.

It was a perfect day; the sky was sunny, the temperature moderate and the fellowship good. We had a church service in the picnic area, lunch the then a hike to the top. We even spent some time exploring a cave on the way up to the top of Natural Bridge.

It was a great day.

Charlotte and I look forward to doing this next weekend with our family.

Memorial Day Weekend 2007

Charlotte and Linda Jarrell planned a picnic and hike at Carter Caves State Park. (Steve Jarrell shares a birthday with me.) We hiked the 3 Bridges trail. Here is a picture of Steve standing under Smokey Bridge. The next picture is Fern Bridge.

It is aways fun to take a nice hike in the woods with good friends.