LAST!!!! Veronica Adkins---February 28th

Here is Veronica, the latest, the cutest and the best!!  We can say that about the baby in the family, right?  She arrived November 7th of last year.  Here you see her in her Christmas outfit.
That is it!  The only family I did not feature is Terry and I but there were not enough days.  Actually we do not need to be featured in any way.  We went from 47 years old to 4 months old!

Not sure what I will do next month but I promise I will not blog each day--I need to get some things done.
On the home front I am winding down our tennis league season.  We have matches the next two weeks and then are finished.  I am so proud of our team.  Our record is not very good but for a first year team our pro says we are way ahead of the game.  Terry and I are planning a tennis party on March 15th to cap things off.  One of our players left for home, Michigan, yesterday and we will miss him.  Another is battling cancer and has missed much of the season and another had to fly out for an emergency at his home in New York.  So, one can see that tennis is a fun game but certainly not the most important thing is life!  I am so proud of Terry.  She missed the last 2 seasons with health issues but is back now and doing very well.  She is frustrated with some of her rusty play but what the heck, I get rusty if I don't play for a week so she is WAY ahead of the game.

Elspeth Lee---February 27th

Elspeth Lee is the latest, and cutest at that age in John/Mary's family in South Bend.  She will turn 2 in July of this year.  She is wearing a John Deere shirt in honor of her Grandpa Ed, whom she never met but if Ed had lived to meet Elspeth he would have loved her sooo much.  She is beginning to string words into sentences and of course she HAS to be at her top game daily to keep up with her 3 siblings!
Elspeth is #27 in the family and tomorrow, on February 28 (last day of February), we feature Veronica Adkins who comes in at #28 and the last!!

Agatha Adkins---February 26

Agatha turns 2 in May.  She certainly is a happy little girl and mom says she has the same kind of temperment as brother Jude, calm, cool, and easy! As you can see, she is a little cutie.

Benedict Adkins---February 25th

Ben turned 3 on Christmas Eve Day.  I am not sure I can come up with an adjective for him.  Active is too passive, energetic is not quite right, strong personality does enter in, biker boy is correct for sure.  Well maybe we will use all of the above and add more later!!  Ben is all boy for sure.  He is going to pre school and is doing a great job.  As the picture shows, he is a happy guy!

Ruby Lee--February 24th

Ruby is our only February birthday and that may be the reason she is so independent!  If you were to meet her she may have socks that don't match and or shoes that don't match--no concern of hers!  She is in preschool, going to K next year but she enjoys learning Leo's 2nd grade math!!
Ruby may be the only gal on the planet who, when she goes to McDonald's, wants sliced apples instead of FF.  She used a bike last year without pedals and if you biked at a normal speed she would have been keeping up with you.  I am guessing she will have a pedal bike this coming summer.  K, watch out, because Ruby is coming in the fall!

Monday PM

Warm weather has returned to Naples.  I think the temp may have reached 80 today.  It certainly felt like 80 on the tennis court.  We had a team match today.  Bill and I played and came out the winners in a 2 1/2 hour marathon match that included 2 tie breakers, one for the first set and one for the match.  Bill is returning to Michigan Thursday so it was a wonderful send off for him.  Terry came to cheer us on and I think she may have worked as hard as me!  I had lost my only 2 tie breakers in league play this year so to win today was sweet!
We took in the Naples art show with 280 booths yesterday.  It was fun as most of the booths we had not seen in the past.  Few things were in our price range--There was one painting for $24,000.  We did get something for the house, under $50, and two birthday presents so it was good.
This week is the end of February, wow.  We have a meeting tomorrow and then Terry has a social on Wednesday PM and I guess I do too! I think I have tennis each day as well, that is if this darn calf holds up.  It was not too bad today.
As February counts down so does the family on the blog.  It has been fun posting pictures of all in the families.  Not sure what March will bring.
Our neighbors, who we share a wall with, left for the Chicago area where they will close on a new house in March.  We may not see them until fall as they are coming in mid to late May and we probably will be gone.  Things are much more quiet as people leave.
Enough, no FP this time of day.

Jude Adkins--February 23rd

Jude is in pre-school and he loves it.  He is Mr. Lego man.  Give him a box of Legos and he is good for hours.  If you spend time with him he will steal your heart with his calm, quiet thoughtful demeanor.  When asked if he was going to school last fall he said no, Mommy wants me to stay home one more year.  I said he must really love his mommy and he replied, "I REALLY love Mommy!"

Audrey Lee--February22nd

Audrey will be 7 in October.  She came into the J/M family after two boys but she can defend herself!  She is currently in all day K and she loves it.  She has a problem, she can NOT stand or sit still!!  She is hopping, jumping, running or in some way moving ALL the time.  I think she likes to do anything that involves activity.  I would say she will be more than ready for 1st grade next fall.  She is a great big sister to Elspeth.

Faustina Adkins--February 21st

Faustina arrived with much fanfare as she is the first granddaughter in the Lee family.  That seems a short time ago yet Faustina will turn 7 this May.  She is in first grade and loves it.  Faustina is not only smart but as you can see she is cute too!  She takes piano lessons, dance lessons and she loves to draw.  With 4 younger siblings she is the perfect older sister. 

February 20th---Leo Lee

Leo is the #3 Lee grandchild and when he was born we begin to wonder if there would be any girls in the mix.  His birthday is easy to remember as he turns 8 on tax day, April 15th.
As a second grader he can do a host of things.  He pretty much makes anything from Legos and put him in the water and he swims right along with the fish!  I think he also has a flare for drama! He, along with family, enjoy a great home in Madison, Wisconsin.

February 19th--Liam Lee

Liam is #2 on the Lee side, #8 in the large picture. He is in 3rd grade and in March will turn double digit 10!  My favorite quote from Liam came when he was 5 years old.  I had taken a walk with him and Henry.  As he walked beside me he stopped for a second and said, "Grandpa, I cherish these times with you!"
One of the most notable things about Liam is how helpful he is.  When we visit he is usually the first to ask if he can help carry things from the car.  He is always curious about things and asks many questions.  He is skilled in soccer and other sports too.  If there is a lull in activities you will find him reading a book and he may even be reading to younger kids.
Tomorrow we change families but stay with the males one more day.

A cool rainy morning

Henry, February 18 is below.
I rode over to the courts this morning at 8:05 and they still have water standing--no 9:00 AM tennis match today. 
Terry's daughter, Kim, went back to GA last evening.  It was enjoyable to have her here for a couple of days.  She was sick the first night but after she spent time relaxing, sun time, beach time and reading.  While she was here several family members were braving the cold at a ski place in NC.  She is NOT a cold weather person.
We enjoyed an 80 degree day yesterday but today a cool front comes in and I think the projected high for tomorrow is 62!  I am not complaining.
I continue to inch forward in my writing.  I also finished our taxes except there is one paper I am waiting on.  We should get a decent refund so want that sent in.
It is fun as Terry is back on the tennis court.  She is rusty, it has been 2 years, but she is doing well and getting better each time she takes the court.  Tennis is more fun for me when she can also play.
My left calf is a work in progress.  I hurt it again Monday and then yesterday when I played it was not a factor so I guess it will just be good and not so good until tennis season is finished.  I saw on Facebook yesterday that a guy who was two years older than I and from the same HS died.  It always takes me back when someone close to my age dies.  I was not friends with this person but we played basketball and football together.
I have a March 26th appt to have my knee looked at.  It is not bothering me now but it did a couple of months ago.  Will see what the Dr says but NOTHING needs to be done now.  AND of course if I change my mind and take up board games my knee will be fine forever.
I got a text message from my friend Larry F.  He had double ankle surgery 9 days ago.  Two days ago he had to go back to the Dr because of a fever and then he received word that his dad had died.  Another thing that reminds me that life goes on and the only certainty is that tomorrow will bring changes.
Enough as the bottom of the cup if visibly in my cup of FP. 
Tomorrow, Liam Lee

February 18th--Henry Lee

We continue our count down with the 11 youngest grand children, all from the Lees.
We are taking the grandchildren in age and here is the oldest Lee family grandchild, Henry.  At 11, he is the oldest of 11 grandchildren so you should excuse grandpa if he is challenged to keep up!
Henry is in 5th grade in South Bend.  His interests includes pretty much anything you want to do.  Soccer, flag football, basketball, biking, board games, table tennis and we can't forget woodworking.  Several things in his room were made by him.  Henry  likes to spend time with adults and if you have a conversation with him you will notice that!  Ask people who he resembles and they will say Mary but those freckles, they had to come from John.

February 17th--Tom Johnston

Tom is Terry's youngest grandchild (he is 2 months older than my oldest!).  He lives in Apple Valley and is in his first year of Middle School, grade 6.  As you can see he is in band and does a nice job.  In the summer we have played a bit of tennis with him and from time to time he can hit those winning shots!
I hear that he is a master at some of those computer games.  In school he earns good grades without breaking a sweat. I should add he is good looking too!

February 16th--Josh Archbold

Josh is the 4th and youngest of the Archbolds.  He is a freshman in high school.  He has been a big part of several championship hockey teams and follows sports big time.  If you walk into his bedroom you will see certicates and trophies, almost enough to start a sporting goods store!
He may be referred to "the baby of the family" but at 14 he is well on his way to becoming a great young man and when we saw him in December it appears he may not even be the smallest in the family any more!

February 15th--Tori Archbold

Tori is the lone Archbold girl.  She is a junior in HS and loves to do THINGS.  She is on the swim team, she is a certified scuba diver and if you say the word "travel" she will ask when and where.  She earns great grades in school, it seems like she has at least a million friends and if you want to have an interesting conversation sit down with her.  When asked what she wants to do after HS and college she wants to live where she can do fun things and be her own person, by the water for sure.  My first thought was, that is not real but then I thought if anyone can do that, it would be Tori. 

I am beginning to question weather I like tennis or not

Today is SAM day so please scroll down to Sam.
I had to get weather and tennis in the title!  It is 44 this morning and that is chilly for Naples.  The high is supposed to be 68.  Tennis at 7:30 will be cool for sure.
Tennis yesterday was a bummer.  We finished a match that was in progress Monday when the rain came.  We were ahead in 2 matches and was tied in the third.  We came home with with 3 losses, two being in 10 point tie breakers.  In my match we made a few mistakes and they in turn made some great shots so if you take the points we lost and points they won, it meant defeat.  Of course it still was fun but no doubt the week before when we won 3 matches was more fun.  As I have said we have many players, myself included, that have played very little so each time it is a learning experience.  Will see what transpires next Monday.
Valentine's Day 2015.  There is a surf and turf thing at the club but we will not go. There will be a 90 minute boat ride and then a nice meal in the club.  It may not be true for many people but I just think those things are too expensive.  We will have a nice meal at home and leave it at that. 
Terry's daughter ,Kim, will be here tomorrow and Monday.  She said she MAY run the Naples Marathon on Sunday but with cool temps I am thinking she may opt out of it.  Like Terry, she is not a cold weather person.  Her husband, Dave, took some of the kids skiing but that is not Kim's idea of a fun time, to be in the cold!
I have run out of words as I had not even put my FP on!

February 14--Sam Archbold

Sam is the second oldest of the Archbold family and third oldest of Terry's grandchildren.  He graduated from HS last May.  He lettered in cross country his senior year and has run several races to raise money for underprivileged children in Africa.  He entered and finished his first marathon at Grandma's in Duluth MN in 2012. (I think that year is correct) He earned good grades in HS and is now studying at Georgia College in Milledgeville GA where he earned a spot on the dean's list his first semester.
One of Sam's passions is music and he is an accomplished guitar player.  As the picture shows, in many ways Sam is superman! 

February 13th--Stephanie Johnston

Stephanie is Brian's daughter.  She lives in Texas.  She is the second oldest of Terry's grandchildren.  Stpehanie is interested in cooking as a career and has looked into schools that would enhance her skills.  We see her less than any of the grandchildren because of the distance.  She was in MN last summer when we were on our camping trip.  She has the mind to go great places in the world as she grows into adulthood. 

February 12th--Zach Archbold

Zach is 20 and the oldest of Terry's grandchildren. He starts the countdown of 17 grandchildren!  This picture is his HS graduation in 2012 in PeachTree City GA.  In addition to being an Eagle Scout and a very skilled hockey player Zach is a man on the go with big plans.  He attended U of GA in Athens his first two years of college.  He tutored others, worked part time and never missed the dean's list.  He is currently an engineering student at Georgia Tech (GT) in Atlanta and of course, on the dean's list.  I would say, without any doubt, there are big things ahead for Zach.

February 11th, Michael Adkins

Michael is a talented guy who can pick the perfect colors for your home project, remodel anything in your home and he does this while being almost too dedicated to his job.  He is a teacher and administrator at St. Agnes School in St. Paul.  Since he begin working there the school has realized tremendous growth and I am sure much of it is because of his work.  Athletic activities also run in his blood as he played soccer at Gustavus College and has ventured into the running world.
Michael does a great job of supporting Cynthia with their family as they enjoy settling into their beautiful old home in South St. Paul. Michael is one of the most generous people I know.  If you visit them Michael's handy work will impress you.

February 10th, Cynthia Adkins

Cynthia is the youngest, by 7 years, of the Lee kids and the only girl.  The Lee athletic genes run in Cynthia too.  An all state soccer player, a high school basket player and a marathon runner are among her activities.
After graduating from Gustavus College in Minnesota she volunteered for a year in Seattle, helping homeless people.  After that she taught at Trinity School until marriage came and babies followed!  She is currently a stay at home mom.  Faustina, age 6, is the oldest of five--do you think Cynthia is busy????  Sewing and knitting are among things she does when time allows. Her birth story is a miracle and worth hearing, ask her sometime! 

make up

Our tennis match had a rain out about half through the matches.  Court #1 was up one set, Court #2 was up one set and Court #3 was tied in the first set.  I am trying to get things made up this week.  My leg is feeling better and that is good. 
My FP is near gone and I have tennis in 25 minutes.

February 9th--Amy Lee

Amy graduated from Gustavus College in Minnesota.  In college she took in such interesting places as Coldfoot Alaska and Australia.  She works full time and I have to admit I do not know the name of the company.  After earning her masters degree from the U of Wisconsin she was offered a job with a company that puts through power lines across the country. She is still with the company.
If you visit Amy's home do not expect to sit around.  She will have you on a walk, a bike ride or some activity!  With a full time job, a husband and two active kids she is busy and often it will revolve around nature! I think she has imparted more nature facts to her kids than I will ever know.  Take Leo and Ruby to the zoo and they can explain a hand full of facts about most of the animals.
Amy and Aaron will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary this May.

February 8th--Aaron Lee

Aaron Lee

Aaron is the youngest son in the Lee family.  He graduated from Gustavus College in Minnesota and has worked at several jobs.  For the past many years he has worked full time at Saris Bike company.  One of the perks of working there is he gets bikes and bike parts at a huge discount for family.
Aaron too has many athletic accomplishments..  State champion soccer to nationals on the college level.
I know Aaron has done more woodworking than anyone in the family and I would have to admit that his skills are the best in the family, hands down.  He added a porch addition to their first house and a basement bedroom.  In their current home he has added a bath and bedroom in the basement.  Of course he gets much help from Amy.  His handy work and his woodworking have been a blessing to many.  The counter top he put in the dinning room is beautiful.    If you visit be sure and ask if you can tip a home brew up with him!

Good

Terry and I spent the day with Amy's parents, Jeanne and Dick.  They are spending January and February here in SW Florida.  They are renting a very nice 3 bedroom place in a community that is huge.  As we sat and chatted for a while golf carts motored by outside their window.  We spent time on the beach with them and then went out for dinner.  Nice time and fun.  After we arrived home Terry and I read for a while and then retired.  I spent just a little time thinking and thanking for life.  My mind went back to ND and the times on the farm.  Went back Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks, Lincoln NB, all places I went to school.  As I thought about the sandy beaches with a row of maybe 75 chairs and umbrellas on the beach in the afternoon I thought "I am blessed".  In a book I am reading written by Tony Dungy and his wife there is a paragraph that speaks about how often, as we look back the good times stand out and the difficult times fade.  They are, of course, not forgotten, but they just become kind of hazy, my words, and in the back ground.  So today I am especially thankful for life.
I continue to nurse this darn sore left calf.  I ice 2 or 3 times a day and Terry massages it.  I am playing tennis at a tad above speed limit but I am not and will not go full out.  It seems that pushing off the leg is fine but putting on the brakes need to be gentle.  I am sure I could stay off the courts for a couple of weeks but by that time the team tennis would be nearing the end and that competition is so much fun, win or lose.  I say that but for sure the winning is more fun!!!!
We were going to an outdoor art show yesterday but when we arrived we had maybe 45 minutes to enjoy before going to the Larkins and there was NO parking.  We drove around for a time and decided by the time a space opened up and we walked to the tents it would be time to turn around and go so we drove to Target, got one item and left.
FP is gone.

February 7th--Travis Lee

Travis Lee

Travis is the middle son in the Lee family.  He graduated from University of Santa Clara, worked in finance in the Twin Cities, worked in Washington DC for a period of time, worked at West Publishing for several years and is currently working for the Tribune on the night shift. He earned his graduate degree from the U of Minnesota while at West.
Travis is a gifted athletic who has won many bike races and played on two state championship soccer teams in HS.  His golf game may be a bit rusty now but give him time to retool and most likely you lose the round.
He has not married but it seems like he is a "favorite" when it comes to uncle time!  There is no way Grandpa would want to compete with Travis for time with the little ones.

February 6th--Brian Johnston

Brian Johnston is Terry's youngest.  He recently moved back to Minnesota from Texas where he had lived for about twenty years. He has a daughter, Stephanie, who still lives in Texas.
Brian currently works for an underground piecing company out of Rogers MN and also fills in, weekends, at the airport for a shipping company.  Brian is a multi-talented guy who can fix your computer or converse with you on world affairs, tell you about hunting and more!  You can talk to Brian about anything but do not arm wrestle him as you will lose.  If you enjoy Sunday rides in rural Minnesota you may meet Brian going past you on his redone Honda Goldwing!

February 5th--Mary Lee

Mary Lee

Mary is a multi-talented person, it seems to me she specializes in crafts, who is always busy.  At present she is a stay at home mom who is at least as busy as John.  Before family came into her life she was a teacher, perhaps she still is except she isn't in the classroom!  If you spent any time in her home you would be amazed at all the things that she has crafted, from coloring books to photo books and more.  She also stays slim and trim and not only acts like the ideal mom but looks the part too!
Mary is the mother of two sons and two daughters who love her to pieces AND keep her very busy.  Least I slight John, he loves her to pieces too!
Mary and John will celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary this June.
As we go  down in age we go back to Terry's family tomorrow and visit Brian.

tennis or boating???

We have had rain most of the night and into this morning.  We are supposed to have rain throughout the AM and then maybe let up this afternoon.  No match at 10:30 for sure and team practice at 1:00--I doubt.  It is interesting but with the clay courts and drainage they have IF we had no more rain the courts would be playable in three hours or so.  It actually is good for the courts to get soaked from time to time.  When we are without rain for a period of time they water the courts everyday.

February 4th--John Lee

John Lee

John is the oldest of the Lee kids.  He and Mary have four children and live in South Bend IN.
John is active in coaching, playing soccer, biking, winter camping and more.   A few of his athletic accomplishments, are first place finishes in bike races, state championships in soccer and running Grandma's Marathon in Duluth.
John has been teaching and administrating in education for 20+/- years.  He is currently "head of school" at Trinity at Greenlawn" in South Bend IN.  From all reports he has many fans!! I think he was born to be in education.
He has degrees from University of Santa Clara and University of Minnesota.  His woodworking skills are to be admired as Audrey and Elspeth snuggle in their beautiful "homemade beds".

Tennis

Mark Johnston is the feature of the day but I just have to add some tennis. 
I did not realize how much I wanted to win a match in league play.  I had dreams Sunday night, all about tennis.  I have not played in many team matches but in the ones I have played I start out nervous and then it quickly fades BUT yesterday I felt those nerves the entire match and when we were down 3-5 and 40-15 I almost needed a water break to calm down but of course you can not do that.  In the last point I happened to be serving and my serve is OK at best but yesterday it was by far the worst of the 4 of us on the court.  Before I started my serve I patted Bill on the back and reminded him, "Just over the net Bill, just hit it one more time than them"!  Of course I said it for my sake more than his.  I know I tend to get too cute and the the ball goes wide or long.  To have all three of our pairs win yesterday was tremendous.  Most of the guys on the team have not played in league play before and most have not played tennis very long.  Many of the teams we play have older guys but they have played for a long time and in tennis that is huge. 
Enough of that but as one can tell, I was excited. 
Make sure you scroll down to Mark

February 3rd--Mark Johnston

Mark is Terry's oldest son. In high school he was the "cool" guy with his good looks, red jacket and wheels in the form of a convertible.  He lives in Minnesota and works as a manager in retail.  If you walk into his store today you will be greeted with a smile, expertise in his field  and a helpful hand.  If you visit him at home he may treat you to a great homemade meal compliments of Mark!  In addition to having his pilot license he graduated with his degree from UND in Grand Forks.
Mark has a son who you will see later.
Tomorrow we turn to the Lee side, with John, as we go down in age.

YES YES YES YES YES

We won all three of our matches today, a great accomplishment as many of us are playing in a league for the first time.  Our scores were court #1 7-5 and 6-3, court #2 0-6, 6-2 and 10-5 tiebreaker, court #3 6-4 and 6-2.  It made my day.  I played on court 1 with Bill and we came back from being down.  In the first set we were down 3-5 and they were serving at 40-15.  We pulled it out and came back to win 7-5.  FUN
It rained as we were driving home so the early match was great, 11:30 AM start.

February 2nd, Dave Archbold

Dave

Dave is a competitor as well.  He has done an Ironman but says after having finished one it is not his cup of tea.  He does do several shorter races through out the year and I should say does very well.
Dave,who was raised in Marshall MN, is a pilot for Delta Airlines.
Dave is the kind of guy who likes to do many different things.  He is a master scuba diver, a license captain on the water, an accomplished musician and enjoys a host of other activities as well.  If you spend time with Dave, you will be active!
Dave and Kim will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this August.
Coming February 3 is Mark Johnston.

February 1st--Kim Archbold

Kim Archbold, Terry's oldest and her one daughter

I will make February, family month.  There are twenty-eight days in February and when I count the children, in laws and grandchildren I come up with twenty-eight.  Sounds kind of perfect to me.  I will start with the oldest, then their spouse if they are married, and go to the youngest.
Kim is the active mother of 4.  She has her pilot license but does not fly at this time, she is an Ironman competitor, an Ironman coach and a great mother and wife. 
In case you are not familiar with Ironman races they consist of a 2.4 miles swim, get out of the water and ride your bike 112 miles and then get off the bike and run a Marathon, 26.2 miles.  For many competitors they will start the race at 7:00 AM and finish by 8:00 PM or so!!!!!!   If you ever see a 140.6 sticker on the back of a car it means someone has done an Ironman.  That is not for me but Kim has finished 6 or 7 of those races.
Kim lives with her family in PeachTree City GA.
Tomorrow will be Kim's husband, Dave.

If you are reading this be sure to read further about our Ruby who is 5 today!

RUBY--5 years old today!

Ruby is her own person, right down to her socks!

Happy Birthday Ruby

Happy 5th birthday Ruby, #7 grandchild of the 11 Lees.  You certainly are a cutie.  Have a great day and we love you.