Christmas Get Together

Christmas greetings To ALL
We are planning a Shepard family Christmas party on Tuesday Dec. 22 !
Hope you can be there............. where????? Fountain View of Grant
We want to celebrate with Grandma Shepard
Right now she's doing well, but who knows if we'll get another Christmas together.
Lets just enjoy the family at this special time of year.
Time: 6:00 to about 9:00 or until they kick us out!
Just bring yourselves, and any snack you wish to share.
Please pass the word to all your kids, or parents if you get this.
Peace Love and Joy to all. Marcia

The Newest Family Member

Alan and Gina are proud to announce the birth of their granddaughter Evelyn Ann Mooney.
She was born today at 1:58 pm, 7lbs 6oz, 19 1/2 inches tall. Brynn and Evelyn are both doing great.

Sad News...

Please keep Kris and Andrew in your thoughts and prayers as their grandfather, George French passed away on Friday, November 27th.

A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 2 at St. Paul's Campus Parish in Big Rapids with Father Lam T. Le officiating. There will be military honors under the auspices of American Legion Post #98 Firing Squad. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. The family will also greet friends one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. A luncheon will follow afterwards at the Eagles Club at 18361 16 Mile Rd. in Big Rapids. In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial contributions to be made to St. Paul's Campus Parish or the humane society of one's choice in George's name. Online condolences may be made at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com

A beautiful notice was printed in the Grand Rapids Press today and can be found at the below link:

http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=george-french&pid=136612149

PURSE PARTY!!!

Purse Party at my house on Saturday, December 5. It's an openhouse from noon to 2 p.m. with over 100 purses to choose from, scarves, sunglasses, wallets, clutches, etc. etc... I decided to have a party of my own after going to one and had about 3 purses on my arm that I couldn't choose from and then got to the 'accessories' table! It's a good chance to do some holiday shopping as well~ for yourself :) or a sister, mother, boss, friend, etc. Anyone is welcome~ bring a friend, co-worker and espically the family! It's been so long since I've seen all of you~ hope all is well!

616-885-2082
1011 East 120th St.
Grant, MI 49337

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lincoln Robert Hess

was born on

September 18, at 4:04 am

He weighed

9 lbs and was 20 3/4 in.

Came home Sunday and we are all doing great. He is my biggest baby beating Oliver's birth weight by 1 1/2 lbs! Had some difficulty entering into this world-not only was his head large but he also has very broad shoulders! But with LOTS of help and prayers he made it out and we are both doing well! Hospital picture can be seen at www.centralbap.com

"Jon Hess...You are an IRONMAN!"

Congrats to my IRONMAN husband.

He finished his 2nd race on Sunday in Louisville Finisher in 12:09:34

2.4 mile Swim 1:22:13

112 mile Bike 5:57:27

26.2 mile Run 4:36:57

He finished #860 out of 2,345 racers!

Thursday Sept. 3 -Mike playing at Intersection!!!

Looking for a night out????
Mike and his band are going to be playing at the Intersection in Downtown GR on Thursday Sept. 3. Not Sure exactly what time yet....either 8 or 9pm. Call Mike for details...616-293-1489! Should be a lot of fun! Hope you can make it!
Love to All!

Al & Gina's 25th Wedding Anniversary Party

If you didn't get an invite in the mail, I'm sorry! I tried to get all of you!! Hope to see you all there, and if you have any questions, please let me know :)

Brynn

Field Trip for Grandma

On Tuesday July 28th, Grandma is going on a Field Trip to the Coopersville Farm Museum. If you are interested in going along please contact Fountain View (231-834-8202) by Monday July 19 at the latest.

Resident Family Picnic

Fountain View is having a Family Picnic, August 15th 11AM-2PM
Lunch will be served at 11:30 am followed by games for the kids, entertainment and door prizes.
Everyone is invited. The theme this year will be Italy so remember to wear your Red, Green and White.

Alice's Army

Hey Everyone, It's that time of the year again, when we start to get ready for the Memory Walk!
The date is September 12th at Brooks Park in Newaygo. The committee would like everyone to sign up on line this year if possible. It's really easy, even I could do it!!!! Go to www.alz.org/memorywalk and join Alice's Army Against Alzheimers ! You can solicit on line or collect from friends and family and bring it with you to the walk. Registering on line will help us know the number of walkers for that day. The theme is "tropical" a kind of Luau theme with ham sandwiches and fruit kabobs for lunch. But we all know what we are wearing right!?? Alice's Army has been marching on now for 4 years ! We want to let people know of this terrible disease and that we are marching for a cure "We're on the MOVE to end Alzheimer's"
If you have any questions call me. Aunt Mary

BABY BRODIE IS FINALLY HERE!

BRODIE MICHAEL SKRABIS
was born May 20 at 8:50 AM
He weighed 7 lbs 9 oz
He and Jen are both doing great!
We are all thankful to God for this sweet tiny gift.

Congrats Grads...

Andrew and Candi graduated from GVSU in April and they were lucky enough to be seated next to each other during the commencement ceremony.

Eli has some "BIG" news to share...

Jaw Surgery

Aunt Gina and Melanie,

I was wondering if you could tell me about your jaw surgeries that you had a few years ago. I found out that I have the option to get it done too. Could you possibly tell me about your experiences (pros and cons)and if you think it's a good idea for me to get it done?
Any info/advice you have, would be very helpful....Thanks so much! :-)

I hope everything is going well with you both!
Love
Andrea

Thank you family for all your support

The kids and I would like to thank everyone who came to the Music Celebration, remembering Randy. I had a great time and I hope that all of you did too. Through the generosity of family and friends, we raised twice as much money this year as we did last year with funds to be given to Tri County Band Boosters and Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.
Thanks to family who worked the tables, entertained us and helped in many ways. Thanks to Al and Gina, Brynn and Matt, Randy and Cindy for helping us to plan and execute flawlessly a wonderful evening.

Love to all,
Marianne

Congratulations To Marianne. The new "Executive Director "of the panhandle (Tri-County) Chamber of Commerce.

Just another Shepard.....

Introducing Lucas Jay Shepard

BORN: 3/27/09 12:45PM

8lbs. 4oz. and 20" long

Mom and Baby are doing great.

Big brother thinks he's pretty cool too.

The Races have started!
Just wanted everyone to know, Andrea took "first place" (in her age group), at the 5K Kent City RidgeRun,
Saturday. With a time of 28:44.

RSMMC 2009 Flyer

Baby Shower for Jen

A few more details: On April 4 we are giving Jen a baby shower at my house. The shower will be at 10:30 a.m. and will be having brunch. Jen and Keith are having a baby boy and they are registered at: Baby Depot, Target and Walmart. My address is: 1011 E. 120th St. Grant, MI 49327 and my phone # is 231-834-1925 if you have any questions. The simplist directions to my house are: take M-37 north to the stop light (not the caution light) in Grant and turn right, go about 2 miles and our house is the first drive on the left just past Willow St. We have a 'ranch sign' over the end of a really long driveway that has a 'S' hanging from it. If it has been raining the driveway can get quite muddy, just to prepare you. Can't wait to see you then!

New invites!

Hi all! Nikki S. called me to be put on the blog, also, I have put Aunt Julie on again and Aunt Nancy. Please call me if it doesn't work. I also changed up the format a bit. If I don't have your email address on here, you can still comment on the posts. I didn't realize that it wasn't set up that way to begin with. Hope all is well with everyone. We are all great here, just waiting for spring!

Love, Mandy

Megan's Address

3316 Lowden
Kalamazoo MI 49008

Megan, DJ, Alice and Braden will be moving up to our area soon. DJ has taken a position at Affinity Ink, a new tatoo shop on Alpine. He will be starting April 6 and be commuting back and forth from Kalamazoo. When Megan is done with school for this term they are planning the move. She is in the process of transferring to Grand Valley to complete her education.

Randy Shepard Memorial Music Celebration

When: April 18, 2009
4pm to midnight (tentative)
Where: Newaygo Sportsman Club (Same place as last year)

This year our main charity is Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids. A place where a Cancer patient and their family can go to get support when fighting this horrible disease. We're pretty excited to be doing this. A portion of the proceeds will again be going to the Tri-County Music Fund. The proceeds from last years celebration sent a student to Thailand with the Michigan Lions All State Band. We hope to continue to do the same.
There will be music, silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, door prizes and more.

If anyone has any questions or would like to donate something just give either Marianne 231-937-6203 or Alan 616-899-2954 or 616-240-4944 a call.

Hope to see you there!
Love to All

Day of Dance

To all the family,
Alice's Army will once again be marching to fight Alzheimers!
On Saturday, Feb 28, Mary, Marcia, Linda and Teresa Will be Marching (Clogging) at the Womens Day of Dance
in Newaygo. We will be promoting Alhheimers Awareness. We will have a table set up with information on
Alzheimers and also information about the Walk in Sept. We will be there from 10:00 til 2:00.
The Day of Dance is free, and sponsered by Gerber Hospital, for Womens Heart Health. Red Shoes are the theme of the day. There are lots of Dance demonstrations and prizes. For a penny a vote you can help us win the decorated shoe contest. Mary decorated a pair of boots. (really neat). Almost forgot to tell you Where,
Newaygo Middle School. Its just off M37 behind the police Dept.
Hope to see some of you there

.

Alice Jean

We would like to introduce Alice Jean, born February 4 at 2:11 am. She weighed 5lbs 15ozs and 19 inches long. She was 3 weeks early. Megan and Alice are both doing fine. They went home on Friday February 6th.

Megan

Just would like everyone to keep Megan and the baby in your prayers. Megan has been in the hospital since last Thursday, 1-29-09. A blood clot was found that was causing some problems. Megan and the baby are fine, we've been reasured. The Dr just want's them there to make sure they stay fine. At this point Megan was told they will induce labor on Feb 3. I hope to have pictures to share with everyone soon.

Love to All

Gina

Scrapbooking party!

Hello Everyone!

I am having a scrapbooking party! No money involved!!!! Just come and have fun creating memory pages. Great day to socialize with friends and family!

When: Saturday Jan. 17th 10:00 am-12:00 midnight. Come for a short time or stay all day!

Where: My House- 159 N. Clover St Kent City

What to bring: Snack to pass around , drinks for yourself, any scrapbooking supplies/ideas that you have, and lots of pictures! Oh and don't forget your swimsuits-we can sit in the hot tub!

Sorry it's such short notice but I hope you can come! Also, Kids are welcome!

Love to all,
Andrea

Just wanted to share a few pictures from Grandmas Party.