New Year's in Plymouth

A little tongue will brighten any holiday!

The Jeffirs Christmas celebration will be Sunday, January 2, 2011. New Year's Day is out since the store will be open. Hope to see you all there!

Update on Mark's 50th

If anyone is planning on joining us on Saturday (Nov. 13), we will plan on meeting at Timbers (at Four Winds Casino) around 6:30 p.m. They don't take reservations, so it will be a pretty casual meal. By the way, it take just over an hour to get there from Plymouth.

After dinner, there is a sports bar, martini bar and a stage bar, at which some dude named Walt Wise will be performing. He apparently plays a dozen instruments and covers the hits from the '40s through the present. And, of course, the tables.

Whether you can make it or not, be sure to wish Dad/Mark a happy 50th birthday this week or next!

Important - Jeffirs Family Calendar

Copied from the email I sent out in case I missed anyone:

Everyone,

The calendars will be $15 again this year. If you'd like one, please bring a check or money to Thanksgiving and I'll add your name to the list. If you can't make it to Thanksgiving, or if you forget, I will need your payments no later than December 1st. After then, I will place the order and if I haven't gotten your money, I won't be able to order one for you. I would like to have the calendars to pass out at Christmas, so please do your best to get your payments in on time.

If you could reply to this email and let me know how many you plan on getting, it'd be great if I could know that ahead of time. Also, if any of your contact information has changed in the last year, please let me know so I can put the correct info on the back of the calendar. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks,

Kayla

krjeffirs@yahoo.com

It's Pumpkin Time!

Pumpkin by Kayla

It's that time of year...Pumpkin carving time! I thought it would be a neat idea to put everyone's pumpkins on the October page of the family calendar. If you've got pictures of your pumpkins, please send them to me at krjeffirs@yahoo.com so I can put them on display!

Also, I'm in need of some pictures of certain people for the calendar. If anyone has pictures of Mar, Rick, Jim, Janis, Mark Holiday, or Rita, please send the to me! I could also use some pictures of anyone together doing fun stuff.

Andy Qualifies for State Tennis Playoffs

Andy's high school tennis team is heading to the state playoffs this week. He and his partner were regional runner-ups. Their win helped the team qualify for the first time since 2004. The article link below has this picture of Andy. (He's wearing his mother's sunglasses, but we won't let that little tidbit get out.)

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/201010100650/SPORTS06/10100507?odyssey=mod_related_topix

Remember This Guy?

Well, he's turning 50 in November! And in keeping with the casino theme, we, his of-age children (he is 50, after all), are taking him somewhere he's wanted to check out for a while: Four Winds Casino. So if you hit the jackpot in Vegas this month, try your luck in Michigan! If you spend all but your retirement money or kids' college accounts, maybe you'll make your money back at Four Winds!

So here's the skinny: Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich., on Nov. 13. We're going to try to be there between 6:30 and 7 p.m. to eat at one of the burger joints and then hit the tables and hang out in the bars. Since it won't take any of us that long to blow through our cash (or call it quits if we hit big), we'll be driving back that night, whatever time. (I, obviously, am my parents' sober driver.)


We're keeping it casual - this is as much as an invitation as anyone gets, so if you know someone who doesn't check the blog, let them know what the plan is!

We hope people can make it out. Let me (Amelia, ameliajeffirs@yahoo.com) know if you think you might come though, especially if you want to eat with us, so we can make sure there is enough space for everyone and so we can make sure we meet up with everyone.


Happy gaming! (FYI - You'll likely find Nathaniel at the poker tables and me at the roulette tables sometime throughout the night. We're not sure yet what Dad's going to play.)

I'm assuming that everyone has figured out that I'm speaking of my father, your brother/uncle/nephew/friend/etc., but just to save face for someone, this is Mark Jeffirs turning 50! (Actual birthday Nov. 16.)

It's A Girl!

Hey everyone!

We're expecting another little girl! (Name to be released after birth.)

Everything looks good, and the due date of Dec. 30 is right on.

And more because they are blurry and out of focus than causing uneasiness amongst my male relatives, I will resist grossing out my uncles, cousins and possibly my father and Grandpa with ultrasound pictures. (Plus, they didn't do the 3-D ones this time.)

They'll be doing another partial ultrasound in a few weeks for a few measurements they couldn't get to today. I'll keep everyone updated!

It's that time again.....

Please start getting your pictures together that you'd like to see in the family calendar! I'll also be combing the internet if I don't get enough pictures, so beware! I may be forced to use old and/or unflattering pictures so it's in your best interest to send me some. =)

Send all pictures to krjeffirs@yahoo.com or through the Jeffirs Express.

The Love Slaves: A Brief History

"Researched" by Marlene Minker

In 1889, Auguste Rodin crafted his famous sculpture, "The Kiss." It was originally part of a larger work named "The Gates of Hell." Really? Does that tell you anything?

Forward time to Paris, 1913. Jacques Jeffirs, the notorious counterfeiter, copied the famous work of art and sold it to his American cousin, Gullible Jeffirs, for $50 and the rights to the 'ole Jeffirs' whiskey still in Plymouth, Indiana. Gullible was devastated when his sister, Smartene, told him that the piece was a fake. To cheer him up, Smartene painted the sculpture to resemble Gullible and his wife, Easy Sue. It was an immediate hit! Renamed "The Love Slaves," it has been customized with everything from tattoos, piercings, missing digits, and unique hairstyles, then passed from one set of happy newlyweds to the next for generations.

From the newest passing-on of The Love Slaves

This one is called "Shock"

This one is called "Suck it up and Grin"

Mr. and Mrs. Knepp!

For anyone who missed the beautiful wedding ceremony, I present you with Mr. and Mrs. Knepp! The actual ceremony was held in Kevin's parents' back yard, which they decked out in orange and yellow flowers (theme colors) and we moved to a separate location for the reception. All the rest of the pictures can be seen on my Facebook.

Taylor is turning 2!

Hey everyone! Taylor is turning 2 on Saturday, Aug. 14, so we thought we'd throw a little get-together for her while she's still an only child! If you'd like to come check out our house and let the kids (8 and under) play on some water slides, we'd love to have you.

(See below for more information - and I know it's not posting with the best clarity, so if you need directions, let me know and I will e-mail this to you.)

Here are the important details:

When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14

Where: Our house. 912 Colorado St., Goshen, IN 46526

Please send me an e-mail to let me know if you're coming so we can plan to have enough food, beer, desserts, etc.

It's a sprinker/water slide party. That means kids 8 and under bring a towel and swimsuit/set of dry clothes. We'll have sunscreen. For big kids and adults, there will also be washers and ladderball outside and Wii games, board games and videos inside (in the AC).

Quinn's graduation

June 3, 2010

In case you were wondering, the blue robes form the letter M (for Magnificat) with a cross on top -- that was the choir. All the girls held a dozen red roses which looked quite smashing against their white robes -- a beautiful ceremony!

One Down, Two to Go!

Bob and I celebrated our first high school graduation as parents. Way to go, Alex! Alex graduated with 350 classmates on Sunday, June 13. A few days before, he kept up the Jeffirs "Bomar" tradition and earned the math award for his class.

We had a great time at the June 20 Hog Roast at Dad's to celebrate Alex and Quinn's graduations and Father's Day. Thanks Bethany, Joe and Klaudia for arranging, prepping and roasting our delicious meal! And we have to all bow to Mike's now legendary "Corn Hole" skills - he reigned supreme defeating all Swain and Jeffirs challengers.

Relay for Life

Hey everyone! I thought a good handful of you might be in town on June 19th because of the graduation party/Father's Day hog roast, so I'll let you know about this. =)

At 6:00pm on June 19th in Centennial Park (in front of the big sledding hill) the American Cancer Society is hosting the Marshall County Relay for Life. This is a fundraiser for the ACS so there will be booths, events, etc. to spend your money on and help out the cause! I hear the Latino Festival will be just down the road on the same day, and I've been told the food is awesome. The Relay goes on until 8:00am the next morning and you're encouraged to stay, but of course you don't have to.

The Opening Ceremony starts at 6:00pm, and right after the ceremony, Steve's band, Calloused Eyes, will be playing! They do cover songs of classic and modern rock, plus originals written by Steve. They'll probably play for about an hour to start with, and then periodically throughout the night. My brother John will also be DJing when there's not an event going on or the band playing.

We'd love to see you out there! There's no admission fee, but if you plan to walk the relay, you must pay a $10 registration fee.

June 20

Hi Everyone!
Graduation for Alex and Quinn and Father's Day celebrations are set for June 20 at the "green house". 2 o'clock . Let me or Chris know if you're coming so we can plan food.
Dana

life in the suburbs..... really?

Taylor would like to announce...

that she's a

Last Day of School Fun!

St. Mike's finished the school year today with the annual talent show. Cole, Brady, Cassidy, and a few of their friends performed "Witchdoctor" as Alvin & the Chipmunks. (Dylan wasn't in it because she graduated from St. Michael last night and is far too mature to participate in such juvenile antics.) We could have used a few more practices, but their makeup was awesome, courtesy of Marlene, who, by the way, almost got sent to the principal's office in the process...go figure. Kelsey also performed in 2 acts, including a solo. Post to follow if Laura consents:)

Garage Sale!

In case anyone's coming by Lakeville next weekend, thought I'd let you guys know I'm having a garage sale. A HUGE garage sale. Featuring stuff from me, my dad, Tara & Kevin, my brother John, and my sister Ryann.

23503 Quinn Rd, Lakeville
May 15th-16th
10:00am-5:00pm

2010 Corrigan Family Reunion

We've (except Greg for some reason...just kidding) all been invited to the bi-annual Corrigan reunion in Olympia, Washington at cousin Sharon Corrigan Fasnacht's house on Saturday, August 7.

Sharon has contacted Corrigan cousins in Canada, and they will be there. The reunion is to celebrate the family of the 11 Corrigan children, including the 5 Corrigan brothers - Hugh, Patrick, James (Mom/Gram's grandfather), Michael and Henry (Hank). Attached is a picture of the 5 brothers (in left to right order listed earlier).

I also have a flyer about the reunion and also an interesting genealogy paper about our Canada links. I have to figure out how to post PDF files - Holli?

Cousin Sharon also added a personal note for us: "I'm sure your mom's in heaven. She's have to be after baby-sitting for my big sister and me, just a few years ago (1940s?). Hope you can make it also."

Tara & Kevin

In case any of you haven't heard via Facebook (my dad and I both posted about it) Tara and Kevin are engaged! Kevin proposed to her when they went to Indianapolis two weekends ago and she accepted. The wedding is tentatively scheduled for July 24th, 2010. I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say congratulations and we wish Tara and Kevin the best.

MJ Package Website

After the smashing success of Kayla's jewelry website, John Reed was kind enough to agree to help me out on a project I've been mulling over for a while. I sent off some text and pictures (thanks to Matt for enhancing them!), and John built the site. So check out the brand-spanking-new site:

M.J. Package Store

I took my laptop over to the store to show it to Gramps, who chuckled over my bad booze pun (you will too!) and gave it the MJ seal of approval. I hope you like it too.

Easter!

Max found the gold egg at the big hunt and was awfully proud of himself. The egg itself is looking a little rough, though. Janis remembers that Gram got the gold egg from a pair of Leggs pantyhose (remember when they came in shiny eggs?) but of course they don't sell those anymore. Ebay was less than helpful, but I found gold eggs at Oriental Trading online. They only sell them by the dozen, so if you need a gold egg for your own hunt, just let me know.

In other news, Spongebob suffered some serious damage in what all the kids home will become a new annual tradition.

Stephen, The Devil, in "Godspell"

Young Artists

If you're in Plymouth during the next couple of weeks, stop by the Heartland Artists Gallery downtown. They're having an exhibit of art from elementary students, and one of Liam's works of art was chosen to be part of it! (Haven't heard if anyone else in the family is represented; if they are, just let me know and I'll add them.)

We're going to check it out Saturday morning, so I'll try to post pictures afterward, but in the meantime, you can check out this link for more information.

Rally For School Funding Heads to Lansing

Rally For School Funding Heads to Lansing

Posted using ShareThis

Rallying at the Michigan State Capitol

I had my mojo going yesterday in Lansing to protest all the funding cuts to public education. I was asked to speak on behalf of the Michigan PTA. I brought 150 parents, kids, grandparents and community members to Lansing on 2 buses rented by the Farmington PTA Council (of which I am Madam President). We met up with several hundred other people in Lansing.

The event started the night before with a radio interview on WWJ 950 am. Then I did a live phone interview on Detroit NBC. They asked me to send in a picture to display. I was in our office on the phone while Bob was watching/listening to me on TV - freaky. Then ABC, NBC and Fox caught up with me at the bus before we left. I made the noon telecast for all three stations! ABC followed us up and taped the rally and then interviewed me after. It was crazy.

My speech included audience participation. I begged the question every paragraph: "What do we want our legislators to do?" "DO YOUR JOBS" "When?" "NOW!"

ABC kept the story on their website. I'll see if the Blogger link works in the next post. I had several people come up after the speech and ask me if I'd run for Governor! (I promptly passed.)

BTW - If you see the video, Michigan PTSA wanted me to wear that big blue sweatshirt - quite a fashion statement! Take care - Chris

New business venture?

Hey everybody, this is my first post as a contributor! As Holli said below, I got all the calendars out on Tuesday and I'm sorry about the delay. I had a lot of unexpected problems with the calendar company, but at least now I know better for next year! I hope you all enjoy them.

A couple weeks ago I started getting into paper bead-making, and I thought I could make some money off of it. Turns out, I can! My brother set up a website for me and I've currently got some stuff for sale. Even if you don't want to buy anything, you should check it out. They're pretty fun to make!


Jewelry By Kayla

Calendars Shipped!

Hey all, Kayla asked me to let you know that the calendars have all been shipped out, and should find their way to your homes any day now. Thanks for your patience! I have mine, and it looks great!

Thanks to Kayla for all of her hard work on it! I can tell you (as can Chris) that it's not an easy-breezy thing to get done.

Aspiring Young Actresses

I couldn't help but share these. I took the girls' headshots recently for future auditions, including one coming up this month in New York.

Maria - "Saint of the Month"

Maria was voted "Saint of the Month" by her classmates. She was very surprised at the all school Mass when the announcement was made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0MaZH_-tqY

Maria's First Trophy

Maria scored her first basket and received her first trophy at her last basketball game. Kent was her coach and team sponsor.

Cousins and Uncle Kent

Doug in the News

Doug was in the news. A friend of Bob's from California read this article in Wine Spectator and wanted to know if Doug was his brother-in-law.

http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/41737

Nothing like having your name as the very beginning.

Throwin' in some Hoop

OK, I apologize for the corny title. It's just been a while since anyone posted, so I thought I'd put up something fresh. Here's what's been going on lately:

1. Taylor plays in the snow for the first time. (January)

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2. Ben struts his stuff on the runway at the Bridal Extravaganza at Notre Dame. (January)

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3. Uncle Nat buys Taylor a horse. (January)

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4. Ben gets stuck being the designated driver. (January)

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5. Taylor keeps getting prettier. (No particular time associated, although this particular photo was taken in February.)

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Christmas Pictures!

I finally got through the 80-some pictures I took at Christmas! Here are some of my favorites:

Here is a link to see a slideshow of all of them (it's Shutterfly): http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2Bbt2bRw3ZMOw

or you can see them in an album on my Web site: http://www.hooplah.shutterfly.com/

-Amelia