Christmas Eve Visitor from Colorado

Kelley, Hazel and I had a wonderful visit this morning from our good friend from Denver, Colorado...Eric Boyle. Eric was a classmate of mine at the University of Colorado and is a pretty special guy.

Uncle Mark and Aunt Karen Visit with Hazel

Matt and Carrie Shirkey and their three kids along with Uncle Mark and Aunt Karyn came over to visit Hazel this past week.

Daddy likes this picture! Although I do think Hazel looks a bit too old when she wears this outfit...back to swaddling clothes!

Windlab Christmas Party

Hazel got to meet all of Daddy's coworkers at the Windlab Christmas Party. Here is a shot of David's colleague, Ranmadhu, with his wife Nimmi, and Hazel.

Visit with Kent and Marilyn's Family

We spent a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon in Spring Arbor, MI with Kent and Marilyn's family. As you can tell, Hazel was very excited to meet her cousins...especially Alyssia!

Photos of Hazel and Some Visitors

Kelley took this photo of Hazel today...Kelley claims that Hazel is winking.


The Bart Fannin family visited us last Saturday after they went to the University of Michigan basketball game. Here is Nikki.

Here are Bart and Nico. Jordan was here also but somehow didn't get in the photos?

Hazel is resting on daddys lap.

Thanksgiving had Grandma and Grandpa Shirkey visiting us.

We put up a Christmas tree on Sunday. Here we are in front of it with Hazel.

The night before Thanksgiving we had a very special visit from Uncle David and Aunt Linda Fannin...they are in the USA for a few months away from their mission field of eastern Europe.

Baby Hazel in front of the Christmas Tree.

All Dressed Up and Ready to Go!

This is an outfit Hazel received from Uncle Kent and Aunt Marilyn. It has been Hazel's "go to outfit" whenever we leave the house...which hasn't been too often. Hazel isn't a big fan of the car seat...she prefers mom's arms...

Hazel is receiving calls...

Hazel can be reached during business hours by calling her mother's cell phone...or by contacting her father's cell phone via non business hours.

Here she models an ensemble provided by Uncle Kent and Aunt Marilyn and crew.

The Arrival of Hazel Louise Shirkey

Hazel arrived about 4 weeks early. She was such a surprise. Kelley and I couldn't believe it when we realized that Kelley was starting contractions.

Hazel was born on Thursday, November 18 at 5:31AM. She was 5 Lb 7 Oz and was 18.4 Inches long.

Here we are leaving the hospital after being there for quite a bit longer than we thought we would.

Meg and Lilly Caruso surprised us at the hospital on Friday morning.

Daddy and Hazel.

Some perspective. Hazel and Daddy's shoe...don't tell mom.

Photos of Hazel with Other People

Hazel and Grandma Fannin.

Hazel and Grandma Shirkey.

Daddy couldn't help but put a sign in the front yard!

Kellley's Tummy Update

We are now 4-5 weeks away from the due date. Kelley is doing really well and is totally the champ. Chimi is growing like he/she should. Doctor estimated Chimi is 5-5.5 Lb at this time. The most prominent feature of the baby is the baby's rear end which is positioned on the left side of Kelley's tummy.

Dad is also doing well. He knows the hard part for him is now and that once the baby is born it will all be easier.

Visits from Nieces and Nephews

Kelley and I were fortunate enough to have some special visitors the weekend of Halloween. Friday night the entire Kent Fannin crew came over for dinner at our house in Ann Arbor. Alyssia stayed the night with us.

Saturday morning, Alyssia and Kelley did some yoga together.
We stopped by a coffee shop on our way to the farmer's market.

At the farmer's market Alyssia got up close and personal with some seafood. The lobster is alive and crawling.

Later that day Colin and Ella came over for a few hours to hang out.

Trip to Door County, Wisconsin - September 2010

Our summer vacation was a trip to Door County, Wisconsin. Seems like a bunch of people have never heard of Door County...we hadn't ever been there, but we'd heard it was a nice place to visit.

The location is the "pinky" of Wisconsin...the long peninsula that sticks out into Lake Michigan.

Our trip began with a ferry ride from Ludington, MI to Manitowac, WI. The S.S. Badger is about a 4 hour ride across lake Michigan. This photo shows us departing from Ludington...goodbye Michigan!
A state park near Ephraim, WI visited had an observation deck with some nice views.
Kelley looks pretty pretty in front of the sail boats at Fish Creek, WI.
Kelley also looks pretty pretty at the bay in Ephraim, WI.
David got to do some golfing also.

Special Visitor From Boulder

Our good friend Kelly Saalwachter visited us in June of this summer. It was a really special time and we were so thankful that Kelly made the effort to visit us. Kelly is the wife of a buddy of David from the University of Colorado.

Sporting Events

Our friends Bernie and Julie took us to a Detroit Tiger's game this summer. The seats were awesome and the game was fun. Good to be back in the D.

We also got to take in a University of Michigan game this fall. Too bad the Wolverines dropped the game to the Iowa Hawkeyes, but it was nice to visit the Big House again.

Photos of Kelley and Our Baby in Kelley's Tummy

There was a time in high school when I had a bit of a male chavunistic streak...fortunatley that time has past, but I must say, I sort of like having my wife barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen!!!!!

Now, seriously, Kelley has been doing great. She is due December 17 so we are getting there. Our baby is named "Chimi" for the time being...that is short for "Chimichanga" which is one of mama's and daddy's favorite foods!

TOC 2010

While I should be adding blogs to show my wife's ever growing tummy (Kelley is 7 months pregnant now...due December 17, 2010) I must first add a blog to discuss the important events of this past weekend.

Friday, September 24 - Sunday, September 26 was the fifth annual Shirkey TOC. Matthew came in from El Paso, Texas. Jason arrived from Grayslake, Illinois. Daniel hosted the event at his house in Jackson, Michigan. I drove over from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Saturday morning.
Front Nine individual match play. Jason beat David 3 and 2. Matt beat Daniel 2 and 1.
Back Nine team best ball: Jason and Daniel beat Matt and David 3 and 2.

Standings after day one: Young 2, Old 1

Sunday morning.

Front nine team scramble: Matt and David beat Daniel and Jason.

Back nine individual match play: Daniel beat David, Matt beat Jason.

Sundays results. Old 2, Young 1.

Total: Old 3, Young 3...a tie...sudden death.

Matt and David won the 2nd playoff hole to win the 2010 TOC.

We had some distinguised guests join us. From the left: Mark Shirkey, John Ridenour, Jason Shirkey, Walter Shirkey, Matt Shirkey, David Shirkey, Mike Shirkey, Daniel Shirkey.

Mackinaw Island Trip with Shirkey Clan

Mom and Dad Shirkey took us all up to Mackinaw Island for a weekend.

Here are the little kids.
And the big kids.

Wishing we could be pirates.