Popi's 90th Birthday Party

With all of the commotion of the last two months, I have not done a blog post of Popi's 90th birthday party.  It was held on October 18th - the day before his 90th birthday and exactly one month before he died.  Brenda and I had always talking about holding a big celebration for this special birthday. We had a pig roast with all the fixins, hay rides, fireworks and live county/blue grass music from the local band Double Strung.  Marisa made the famous jam cake and we all sang Happy Birthday.  We even did two group sing-a-longs of "Wabash Cannonball" and the Hank Williams hit "Jambalaya". Most special was the toast given by Marisa thanking Popi and Noni for their years of love and sacrifice.

We had 100 attend including most of Popi's grandchildren and all five of his great grandchildren. Little did we all know that this was his final party.  Brenda worked hours on the planning of the party and she made it a truly special day for Popi.  Thanks to everyone who came and made it a day to remember!

The incredible walking Charlie

Like most Mulders, Charlie wasn't walking by the age of one.  But by thirteen months, he was moving like crazy.  While I don't have any great photos or video of him walking, it is well documented.  He first steps were for Jessie and was in their home in Chicago.  Of course now the big challenge is keeping him safe.  He loves to walk towards open stairs!!

It takes a whole family to keep an eye on Charlie

Lucky Brenda!

Our good friend Bruce Billedeaux called Brenda last week and invited her flying.  It was early morning and the sky was a clear blue (the first time in weeks).  Brenda met Bruce at a private landing strip about 5 miles from our home.  After going over our home, they headed out the Lake Michigan and saw the cities of South Haven and Saugatuck.  Thanks Bruce - what a treat!

Thanks Bruce!

Our home is just to the left of the large red barn.  It is really cool to see some of our hiking trails.

The Plane!

Christmas wasn't the same this year

We all missed having Popi around for Christmas this year.  Here are a few photos from our Christmas last year.  Jessie did a beautiful tribute to Popi in her Christmas card this year.  It is such a treasured memory that he got to hold both Matilda and Charlie.

Popi was not always happy about being brought upstairs!

The interesting things we find while hiking on our property

With the mild weather Brenda and I have not been snow shoeing, but this has not stopped us from hiking.  We noticed all of this woodpecker activity as we were hiking yesterday.  It is amazing the work they will do for a tasty meal of insects!!

Our White Christmas - what a difference a year makes...

One year ago, we had 18 inches of snow on the ground and sub zero temperatures.  Little did we know, but it was simply the start of a hard winter for 2013/2014.  Coming into this winter, we had many predictions for another difficult winter.  But so far, it has been easy.  Temperatures over Christmas were in the upper 40's and this is all the snow we could find on Christmas morning.
While the lack of snow and ice was wonderful for driving, we sure did miss sledding and snow shoeing with the kids.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Grand Rapids

The day after Thanksgiving, we went up to GR to celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa.  Grandma had their apartment beautifully decorated for Christmas and we had a tasty ham dinner.  Matilda and Charlie had a lot of fun!  The highlight was a driving toy that Charlie received and a singing, Frozen bank from Matilda.  We heard the song "Let it go" over and over and over!!

Gigi has cool stuff

touring Clark Home

sitting with Grandpa

Brenda - the ultimate party planner!

The months of October and November were crazy at our home.  We hosted 100 people for Popi's 90th Birthday Bash, 35 people for Lisa's Baby Shower and 29 people for Charlie's First Birthday.  As usual, Brenda created a memorable, beautiful and fun experience for each of the events.  I heard comments such as:

"This is the best birthday party I have ever been to and I am 80 years old"
"Brenda should be a professional party planner - I would hire her in a minute"
"Every detail is thought of ... what a fun party"

We are all blessed to have Brenda planning our family parties and events!!

Working on Popi's Barn Party

The result of a long day of party planning!!

Philip - tearing it up at Kalamazoo College

It is hard to believe, but Phil graduates from K in only seven months.  He has had a wonderful experience at K.  His GPA is only one point away from mine at K (he has a 4.0 and I had a 3.0) and he is also a senior academic advisor for the economics department.  Phil has also excelled in math (he is a double major). Phil was a teaching assistant for Calculus III in the fall and will be the TA for Probability in the spring (what are the odds of this?).

Phil has also made a wonderful connection with Dr. William Richardson at K.  Dr. Richardson is on K's Board and is an adjunct professor.  He was previously President of John Hopkins University and CEO of the WK Kellogg Foundation.  Dr. Richardson has his PhD in economics from the University of Chicago and has really helped Phil in exploring his future in economics.

Way to go Phil.

Preparing for Peabody

Keith and Lisa are quickly getting ready for Peabody (the current name for their kid).  While the due date is mid January, some people (who will not be named) are rooting for New Year's Day or January 6th.  If Peabody arrives on January 6th, the entire Keith and Lisa family will share the same birthday.  As Keith notes, imagine the money they will save on birthday cakes.

Lisa has had some incredible baby showers and while they were close in time to Popi's death, there is something special about welcoming new life as you say goodbye to a life well lived. I can't wait to put Peabody's photo up on Cliff Notes!!

Brenda did incredible table decorations

Keith practicing for fatherhood with Charlie

The happy mother-to-be

silly games - draw the baby...

Who is afraid of flying? Not Laurel...

As many of you may recall, Laurel hates to fly on airplanes.  We have many memorable moments with Laurel as we have flown to Italy, London, Florida and many other trips.  Despite many attempts to help her, the big change came when she turned 21.  Laurel is now able to have a glass of wine (or two) on the plane and she is much more relaxed.  What is even more amazing is all the flights Laurel has made in the last few weeks because of interviews for her surgical residences.  In just the last five days she has been on eight flights including trips to Alabama, Washington DC, Iowa, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Boston.  Laurel has received some incredible interviews for surgery at some of the top programs.  She will have some hard choices to make in ranking the programs for match day!!

We are so proud of Laurel!!

JR Hudson - Popi's Obituary

Hudson, J.R. After living a beautiful, happy life, J.R. Hudson, age 90, died at home with his loving family and caregivers by his side. J.R. was born in Fouke, Arkansas to Charles William and Dora Elizabeth (Griffin) Hudson on October 19, 1924. He grew up on the farm, picking cotton, swimming in the swimming hole, fishing, hunting and playing baseball.He remained the St. Louis Cardinals' biggest fan.J.R. enlisted in the Army during World War II at 18 years old, embarking on an incredible journey, first to North Africa, then to Naples, Italy and up the Po Valley, his division settling as a peace keeping force in a charming castle in Capriva del Friuli in Northern Italy. Becoming proficient in the language, he was able to meet and court the love of his life, Elda Grion, a beautiful Italian woman. The two were married in Naples, Italy where their first child was born in 1946. Bringing his war bride to America after the war, J.R. and Elda lived in Arkansas, then Texas, where their first set of twins were born in 1947. From there they moved to St. Louis and then to Connecticut, where their second set of twins were born in 1961.J.R. had various jobs after the war, finally falling into a career as a metallurgical engineer. He became very respected in his field, traveling all over the world because of his unique expertise. J.R. was a gifted storyteller, full of one liners, witty jokes and sayings; a talent he never lost. He also had a deep love for music, especially Country music, and instilled an appreciation for music in all of his children and grandchildren. Nothing brought him more joy than rocking, cradling and singing to his babies.J.R. was preceded in death by his wife Elda, brother Odus, and nine half brothers and sisters, son-in-law Jon Kreulen, and infant granddaughter Sara McCormick. J.R. and Elda had five children who all survive: Marisa (Roger) Schweitzer of Richland, Nancy (Lou) Kreulen-Wargo of Port Clinton, OH, James (Karin) Hudson of Portage, Brenda (Cliff) Mulder of Kalamazoo and Linda (Mike) McCormick of Cypress, TX.Affectionately known as Popi, J.R. had a special relationship with his 18 grandchildren, Kurt (Charlene) Schweitzer, Kristin (Scott) Johns, Jason Kreulen, Andrea (Mark) Prebay, David (Adriana) Hudson, Dan Hudson, Nick Hudson, Bryan (Jessie) Mulder, Keith (Lisa) Mulder, Laurel Mulder, Philip Mulder, Camille Howard, Jared Howard, Mitchell Howard, Scott McCormick, Madison McCormick, Louie Wargo and Paula Wargo. Popi was blessed to have five great grandchildren, Avery and Cole Prebay, Matilda and Charlie Mulder, and Martin Hudson. The family would like to extend a special thank you to J.R.'s truly amazing caregivers, Connie Rose, Kim Coburn and Amy Miskowski. These loving women unselfishly cared for J.R. in his home, giving beyond what was called for. He had a special relationship with each of them and thought of them as daughters.Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, November 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel 9170 East D Avenue (M89), Richland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 24th,2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 12648 East D Avenue, Augusta, with Father James F. Adams, Celebrant and Deacon MichaelA.Carl, Assisting. A luncheon will immediately follow the Funeral Mass.Military interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI at 2:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the 

or the 

. Personal messages for the family may be placed at farleyestesdowdle.com.

Funeral Home

Farley-Estes & Dowdle Richland Chapel
9170 E D Ave Richland, MI 49083
(269) 629-6022

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Halloween 2014

Even though none of us were together for Halloween this year, we did manage to share a lot of great photos.  So here is a peak at our various Halloween celebrations

Laurel is so talented - it's Beaker and she didn't even use a pattern

Scary Monsters!

At the Hyde Park neighborhood club party

Peabody and the Ann Arbor Mulders were skeletons!

My little pony!

We were in Houston. The birds were safe with me

Brenda and Linda went as twins :)

Hay Rides at The Mulders

Popi's birthday gave us an opportunity to try some new things at our property.  Our neighbors Mik and Lil have a old hay wagon so we gave it a try.  Our side by side ATV could pull it easily, even with 10 people on the wagon. We left from our barn and cut over to Mik and Lil's orchard. It was a beautiful ride and promises to be a regular fall event!