Hi Family!!

I'm missing reading the posts from all of you. I've checked often to see if anything exciting is happening, and haven't seen too much at all. But then when I think I'll post, I come up empty too.
After 19 years in this house, we decided that the flooring was in need of replacing. We had done the carpeted areas this last fall, but the kitchen and back of the house hadn't been done yet. Last week Mason Flooring put down a fiberglass floor (resembles vinyl) that looks like a tile floor. It comes in a big roll and is glued down over the existing floor. WOW!!! It really makes Kent's cabinets look wonderful. Now they just need a good cleaning.
Caleb is very busy with baseball season. This is his second year as an assistant coach with the IPFW team. So far he's been to Florida and Georgia, and this weekend will be going to Utah. Kevin went to a double-header this last Saturday. I can't seem to get too interested when I don't know the players. I sure do miss seeing Caleb play. We watched him play since he was six; so for 16 years. I'm not a big sports fan, but I sure do miss watching him play. And he'll be graduating this May with a degree in criminal justice. The next step would be police academy. Apparently that won't be happening. I guess tax cuts have eliminated that--don't know where that leaves him. A summer job again???
I assume Adam and Laura are home - ???? How was the drive home, and are you back to work? Kevin tells me that he called you a couple of times while you were in Florida and didn't get a call-back. Were you just ignoring the folks up north in the cold weather? Just talking to us doesn't change the weather down there you know. I bet you haven't heard the last of this one Adam.
Kaylah, how is the new job going?
Hope to hear some news for all of you soon.

Home to Valhalla

Had a safe trip home. Left Garry and Nancys about 12:30 a.m. our time and arrived home at 3;30 p.m. It was good going through Chicago at four in the morning, Kent, but there still is alot of traffic; more then there use to be when Len and I were driving.

Thanks to everyone for such a good time. Thanks for the Sat. night get together and all of the good food. Thanks to Garry and Nancy and Kevin and Jan for housing us and feeding us all.

Ethan and Emma were such very good travelers for being strapped in the back seat of Uncle Steves truck for 15 hours straight. Emma said a couple of times that she had to pueke(I dont know how to spell that) but I gave her some banana and she got fine. Think she gets a little car sick. She loves that Kevin.!!!

Temp is 20 this a.m. suppose to be in the 30's most of the week with snow coming in on the week end. We wont be ready for fisherman if it keeps this up. Guess you will have to come directly up here, Bennie , to get your Shore Patrol Work Done!! You know, there is more work involved with that job then driving around in that old truck.

THANKS TO ALL AND WE LOVE YOU ALL.!!

Norma Jean for Steve, Sara, Ethan and Emma too.

It was a little windy out
Like you expect anything less from these two
The girls had a great time playing in the sand

This was one of the many Easter photos I took

here are some pictures. We will be home sometime on Sunday.

Spring Break...its not supposed to be cold!

isnt your senior year of spring break supposed to be memorable?! well to start off the week i went to the dentist office! agh! but in the end I got a job there! YAY! =) i start in a couple of weeks and I'm pumped! But still.. im here. in Indiana..on spring break!! i need a vacation!!!!! my friends keep sending me pics of the beach and complaining becuase the ocean is soo cold! well i dont feel sorry for them! it was snowing the other day up here! haha but yeah. It was really nice to see sara steve and norma jean on Saturday though! =) i hope i can make it back up to minnesota this summer..but its going to take some time! im broke! haha

Grandma still wont post anything on here. Im not sure why? i just asked her if she had and she said she hasnt yet so ill keep bugging her about it and maybe one of these days she will! Well im heading back down south of Indy early Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon for a MFE conference for FFA. I am so excited about that too! but anyways im gonna get back into the living room to visit with grandma and grandpa!

Love Kaylah

where is the childern

Hi
Benders and sinks
the pictures were great but where is maddie and Chloe .its been so long Ican,t remenber what they look like ,,,,,,, you can come home now its getting warm in the fifties fo r the week 130 gals of syrup so far so much work I guess it keeps you young see you soon
nancy grandma

Sink Family Chippendale dancers

I did not know the chippendale's were in town...where do I get tickets?

WHAT A GREAT VISIT!!

Well, the northerners left very early this morning. We had a great time visiting while they were here. Sara and Emma stayed at our house. Ethan stayed with Steve and Norma Jean at Nancy and Garry's. But once Ethan found out that we had a Wii, he decided it was a fun place to be. I was amazed at both of the kids. They were really good at several of the games. Ethan even made it to "pro" status on the bowling. I think he beat everybody he played at some point. Sorry, Sara. I would predict that you'll be getting lots of "Can we get a Wii?"

Family is such a blessing, and it's good to have time together. I appreciate the effort it took to come for a visit.

SINKS AND BENDERS INVADE CLEARWATER BEACH

Had a great time with Adam ,Laure and girls last Thursday.....ate lunch at Frenchie then walked on Clearwater beach and went to the Clearwater aquarium....great dolphin show

Nice to see ya

'Twas good to see y'all at Zanesville tonight, sorry I wasn't much fun, I didn't feel good.

Benny, you'd better think about coming home. Skinner is talking about turning your house into a time share, since you are hardly ever there. Sounds like a plan to me, I might invest.

Our sympathies to Mike Waldman and family for the loss of his mother.

Tom & Jeannie

THANKS FOR A GOOD TIME

Wanted to get this picture of Caleb and me getting ready to leave for the Missing Links golf course...Had a great time and we spent the afternoon together in fellowship...thanks again for hanging around with a old fart......

coming soon!

Well, the kids and i are packed. heading down to valhalla now and then we will decide what to do...leave yet tonight or early in the morning. i think early in the morning sounds better. Steve and I both have to work next wed, so i imagine we will head back home early tuesday morning. mom is likely shaking her head at us, but will come along for the ride anyway. Love you all and can't wait to see you all. -Sara, Ethan (7) and Emma (4 1/2)

8th place!!

Me and Alison Painter! we had to get hats at steak and shake! haha and yeah..dont ask about the tie thing!! :) but it was fun!

Me and Melissa Lambert while waiting for the awards to start!! ^^

well now it is time for finals now that i have gotten back from Indy. Last weekend i traveled to Indy for state competition for BPA. I competed in the Computerized accounting and Payroll contests. I finished in 8th place in the computerized accounting and i do not know what i finished in for Payroll, all i know is that i did not make it to reno for nationals. However, 11 out of the 18 from our school get to go to nationals in May! :) I had a lot of fun being down there with all of my friends and competing in what i love to do. There was a dance on Monday night, and as we were all dancing, my guy friends decided that they needed to crowd serf me, and i told them not to and plus i had my big heels on that slid off..well of course they did it anyways and i lost one of my shoes for about 2 hours! but it was fun! :) the weekend went by way too quickly and now i need some sleep!!

Check your email, Jan Smith

I just sent you something. -Sara

catching up

I went to the beauty shop this morning and got a lot of news so I had to come home and read the BLOG, I had missed a couple days. I read about all that is happening with several from the north coming down. Sounds good. Keep us informed of what is going on so we can have food prepard. (THAT"S IMPORTANT)

we're coming!!!

Well, it's official. We're coming! It sounds like mom, steve, myself and the kids are coming and will be arriving thursday evening, i imagine. Jan Smith has offered to house the kids and I and I think that sounds really good! THANK YOU! I have a friend in Ft Wayne and another in South Bend i want to connect with while down there, so there will be plenty to keep us busy! Looking forward to seeing everyone again! -Sara

CAN WE COME?

Steve called me this morning wondering if the kids and I might like to come to Indiana with him for a long Easter weekend-this weekend. We are trying to drag mom along, too. Dad is in the hospital and now the care home with a diabetic foot ulcer and weeks of IV antibiotics, so she is free from caring for him every day... IF we can drag her away from that good husband of hers, that is! Are there any activities planned anywhere for Easter? If we come, i imagine we will be there friday thru monday. I imagine Steve and Ethan will help out with the syruping business. Emma will try too. Any takers for Minnesota visitors? not 100% sure yet.-Sara

BIRTHDAY BOY

Someone is a wee bit older this week,,,had a small party with his favorite strawberry birthday cake, and a pineapple upside down cake and candied sweet potatoes Yumo,,,,,How old well ?????

Happy Birthday Brenna!!

I know spring is around the corner when Brenna's birthday (St. Patricks Day) comes around!! We had a nice fish fry with the grandparent's last night to celebrate. That just about wiped out the last of the Minnesota catch.

Right now it's about 4 o'clock, Cody has been in his boat out on the pond since we came home from church. I guess I should tell you the pond is still frozen!! This kid is determined to fish one way or another. He has been chipping away at it for quite some time. If only I could curve some of that ambition towards cleaning his room.

Kirby will be out of town this week for work and Kaylah is gone until Tuesday in Indy for a state competition in business. Good luck to her. Now if only I can get rid of the rest of the kids!!

Everybody take care!!

-Melissa

sugar camp

Hi
just a little update on maple syrup.we have made well over 100 gals the guys are out now trying to get more sap. just to warm right now hope it gets cold again sorry gals , we need to made more syrup in case someone doesn,t know it take 40 gals of sap to make 1 gal of syrup on average.
I sang in a cantata today called the eyes of faith it took a lot of practice was worth it i had my family there ,that made my day
love to all Nancy

We're FINALLY Homeowners!!!

Well, after nearly 3 years, Austin and I have finally bought a home! We signed the paperwork Wednesday and are so excited. We will be living on the southwest side of Ft. Wayne-just off of Hadley Rd (exit 105 area.) The house is in an older addition, towards the back, which is nice because it will be quiet back there (or at least that's the hope.) It's on 1/2 acre, is 1640 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath, with a 4-season room. We love it. Unfortunately, it's had the same owner the entire time (44 yrs) and no updates have been made since that time. So, sadly we will be removing the foil wallpaper and painting every room as soon as we gain possession, the 22 yr old shingles will be removed and replaced, and the ever so beautiful flooring will all be ripped out and replaced. We have a lot of work to do and we plan to do it all prior to moving in--three weeks to be exact. So.... on that note, if anyone has a free hand Memorial Day weekend (Adam, Kirby, J.D., Carl, Caleb, Dad, Drew, Brian...) we can definitely use it. Women are welcome too.

THE EGGS ARE DONE!!!!!!

Wow, is this project a lot of work!!! I'm so happy to report that we are finished with production. It takes three weeks, Monday through Thursday, evenings from 5ish to 9ish. I would guess that there were around 40 people who helped. Of course all weren't there at all times, but everyone helps when they can. Stephanie is the head of the project so maybe she'll share the numbers with you. I don't know how many we ended up making, but I know we have lots of them left that are just decorated - no names. If anyone is interested in having some, let us know. So, tomorrow night we don't have this project to work on - what does a person do with a free evening?

Natural Golfer on our hands.

We took the girls down to the beach today for about an hour and then we went and played putt, putt. It was the first time we had ever taken the girls to play putt putt. Chloe beat Adam. I was shocked on the very first hole she got a hole in one on her own. It made it up to 80 today and was nice and sunny. Hopefully we will be able to bring some of this weather home with us.

Hey, Benny, with gas prices going ever higher, can you afford to drive home? I can just see you walking the streets, with a sign around your neck, saying "Will Work for Gas".

We saw Goofy at Disney

The Bender's visited The Magic Kingdom over the weekend. I ran into Goofy by Space Mountian. We all had a great time there. Kim was at a continuing education seminiar that she is an instructor for. So, Mom and Goofy help me out with the kids. It was sooooo cold musta been in the 60's

Baby, it's WARM outside!

It was up to 46 two days in a row! Man, it feels like 76 to me! no jacket for me today at work, and i was trotting in and out all day long! I am not excited, or anything... The kids got their bikes out because they saw a 3 foot patch of cement, AND there is slush to slop around in, of course. I got some of the ice chopped off the patio and a little spot cleared out for the basketball hoop. Yay! They want to play outside for about the 1st time since november. I saw some green blades of grass under all that snow and ice. Isn't that amazing? Spring is coming and that means it's almost ELIJAH'S BIRTHDAY!!!! Happy Birthday, Elijah.

I don't think i can get down for the Vera Bradley thing, on account of my work schedule. rats. i'll still work on it, though. we'll see.

Hope everyone is getting a sample of some lovely weather like we are. -Sara

Drive to Florida

Thank God for answered prayers, Chloe and Madalyn were great on the drive down to Florida. They were so good that we actually drove straight through except for potty breaks, supper and to stretch legs. On the way home we will of course stop because it isn't nearly exciting to come home as it is to come to warm weather. Hope to see Bennie and Maryann, we will be in contact soon.

Talk at you all later.

Laura Sink

Thinking of Doyle

Hey everybody! Sorry to hear Doyle is not having such a good experience in Markle, Kirby and I keep saying we need to get down there and see him. Sometimes I think we spread ourselves too thin in some areas and not enough in others. I spent a lot of time with my Grandma before she passed away last month and it meant the world to her to have visitors, even if for just a small amount of time.

We are now into track season with Kyle and Brenna and baseball and softball are just around the corner, time to get the travel bus in gear again. Cody is on the hunt for a job to make some cash in order to support his fishing addiction. Whoever thought so much money could be spent on fishing (I hear you Rick!!) Kaylah is also looking for another job, she doesn't seem to be getting enough hours where she's at now.

Hey Chris!!! Become a first-time blogger and let me know if and when you might be going on a medical missions trip again. I am now working for a dr. in fort wayne which has a huge amount of expired medication, if this is something that would benefit you, I can always ask if he would be willing to hand them over.

As far as Kirby goes, he has been working a lot of OT lately, and this is suppose to be the "slow" season!! He's quite a guy!!

Talk to you all later, need to get the travel bus in motion -- Melissa

P.S. - hope this posts on the right day, I seem to have had some trouble in the past with it going under the right day and time, we'll see what happens. (Tuesday)

GRANDPA GARRY EARL SINKS BIRTHDAY ! !

1900, March 11 Garry E. Sink was born to Alf and Bertha Sink.

Thank you God for our father and mother and all of the good things we inherited from them.

Thank you for the wonderful family that we belong to.

Norma Jean

sugar camp

hi
we are going to gather sap tomarrow should be a good run Jared and his buddies will help a lot of work I hope we get a lot as we need to make a bunch ,we are out .people are calling for syrupI think every one is for spring I will keep you up dated
Nancy

Update on Doyle

T.D. is resting, sort of, at the Markle Health Care. He is improving, both in condition and demeanor, but the antibiotic treatments are continuing. The latest Dr. is convinced this infection was widespread, caused by the kidney stone, resulted in the swollen knee, could have caused a lot of worse problems. But he is improving, although Carol Jean has her warbonnet on again because the health care (if you can call it that) is pretty lax in giving him his medication on time, and the food is lousy. She's been on the phone nearly every day this week, reading the riot act to the administrator, the head nurse, and the dietician. Connie also called them and read (or, as I understand it, yelled) the riot act about the quality of the food.

We've talked about moving him to Bluffton, but it's convenient for him to be in Markle as his regular physician stops in to see him at least once a week, and it's easy for Carol to get him clean clothes and other things from his apartment.

He'll be at the health care at least thru March, if anyone wants to send him cards or letters. The address is Room 300, Markle Health Care, 170 N. Tracy, MarkleIN 46770.
Tom

Taking vacation

He everyone, Adam and I have decided to go to Florida for 2 weeks to visit his mom and aunt and uncle, since we are stuck not doing much here.

He is off work until April 2, and then should be ready to go back. My shoulder and wrist are recoverying. Still having a hard time sleeping.

Hope to work out something to see Bennie and everyone in Florida if we aren't all too busy to get together for a couple of hours or so.

Nothing much else is going on here.

Laura

I love my family!

I am so glad that you all love the blog so much! It was something I have wanted to do for a long time and didn't really know that it was possible. Like Norma Jean said, it's like we're not so far away from each other anymore. I saw that Kent was trying to post - try again! I know you have some pretty smart grandkids next door that can help you. Once you post a couple of times it will be easy - I'll bet your wife could even figure it out....if she tried! C'mon Karen!

sugar camp

hi
well i will try again not having much luck.sap not running to cold we have about 20 gals hope it warms soon Ilove this blog I check it every day thanks to stehpanie the sun is shining and its beautiful. now i have to se if this will go nancy

Brr,Brr,Brr, Uff da, Uff da, Uff da, Cold Again ! ! !

It was -20 below again this a.m. here, and -24 at Park Rapids. Suppose to have some snow tomorrow and the wind to blow again, but to be warmer on Sunday. Sounds like you have been having wintery weather there in Indiana too. I predict the weather will change as soon as Easter comes !!

Dont forget to turn your clocks ahead when you retire Sat. night. " Spring Ahead. "

How is Doyle and is he home ?

Not much news from here. Steve had the flu last week; to the Dr and got meds. Havent seen him for a week. He has a couple of wolves up at Mud Lake, and got pictures of them. They killed a fawn up on the fields.

Thats all from Up North for tonight.

Norma Jean P.S. I love to hear the news from you all, doesnt seem like we are so far away
now. Thanks Stephenie

PLAAAAAY BALL

Went to Phillies and Rays ballgame but as you can see we got rained out in the top of the 6th inning...Trust me Mary has had nothing to drink she just looks it.....Had a great time....

t

VERA BRADLEY

Sara, the Vera Bradley sale is April 3oth - May 4th.

hello all!

Hey- sorry i haven't written for so long. I went in the ditch 2 weeks ago and they finally discovered me yesterday. it's a good thing i travel with a week's worth of cheerios and french fries on the floor of my van and a few half empty water bottles here and there. you'd be amazed at how long i could survive in a blizzard in my van-that's why i don't worry. that and i like to keep myself 'well-padded' for emergencies such as those. ...(just kidding of course!-i did not go in the ditch.)

Can someone remind me when the vera bradley thing at the coliseum is? I am interested in coming to it, but need a mom or sister or 2 to join me and i need to know when it is so i can request it off of work. (tam? Laur? mom?- i would even settle for stephen!) Stephen might like a vera bradley bag if they had camoflauge print!

We are warming up here and then cooling down again. it's hard to believe it is hovering around 0 at times and it's almost easter! I guess easter is very early this year, though, isn't it?

Well, that's it. nothing exciting up here in the tundra. just cold. I am pretending it's warm. love you all! -Sara

Another Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mandy! I hope it's a good one!

Norma Jean( budding internet guru)

If you check my post for a phone number you will find that Norma Jean has become a teckie,,just shows you that its never to late to learn the internet

No news?????

So many of you that have signed up haven't written us any news. Where are you? And Mr. Rick Skinner.......when I saw you over a week ago, you mentioned that you would be posting soon. Soon has come and gone. I'm still waiting to hear from you.
We don't have anything new to share.....still working every night on those peanut butter eggs. We make around 1800 of them every spring. I made a big pot of soup today (it was my day off work) and took to the church to share for supper. Lots of the people come straight from work and don't get to eat before coming. It was hot when I took it so I just put it on the stove and left the lid on it to keep it warm. Someone who meant to turn on a burner to warm something else turned on the one with the soup on it, and didn't realize it. One very large pot of soup totally ruined!!! It was scorched pretty bad before anyone noticed. :>(

Recovery

hey everybody,

Surgery went well, recovery taking longer than anticipated. still unable to drive. Adam will find out if he can drive on wednesday. He has been doing pretty good at helping out, as long as you can get past all the sighs. Chloe has been away more than at home, but se is loving all the attention from others. Madalyn has been very lovey and clingy since i've been layed up, it is sort of nice saying how she is very independent.

I want to send a big thank you to Kirby and Melissa for taking the girls overnight, it gave Adam a break much needed. And thank you to Stephanie for the dinner.

Great job nancy on posting. Hope to see more posts from you.

Laura

"I broked my head"

Those are the words of Camden if you ask him what happened to his eye. I know with two boys I am looking at my fair share of cuts and scrapes, but haven't really had to deal with any until now. Last Thursday he fell and split open his eyebrow on a wooden stool. Now let me tell you that I am not very good with blood....but thankfully it didn't end up being too bad, we just put a butterfly over it. Yesterday, everyone at church was asking him what happened and his answer was, "I broked my head on my dool."
And since that is so cute, I figure I should tell you the other cute thing that he is saying right now. We have started answering "I love you too" when he says "I love you" to us. I also tell him "I love you soooo much." So his new thing is "I love you toooo much!"

Phone number

Does anyone out their have rosie phone number...would like to visit with her but cant find her number,,,tryed email that did not work... thanks bennie

Melody and Matt's wedding

Melody & Matt's wedding was great! Melody was a beautiful bride, and they both looked very happy! She said it was everything she had hoped for. It looks like Melody has the pics organized a bit better on Flickr this afternoon. The picture of her with Steve and Caleb talking to each other was when they had walked her down the aisle together and the pastor said "Who gives this woman...?" Well, Steve and I were late to the practice the night before, so when Caleb answered "I do" he didn't know that Grandpa was supposed to say that too. So Steve played with him (during the actual ceremony!) and said, "NO, I DO!"...to which of course Caleb replied, "NO, I DO!" and got everyone laughing. They finally ended up agreeing, "We do" and Steve sat down. Another funny time was when the pastor said that now Caleb, Ian, Maia and Hannah are brothers and sisters and Caleb and Ian had a serious discussion (quietly) where they were standing. All the kids were a part of the wedding party/they were so cute! And the girls lovely! It was the pastor's first wedding and when he was going to pronounce Matt & Melody man & wife Matt said something like "but we didn't say the 'I do' part!" to which the pastor quietly remarked that he didn't know that they wanted to do the whole traditional thing... to which Matt replied "I do!" and Melody looked at Matt and said "I do too!" (double meaning intended!) I think this is what was happening in the pic you see below, on Melody's post. So anyway they both said "I do" quite a few times and added to Steve and Caleb's "I do's", I guess we all DID have a bunch of fun! The rocks you will see in the windows are from Island lake on a fun summer day we took the kids swimming...it looked like the shores of Island lake come to bless us all around the horizons of a room in Minneapolis, especially with the lanterns that Melody put up and the tea lights that Laurie Jean set all over and lit. The yellow tulips are in memory of Selah. Lots of warm memories...

Happy Saturday

Stephanie tells me that she gets an email notification every time we get on the blog and view it, and she's wondering why so many of us get on to read and then don't post anything. On my end, it's because my life is pretty routine, not that much to share. As you've read, we are working on the peanut butter eggs at church. It's a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. The job I have is one that is pretty much "solo", so I'm off by myself. As I sit there and listen to the conversations throughout the room, it's amazing the things you learn about people!! I won't repeat anything too embarrassing, Melissa! I started to look at Melody's wedding pictures, but decided I'll have to do that when I have a little more time. Kevin, Kirby, Carl and several of the guys from church went to the church camp today to do some work. They've been going the first Saturday of each month to help get the place in shape for summer. Those kinds of things always seem to have more to be done than money to pay for it. I guess that's kind of like our home, actually.
Both Claire and Grant have started walking. I guess that started about two weeks ago. Now, Paula and Stephanie will have no time to sit!
Caleb is in Atlanta this weekend with the college baseball team. They left of Thursday, play through Sunday afternoon, and head back. It's supposed to be close to 70 degrees and sunny all weekend. Wouldn't that be nice!? I love having the seasons, but I'm sooooo ready for warm weather. There's a gal at work who always has a come back when people complain about the cold - she says "when it gets hot, you'll just complain that it's too hot". I've told her several times that you will not hear those words come from my mouth! Bring on the sun!!!!!

Wedding Photos

Hello! Here are the photos of the wedding. Enjoy!

Photos by: Kandi

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattandmelodywedding/