The Turner Family

On December11,2009 Andy Miller was sucessful in bagging the elk cow, pictured above. The elk was taken in northeastern Otsego County, near the Pigeon River State Forest, close to Vienna. He was the lucky winner in the tribal hunting license lottery (only available once every 10 years), but was only allowed to shoot a cow. This particular animal weighed in at 345 lbs. Andy got a lot of help and guidance from his friend and employer, Bill Hoffman (owner of Hoffman orchards on the Old Mission Peninsula). Bill is an avid hunter and even though he didn't get a license this year, he was willing to pick up Andy at 5:30 am two days in a row, drive 2 hours in the worst weather we've had this year, and probably loved every minute of it! The size of these animals up close is impressive, to say the least. As is tradition, Andy performed a tobacco ritual - tobacco is placed in the animal's mouth, and a prayer is said for the spirit of the Elk (me-shay-wog)- in thanks for giving up it

Here are the people in the group photo. Adults, left to right: Mickey Wanageshik (great nephew, grandson of Phyllis) Vivian Pedwaydon (married to cousin Frank), Frank Pedwaydon (cousin), Glen (needs no introduction), Tanya Wanageshik (niece -Phyllis' daughter), Dennis Miller,Phyllis Wanageshik (Glen's sister), Jami Miller (daughter-in-law), Cyn (also need no introduction), Connie Pedwaydon (married to cousin Al), Devyn ( our granddaughter), Al Pedwaydon (cousin), Gayle Manzano (Glen's sister), Samantha (Gayle's granddaughter), Roger Miller (another cousin), Homer Manzano (Gayle's husband), Marty Manzano (nephew, son of Gayle and Homer), Ralph Miller (brother), Steve Manzano (another son of Gayle and Homer), Steve's pregnant girlfriend (not sure of her name), Charlie Wanageshik (Phyllis' granddaughter). The two little boys in front are Parker Miller (our grandson), Andy Manzano (Gayle's grandson)

Had a holiday brunch on Sunday with almost everyone in Glen's family. Most of you don't know any of them, but maybe you might want to see anyway. Don't forget to start getting out your white elephants for a fun-filled post-Christmas swap!

Glen and Cyn took advantage of the great weather in November and set up our best Christmas light display yet. We're always talking about it, so we thought we'd share some of what it looks like. The photos don't give you the total atmosphere that you would get driving by, but the fact that Cyn stood out in the road late at night with the camera and tripod made us want to share. The whole scene from the end of the driveway, looking up toward the house. Some detail of the toy soldiers by the parking area. Santa, Mrs. Claus and a few elves. The candy canes lining the driveway in the foreground.