Northwestern University Graduate

Introducing Dr. Kevin Frederick Churchill whom graduated from Northwestern University on December 04, 2010 held at Thorne Auditorium 375 Chicago Ave. Chicago, Illinois. Kevin graduated with his doctorate from the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, he also received his BS  from the University of Michigan in 2008. He will be working very hard the next few weeks to take his boards in January, and then he will be looking for a position in the Greater Grand Rapids area.
Alyssa will be doing her clinicals (year 3 and 4 of Med. school ) at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, MI. so the couple have decided to live in Rockford, Mi after their June 4th wedding.

Christmas at Navy Pier

Family Favorite Zucchini Bread

I thought I would share our family favorite the one and only zucchini bread recipe. Gosh I hope Alyssa likes this as much as the rest of the family. I know Kevin likes it, he likes everything! During the summer we freeze zucchini for the winter bread making time. It's great to have it on hand when we have the craving. Take advantage of this recipe and take it because it's a really good one. I also wanted give you a little fyi, that we buy the little ceramic baking loaves ( pictured above ) from Michaels for 1.00 on sale they can be purchased for .50. They can go from oven to freezer and are as durable as can be. Great size for giving away during the holidays with a little wrapping and ribbon and your golden.

Zucchini Bread

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• mix together and set aside
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Stir
• mix dry and wet bowls together
• 2 cups of grounded zucchini
• 2 tsp vanilla
• add everything together and mix
• put in a medium greased loaf pans
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until knife is clean

Continuing Wedding Plans

As Alyssa and I continue our plans for the fabulous fast approaching wedding, I do get side tracked with beauty here and there. I thought this was fun for a posting, the name says it all!
Churchill's Gardens, what a pretty website and oh wouldn't it be fun to visit? I love Alyssas soon to be surname, I think it is a strong name with distinction. Could it be we think of Winston?
Ok enough with the funny stuff, we (Ali and her mommy) are still working on invitations and whew... talk about alot of work. I didn't think it would be a big deal but wow it really is! I have been through so many large books filled to the brim with invites my head is spinning. Oh did I mention I am not done yet and the selection is not made yet. Wow, Calgon take me away! You younger people won't get that perhaps us older gals remember those days or commercials. lol...

Alyssa found a wedding dress!

No I won't post a picture of it, but I will say that it is an amazing dress! It is designed by AMSALE who is now the owner and creative director of CRISTOS. She has long been classified a designer for the classic romantic bride while adding a little of her modern sensibility to her collections.
If you feel so inclined then click on the link to see the new collections for 2011. You can guess which dress could possibly be Miss Alis'.
http://www.christosbridal.com/
We are continuing to work very hard on the plans for the wedding. Seems like there is always something to do. Right now we are thinking invites and that seems to be in the forefront, so within the next few weeks look in your mailbox and perhaps you'll find alittle card of sorts just for you!

Remembering the Ballet Days

Not sure if anyone knows that Alyssa use to dance for the Grand Rapids Ballet, well she did. Here is a picture of her in those days. She learned to be graceful and articulate in her moves. Oh how I miss those days. It was so much fun going to Devos Hall to see her on stage. I feel so blessed to have been able to experience such magic. Alyssa remember when when you were a cupcake and a party girl? Two roles in one play, whew!!!! You did it wonderfully. Here you are ten years later travelling the world, attending Medical school and getting married to wonderful young man - Kevin that's you!

More beautiful pictures from the party!

a sweet picture of Alyssa, and oh those amazing peonies!

the sweet couple :)

from left to right - Pamela Jo Draper, auntie pam cakes. Catherine Ann Cole, auntie cath. The bride to be, Alyssa Ashley. The MOB to be, Tina Marie Rothwell. Lisa Lynn Jacobs, auntie Lisa. Misty Conran, auntie Misty. Can you tell they are all family? Sweet Sisters.

More beautiful pictures from the party!

I will be adding pictures periodically of the happy couple! Right now Alyssa has a really busy schedule ahead of her. She is moving from one loft to another on the first of August. Thank you Grant and Kevin for your help. Dad is on his motorcycle and moms back isn't what it used to be. I will help with the packing and unpacking. Then on Tuesday the 3rd of August Alyssa will be leaving for Egypt. ( near Cairo) There she will be studying in a hospital and then toward the end of her trip she will have time to vacation down the Nile and The Red Sea. She will take time from the hospital to visit the Pyramids. I only hope she is safe with the doctors and students she is with! Please think about them in your prayers.

The cutest couple ever!

Ali and auntie Lisa

Ali and her friend from Medical school. I will get her name promise :)

Grandpa Harry and uncle John

A Few Pictures From The Party!

A Great Evening!

The Rothwell's German Friends

Cousin Alexa ( Bridesmaid )

The Happy Couple!

Pictures from the Engagement Party!

The engagement party was a hit! Fun had by all: nothing better than good food, good friends and good family!!!  The sweet J band was awesome, and even the weather was perfect, one couldn't ask for anything more. Ali and Kevin found a moment to take a couple of pics, and they came out lovely. If you have any candid pictures and would love to share, please send them to me. The photographer was Carolina Ruiz and she did a really nice job huh? 

Look at this little sweetheart! Savannah marie you are a cutie patootie and a really sweet little cousin.

Love you and glad you smiled for cousin Ali. 

The Sweet J Band

So as Ali was searching for music she found a really great band called "The Sweet J Band " they sound awesome! They are one of west michigans premier bands winning the WYCE Jammie Award in 2006. Their bluesy soul rockish sound is sure to get the crowd singing along. So make sure that when you come to Kevin and Alis engagement party you wear comfy shoes to kick it or sing it with the band.

 

  

Ali, Kevin, Sean, Danny and Lynden

Alyssa, Rachelle and Grant 

Engagement Party at Frederik Meijer Gardens

As we continue to plan for the engagement party the anticipation is high. What a wonderful venue for a late spring event. Without knowing that the gardens have an old barn and a really cute home on the grounds, Alyssa somehow managed to find them. These structures are replicas of Lena Meijers' home from her life as a child growing up in Greenville, Michigan. So guess where the party is? Yes, you got it and we are very excited to have an outdoor party with food, family, friends and a fantastic blues band! It's going to be a fantastic evening. I will be sure to post pictures of the great time with Kevin and Ali. Oh...and be sure to come early as one of our favorite sculptors ( Dale Chihuly ) is exhibiting at the gardens through September. Everyone who has an invitation will be able to view the exhibit the day of the event, so please take advantage of this amazing benefit.

She said yes!

On April 24th, Kevin travelled to Grand Rapids from Chicago by train with a plan. After the plot was set with the Rothwell family, he managed to surprise her with a bouquet of roses, and the magic words she has been waiting to hear. Of course if you know Ali she was upset that no one gave her the heads up so she could be all dressed up. She had just finished a work out and was a mess. Had we given her the heads up, it wouldn't have been a surprise. So be thankful Ali it took you totally by surprise. So if your reading this blog then check back often for the up to date happenings. Look in your mailbox for the soon to be engagement party at the Meier Gardens in June.