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Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Merry Christmas to Us!
We celebrated our Christmas today! We do this a week or so earlier than normal Christmas because for actual Christmas, we travel to NY. It's actually nice to wake up and be able to spend the whole day at home, enjoying each other and our gifts and not have to go anywhere. This may sound dramatic, but this so far has been the best Christmas ever! I say this because, this is really the first Christmas that both boys could really appreciate what it's all about. This is the first year we talked about Santa. I mean, we probably talked about it last year a little, but with Ryan being 3 (almost 4), he really has a sense of how magical it all is.
Kristian and I sprinkled candy canes all over their room, into the hallway, and down the stairs. We heard them wake up at 6:18 AM! and over-heard Ryan in awe about the candy canes, he woke Devin up to show him and hearing the excitement was just so cool, even if it was so freakin' early! So the boys came and got us to show us all the candy canes and we went downstairs to see what else Santa had left for us. The look on their faces was worth every single thought, minute, dollar, whatever we put into it. They made this Christmas the best for me. They opened presents and just loved everything. They shared their toys with each other. We opened something and then played with it and so on.
It was really the most perfect Christmas for me. It made me so happy just seeing how happy it made them. That is really what it is all about.
Here are some, ok a lot of pics:
Candy canes!
Kristian and I sprinkled candy canes all over their room, into the hallway, and down the stairs. We heard them wake up at 6:18 AM! and over-heard Ryan in awe about the candy canes, he woke Devin up to show him and hearing the excitement was just so cool, even if it was so freakin' early! So the boys came and got us to show us all the candy canes and we went downstairs to see what else Santa had left for us. The look on their faces was worth every single thought, minute, dollar, whatever we put into it. They made this Christmas the best for me. They opened presents and just loved everything. They shared their toys with each other. We opened something and then played with it and so on.
It was really the most perfect Christmas for me. It made me so happy just seeing how happy it made them. That is really what it is all about.
Here are some, ok a lot of pics:
T'was the night before Christmas...
Candy canes!
Let's see what Santa brought
Stockings!
Whoppee Cushions!
Stockings!
Whoppee Cushions!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
JJ (My Grandmother)
My grandmother died. The wife of the grandfather that died....they say that happens, I wonder if she somehow sensed that he had died. Nobody told her because she was in advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease. To tell her would probably cause more trouble that it was worth, for her. Luckily enough, I was able to see her before she died. We had actually come out to KS to visit her, my grandfather, and Aunt Ginny. We did not make it in time to see my grandfather. We did get a chance to visit her in the nursing home. She didn't remember who we were, but we showed her pictures and read her letters my dad had written from her mother and sisters...they have already passed, but that is where her mind was at and so my dad thought it would be nice to give her some comfort and read her some letters. It was a very sweet thought.
I had left to go back to NH a little earlier so that way I could get back in time to then drive to NY for my grandfather's funeral, but that next day, JJ seemed to recognize my sister and father when they went to visit her the next day. Shortly after, a week or so, she developed pneumonia. At first it wasn't looking good and then she made a miraculous turn-around. When my father told me that she was doing well and was actually talking clearly and seemed more aware of things when my aunts went to visit, I couldn't help but think that it was a moment of clarity before the end. And it was.
Since I had visited KS not too long before she passed, I was able to see her in a light I had never before. Her as a young girl and developed into a young lady. Then married and a young mother...It was really nice to know her in that way, a way I just never knew. I did know that she was a wonderful mother to my uncle, who required a lot of care. When I was going through my college career, I learned about Willowbrook and just know what doctors recommended at the time. Also at that time, people just did what doctors said, but even in that time, my grandparents just knew that was not right and did what they thought was right to give Robbie the life he deserved. Both she and my grandfather gave their lives to him and while I might have been confused growing up, I now realize how special they were and how difficult that might have been. It is definitely something worthy of respect. They will both be remembered.
I had left to go back to NH a little earlier so that way I could get back in time to then drive to NY for my grandfather's funeral, but that next day, JJ seemed to recognize my sister and father when they went to visit her the next day. Shortly after, a week or so, she developed pneumonia. At first it wasn't looking good and then she made a miraculous turn-around. When my father told me that she was doing well and was actually talking clearly and seemed more aware of things when my aunts went to visit, I couldn't help but think that it was a moment of clarity before the end. And it was.
Since I had visited KS not too long before she passed, I was able to see her in a light I had never before. Her as a young girl and developed into a young lady. Then married and a young mother...It was really nice to know her in that way, a way I just never knew. I did know that she was a wonderful mother to my uncle, who required a lot of care. When I was going through my college career, I learned about Willowbrook and just know what doctors recommended at the time. Also at that time, people just did what doctors said, but even in that time, my grandparents just knew that was not right and did what they thought was right to give Robbie the life he deserved. Both she and my grandfather gave their lives to him and while I might have been confused growing up, I now realize how special they were and how difficult that might have been. It is definitely something worthy of respect. They will both be remembered.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving. It has been a crazy couple of weeks with my grandfather's death, but to spend Thanksgiving at home with just us, was just what I needed. We did the typical, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, etc...We had a nice fire and just had a relaxing day and night.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Grandpa
My grandfather died. My father, sister, and I planned a trip out to KS to visit him when we learned that his shoulder was bothering him. Dan and I had been wanting to go out there for a visit for a long time, but unfortunately just were not able to. A few days before we planned to arrive, he had died. Even though he was older, we were really shocked that he died. He had only gone to the hospital because he had pain in his shoulder. It turned out that his kindeys were failing and they pretty much believe that the pain in his shoulder was due to cancer. It was very sad that we did not get to see him and really hadn't for a couple of years.
He was my favorite grandfather. I probably get a lot of my brassiness or whatever you call it from him. He was your typical hardcore republican, who loved to debate and would at any chance he got, try to engage people in a political discussion, which usually turned into some sort of disagreement...he was so right-minded! I personally hate talking about politics, but whenever he would talk the way he talked, I actually understood what he was really trying to say. Not that I agreed with his beliefs, but I always knew that although he phrased things in certain ways, he was either just making an over-generalization or was just trying to get the goat of whoever he was debating at the time. We actually learned later that he would concoct ways to get at my uncle Kevin every time he came to visit. That's pretty funny, well, to me, maybe not to Kevin.
Anyway, he was definitely a character and although I was not able to see him before he died. I had the opportunity to look at pictures of him and his life and appreciate how special he really was. That is the way I grieve or have closure, is to look at pictures and remember the good times...that's what I want to remember.
He was my favorite grandfather. I probably get a lot of my brassiness or whatever you call it from him. He was your typical hardcore republican, who loved to debate and would at any chance he got, try to engage people in a political discussion, which usually turned into some sort of disagreement...he was so right-minded! I personally hate talking about politics, but whenever he would talk the way he talked, I actually understood what he was really trying to say. Not that I agreed with his beliefs, but I always knew that although he phrased things in certain ways, he was either just making an over-generalization or was just trying to get the goat of whoever he was debating at the time. We actually learned later that he would concoct ways to get at my uncle Kevin every time he came to visit. That's pretty funny, well, to me, maybe not to Kevin.
Anyway, he was definitely a character and although I was not able to see him before he died. I had the opportunity to look at pictures of him and his life and appreciate how special he really was. That is the way I grieve or have closure, is to look at pictures and remember the good times...that's what I want to remember.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Cute Things
Here are just some cute things I want to remember:
-"Jelly donut?"-"No, thanks!"
-Ryan telling Kristian something about his day..."...and then mommy cried out, '
-A typical fight:
Ryan (as he's sitting at the table eating breakfast): I'm having a great day!
Devin: I'm having a great day!
Ryan: No! I'm having a great day!
Devin: No! I'm having a great day!
Ryan: No! I'm having a great day!
Devin: No! I'm having a great day!
(and things tend to escalate into screaming matches...how does one deal with that!?)
This is a fight they have pretty much every morning:
(Devin waves to Ryan-while eating breakfast)
Ryan:Don't wave bye to me! Bye! (as he waves bye to Devin)
Devin:NO!
Ryan: Don't wave bye to me! NO!
(as he waves to Devin)
bye
Devin:NO!
(both are crying and screaming at this point)
My mommy!
No, my mommy!
My mommy!
My mommy!
I have a wocket in my pocket.
No, I have a wocket in my pocket.
No, I have a wocket in my pocket.
No, I have a wocket in my pocket.
Ryan-Moop Moop Duray (hip hip hooray)
"I'm flying in the mic wave" (Insane in the membrane-we listen to that Cypress Hill song one time in the car. Now, he keeps asking me to put on I'm flying in the mic wave and it took me a little while to figure out what he was talking about. He was totally in tune, so that helped.
"I wonder I had a bean"-have no clue what this means, but they say it all the time
"I can't sleep, my eyes are too sharp"-Ryan
Ryan says to me, "I like you...you're a big girl."
"I'm not a grouch!"-Devin
"I don't like girls, I only like boys at night"-Ryan
"A pee pee, a pear"-they think these are the lyrics for a song on Wall-E...not sure what the real lyrics are, but I know these are not them
"hiney delivery!"
"ha, ha, ha, hiney!"
more to come, I'm sure....
-"Jelly donut?"-"No, thanks!"
-Ryan telling Kristian something about his day..."...and then mommy cried out, '
-A typical fight:
Ryan (as he's sitting at the table eating breakfast): I'm having a great day!
Devin: I'm having a great day!
Ryan: No! I'm having a great day!
Devin: No! I'm having a great day!
Ryan: No! I'm having a great day!
Devin: No! I'm having a great day!
(and things tend to escalate into screaming matches...how does one deal with that!?)
This is a fight they have pretty much every morning:
(Devin waves to Ryan-while eating breakfast)
Ryan:Don't wave bye to me! Bye! (as he waves bye to Devin)
Devin:NO!
Ryan: Don't wave bye to me! NO!
(as he waves to Devin)
bye
Devin:NO!
(both are crying and screaming at this point)
My mommy!
No, my mommy!
My mommy!
My mommy!
I have a wocket in my pocket.
No, I have a wocket in my pocket.
No, I have a wocket in my pocket.
No, I have a wocket in my pocket.
Ryan-Moop Moop Duray (hip hip hooray)
"I'm flying in the mic wave" (Insane in the membrane-we listen to that Cypress Hill song one time in the car. Now, he keeps asking me to put on I'm flying in the mic wave and it took me a little while to figure out what he was talking about. He was totally in tune, so that helped.
"I wonder I had a bean"-have no clue what this means, but they say it all the time
"I can't sleep, my eyes are too sharp"-Ryan
Ryan says to me, "I like you...you're a big girl."
"I'm not a grouch!"-Devin
"I don't like girls, I only like boys at night"-Ryan
"A pee pee, a pear"-they think these are the lyrics for a song on Wall-E...not sure what the real lyrics are, but I know these are not them
"hiney delivery!"
"ha, ha, ha, hiney!"
more to come, I'm sure....
Friday, November 6, 2009
November Beach Day
Some cute shots of the boys at the beach. It was an unseasonably warm day in November. We decided to take the boys (including Fred) to the beach.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween!
Nana and Pa were up visiting. Actually, they're thinking of getting a vacation home up here. We spent the past couple of days condo hunting and they found a really cute, New England colonial style detached condo that is 4 minutes from our house! It is perfect! Very cute outside and inside is pretty much completely updated! The area is great and they've actually talked to a few of the neighbors already and everyone seemed very friendly.
We started our Halloween morning at Goss Farm. We've never been to this farm before, but we really wanted to take the boys through a corn maze. We let the boys lead the way, with a little bit of encouragement of course, and we actually made pretty decent time. The boys were in the wagon, which we chose to use just in case they got tired, but it ended up being a good thing that we did, the trail was pretty muddy. After that, the boys and I went on the cow train they have, which took us around the corn maze. The boys loved that! Then, the boys played in the corn box, which is just like a sand box, but with corn kernels instead...it was pretty cool. We decided to get some kettle corn and watched them make it fresh for us...it was delicious!
The boys in the wagon
Entering the maze
The Cow Train
Ryan decided that he was going to be SpongeBob this year. He was actually the hit of the neighborhood. A whole group of teens gave him a standing ovation and said he was the best costume they'd seen. Devin chose to be Wall-E...he looked really cute!
SpongeBob
Wall-E
We started our Halloween morning at Goss Farm. We've never been to this farm before, but we really wanted to take the boys through a corn maze. We let the boys lead the way, with a little bit of encouragement of course, and we actually made pretty decent time. The boys were in the wagon, which we chose to use just in case they got tired, but it ended up being a good thing that we did, the trail was pretty muddy. After that, the boys and I went on the cow train they have, which took us around the corn maze. The boys loved that! Then, the boys played in the corn box, which is just like a sand box, but with corn kernels instead...it was pretty cool. We decided to get some kettle corn and watched them make it fresh for us...it was delicious!
They had some animals...not many
Pretty much this whole month, Devin has been sporting the witch hat. Here's a shot of him checkin' out the scary skeleton
The boys in the wagon
Entering the maze
The Cow Train
Ryan decided that he was going to be SpongeBob this year. He was actually the hit of the neighborhood. A whole group of teens gave him a standing ovation and said he was the best costume they'd seen. Devin chose to be Wall-E...he looked really cute!
Halloween Eve jammies
Cute ghost decorations
SpongeBob
Wall-E
Halloween night jammies...ooh scary!
Monday, October 19, 2009
JoAnna Telschow, M.Ed
It's official! I finally finished up my Masters! Only took me 7 years! Today I had my oral comprehensive examination. I met with a panel of three people that basically asked me questions about my field and experiences. I was a little nervous in the days leading up to it, but actually that morning and when I was in the room with them, I felt totally comfortable. Everything went smoothly and I passed! Yay me!!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Scary Snack
We decorated our house and made some scary snacks today. Halloween is our favorite, well at least my favorite holiday. Last year my mom got us this cool recipe book full of Halloween themed foods. Today we decided to make marshmallow and popcorn ghosts.
Here are some pics:
Here are some pics:
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Anheiser-Busch Clydesdales
We met up with Jamie and her parents at the brewery to look at the horsies. The kids love running around on the grounds and seeing these beautiful beasts. It was a very nice morning.
Here are a couple of pics:
Here are a couple of pics:
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