It Looks Worse Than It Feels

Careline's nose and eye continue to heal after her little incident last week...but every morning when she wakes up we play a little game of "Guess what color under the rainbow will be displayed on Careline's face today".  Jeez...a bump on the nose sure produces a lot of bruising in several varieties of yellow, green, blue, and purple.

Payback For Last Year's Mild Winter

It's Been A While Since He Last Fired This Baby Up

The Basketball Season Begins

Thanks to goofing around with her Brother the other day...Careline is currently sporting a swollen and bruised nose.  It doesn't bother her though, and in fact, she was almost glad that she had it today for her first basketball game of the year...Here's a quote from our little sports start..."It'll make me look tough and scare the other team!"

It should come as no big surprise that she is a good little basketball player.  She's just one of those kids who is naturally gifted in whatever sport she tries...which I'm sure makes it more fun for her to participate and definitely makes it more exciting for us to watch.  Even though she is the smallest one on her team by far, Coach G has her playing the all important Point Guard roll because she handles the ball so well and makes good wise passes.  It's probably going to take some adjusting on her part to be comfortable with assisting rather than scoring, as in soccer she's so used to being the top scorer, but I think she'll perform her roll well and come to understand that setting up the play is just as valuable as making the basket.

The Packers won their first game of the season by the score of 20 to 11.

Disney On Ice

Grandma Ellen, the kids, and I took our annual trip to the XCel Energy Center last night for Disney On Ice. We thought it wasn't as good this year as last year...but it was still fun.

Tis' The Season To Create Holiday Crafts

Careline was busy last night working on a Gingerbread House.  You're going to be disappointed if you come over to our house anytime soon hoping to catch a glimpse of the finished product or perhaps enjoy a little sample...as Miss Impatient didn't let the frosting set long enough and shortly after I took these photos the house came tumbling down.  Instead of starting over, she opted for the tastier option and just started eating it.  Oh well, she had fun while it lasted.

Adeline was also crafting last night.  She comes home with some of the cutest artwork from her day school.  Every day through Christmas Eve she'll get to glue one cotton ball on to Santa's beard and when his beard is all full and fluffy, she better get to bed early for the night because Santa Claus will be coming to town.

Goodbye Grandpa

It sure wasn't easy to say Goodbye to someone as dear and as beloved as Grandpa Jerry...but today he was laid to rest in his final resting place after a beautiful funeral service.

Oh how proud Grandpa Jerry was of his five grandchildren.  Careline, being the oldest of the bunch, had an extra special connection with Grandpa.  He always had time for her...whether it be to play a board game, have a coloring contest, or sit together and search through the American Girl catalog to find what outfit she wanted for her doll Julie...and next thing you know, she would have the outfit (because whatever Grandpa's girl wanted....Grandpa's girl received!)  He came to so many of her soccer games even though he wasn't feeling the best...because he loved her so.  Grandpa Jer had to be smiling down today on his adoring eldest Granddaughter as even though she is hurting and missing him so badly, she participated in the funeral mass by reading the prayers of the faithful, many of them specifically about Grandpa Jerry.

Buddy and Grandpa were forever placing bets with one another on who was going to win this game or that game.  Grandpa was great at paying up when he lost but I don't think I can say the same thing about Braden.  Buddy was more likely to call Grandpa up and try to arrange a little double or nothing deal.  Grandpa lived for those phone calls though...he just loved hearing from the ones he loved.

Adeline likes talking on the phone just about as much as Grandpa Jerry did.  Every single time she was on the phone with Grandma Ellen the first thing she would ask to do is speak with Grandpa Jerry.  The conversation was short and sweet...but I'm sure it made his day every single time it happened.

Grandpa Jerry will be missed for these reasons and a million more.  These children will never forget the precious time they had to spend with him and will be reminded over time with photos and stories of just how wonderful he was.

Rest in peace Grandpa Jerry.