getting ready

Thanks to Elise for the cute picture and video today. I'm busy with last minute chores to make the week run smoothly for Elle. There are the animals to care for, groceries to purchase, gas, laundry, etc, etc. We regret having to miss the jazz concert Thursday night:( Paul will be heading home earlier than I will, so he can organize the service before Holy Family's Winter fest and Chili Bowl event on Sunday. Hate to miss that...it's always a success and the food is great. For the folks heading to Appleton for Theresa's event at the Wave tonight, sorry but I'll have to take a rain check...too darn much stuff to do:P Have a terrific time!

Barbershop link

A friend had asked about this link...info on the conference here.
http://www.barbershop.org/vegas-midwinter-convention.html

A great couple of weeks...

We're looking forward to a great couple of weeks! The average daytime temp in Las Vegas this week is 65, so that will feel SO nice. When we get home on February 2nd, things will be geared toward the Superbowl, and then getting ready for the winter play Harvey:) We've so much to look forward to. Congratulations to friends Kelly and Matt on the birth of their first baby Maxwell Louis, who was born at 7:30 last evening. He looks just perfect...a 6 pound little bundle who is nursing well according to Mom. Will post some pics soon. My group home coworkers will remember Kelly, who after finishing college and working a year with us, is working in the school system. How happy we are for her!

Bring on the game!

Birthday wishes...

Happy Birthday to my nephew Ty in Milwaukee, who's celebrating his 34th, and also to Nicky, a friend from Tosa celebrating 29 years:) The last few days have been busy, although with some bad news:( Eva had a terrible ear infection, both ears, and a ruptured and bleeding eardrum on one side. She went in for an evaluation and meds, and has to deal with temporary hearing loss besides. Not good for a singer and choir director. She's bummed out because she's been trying to coordinate a move to a studio apartment with a student friend, but can't get things moving until she's better. On a lighter note, Elle and I made football sugar cookies for the big game today, and are also having BBQ sandwiches and a variety of dips with veggies. Paul will actually miss the first half, due to a musical variety show in New Holstein he is playing for. I remember 1997 when the Pack made it to the Superbowl. We're hoping for a repeat this year! Photos today are a mix and include the last photo taken of Lena, just 12 hours before she died:( Thanks to Aliyah for that one. Now it's off to church, and pick up Aliyah, and watch the game! Elle's off to church, hand bell choir and a Packer party in St. Peter. Go Pack!

A very sad day:(

This morning, very suddenly, Lena was not able to move her legs and started to cry in pain. We took her to the Vet, and it was found she had a 'saddle thrombus' event, where a clot formed and moved out of the heart. Apparently it went down the aorta and got lodged where the artery splits into the iliac artery, which leads down into the legs. Her lower limbs were cold and she couldn't move them at all. We were just shocked, as she's only 5 and has been in seemingly good health. The Doc said we couldn't have foreseen this, and there was really nothing we could do. They kept her pain free with meds all morning. The Doc felt that she had an underlying condition, and that she would need a month or 2 to recover, with aggressive meds and care, if she survived the first day, and then she would have about a 40 % chance of a recurrence. So we felt it best to euthanize her:( NEVER an easy decision.

The many faces of Belle:)

good friends...

We've been blessed with visits from many friends this week. Today's picture is Theresa and Belle:)

nap time

Isabelle crawled up on Grandpa's lap and napped while he watched the Bears Game:)

Free case of oranges=some GREAT freshly squeezed juice!

gift from Great Granny

Just a few pics today of Belle in her new knit hat from Great Grandma Mare:)

Playdate with Heather and the kids:)

a bath and a good book

Last night while Paul took the 'big' girls out to dinner at Friar Tucks, Aliyah and I took care of little Belle...a quiet evening:)

2 years ago...

We celebrated Eva's 21st. birthday in Vegas 2 years ago this week:) What fun we had! Temps were in the 70's...aah, that sounds so nice. In another 10 days, we will again be there! Can't wait for a whole week of relaxation. Bring it on!

Cat door fun!

Happy Birthday to Eva:) 23!

1/11/11

We spent most of Monday in Oshkosh shopping at the outlet mall, and came home just before it began to snow. Plans are being made for Eva's birthday celebration, and our 'post' holiday get together on the weekend:) On Thursday Eva will head down to Milwaukee to see Itzhak Perlman perform...a great birthday gift from Mike and his family! Now off to clear snow off the van so Elle can get to school early. This white stuff is starting to be a real chore:( I'd rather be in my warm toasty bed.

WII dance with Belle!

little red riding hood ready for a play date

aunty with baby

Paul has a quiet Sunday for a change. He just has 2 masses in the morning, and plans to work a little at the rentals, and then watch the Packers. We're putting together a night out for Eva's upcoming birthday, but coordinating everyone's schedule is a challenge. She'll be 23 on the 12th. Elle is spending the entire day at Fondy's PAC building the set for Harvey. She and Belle watched Wizard of Oz last night until the baby fell asleep:) Getting a walk in early...heading to the Peebles Trail now.

Bathtime Belle

baby has fun

Conrad Birdie wannabe

Belle has watched Bye Bye Birdie twice now, and really seemed to enjoy it, so we decided to give her the 'look' after her bath:) What fun!

Budding composer

12th. day of Christmas brings little Belle:)

Eva's 'ugly sweater' bunch!

These are photos from a recent party. I thought Grandma would enjoy them! We'll have to get her comfortable with Facebook so she can access the photos there:) In the meanwhile, here they are.