Uncle Bob

Uncle Bob was a true gentleman and we will miss him.  It was hard when his son Bobby passed; it was harder when we had to move Uncle Bob into a home to be with Aunt Dorothy who was suffering from dementia.  His passing is still under investigation and that makes it even harder to deal with the loss.  We all had moments while cleaning out their house and thinking about how alive it was at one time and now it was quiet.

The kids loved going to see Uncle Bob and Aunt Dorothy. I think maybe for the same reasons I enjoyed going to see my Great Grandmother, who also had stayed many years earlier at the same nursing home.  I remembered walking up and down the hallways and the Christmas Trees that were placed on every floor.  I always remember that we had to show up on her birthday for cake.  Bob and Dorothy seemed happy there but they also seemed to be happy as long as they were together.

The phone rang and they told us that Dorothy was fine but Bob just didn’t seem right and they were sending him to the hospital.  He did not go to the closest hospital; instead he came to one closer to us.  The reason was several people had been taken to the hospital from the nursing home.  The next several weeks were very scary and hectic as Uncle Bob fought and we learned more about what had happened.  Our understanding is that Uncle Bob was given a dose of drugs from someone.  Uncle Bob fought but eventually lost his battle.  I don’t want to go more into what happened at this point, one because it’s still under investigation and two, because I don’t want that to define Uncle Bob’s memory.

Uncle Bob was very fond of Jame Jack and taught him how to give the okay sign with his hand;s it

was very cute to see the two giving each other the okay sign.  Jame took Uncle Bob’s death pretty hard and would often just sit quietly or ask us not to talk about his passing.  Hope was also very fond of Uncle Bob,  she would hop up in his lap for those few moments that she would sit still.  Uncle Bob was also very happy to hear that we had named Rock after Grampy Rock.

Grampy Rock and Uncle Bob had a very special relationship.  They were actually cousins who were both only children.  Uncle Bob’s mom Mary and Grampy Rock’s dad Jim were siblings  When Bob was seven his mom passed away.  When his mom passed they moved closer to Grampy Rock and Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jim, Grampy Rock became very close just like brothers and that’s why we referred to him as Uncle Bob.  As Bob and Rock grew up they both shared more than an interest in sports.  They loved playing basketball and baseball together in high school and beyond.  The two of them got to see Da Bears win a Superbowl, the Blackhawks win five Stanley Cups and the Bulls win six championships, the White Sox win a World Series but sadly they never got to see their favorite Cubs win a world series.

Uncle Bob served in World War 2 in the Army as did Grampy Rock.  They were both part of the greatest generation.  Bob served in both the Asian and Pacific theatres during the war.  I’m sure if there were a basketball or a baseball they were both tossing it around.

When they returned from the war they wasted no time in picking up right where they left off.   They played at Thornton Junior College for two years and then Rock started his own team in the Industrial leagues named the Mercury’s.  They became a very well known team in both basketball and softball.

When they were in school Bob was quite a ladies’ man and they compared him to the actor Van Johnson.  Bob was also referred to as Swede since his dad was Swedish and Rock got his nickname from his last name of Rochfort.  Being such a ladies’ man helped when Bob left his job at Sherman Williams and started working at Wyman Gordon where he met Dorothy.  Not only was Bob a ladies’ man but he was a true gentleman and with the flash of his smile and a hardy handshake you were instantly friends.

If you ever met Bob and Dorothy you knew how much they loved each other.  They simply loved

being together.  They loved going to the Elks club and traveling and yes their traveling included Las Vegas for gambling and when the boats opened up in the Chicago area they visited most of them.

Bob once helped Rock get a job when he was between jobs but he told Rock it would help him if he dyed his hair.  He told him that by getting rid of the gray he would look younger; Rock agreed and dyed his hair.  Rock got the job and when he started fellow co workers asked him why he dyed his hair.  Rock told them it was his crazy cousin’s idea and he has no idea why he listened to him.  They all got a good laugh at their antics.

Bob was always there to lend a hand.  When Auntie Jame first went into her coma many of their friends and family stayed away not knowing how to handle it.  Not Bob, he was right there to help out any way he could.  No one thought it was possible but what happened to Auntie Jame and Bob stepping up to be there actually brought Bob and Rock and both of their families closer.

When his son Bobby passed away we could see Bob slip into a bit of depression.  When his brother Rock passed away you could see his will to live slip away.  He stayed strong for Dorothy but as she slipped farther into dementia Bob’s depression seemed to grow.  He was truly happy and smiled when we told him our new son was named Rock.  With a tear in his eye and a smile on his face he simply gave us the Okay hand gesture, he had taught to Jame.

Bob’s funeral service was  beautiful.  He was buried at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery.  We arrived at the cemetery to see the hearse with the flag draped coffin in the back.  We followed it out to a pavilion near his final resting place where they held his service.   They had asked if I would be a pallbearer and I agreed but I also had Jame help me since he was so touched by Uncle Bob’s passing. I was very proud of the little gentleman he has become.  He listened and fulfilled his duties and I know Uncle Bob was not only smiling but also honored to have him be a pallbearer.   Uncle Bob was honored with a 21 gun salute and taps played on a bugle with an echo and flag ceremonially folded and presented.  Tears flowed from our eyes as at the ceremony; I don’t know how anyone can’t get emotional being at a military funeral.

It’s always sad when we lose another member of the greatest generation who gave up so much of themselves to defend our freedom. Thank You for your service Uncle Bob.  I do wish the kids had more time to get know Uncle Bob and the man he was.  I will miss his smile and his hardy handshake that made you feel right at ease with him.  I hope that Jame and Rock will become gentlemen just like Uncle Bob. 

Adopting Rock

The Little Guy’s big day was finally here.  We had dotted all the I’s and crossed the T’s so that hopefully everything would go smoothly for our official court date.  As always with something this big, you are still nervous about what you might have forgotten or what could go wrong.

March 6, 2015 it was looking to be one of the last days for Old man winter.  We got dressed up for our big day in court.  Jame and Hope we’re very excited and loved just getting dressed up in church clothes.  Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Jim came over to head to the courthouse with us.  Unlike when we adopted Hope we had to head to a different courthouse to adopt Rock.  The reason was because someone decided that’s where they were to be done.

Even though we were told by our lawyer not to get there early I just couldn’t help myself.  Going to a new courthouse and only street parking was sending my nerves overboard.  Naturally we arrived early to the court and found close parking.  We entered the court house and there was no real waiting area and security would not let us up to the courtroom until they heard from the Judge.  As we crowded into the little vestibule area Joanne from Catholic Charities had noticed I was looking at my phone and told me that it was not allowed in the courtroom.   I told her that I assumed it would be like when we adopted Hope that I would surrender my cameras and they would bring them to me when the Judge said it was okay.  Joanne asked the bailiff’s if it was okay and they said no they would rather

I take the cameras back to the car.  Out into the cold I ran to the car when I returned Jame had told me he was hungry and since we were all excited and didn’t eat breakfast, I believed him.  He pointed out a vending machine in the corner.  Almost as soon as I bought him some cookies the Bailiff told me that he would not be able to eat the cookies in the courtroom.  I told him that he would finish it before we headed up to the courtroom,  he responded by telling me that the Judge was back and that we could head up right then.   Mom, Hope and Grandma Rosie were still in the washroom so we had to wait anyway by the time they came back the Bailiff told me that I could bring my cameras in the courtroom, so back into the cold I ran again.

When we finally made it into the courtroom there were three families adopting that day.  The court reporter told us we would be second on the docket.  The first family had a lot of people with them and they thought it would be good to get them done first.  We waited for a bit and Jame was very curious about whom everyone was and where the Judge would sit.  The court reporter came by again and asked that everyone except the first family to kindly step out of the courtroom and that they would call us in when they were ready for our case. 

We waited in the hallway and some of the people from the first case started to come out.  Mom started to congratulate them and they thanked her and told us it wasn’t done yet.  A bit strange but we did not think much of it, that was until they came out followed by our lawyer who informed us that the Judge as it only be us two and the baby in the courtroom.  I knelt down to tell Jame to listen and behave while we were in the courtroom.  That did not go well with him he wanted to in the worse way come in with us, Hope seeing her big brother was upset soon followed and now we had two upset. 

Joanne went in to tell the Judge what was going on and ask again if they could come in with us.  Whatever silly reason the Judge had he denied the request.  We did our best to calm and reassure them that it was okay and headed into the courtroom.

In the courtroom at first everything seemed a bit cold and tense.  We tried earlier to feed Rock earlier so he would be calm during the case but he is on his own schedule.  I began to feed Rock when they asked us to stand and raise our right hand, I did my best to balance the bottle and raising my hand but eventually had to give up and hold the bottle for him. 

I was a bit nervous how the Judge would react but he actually cracked a bit of a smile.  When we got into the case I looked over and Mom’s eyes quickly filled with tears and she even laughed saying she didn’t think she was going to cry again.  Our lawyer Tara proved once again to be flawless and Joanne gave testimony on how they supported the adoption.  Before too long the gavel came down and Rock James Steele was officially ours.

The Judge said we could go and get the others in our party and take pictures inside the courtroom.  We went outside and got them and walked back into the courtroom to take pictures. 

We found it strange that the Judge had left the bench and was standing in the corner like someone had given him a time out.  We thought it was a bit strange but we headed over to the corner to get our picture taken when the Judge asked what we were doing we told him we wanted a picture with him, he told us that he was just standing over there to get out of our way.  He headed over in front of the bench to take pictures but it was sure strange.

We had decided before we left that we would stop off at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate afterwards but it was closed.  So with a bit of quick thinking of where to go and celebrate such an occasion we headed over to Gino’s Steakhouse, a bit pricey but good.  What a better way to introduce Rock into our family than a nice steak dinner I’m sure he enjoyed his bottle as we ate steak.  I did sneak him some chocolate dessert.

Rock is now six months old and getting to be a really big boy.  He had a check up with the doctors from the hospital and they were amazed at how far he has come and how well he is doing. They saw the rough start he had coming into the world.  I’m constantly amazed at him in his exersaucer.  Jame would stand with his fists clenched tightly, Hope loved the jumper and Rock uses his arms and plays with all the toys they have on it.  Rock’s smile can melt your heart.

Jame has stepped up to his big brother role and no one can get Rock to smile like he does.  Hope put her foot down and said no no no when it came to having another sibling but she now reassures him when he cries by saying “It’s Otay Rock It’s Otay.”She absolutely adores both her brothers.  From the moment he was born he was in our hearts but now he is officially and legally part of our family. He is the perfect ending to our family and we love him dearly. God has once again blessed our family and we are very grateful!!!!

Winter 2015

Last year at this time we headed down to Florida and Disney so this year I thought might be a little bit slower.  Boy was I wrong our winter turned out to be not only busy but also a lot of fun.  Even though there was no Warm Tropical breezes and no Mickey, Minnie Donald or Goofy we still had fun and got wet.

Jame finished up his session at indoor soccer and I loved going as often as I could to help coach.  Coach Dave and Coach Matt are both great in allowing me to help coach.  We noticed that Jame was starting to lose some interest in soccer and would talk about not going sometimes when we asked if he still liked it he said yes but wanted a break before outdoor soccer.  I have to admit this hit me pretty hard since I was enjoying it so much.  Coach Matt and Coach Dave were even having me fill in for them on nights they could not make it.  Somehow I found the strength to carry on even with Jame’s decision. 

Our mild winter came to an end on Super Bowl Sunday when we were hit with a blizzard.  I was originally supposed to be out of town during the Super Bowl but my trip was cancelled, when that happened I decided to still not have a Super Bowl Party and was that ever a good decision.  It seemed like it snowed and snowed and snowed some more on that day and we could barely keep up shoveling.  We did take time to play with the kids out in the snow.  As always I had my camera and with all that snow we had to take some pictures.

First on the agenda was to build Frosty or as it now known in any household with a little girl Olaf.  Mom wanted to try and sculpt one to look exactly like Olaf but our sculpting skills are just not that good.  Hopey is obsessed with the movie Frozen or as she calls it Anna, Olaf, Sven.  At its peak we were watching it four to five times a day.  The funny thing is she refuses to say the name Elsa.  I joke that it is like Voldemort in Harry Potter where you are not even allowed to say her name.  We had a lot of fun trying to get her to say the name and every time we tried she usually answered “Anna”.  She has

now started to say Elsa so I think she may have just had a hard time pronouncing the name.

After building a snowman and yes the song “Do you want to build a snowman” is stuck in my head and probably yours as well right now.  We had a snowball fight, made snow angels and the kids played on their swing set.  They slid down the slide clearing all the snow off. 

We brought Rock out for a little snow fun but mostly so I could take pictures. Rock did not really enjoy the snow he was irritated by the snowflakes hitting him in the face, the only part of him that wasn’t covered.

I had been in the process of taking the kids clothes to the resale shop when Rock came along and changed our plans.  As luck would have it the snowman outfit that we had taken pictures of both Jame and Hope in had not made it back to the resale shop.  We got him dressed up in the snowman outfit and now I think we will have to hang on to the snowman outfit.

Rock was only out for a short time but Jame and Hope stayed outside and we had a snowball fight.  Mom decided it was time to clear the drive for the first time.

I believe we cleared the drive three times from that storm and I lost track of how many times I cleared the porch.  When Mom started the tractor Jame, Hope and I built a snow fort on the side of the house close to the driveway.  Mom drove the tractor passed the fort we stood up and threw snowballs at her.  We had a great time but eventually the cold got to us and we headed back inside where Aunt GiGi had hot chocolate waiting for us.  Soon after Mom came in from plowing the drive and decided it was time for the kids to watch her favorite movie Wizard of Oz.  I warned of the possible nightmare from those flying monkeys.  The kids watched it and have continued to watch it with no nightmares from the monkeys or the Witch.  They still kind of scare me.

With us in the grasp of winter it only seemed natural to pack our swimsuits and head north to Wisconsin Dells, the Great Wolf’s howl was calling us again.  This time we were joined by Grandma Ruth, Grandpa Rick, Aunt Wendy and Bailey.  We got a loft suite this time and planned some more time there.  Jame did not remember his visit 2 years ago and this would be Hopey’s first visit.  We decided that Rock was too young for the trip.  I showed Jame and Hope pictures from two years ago and they got very excited to go.

We arrived at Great Wolf met Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Rick and headed for lunch.  The kids were very excited and barely ate.  By the time we were done with lunch our room was ready and Grandpa and I started hauling things up to the room and the kids had a great time playing with Grandma and mommy in the room.  When we got all the stuff up to the room we changed and headed for the water park.

Jame was now tall enough to go on all but one water slide the Tornado.  Two years ago when we stayed both Mom and I wanted to try the Tornado but Jame was too small and you needed two people to ride.  This time we tried to sneak off but Jame caught us and got a bit upset when he couldn’t go with.  Grandpa Rick Mom and I headed up the seemingly never ending stairs to the top of the Tornado or as we called it the toilet bowl.  At the top we placed our tube in the water and with a big series of pushes we were off with me facing backwards.  I had expected a bit of ride before the big drop but before I knew it we were heading almost straight down into the bowl.  I was trying to video our trip but self preservation took over and I grabbed on.  I looked over at Mom who had a look of excitement and fear in her eyes and Grandpa Rick looked like every muscle in his body was clenched and his eyes were big as saucers.  The ride was awesome and we rode it several more times during our stay and probably would have ridden it more if it had an elevator to the top.

Jame was upset by not being able to go with but they had several other slides he and Bailey could go on.  There were two that he could go by himself or take a double tube.  One of my favorite memories is watching him and Bailey climb the stairs with the double tube around both of them.  We soon also discovered a four lane raceway slide where we could race each other down, the fun was not only the race but also knowing that the tube went out of the building and back in again.  Grandma Ruth tried a race but it ended with her getting completely drenched at the end.  We raced and raced and raced some more until we had to take a break I think Jame could still be racing if we let him.  One of Jame’s favorite slides was in the big bucket room, after a climb through the play land you find two similar slides that he would run from getting off back into the play area and back on again.

The big bucket room was just a big play fort area with all kinds of levers and ropes to pull and drop water.  The big bucket sat on top of the fort that would fill with 1,000 gallons of water then a bell would ring and the bucket would tip spilling the water.  Last time we were at Great Wolf Jame would run every time he heard the bell ring, this time he went in it a few times but was still not thrilled with it.  We seem to split a lot of our time between the bucket room and the wave pool room.  Hope loved the wave pool and the little kid’s area next to the wave pool. 

While walking in one day we noticed a few employees sneaking around with a toddler CPR dummy we laughed and thought they were playing a trick on one of their fellow co workers.  We were wrong they actually use it to test the lifeguards by sneaking it into a pool and see how long it takes them to find it.  If they don’t find the dummy soon enough they all lose their privilege to sit down.  We watched as two of them sneaked along a wall with the dummy trying to get it into the toddler pool where Hopey liked to play.  It was great entertainment for us for about five minutes when they saw their opportunity when the lifeguard turned and the one ran out and threw the dummy but he slipped at the same time and sent him crashing to the ground and the dummy hurling end over end and finally making a huge splash in the water.  The lifeguard did her best to blow her whistle and save the dummy without laughing so hard. 

The first night there we decided to head across the parking lot and dine at Buffalo Phil’s where your meal is delivered by train.  Its funny how when you are staying at the hotel the restaurant doesn’t look that far until you start walking in the cold.  Jame did his best but his cold was getting the best of him that night and I thought for a while he may sleep through dinner but once we sat down and the trains came by he lit up again.  It wasn’t long before the staff saw our table of children and started sending the bubble train past our table.  The kids loved it and you couldn’t help but smile when you heard their laughter.  Our dinner arrived on time and without derailing but the best part was we were able to get the kids in and out without them begging to go into the huge arcade attached to the restaurant.

We arrived back in plenty of time for the nightly story time in the lobby.  Before the show the kid’s with their paw passes were able to pick out stuffed animals.  Jame picked a red dragon that will look good with his green dragon he got last time.  Bailey and Hopey both picked the female wolf Violet.  The lobby was packed with kids last time we saw the show Jame had a hard time keeping his eyes open and fell asleep near the end.  This time he was into the show I think all the other kids around helped his interest.  After the show we went back into the store and with the paw passes again got the kids tattoos that were supposed to stay on in the water.  Jame decided on a spider and Hopey got lips they also got to pick out two colors for their tattoos and they did last in the water in fact Hopey’s did not come off until after we were home for a few days.

That night I thought it was going to be easy to get the kids to bed after getting them up early, playing in the water, eating train delivered food, getting stuffed animals and tattoos the adults were ready for bed but not the kids they were excited to be back in the hotel room.  They moved from bed to bed and even yelled up to Grandma and Grandpa.  When it all settled down I woke up in the morning having slept on the hide a bed.

After breakfast we made our way and did more water slides, bucket drops and of course the wave pool.  Jame did go on a water slide and right at the end he was going so fast he flipped around and entered the water backwards.  He was done with the slides for a while.  We walked down to Magiquest a game inside the hotel where you use your magic wand to go on a quest and fight a dragon.  The real story is the kids run around with magic wands and they wave them at object that open, close turn on, turn off and then there are slides and other areas for them to play.  Mom was the only one really into beating the dragon so much so that she grabbed another kids wand thinking it was Jame until he asked for it back, she also talked about getting up in the middle of the night to finish the quest until she found out they turn off at night.  The dragon was safe this time from her and the rest of us could care less about the dragon.

Aunt Wendy decided it was her turn to spoil the kids a bit and let them pick out some things at the Magiquest gift shop.  Jame of course went right for the sword and Hope decided on a pink care with a hood.  They had a great time that evening playing in the room with their capes on and waving their magic wands around.  Jame of course was happy to be lying in bed eating and playing on the tablet. 

Hopey really got into the whole wolf thing and started howling that night and the next morning when we went to the wolf walk.  They walked around the lobby showing the animals and then sat down to make an origami wolf.  I did my best to keep up with the lady showing us how to make it but it got a bit hard with three wolves to make.  Since our return from Great Wolf Hopey’s vocabulary has really exploded and she is really talking and talking and talking some more and driving daddy crazy some times.   She is funny and really has a personality now.  I now will say uh oh spaghetti-o’s and she will say nub nub spaghetti-o’s. 

Unfortunately Aunt Wendy and Bailey had to head back early for school.  We were all sad to see them go and gave it our best try to get them to stay.  I think it almost worked.  That night we ordered food from the restaurant and ate in the room Jame loved eating in bed and it reminded Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Rick of when I was a little boy and we ordered room service at Disney and I was very disappointed that they did not bring it to me in my bed.  I think I’m still a bit bitter about the whole thing. 

Grandma and Grandpa brought some gifts for the kids including Lego’s for Jame that he decided one morning needed to be put together.  I remember having Lego’s as a kid but we just built whatever came to our imagination now they come in kits with long and confusing instructions.  I have put together my share of the Lego kits only to have them torn apart a few minutes later so without Kragle (From the Lego Movie meaning Krazy Glue) I was more than happy to step aside and let Grandpa Rick attempt the build.  Naturally it didn’t go easy and he had the same frustrations I have had with them and of course he had the peanut gallery throwing in our comments.  He finally got it together and it lasted so long before it was taken apart but it sure was fun to watch him struggle.

We took the kids to the craft area that had moved from the last time we were there.  Jame had made a really cool ceramic paw magnet that fell off our fridge and broke, we were hoping he would be able to make another but they no longer had the ceramics.  The kids instead decided to color pillow cases well, they started them and we had to finish them. We did a pretty good job of sharing markers in our attempt to finish coloring.  Jame did a great job of free hand drawing a paw on his pillow case.  We were all impressed with his drawing skills.  We also had both kids trace their hands on the pillows so we can see how big they were when they made them.  They both still love the pillow cases and use them constantly.

While walking through the swimming area Mom and I looked over at the concession stand and saw the big bucket of ice cream.  Mom commented that Aunt Wendy had talked about it and I wish I had known I had been thinking about it as well.  That was all it took I walked right over and ordered the Big Bucket.  The big bucket was filled with a combination of ice cream, chocolate syrup, and chocolate brownies, whip cream and topped with Mike and Ike’s candy.  To be honest we all could have done without the Mike and Ike’s.   I’m not ashamed to say that none of it went to waste.  They also gave us spoons that changed colors when they got cold.  I was amazed by them but the kids just kept eating. 

Our last day at Great Wolf Lodge we spent the remaining time getting our fill of swimming before heading back into the grip of winter.  I couldn’t help but think about when I was a kid and our parents and Grandparents would meet at a Holi-dome a Holiday Inn that usually had a pool, mini golf and two or three arcade games but we loved it.  We built up some great memories and shared some great laughs.  This wasn’t our first trip there and probably won’t be the last I hear from both Aunt Wendy and Grandma and Grandpa how much fun they had and asking when we can go again.  My hope is that one day the kids will share some time with their kids and remember the great fun they had when they were kids.  

Christmas 2014

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly."
~ Andy Rooney

It’s the most magical time of the year and this year was no different.  How can the season get any more magical with kids that are 5, 2 and 2 1/2 months?  I know in the future we will sit back and remember these years as great Christmas’s in our lives.

Our holiday season actually started the day before Thanksgiving as we made our now annual trek to the United Center for the circus.  This year Auntie Jea Jea and Hopey joined us for the circus. 

We pushed the height limit for Hopey to get in for free but Hope barely was short enough.  We arrived early to catch the pre show and as luck would have it we were one of the first down on the floor of the circus with front row to see the clown, elephants and the other performers.  The kids were only inches away from all the action and it was fun to try and look around to see their smiling faces.  Ticket prices for the circus are not that expensive and they have free parking but they get you on the overpriced light up toys that we bought for the kids, before we found our seats.  Jame got a light up sword and Hope got a unicorn purse.  The circus did not disappoint, it’s still a great show but not as good as watching their faces light up at different times.  Hope’s interest came and went during the show and Jame had his moments as well but at the end, he said his favorite was the motorcycles in the steel ball.

 

Just a small crowd for Thanksgiving this year so no record setting amount of turkey’s, only two this year.  We still baked a turkey and deep fried a turkey.  We filled the day with cooking, cleaning, and of course watching the parades.  Football Family and turkey filled out the rest of the day.  Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Jim came by early and helped, keeping the kids entertained and Rock happy and fed.  Uncle Brett or as Hopey now calls him UB stopped by and the kids love playing with him.  It was a simple small Thanksgiving but stuffed with a lot of love.

We wasted no time getting in the Christmas spirit the day after Thanksgiving Auntie Jea Jea, Jame, Hope Mommy and Daddy headed to Downers Grove where UB met us for the Downers Grove parade and tree lighting.  First it was off to the library for some fun and stories and then out onto the street for the parade.  As always Santa arrived to help light the Christmas tree.  Santa arrived this year on the back of an old 1947 fire truck.  Jame went up and talked to Santa but Hopey was not having it and held tight to UB.  After the parade and tree lighting we headed over for some pizza.  We were a bit worried about the cold evening air so we decided that Rock would not make the parade this year but we would bring all the kids back another day to meet Santa.

Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Rick made the as Jame would say the “REALLY LOOOONG DRIVE” from North Dakota to see their new Grandson Rock.  They were only able to stay for a short time but the kids enjoyed it, even Rock, who got used to being held.  Hopey had fun playing dolls with Grandpa Rick and Little Man loved having Grandma Ruth play with him.  The kids were not happy to see them go.

Grandma Vicki, Auntie Val, Auntie Jea Jea, Mommy, Daddy and all the kids were in Downers the next weekend to meet Santa Clause.  The kids love playing in the toy store next to Santa’s house and it’s also good to give us ideas on what the kids want for Christmas.  Santa made a quick visit with the kids inside the store and Hopey was not happy to see him at all but did manage to get out the word baby.  After playing with baby dolls and trains the kids made their way to see Santa in his house.  Once again Hope who talked nonstop about Ho HO began crying at the first sight of him.  Grandma Vicki, Auntie Val and Auntie Jea Jea did their best to help us get a good photo with Santa.  What we got in a strange way was even better.  To quote the Grinch we got a wonderful awful picture. 

Little Man was yawning, Hopey was crying, Rock was lying their oblivious, Dad had his eyes closed and Mom looked like she was smiling to avoid a nervous breakdown.  The photo was so bad it was actually well, GREAT!  Instantly we all started to laugh and friends told us how we should use it as our Christmas card and well who are we to disappoint.  With the pictures taken, Hopey still refused to talk to Santa, Rock just laid there like a slug and Little Man well he knew what to do asking for a Super Hero costume and a Fireman’s costume.  The costumes were a relief since he first wanted a dinosaur monster truck which may have proven tough to find for Santa. 

After the visit with Santa, we stopped at Ballydoyle, an Irish pub close to Santa’s house.  UB stopped by to join us.  We ordered and I noticed the table next to us was a band and it appeared they were talking about what they were going to play that night.  Looking at the stage and the large speakers I thought for sure we were going to have to hurry up and eat to get the kids out of there before the loud band started playing.  As we ate, I notice they pulled out a few instruments, a fiddle, an acoustic guitar and a percussionist with a hand drum and other fun items to play.  Before long they started playing at the table, they played Irish folk songs.  The kids were immediately drawn to the musicians and the musicians took them in and before long the kids were using the egg shakers and playing with the band.  Not only did we not have to rush out of there after dinner but we ordered dessert and enjoyed the music.  They played at the table next to ours and yet we could still talk but I just sat there enjoying every minute of it.

When Jame visited with Santa he gave him a special gift.  Bean was back from the North Pole.  We placed Bean out that night and opened the container Santa brought him in.  We had no idea the fun Bean would have.  The kids loved getting up in the morning looking for Bean especially Hopey, who to this day still asks about Bean.  The first morning started off with Bean driving one of Jame’s RC cars, then he started a band with Elvis’s and even hung up one of Jame’s stinky soccer socks by the stockings.  One of the kid’s favorites was that Bean cut out paper elf versions of them and was dancing with them on the cabinet.   Bean followed that by dressing up as a super hero; he then drew on the bananas to make them look like minions and then had a fight with the pirates in the house including Captain Hook, Jake, the Skipper and Gilligan.  He once again returned to the stockings and hung up Jame’s underwear but this time it cost him. 

Bean fell from the cabinet where the stockings were hung, Hopey was very distressed by this and Mom picked up Bean with a pair of tongs and placed him back on top of the cabinet.  The next day Bean was being helped by every doc we had in the house.  There was an ambulance by him; Doc McStuffins was helping along with Hermie the elf dentist and Doc from the movie Cars.  Bean was in good hands and was back up the next day to his old tricks; he was bathing in a bowl of candy and then had a party with a lot of his elf friends.  Cleaning up after a pooping reindeer turned out to be one of the funnier mornings for the kids and even funnier when they found out they were jelly beans that they could eat.  Spider Bean paid a visit next as he hung upside down from the ceiling with a spider man mask on.  Bean then got Rudolph noses and put them on our noses in a bunch of pictures hanging in the house.  He then must have tried to help feed Rock and found himself stuck inside a baby bottle.  We woke up and found him dressed in a styrofoam cup costume, looking like a snowman. 

He played with Lego’s, then one of the other favorites he sat on a glass reading a Jellybean book and a Hershey kiss was at the bottom of the glass like he had pooped, once again the next day Hopey took great joy in eating the poop while Jame was a bit grossed out by this act.  Bean once again hit the stockings by giving himself the biggest one, then he used Mom’s lipstick wrote on the mirror and colored the kid’s noses red.  He finished up by giving us googley eyes on our picture with Santa then he brought a couple of punch balloons and hung from the ceiling on one of them.  Christmas Eve came and Bean left a note and some presents for the kids.  Santa had granted them permission to give him a kiss goodbye.  On Christmas Eve Santa came and Bean went back to the North Pole with him.  We had fun Bean; see you next year.

Jame had his preschool pageant and this year he was one of the wise men.  Unfortunately I had to work and was unable to attend but Mommy, Hopey and Auntie Jea Jea went.  He did great and the place was packed this time, since his class is so large this year.  Mom stepped up and took pictures and videotaped the program so I could watch it later.  Little Man did a great job in the play and we love hearing him singing the songs from the pageant.  Two of the favorites are Chubby Little Snowman where a hungry bunny eats his nose with a nibble, nibble, Crunch!  The next one he does sign language as he sings Yes Jesus Loves me.  Hopey has also taken to singing along but she invents some words and even combines songs together, she sings Yes Jesus loves me, Nibble, nibble, crunch.

Little Man’s preschool also went to a nursing home to sing for the residence there.  This time Mom who was with Mimi at the doctor’s office could not attend but Dad was able to make it.  I loaded up both Jame and Hope and headed out to the nursing home.  It was a lot of fun to see him with his classmates and Hope is always happy to be around other kids.  Little Man introduced his sister to his teachers and she was right at home in fact his teacher commented that she was ready for school.  Once again he did a great job singing and even afterwards the kids had made decorations for the residence and both Hopey and Little Man were very good at handing them out.  Little Man is very good with his little sister and with the elderly.

Christmas Eve we spent at home this year, we decided last year it was too hard heading to church and it was enough trying to get ready and enjoy the evening.  The kids were excited as we said goodbye to Elf Bean and they both gave him a kiss and told him to have a safe trip home.  Next it was time to put out the milk and cookies; Jame picked out three chocolate cookies and we made Santa some chocolate milk to go with them.  We put the cookies and milk close to the tree and it was off to bed to sleep, well just to lay down, Jame is not only a night owl but was also very excited for Christmas this year.

The next morning I awoke walked out to the front room and sure enough Santa had come.  Auntie Jea Jea, who had been up late feeding Rock, had It’s a Wonderful Life on and I sat down to watch, it seemed like a great way to start Christmas day.  I only watched for a few minutes when I heard a door open and feet run down the hallway.  Jame ran into the front room stopped looked around and his eyes opened wide as he exclaimed, “HE CAME!” He ran over to the presents all wrapped in red paper from Santa and started looking for the ones with is name on it.  I stopped him and told him that he needed to get Mommy and Hopey up before we opened Santa’s presents. 

As you can guess, it wasn’t long before Mommy and Hopey were up.  Hopey took a bit to wake up but she woke up quickly once she noticed all the candy in her Christmas stocking.  The kids made quick work of their stockings and were ready for gifts. 

Santa must have gotten good reports from Bean since the kids got what they asked the big guy for Christmas.  Hopey got her baby doll and Jame got his Super Hero and Fireman costumes and Rock, well he got some diaper formula and an outfit.  Rock is keeping it simple this year, all he wants are the basics.  It was a wonderful morning filled with the magic of Christmas and I thought about the Andy Rooney quote of not picking it up to quickly but guests were coming and more presents needed to be opened.  

Later that morning, Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Jim came by to watch the kids as we continued to get ready for Christmas dinner.  The kids had a great time playing with them and Grandma Rosie did a good job of keeping baby Rock happy.  That night U.B., Uncle Brett and Uncle Wally came over.  As usual we had way too much food and I once again needed my turkey and deep frying is so good and so fast.  The kids hardly wanted to eat they just wanted to get to opening up the gifts.  After they ate barely enough to make us happy we went at the gift opening again.  At times it seemed like they opened gift after gift after gift.  Once again the floor quickly filled with wrapping paper and Andy Rooney’s words ran through my head.  All that was left of Christmas was to sit back and enjoy the rest of the night as the kids played with all their new treasures.  It was truly a magical Christmas with the kids at this age.

In between the holidays was Christmas with Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Mike and that part of the family.  They had quite a crowd there and just before we arrived, Hopey fell asleep in her car seat.  I was expecting her to be shy and clingy when we arrived but much to our surprise it was Little Man who became shy and clingy and Hopey was walking around happy.  A strange turn in their personalities but Little Man soon overcame his shyness thanks to Auntie Suzy getting him something to draw with and both the kids really opened up when their dogs made an appearance.  The dogs walked in tails wagging and mouths licking and the kids quickly started giggling.  Rock was happy as well with an abundance of people willing to hold him.  Hopey got a hat that she loves now and always grabs when we go out.  Little Man had complimented Grandma Vicky on her necklace that had the kids’ names and birthstones.  He had told her how he wanted one with her and Grandpa Mike’s names on it.  He wears it constantly and even has told her how much he likes it because it reminds him of them. 

New Years Eve was our normal Screw Your Neighbor card playing night.  Pot stickers, guacamole, fried rice and lasagna were all on the menu.  I filled up balloons with small toys and candy minus the confetti this year and hung them up.  Occasionally we would let Little Man count down from ten and pop a balloon; he seemed to really enjoy it.  Hopey was on her own time and long before midnight she decided it was time for bed and off she went.  Jame had no problem making it to midnight and popped the remaining balloons.  We stopped our card game in time for midnight and played one more after and then retired our dimes until next New Years Eve.

Rock is doing great after his rough start in life; he is picking up his head and moving it around.  The doctors are very happy with his progress and they are referring to him as a miracle baby.  Hopey has now developed a deep love with Anna and Olaf so we are watching Frozen on a nightly basis.  She has begun going potty in the big potty and is constantly talking, we have to be careful what we say around her since she repeats almost everything.  I have worked with her so that I can ask her how old is Rock and she will say zero.  I then ask how old are you and she replies two sometime with two fingers sometimes with three.  “How old is Jame?” “FIVE” she will reply and then I ask how old is Mommy?  “OOOOLDT” she will reply.  Then when I ask her “How old is Daddy?” She replies “Young” Mom has worked hard to change this and sometimes she gets a devilish smile on her face and calls me “WAY OLDT!” 

Jame continues to do great in preschool in fact we are only worried that they may not be challenging him enough.  His soccer skills continue to improve and it seems like he can score when he puts his mind to it, sometimes just hanging out and wanting to make friends at soccer is more on his agenda.

We are now packing up Christmas for another year but it will be one to look back on fondly.  Our lives are showing no signs of slowing down, we do our best to slow down a bit and enjoy the ride.  Soccer and school have started back up after the holiday break.  We are making plans to take a few days in Wisconsin Dells at a water park and hope to enjoy and smell the roses or the chlorine.  These are the days we are going to look back at with a smile.