Christmas 2018

The tree is down and replaced by the puzzle table with a fresh jigsaw puzzle. All the decorations are stored back into their boxes and put under the basement steps.
It's been a few days since we had everybody over for Christmas and the memories still put a smile on my face.
We started out with a visit to Jon and Erica's on Christmas Eve day to visit with The Duppler family.
It seems I get to see the kiddos at Sharen's house whenever she is babysitting (one of the perks of living so close), but I finally got to visit with the parents.


Our dinner table was extend to include 2 more people this year. Steve and Maryellen joined us.

I'm not sure what was different this year compared to other years. But I wasn't stressed about anything. I made dinner the day before. I was very confident in the gifts I bought - I didn't return anything before hand. First Time!!!!


We got all the grandkids to take a group picture without any trouble. Good Christmas.....

Christmas Day we were invited to Linda and Dee's house.
Now us sisters see each other, but not all in one group.


We had a great time. Sharen, Vicki and I all showed up in our slippers.
We got together for a picture and of course each husband had a phone so all the pictures we are all looking every which way.

 Until Jan stepped in one person - one picture - everyone looking at her.

We were missing one sister though and to let her know we all were missing her I suggested we all text her this picture at the same time. Not sure if it worked, but we all started laughing and did not stop.
Sharen was trying to tag me for something and Vicki kept telling her to tap my face.
"Just hit her in the face!"
You guessed it - she came and slapped me in the face. OK just tapped me.
More laughter.
I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It felt so good to spend time with my sisters with no drama, no snipping at each other, no trouble that other large families suffer from. Though I did snap at Vicki and felt horrible after. Linda had some of Mom's old pictures and we were trying to figure who everybody was. She mentioned that you could tell our twin Aunts apart because one was heavier that the other. It really hit a nerve with me and you can guess why. Yes, I'm the heavier one.
Something I have learned to live with MOST of the time.


Bryan came through for me and got me a Tens unit. I needed something for my chronic neck pain. With this thing I  am going to celebrate Christmas all year long.

Cookies

I have been making this cut out cookie recipe for 40 some years. I made these for all holidays and have a Large assortment of cookie cutters for all occasions. I have a heart shape cutter that was my Mothers that I use EVERY time I make these cookies. Each batch deserves a heart cookie so they know they were made with love. Roger loves this story.
This cookie is still the number 1 favorite for Mike.
That is - if it has frosting on top. Again I have been making this frosting for probably just as long as the cookies. Why not they go together.
The Florys were out to chop down their tree and stopped at our house to help me with the cookie decorating. Linda stopped by to say Hi and visit.

I tried to keep a eye on what went into the boys mouths  and who was licking spoons and reusing, but it turned out to be a losing battle. After washing Owens knife a few times I just watch and tried to keep the mess down to a minimum.
I put those few aside for Owen to take home. Mike said he didn't care he loved them all and would gladly enjoy eating them.

Funny thing is I don't eat these cookies. I really enjoy baking them, but I leave the eating to Mike. In exchange he doesn't eat my peanut butter balls.

Roger and I were finishing up the last of the decorating and he told me the angel we made was his favorite and he wanted to eat it with me. They had their quota of sugar, So we cut it down the center and he took his home and we will try and facetime so we can eat it together.

Now Mary is not a fan of favorites. She has instilled in the boys that everything they do is the best and not one is better than the other. Me - I always seem to have a favorite and point it out. I know - not cool Grandma, but the heart cookie was perfect. Just saying!
Roger decorated it - and he was very cool about not pointing out that I picked his. He told Luke that his will probably be my favorite next time. I then told Luke I loved his snowman so all was forgiven.

Santa Breakfast

Owen is now big man on campus.
With both Roger and Luke in regular school, Owen is the only Flory boy at Res. daycare/preschool.

It was a bad weather day, but that didn't stop us from joining everybody for breakfast with the man himself - Santa.

Not sure what he told him he wanted, but he got a Yes!

We had to get in and get out to make Rogers basketball game so we got first in line for the photos.

Mike and I enjoy going to this each year. The food is really good and all the teachers are there to greet you. 

After a quick game of basketball we stop over at their house. I had a project for the boys.

Last year Mike made me a tree out of some scrap wood. I'm looking at it and decided it needed some decorations.

I found some wooden ornaments over at Hobby Lobby and I asked the boys to color them for me.

Luke always seems to end up on top of the table

They we happy to add some color. Turns out coloring  takes to long for Owen. Scribble and go. He told me I could finish them for him.

Before:

After:

So much better. I did have a bow at the top, but Luke insisted it has to be a star so Mike cut me one and I painted that. 

It sits on my front porch saying welcome to my home.

I Made the List

I'm not talking about Santa's naughty or nice list. I'm not worried about that - I know you can find my name on the nice list.


No I'm talking about the Robo Calls list...
It started during the election. I could get 9 - 10 calls a day. They came from almost ever state and 3 foreign countries. It got to be a game with me. I would go back and block the phone number and get 5 more calls within 15 minutes. Then I started answering some of them. You know how you always have to say Hello twice. Well, I would just say it once and wait until they hung up on me.
The phone calls have slowed down.
Most of the time now I just let it ring.


The other list That got my name, or address in this case, is the catalog list.
In the last six weeks I have gotten over 100 catalogs in the mail. I kid you not.
Some from companies I haven't even heard of, but I'm enjoying them. I look through them all and get ideas for Christmas. Then I go online and usually get it cheaper someplace else.
Some are being repeated now and I still take the time to look thru them.


I got 9 today...
My poor post man!

Luke and Roger

Our new neighbor discovered that our att wire for our internet was 6 inches on to his property. He wanted it moved. So I called att - a guy came out and said yup it looks like it's on the wrong property. Genius!
We should probably move it to the new box in the other corner of the property. (this box has been here ever since we moved here 14 years ago - not new). They contract out burying the wire, so we waited. Neighbor wasn't happy.
Guy comes out before Julie and I won't let him dig. He wanted to take it directly over our septic field anyway and I told him he couldn't do that. We waited. They come out 2 more times and I sent them away. Julie finally shows up and marks our electric underground cable. Att guy was right behind him and buries the wire. Done!
Except that was on a Friday afternoon. You guessed it no internet.
How did we ever live without the internet?
long story - short...
I called they came out and now I can tell you what great fun we had last week.

Luke had his Thanksgiving sing! That's our little prilgrim sitting first in the front row.

They have 3 kindergaten classes. Luke has the same teacher that Roger had.

Then back into the city again to watch our Roger pay some basketball.
His uncle Pat is his coach and his cousin Jack plays on his team. Some family time!!!

They must have practiced bounce passes and defense last week, because they were very good at it.

It was funny how they searched for the x's on the floor to know where to stand for their positions with their arms up. It was nice to not see everyone huddled under the basket.

Teach them Young!!!

They don't keep score. They are there to learn the basics.  Roger's team was more interested in passing then shooting anyway. 

Not sure if he will become a star basketball player, but it was nice to see him having fun with his cousin.

Grandparents Day

It was a special day for us.
We visited Mary Seat of Wisdom school to meet both Roger and Luke's teachers and tour their classrooms.

We were served breakfast in the gym by the 7th and 8th graders.
Next was a mass where we were surrounded by love from all the children. They sang a hymn blessing all us grandparents. It was really special.

We first stopped in Luke's class. He has the same kindergarten teacher as Roger. Roger also got to see what Luke was up to. He gave his old teacher a shout out.

Roger was very excited to show us the new 3D printers the school has in the lab room, but the door was locked and all we got was a peak through the windows. He had plenty to share about it though.

In Rogers class, Luke got to see what Roger was up too.

Mike and I both found his teacher to be the quite type, but Bryan tells us his reading and math skills have soared.
Of course we had to make a stop in the library. Roger asked the librarian (just like the last 2 years) if he could join the reading club.
"No, you have to be in 4th grade."
"Well, then can I check out this book?" (A Boxcar Kids book he hasn't read yet)
"No, Each of the classrooms thru 3rd grade have their own libraries."
"Well, that doesn't seem fare. Yours are better."
That got a chuckle out of her. He did have a point.

Both boys are learning and growing.
Roger is really rocking second grade.
Luke was Very nervous about leaving his daycare/school and going to place where he didn't know any body and any of the rules. His only complaint is he can't eat whenever he wants too.

Walk for Luke

Again this year Mike and I joined the crowds to walk the 5K for Comers Children's Hospital. We do it in support of Luke's Dr. and his team - Team Robo Kids.
It was a perfect morning for a walk. Turns out it was warmer in Chicago than Elgin and I was a tad bit overdressed but removed my earmuff, scarf and unzipped and I was good to go.
This University of Chicago campus is beautiful and the surrounding homes.

Mike and I did cut over on a side street and cut a few blocks off the race, but we made up for it just walking back and forth from the car. Anyway that is what I'm telling myself.

The teddy bear was back for his annual checkup. Luke tended to just his ear, but Owen had to do the full exam. Blood pressure and all - ending with a flu shot.

We ended the day with a short trip to Owen's birthday party to give him his presents. He was having 8 kids (and their parents) over to his house for a party - We didn't stay for that part.
He told me he wanted a puppy for his birthday. We got him 6, along with a dog house, dog bed and a dog quilt.
We put our ideas together and came up with this. The roof opens up and there is cubbies inside for all the dogs to sleep in. He loved it.

Owen and his Dog House

Happy Birthday Owen!

Sweeper

I grew up with oaks trees in our yard. I loved to rake the leaves into piles and play in them. We would line them up into a floor plan and pretend it was a house, complete with bedrooms, living rooms and a kitchen where we would burn leaves using a magnify glass.
(Being a daughter of a firefighter I sure liked to play with fire as I sit here with a fire in the fireplace).

I don't remember the acorns. I'm pretty sure there was some, but I just don't remember them being a problem.
Living out here with 8 oak tress the acorns are everywhere. Lots of acorns. Mike would always stay on top of them by raking regularly. Though raking is a good exercise - not for people with a bad back.

Then I remembered the yellow sweeper that Dad would walk around the backyard - and if we were lucky we could help push. Dummy me thought it was to pick up all the leaves. Now I'm thinking it was for the acorns too.
Mike and I go over to the Farm n Fleet store to check their sweepers. We run into my cousin Bob who offered his sweeper to us to try before we spend the money on one.
Well as soon as Mike hooked it to my tractor and I made a few passes in the yard I told him to "Go Get Me One!"
Which he did.

My new sweeper

 This thing is crazy good. It not only picks up acorns but all the little sticks too. I sweep the yard before I mow so I can keep the grass clippings in the lawn. This takes me obviously twice as long to do the yard work, but so worth it.

A fraction of the acorns

I can't wait to see how this thing does when the leaves finally fall.

Dells

We spent a weekend with the Flory family up at the Great Wolf Lodge in WI.

 We had a separate suite that was attached to their condo and it worked out perfect. Evert time I turned around Owen was in our side trying to dial and talk on the phone. I didn't get the fascination  until Bryan filled me in. They have never seen a house phone before.

Half wall between livingroom and beds

It was the first trip for the boys to a water slide park, which was great because we practically had the place to ourselves. There was no waiting in lines (which at one point I wish there was - climbing all those stairs and then rushing right down to go back up was challenging).

Roger on the tamer Tube ride

Owen with daddy crusin down the lazy river

Luke was a Master at the lilly pads

After a hour or so at the slide park for the younger ones I walked around and discovered the wave pool area. That was all she wrote for Owen. Every time that wolf would howl for the waves to start he would go running head first into the waves.. He had no fear. He laughed so much.

Just 11 other people in the pool with us

There was racing down slides.
At one point Roger asks me and Mary if we wanted to go down the Hollow Tornado - He had just gone on it with Mike and Bryan.  Now I told myself I wasn't going to volunteer to go on any fast rides, but damn I couldn't say no to my Grandson. I honestly thought I could of died. Mary and I screamed and were both shaking when done. Needles to say that was Rogers last trip down it. Mom put her foot down and told him no more till he gets bigger. Thank the Lord Luke was too small yet. So Scary!!!
When he asked me if I wanted to race down the rapid ride I thought oh hell ya. Game on. The finish was Roger, Luke, Mary then me. I got stuck at the top. But I did go the furthest.

Luke looking back at me making sure I was OK

Owen getting dumped on

Wherever there was water flowing Owen was under it. He would stand under this until the bucket emptied then he would run over to get under that.

After a pizza delivered dinner we head on down to the arcade. They might as well call this a casino for Kids. You really have no idea how much money is going into the games until the card runs out.
But they were having fun.

Space Invaders

The boys went to bed pretty easy that night with a promise of doing it all again tomorrow.

We hit the park when it opened.
We took a break for lunch at Buffalo Phils right across the parking lot. Sharen (who has been up there many times) recommended it. It was also a huge hit. Again I'm pretty sure we were having so much fun, because it was off peak season and there was no waiting and no crowds.
Food coming in on the train. Roger and Luke unloaded.

Yes, Owens appetizer was a plate of ketchup

They also had a HUGE arcade/kiddie casino and we spent time there.

They boys watched a movie during rest period and then it was on with the wet suits and back to the water slides.

I'm not sure who was having the most fun. My first guess would be Mike for sure, but we all agreed that it's a do over. I was just so happy to spend time away with the family.

I Needed Help

I love to work around the house. I take pride in being the one who keeps it clean (still love washing windows), painted and I can handle most minor repairs.

When the weather is nice I am outside doing something. Mostly it's keeping up with the weeds. Ha..
When the neighbors tree limb fell on our deck there was some damage done to the decking. It really needed a overhaul anyway. I started scraping - Mike soon joined me and we realized this was more than a couple of hand scapers could handle and decided to rent a sander.
I really wanted to do it. In my mind I knew I could, but my body said no. Damn it!
I did get it all power washed and prepped.
Mike had to step in. He rented a sander over at the Home Depot and took a day off from golf and sanded down our decks. The machine was way too heavy for me, but it was what we needed to get it done sometime within the next 5 years. I'm pretty sure that's how long it would take me to do it all by hand.

getting started

We started on the front. I had stained it a couple years ago, but it would turn green in spots when it rained and I hated that. Time to take it down to bare wood again.

Me trying!!!!

Like I said - I want to do this stuff myself, but it was too much for me to handle. Damn It!
The sander started making strange loud noises so we let it cool down a bit and headed to the back. The reason we got in the first place.
Still making some LOUD noises. Oh boy...
Mike took it apart - It had a glob of hair and dirt in the engine so we took that out and well-la It was running like a sprinter again. (I couldn't help but think how many people would or even could take the thing apart?)

Back Deck

We had this thing for 4 hours, so we put another heavy duty pad on and do one more sweep of the front deck. You know when I say we, I mean Mike, right. Though I did follow him with the blower and kept the surface clean for him and swept up after him.

Last Pass Over

Now I get to decide just what I want to do. I do like the look of a clean white deck, but I just don't know.
Mike was at this for 3 hours with just a 5 minute break and he admitted to being sore. I never could of done this by myself.
 I needed help. Damn it!

Happy Birthday to Bryan

There is no way to get around it. Life goes on and we all add one more year to our age. Bryan, my baby is now 41.
I still remember him as a little boy. Even though I see him being a Dad with little boys of his own, I still sometimes see that little boy.
I was visiting a friend at St. Joseph Hospital on Wed. August 1 (Bryan's Birthday) so I decided to take a trip down memory lane and went up to the nursery where he was born. They wouldn't let me in, but I told them I gave birth there to my son 41 years ago to the day and I just wanted to peek at the babies.
They loved my story, but it was still a No.


We celebrated his birthday this weekend.
They all came out for a cookout.
Roger and Luke showed Papa how to fix puzzles.

Owen just wanted piggy back rides.

We took a quick trip to the creek to skip some rocks. Of course we had to stop at the fallen tree to take a yearly picture.

Happy Birthday to Bryan.

Segways Rides with Kaylyn

It was time for Kaylyn's 13th birthday trip into the city. Every time we asked her just what she wanted to do, it would change. I decided to make the decision for her. I told Mike that one way she could see everything and have fun is the Segway tour. He loved the idea (we both have never tried them) and planned our day for us.
We took the 7:40 train into the city and jumped on the Orange line. Both first times for Kaylyn.

waiting on the platform

After a few wrong turns and some friendly directions from a UPS guy (I know there is GPS on our phones) we made it to the Segway place for our 10am tour.
After some individual instructions from Will we were off.

Mike taking instructions

I was so nervous, but it wasn't so bad, for some reason my feet would get so hot and it's not easy standing still - balancing. Mike, of course, had to signed us up for the 3 hour tour. It took you to more places. I would of been happy with just one hour, but the day wasn't about me now was it. We went up through Grant park made a few stops for some history talk. It wasn't easy for me to stand still. I did have to step off once before I fell off - Unlike Mike who just fell. By this time my feet were so hot. Mike's knees were stiff and Kaylyn was loving every second of it. We stopped at the fountain for pictures. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining and a beautiful breeze off the lake.

Kaylyn took her helmet off for each stop

We headed south and zipped around Soldiers Field and stopped again. I was getting better about getting on and off by then, but my feet were still hot. We then headed on over to Northernly Island and the hidden beach there. Apparently not to many people know about it. Then on over to the Museum Campus.




Aquarium stop

Planetarium stop

So even though it was a 3 hour tour we did get to get off and walk around a little bit. Thank God - My feet were HOT.
We had a group of 8 and the other 5 were from England.
When they travel, they take the Segway tours first thing in each city so then they know where they wanted to revisit. The aquarium was top of their list.
I liked to be at the back of the pack so I could go at a slower pace and the Father of the group hung back there with me. He told me he liked to go slower too. I really think he felt sorry for me - Old lady going slower.
They had 3 teenage boys and you guessed it Kaylyn had her eye on one of them. He was very cute in her defense.


What a great way around a city - so much ground covered.
Kaylyn's choice for lunch was Dick's Last Resort. Mike and I have been to these before so we knew what to expect. Mike told our waiter it was Kaylyn's birthday. She was loving the attention.

Selfie with Rob our waiter

The restaurant is right on the river so it was a no brainer to take the water taxi back to the train station. It's a great way to get there without fighting traffic or walking - my feet were still hot.

Papa and Kaylyn

We managed to catch the 3:30 train back home.

waiting for the Metra

We had a very special time with our grand daughter. Mike and I are both glad that she wanted to spend a day with us and that we could keep up with all that she wanted to do.
Lets hope we gave her a memory she will never forget.