Dad's 80th Birthday Party

I had good intentions of taking lots of pictures are my dad's birthday party but then I got wrapped up in meat cutting, and veggie tray making and setting out food that I didn't get more than a couple.  We had intended to have a big party at the Rabbit Lake hall which is what we had for my uncle Henry when he turned 80 but soon we realized that my dad would just not be up for that so we just invited the closest neighbors and friends to our house.  We ended up with 30 or so people and it was the perfect amount.  The food was great and my dad stayed awake for the whole thing and was really touched by it all.  My whole family-every member was there for it and that was really nice too (that only happens about once every 2 years maybe).

This was the guest book-we included the mandolin used by my dad and aunt as part of their band as well as some old sheet music and a music composition book that belonged to my dad.  We had guests write a memory about dad on a card as well and that was kind of fun and I know he appreciated them.

On the tables we had old western producer magazines.  I bought them at an auction long ago and they are the perfect decoration for these types of things as my dad and my uncle have read the western producer for as long as I can remember and probably before that.  It was cool because one of the papers was from 1937 and it had the headline that a girl named Amelia Earhart had gone missing in a plane accident.  Cool huh.  We also had paper sacks of shelled peanuts which are another Konopelski staple.

This was Jakob waiting for supper and a little snitch of peanuts.

Greg models the birthday hats that a neighbor brought.

Here is Grandpa Sam with all his grandchildren.  Jakob and Andrew were not in any mood for pictures but I wanted to have at least one picture of my dad from the whole trip.

After the party we sat around as a family and discussed future events-funerals, taking care of my mom, division of belongings etc.  It wasn't really an uplifting conversation but one that needed to take place and might not ever have been done again so I am glad we did it.

Making Memories

That was the purpose of the trip to Canada-make memories with my dad while he was feeling healthy; let the girls have a chance to see him outside of a hospital.  It majorly back fired-that plan did.  My girls will now probably think that the only thing Grandpa Sam knows how to do is sleep.  That is pretty much all we have done since being here-watch him sleep.  No pictures, no smiles really even, I had a book with questions I was wanting him to answer in his own handwriting but that has not happened either.  I haven't had the courage to take it out-I don't want him to tell me he doesn't have the strength to do it.  I haven't even hugged him yet.  So much for taking advantage of the time to make some really good memories.  I don't know if I have the strength to come back another time to try and do it.

A Visit from Grammy and Grandpa Sam

My mom and dad have been here the whole first week of November.  They came on the 29th of Oct and left Nov 6th.  We have had a fantastic visit with them.  The girls loved having them.  They took turns asking Grammy or Grandpa Sam to sit by them at the table.  They watched their every move.  The girls loved jumping on Grammy's bouncy bed (when they left Brailie said "Grammy come back and bring bouncy bed please.")  We loved having their help.  My mom helped me organize my fabric scraps and cupboards, she played school and peoples and babies with the girls.  She bought us a bunch of meat to fill our freezer (we are so thankful for that).  She helped me make two huge batches of raspberry jam, we had a thanksgiving dinner, went to the park, took the girls shopping and then my mom and I had a shopping trip too (which I loved-shopping at our own pace and visiting-we stayed out way too late).  It was so wonderful.  My dad helped Greg fix our back step, put shelves in the gun cabinet he build in high school, chop wood and they went for lots of drives.  I think they will probably get home and sleep for a week from the exhaustion of it all but we had a blast.  I am so glad they came.  It was not in the plans but i am glad we were able to change the plans and have them together.  I knew my mom would come as often as possible but I didn't think my dad ever would and it was a real blessing to have him.  Now we have to get back to real life-what a bummer.  My parents play so well with the girls and are so generous too us-especially with compliments and praise.  We don't get that enough so that has filled us up tremendously.  Thank you both for coming.  We love you.

Playing dolls with the girls.

Swinging at the park (this didn't last long because of a cat incident-which my mom and I will not ever be allowed to forget).

Tickling and marching on tummies

Dad and Greg fixing our back step-hallelujah

He is slower and more feeble but he still has some work left in him.

More swinging-there is never enough around here.

What a fantastic picture.  What a great visit.

Brailie Turns Two

Sorry to be so behind on blog posts but my mom and dad have been here and so I have had many other important things to do.  Now I am catching up starting with Brailie's "Hoo's Two" birthday party.

The cake

Take home prizes for kids and adults

Owl masks for the little kids

Candy bars for the kids

Cupcakes

Graham crackers (note-don't make the night before-oops)

The birthday girl

We love Dora-so thank you Aunties that bought this.

Plate and cup set from Auntie Cathy-she loves the cup especially and is so cute when she uses it.



Princesses from Grandma and Grandpa-she loves those (as does Allie)



She loves her new baby doll (I finally got it right and bought the right gift that has been played with more than 5 minutes)

Baby accessories from Uncle Steven-so much fun for the girls.



Loaded up with all her gifts



This picture was taken on Halloween-her actual birthday. 



Things we love about Brailie:
-She has such personality-she keeps us laughing and snickering in moments when we should be serious like saying prayers, family home evening and during time outs.
-She loves her sister
-She has beautiful, sparkly eyes
-She loves to sing songs and currently loves ABC song, Three Little Witches, I am a Child of God, and Scripture Power
-She loves food and is so independent in eating
-Her adorable little gallop
-How she loves to be tickled and laughs
-She loves to give slobbery kisses and big hugs
-Her facial expressions are the best
We are so grateful to have Brailie in our home and as part of our family.

Grandpa Sam

I posted these pictures on my other blog but I wanted to make sure I had a picture of them here too.  The girls only got to see my dad 2 times during the 3 weeks we were in Canada.  I was so worried they would spend most of their time being shy and wouldn't even want to see him with all the tubes and machines but my prayers were answered and though they were a little shy they talked to him, danced and sang, shared snacks and took a couple of pictures.  It was so cute because the first time they saw him, Allie went right into the room and right up to my dad and gave him a big hug and then after that turned really quiet and shy.  I was greatful for that moment.