My Uncle Leo

Please join me in praying for my extended family today. I am sad to share that my great uncle Leo passed away this morning. My uncle Leo was an extrordinarily kind and generous person who will be missed by many.

When I was a teen, I had a boyfriend who was in a terrible motorcycle accident while he and my family were vacationing in Wisconsin. The boyfriend was rushed to a hospital near my Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Leo's house. They opened their home to me, so that I could stay while he recovered. I stayed with them for awhile that summer. The boyfriend didn't last, but my love for my Great Aunt and Uncle did. I never could get over how they always seemed ot share more than they had, or why they would open up their lives to me the way they did.

My Uncle Leo was the kind of person who believed so strongly in Christ that you would think God was sitting right next to him in the flesh. As a teen, his faith was important to the development of my own. He was a rare soul, uninterested in material wealth or self-centeredness. He was a good father, husband and uncle, a volunteer, and an easy smile on a hard day. I didn't see my uncle often, once or twice a year since that summer, but I can tell you with some certainty that I will often miss him.

Madi's Birthday

Cake number 1. Small family party on the night before her actual birthday. (Aaron had surgery on her actual birthday). Mom and Dad got her a Wii game.
Gift from grandpa at small family party.













Gifts from grandma .













Party number two. Kid party at the bowling alley. Fourteen 6 year olds. Many more grey hairs.

Cake number two at bowling party. Yes it is in the shape of a bowling alley. Do I get points for being an over-achiever?

Party number 3. Extended family party with all of the cousins, grandma and grandpa P, aunts and uncles.

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Cake number 3. We should be done writing thank you cards by next year.

Madi's First Cavity

Madi got her first (and hopefully only) cavity filled yesterday. It was so funny because about 2 minutes after they gave her the novacaine she started laughing hysterically. She kept sitting up in the chair to look at me and laughing and pointing at her mouth. She was a good patient, very brave, and now has a mouthful of healthy teeth. Well, at least the ones that aren't missing.

Caucuses and Primaries

Obama took Iowa and I am more excited than ever that there is hope for our great country. :) I was interested in knowing more about where and when Caucuses and Primaries are held and found this helpful site.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/2008_Pres_Primary_Calendar.htm

Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum

I noticed that based on Aaron's last post - you might believe that I have been kidnapped or skipped Christmas. So, I wanted to sneak a photo in and say that I have been enjoying winter break as well.

Here's Aaron and I in front of the "White House". The Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield is a fantastic place to visit. We all had a blast.

WINTER BREAK

Snow a bit this fisrt day of the new year. Girls got out a bit this a.m.
This is the girls view of Grandpa as a Wii character. It looks a lot like him!
Yes, and the other item that I got was underwear.
What did Lincoln's youngest look like? I'll give you a hint...he's wearing a bow tie. This was from our visit to the Lincoln Presidential Library and museum.