Turkey doggie slippers (retired)

I bought blue doggie slippers for Paige while in Ankara Turkey for water sampling in 2002. I had to drink one of my water samples in front of security guard to prove that the cooler filled with water samples was safe...my idea after they said that I couldn't bring the cooler...it worked! Grace has been wearing the doggie slippers the past couple years...we retired them a couple days ago...

Vets Day Mass

St. Clare school had a Vets Mass on 24 Nov. Afterwards, I had a donut with the girls. Blessings!

Heaven (Grandma Mary)

What is the first thing you are going to do when you get to heaven? Grace, "Go find Grandma Mary!"

All Hallows' Eve

"Let's save some babies, Dad!"

Began the day-trip with a sorrowful rosary outside of the St. Louis abortion mill. Paige (9) said, "I don't get why they call it Planned Parenthood...sounds like they should be helping babies." Later that day, Grace came into my office with the ProLife banner and joyfully shouted, "Let's save some babies, Dad!" http://www.40daysforlife.com/

Papa and Grandma Kathy time

Papa and Grandma treated us to lunch at the Fin Inn in Grafton, IL.

Performing for Papa and Grandma.

Grandma's girl!

Nature Trail

We found a nice nature trail near our home in Belleville. The girls loved checking out the spider webs...even Grace!

fishing at Eckert's pond

The girls each caught 5 sunfish in less than an hour...fun!

Scott AFB visit (my office)

The girls stopped by my office after their eye appointments.

Vet, Ice Cream, Autograph

Grace said that she wants to be a veterinarian who serves ice cream to those who have sick pets...so they feel better. She will also be giving out autographs because she plans to be a rock star at the same time...yikes!

Who is Con Cur?

We were praying for others during our evening family prayer...I was last and said "concur", agreeing with the prayers from Angi, Paige and Grace. Grace said, "who is Con Cur?"

Denver aquarium (shark!)

Grace (funny)

Yesterday, Grace was sitting on my lap in the drivers seat while parked. I started squeezing her and she said, "Hey, I'm driving here!" She absorbed this from me telling Angi that you "don't touch the driver." Ha!

This morning (Paige's birthday), Paige asked Angi about her birth. Angi told her that she broke her water. Grace translated this to a teacher as "Paige broke my Mom's water bottle." Ha!

birthday happiness

For my birthday present, Grace gave me a bag of artwork and said, "all I want to do is make you happy." I was very happy!

"I'm moving out of this house."

Yesterday afternoon, Grace walked into my office upset and said, "You know what? I'm moving out of this house." Then, she stormed out. Upon finding her downstairs, I found out that she wanted to move because she thought Paige had told on her for "pretending to act mean." After inquiring into where she would move, she said, "really far away, New York or something." I then asked her where she would live..."look for a big house." I asked how she would pay for it..."borrow some money from you...100 or something...a lot of dollars." She concluded by explaining that if she wasn't able to borrow enough money from me, she would just "live in a hotel." I then told her that I would give her 100 dollars and help her get packed up...she said, "you're just kidding" and gave me a big smile. Yes, I was certainly just kidding...not looking forward to the day Paige and Grace move out. Apparently, our pending moving is impacting Grace a bit!

Angi used to say she would move to California...guess we might be visiting New York more in the future...at least Grace didn't say Turkey!

"I would die for you God."

After dinner last night, Angi and me told our daughters Paige (8) and Grace (5) about the love of Holy Thurs (Last Supper, washing feet), the sorrow of Good Friday (the Passion of Christ) and the joy of Easter morning (empty tomb). My daughters knew the story...but hearing the entire story from their parents was apparently different...because by the end they were both in tears. We told them that we too have cried when contemplating God's greatest love for us on the cross. We assured them that Christ had risen and was now with us always. About an hour later, I discovered a note that Grace left on the kitchen counter..."I would die for you God." I then found her gathering up two piles in her room...one pile of her "God things" (prayer plaque, stuffed bear with a cross, etc) and another pile of things "for the poor children" (a book, chapstick, a toy, etc). Like Grace, may God's love for us on the cross (Father sacrificing His only Son and Son accepting his cup)...inspire us to love and serve God and neighbor.

Bed clothes

This is what Grace looked like when she got out of bed this morning!

Grandma Mary (cabin)

Grace (on her own) drew a picture in the snow (on top of the sled hill) of Grandma Mary and her (both with big smiles). Grace must have been in tune to Grandma Mary's spirit..."listen to the whispering pines"!

Vegetable Cake

At dinner tonight, Paige asked Grace about her favorite dessert, and she said, "all cakes." I said, "even carrot cake?" She said, "all cakes except vegetable cakes...just sweet ones."

Paige has a cold. During dinner, Grace shared her spoon with Paige and said, "cause I'm healthy you might get kinda healthy."

Rabbit eyeballs ("too salty")

Angi had conferences tonight, so I picked up the girls from school. On the way home, Paige told me the Native Americans used all parts of the buffalo that they killed. I told the girls that in Air Force survival training we had very little food and were given a small rabbit to share amongst 13 people. I told them that I ate a rabbit eyeball. Paige asked me how it tasted. I said, "very salty." Paige said that she would try it. Grace said she would not eat it, but instead make a decoration out of it. Grace would "make a sign that included the eyeball with writing that said not good for little kids...too salty."

Smells (b-day, swimming pool)

I blew out a candle before Grace entered the kitchen. She said, "Dad, it smells like somebody had a birthday."

I cleaned the shower with bleach. Grace said, "Dad, are you building a swimming pool up here?"

Window shade shadow?

Grace told me that she saw a shadow (from outside) go across the window shade in the kitchen. I asked her what it was. She said, "I think it was a human throwing a dog." I asked her how this could be. She said, "I have no idea. I'm serious!"

whale writer

I told Grace that we bought the movie "Whale Rider" for her and Paige. Grace said, "Whale writer? That doesn't make sense. Whales don't write!"

President's clothing, Superbowl

Grace asked Angi, "Why does the President always wears the same clothes? Why doesn't he wash them?"

Also, when the Cardinals lost the Superbowl tonights, she said, "we should have cheered for the other team!"

This is how I look like Mommy.

Grace told Angi yesterday how she looks like her..."my hair and my toes."

1st 2009 Ski Day (1st big wipe out)

We had a great first ski day of 2009 (warm/sunny, good snow). Check out the scenery in the last picture. Grace had her first big wipe out...she fell on her face and the goggles caused an abrasion around her eye (see picture). Her wipe out was followed by her best ski run of the day (perseverance!). Grace learned that her bottom (not her face) was made for falling...her next fall was on her bottom!

"Shrimpy!"

We had our 2nd annual New Year's Eve steak and seafood meal at home. I have steak, Angi and Paige have lobster, and Grace has shrimp. The last couple days Grace has been anticipating the "shrimpy!" After consuming a half dozen of them, she tells us that her perfect world would be orange and have shrimp for every meal!