Tag: grandparents

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March 6, 1987

My Grandpa Bill, my dad’s dad, has been gone from us for 34 years. My aunt sent out a few photos of him from his time in the service and afterwards. I’ve edited her captions to say “Grandpa” instead of “Dad.”

1942 – Elbow Lake (Grandpa Bill and Great Uncle John)
1946 – Grandpa Bill at Nagoya Mts, Gestapo Headquarters, Japan
1947 – Grandpa Bill, home from the Service

Growing up in Iowa, which was a 9 hour drive to where he and my grandma lived in northern MN, we didn’t get the opportunity to make many memories with him. I’m grateful that my aunt has taken the time over the years to scan and document items of our family’s history. Photos like these are treasures. It is fun to be able to share with my kids a little about who their great grandpa was.

Knowing what our family has enjoyed this winter, it’s no surprise that this is our favorite photo from the set sent out today.

1946 – Grandpa Bill skiing with buddies at Mts. of Kobe, Japan

Finally, here are my Grandma Fran and Grandpa Bill at my Aunt Ann and Uncle Gene’s wedding in 1979.

I can see my grandpa in two of my cousins and my dad. Family genes are strong.

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Ambulance baby is 8!

I looked at the clock around 12:35 this afternoon and thought about where I was 8 years ago today. What an entrance Shecklet #4 made into this world. Not many kids can say they were born in an ambulance on one of the coldest days of the year. It’s a day I will never forget.

This year, Shecklet #4 asked if she could have an 80’s themed birthday party. As someone who has fond memories of the mid-to-late 80’s, it didn’t take much to convince me to agree to her idea. The recent below zero temps we had gave us an opportunity to use the extra indoor time to create decorations and party plans.

This is part of the Pac-man photo prop the kids made back on 2/12.

And a few more of the decorations we had, including the birthday banner that Larissa and Shecklet #1 made on 2/6 when we had our day of crafting fun.

The birthday girl could hardly contain herself this morning. She was up at 6am and regularly asked me throughout the day, “How long until my party starts?” She even woke one of her sleeping brothers from his slumber so she could open a few presents from us.

She also received ski gear and is very excited to try it out tomorrow.

Tonight’s party was a ton of fun! The birthday girl had a blast! She could totally pass as a child of the 80’s. She rocked the side ponytail and blue eyeshadow like a pro. Her sister wore the 80’s trends well, too!

We had a few friends and family join us in rad neon, tulle, makeup and scrunchies. The kids had a boom box piñata and played “stick the cassette to the boom box.” Jake grilled burgers and hotdogs (birthday girl’s request,) we held a glow stick dance party in the basement, and enjoyed angel food cake and ice cream for dessert.

I love how everyone who joined us embraced the 80’s theme and helped make Shecklet #4 feel so special today.

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Remembrance roses 🌹

I took the roses I dried from Papa Dale’s and Astrid’s funerals and put them together in a shadow box. Not only will they no longer collect dust, but I don’t have to worry about them crumbling every time they get bumped.

There is a group of three mini roses in the corner that makes me think of my three girls 🌹🌹🌹

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NYE 12/31/2020 & NYD 2021

We went to visit Great Grandma Lois and have pizza (her request.) She us had visits from family throughout the month and we were the last ones on the list.

Shecklets #1 & #3 spent the night at their aunt’s house and rung in the new year with cookies, movies, and confetti poppers!

Shecklet #4 went to Grandma and Grandpa’s for the night and sledded on New Year’s Day.

Shecklet #2 stayed with Jake and me and hung out with our friends for the evening. We had a delicious smoked chicken dinner with salad, cheesy potatoes, and dessert. So good! The adults played a game while the boys all watched a movie. We ended the festivities around 10:30, but the three of us ended up making it ‘til midnight once we got home.

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Christmas Night 2020 🎄🌟

We went to Jake’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner. Two of his sisters, one BIL, and our nephew were able to join us there as well. The ham dinner was delicious and afterwards we played a few games before opening presents. It was so much fun to have a toddler in the mix again – they bring such joy to the holiday and are very helpful with tearing wrapping paper.

Shecklet #4 gave out massage certificates at the end of the night. They never expire and can be used an infinite number of times!

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Gumdrop cookies

While Shecklet #2 and Shecklet #3 went to ski/snowboard, Shecklet #1 and Shecklet #4 helped me in the kitchen. We made a batch of one of my favorite cookies from childhood – my Grandma Fran’s gumdrop cookies.

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Applesauce 2020 🍎🍏🍎🍏

I had a request from Shecklet #2 to make applesauce. My MIL gave us a bushel of apples from the orchard she works at every fall so I could fulfill his request.

I spent the morning chopping and now I have a very happy 12 year old. (And about half a bushel left for another batch later on.)

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New photographer 📷

Shecklet #1 was given some really nice photography equipment by his grandpa. The manual has already been read through once and he’s taken each accessory out and examined them. He has taken a real interest in video (thanks to helping out at our church) so this seems like a great complimentary activity for him.

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Halloween 2020 🎃

As with almost everything else 2020, Halloween is a bit different this year. The Shecklets did different activities today. (We opted to skip door to door trick-or-treating this year.)

Shecklet #2 did this with his friend:

Shecklet #1 and Shecklet #3 did this with Grandma & Grandpa:

And Shecklet #4 went trunk or treating at our church. Kids typically dress up as a saint for our parish’s annual All Saints Day party. This year, all on her own, #4 said she wanted to be St. Philomena in honor of her baby sister. I may or may not have gotten a little misty-eyed when she told me her plan.

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Birthday #10 – take 2! 🥳

We had to postpone Shecklet #3’s birthday party a week. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day and she had a lot of fun with the family and friends who celebrated with her.