Basketball!

Yesterday was a day filled with basketball!  In the morning the kids and I went to watch Bishop play basketball.  He's 4 and plays with other 4 and 5 year olds.  It's so cute!  They run up and down the floor, have a lot of fun and even make some baskets.  Madelyn and Nora played basketball and ran around off to the side and Jack hung out with Nana, of course!  Ryan was working so it was fun to see my family and get out of the house.

After Bishop's basketball game we went back to the Froehle's to hang out and have lunch.  We watched the NCAA basketball tournament games and then we headed down to Williams Arena to watch the New Richland girls in the State Finals.  There were a lot of people there and it was a fun atmosphere.  The kids loved the basket game, as Madelyn calls it.  They watched the game and then they would run around.  Thankfully there was some open space around us so the kids could move around.

After we got home we watched more of the NCAA tournament.  This is my favorite time of year!

Nora and Madelyn watching Bishop's game

Jack hanging out with Nana

Jack watching the game all by himself :)

Ryan and Bishop cheering on the Panthers

Grandpa Arnie

My Grandpa Arnie passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13th.  For as sad as it is for us, he is no longer suffering or in pain and he is able to breath without struggling.

I got a call from my mom on Wed March 12th in the afternoon that my grandpa wasn't having a good day.  It wasn't anything urgent but I decided to go down and visit my Grandpa the next day.  I was planning on going by myself but then Jack ended up waking up with pink eye so I guess it all worked out since I had the day off :)

We visited my Grandpa and he seemed to be doing well.  My mom said he was doing better than the day before so that seemed like a good sign.  I had a great time with my grandpa.  We talked and laughed.  He made a comment about our kids being so quiet (which they aren't usually described as quiet!) and then I realized he thought Jack was in the room so he thought he wasn't making any noise.  That wasn't the case, Jack was with my dad roaming the halls of Countryside and having a blast.  My grandpa laughed and that is a laugh I will never forget.  As we were wrapping up our time together Grandpa told me stories about the farm, working in Waseca after they moved to town and he talked about some of his friends at Countryside.  I had no doubt in my mind that when I kissed his forehead and said good-bye and Jack gave Great Grandpa his wave and smile that day that we would be back to visit him again.  He was in good spirits and seemed to be managing well.

My mom called that night and I knew what the call was about although I honestly couldn't believe it.  Grandpa passed away around 6:45 pm that evening.  The part that was surprising was how quickly everything happened.  I know he was ready to go and breathing was getting harder but he seemed ok when I left around noon.  Thankfully for my Grandpa he did not struggle and it happened very quickly.  I am incredibly thankful for the time we spent together that day.

My Grandpa loved his family and had an extra special place in his heart for his great grandchildren.  He loved watching them crawl, walk, talk and grow up.  Carla and I have such a great memories of spending time with Grandpa Arnie and Grandpa Marlys.  We loved going fishing with my Grandpa.  We didn't fish but it meant we got to ride in the boat, eat candy and drink pop!  He loved coming to our basketball games.  Not only did they come to our high school games but they didn't miss many home games when I played at Gustavus.  So special!

His funeral was the following Thursday at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in New Richland.  It was such a special day as there were so many family and friends that came to honor my grandpa and support our family!

We miss you Grandpa Arnie!  It touches my heart every time Madelyn asks about Grandpa Arnie.  She asks quite often these says and she knows he is in heaven, watching over us.

Thanksgiving - Nov 2013

One of my all-time favorites with my grandpa!
Thanksgiving - Nov 2013

Loving Ms. Madelyn - Summer 2011

Playing ball with Madelyn - Feb 2012

Visiting Great Grandpa - March 2014

Jack hanging with Great Grandpa Arnie - March 2014

Easter - March 2013

Easter - March 2013

Our Grooms Dinner - July 24, 2009

Our wedding day - July 25, 2009

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Our little leprechauns!

Children's Museum

Last Sunday Carla invited us to the Children's Museum so we met them there.  We needed an activity to get us out of the house and this was the perfect one!  We have talked about going in the past but have never been there so this was our first experience.  I'm sure we will be back!

We got there around 10:30 and played for a couple hours before having lunch around 12:30.  I figured we would go home after lunch but Madelyn wanted to go back so we went back to play and left around 2:00.  The kids both did great and loved it!  There is a play area designed for babies/toddlers so Jack was able to get down and play, walk, crawl which he loved.  We didn't see nearly everything that was there so it will be fun to go back and explore but I'm sure Madelyn will want to stick to her favorites……the kitchen and grocery area :)

The big kids ready to explore!

Madelyn at the checkout

The girls having so much fun!

Nora and Jack playing

Mommy & Madelyn

Madelyn fishing

Jack getting in on the action!
He knows his circles :)

All of the kids playing in the stream!
They were all wet but had so much fun!

Auntie & Madelyn

Jack loves riding on Daddy's shoulders!

Madelyn does too!

Trying to figure out which button to push…...

He did it!

Great Grandpa & Grandma

On Saturday we went to Owatonna to see Nana & Papa and also to visit Great Grandpa Arnie and Great Grandma Marlys.  Thankfully the weather cooperated so the roads were clear and the drive was uneventful.  It hasn't been like that much this winter.

We stopped to see Great Grandma Marlys first.  She was very tired and slept most of the time we were there.  She is in a memory care center and she is well taken care of.  It's always good to see her and I know she enjoys seeing us too.

Then we went to see Great Grandpa Arnie.  He was up and doing well.  Always fun to see him and chat about what's going on and reminisce about the past.  His face lit up when he saw the kids - melted my heart!  The kids had a good time too running around his apartment, up and down the halls (Madelyn) and trying to get the remote (Jack)!  I always tear up when it's time to leave, not knowing how much time my grandpa has left and if he will be doing as well the next time we visit.  I just pray that he is comfortable as I know he's lived a good life and there is an even better place waiting for him!  Selfishly I just want more time with him.

We headed back to Nana & Papa's house where we had lunch and then the kids played for awhile.  Always so much to do and such fun things there!  Jack showed off his walking skills but mostly he just wanted snuggles and time with Nana!  Jack's our snuggler - I love it!!!

Fun playing with Great Grandpa's wheelchair

Madelyn is always a little unsure but Jack gets right in there

I love this picture!

Love!!  So happy with Great Grandpa!