I Love You Dad

I've been thinking about and anticipating this day for the last few months. It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since my Dad passed away and yet it is. A year ago I received that dreaded 2 AM call from my sister telling me that our father was gone. I can't help but remember all the thoughts and feelings from that day. I've learned the hard way how unpredictable life can be. We never know when our time will be up. I now try not to take things for granted or put things off until tomorrow. Tomorrow may not come. Fortunately, time has dulled the pain but the ache of missing my Dad is still there and probably always will be.

I miss his laugh, his hugs, his advice - just his presence. He was such a wonderful father and I want so much to give him a hug and tell him thank you and that I love him just one more time. I'm so glad that Zack and Bo were able to grow up knowing their grandfather and the wonderful person that he was. At the same time, I'm saddened that Winston will never know him.

My Dad wrote several books compiled from his journals and had them published to share with us. I'm so grateful that my Dad took the time to do this. I value these books so much and know that Winston will at least have a chance to get to know his grandfather through these books.

I love you Daddy and am looking forward to the day we'll all be together again. In the mean time, I'll miss you.

Love, Holly

Recipe worth Sharing - Blizzard Pary Mix

While browsing on Taste of Home.com, I came across a recipe called Blizzard Party Mix. I thought it sounded good and decided to make it for a baby shower a few weeks ago. The shower seemed the perfect excuse to try it out. Anyway, it was a hit and we all thought it was pretty addictive. It only took about 15 minutes to make (including unwrapping the caramels and chopping them up). It would be a great snack for this weekend's big game so here it is for those interested.  I modified it just a bit - here's my version.

BLIZZARD PARTY MIX

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups Corn Chex
2 3/4 cups miniature pretzels
1 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 pkg Kraft caramel bits or 40 caramels, coarsely chopped
2 package (12 oz.) vanilla or white chips

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chips; stir until smooth. (Only heat at 30 second intervals and stir after each so you don't burn the chips) Pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat. Immediately spread onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet; let stand until set, about 20 minutes. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 4 1/2 cups.

Enjoy!

Hanging out at Home

Winston and I are both sick. He has RSV and I have Strep Throat. We're quite the pair hanging out together at home. Fortunately, we both went to the doctors yesterday so we have our prescriptions and are now on the mend. We've spent the day watching movies, taking naps and working on his valentines for next week. If we both weren't under the weather, it would have been a great day. He's so clever and I love hanging out with him, I just prefer it to be under better circumstances. Even though I'm still not feeling great, I'm grateful to have had a whole day to spend with Winston just doing what he wanted to do.

New Favorite Book

Winston has a new favorite book. Winston has loved all of the board books he has by Leslie Patricelli. The illustrations are great and the story line is easy for little ones to follow. I was so excited when I saw that she had written a book for preschool age children that I pre-ordered it to give to Winston for Christmas. This book, called The Patterson Puppies and the Rainy Day, has become one of Winston's favorite books to read at bed time. It tells a story about four puppies and the mischief they get into because of their very active imaginations. Winston's favorite puppy is the one named Zack (I can't imagine why...)

Here's a link to this book on Amazon. Winston gives it his highest approval - a high five with stones. :D If you love clever books with great art work, you'll love this adorable story.

Christmas 2009

Here are some highlights of our Christmas activities. Winston was full of the magic of the season and made everything so fun. With Zack and Bo gone, we're sure grateful to have him.

Winston was a great helper making sugar cookies.
And then frosting them too. (Although I think more frosting ended up in his mouth than on the cookies.)

Singing "Jingle Bells" with his Aunt Heidi at Grandma's Christmas party. Jingle Bells is his favorite Christmas Carol - at least for now.

Winston played a shepard in the Nativity reenactment. (His costume stayed on for about 5 minutes. By then he'd had enough and off it came.)

Bo sent a special ornament for Winston all the way from Germany. When you pull the string on the bottom, the arms and legs fly up. Winston loved it.

Christmas Eve opening his new pajamas.
Christmas morning just before Winston woke up. He actually slept in until 8:00 am. :)
Opening his "new" N64 game system complete with games - courtesy of his brothers. ;)
He loved tearing off the wrapping paper.
Busy painting on his new Lighting McQueen giant coloring book while we made breakfast.

We had a great Christmas this year. The highlights were getting to talk to Zack on Christmas Eve, talking to Bo on Christmas Day and spending lots of time with our family here at home. Winston had a full day and was ready for bed by the time we made it back home after visiting grandparents and cousins.

Our Little Elf

I wanted to include a picture of Winston in our Christmas cards so I had him lay down on a fuzzy blanket with his Santa hat on and took a few experimental photos. He smiled and laughed and his eyes just sparkled. He's such a character and is so adorably cute! I sure love my little buddy!

Air Hockey

This past weekend while I was getting all our Christmas decorations out of the storage room downstairs, Winston discovered our Air Hockey table. He's just tall enough to use the paddle and hit the puck and he absolutely loved it. Brad and I took turns playing with him for almost an hour. I grabbed this quick video to show how much fun he was having.

A Funny Story

I've read a Santa Claus story to Winston a few times during the past week so that he can get an idea of what Christmas and Santa are all about. Well, this morning I told him about all the fun Christmas songs there are and sang a few of them to him - including Santa Claus is Coming to Town. You know how it goes - You better watch out, better not cry, better not pout....

Anyway, on the way over to daycare out of the blue Winston said to me, "Mommy, I not pout." And I answered, "No" not realizing that he was referring to the song I had sang to him earlier. Then he asked me, "My a good boy huh? Santa will come to my house." I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud. I made sure to tell him that yes he's a very good boy and Santa will come to his house. I guess that song made quite an impression on him. He's just too smart and too cute for a three year old.