Y is for "Yay I am Posting Again"!

So originally this was going to be "Yay for Halloween" but it has been awhile since I have even been willing to post about anything. But today I at least want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.....


On the left is the turkey Matthew made this year....it has some of the dry ingredients inside its belly for making a thanksgiving casserole. He is very proud of his turkey and I am under strict instructions to bring it to Grandma Leslee's house today! On the right is another turkey but I will show you who made that at the bottom of the post.


Mason at the "Family Feast" at preschool...and Zoe and Grayson play with what looks like a reworking of "Fashion Plates". If you are of a certain age and female you just might remember those fashion plates...loved them as a kid and as I recall they were a Christmas gift one year. If I had a link to give I would but today I just am not putting forth that much effort. Maybe in another post! ;)





This was the scene 2 Saturdays ago for Grandpa Andy's service. It was very lovely and full of tears but smiles as well. Even Matthew wrote in his writing journal at school that "Saturday we had Grandpa Andy's funeral and daddy had lots of tears". That about made me cry as much as I did at the service.






And last but not least....the identity of the artist of the "plate turkey"......

Yes....the artist is Andy...once upon a time! I am not sure how old he was when he made this but probably pretty young since an adult obviously wrote his name. Andy couldn't write that neatly as an adult let alone as a child! ;) Grandma Dee gave it to me last year and I love it!!

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Program....

I will finish this alphabet, I swear!!!! ;) But....... Sunday morning Grandpa Andy died. There, I said it. It's been a bit hard to deal with in this house, my Andy is a wreck and Matthew has been acting out a little bit. I mean for the most part Matthew is fine, just a little sad sometimes. Each morning has been a challenge for Andy however and probably will be for some time. Honestly, I hadn't even realized how our (mine and Andy's) relationship had evolved with Grandma and Grandpa next door. I hadn't realized how very intertwined our daily lives had become. Their house is Matthew's second home and me and Andy think nothing of going next door to get a cup of coffee. (There is always coffee there, Grandma Dee is addicted!) Whenever there is yardwork to be done, Grandpa almost always comes outside, if not to help, to at least give instruction and insight. We know their habits and they know ours.....in fact today is Tuesday and it's a beautiful day out. Grandpa would have had the garbage and recycling out by now and probably would have been raking leaves. It feels a bit like the world has been turned upside down and that's just for us. I can't even imagine what Grandma feels inside. She is doing ok but I think she is have a rough time. And it is going to be tough for awhile. But there is lots of family around and I think that's a comfort for her and she loves seeing the kids too. I just have been trying to find a thoughtful balance between letting the boys go over and giving her a little bit of space as well. She is pretty straightforward though and I suspect she would tell us if it's not a good time for them to be there.

You will be greatly missed Grandpa Andy.....we love you, rest in peace.