Friday-Sunday, February 28-March 1

Hello from Chicago where we are settled in for the night near O'Hare - tomorrow, we have early-morning flight back to Fort Myers.    We had a wonderful whirlwind weekend with family/friends with the big party last night honoring Patrick.

Friday - we left Fort Myers on Spirit Airlines (Philip's employer) and flew to Chicago where it was very cold but sunny.    We arrived 40 minutes early and had a gate waiting for us!     Got our car rental and off to Bloomington.    The sunshine didn't last long in our travels as it was very dreary when we arrived in Bloomington.

Great to be back with Anne and boys, AND Auntie Karen and Drew who were there for the weekend.    We all (except Liam) went to the Corpus Christi (Connor's school) fish fry which was delicious - fish, baked potato, cole slaw, bread and a big assortment of desserts.   They had two 50/50 raffles and Anne won the 2nd one - $130.     Yeah!!!   Liam got a ride to Peoria for hockey game since he had to be there an hour early. 

Rest of us headed to Peoria - very cold night and what a thrill to watch Liam and his Sharks team play in 1st game of tournament.   In triple overtime and then sudden death, the Sharks lost 4-3, but what a nail biter!!!      AND, tonight we had the added pleasure of my cousin Jane and hubby Joe to visit with and enjoy this heart stopper!!!    Late night when we got home, but so fun!!!

Liam, the Shark

 Cheering section

Jane, Pat, Joe, Mark

Saturday - It's Leap Year Day and been waiting for this day for quite a long time to celebrate Patrick.    First of all, we slept in and then met at Garden of Paradise for breakfast (brunch).

Liam, Connor, Anne, Drew, Karen, Mark

  The guys went their way to Upper Limits for some rock climbing with Grandpa watching.   We girls went on home and later in the afternoon, Karen went to Barnes and Noble, Anne, to VFW to deliver some things for tonight's party and Drew took the boys to "stick 'n puck" hockey.    Mark and I went back to Eastland Suites and rested a bit.

The Rock Climbers

Connor

Drew 

Liam

Drew, Mark and I went to happy hour at ES and then to Patrick's celebration.

Celebrating before the celebration... 

  Walked into the VFW at 5:45 into a sea of black and white Jury's Out shirts.    It was quite a party with a packed house and jammed dance floor.    The Jury's Out band members along with other musicians filling in were really jammin' and the crowd loved it all.    The tears, hugs and emotions were at a high level.

A caterer was there serving pulled pork sandwiches, mac 'n cheese, cole slaw and potato salad.    Unfortunately, he didn't bring enough food and by 6:30, was packing up his stuff and outta there.    Ours was very good.     So awesome to have family and friends there.....

Mark's sister, Joan, hubby, Joe, their daughter, Lisa and boyfriend, John

Tonight was a very successful celebration of Patrick's life.    He would've been humbled and so proud of the big turnout and so much LOVE in the air....

We love you, Patrick!

This  picture popped up on Facebook - 4 years ago today....

February 29, 2016 in El Centro, CA - # 5 (our Blue Angel) doing his thing!

Sunday - Welcome March!   Drew left for Iowa City around 8:30 after stopping at Anne's to say good bye.    Rest of us went to 10:00 Mass at Holy Trinity.    Then we went to lunch at Culver's.  

The Campbell's

  Connor had baseball practice from 1-3.   Karen left around 2:30 and we were on our way to Chicago shortly after.   

Such a fun weekend.    So appreciate the ongoing love and support shown Anne, Liam and Connor.    Truly blessed with great friends and although it can't possibly be 5 months (but it is), we continue to keep on going on.    We'll never forget this great compassionate, kind guy who because of his big celebration raised $4,700 last night for Home Sweet Home Ministries!!!

Thank you Patrick.....RIP