Travels of Mark and Pat: 2009

December 29

We are very sad today....our friend and next-door neighbor of 35 years, Angie, died this afternoon. She was only 71. Our hearts, prayers and love go out to Marty and their family.

We've been trying to visit my Dad since the 23rd for his 92nd birthday. Two other times we've started out, but bad weather or roads made us turn around and think "safety" first! But today, a sunny, cold Monday, we took off and enjoyed clear roads (some blowing snow, though and saw 3 semi trucks and 3 cars in the

ditch)! UGH............hate winter!!!!

Having lunch with Dad, my brother Bob and Linda at nursing home dining room and then birthday cake. We played 2 games of 5-handed euchre (both won by Bob) and enjoyed celebrating Dad's birthday and Christmas!

Dad looking good at 92!!!

December 26

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.....we sure did! Christmas Eve we were with Anne and family at 4:30 Mass and then back here for soup and hors d'oeuvres. MERRY CHRISTMAS.....it wasn't white, but later in the day got a light snowfall - sooo pretty! We enjoyed watching Liam and Connor and all the fun of what Santa brought! Even though our kids are scattered around the world (North Carolina, Florida, and somewhere in the Arabian Gulf), it was such a treat to chat and share the Christmas spirit with each other!

Anne and Patrick's oven clunked out (heating element) just after we started baking the ham, so ended up coming back to our house and finished all the hot dishes and then enjoyed Christmas dinner.

Today, Mark took down all the outside lights and we got about 3-4" of fresh snow! We visited some friends at their retirement home - Ed and Donna Rae, Joe and Phyllis and "Aunt" Ginny. All are dear friends and what a special time to catch up and enjoy a bit of holiday cheer. Went to 4:30 Mass and then to Anne and Patrick's where we all enjoyed Olive Garden (my tummy is groaning...). Liam and Connor received a drum set and guitar from Santa and we were treated to their "gig" - what fun!

Here are a few memories of this 2009 Christmas...

Anne and the boys opening gifts

Connor in his new sports shirt (coordinated with his sports-themed room)

Patrick in his new shirt we bought in Alaska

Connor all tuckered out at end of Christmas Day in 'Grandpa's chair

Connor on guitar and Liam on drums at their "Gig" tonight!

Sweet little boys....

December 23

Today is my Dad's birthday and we had planned to be with him and celebrate. After traveling 50 miles this morning, we saw 12 cars/trucks in the ditch. We were getting heavy rain, but then temperatures dropped and all those accidents scared us. We turned around and came home....bummed out that we couldn't spend the day with Dad. We're planning to have combination Birthday/Christmas party on Sunday (weather permitting)! This is 3rd year in a row that we've had bad weather on Dad's birthday!!!

Happy 92nd Birthday, Dad!

Last night Liam and Connor helped me make Great Grandpa Pete's birthday cake. Since we didn't get to see him today, we put in freezer and will enjoy on Sunday

December 21

Been a busy past few days.....Saturday (19th) we were with Mark's family for our annual Christmas dinner/gift exchange! Fun time as always.

Liam and Connor with presents from family name drawing

Their North Carolina cousins are enjoying all the snow - a rare treat for them!

On Sunday, we stopped to visit Dad and on home for 2 parties last night.

Today was spent at Dr. appt., running errands and wrapping a few more gifts! Hope you are all keeping on top of this holiday frenzy as we come down the "home stretch"?

December 18

Yesterday, we were with my Dad who had a Cystoscopy procedure done at the hospital. He is back at the nursing home and now awaiting further word on another procedure he'll be having. He's doing pretty well and seems content, although we're hoping he'll be able to return to Stonecroft. It all depends how well he does in therapy and gets his strength built back up!

Mark and I stayed overnight with my brother, Bob and Linda and then on home this afternoon. Drew (oldest grandson from NC) called to tell us about all the snow they are getting! That's a real rare event for them and the boys are having a ball!!! Picked Liam up from school and we ran errands and then to his house and celebrated his Mommy's birthday - unfortuantely, Connor has strep throat, but on antibiotic and sure doesn't act sick? Celebrated Anne's birthday which was the 12th....nice evening!!!

Anne opening presents with little helpers!

The birthday girl and her red velvet cake and candles!

December 16

Mark and I left on the train early this morning for Chicago. It was cold, but no wind....we are enjoying a fun day in the "Windy" city with friends, Paul and Kathy. We walked from Union Station to Macy's on State Street and Kathy and I browsed thru the "Cellar". Walked to Millennium Park and had a fabulous lunch at The Park Grill which overlooks a huge ice skating rink - while enjoying our great food, we could watch the skaters as they went round and round to Christmas music.

We took a cab to Lincoln Park and thoroughly enjoyed the musical "Million Dollar Quartet" which features the music of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. It was very entertaining and we would highly recommend it for a delightful afternoon/evening. Then to Rivers for drinks/appetizers and finally walked across the street to Union Station and trip home! Very fun day!!!

Pat, Kathy, Paul and Mark at The Park Grill

Skaters at Millennium Park

December 15

Burrrr....baby, it's COLD outside! Despite the brilliant sunshine all day, the wind and cold temps were brutal! I got a manicure, ran some errands and met Claire and Kathy for lunch at Biaggi's (2 days in a row - GREAT restaurant)! Picked Liam and Connor up from the sitter and kept them till Daddy came to pick them up.

Kathy, Claire, Pat

Connor and Liam acting silly...

December 14

Started off today at McDonalds with our usual Monday breakfast with friends/neighbors. The guys join us for breakfast, too. Then ran some errands and met these same gals for lunch at Biaggi's (we do like each others' company)!!! No guys this time, but they did wonder what we could find to talk about - NOT a problem!!! HA...I had eye exam this afternoon, picked up Liam from school and been working on the cards tonight!

Norma, Sigrunn, Pat, Brenda, Sue and Donna Rae

December 13

Went to Mass with the boys at 8:30 and then had donuts. They went home with Mommy and I visited Angie (next-door neighbor) who is very ill, but we had a good chat. Then off to see my Dad with Sublettian friends, Ann and Kay who've known Dad a long time. And finally a fun afternoon/evening with the Northern Sublettians - 9 of us laughing, eating, drinking and being very merry! Had a rousing game of Pictionary going, too!!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!! Here's a nice memory...

Back row: Ann, Paula, Carole and Sheila

Front row: Kay, Anita, Judi and Mary

December 12

39 years ago today, Mark and I became the proud parents of twin babies (total shock) as we were expecting only ONE baby! Where oh where have the years gone?

Anne and Michael (6 months)

Sooo proud of these two and because of them, Mark and I have 5 beautiful grandsons!!!

Spent a wonderful Christmas brunch and gift exchange with my Monday Night Friends. We gathered for this festive, patriotic picture to send to Ryan along with a big care package. What a great bunch of long-time friends!

So much going on this past week including a visit with Dad in the nursing home which we hope is a temporary stay.

December 10

Nothing better during these busy holidays than gathering together with good friends. We all grew up in the same hometown and now come together once a month. We enjoyed a festive evening of good food, drink and fellowship. Instead of our usual gift exchange we all brought baby items for Birthright. We call ourselves "The Sublettians" and we are the Central IL Chapter!

Marilyn, Pat, Kay, Debbi (our hostess), Ann and Jane

December 7

This blog has been neglected lately and time to catch up.....so much going on and a lot of it deals with serious health concerns, tragic accidents, etc.

Hard to believe 5 months ago today, Mom died. I sure miss her during these holidays when I would be out and about and pick up things for her and always buy the traditional amaryllis (in the box) each Christmas cause her green thumb could sure work magic!!! And now my Dad is dealing with some serious issues and in the hospital. I hope and pray we get some answers soon? At least he's comfortable and not complaining. Our next-door neighbor is very ill and I spent some time with her this afternoon just holding her hand and crying. And then a very tragic accident lat night claimed the life of an acquaintance with 5 children. I didn't really know Tom, but his wife Nancy is such a wonderful person and very active in church/school activities. My heart goes out to them and extra sad during the Christmas season.

And thoughts of Ryan so far away and all that's going on with this war.....worrying and wondering about him all the time.

Okay, on to a brighter note....Liam and Connor spent yesterday with me and we had so much fun making, baking and decorating cookies. They were just what Grandma needed to take my mind off things for a bit - they can sure brighten the day. Here's how the process went...

My little bakers with their aprons ready to get started...

Watching the cookie dough get all mixed up

Rolling out the dough and deciding which cookier cutter to use?

The best part - adding the sprinkles

And then out of the kitchen and ready for some fun arranging dominoes all around the snowman rug!!

Mark and crew arrived in St. Augustine yesterday on Catrina! Ron has gone on home to Lakeland and Paul and Mark will be coming home tomorrow night! YEAH!!!!!

December 2

Enjoyed coffee with friends, Kathy and Claire this morning and "caught up".   My Exchange Club wrapped up our annual Santa Letter campaign today - another big success, but didn't break last year's record!!!    Ran some errands and picked Liam up from pre school.   Has really turned cold and windy!    Snow/rain showers coming tonight and tomorrow!!!

Oh....Ryan called from Dubai yesterday!    He's doing good and enjoying a 4-day leave.

Mark and crew are in Beaufort, SC tonight - wish I could be there for just a bit!   So charming and so much history!

December 1

Happy December and Happy 10th Birthday to our Drew out in North Carolina. Just seems like yesterday we were there for his birth! Liam and Connor are spending the night with me and we all talked to Drew and his brothers!

Drew and fossil he found at Sugar Grove Nature Center

It was a beautiful day and I raked a bunch of leaves (hopefully for the last time). Did a little shopping and picked up the boys from their sitter. Mark's new crew (our friend, Paul and my brother, Ron) arrived this

afternoon and they plan to leave tomorrow morning for Beaufort (another charming southern town)!

November 30

Started today having breakfast with friends; ran some errands and then wrapped and decorated some more. Picked Liam up from school and always enjoy the sweet/funny things he says out of nowhere.....but today he threw me for a loop when he asked if we could go to heaven to see GG (my Mom)...."we could get a plane and fly up there". Well, that sure brought on the tears...

Mark and Philip arrived in Charleston this afternoon and Philip caught a flight back to FL. New crew comes in tomorrow and Wednesday, they'll be heading south towards St. Augustine (350 miles) in 4-5 days depending on weather!

I had a fun evening with my Monday Night Friends catching up.

Good-bye November and onto the hustle and bustle of December....enjoy!!!

November 29

Rainy, gloomy Sunday, but I started the day by going to church with the Campbell's.    Came home and put on the Christmas tunes, and did some decorating, wrapping, made 2 loaves of banana bread, sent a bunch of e-mails and just thought how quiet and lonely it is here by myself after the busy week of little boys running around laughing and having fun!

Mark and Philip are in Myrtle Beach tonight - had a good 150-mile trip from Morehead City.    Tomorrow they are off to Charleston (wish I could be with them - neat, neat city)!

Time to get back at the reading which has really been neglected!   Bye for now...

November 28

Up and going at a very early hour today.   Mark, Philip and Annette left for the airport at 4:30 AM; Michael and family were on the road at 5:01 AM.   Everyone is where they need to be and all day long, as I scurried around changing beds, straightening up the house, cleaning and a bit of decorating, I thought of so many happy memories from this past week!    Just such a treat to all be together and the cousins thoroughly enjoyed each other - Brady cried and was sobbing last night when Liam and Connor said "good-bye"!

I accomplished a lot this morning, but by 10:00, I was just wiped out so went back to bed for a good 2-hour nap.   Then did some more decorating (cutting way back this year and having a "simple" Christmas!)    My kids cannot believe that!

Mark and Philip are in Morehead City tonight on Catrina and hope to get to SC border tomorrow.    Was a beautiful day here in IL and also for all traveling by land, air and water.    The guys are happy to be on the boat again and I'll be holding down the home front for the next 10 days or so!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend ? We are all so blessed!

November 27

It's Black Friday but no one was interested in venturing out to the malls and other shops this crazy busy day! Michael, Anne and families went bowling and had a ball....later in the afternoon, Brooke and I walked down the street to visit our neighbors, Norma and Darrel. Friends, Donna Rae and Ed stopped in for some holiday cheer and got to see our kids/grandsons! We ordered pizza from Monical's (kids' favorite) and then had a surprise birthday party for Drew who will be 10 on December 1st! How can that be???

Liam in fine form

That's a big ball for Davis to handle as Brady looks on

Drew ready to roll that ball

Davis and some of his marvelous creations with Legos

Annette, Brooke, Pat and Donna Rae chatting 'round the kitchen table

After pizza, everyone sprawled out to enjoy "Elf" and had some good laughs

Drew with his birthday cookie (Carolina Panther colors) and cousins

The birthday boy with Aunt Annette and Uncle Phil

Ooohhh Connor loves that frosting!

November 26

Happy Thanksgiving! We started the day by all going to 9:00 Mass for my Mom. While the guys took the boys to Cracker Barrel, we girls tackled the kitchen and started preparing some hors d'oeuvres and then other goodies for the Thanksgiving feast. Ryan called late morning and we all got to talk to him - a REAL treat!!! Went to Anne and Patrick's at 1:00 and what a fun, delicious day we had...the cousins all enjoyed each other and some of the big folks enjoyed Texas Hold'em poker and others, played dominoes.

The Thanksgiving table complete with beautiful centerpiece which Ryan sent me.

We girls enjoying a toast with delicious cranberry punch that Annette made

Chef Patrick making the gravy as the bird waits to be carved

Grandma and Grandpa with their 5 grandsons

We certainly give thanks for these little guys!

November 25

We spent a fun morning at the Ropp Dairy Farm with all 5 boys, Michael and Brooke. Michael has been here several times in years past as the Ropps were our boys' 4-H leaders. The grandsons had so much fun with all the animals (llamas, Jersey cows, kitties, and Tom the Turkey). The boys enjoyed seeing how cheese is made, got to sit on the tractor and climbed into the combine. It was a neat learning experience on the farm and we bought some delicious cheese to take home!