New Christmas Ornaments

Earlier I mentioned that Bob and I buy Christmas ornaments when we vacation or visit a place that we really enjoyed. Well, this year we received some ornaments as a gift from Ryan, they will be a welcome addition to our tree in coming years. Thanks Ryan!

New Christmas Sweaters

We got new Christmas Sweaters from ND !

My Mom (Sybella), started a tradition years ago and she would buy all of us girls the same sweater but in different colors and same for the boys - same shirt/sweater, different color. The tradition has been that on Christmas Day, each of us that meet up for the holiday all wear our new sweaters - and let me tell you, it makes for a great annual photo! Cindy has kept the tradition alive since Mom is no longer with us. Bless her heart - it's not an easy task with so many of us! Thanks Cinsia :)

The blizzard this year put a damper on all of that..... The Larry's Rahrich's and the Hougen's had planned to drive up to ND to celebrate Christmas with Dad and Cindy along with everyone up there. No travel this year, it's been quite frustrating for Christmas celebraters :(

So, no group picture - but, here are pics of our new sweaters. Thanks Cindy!!

Happiness Is.....

Happiness after a blizzard is a path to the hot tub :)

Let it snow, Let it snow

Sara called tonight to tell us how nice the weather is in Bismarck right now..... :) Well, I thought I'd try to show her how it is here! Let it snow , let it snow. We have about 1 1/2 feet of snow right now - thanks Sara and Tom for thinking of us!

Christmas Cards

This makes the few hours of writing out Christmas cards so very worth it. One of the top things I enjoy is receiving cards from friends and family at this time of year. It's so fun to hear from everyone, and a bonus is if they send a picture :) Happy Holidays to everyone - hope 2007 is a real great year for you! Love, Bob and Donna

Week Number Six

The sixth week is finally here! Bob is scheduled to have his neck brace removed on Thursday of this week, it's been a long time coming for him.

Congratulations Bob! I love you.

Will Work for Wine

Today at work it was announced that the company I work for was SOLD to our #1 COMPETITOR. What news, huh! I've never been laid off before, but looks like that is my future for certain. Lots to think about.......

Week Number Five

We're getting there! Today is 5 weeks post surgery for Bob. Unfortunately, I can't say that the time is going by so fast - I think Bob will tell you it's been the longest weeks of his life. But, on a bright note - one more week. He is scheduled to remove the neck brace a week from Thursday - it can't come fast enough. I think we may enjoy some drinks that evening :)

Stay strong Bob - almost there! I love you.

Love Lost

A friend of ours lost her husband, today we attended the funeral. I didn't know him that well but Robin is a gem, and I can say one thing - she lost her love. I hope that I never have to live through that. Bob, I love you.

Jolly old St. Nicholas

We have what some will call 'retro' decorations for Christmas. I think it was the first year that Bob and I lived in our home for Christmas and I found this Santa. I still love him on our front porch, and he will never be replaced.

Jolly old St. Nicholas, lean your ear this way..........

Oh Holy Night

Our house has multiple levels, so we have the live tree in our family room and we also have this tree forest in our 'formal' living room. We used to have a second decorated tree, but found the forest last year - we love it! Note, our nativity scene also - I add on it each year. Happy Christmas :)

Oh Christmast Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This is the tree that we have in our family room to enjoy. When Bob and I married (8 years ago), we started a tradition of buying Christmas ornaments when we traveled or just visited a real neat place. These ornaments, along with any that we both already had decorate our tree. It is so fun decorating and just admiring the tree when we're finished as it's filled with so many memories.

Week Number Four

Today marks the 4th week since Bob's surgery. He has two weeks to go until he can remove the neck brace - I know it is so constricting and uncomfortable for him. He's a good patient though, following all of his doctors orders. He's amazing, actually!

Stay strong Bob - I love you!

Ryan loves Mom

I think it's safe to say that Ryan loves his Mom! Jamie spends her days taking care of Ryan and she's doing a great job - he knows all of his colors and is counting too - he can probably count higher than I can by now!

Son and Grandson

Do I need to write anything? What a great picture huh! This is Aaron and Ryan - when the two are together, you will see them just like this. Ryan loves sitting on Dad's shoulders. Neat. They are very close.

Snow Angel

The other night Bob and I were in the hot tub. Outside, the temperature was about 14 - in the hot tub approximately 104. It was snowing, and, well, if you own a hot tub you have to make a snow angel at least once in your life. This was my night. I took pictures because when I was finished and I looked at it - I thought to myself, "Self, that is one nice snow angel".

Week Number Three

Well, today marks the third week since Bob's surgery - time is moving on! He also had a followup visit today with the surgeon, and they said that Bob is doing fantastic. I'm thrilled - they lifted the hot tub restriction, and I think that will help Bob get through this a bit easier as it's something enjoyable that he can do. They feel pretty god about Bob getting the collar off on the 21st of December. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for that.

Stay strong Bob - I love you.

Happy Anniversary to Bob and Donna

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary :) I think I can say for both of us, we really enjoy our marriage! It's the best decision I've ever made.

Cute or what??? This is our nephew Chris - he has an identical twin, Richard, so basically there are two of them! Richard didn't make it for the holiday, so I will post some pics of him next time I see him. GREAT guys - I got to grow up with them, so they will always be very special to me :) 

Meet Melissa, she is Chris and Larry's youngest daughter. She is a beauty - and a great softball player to boot! 

Meet another sister of mine Barb, my niece Sara and her husband
Tom (I guess that makes him my nephew - and what a good one to inherit). Sara and Tom drove out here from Bismarck, ND for Thanksgiving and we all enjoyed their visit. They are great fun, and both are doing well. Sara is back in school and I think she is literally working her butt off, as she is smaller every time I see her. She's healthy though, no worries. Note Tom in the picture - we were playing dominoes and Tom is looking a bit protective :)

Karen and Luke are expecting their first baby end of March - we're all excited, and just learned that our new family member will be a little boy. They are still deciding on a name - any name will be perfect. Doesn't Karen look great! 

Here is my favorite girl named Amy. Doesn't she just look like your typical college girl? I think she lives a pretty good life, I hope so anyway! Amy is amazing, she has accomplished so much already :)

Here are the twins again! Shown are front is Karyn (the amazing Mom), behind Karyn is Allen (my brother and Dad), my Sister Kate is holding Adam (he looks like a Rahrich), and I'm holding Jason (you can't deny who his Mom is!). 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

Bob and I are fortunate, we both have family here. We had a great Thanksgiving, and the entire weekend has been so much fun. Thanks Deb and Mark for our great Thanksgiving Day! Thanks to Sara and Tom for driving here from Bismarck. Thanks to Karyn for bringing her beautiful babies and thanks to Allen for traveling here from Portland. And, thanks to all of our wonderful family - pictures to come, I have lots to share - it will be a large photo parade, we have a huge family base! Here is a quick photo from Thanksgiving weekend of my brother Larry and one of his beautiful daughters, Mary (I must take some credit, she is my niece!). More photos to come.

Youngest Family Members

I've been talking a lot of my Dad, but let's not forget the newest members of the family! Look at these guys - can you get any more cute? :) Meet Jason and Adam, Karyn (Mom) is holding them. I'll try and get more pictures of them this weekend, they are visiting for Thanksgiving!

Dad loves fishing

Bob's sister, Deb, lives next door to an amazing artist that we hired to paint a portrait of my Dad.
http://www.juliemalfitano.com/
Here is the picture we've chosen. I'll post the painting when she is finished.

My Dad's passion was fishing. I think all of my siblings (3 brothers, 3 sisters!) will remember our Sunday afternoons growing up - fishing, pretty much each and every weekend. As we all grew up and moved away, Dad still went fishing - with or without Sybella (my Mom) More about Mom later, I don't have many pictures of her unfortunately, but I'll find some. I don't think it was really all that important to Dad whether or not he caught any fish - it was more the nature of it.

Week Number Two

Today marks the completion of week 2 since Bob's surgery. As fast as it seems these 2 weeks have passed, he has 4 more weeks to go. I hope it goes fast for him. This is a busy week as it's Thanksgiving, and lots going on. Bob's first followup appointment is November 28th - our 8 year wedding anniversary! I'm sure it will be a good day - happy anniversary and good news from his doctor on his recovery.

Stay strong Bob! I love you :)

Go Broncos!

Bob is going to the Bronco game tonight with his friend Sal. Sal is a good buddy for Bob -remember, Bob is still wearing a cervical collar from his surgery. His main risk of injury would be falling, and stairs make that risk high as he can't look down. It will be Sal's job today to get the beers :)

Go Broncos!

Greed

Here is a definition of Greed from wikipedia:
Greed is called a selfish desire to obtain money, wealth, material possessions or any other entity than one legitimately needs. Greed is listed as one of the Catholic seven deadly sins, usually by the synonym of avarice.

I've always been so offended of greedy people. Greed is like a poison and can ruin relationships and tear families apart. Bob experienced greed when he had a business partner, it ruined the business relationship and friendship between 2 people.

Why are some people willing to compromise friendship, family, relationships over money?

Dad

I'd like you to meet my Dad.

There are 2 men in my life that I truly love and trust - Bob and my Dad. This is a very tender and emotional time in my life right now with Dad, he is 89 and spiraling downward further into dementia. My family is being forced into some difficult decisions - it's becoming time that he will move into a care home pretty soon. But, 89! What an accomplishment! He is one of the strongest people I know. More about him later, but, isn't he cute!

Week Number One

Week #1 - that's important.

Bob had an anterior spinal fusion a week ago today - WOW. What an experience. I will tell more later, as I want to focus right now on the positive -- AND, how very positive! Bob will wear a cervical collar for 5 more weeks, thus the reason we're counting the weeks. Every day is an exciting recovery process. He is amazing! The challenge Bob faces the duration of the next 5 weeks is wearing his collar 24/7. He doesn't sleep much these days - but, he's a great patient!

We're counting down the weeks - in a positive manner! I hate to wish away time, but I'm not wishing it away - just counting down with Bob :)

You're Blogging Me

How funny! I just asked Bob if there is anything he wanted to post to the blog.... we have an on-going joke between us, real simple - we always say to each other "you're bugging me". So, Bob wants to blog "you're blogging me".

Fun, huh!

Initial Blog Post

This is the initial post to our Blog - how exciting! Hello World!