Catching up...

So...a slight delay in posts...it's been a little bit crazy around here! After Grandpa's birthday, he kept going downhill. We had to have hospice come to his apartment to keep him comfortable. Grandpa was called to spend eternity with Grandma on September 23rd. Aunt Janet was with him and said that he went peacefully. Unfortunately Mom couldn't be with him...the day before she was planning to go up and stay with Grandpa until the end, but she woke up that morning with terrible pain and Dad took her to the hospital. She found out she had a kidney stone and had to be taken to Des. Moines. The same day he passed, she had surgery. I went home to "nurse" mom that weekend and we celebrated Grandpa's life on Monday the 27th. So...to say the least...we've had a lot going on. I'll try to catch up with just a few of my many pictures!

Mason and Nora...aren't they a cute couple?

Last Friday, we traveled to Maryville for an awards dinner. Dad won the Turret award from Northwest, which is an award given by the alumni association for his service. It was an amazing banquet and we were so proud! He had to give a speech and everything! I am so glad we could go to support him! Mom was not feeling well and could not go, I wish she could have! Dad's college roommate and his wife sat with him, and some other members of the southwest Iowa alumni association surprised him and came also!

Our table

Adam, Matt, Aaron, Amy, Dennis

Following the banquet, we headed back to Kansas City to go to the 10th annual Nascar race at the Kansas Speedway. This year the crowd was a little bit smaller...some of our "regulars" had a family wedding to attend. We definitely missed them, but somehow managed to have a good time!

Matt, Amy, Nicole, Chris

The crew...

While we were at the races, the boys spent their time on the farm. They had a blast...like normal! WE are so lucky to have such amazing grandparents! They even got to combine!

Zane checking the beans to see if they're ready!

Mason watching the beans!
Grandma Beggs, Zane, Keaton

While at the races, I received a call from one of the girls I teach with that she had fallen and broken her ankle. She has to have surgery and can't be at school until at least 10 days after surgery. Apparently this is the worst break you can do to your ankle. She was supposed to have surgery this past week, but they have had to keep putting it off due to the swelling. It is now set for Monday. Please say a prayer for her that everything goes well. She is in so much pain right now and is just ready to begin healing. So...not only has it been busy around home, but also at work!

The kids at Jo's getting ready for Nora's birthday party!

This weekend was the first weekend in a LONG time that we have gotten to stay home! It was so nice!!! Friday Mary and I went out to dinner and a movie, it was a much needed evening out with an amazing friend! Then Saturday I visited my friend, we did some shopping, and then went out for supper that night. Today we worked around the house and got caught up on a few little odds and ends. It's nice to have the time to do these things instead of trying to do them during the week! Zane has really been into making "projects" so he and Matt went to Lowe's and bought a toolbox kit. They built it and so today Mason and Zane were into "working on" his bike!

Mason and Zane working on Zane's bike

Mason's Marvels

• One morning I was getting ready for school and I heard Mason whispering "Seek...seek...seek..." and saw him tip-toeing to the door. Then he looked at me and said, "BOO!" He was sneaking up on me!
• Mason and I read books every night in his rocking chair before bed. Lately he has been bringing 2 books to the chair, and and handing me one. Then he says, "Mama...read!" So we don't just read one book, we each have a book and read our own!
• At night I ask Mason who he loves and he always says "Erika!" first. Erika is Jo's daughter!
• Mason just loves to say "Matt" to his dad now!
• We'll be driving along and Mason will say "Papa at?"
• Mason has been picking up ohones, holding them to his ear, and saying "Hi Papa!"
• Lately when we say something to Mason, he'll say "kay!" Tonight when I put him to bed I said I'd see him in the morning and he said "Kay!"
• When I put Mason down for his nap today, I told him that when he woke up we would play outside. He said, "Outside? Oh...cool!"
• Zane got in trouble the other day and stomped off crying. Mason looked at him and said, "No, Zane. Naughty!"