Maddie's award

All of the first graders at Maddie's school (and a few other schools in town) were asked to draw a picture of Abraham Lincoln. They could choose to do a pencil drawing or color it in. Their pictures were posted at a bank, where the employees of the bank chose the best drawings. And to our surprise, Maddie's picture won first place.

Her teacher emailed me and told us to be at the awards assembly last Friday. She had kept it a secret from Maddie, but let us know so I could bring my camera. It was very exciting for Maddie because she got to go up in front of the whole school to receive her award. And for winning first place, she got a $50 savings bond from the bank. Now that's a good prize for winning!

This is Maddie's principal giving Maddie her picture and award.


Maddie with the 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Maddie and her principal.

Maddie's pencil drawing.

Ketchup

We were at Braums last night. I was busy cutting hamburgers in two and dividing up french fries. We get all settled and Becca says, "where is my ketchup?" I looked around because I know she had one of those little cups with ketchup in it.

Then I look at Rylan. She's in her highchair, with her head bent down (surely so we couldn't see what she was doing) sucking the ketchup right out of the little white paper container. She had squeezed it so it was coming out and boy was she licking it up as fast as she could. I got it away from her with only minor ketchup stains on my shirt and hers. She had the perfect little ketchup mustache and was smiling so big. It's times like these that I wish I kept a disposable camera in my diaper bag. It was hilarious. The girls couldn't stop laughing.

So we now know that Rylan can reach things on the table and she's not afraid to go after something she wants!

Ray

On Saturday, January 31, my father-in-law, Ray, passed away. He was 84 at the time. We just want to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, cards, plants, flowers and food. We are so truly blessed to have so many people near us that care so much. Thank you.

Ray was an amazing man who was extremely proud of his family. He loved everyone so much. He was prouder of his kids' and grandkids' achievements than his own. This is amazing to me because his own father was a jerk. So much so that Ray left home at 15.

He had a tough upbringing. He basically raised his younger sister, Hazel. Ray only had an 8th grade education, but was one of the smartest people I have met. He was extremely well read and "educated" on so many subjects.

Ray welcomed me into his family immediately. He was extremely loving to everyone. You hardly heard him say a bad thing about anyone. He loved our girls immensely and I am so glad he got to meet all 3 of them. Rylan was only around him twice, but we have a ton of pictures to show her some day.

Russ loved and admired his dad as much as anyone could. He looked up to him for his kindness, his intelligence and his love. Even though Russ was a late in life baby (his 4 siblings are 18-22 years older than him) Ray told me he got so much enjoyment out of going to Russ' games and raising such a good kid. In fact, at Christmas when we were home, Ray and I were sitting in the car when Russ ran into a store and Ray told me how proud he was of Russ. He said he knew he hadn't said it much, but he couldn't be any prouder of him for who he is and what he has done with his life. I thanked Ray for raising such an amazing man.

Ray was a Christian, so I know we'll see him again someday. Until then, I know he'll be having a good time on the beautiful golf courses in Heaven. :)

The girls loved it when Grandpa drove them around the farm on his golf cart.

Ray was always so good to play cards or read to the girls.

One of Maddie's favorite things to do with Grandpa was to read the comics.

Ray and Inez with our girls and 4 of their 7 great-grandchildren.