My Sweet Girls

My Mona Lisa

My Little Pink Parfait

Best Buds

Ready for school

A demure moment

I'm ready for my big day

When did she get so grown-up?

Daddy walks Jules into school. Ah, the beauty of a four-day work week!

These pics were from last week. I just didn't get them up. This fall our big girl has started a mother's day out program. She goes once a week for a few hours. She LOVES it! I am so happy for her, too. The first day was a little hard for me to say good-bye. But, Chad and I both agree that this is a good...maybe even great step for her (and us) to take. It's the perfect amount of time for everyone.

Families can fellowship even through sad times

Me, Mike & Jacks after a tearful service and long reception line.

The Fellowship Hall was a perfect place for the reception for a couple of reasons. One being that Julianna could play with all the after school toys and chalkboard!

Jacks & Jules

Barrie, Jules & John work an ABC puzzle.

Ava & Uncle John

Kari, Kirsten, Gramma J, Jackie & I

Silly Photos with Gramma J

We were having fun until Jackie yelled in my ear. : )

Don't worry. I got her back.

What can I say. Late nights make us delirious.

Fun with Uncle Mike!

Jackie was going for the "I Dream of Jeanie" look.

Barrie & Ava poolside

Ava sings, "...he was the boogie woogie bugle boy from company b..."

I love my family. And I think I love them even more after last week. Everyone really came together to support one another and we just had a really nice time together, too. After the service we all went back to Gramma's house, changed, put the girls down for naps, and sat in the tv room talking. At first it was just my immediate family. So, we took that time to give mom and dad their 60th birthday present. With granddad's condition we weren't able to get together as we had planned. Yet, as things do...it worked out most perfectly in the end. Mike, Jackie & I had made a photo slide show for mom and dad. Of course, they LOVED it! I think we watched it five or six times back to back (and it's ten minutes long!). : ) After a tearful morning...it was the perfect way to celebrate our family.

Our Cooking Blog

I've decided to create a cooking blog! I'm hoping that it will encourage myself and others to tackle the world of food allergy and food intolerance. Tallyho!

http://www.mamamortonos.blogspot.com

In Memory of My Grandfather, HBJ

Grandad at Wrigley Field, circa 1946

Grandad, Grandma, Dad (front left), Dicky & John

Newly enlisted and heading to WWII with the 21st Regiment

of the 101st Airborne Division. HBJ was a paratrooper.

My Grandmother also enlisted. She joined the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). My grandfather and she met and fell in love in Italy during WWII.

Framed memories on my grandparents' wall.

An oil painting by my grandfather. It hung over the chair where he always read his newspaper.

My most lovely dollhouse hand-made by grandad.

Walking through my grandfather's backyard workshop this weekend I found this paint sample card posted up on the cork board. It's what he used to choose the colors for the dollhouse he made me 25 years ago.

Portuguese Sonnet & Pine Grove ... the sentiment brings a tear to my eye.

On August 30, 2007 with his family at his side, my grandfather passed away. Only a week prior, Chad, the girls, and I drove down to visit my grandparents and Dicky. I was anxious to see them since it had been so long since Christmas. I wanted them to see how the girls had grown, enjoy a good meal, go to Sunday services, and simply enjoy their company. We got to do all of those things. Grandad grilled steaks for us, we went swimming, we told stories, he held the girls, and sang songs to them. After dessert and tv we all turned in for the evening. Early the next morning he had his first stroke. How thankful I am that we were able to share those last days with him! That we were able to support my grandmother. That I was able to hold his hand and tell him how dearly I loved him.

We had his memorial service last week. It was wonderful. My dad, Uncle John, Jackie, Mike & I spoke. I wanted to share those words with you. To let you know what a wonderful man he was and that I might further honor him.

Memorial Service September 13, 2007

Over the past few years my husband has developed a phrase that he reserves for stand-alone, top-notch, and one-of-a-kind performances. At that point he turns to me and says, “Now That’s Great America.” Truly, my grandfather was a great American who helped, in his own way, to make America great. His life story could only be called amazing…from an orphanage, to a world war, to a major league baseball team… But, I can’t talk about those things because I don’t know much more than some dates, and team names, and random facts. However, what I do know about my grandfather is this:

· He taught me how to play gin rummy over a bowl of ice cream in the tv room…

· He loved my mom’s thanksgiving meal but mostly the apple pie with ice cream.

· He could make beautiful yellow dollhouses with white trim, green shutters, carpeted rooms, electricity, and a picture of us cut out and framed on the little wall…one day my daughters will play with that dollhouse.

What I know about my grandfather is:

· When I was only a few years old he indulged me in singing “Pop Goes the Weasel” as many times as I delighted.

· He and Grandma and Dicky drove to visit us no matter how far we were.

· In third grade, he patiently allowed me to apply all 8 steps of the Mary Kay Skin cleansing system to his face. This even included a sticky green mask that must sit on one’s face for a minimum of ten minutes.

What I know about my grandfather is:

· In his upholstery shop I learned how to make buttons, drive a nail, and inflate a raft using the air compressor.

· I learned to swim in his pool.

· To give with a generous spirit.

· To stand for something and hold fierce to your beliefs.

What I know about my grandfather is:

· He knew how to “chew the fat” on a front lawn in South Carolina while throwing back some boiled peanuts.

· He taught me the word “Pester”…because that’s pretty much what I did when I was waiting for him to finish reading his newspaper.

· He and my dad and Uncle John would sit in the corner after a holiday meal telling jokes and stories laughing until they were all in tears.

What I know about my grandfather is:

· That I not only inherited a last name…but a legacy.

· That he believed in Jesus, in the Church, and in Christian education.

· That he dearly loved my grandmother.

· That he was very proud of and loved my dad, my Uncle John, and Uncle Dicky.

· My daughters.

· His family.

· And that he loved me.

So many of my childhood memories are intertwined with my grandfather. I can still remember seeing his gold van pull into the driveway and how excited I would be running to hug his neck. He invested in my life and is worthy of my admiration and applause.

When I remember him with love…I will always look back, smile, and say to myself...

“Now, That’s Great America.”

Down on the Riverbank

Daddy and Jules heading for the riverwalk.

Just a gorgeous day!

Grandpa and Ava

Grandma and Ava

Chad and Ron

Should I stay or should I go?

Go.

A day before I got back from TX with the girls, Ron and Cindly flew in for a visit. The girls coninued to soak up all the attention given. Since they won't be close for their birthdays this year, the grandparents did some early birthday present shopping. Chad and I came home from a round of golf to find a room full of new pink playthings. The girls have been riding, pushing, pulling, dancing, openandclosing... all week long. Julianna's favorite is her new tricyle and Ava's favorite is a school bus filled with Little People (pictures to follow). Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! Grandma and Grandpa also arrived just in time to see Ava's new fangs. Yup. She's got two little fangs. And, if I'm not mistaken, she's about to push in two top middle teeth, too!

Texas Two-Steppin'

Homemade tent by Aunt Jackie

My Aunt Jackie is so funny and sillwee and I have so berry much fun wis her!

That's just about the cutest grin ever! She's so proud of her newly honed crawling skills! The kid is every where these days. Look out folks!

Duck Park

Sweetheart on a swing

One of Julianna's "characters." She drew this little guy and explained where the head, eyes, mouth, and feet were. So cute.

Ava, meet Ava.

Building the train with Uncle Mike.

While Julianna is occupied I'll just try to swipe the caboose.

Well, if the mountain won't come to Ava...Ava will come to the mountain.

Sharing. It's a tough concept.

We had an awesome trip to Texas. We spent a week visiting with Mike and Mormor. The girls soaked up the sun at the pool and park. I went to a Kundalini yoga class with Mike. (My abs are still sore.) We made a trek to Ikea. I love that store. Mormor got the cutest dragon, frog, and train set for the girls. Then, Jackie and Jason came into town. We played tennis one evening. WHAT FUN! I haven't played for years! J & J made an excellent vegetarian dinner for us: bruschetta, pan-friend polenta with mushroom alfredo, corn on the cob, and a tossed salad. Yum! We played lots of "tag and chase", went to the duck park, and traded shoulder massages every night! Heavenly. My dad had to go out of town unexpectedly. So, we were sad about that (post to follow soon). But, we were happy to spend the first two days with him and look forward to seeing him next week.