Monday, April 27, 2009

Sean's First Communion





I wish I had taken more pictures....we had 34 for lunch and the deck looked so nice but I was too busy drinking beer and eating fried chicken to remember the camera.

Many of you know Sr Carine, who makes up one-half of Sean's Godmother-dynamic-duo (we missed you, Katie!), who almost cried as much as I did during the Mass.

Sean told Fr Jim after Mass "This was the first time I was ever excited about coming to church!!" Nice. Real nice.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

A Lower Level of Baseball

Tommie Carroll called and asked if I would go the Hi School game on Thursday as Chase (Jim's boy) was going to pitch. I met Tom at the game and these are a few of my thoughts. The baseball stadium had a complete makeover and is now equivilent to most Minor League parks as it is beautiful.According to Tom, Chase only throws 80 mph at best and must get his curve over to be effective. We won the game 6 to 4 and are undefeated and 16 and 0 but Chase was not to good as every count went to 3 and 2 and he hit 4 batters (one with the bases loaded). The Opal clan was there including Grandpa and Gma from Arkansas and Rod wanted to be remembered to all. Tom told me that Brad said they are looking at his son, Dane, and that Brad says unless they offer at least a million the boy will take the full acholarship at Mizzou. Dane walked three times and flew out the other. In the top of the sixth, Ofallon loaded the bases with two outs and our pitcher had a 2 ball no strike count on the batter when they called xin Dane to pitch. He retired that kid and all three in the seventh. He throws hard but his best spot is centerfield. Something I thought was rather humerous is that most of the players have a song that is played over the loud speaker prior to their batting. Tom could not stop saying how wonderful the Nilsson kids were and all the help they had provided during his ordeal with his mother. Incidentall, Tom had to leave after 6 innings as Maria had a hair appointmnet and his instructions were to be home at a certain time. Love to All Dad

You Knew This Was Coming!!!


Saturday Afternoon WW2 Battle Re-Enactment





Scott's parents are in town for Sean's First Communion tomorrow so this morning we took them to "World War 2 Weekend" at Jefferson Barracks park. Seeing the three Smith boys describing the weapons and vehicles was a real hoot....they were so excited, I thought to myself "Well, if I had three girls, I would see this same level of excitement if I took them to the new Zac Effron movie. Or maybe Claire's for new earrings."

Instead, we choose weapons. (And history). It was long, hot and LOUD and after the battle we got to go out into the field and pick up shell casings.

In one of the photos, you can see the little boy of one of the re-enactors in the belly of a tank. Sean said "Look at that kid. He is living the dream."

There were loads of veterans there, and I saw several people approach one of them and say "Thank you, Sir. Without men like you, the world would be a very different place today."

I'm really hormonally imbalanced today so of course this made me cry like a baby.

Cards winning, wondering if Ty will post a double shot of the dead bear or if he has something even better planned......? The world awaits......

Friday, April 24, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Thursday Afternoon


So long, Mets! Thanks for the visit!

As if I didn't want to go to Europe BEFORE.....




Check out this video antic from the Central Station in Antwerp.
I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful birthday wishes. Thank you. But now it's time to move on. You have got to go to the Post Dispatch website -- http://www.stltoday.com/ -- and do the Shannoisms Quiz. There are twenty multiple choice fill in the blanks of Mike Shannon at his best in the booth and I laughed out loud at least twenty times. Even the incorrect answers are hilarious. Go there now. Don't wait. It will be worth it.

And now for some political fun. The White House confirmed today that President Barack Obama mistakenly order attacks on the Somali Pirates. He had wanted A TAX on them.

What is the difference between Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez? One is a self-absorbed marxist / facist with no regard for the American Constitution and the other lives in Venezuala.

Good night, Everybody.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM

Mom and I found the cutest picture of little Tommie that we tried and tried to get on the blog but to no avail. He was eating his birthday cake and had it all over his face. What a cute little dude he was. A very happy birthday, Tom


We went to Texas Roadhouse for Hunt's birthday and he wanted their free dessert soooo bad, he sat on the saddle and let them sing to him.

Then, he devoured every last drop of the dessert!

Happy Birthday Bro!

Get on the saddle today for your free dessert

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Happy Birthday, Tom!


After a brief rain during baseball practice last night, we were treated to the most spectacular rainbow I have ever seen. The pictures don't do it justice. You could actually see the end of it, which I didn't think you could do!
Hunt won his first game on opening day 11-3. He was 1 for 3 with a double and two RBI's.
Brutus was returned! We were very concerned about his future health. What a nice dog!
We were all geared up to keep Todd and Christopher found out we can't keep him. Apparently, citizens can only keep foxes if they are purchased. So, someone from the DNR is supposed to come pick him up this week and take him somewhere to be raised. We're bummed because we're getting attached to him, especially Patti.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Night


Okay, so I guess I'm kind of glad I didn't have to google image search the terms "dead bear cub" to counteract the PETA-hate-inducing photos posted here by an older sister who will remain nameless. (Even though we could all hear her giggling from way up in Naperville)

In honor of tonight's rainout, I give you "bear underwater".

Hope everyone has a good week!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Friday, April 17, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A Few Thoughts From Dad

Hello Everybody....Twas good to Have Tom and Ty home for Wilma Carroll's funeral. What a great picture posted of Tom signing books. Mom and I went to the Book Store (Peace of Mind Books) this Afternoon but the owner was not there so we will have to try again. We did leave a book with the thiought of setting up a book signing. It appears that Ty and Patti are setting up a new version of Animal Kingdom. Wow! Julie says Sean back in school today after a bout with ear trouble. I graduated from ReHab yesterday with a page full of exercises and went to a six month checkup with the Urologist today and he don't want to see me for another six months. And, how about Julie's pic of the three boys on Easter. Can you believe how big they have gotten.Sr. Golf League starts tommorrow and that should be interesting.

Todd & Brutus






Christopher found this baby fox the other night on the side of the road and could not find its mama. So, we have taken it in to keep it alive. Taylor named him TODD. He is the cutest little thing, but he barks like a chihahua.







Patti brought BRUTUS home as an Easter gift!! He is about 200 pounds and 5 years old. His family moved to a new house and didn't want him anymore. He is almost twice the size of Hailey!! Here he is with the birthday boy to give you an idea of his size. Brutus is not real healthy and we do not want to get attached to a dog that may not have too much life left.

I am also a proud owner of an autographed copy of book! Thank you Tom



Book Signing!

So here's Tom yesterday signing books at Mom and Dad's!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

A Post Script from Dad

In my previous entry, I failed to note that Julie and Scott were also at the Hentz gala. Sorry about that! Just finished watching Carolina demolish Mich State but Mary and I both agree that the Heels would not have looked nearly that good on the old TV set. We want to thank each of you again for the marvelous gift. Much Love Dad

Some Thoughts from Dad

Mom and I really enjoy the Blog and thought it about time that we contribute a bit. On a sad note, Maria Carroll called to say that Tom's Mom is not doing well and was given the 'last rites' today. On a much happier note, enjoyed Julie's pix of the Hentz party. It was a wonderful affair and great to see and visit with Rob, Kurt, Kate, Rory, Shannon, and Kristen plus, of course, Ra. Others who were there were Bernie, Betty Hentz, Jim and Barb Hentz, Chris and Kathey Hentz, Jan and Glen Jones,and a lot od Ra's friends from Poplar Bluff. Some family news that makes us all very proud is that Ryan has been accepted at Southern Cal to begin work on his Doctorate and Jeff has been accepted at U of Virginia and other Law Schools to begin his quest for a Law Degree. Isn't that wonderful news.All is well on the Home front and we did appreciate Julie's blog of April 2 and we certainly hope that Mom and I don't have a repeat performance of that occasion. Have a good week and remember not to laugh or have any fun on Good Friday and have a Happy Easter.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Hentz Party






Here are some fun photos from the big Hentz party last night in honor of what would have been Deak and Ra's 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was at Kurt's house in STL and it was so fun to see everyone! Do you all recognize all these relatives??

Thursday, April 2, 2009

One year ago today.....

we were all at St.Mary's in the 4th floor family waiting area while Dad had his surgery. Big day. Long day. Emotional day. And successful day!

Hard to imagine that was one year ago....and now Dad's heart is pumping better than ever.

My favorite memory of that day was late at night - we were leaving for the day - and the nurse in the ICU said that if we waited about thirty minutes they were going to take out Dad's ventilator so he could talk. It was about 9pm. Dad squeezed my hand, pointed to Mom and made the hand motion to the door. "You want us to take Mom home, Dad?" BIG nod in response. Even with the ventilator in and all the tubes, Dad was still most worried about Mom. He knew she was tired.

Of course, the next couple of weeks were a blur....but the important thing is that everyone landed on their feet. And as strange as it sounds, and as stressful as that whole time period was....it sure was fun to spend time with everybody.

Next time we all get together, let's have it be a beach in the sunshine! =)

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