Dominick's 1st Birthday

Brandon and Tiff had the families over for Dominick's first birthday.  Ignore dates and time on pictures.  I won't have to say this forever, because I eliminated it - but will say it again to avoid confusion.
  
  

 Rowen and Trenton enjoying the appetizer!!

 Ryleigh awaiting the festivities.  She is so kind, patient and unselfish.

 Ryleigh and Rugger.  So sweet.

 Trenton stayed close to the crackers and dip - he knows what he likes.

 Grandpa Denny with the birthday boy.

 Chase - ever serious.

 There's a smile.

 Lao Lao with Dom.

 Opening presents. Tiff has good help from Chase and Andrew.

 Yay - presents!!

 Dekker likes to help, too!

 Angel Baby.

 Maybe too much dip on the shirt - just chuck it, Trenton.

 My own baby boy.

 Chase Monkey.

 Stef and Grandpa Rowe.

 Aunt Roxy - looks like Reise's head.  I am such a pro with the camera.

 There she is - Reisey baby.

 Cake - sans the shirt.  This is not Tiff's first rodeo.

 Such a cute little one year old!!

   

Thanksgiving 2011

We decided years ago to have an "on" year and an "off" year for major holidays.  2011 was an "on" year so Thanksgiving was at our house.  The girls helped with bringing food this year.  We cannot get everyone at one table.  The little ones sat in the kitchen and we eat buffet style.

                                    

 Busy Becky and Tiff managing the kitchen crowd.  Brandon and Mitch filling plates.

 Reise, Ryleigh, Andrew, Rugger, Trenton, Dekker, Rowen (!!), Chase

 Went with the apron this year.  Helpful Mitch.

 Dave, waiting his turn - so polite. :-)  Obviously, I was not manning the camera at this point.

 My baby boy.

 Tiff and Brandon - she did not have to work, a treat for all.

 Yak, Yak - Dave (hehe).  Roxy in background.

 Voila - Chase and his cookies.

 Tiff brought the makings of these cookies.  Too cute.  We also made these years ago when the kids were little.

 Dave and Tucker.

 The babies were put to work on the leaves after lunch.  Nothing like making them work for food.  Little yard worker Dekker here.

 Dominick - pretty excited about it, don't you think?

It's a hoot getting everyone together.  It's loud and exciting.  The little ones have fun making up all sorts of races, games, hide and seek, you name it.  I just love them - always look forward to having them over - any and all, anytime.  My family is the best.

My Dad's Funeral 3-30-2012

My Dad had been ill with Alzheimer's and finally succumbed to renal failure on Sunday night - March 25.  Most plans for his funeral were made a while ago, so my siblings and I made the trip to Bismarck, North Dakota for burial.  Roxy and I rode together.  I put a short obituary in the Omaha, Lincoln, Bismarck and Wilton (NDak) papers.  We had a visitation, and Roxy and I brought things to read - thinking that there was no one left in Bismarck who would be coming to a visitation.  We were wrong.  I have pictures of only those who made it to the funeral.  Kicking myself for not bringing my camera to the visitation.

 This is Shirley (a first cousin to Dad) and Dewey's lady friend.

 Here is Dad with the flag in the casket rather than the drape on top.

 Flowers were beautiful.

 More cousins.  Dad's father was the youngest of 17 children so there are a lot of Monroes running around.  His mother was one of 6 children - the Jiras side came, too.

 Gene Hilken - farmed adjacent to the Monroe farm.

 Michelle Monroe- Jeff's daughter

 Larry Young - cousin on the Jiras side

 Rollie Young - brother to Larry

 My brother Court

 My other brother, Jeff, with Michelle and the minister

 Shirley, Dewey, and friend Garnet.  Garnet is a peach and talked to me a lot!!  

 Cemetery

 Pallbearers

 Color Guard - He was given a 12 gun salute.

 My Grandparents' headstones.  My Dad was buried at their feet.

 All my siblings and me.  Roxy, Court, me, Jeff, and Sandy.

Jeff and Court told some old funny stories about Dad during the funeral.  The man could fix anything and was pretty serious most of the time - which results in major mocking.  He liked to point, literally, with his finger and was not above poking you if he didn't think he had your attention.  He loved, loved MMs and ice cream.  I had a bowl of ice cream when I got back to Omaha in his honor.  Okay, I had eaten hardly a thing all day - but I had it in his honor- that's the truth.