Goodbye to Great-Grandpa Bauer

Great-Grandpa Bauer passed away last week. His health had been failing for this past year, and we were fortunate to be able to visit him on Father's Day this summer for a family picnic in Lombard, IL. Here he is holding Sylvia and giving me that wry grandfatherly smile saying "Look what you've gotten yourself into!" - he should know having raised 4 kids of his own! He was always such a loving grandfather - making wonderful handmade wooden creations for gifts in his retired years, always quick to fix anything broken, and there to give a hug whenever you needed one. I will miss him - and will tell Sylvia stories of her great-granddaddy when she gets older....

Saying farewell to Grandma Kay

When we visited Illinois this summer, Christie and I decided to bury the rest of mom's ashes in the memorial garden of the First Congregational Church in St. Charles. Last September we spread some of her ashes under the Newport Bridge during a very memorable trip back to Rhode Island, and we saved some to bury at the church closer to home. If you look closely in this photo, there is a stone we picked up in Newport on the beach which has her name carved into it and is placed in the fountain. The ceremony was simple, and attended by the retired pastor Mr Nagy, who was the pastor when we attended as children, as well as his wife and some other church friends. Christie and I both felt that bringing our daughters to the ceremony completed the circle of life. How mom would have loved being a grandmother to these two girls. I miss her always.....

The Grand-Dads et al

Sylvia's Paternal Grandfather and Family (top picture)

Grandpa Les, Grandma Nancy, Sandy and Barry came out at the beginning of August for their first visit with Baby Sylvia.

- from left: Grandma Nancy, Grandpa Les, Momma (with Sylvia), Daddy, Aunt Sandy and her fiance Barry

Sylvia's Maternal Grandfather and Family (bottom picture)

We went to Illinois to visit Great Grandpa Don for fathers day and on the other side of Kim's family, Great Grandma Dorothy for her 90th birthday (not pictured).

- from left: Great Grandpa Don, Great Grandma Sally, Grandpa Ross, Nancy (Brian's Girlfriend) then Uncle Brian himself, Aunt Joetta (with Sylvia), Daddy, Momma, Cousin Jordan, Aunt Christie with Uncle Gavin behind.

Wrapping Paper Interpretive Dance