Happy Birthday Dean

Where in the dictionary do find:
Exuberance?
Bursting with Joy?
Quivering with Excitement?
Sweet?

All are found with our favorite 3year old - under the name of Dean

a leaf falls

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liness 

Create Date	:	Monday, January 13, 2003

e.e. cummings 


So e.e. never saw our backyard with its thousands of leaves. They make for a joyous fall day in Illinois. Sun-shining, leaves falling, Mackey having already played a great volleyball tournament. Dean and Eden were not lonely.

B - Repair

What is a girl to do?

Most of us have precious possessions which are valued above most all other things and become long term companions. As opposed to the stuff we accumulate that takes up space but can be ignored for months on end and it rarely passes our thoughtful consciousness that it is missing - It is stuff. The precious is missed almost immediately and ongoing.  There are two possessions that fill that vital role early and almost universally - The Nuk and - The Blanket. When the latter falls into disarray frequently it is destroyed or lost depending on the communication code in the family. Eden's blanket, like many, has a name - B; and had fallen in disrepair of late. It is precious - B is not stuff.

What to do with a B that is falling apart - bring it to grandma's for loving care and restoration. Thursday and Friday found Julie and the kids visiting. Few things are more delightful than Dean and Eden running into the house , calling your name, and jumping into your arms for a hug. Such was the case Thursday when they came for a visit. ( as a side note Michael dropped by when the Metra left him short so he joined us for dinner, humble fare for the meal but fun company- Michael didn't run and jump either but he did say hi Tim) Back to the main discussion, the blanket. Julie ran errands and B was repaired - a successful trip for all. Eden was delighted by the restoration project and embraced the new look. We appreciate that they live so close and drop by.

Forgot to take the critical photos but caught the fireman.

A Day in September

Mom and Blair sharing a few hours together


Oh - I desperately hurt my thumb

inside driving

what should go in a storage bucket ... my sister, a few toys, and me

its ok to tip the dad - june is straight on - growing up fast at 5 weeks old

cruisin'

Girl's Camp

We love girl's camp.
What we really love is Julie going to girl's camp.
Ok, what we really, really love is having Eden & Dean (oh yes and Duncan) coming down for the better part of the week to party and play with Grandma in naperville while Julie goes to girl's camp.

They are delightful squirts.

Spring Break??

Schedules are odd this Spring and for multiple reasons we were not able to make a run for it. Nonetheless, for a couple days away from home, and a couple days of extra hands available - we drove Mackey up to Wisconsin Sunday. Ate a great meal, played a few games, chatted it up then left her there and came back home. We were entertained by the residents.

Favorite Visitors

The ocassion was Parker's speaking at church prior to his departure to paraguay. It was a brief but gloroious weekend. The trail is cloudy and oft times difficult but the vistas are incredible and glorious. This weekend was one of the vista views.

Along with Dean & Eden came their parents.

Also visiting my sister Sally and Dale.

and the as good as family, yes we are even kinda related Henstrom's

ONE

The Big # One.

Yes baby dean is now Dean a one year-old. So we all converged on Watertown for the celebration. First there was a great spread of food; then a one-man one-year old birthday cake, then outdoors for a game of bags, the back indoors, where even parker joined us for presents. We so enjoy being able to drop in after church for the afternoon.

Wisconsin Visitors

Its wonderful having Blair and Julie so close that without fanfare they can drop in or a few days to visit. To our delight Julie, Eden and Dean made the trip for a few days. With the snow storm they headed downtown with Rindy for a free day at the Shedd Aquarium. Its was a short but truly sweet visit.

And yes Dean is one handsome baby!!!!!!!!

Great Grandma meet Dean Evan

one of the perks of the weekend was being able to introduce Great Grandma to the newest member of the family: Dean Evan Wilson son of Julie and Blair