Pope Pages

Man. I'm really getting bad at keeping up the blog! Here's a quick rundown from November -

On the first Saturday of the month we belatedly celebrated Wes' 61st birthday at our house. It was a beautifully warm day, so we grilled out. We really had a lovely time - contrary to what this photo shows! The next day was even more gorgeous, so Dennis, Addie and I took a long walk down the bike trail in Lincoln after having a picnic lunch.

The next weekend Dennis and his dad installed a brand new back door. It's amazing the technological advances that have been made in the door since 1929! That night we enjoyed a wonderful meal at our friend's Jill and Joaquin's apartment. As soon as we got there Dennis asked to turn on the TV. He had to catch the end of the Husker game. Joaquin tried to act interested, but the draw of American football still alludes him. Dennis asked him about soccer, and Jill rolled her eyes and said "Oh, boy," and Joaquin proceeded to launch into a passionate description of the sport and his home team in Seville. It was a display any Husker fan could relate to. Jill and I remain mystified. : )

On the weekend of the 17th we took the short road trip to Kansas City to visit Anita and her family. It is so wonderful to be able to pop in the car and drive down to see her! We were able to spend some quality time together while the guys took the kids to the zoo. We went to the movie "Shut Up and Sing", which was an amazing film about what happened to the Dixie Chicks after their lead singer made a critical comment about President Bush. Makes you wonder just how free our speech here in the USA really is.

Thanksgiving was celebrated back in Cozad with all of my family. It was so good to all be together again. John and the boys and us arrived first on Wednesday, then Chris and Melissa and Lara and Duane on Thursday. David and Anna arrived last on Friday night. It was the first time we had all been together since Ellen's funeral. Granny and Granddad "camped" every night out in the camper with the boys, which they just loved (the boys, that is!). We also all got to see the newly remodeled kitchen and family room. It is just beautiful.

Thanksgiving day was a beautiful warm day. Aunt Myrna hosted, and the kids had a blast on their trampolene and huge swing set. And I think the adults were pretty relieved that all the kids could play outside! : ) After the meal a group of us took a walk down to the lake, and the guys played a 9 hole game of frisbee golf.

That Friday was spent hanging out at the house. Emily and Crystal went shopping, but the rest of us just relaxed, watched the Huskers, and even played a bit of touch football. Daddy was impressed with Dennis' creative play calls. I think the "fake you're hurt" and the "square dance" plays will become family folk lore. And after Chris went down - agian! - after one of my "tackels" we all agree that he should be forever banned from playing football at any family function. I'm happy to report that Dennis was nowhere near him in this incedent.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we celebrated mamo and papo's 90th birthdays with an open house at Aunt Myrna's. All of daddy's brothers and sisters and most of their kids made it back for this celebration, so to say there was a housefull at Aunt Myrnas is an understatement! It was amazing to see this impressive throng gather around the two people from where we all originated. It was such a blessing. Dad had written a "book" of mamo and papo's lives together and then I put it together. We handed it out at the party for everyone to look through. It was so interesting to learn more about their lives as children and when they had first met. I hope Dennis and I can be so blessed after 67 years of marriage.

On Sunday John and the boys and us headed back home to be with mom who had just returned back from Texas. We hit some icy roads and only got as far as Hastings. We finally made it back to our place on Monday where we visited the childrens museum and watched "Cars".

John and the boys headed back to Mississippi on Wednesday morning. It was so good of him to make that harrowing journey with the boys. I know it wasn't an easy trip on many levels, but that he was willing to make such an effort to be an active part of Ellen's family is beyond meaningful. He'll never know what it means to us. And Chris and Melissa! They drove for 2 solid days each way with 4 kids in their mini van. They all make such an effort to come to Nebraska at least once a year. That's such a generous sacrifice for them to make.

We are so thankful for our family and their willingness to get together for the day to day stuff - like putting in a back door - and the monumental stuff - like celebrating 90 years of life. It's easy to find many things to be thankful for.