Losing those we love

On Saturday, my Uncle Jim lost his six-year battle with Alzheimers. He was 61.

I don't know what to say or how to say it. So instead I wrote him a letter to say some of the many things I should probably have said long ago.

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Dearest Uncle Jim,

What is there to say when my mind and heart are filled with the knowledge that you have completed your journey here on earth? When I know what a struggle the past six years have been for you and your family following the Alzheimer's diagnosis? What can I say but thank you and I love you.

Thank you for every holiday we ever spent together -- the many Christmases with presents piled high all around, the Easters where as one huge family we shared grandma's lamb with mint jelly, the Thanksgiving celebrations, the weddings, the pool parties. Thank you for every smile, every bit of laughter we shared, and for all your support over the years.


Thank you for being my godfather and for watching over me as I grew up, and for taking the podium to read of God's love for us at our wedding.


Thank you for allowing me to celebrate Thanksgiving with you, Auntie Ro, Nicole and Jeff when you all still lived in NJ and I was in college.

Thank you for being the amazing role model you were. Hard-working, dedicated and incredibly intelligent. You taught me more than you ever knew.

Thank you for bringing my two wonderful cousins into the world, for fathering them with love and for giving us the chance to grow up in a tightly-knit group of 5 cousines. And thank you for bringing Auntie Ro into our family before I was even born -- we are blessed to have her. And thank you for being there for my mom, your sister, over the years, and your three brothers too.


Your presence in this world was a blessing. We shall miss you. We love you.

love,

Your niece Tina

The eternal question

Lucas yesterday on the bus on the way home from school: Mom, if God made us, why do we fart?

Me (trying not to laugh): I think God likes a joke once in a while, honey.

Lucas: Maybe, but then why do we poo? That's not funny at all!

How to melt a mother's heart

Every so often, when you least expect it, something happens that reminds you exactly why you love to be alive.

And why you love to be a mom.

The other day (pre-ski vacation), when I went to wake my little boy, I had exactly such an experience.

I was met by this sight on his door -- focus on the piece of paper hanging on the bottom, under the photo...


It's not usually there.


If, due to the inability of my camera to take close-ups, you can't read it, here's what it says (exactly what it says... no editing here):

To Momy

Your the best mom

I can ever whish for and

you let my get good food

and you and dad make a

perfect life for me. Love Lucas

Conquering the mountain

We are, as you might know, a family that enjoys adventure. We spend as much time as we possibly can exploring the world.


In keeping with this adventure-seeking theme, last week the five of us hopped in the car (after a 12-hour session of packing, mind you -- it takes a lot to get a family of 5 on the road) and drove eight hours to Trysil, which is the largest ski area in Norway, at least according to the website.

We were thrilled that my parents decided to join us, taking off on their own adventure to Oslo and then travelling by bus through the mountains of Norway. Once they arrived at our hotel, we spent 7 wonderful, laughter-filled days together, relaxing, skiing, swimming, snowboarding and eating.

Unfortunately, I have very few pictures of the actual skiing part of the trip. I'll post some soon when I get them from dad. But here you get one of Lucas leading his group in the ski show.

Before we left, our every-so fashion concious Nicholas decided to help us pack. And yes, he put this outfit on himself.

On arrival at a ski resort, you have to rent equipment for those who do not already have it. In this case, Nick needed a pair of ski boots. He couldn't wait to wear them! I'm sure that the lucky family who had the room under ours was thrilled by Nick's daily wanderings in his clunky ski boots on the wooden floor.

The hotel lobby was beautiful and I think my dad enjoyed all of the woodworked furniture. As you can see, the boys know how to relax.

Nicholas, on the other hand, knew exactly where he preferred to be in the hotel -- the ball room. During nearly every meal, he'd push his plate away when he was full and announce "balls!" (no funny comments here, please). Then he'd pick his victim -- the person he expected to take him to the ball room. Sometimes it was Matthew or Lucas, but most often he'd turn his charm and his innocent, pleading, puppy-dog eyes on his Grandma. After that, it was all over, and they'd go traipsing down the hall together to play in the ball room.

We enjoyed some fun meals, including a "raclette" night...

And a fondue night.

The fondue night was held at a restaurant halfway up the mountain. The idea is that you take the last lift of the day up the mountain, ski down to the restaurant for dinner and then, after eating your fill, ski back down to the bottom of the run.

However, as we had two non-skiiers with us, we had to take another, definitely more interesting, route. We rode in a tank-like military vehicle...

...to the restaurant, which was called Knettsetra. The tank was crowded and noisy, but fun. Mom, especially, was having a great time!

Regardless, in my opinion, that was the best meal of the trip.

The boys also enjoyed the pool -- here Nick and Steen are all set to head down there.

And we enjoyed a round of bowling (notice that Nicholas only has 1 pin left in the first picture!).

And we had an early birthday celebration for my amazing dad.

We all had a terrific time. For me, there is nothing better than a vacation with the people I love.

Bonus shots of our oh-so-handsome Lucas and a photo I love of Nick and mom