First Dance Performance

In early January the girls had their first Irish dance performance of the year.  It only picks up from here....preparation for Saint Patrick day dancing is already underway!

Here is Eileen, just before her performance....

Remember This Little Guy?

 Well, he's a little bigger now....

Eileen has a science project for her Natural Science course this year, which is what prompted us to get Cinnamon to begin with.   Her science project is well under way.  The goal of the project is to determine if certain types of music effect the brain of a guinea pig, and therefore the organization or disorganization of his movements through a maze.  So, does rocking out to heavy metal help or hinder Cinnamon's organization through a maze?  Eileen has a hunch, but the final results are not yet determined. At this point, Cinnamon is in the middle of the second part of the experiment -  listening to Mozart, and other classical music, 24/7, to see if there is a difference. This is how Cinnamon looked after a week of rockin' out.....She survived.

We will also be sure to report any slick dance moves Cinnamon develops :)

The Down Side of Down Syndrome

I'm going to link to a friend's blogs who wrote a recent post about a little girl, Lois, who is now in her heavenly home.

Jennie says it perfectly and I couldn't agree more with her.  This post is certainly the "down" part of Ds for me, the part that parents keep tucked away in the back of their minds, hoping they never have to bring it into their real lifes.  Leukemia.  While kids with Ds have an incredibly low rate of cancer in general, our kids do have a higher rate of leukemia.  Please pray for Lois' family!  She is a sweetheart who touched the lives of many, but my heart goes out to her family.

Click here to go to Jennie's blog, A Little Something Extra

Watching Dad go to Work

This is the scene we see each morning when Mike goes to work. The little munchkins give him their kisses when he leaves, then they run to the window to watch his car drive away...

They don't stop blowing their kisses until his car turns the corner.  Here, Seamus is saying, "mmmmuuuaaaaah"

 

 

Good Times...

Some dear friends of ours, the Kotnour Clan, recently moved a little ways away from us.  We are sooo sad to see them go!  We were lucky enough to have them back for a visit just a short time after they moved. Our girls have been their babysitters for a few years now; these kids are almost like siblings to my girls.  Oh, how we'll miss them!

Here's our little God-daughter, Katharine.

And Princess Maria...

And the youngest, Nicholas...

There are no pictures of the boys, Timmy and Mark, because they spent most of their visit in Legoland (Aidan's bedroom), and the camera didn't make it up there.


Bye-bye Kotnours.  Come back again soon!!!

So, What's New With Seamus?

Well now, with another month under his belt, he certainly has some new skills...


He can now figure out a way to reach the water on the refrigerator.  One. way. or. another.  He figures it out.

He can also blow his nose, all by himself.

And another skill that comes to mind involves our Keurig coffee maker.  Sorry, I don't have any visual images of him practicing this skill, but he really has quite the love affair with the thing!  First, he pushes a stool over to the counter (if it is not already there), climbs up onto the counter, opens the lid to the Keurig and takes out the used K-cup.  He opens the K-cup by sticking his little finger into the hole that is already there and digs out the coffee grounds.  He EATS most of the grounds, but in the process, he manages to make quite a mess with the grounds that fall out of his mouth.  Thankfully, we have plenty of other people in this house, so someone catches on to his shenanigans pretty quickly.  One thing is for certain, this child does NOT need the caffeine that comes from the coffee grounds.  Nope, not at all.  He has plenty of spunk and energy built right in.  Now me, on the other hand, I need the caffeine....to keep up with this little charmer!



He looks so innocent, doesn't he?!

Eternal Rest

In the past two weeks, we said good-bye to two very special uncles - Jim Delaney, Mike's uncle on his dad's side, and Patrick Dillon, Mike's uncle on his mom's side.  We will miss them both very much.  Please say a prayer for them both and for their families.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Patrick Dillon

Patrick Edward Dillon (“Pat”) entered eternal life peacefully on Tuesday January 25, 2011 at the age of 62 in the comfort of family and friends at the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Pat was a devoted father of two daughters, Lindsay Haag Dillon and Kelley Christina Dillon; his love and passion for them was second to none. Whether it was soccer games or practices, cross country or swim meets, school events or trips, Pat was always there for his daughters as an unfailing source of encouragement and inspiration.

Pat was born February 21, 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Robert J. and Florence M. Dillon. While Pat was the third born of seven children, he was the unquestioned leader of the family from day one and served as a powerful “connector” capable of bringing siblings, cousins, and next of kin together consistently throughout his life. Pat led by example and was someone that all of his siblings, nieces and nephews could go to for help or advice regarding career choices and/or life changing events. Pat's leadership was not limited to his immediate family, however. At a very early age, Pat demonstrated unique and instinctive leadership qualities as an organizer, assembler of talent, and coach of very successful basketball and baseball teams. As in his personal and professional life soon to follow, Pat was at his best when times were toughest. Pat’s determination and passion led others to follow him as he seemingly willed desired outcomes to come to pass. These skills acquired at an early stage in life served Pat well as he launched a successful business career.
After graduating from Hartford Union High School in 1966, Pat moved on to Purdue University where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. While at Purdue, Pat enrolled in the Navy ROTC Program and would later enlist as an officer in the US Navy. Pat was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served as a Lieutenant on a mine sweeper. After fulfilling his military duties, Pat moved to Philadelphia where he earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. Upon graduation from Wharton, Pat returned to the Midwest and began a successful business career at Motorola in Chicago. Pat took on increasingly more impactful roles in marketing and strategy at Motorola as he became a well-respected “straight shooter.” His time with Motorola included a three and one-half year stint in Hong Kong where he was Director of Marketing for the Cellular Infrastructure Group – Asia.
Though Pat’s professional development had accelerated, he and his family were able to spend memorable holidays in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. Eventually, Pat and his family settled in Madison, Wisconsin in 2001 as he became the President and owner of Portage-based Communications Service, Inc. Leveraging his education from Wharton and experience with Motorola, Pat was able to grow Communications Service into one of the largest suppliers of public safety wireless radios and systems in Wisconsin, with offices in Portage, La Crosse and Madison. Pat’s commitment to his business never wavered and his colleagues at the company were like a second family to him.
While Pat lived a fulfilling and rewarding life, his greatest love and admiration was for his daughters, Lindsay and Kelley. Pat fought his lung cancer battle with total resolve to beat it 100% from the time of his diagnosis in April of 2010. Pat has been an inspiration to his family his whole life, but never more so than during these last nine months.
Pat is survived by his two loving daughters, Lindsay and Kelley Dillon; six brothers and sisters, Nan (Thomas) Delaney of Madison, WI, James (Judy) Dillon of Grafton, WI, Thomas R. (Billie) Dillon of Mequon, WI, Joan (Pat) Rohrer of Appleton, WI, Michael (Jan) Dillon of Rochester, MI, and Timothy Dillon of Chicago, IL; and 21 nieces and nephews in addition to 17 great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert J. and Florence M. Dillon of Brookfield, WI, his nephew Andrew Delaney of Madison, WI, and his great niece Camille Delaney of Steubenville, OH.
On behalf of Pat, the Dillon family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and the incomparable Dr. Jim Cleary, Dr. Toby Campbell, and their respective staffs. Additionally, a special thanks goes out to Dr. Brian Murphy and his staff at the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, WI. Last, and certainly not least, the Dillon family simply cannot overstate the impact that Patty Adolphs, a close personal friend of Pat’s, made on the quality of Pat’s life. We are thankful for the unparalleled quality of people that came to Pat’s aid when he needed it the most. While we have lost our “lead dog,” we do so with tremendous reverence for our brother Pat and the incredible life he shared with all of us.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison with Father Eric Nielsen officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 at Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home, 5701 Odana Road, Madison, and again from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass Monday at the church. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon where Pat will be laid to rest alongside his father Robert and mother Florence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Palliative Care unit of the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Jim M. Delaney
(April 6, 1939 - January 20, 2011) 

 

 

 

 

Jim entered Eternal Life on Thursday January 20, 2011. He was devout in his Faith and a bright light to the family he loved, his many friends and all those he served in his business. James McKenna Delaney was born April 6, 1939 in Beloit, WI to James A. and Mary McKenna Delaney. He was the first born of seven. The family moved to Hartford in 1953 where Jim went to Hartford Union High School. After graduating in 1957 he enrolled at St. Norbert College, DePere, WI where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree/Biology in 1961. Jim maintained a steadfast embrace of his Faith which found him in worship not only at Sunday Mass but frequently during the week. His life was marked by a distinct appetite for hard work. In his school days, just as "the boy is the father of the man," Jim from an early age immersed himself with great energy and focus into endless employment... lawn mowing, snow shoveling, newspaper delivering, paper collecting, door to door produce selling, grocery store shelf stocking, food delivering and hired man farm laboring. Later in College it was: cannery truck driving, migrant worker bus driving, I-90 highway construction laboring, motel night clerking, and route delivery truck driving. His love of cars started early...as a lad of 16 he and a buddy completely disassembled and rebuilt his '48 Mercury Coupe engine.

After college, the Marine Corps’s Officer Candidate School became Jim’s version of graduate school. He served as an infantry company commander at Quantico, VA, Camp Pendleton, CA and on Okinawa where he claimed his motorcycle was the fastest on the island. He went to work for Texaco after his Marine Corps years. As a Texaco company representative he looked after 17 stations in southern Wisconsin. It led to his initial ventures into entrepreneurship. In 1966 Jim obtained the Texaco dealership rights, then opened and operated a Texaco service station at the corner of Park St. and Badger Rd. in Madison. This became the “local place” where many could count on quality auto repairs, fast and efficient service as well as a local gathering place. Many years later, people were still telling stories of how Jim pulled them out of a snow drift, pushed their car out of harm’s way or gave them an unsecured line of credit for car repairs or tires. Because of Jim’s Marine Corps Officer training, it was the only service station in town where the fuel attendants wore white, pressed shirts. Jim even designed a leather cover for his belt buckle so he would not scratch client’s cars as he leaned into them. In the early 1970’s Jim felt drawn to the restaurant business and began formulating his plan based on the American appetite for quality steak. Delaney’s Charcoal Steaks was launched in 1973. It was a business he loved and spent a career building. He made the critical decision to locate on the far west side when the number of free standing buildings could be counted on two hands. Many people told him that locating a steak house outside the downtown area was foolish. Some said, “Everyone knows that only fast food and pizza places locate way out there”. Delaney’s became well known quickly and by the third year of business he was planning a new and bigger building down the street. He was able to design, build and complete his new Delaney’s “just the way I wanted it”. Jim was able to keep Delaney’s popular by changing the food and wine menu as well as making significant remodeling updates, when times called for such action. Going to his place of business for a work day was a complete passion of love. Over the years that love never diminished and in fact it grew stronger.
Delaney’s was the first, second or college employment for many young people from the Madison area. Many of them never forgot the lessons they learned and would return to the restaurant, whether they were local or far from Madison to give Jim an update on where they were and what they had achieved. Jim was always proud of them and would retell their stories. His successes and honors over the years resounded with many notable awards. At various times Delaney’s or Jim himself received many significant awards or recognition. The most significant were being a two-time winner of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Restaurateur of the Year and recognition from the Senate of the State of Wisconsin. Others were from newspapers, magazines and several other groups. All of which he appreciated.
Jim never in his life questioned his personal qualities, aptitudes, or business acumen. In his young life, before the dye was cast, Jim spent not one minute trying to "find himself." He was an authentic man of action...a doer and a finisher. He knew himself and never entertained a trace of self-doubt.
Jim loved Badger Basketball and was a long standing member, a former officer and past president of the UW Basketball Booster Association. He had several other interests: he was a licensed airplane pilot and former airplane owner, a mechanic and craftsman who built the tables for his restaurant, snowmobiling in the frozen north, soaking up sun on Marco Island, working on his car collection, landscaping his manicured yard, and especially...entertaining his wife Eileen...who he loved most of all.
He is survived by his loving wife and cherished companion, Eileen (Lindsay) Delaney; three sons, James A. (Wendy) Delaney, Madison, Daniel R. (Erin) Delaney, Madison and Pfc. Matthew G. (Dawn Miller) Delaney, US Army; two stepchildren, Jon (Joanna) Lindsay and Lora (Steve) Christiansen; two grandchildren, Lauren and Carter Delaney and four step-grandchildren. Additionally, Jim is survived by six brothers and sisters: Thomas (Nan) Delaney, Madison, Mary Faith (Joseph) Emmerich, Cedarburg, WI, Harry (Anita) Delaney, Dayton, OH, Timothy (Maria) Delaney, Chicago, Maureen “Molly” Delaney, Madison, and Margaret (Sims) Delaney-Potthoff, Madison; and many nieces and nephews, Jim would enjoy at the gatherings of the clan he would host over the years.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Joseph Michael; his parents, James A. and Mary McKenna Delaney of Hartford (formerly of Beloit) and his nephew, Andy Delaney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, with Msgr. Michael Burke and Father David Carrano concelebrating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011 at the JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road and also from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.

 

As You Can See, Little Batman.....

.......has graduated to the big table!

And he's pretty happy about it...



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She's Back With the Pack!

What a thrilling day Moira had yesterday! Allow me to brag just a little bit (at least for the grandmas who read our blog :)...

First we need to backtrack. As you know, Moira was hired back in June by the Green Bay Packers to work for the Pro-Shop. She LOVES this job. It has been a dream job, actually. Great employers, environment, coworkers, hours, money, benefits, etc..

Moira was hired as a seasonal worker, which means that as the (football) season comes to an end, so does her job. Sadly, on Tuesday, she was told that this Saturday would be her last day on the job. It was expected.

On Wednesday morning, Moira spent a few of hours calling around Green Bay, asking who was hiring. Out of all those calls (almost 50!), only two businesses were hiring.

Then, on Wednesday afternoon, the exciting call came for Moira from her boss who hired her at the Pro-Shop. She was thrilled to tell Moira that they wanted to keep her on during the off season. Moira had her job back! Her boss explained that when the final list of employees was turned into Kate Hogan, who is the Director of Retail Operations for the GB Packers, Kate asked why Moira was not on the list, and said, "Bring her back". Yahoo! This means that Moira will work the remainder of the school year, the summer before going to college, and during any breaks that she happens to be home from college. It is perfect.

Moira was complimented by her bosses. They spoke of her great work attitude, her responsibility and her engaging personality. I know they love her there, which is no great surprise to her parents (uh, yes, I guess you could say we are a bit biased LOL) We are very proud of you, Moira!

Merry Christmas 2010!!!

We decided to put many of our Christmas photos to music with a montage. We are only missing photos of Kelly and Kelley, who of course were with us for our festivities!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com