Angel Raymond A. Sena

Dear Ray,

I know this letter will reach you all the way up in Heaven.  You may not have been my Grandpa by blood or even by marriage, but you have always been my Grandpa in my heart.  I don't even remember the first time I met you as it was over twenty years ago.  I just always remember you being a part of our family.  I do remember all of the wonderful things you have done for me and for my family, especially my Grandma.  I remember you being at my softball games as a young kid, in high school and even at some of my college games.  I remember you always opening the door for my Grandma and always pulling her chair out for her and always calling her Doll. I remember you and Grandma always going dancing and to the casino.  I remember you being present at the birth of both of my daughters and being at all of their special events.  I remember your artistic talents and I have even kept the cards you sent to me throughout the years with your beautiful handwriting.  I remember you always telling me that you were proud of me and that you loved me as if I was one of your own grandchildren.  You were always doing thoughtful things for me. I remember your kind heart and tender ways.  You are one of the kindest, most caring people I have ever known.  You were so good to my Grandma and to me and my girls.  They know about their Grandpa Ray and they know that you loved them very much.  I have wondered so many times over the past year why such a wonderful person had to become so ill and why did he have to leave this world so early.  You never said a mean word about anybody and you would have done anything for anyone.  You were a hardworking man and you were genuine in your ways.  You left this world too soon and you will be missed very much.  I talked to Grandma tonight and she told me not to cry because you were up in Heaven dancing and playing the piano.

Love,

Missy

You were gone 3 weeks after this last picture was taken.

January 13, 1934-November 29, 2011

Avery is Standing

Last night Avery started standing up all by herself...not holding on to anything.  She hasn't taken any steps yet, but I don't think it will be long!  She gets all excited and claps her hands as if saying she is so proud of her little self!  Then she falls back on her bum.  I am betting that by Christmas she will be up and walking.

Thanksgiving 2011

What am I thankful for?  I am thankful that I have been on vacation for the past 2 weeks!  More importantly I am thankful for my beautiful and healthy daughters, my family, friends, health, career, husband, home, faith, and so much more.  I have enjoyed being home these past few weeks with my girls and with my family.  I have been able to get some crafts done, some cooking done, and even some cleaning done.  Mostly, I have enjoyed being able to spend time with our extended families and not having to miss out on baptisms and such due to working or being overly tired from working.  We spent Thanksgiving Day at my parent's house with my brother, sister, Grandma, Aunt and Uncle.  It was a beautiful day and the kiddos got to play outside...which is always a bonus.  We went home for a quick nap and then headed downtown with my mom and dad to see the Holiday Lights.  Lily was well  behaved and Avery was NOT...it is usually the other way around.  She screamed and threw a fit almost the entire time and the entire ride home. 

 Mom and Dad

Downtown Omaha Holiday Lights

Maddie and I decided to brave the crowds and do some late Thursday night and early Black Friday morning shopping.  It is something I have never done before and it is something I will NEVER do again!  We waited in line at Walmart for 3 hours and I that I got was 3 pair of jammies and a baby guitar for Presley.  Not worth my time or sanity.  We headed out to Village Point after that to Carter's and it wasn't busy at all.  We hit a few more spots but didn't get anything else.  We ended up getting home around 1:00am and went back out again Friday morning around 9:00.  I guess I can say that I have experienced the chaos of Black Friday.  Friday night we took the girls to Village Point for the Santa Parade and to see the lighting of the big Christmas tree.  This is something we have done for the past 3 years.  This year was cold and rainy though, but better than years past because fireworks went off as the tree was lit!  I absolutely LOVE this time of year.  The decorations are up and the tree is decorated.  I want my girls to feel the magic in this time of year, but more importantly I want them to understand what Christmas is really about.  My mom got Lily a Fisher Price Nativity Scene for her room.  We have been reading about the Nativity and about how Jesus was born.  She has recently been practicing her songs for the Church Christmas Program on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday nights at Church.   She did such a good job singing last year so I can't wait to see her this year!

 Kylie and Presley

 Presley and Avery



Family and Baptisms

These past two weeks have been filled with family and couple of baptisms.  Jason had a niece and a nephew that were baptized just a week apart.  The two babies are just 3 weeks apart in age.  Jason's brother, Gary, and his family flew in from Sacramento California the week prior to Thanksgiving and had their 5 1/2 month old daughter baptized in Newcastle.  Madison Grace is a precious baby girl and we are thankful to have been a part of her special day.  Jensen John is just 3 weeks younger than Madison and he is the son of Jason's brother Randy who lives in Newcastle.  We are also thankful to have been a part of his special day.

 Madison's Baptism

Jensen's Baptism

We were blessed these past couple of weeks to have been able to spend some time with Jason's family back home in Newcastle and also with his brother Gary and his family here at our home before their departure back to California.  Brayden is the 2 year old son of Gary and Becky, and Lily really enjoyed his company.  It was fun to see the two of them play together.  We were able to go to the Children's Museum and all of the kiddos had a blast.  Can you believe this mom forgot her camera?! 

 Brayden and Lily at Grandma Romaine's

 Brayden, Avery, Lily and Madison

 Avery and Daddy

 Avery and Uncle Matt

 Mommy and Lily

 Lily, Sara, Rachel and Miles

 Our little Family

 Randy, Jensen and Jeanne

 Lily and Brayden

 Lil Avers

 Becky, Madison, Gary and Brayden (California)

 Family time (it is tradition that Lily puts the star on the tree)

 Avery and Brayden getting ready for bed

Brayden and Lily

Halloween 2011

Just a little late with this post...Halloween was so much fun this year because Lily really got into it and had a blast.  She said to me at one point, "This is really, really cool Mom!"  My little bumblebees trick or treated first in our neighborhood and then we went to my parent's house for some annual Halloween chili, and then Jason and I took Lily out again in their neighborhood.  She was a trooper and wanted to keep going, but mom and dad were getting tired and COLD so we didn't stay out too long.  Little Avery stayed bundled up in the stroller for most of it, but she did get out for a few houses.  Lily had it down...she said "TRICK OR TREAT, and THANK YOU" at almost every house.  At one house she even said, "Trick or Treat, smell my feet!"  Silly Lily!  Avery has even gotten in on the enjoyment of the Halloween candy.  Her daddy and her sister like to share with her, and mommy finds her later with chocolate smeared ALL OVER HER FACE!

This post is REALLY not this LATE.  I have been trying for weeks to get the pics  to upload and for some reason they won't.  Here is just one pic from the night...I will work on the rest again later.

Great Grandpa Ray

I went with my mom and my Grandma to visit Ray today.  Lily always asks how Grandpa Ray is.  She knows that he is sick.  We love you Great Grandpa Ray and we hope that you have some better days ahead.  Your great grand baby girls love you and miss you very much.  Lily and Avery fight over the chair that you painted for Lily.  Avery crawls up in it everyday and looks so proud after she gets up there.  You have always been so good to me and my girls.  I wish I could do something to make you feel better.  You are loved so very much.