Super Bowl Champions!!!

(Photo taken two weeks ago during play-off game). 

Go Packers!!!

Wisconsin - Part 3

OK, it's time to get the rest of these photos up.

After a week in Kenosha with the Benetti fam, is was on to Verona for some time with the Kilpses.

Graydon had another wonderful birthday celebration.

With a little help, he blew out his two candles.

My dear friend Jenn and her family live about a half hour from Andy's parents. I'm so happy for any opportunity I get to hang out with her. Our daughters also had a good time together.

Here are the snapshots from our week in Verona:

Popcorn each night is a given. 

Jacob read the bedtime story that night.

The whole family.

Some randoms from our time together. . . 

Jacob and Tyler got new snowboards for Christmas and they shared with Bella.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but there is a slight hill that they played on.  These kids all rocked the snowboards!  Pretty cool to watch.

Fun in the snow!

By the end of our trip, Curtis was sleeping like a newborn again.  It's always hard to say goodbye to family, but I was definitely ready to get him back to a normal routine and get some sleep again for myself.

We arrived back in New Jersey just in time for another snow fall.  Kind of like we brought a little bit of Wisconsin with us.

Wisconsin Trip Part 1

Wisconsin greeted us with a fresh patch of snow.

It pretty much begged us to come out and play.

This is the stuff that fond childhood memories are made of.

(Minus, of course, one of Graydon's many meltdowns). 

We'll miss you Grandpa Jim

My Grandpa went home to heaven this morning.  We're feeling sad today.  The photo above was from his 80th birthday celebration a few months ago. 

Grandpa's health hasn't been the greatest these past few years.  He had a heart attack almost eight years ago and that just seemed to be the beginning of his heart and other health problems.  Today was the day when his body just got too tired.

One significant memory that I have of my grandpa was on my 14th birthday.  That day also happened to be my Grandma and his 40th wedding anniversary.  We had a party over at their house that day and my fourteen-year-old self was sulking over the fact that my birthday was kind of being overlooked.  When we got to their house, the first thing he said to me was "Happy Birthday Karen!"  It was simple, but it meant a lot to me. 

Grandpa Jim was my mom's dad.  This is one of my favorite photos of the two of them.

And here is one from the summer of 2006 of Great-Grandpa Jim (G-Pa) with baby Bella.

Grandpa used to smoke cigars.  I love the smell of cigars because of him.  It always reminded me of good times at my grandparent's house.  He hasn't smoked one in a long time, but whenever I smell a cigar, I always think of Grandpa Jim.  

***Edited to add Grandpa's Obituary.  I thought this was nicely written and wanted to include it here.

James P. Brockhaus, age 80, of Kenosha died on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Brookside Care Center.

Born in Kenosha on October 13, 1930, he was the son of the late Elmer and Madeline (Wallig) Brockhaus. Jim was a lifelong resident of Kenosha and attended local schools.

Jim served our country for three years in the US Army with the military police during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953.

Helen Kisielweski became his bride when they married at St Casimir's Catholic Church in Kenosha on August 21, 1954. They were blessed with 56 years together and four wonderful children.

Jim was on the Kenosha Fire Department for five years and then became manager at Kelsey Welding which later was named AGA Gas, retiring after 35 years at the welding supply company.

He was a member at St. Mary's Catholic Church and was active in various Catholic organizations. Jim loved a good cigar and it became his trademark. He enjoyed sports, playing golf, rooting for the Packers and Cubs and working crossword puzzles in his spare time.

Left to comfort one another with loving memories of Jim are his wife, Helen; his children, Debbie (Mike) Benetti of Kenosha, Jake (Sharrie) Brockhaus of Norwalk, WI; Cindy (David) Bundy of Bristol, WI and Maria Brockhaus of Winston-Salem, NC; his 10 grandchildren, Jeff (Stephanie) Benetti, Mary Benetti, Karen (Andy) Kilps, Scott Benetti, Kristen Benetti, Jodi (Aaron) Kreuser, Lori Benetti, Bridget Brockhaus, Matt Brockhaus and Melania Bundy along with 6 great grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, Bob Kisielewski of AZ, his brother, Jerry (Diane) Brockhaus of FL and his faithful canine companions, Emma and Louis.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Frederick in infancy.

Memorial remembrances to Fellow Mortal-Wildlife Rehabilitation, W4632 Palmer Road, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147, or St. Mary's Catholic Church would be appreciated by the family.

Since they were in the neighborhood. . .

We got a bonus visit from my parents!

My mom had a work thing in Philadelphia and my dad went with.  We picked them up on Friday and had a fantastic weekend together.  Our zoo plans were scratched due to cold weather, but a trip to Chuck E. Cheese filled the void.  AND, Andy and I went out both evenings.  This does not happen often and was quite a treat.  

Thanks for the great weekend Mom and Dad!!!

Stay tuned for Halloween pics. 

Pumpkin Farms

First trip to the Pumpkin Farm this week:  Wednesday.  This was another field trip with Bella's class.  Just the girls again.  Daddy stayed home (it was his day off) with Graydon and Curtis.

Our second trip (to a different farm):Today. This time the whole family went. It was our annual Sunday School trip to the farm. Another BEAUTIFUL fall day!

















Two boys and their pumpkins.  Getting Graydon to look at me was a real challenge.  He was too busy throwing his pumpkin around like a ball.  (I am starting to notice a theme here). 

Our family grew this week!  My brother and his wife welcomed a sweet baby girl into this world on Thursday morning.  Here is Rose Lynn Benetti.  Isn't she precious!

I am happy to say that, as of about an hour ago, the internet on my computer is working!  Andy has been troubleshooting my problem for weeks now and he fixed it!  I have such a great husband.

Wisconsin Recap

I've got lots of pictures for ya. Too tired to write out all of the details, so I'll just let the photos tell the story.

Day 1

Sunday morning. On the road. Wisconsin bound.

I experimented with my new birthday present on Bella. (We're in a moving van, so it is kind of bumpy.)

Silly Bella from Karen Kilps on Vimeo.

Day 2

Auntie Jodi and Ava come over.

Bella and Ava are silly girls.


Auntie Lori came into town.
Popsicles are yummy.Day 3

We escape to Aaron and Jodi's place.

Bella shows off her writing skills. Curtis sleeps the day away. Ava's post-bath jam session. Day 4

Picnic at the park.

Lori on auntie duty
Ava's eyeing up something.Grandma & Grandpa Kilps stop by for a visit.

Grandpa Dave meets Curtis for the first time.Scott's turn for uncle duty.
Day 5

Visit Auntie Kristen at her work. (She manages a pool).

Bella plays dress-up in Great-Grandma's wedding dress. Day 6

Feeding the ducks (and seagulls and geese) This was Bella's first time.

Graydon thought the food was for him.Jeff and Sydney arrived in town that evening.

The kids hit it off right away.

Sweet AvaDay 7: Benetti Day!

Lori goes sky diving

She jumped from 14,000 ft.

Afternoon at Apple Holler

Feeding the animalsTaking some photosPony rides!Train rides!Moon bouncing!It was a hot day. Had to keep hydrated.
Back at home, post bath time. Graydon took a doll bike for a spin.Day 8

Grandpa's 80th birthday celebration

GG & GPa with the great grandkids.

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids. The whole Benetti crew (minus Andy & Steph) Aunt Cindy got out the lawn mower and pulled the little ones around the yard.Good times! Curtis got passed around:We spent the entire day at my grandparents' house and when we got back, it was time for me to pack up all of our stuff.

That meant more uncle duty for Scott.
The next morning we were out the door around 7:30 am.

Andy met up with us in Cleveland. He opened the van door to greet Graydon and immediately commented on the peanut butter snack all over Graydon's hands and legs. Peanut butter? Not quite. Try a blow out all over Graydon.

Welcome back to life with three kids!