This is my grandpa. I was a grandpa's girl, so when he passed away in February, I took it pretty hard. I adored him. I am a lot like him. I felt a great peace with his passing, but it was still very hard for me. 

I still think of him as alive, and then have to remind myself that he left months ago to be with the Lord, my grandma and my aunt. 

He adored my grandma, that has been obvious to me my entire life. When she passed away last fall, I knew that he would follow her soon, with a broken heart. He just wanted to be with her, I know that. 

My grandpa never met a stranger. In fact, he met friends in the craziest, most obscure circumstances. 

I remember visiting Minnesota when I was little, year after year. We would walk to McDonalds for breakfast and just about everyone in that restaurant knew him. It was his thing. 

My grandpa was strong-willed, faithful, loving, loyal, captivating and honest. I loved him very much.

This is one of my favorite memories with my grandpa, reading Bernstein Bears, Bears in the Night. He was so animated and I loved it. I bought this book for Carly. I only wish that I would have thought to have him read it to her. 

I inherited many of his traits, and for that I am grateful because he was a great man. 

I hope that I am half as good to Freddy as he was to my grandma. 

Minnesota

Alright. It has been long enough. I need to face the months of non-blogging and just do it! So, let's start with February. 

Carly, my sisters, brother and I flew to Minnesota (my parents drove) for my grandfather's funeral. More about him in my next post. 

Carly's hat and mitten finally got put to use! Burr...It was cold there!

We made it to the Mall of America and even rode a ride!

Carly was less than thrilled. Freddy may not be able to count on her as his roller coaster buddy when she grows up.

She got a bed all to herself. This time she didn't even fall out!

Mickey Mouse pancakes at Perkins, of course. I loved chocolate chip pancakes when I was little, so I ordered them for her. She didn't inhale them like I used to, even in the shape of her favorite cartoon character.

Despite the circumstances, we had some good family time. I always loved to see my uncle and cousins.