Sleep overs...

The girls (Em and Erin) like to come and stay the weekend of any party we are having at our house.  They are such a big help in getting ready and keeping me for getting to detail focused which then gets me cranky!  Yikes!  LOL...

This weekend we are preparing for Shawn's 12th birthday party.

We play hard during the day, but then we have to settle in somewhat early for the next day is not ruined by the crabbies...  Here is Oots begging for a taste of pizza while Em and Mason hang out and snuggle on the blow up bed.

Still on the blow up bed... and still snuggling come sun up.
LOVE THESE KIDS!

Boating summer 2014!!!

Chris's Uncle Tom has a pontoon boat that he lets us borrow in exchange for other favors.  The kids all love it just as much as the adults!  Here are some pics of us playing...

The beautiful Erin!

Boating on the Waupaca Chain of Lakes.  We also go on the Wolf River when we want to cruise and watch the sunset.

Our little animal lover Emily.

Shooter

Oompa and all his snacking on cheetos...  thank goodness Oots is there to clean up the floor of the boat!

Playing like a goof!

Ms B (Bailey Lunde) seems to be our adopted daughter in the summer months.  Sweetest little cousin!

4th of July Manawa Rodeo

Coy and Jodi and family went to the rodeo with us.  Fun, but VERY hot in the bleachers!  The clowns were fun to watch too (and I don't just mean "our clowns")!

Taelynn Jade

Krisher company

We loved that Coy and Jodi came to visit for the weekend over the fourth.  They travel for their work and were close to us so it worked out great!  The kids of course all really enjoyed playing and getting to know each other.

Mason, Akstel, Shawn, Bakota, Tae and Ember

We had large large LARGE water balloons that filled up to be 6 x 6 ft that we used to roll on, jump on, and get wet with.  FUN!

Granny and Ember enjoying books.

Busy day playing makes for dirty boys.

Bakota, Akstel, and Mason making a assembly line of tractor and truck washing (using shaving cream) skills.
"Check out my mad skills Mom!!!"

Uncle Robbie is moving on...

Uncle Robbie, Bob-Bob, Uncka Wobbie, etc have moved on...  Rob has lived with us for about 4 years.  He has become a special, "permanent figure" to the Sonshines.  It will be so different with him gone!  Good luck Ob-Bob!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Mason!

Minion birthday theme... from 'Despicable Me'

Sonshines and great G'ma Christensen

Mason (Oompa) and Nana and Papa Behm

Sonshines and great G;ma Ginny

Furry sweetness...

All the important-ness of nap time...  favorite toy(s) and a furry warmer.  

Special mtg worker company

Happy birthday Granny!

Wordless Wed 4-9-2014

Our Sonshines/boys

Grandpa Harold's 65th birthday

G'pa, Shawn, Tae, and Mason celebrating with ice cream cake at Uncle Levi's house.

WF wrestling 2013-2014

Weyauwega-Fremont wrestling.  Shawn loves wrestling and therefore so does Mason.  The meets are small and quick.  Mason and Daddy try to get to most meets.  Mason is a great cheer leader, and Shawn is teaching him that the most important thing is to"try your best!"

Mason trying on Shawn's headgear.

Professional team photo.

Company!

Aunt Janna, Laura and her boyfriend Brett came to visit for a few days.

"Why me go to Octor?"

The middle of Feb we decided to take Mason to an ENT Dr for a consult.  His tonsils were HUGE and he was having problems with sleep apnea, choking with eating, and speech.  The above pic is a pre surgery hearing test. He passed with flying colors!

Getting a ride to the "SPA"...  surgical preparation area.
Dr. Swanson ordered a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and sinus reconstruction (he had fatty masses behind his nose and uvula).

It was a chore to get him in this gown.  He wanted to wear his own jammies and DID NOT like no back to the gown!

A mild oral liguid sedative (versed) was given prior to being separated from us and entering the surgical suite.  He was so loopy!  Daddy was concerned (he didn't know what to expect), and I found great humor in it (I knew what to expect).
He looked at me with dazed and rolling eyes and told me I needed to wash my hair!  LOL!

We did not see Mason until he was done with recovery.  I did not like that, because I wanted to be there to comfort him when he woke up.  We were waiting in his room for him, and when he arrived he immediately started to cry when he seen/heard us and wanted Daddy!  That is so normal...  phew!

Awww!  Minor surgery, but major pain!  Plus he had his nose and frontal sinuses packed.

The hospital had this bear on his bed.  Such a cute... yet pathetic and vulnerable picture.

Mason asked to put on "Me clothes" as soon as he could.  He told the nurse, "Me hate deez clothes you got here!"  I don't promote the language but did have to chuckle at his sincerity of that statement.

Shawn came that night with Granny and Aunt Nia.  He did not want to leave!  He hated seeing his brother in pain, and was concerned that his nose kept bleeding and bleeding.  Shawn is a very caring and empathetic person.  He wants to help so bad in every way.  He cried when he had to leave...  Broke my heart!

Morning after Mason woke with a sick stomach, fever and a lot of pain.  Nothing like the Daddy snuggle cure!  This boy LOVES his Daddy!!!!  Makes me so proud...

After forcing him (literally) to take his pain medication (which the nurse said tasted like frog urine!?) he perked right up.  After eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup and making a mess of the toy room we were able to go home.  YEAH!

This and our favorite nurses.  She was such a grandma...  lots of patience and she gave lots of praise and rewards for the silliest things!  She hugged him goodbye, kissed his forehead, and gave him a wagon ride to the car.

Surgery 02/25/2014 @ St Elizabeth's Appleton, WI

Messy spring lovin' Sonshines...

Drive way picnics...

Another patient...

While in PTSD therapy Grandpa Harold fell and hurt his left knee.  They said it was fine...  it wasn't.... gave him a cortisone shot...  didn't help...  ordered a MRI...  = torn meniscus.  UGH!

Day surgery at Riverside Medical Center Waupaca, WI was 3/11/2014 with Dr Mitchell.  It all went well except the waking up part.  They told me he was a "light weight" when I was called back after recovery room.  I had to laugh because they don't know he ALWAYS has a hard time staying awake.

He did well.  It took a big swallow to get all that pride down and accept he needed to use a walker.  Once he was used to it he decided (although he will never admit it) it was pretty handy.  We help him hop up the steps and then he comes down on his butt... for now.  This too shall pass!

Lavern Behm (Great G'pa)

Lavern E. Behm (1927 - 2014)

Lavern E. Behm, age 86, of Waupaca, WI, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 3, 2014 at Bethany Home in Waupaca, WI. He was born on July 10, 1927 in West Bloomfield, WI; son of Walter and Lilly (Radichel) Behm. Lavern was baptized on July 28, 1927 and confirmed on April 6, 1941 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Bloomfield. On November 7, 1947, Lavern married Lela Hansen in the Town of Bloomfield and they shared 43 years of marriage before her passing on June 29, 1991. In his earlier years of employment Lavern worked as a mason for Hoffman Construction Co. in Appleton. He also enjoyed working for Oscar J. Boldt Construction Co. in Appleton for 39 years. At the time of his retirement he was general superintendent of construction jobs. Lavern enjoyed each season of the year. In the spring, he always looked forward to pike and white bass fishing on the river at Orihula with his dog, Harley. In the summer, Lavern enjoyed picnics and attending the EAA in Oshkosh as a tram driver. In the fall, he liked to attend the Weyauwega Fair and tractor pulls. Lavern was an avid deer hunter and hunted on the same farm for over 65 years. He enjoyed the cruises he took to Alaska and Hawaii as well as the trips he took with his motor home. Lavern also enjoyed playing sheepshead weekly with his card playing buddies. He will be deeply missed by all of his loving family and many friends.

Lavern is survived by three sons: Robert (Karen) Behm of Waupaca, WI; David (Julie) Behm of Waupaca, WI; and Steven (special friend, Susan Patterson) Behm of Green Bay, WI; loving companion: Virginia "Jinny" Niemuth of Waupaca, WI; grandchildren: Brenda (Brian) Lunde of Waupaca, WI; Chris (Alisha) Behm of Ogdensburg, WI; Denise Behm of Waupaca, WI; Amy Schuelke of Waupaca, WI; Jill Behm of Kaukauna, WI; Robbie (special friend, Jessie Nickel) Behm of Ogdensburg, WI; Lori (Jesse) Kleinschmidt of Altoona, WI; Caitlin Behm of Waupaca, WI; Sydney Behm of Waupaca, WI; Missy (Robbie) Rettler of Black Creek, WI; Adam Kluender of Waupaca, WI; Taylor Behm of Neenah, WI; and Connor Behm of Neenah, WI; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandson. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lilly Behm; his wife, Lela Behm; two brothers, Eldor and Marlyn Behm; and on January 20th of this year, he lost his loving dog, Harley.

A Funeral Service will be on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waupaca, WI. Reverend Loren Fritz will officiate. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the church. Burial will take place in the spring at Lind Center Cemetery in the Town of Lind. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in the name of Lavern E. Behm. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

Handsome Sonshines