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Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
grandpa gonda
Grandpa Gonda died Wed. May 12th. He was playing handball, as he does several days a week, when he fell over dead. It was quite a dramactic way to die for a dynamic and wonderful guy. Grandma was always telling him, "John, you're too old to play handball. one of these days I'm going to have to come over and scrape you off of the handball court!" To which Grandpa would say, "well, I'd rather die playing handball than sitting around doing nothing!" I just love those two! Grandpa was 83.
Now I will share some history of grandpa -- feel free to skip but it is going in my journal so it can go here too!
He was born #9 of 9 kids in the middle of nowhere PA. His mother died when he was 1 year old. His father was too poor to keep all the kids and had no way to care for them all by himself so he farmed them out to orphanages and family members. nobody wanted John so he lived w/ his dad. They knew the meaning of the great depression. Grandpa told a story of one Christmas when he knew he'd get no presents he woke up to find an orange for him. He had no idea how his father managed to walk to town and get it or how he managed to pay for it. He told us the story as a lesson in gratitue and his marvel at all the stuff we get for Christmas every year. We are so spoiled! Grandpa joined the military just before the war ended. He was sent to Italy. When he returned home his brother encouraged him to play football to recieve a chance at going to college on a scholarship. He went to University of Nevada, Reno on a football scholarship and ended up staying there the rest of his life.
He was married to a woman named Fay Briggs. She was a member of the church. Grandpa was not, but did join the church thanks to her. They had two children together and then she died of breast cancer while the children were still very young.
Grandma Gonda (Joanne Connley) was at this time married to a man named David Barnes. She had a 2 year old boy, (dave's dad, Daniel Gonda) and was expecting a second child when David Barnes was killed in a fighter jet on a routine test flight. She ended up moving to Reno and there met Grandpa.
Grandpa and Grandma celebrated 50 years of marriage last year. They are a great couple!
Some other things I remember about grandpa.
When Dave and I got engaged G and G drove over from Reno to meet me. Grandpa assured me I was in the hot seat and that they came to check me out and make sure I was okay for David. They took s out for a great dinner and then when we got in the car to go back home we got on the off ramp of the freeway going the wrong way. I thought I was gonig to die!! Yikes!
Grandpa was a sealer in the Reno temple so when we got married he got permission to come to the SD temple and marry us. It was great. He gave us lots of good advice. One thing I remember in particular was him quoting Majorie Hinckley, "learn to eat burnt toast" meaning, don't whine or complain and just appreciate what you have!
Grandpa always studeied his scriptures in the quiet wee morning hours.
G and G always said prayers on their knees, even though it became hard to get up off of the knees. I was always so impressed with them and their habit of family prayer when I came to visit.
Grandma and Grandpa liked to cruise. After one cruise, I asked how everything was on the boat and if they like the food and entertainment. Grandpa said IT WAS GREAT!! What's not to like about a cruise. He appreciated just being able to go, whereas many travelers are not satisfied with this or that when they go on a trip.
Grandpa was always positive and thought life was great. He always said to dave, "Hi David, How ya doing? Life great?!" and he did think so!
the grandsons were pallbearers
the youngest grandson with this hand on the back of the casket
the beautiful flowers for the top of the casket
totally random pic of dave and I at breakfast the morning before the funeral
TO BE CONTINUED....
Now I will share some history of grandpa -- feel free to skip but it is going in my journal so it can go here too!
He was born #9 of 9 kids in the middle of nowhere PA. His mother died when he was 1 year old. His father was too poor to keep all the kids and had no way to care for them all by himself so he farmed them out to orphanages and family members. nobody wanted John so he lived w/ his dad. They knew the meaning of the great depression. Grandpa told a story of one Christmas when he knew he'd get no presents he woke up to find an orange for him. He had no idea how his father managed to walk to town and get it or how he managed to pay for it. He told us the story as a lesson in gratitue and his marvel at all the stuff we get for Christmas every year. We are so spoiled! Grandpa joined the military just before the war ended. He was sent to Italy. When he returned home his brother encouraged him to play football to recieve a chance at going to college on a scholarship. He went to University of Nevada, Reno on a football scholarship and ended up staying there the rest of his life.
He was married to a woman named Fay Briggs. She was a member of the church. Grandpa was not, but did join the church thanks to her. They had two children together and then she died of breast cancer while the children were still very young.
Grandma Gonda (Joanne Connley) was at this time married to a man named David Barnes. She had a 2 year old boy, (dave's dad, Daniel Gonda) and was expecting a second child when David Barnes was killed in a fighter jet on a routine test flight. She ended up moving to Reno and there met Grandpa.
Grandpa and Grandma celebrated 50 years of marriage last year. They are a great couple!
Some other things I remember about grandpa.
When Dave and I got engaged G and G drove over from Reno to meet me. Grandpa assured me I was in the hot seat and that they came to check me out and make sure I was okay for David. They took s out for a great dinner and then when we got in the car to go back home we got on the off ramp of the freeway going the wrong way. I thought I was gonig to die!! Yikes!
Grandpa was a sealer in the Reno temple so when we got married he got permission to come to the SD temple and marry us. It was great. He gave us lots of good advice. One thing I remember in particular was him quoting Majorie Hinckley, "learn to eat burnt toast" meaning, don't whine or complain and just appreciate what you have!
Grandpa always studeied his scriptures in the quiet wee morning hours.
G and G always said prayers on their knees, even though it became hard to get up off of the knees. I was always so impressed with them and their habit of family prayer when I came to visit.
Grandma and Grandpa liked to cruise. After one cruise, I asked how everything was on the boat and if they like the food and entertainment. Grandpa said IT WAS GREAT!! What's not to like about a cruise. He appreciated just being able to go, whereas many travelers are not satisfied with this or that when they go on a trip.
Grandpa was always positive and thought life was great. He always said to dave, "Hi David, How ya doing? Life great?!" and he did think so!
the grandsons were pallbearers
the youngest grandson with this hand on the back of the casket
the beautiful flowers for the top of the casket
totally random pic of dave and I at breakfast the morning before the funeral
TO BE CONTINUED....
my favorite curly haired 2 year old
Seriously this little girl is too cute for words. She is full of personality and fun. A friend of our stopped in nursery sunday and afterwards told us how funny it was to see Alexey ruling the room. She rules our home as well.
She loves the backpack
she loves ice cream
I love those blue eyes!
she also loves the temple (which is under construction. i heard they are weather-proofing it from the inside and outside. not sure though.)
she loves "bear-bear"
She is obsessed w/ animals of all kinds. She asks every dog owner "name?" to find out the name of the dog.
She loves sweets.
She loves books.
She loves daddy!
What a joy she is!
She loves the backpack
she loves ice cream
I love those blue eyes! she also loves the temple (which is under construction. i heard they are weather-proofing it from the inside and outside. not sure though.)
she loves "bear-bear"
She is obsessed w/ animals of all kinds. She asks every dog owner "name?" to find out the name of the dog.
She loves sweets.
She loves books.
She loves daddy!
What a joy she is!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
I love my clare-bear
Clare has discovered a new way to stay up at night. Bedtime has always been a huge battle w/ her. she never seems to have enough drinks, potty breaks, hugs, blankets, etc. well, last night as it was time to go to bed she said, "mom, I just need to do one more thing before I go to bed." "What, Clare?" "well," she said looking around the room for something to do....."I think I'll just clean up for a little bit." So she cleaned the living room. It wasn't super messy but she did pick up the few toys and books that were laying around. She is a super cleaner. She is a sweetie and she is just too darling for words. She starts school in 3 months and it is hard to believe that her full-time-at-home phase of life is almost over. Lex and I will really miss her!
Last weekend I went on The Sophmore Hike. Our stake started this tradation several years ago becuase the girls were always complaining that they didn't get to do anything fun and adventurous like the boys always do. Each year the sophmore girls get to go on an overnight backpacking trip with a parent. Tas and Kaitlyn are the two sophmores in my ward. Neither of their moms or dads wanted to go so they asked me if I would go! I was very excited for this opportunity. Kaitlyn ended up hurting her ankle a few weeks ago so I went w/ Tas. She did a great job, never complained and seemed to enjoy herself.
I have never done a backpacking trip before and it was kind of fun. I can see why people love doing this. It is really the only way to really get away from the world.
Here are some pics of the views and our camp nesteled in the trees.
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Dave was going to be home for the weekend to babysit but ended up having to trade some call so that he could attend his grandpa's funeral. So, he was there at night but we hired a babysitter -- on of my wonderful laurels -- to come for Saturday. I was out of cell phone range so I had no clue if things were going well. I hadn't really had a chance to tell Dave everything since I had left before he got home from work on Friday. It is probably best that I was out of range or I would have been freaking out!!!!
So, Saturday morning Alexey woke up very thirsty. She found herself a sippy cup in the fridge. She drank it all and then asked for more milk. Dave gave her more milk. Then she threw up. Then she wanted more milk ... so dave gave her two more glasses of milk (something a mother would never do!) Then she threw up again. And Tressel was there to eat it. Then she threw up again....just as the babysitter arrived. Dave put Lex on the couch and left!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH I can't believe he left a throwing up baby w/ a babysitter. But I suppose he had no choice...he couldn't' call in sick. Anyway, when I got back in cell phone range I texted dave to see if he was home from work yet. He said he was home and was glad I was on my way cuz lex was barfing all morning. When I called to get the details he told me the above story about her throwing up and then leaving her w/ a babysitter followed by, "oh and I didn't have any money so I didn't pay the babysitter." WHAT?!!! "You left her with a throwing up baby and then didn't even pay her?"
AS it turns out Lex only had sour milk. She threw up one more time w/ the babysitter and then ate breakfast, snack, lunch dinner, etc all w/o any problems. At least she wasn't the kind of sick that is contagious. I ended up paying my sweet babysitter VERY WELL. She is a sweet girl and never even compained when she got home and her parents asked her how babysitting went.
Last weekend I went on The Sophmore Hike. Our stake started this tradation several years ago becuase the girls were always complaining that they didn't get to do anything fun and adventurous like the boys always do. Each year the sophmore girls get to go on an overnight backpacking trip with a parent. Tas and Kaitlyn are the two sophmores in my ward. Neither of their moms or dads wanted to go so they asked me if I would go! I was very excited for this opportunity. Kaitlyn ended up hurting her ankle a few weeks ago so I went w/ Tas. She did a great job, never complained and seemed to enjoy herself.
I have never done a backpacking trip before and it was kind of fun. I can see why people love doing this. It is really the only way to really get away from the world.
Here are some pics of the views and our camp nesteled in the trees.
border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474466523336098754" />
Dave was going to be home for the weekend to babysit but ended up having to trade some call so that he could attend his grandpa's funeral. So, he was there at night but we hired a babysitter -- on of my wonderful laurels -- to come for Saturday. I was out of cell phone range so I had no clue if things were going well. I hadn't really had a chance to tell Dave everything since I had left before he got home from work on Friday. It is probably best that I was out of range or I would have been freaking out!!!!
So, Saturday morning Alexey woke up very thirsty. She found herself a sippy cup in the fridge. She drank it all and then asked for more milk. Dave gave her more milk. Then she threw up. Then she wanted more milk ... so dave gave her two more glasses of milk (something a mother would never do!) Then she threw up again. And Tressel was there to eat it. Then she threw up again....just as the babysitter arrived. Dave put Lex on the couch and left!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH I can't believe he left a throwing up baby w/ a babysitter. But I suppose he had no choice...he couldn't' call in sick. Anyway, when I got back in cell phone range I texted dave to see if he was home from work yet. He said he was home and was glad I was on my way cuz lex was barfing all morning. When I called to get the details he told me the above story about her throwing up and then leaving her w/ a babysitter followed by, "oh and I didn't have any money so I didn't pay the babysitter." WHAT?!!! "You left her with a throwing up baby and then didn't even pay her?"
AS it turns out Lex only had sour milk. She threw up one more time w/ the babysitter and then ate breakfast, snack, lunch dinner, etc all w/o any problems. At least she wasn't the kind of sick that is contagious. I ended up paying my sweet babysitter VERY WELL. She is a sweet girl and never even compained when she got home and her parents asked her how babysitting went.
Friday, May 21, 2010
playing catch up
some random pics
dave went to Calvin's class to talk about being a neurosurgeon as part of dad's week. As we were walking in he kept saying, "Do I look like a nerd in this white coat?" I replied, "Yes!" Dave said, "I feel like I'm dressed up for Halloween...do you really think I should wear this?" I told him that he had paid 200 thousand dollars and 10 years of his life (so far) to get that costume and yes he should for sure wear it.
He did a great job in the classroom. He had about 25 minutes but probably could have gone twice that long. The kids loved it! There was one kid there who knew what all the parts of the brain do. It was crazy. ie, "Does anyone know what the cerebellum does?" kid "controls balance and coordinated muscle movement" (yes, that is a direct quote) I have never seen anything like it in a first grader.
the kids at the playground decided to try goggles for a while.(also, clare always dresses herself. like her choice of stripes w/ stripes?)
I opened my little notebook and saw someone had been using it....it was just too cute!
clare had a b-day party and got herself and her presents all ready (crayons in one bag, coloring book in the other -- she insisted they go in separate bags)!
We finished painting on mother's day. I woke up to this lovely sight and dave said, "happy mother's day! Isn't it beautiful?" It made me want to break out in hives to see such a disaster but dave was just happy the painting was done!
clare really wanted a chance to paint something but when she woke up all that was left was one little spot. She changed into painting clothes and she was very excited!
Dave threw her up on top of this dresser and she painted about two strokes before realizing how high up she was an got very very scared!
more to come:
kitties are big enough to hold
swim lessons
grandpa gonda's funeral
overnight backpacking trip
patching boot camp
dave went to Calvin's class to talk about being a neurosurgeon as part of dad's week. As we were walking in he kept saying, "Do I look like a nerd in this white coat?" I replied, "Yes!" Dave said, "I feel like I'm dressed up for Halloween...do you really think I should wear this?" I told him that he had paid 200 thousand dollars and 10 years of his life (so far) to get that costume and yes he should for sure wear it.
He did a great job in the classroom. He had about 25 minutes but probably could have gone twice that long. The kids loved it! There was one kid there who knew what all the parts of the brain do. It was crazy. ie, "Does anyone know what the cerebellum does?" kid "controls balance and coordinated muscle movement" (yes, that is a direct quote) I have never seen anything like it in a first grader.the kids at the playground decided to try goggles for a while.(also, clare always dresses herself. like her choice of stripes w/ stripes?)
I opened my little notebook and saw someone had been using it....it was just too cute!
clare had a b-day party and got herself and her presents all ready (crayons in one bag, coloring book in the other -- she insisted they go in separate bags)!
We finished painting on mother's day. I woke up to this lovely sight and dave said, "happy mother's day! Isn't it beautiful?" It made me want to break out in hives to see such a disaster but dave was just happy the painting was done!
clare really wanted a chance to paint something but when she woke up all that was left was one little spot. She changed into painting clothes and she was very excited!
Dave threw her up on top of this dresser and she painted about two strokes before realizing how high up she was an got very very scared!
more to come:
kitties are big enough to hold
swim lessons
grandpa gonda's funeral
overnight backpacking trip
patching boot camp
Friday, May 14, 2010
daveisms
I don't have much time this week or next for posting and have lots of catching up to do but for now you can just enjoy a couple of funnies from dave.
#1
Dave: "Good news, my only patient died today so I don't have to go in early to round."
(She wasn't his patient for real, but she had been added to his list even though there was nothing neurosurgery could do for her.)
#2
Denise: "Do you think we should get some dog food for our food storage?"
Dave: "Denise, the dog IS the food storage."
Hate to think we'd ever get to that point but I know it happens in true times of desperation.
#1
Dave: "Good news, my only patient died today so I don't have to go in early to round."
(She wasn't his patient for real, but she had been added to his list even though there was nothing neurosurgery could do for her.)
#2
Denise: "Do you think we should get some dog food for our food storage?"
Dave: "Denise, the dog IS the food storage."
Hate to think we'd ever get to that point but I know it happens in true times of desperation.
Friday, May 7, 2010
beautiful sisters
sweet sisters
clares real smile -- caught by luck a couple of times
clare's on camera smile
alexey-always full of personality
the girls love to hold our friends cat! I couldn't get Alexey to look at the camera 'cuz she wouldn't take her eyes off of him.
clares real smile -- caught by luck a couple of times
clare's on camera smile
alexey-always full of personality
the girls love to hold our friends cat! I couldn't get Alexey to look at the camera 'cuz she wouldn't take her eyes off of him.
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