Joel's Birthday Celebration

Birthdays at the Marsh House on Isaar!

Again this year, I wanted to celebrate the many wonderful years that Joel had on this earth and the heavenly birthday that we continue to celebrate.  It would have been Joel's Golden Birthday this year.  27 years on February 27th.  This year, Paul took the day off so we could go to dinner for Joel's Birthday.  To put this into perspective, we don't really even go out for Valentines Day, but Joel's Birthday is something that is so dear to my heart.

We again decided to keep to the tradition to go to a wonderful restaurant downtown called Meat and Potatoes.  (Read about Joel's Birthday last year)   I can't help buy smile just by reading the name of the place - makes me think of Joel.  I ordered another great dish, and found a new drink on the menu, called... the "Brandy Buck".  So I had to indulge.

Joel and I ready to take on the Wisconsin winter

Another gift I gave to Joel this year was taking the time, two full days, to sit down and write about the moments I spent with Joel in the hospital after flying home to be by his side as he courageously fought for the opportunity to bring life to others. I feel good knowing that those precious details will be with me forever.

Those we love don't go away, 

They walk beside us everyday

Unseen, unheard, but always near,

Still loved, still missed, and very dear.

Joel's Birthday reminds me of old times when Joel had his trach - he was never very good at blowing out candles because all the air would fly out each sides of his trach nose and not towards the cake.  Some times I would pitch in a help blow out a few so he wouldn't have so many "girlfriends" left.  Man, those are some beautiful memories.   I'll help you with the candles down here  Buck - just keep laughing, having fun, and keep Jerry out of trouble. 

We love you and miss you Joel.

Happy Birthday Bud! 

When I went to visit Joel in Houghton during his last semester at MTU.

You can read more about things we are doing in memory of Joel at his blog:

 http://joelrmarsh.blogspot.com

Anderson Christmas

The Anderson Family - Christmas 2012

I love going home for the holidays.  I know by the time you read this... Christmas was a fond memory of last year.  Paul was only able to come home for a few days after Christmas in which I spent some much needed quality time with the Anderson family in Appleton.  

The extended Anderson Family... Dave!

Jenny, Dave, Paul and I getting ready for dinner!

The first night he arrived we were welcomed for dinner at the Gruner's and had a good time hearing about Dooze's trip to India and catching up with the most recent husband and wife: Dave and Jenny!  It was a fun evening and ended with us watching Jim Gaffigan's latest stand up.  I love his comedy!

Paul and I had our first session of pre-marriage counseling which was really nice, and after talking things through, we drove up north to go snowmobiling with my parents, Bergsy, Ben and Chris.  There was just enough snow to get by, but definitely not enough to make a day out of it.  I was just happy that Paul was able to see all of the progress that was made on the cabin in person.  It has come such a long way since he was up there last.  There will be many more memories made up at Buck's place, I'm sure of it!

Alyce & Paul

 As our time home was coming to an end, Mom and Dad came down to Appleton for dinner one night, and then Paul and I flew home early morning on New Years Day!  I was pretty pumped because I secured Paul an exit row on both of our flights back to Pittsburgh.  Boooya! There are some perks to traveling, even for Pauly!

Christmas break was wonderful and refreshing.  It was hard to come back and get into the groove of studying again.   I sound like a broken record.  (smiles)

Jay & Perry Visit Buck's Place

Dad in snowmobile heaven, sleds running with a fresh dusting of snow!

Last minute plans always seem to work out for the best.  (Sounds like I might be taking just a few too many lessons from my favorite man Paul...)  I'm the ultimate planner, but when Jay and Perry said they might be able to come up to Joel's for the evening - it was go time!

Thumbs up Curty!

Dad and I were planning on taking the day slow and heading home, but we were excited that Jay and Perry were finally able to see Joel's camp.  The last time Jay was up to the cabin, they were roughing in the sides or the concrete.  It was a manly adventure to say the least, which resulted in the water hose running real early in the morning I believe.

The last time we ran into Jay and Perry was visiting in Georgia and then spending some time at the beach in the Florida panhandle.  That was a great trip (read about it here)!  The weather was a bit different this time, and we were going to try out the trails to see if we could put on a few miles on the snowmobiles.  The trails had just opened - the snow was thin - but that didn't scare us off.

Jay, Perry, and I for a morning snowmobile run...

Perry and Jay out on the trails - snow fever!

It was so nice to catch up with Jay and Perry - especially because we know just how busy they are during their short time back in Wisconsin for the holidays.  How fortunate that we were able to pull such a thing off!  I cannot wait until the next time our paths cross!  Another Georgia vacation??

Northern, WI

Christmas at Joel's Cabin

Christmas this year needed a new routine.  In all the anticipation of the holidays, Christmas is just plain hard.  We decided to open our gifts early on Christmas Eve and spend some time with the Whipps.  It was the perfect amount of tradition and change. 

Makes me think of snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park.

To capture the moment, we decided to go up to Joel's cabin and spend Christmas day next to the wood stove.  An excellent choice.  A few turkeys came into the feeder, and whitetail deer were prancing through the field.  The bison were steaming through their nostrils - it was a great time to be up north together.

Dad taking the Cougar for a spin down the road.

Christmas 2013

Greyhounds, Ugly Sweaters, and Packers

Christmas tree in downtown Chicago - wish I could capture it in the dark!

It was a last minute decision to fly back for Christmas, which resulted in a few firsts.  It was my first time being upgraded to first class on my way to Chicago!  I was so excited, but since it was the first flight of the morning, everyone just slept.  Oh, it was my first time ever vomiting on a plane, another first... really couldn't tell you why that happened, other than I was feeling like junk after a pizza binge.    After hitting Chicago I took the trains to visit Alyssa downtown and see her awesome studio apartment.  I'm SOOO jealous of the location, and hopefully I can get back sometime soon when the wind isn't so chilly!  I am sensing a day or two on the beach this summer!

Close to Alyssa's apartment, so adorable, and so cozy! I cannot wait to visit again!

After walking around downtown, I took a cab to the Greyhound station for my long trip to Green Bay!  I transferred buses in Milwaukee and made it from Chicago to Green Bay in just over 6 hours.  Definitely not the fastest way to travel, but it sure saved me a few dollars!

Jay with his pointsettia sweater with the Elf (me) and Lyssa as.. well Lyssa.

That's about as Packer as I get.

With just a moments rest, we gathered the family to head out to Jackson Point to meet up with all of Joel's buddies who were getting together over the Christmas break.  It was fun to have them all in one place, and catch a glimpse of the crew before we scattered to our separate family events!

Finally, there's something to be said about watching the Packer game in Green Bay, WI.  It can't be beat.  Lucky for us we have connections with one of Joel's friends Gosa who so kindly hosted us for lunch and football.  It was fun to catch up and see the home that they have been working on so feverishly!  We were also able to get the details on a few stories from the night before... the Christmas party.  Always a good time when those boys get together! 

Group photo: Jon, Beth, Curty, Deb, and Me!