Ninny

Ninny: some define "ninny" as a fool or simpleton. My mom, Cindy, saw it in a crossword puzzle defined as "Ass".

Our kids define Ninny as "Grandma". When Emily was 2 and starting to talk, she called Grandma Strack "Nana". Grandma Strack never wanted to be known as Grandma Strack since my Grandma Strack was pretty unpleasant. Cindy wanted to be known as Grandma Cindy. Well, Emily combined Nana and Cindy and it evolved into Ninny!

Not only is Grandma Strack Ninny, but so is Grandma Kreidler! However, Grandma Del has always been Grandma Del.

Here are a few pictures of our kids "Ninnys".

Ninny Cindy and the kids back in September:

Ninny Kathy and Emily at the Dunes last summer.

Ninny Kathy and a baby Adam!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family.

We have a lot of things to be thankful for this year, but when asked as dinner tonight what Emily was thankful for, she said she' d be thankful if someone gave her the wishbone from the turkey! My mom is going to make some turkey noodle soup on Saturday and assured Emily that she'd give her the wishbone!

Tomorrow we will see the Kreidlers and Joe/Lucie and their kids are coming out to see us. On Saturday, Paul, Emily and I are going to the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates to watch Indiana play either Xavier or Kent State. Papa and Ninny are going to watch Adam for the night. It might be one our and only time to watch Eric Gordon play as a member of the Indiana University basketball team!

Eric Gordon (clap clap, clap clap clap)

Ladies and Gentlemen:



Eric Gordon.

Bucket Blogging, Part II

We enjoyed our weekend with the Banachs and Emily had a great IU football experience. We had a short tailgate and then did some other things. We experienced "the walk" where the football team walks through the tailgate area. Em gave James Hardy a high five and got a fist bump from Kellen Lewis.

After "the walk" we went over by Assembly Hall (yes, Brian - the REAL Assembly Hall) and went thru the kids area. Em climbed a rock wall and threw some footballs. After that, we went into the stadium, stopping to watch the Purdue drumline on the way in which was pretty cool.

As for the game, it was a nail-biter in the second half with Indiana hanging on at the end. After watching the team celebrate on the field, Emily said she wanted to head down. We walked down to the first row and watched the TV interviews with Austin Starr who kicked the winning field goal, and saw Josiah Sears holding the Old Oaken Bucket. While standing at the railing, starting left tackle Roger Saffold (number 76, in the picture above) gave Emily his wrist bands, which she thought was really cool.

We then hopped the fence and walked on the field, just as Amy and I had done after an IU Bucket win while we were in school. Emily touched the field, took some pictures on the 50 yard line, and then we headed out.

Em said it was the best day of her life. Overdramatic, I know, but it made us happy that she had such a good time.

As for Adam, he spent the day with baby Conrad and a sitter. I think next year he'll be patient enough to go to the games with us. Perhaps it's time to renew our season tickets.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Bucket Blogging

Austin Starr drilled a 49-yard field goal with 30 seconds left for Indiana to hold on and beat Purdue. It was a great game!

Happy Birthday Adam!

Adam Powers that is!

Have a great day Adam!

Time with Papa Jack and Ninny Cindy!

My parents stopped by on their way back North for the holidays. Mom, Dad, Adam and I went to the zoo. My dad got to experience Adam at his best that day - all full of wonderful energy! We spent about 3 1/2 hours at the zoo. Adam took a GREAT nap that afternoon after all the fresh air and exercise!

Papa enjoyed some alone time growling at this leopard. They had a "stare down" and Papa said the leopard looked away first!

Walking with Papa.

"Where are we??? Let's look at the map and find out Papa!"

"WOW!!"

"Check out this snake!"

Adam giving his donation!