Feedin' Santa and his reindeer

I haven't taken the time to write a full Christmas post, but I will soon, promise.

In the meantime, here's Jasper P setting out some pumpkin muffins his mother and he made (for Santa) and some carrots for the reindeer. Santa also got some ice cold milk.

Yes, Jasper picked most of the frosting off the muffins and Cozmo ate one of them, but it's the thought that counts. (And Santa loved 'em ... Yum-o!!!)

Finger painting

Did Jasper and I finger paint today? Ummm ... yeah!

Goodbye, Grandpa Bob

Our family suffered a great loss this month when 'Grandpa Bob' died on Dec. 20 at age 85. He had been ill for some time now and his health declined further in recent weeks, but it's always a shock to lose a loved one. We love him and miss him dearly, and we're thankful and darn lucky we had him around as long as we did.

Growing up, we always had Christmas Eve with the Wilson side at Grandpa Bob and Grandma Rita's house outside of Stuart. I remember there often being a big pot of clam chowder for dinner that was only eaten by Grandpa Bob and maybe one or two others. (Good ... more for him, I'm sure he thought.)

Bob and Rita celebrated 63 years of marriage this year and left a legacy of love for one-another — and for family — that we all need to do our best to live up to. (Natalie and I will be married 5 years this coming July 9 ... 58 more years and we'll tie 'em!)

I won't get into a lot of the stories from all the time I spent with Grandpa Bob, but I can tell you it was always interesting. He was the type of guy who always had something going on, some project to work on, and often he'd involve his kids, grandkids and his friends in the 'scheme.' His farm was (is) cool, with plenty of room to explore and all sorts of out buildings with cool stuff inside to play with. He always had goofy dogs that were either too friendly or not friendly enough; if they were good, they'd be invited onto the porch. Bob and Rita softened a bit recently and, more often than not, you'd find a dog inside with them, something I NEVER remember seeing when I was young. And that dang blue S10 pickup squeaked like I've never heard a truck squeak. (You could be in the back of my dad's store and hear him coming down the alley.)

Once I hit my growth spurt (around age 15 or so), Grandpa Bob never let the opportunity pass to slump when he got near me, like he was shrinking, then lift himself up on his tip-toes to try to look me straight in the eye.

And naps, I can't forget the naps. It never failed. After every lunch I think he ever ate, Grandpa Bob would take a nap.

At the funeral, which was on Saturday, Dec. 26, I was invited to read an excerpt of a poem by Sam Walter Foss: 'House by the side of the road.' Grandpa knew the specific excerpt by heart and, eventually, came to enjoy the entire poem. I think he's been quoted as calling it "Damn good."

The excerpt:

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

My sister, known on this blog as Aunt Melissa Wilder (Sydney's mom), preceded me at the microphone with a thank you to everyone who came to the funeral and who supported our family during this sad time. I'm paraphrasing her closing words: "Grandpa Bob showed us all how to grow old with grace ... and humor."

Family friend Charlie Hawley also had a few kind words for Grandpa Bob at the end of the funeral: 'Bob was a friend of mine ... He could find humor in anything ... God never made a better man for free, and if he did he kept him for himself.'

The photo in this post of Jasper and his great-grandpa Bob was taken around Aug. 16, 2008. Just two guys hanging out, probably telling each other bad jokes. I don't think anyone took photos of it, but recently when J made another trip to see Bob and Rita, he and Bob were giving each other knuckles (or 'pounds', as some call it).

In the coming weeks I'm going to try to upload a few more photos of Grandpa Bob from throughout the years. I know there are some pretty cool ones out there, I just have to find them.


ROBERT HOWARD WILSON
May 10, 1924-Dec. 20, 2009

Robert Howard Wilson was born May 10, 1924, to Elmer and Esta Brown Wilson in Stuart, Iowa.

Bob attended country school until the eighth grade and graduated from Stuart High School in May 1942. He served in World War II, enlisting October 1942 in the USNR. He served in the Pacific Amphibious Flotilla and reached the rank of MoMM1c. He served on a top secret LCC (Landing Craft Control) Boat in the battles of Saipan and Tinian. After the war and for 35 years he had little contact with his fellow LCC’ers. In 1981 he was instrumental in starting the first reunion with old buddies and they had many stories to share.

After discharge in January 1946 he returned to Stuart and on June 6, 1946, married Rita Carey, daughter of James and Ruth Farrell Carey. They began farming north of Stuart and had six children. One year in the early 1960s when crops failed, he commuted to Chicago for months to take courses in refrigeration repair. He worked for Sears Appliance Repair Department in Des Moines for several years while continuing to farm. He and Rita farmed northwest of Stuart for 63 years. After semi-retirement, he enjoyed helping out where he could, gardening, going to coffee and was an avid reader.

Bob loved inventing, trying to figure out a better way to do something and exploring new adventures. He was rarely without a project and usually talked kids, grandkids or friends into getting involved. He appreciated family history and remembered stories on almost everyone. He was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church.

To his many friends and family he will be missed and remembered as a man who enjoyed being involved and having numerous interests. He was a member of the American Legion serving as Adjutant & Service Officer, Sons of the American Revolution, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Society of the War of 1812. He served on the County Historical Museum Board and as Township Trustee on the County Extension Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and actively involved with the Calvary Cemetery plaques for service men and women. He also helped restore the old Quaker section at North Oak Cemetery.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Rhea, who died at birth.

Surviving are his wife Rita; children, Phyllis (Roy) Irish of Clive; Steve (Jean) Wilson of Denver, Colo.; Paul (Debbie) Wilson of Menlo; John (Roni) Wilson and Barbara (Guy) Hayden both of Stuart; Kathy (Bob) Zenner of Naperville, Ill.; 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 7 step grandchildren, 10 step great grandchildren and 3 step great-great grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at the All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service with a rosary recited at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be held at a later date in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery and/or the Hospice of Central Iowa Perry-Boone Chapter in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 123 NE Second Street, Stuart, Iowa 50250 (515) 523-1200.

Online condolences may be left at www. johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com

Snow: II

The first half of our time playing in the snow on Saturday was spent sliding down the snow-filled slide and swinging in the snow-filled sing. The wet/cold slide made for a heck of a ride, as those conditions paired with Jasper's slick snow pants sent him shooting into the snow at the bottom.

He was a little wary of the slide the first time, but with a little urging from daddy (read: pushing), he realized just how much fun it was and probably went down another 25 times.

As for the swing, which grandpa Paul originally built for cousin Sydney, the extra layers of clothes J was wearing kept him from leaning forward like he normally does. That meant he was almost laying back in it, which made for some very cute (I think) photos. He was going high, of course, but not as high as his 'upside down' photo makes it seem.

Enjoy!

Playing in the snow

Jasper and I had a great time playing in the snow Saturday afternoon while Natalie was shopping. We got all bundled up and hit the backyard, which still has about a foot or more (mostly more) of snow covering everything.

He struggled to get around out there, and was a little grossed out by Cozmo's 'collection' in front of the deck (as was I), but once we stomped down some of the snow he was able to stay on his feet pretty well.

We spent our time doing two things:

1) Throwing snow for Cozmo, who absolutely LOVES chasing snowballs. J especially likes holding onto the snowballs and letting Coz knock it out of his hands with his snout and sometimes his paws. Yeah, J ended up on his backside a few times and with snow in his face a few others, but that's what's fun about the whole thing, and that's what got J giggling like crazy!

2) Sliding and swinging (more photos in next post).

The 50-cent snow pants Nat bought at a garage sale earlier this year and hand-me-down winter jacket and boots kept him toasty warm and dry enough for us to be outside for about an hour. By the time we went inside, he was pretty much wrecked, but perked right up when grandma Debbie and grandpa Paul swung by.

Tape measure

After playing in the snow on Saturday afternoon we sat down to watch the John Deere movie, but something else caught Jasper's eye: daddy's tape measure.

He'd sit there, pull the tape out as far as his limited wingspan would allow and tuck it behind him, waiting for it to reel itself back in. When it did, as you can see, he thought it was pretty darn funny!

Breakfast with Santa

The Wilsons and Melissa and Sydney Wilder made the short trek over to Pleasant Hill on Dec. 5 for Breakfast with Santa at the Doane's Park shelter after the girls stayed the night with us.

We ate pancakes with a couple hundred of our closest friends, but before that we got in the short (but growing quickly) line to sit on Santa's lap. Syd was all about it, and I'm sure had an earful for the jolly one. Jasper, as you can see, was not as thrilled with the idea, although Santa must've enjoyed having Nat there with him!

After settling down during breakfast, our peace was again interrupted by another Christmastime character: Frosty the Snowman. Again, Syd thought he was pretty cool and got a photo with him. Jasper ... not so much. He started to get upset so I had to calm him down. I told J that the snowman was nice, but all he could say was "Bye, bye, no man ... Bye, bye, 'no man."

J was happier after Frosty walked away, but kept an eye the 8-foot tall snowman for the rest of the time as Syd got her face painted.

Then we played outside for about one minute — it was cold! — and headed home.

Very good time!

Snowed in

The Wilsons were snowed in Wednesday — like most of the rest of Iowa — after a blizzard dropped about a foot (some places got up to 18 inches) of snow on us and 40-plus mph winds blew it around.

I scooped our deck to the best of my abilities so Cozmo would go outside and do his business, and I spent a couple hours digging out our driveway, but because the snow plow didn't come until about 4, we didn't even attempt to leave the house until about 5, when I headed to Dahl's and Little Caesars for pizza - can't beat $5 large pies!

Instead, we stayed comfy and warm inside with Jasper and Coz, reading books, napping, watch John Deere and having a good old time. Jasper also stayed warm by wearing my stocking hat all day. We tried taking it off at one point ... big mistake!

Here are a few pics of the snow - it was piled more than a foot deep against our sliding glass doors to the deck and one drift in our driveway was about waist deep.

Dance off!

One of Jasper's favorite things is to dance to Natalie's cell phone ring tones. Normally it's just the three of us in the dance contest, but we added a four participant tonight - cousin Sydney. I think she beat us all!

Baking with mommy

Jasper likes to help when Natalie bakes, so she pulls over a kitchen chair and lets him get his hands dirty. He always has a great time except, of course, for the one night when he fell off the chair. (He wasn't hurt, though, and he isn't at all afraid to jump back up on the chair to lend a hand.)

On this random Thursday morning, I stayed home with J because Nat had a doctor appointment on her day off. She got home and promptly fired up the oven to make some bread. With J's help, of course.

Yum!

"It's all about John Deere"

As I've written before, Jasper LOVES-LOVES-LOVES the John Deere DVD he got from cousin Syd and watched the entire 45 minute show once a day. We try to limit it to once, although we sometimes break down and let him watch it in the morning and at night.

Natalie and I have pretty much learned all the words and we find ourselves singing the songs even when it's not playing. Great!

Here's a quick video of J watching it this morning. He didn't want to be bothered, but at least he acknowledged the camera.

Brothers, buddies, and all that fun stuff

Cozmo and Jasper have been best buddies since J first came around. As best buddies do, they accept each other's lesser qualities: Coz looks the other way when J drives his trucks and tractors on his head/back and steals his chew bones, and he understands when J forgets to do 'nice touches' and instead gives him a whack on the butt.

Jasper, meanwhile, doesn't get too mad at Coz when he licks Bubba (J's blanket), steals food out of his hands, and J knows Coz doesn't mean any harm when he knocks him over or accidentally scratches him when they're playing.

Here's a handful of photos of the boys today, including one where Coz is giving me a look that says "Let me guess, Jasper's going to steal my bone again. How fun!"

All caught up

Yes, we had to spend a few minutes Sunday getting Jasper untangled from a string of Christmas lights. Luckily he stayed close to the tree and didn't run off, pulling the tree with him.

Before and after

Just a look at what the Wilson's Christmas tree looked like before decorating this afternoon, and after. Enjoy.

Helping out

Jasper was a pretty good helper when we put up the tree today. He especially liked Nat's candy canes and his 'Jasper 2008' ball.

Christmas decorating

The Wilson family took a trip to Menards in Altoona on Sunday to get our Christmas tree. After Jasper and daddy got naps (daddy's been sick this weekend), we put the tree up and started decorating.

Jasper got a little attached to the ball with his name on it and Nat's two decorative candy canes, but a little distraction (the John Deere DVD) and he forgot all about them.

Nat had the brilliant idea to put the tree in one of our old metal wash tubs and it looks great! (Thanks, Country Living magazine.)

Best buddies

Cousin Sydney Wilder passed down the John Deere DVD that she got a few years ago from great-uncle John and great-aunt Roni Wilson. Syd went through a phase where she watched it about once a day. Now Jasper's the same; when he's not watching it, he's asking if he can watch it, but we try to limit it to once a day.

He actually calls it 'Grandpa,' (J's word: Pompa) because he associates tractors (and pretty much anything fun) with Grandpa Paul Wilson.

On Friday morning, after a long night's sleep, Jasper woke up asking to watch 'Pompa.' Nat was gone shopping so after breakfast J hopped up on the couch and I popped in the movie. (It's 45 minutes long by the way, and he'll watch every minute of it if you let him.)

I was in the chair reading the paper when I noticed both the boys — J and Cozmo — intently watching the movie. (I think they were both still a little sleepy.) I had to get a pic!

One more from Thanksgiving

Forgot about the one of Jasper and 'Uncle JJ' - uncle Jason Henderson - just hangin' on the couch, watchin' football on Thanksgiving night.

The end result

We forgot to take photos throughout the day on Thanksgiving, but we snapped one at the end of the night when we finally got home — at 10:30 p.m.!!! That's only about 3 hours past Jasper's normal bedtime, and the poor guy had less than an hour nap during the day.

Oh well. He had a great time playing with the Wilson side for lunch at Jeff and Gina Sherman's in Stuart and the Trissel side at grandma Vicki's in Waukee.

J-man is wrecked!

Photos from Noah's bday party

We took a minute during Noah's birthday party last Friday to get a couple of photos, including all the young cousins. From left, it's Jasper Wilson, Pryce Smith, Dominic Parrino, Noah Henderson, Perri Smith and Payton Smith.

Other photos include Jasper and Perri playing cars and trucks; Natalie and her cousin Autumn and Autumn's son Dominic; and Dominic just hangin' with his mom.

Crazy driver!

I was picking up leaves last weekend, Natalie was taking photos and Jasper was cruisin' on his 4-wheeler. It wasn't going very well in the grass (it wasn't fully charged), but he didn't seem to mind.

J loves anything and everything he can ride, starting first with my motorcycle and moving to grandpa Paul's tractor/combine/4-wheeler triumvirate. He's going to LOVE riding bikes when he gets a little older, I'm sure.