A Big Pile of Love

Overheard

S: "Molly, I'm never, ever going to stop loving everyone I know."

M: "Wow, Seth. That's wonderful. I'm so proud of you."

Four Year Interview

How does it feel to finally be four? good

What was the best part of your party? getting all the presents and a Woody Action Toy Set

It makes me happy when I ... play with the Playmobil. It's good to be with God.

It makes me sad when I.... bump my head when I have a terrible dream and I have blood on my head and I have to wipe it off.

My Dad...loves me.

My Mom... loves me.

What is your favorite thing to do? Play with Playmobil and my Woody Action Toy Set.

I like to play...match up game.

I like to visit... Monkey Joe's.

I don't like to go to... tall tree places in the jungle where gorillas bite.

My best friend is.... Molly.

I like... Molly making good decisions.

I don't like... white broccoli.

My favorites:
toy- Woody Action Toy Set
color - Red
book - How to Train Your Dragon
food - Plain Broccoli
song - If You're Happy and You Know It
animal - My dog
vegetable - Carrots
fruit - Pineapple
drink - Tea
craft - Painting

The best thing I can do is... trace letters

I get excited when I ... paint.

I have fun when I... read books.

I love... you.

I enjoy... watching Little Bear.

What do you want to be when you grow up? An Astronaut and Batman and a Wind Surfer and a Bird Trainer

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Play Legos
What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? going to parks
What is your favorite thing to do with Miles? wrestles and tickles with me
What is your favorite thing to do with Carlee? I like her to spend the night.

I am proud when I... figure out all the puzzle pieces.

What he likes about his family:

Grandma - she plays with me
Papa - I miss Papa. But he still loves me because he always loves me.
Papa Roper - he does silly things
Mimi - playing the game fill Ned's Head Up
Papa George - when he takes the computer to the store because the children's games aren't working
Grandma Bozurich - she is patient
Aunt Dana - she takes me to Monkey Joe's
Uncle Mingo - when we go to his man cave
Aunt Stacy - playing games
Uncle Bobby - I like him to bring Trey over.
Uncle Chris - I like to go to his house.
Aunt Carol - fireworks and parades
Uncle Dan - he wrestles with me
Aunt Erika - she lets us countdown to her home
Aunt Sandy - reading books
Nate - he shoots his toy guns - not lego guns - real toy guns
Will - playing that dinosaur thing at his house
Molly - playing Easter
Trey - watching a movie and play at Mimi's
Chase - holding on to him and talking to him
Sophia - holding her and making her laugh
Ashley - I like to play goose with her.
Pup-Pup - I like to talk to her.
Buddy - I like to talk to him too.

The best thing about being four is... playing with legos. School has good, fun things. I like to swim without a vest and diving.

When I am five I will... play with Austin.

First Day of School

Seth started preschool today. It's a little sad and a little happy. Last night he kept saying over and over that he didn't want to go and that he was going to hide, hide, hide. He did actually hide this morning - under the dining room table, but when it was time to go, he hopped right in the car. I was worried about a meltdown, but when Mark and I walked him to his classroom, he went right in. When I told him we were leaving he just waved and said goodbye like he was an old pro. When we picked him up, he said, "You were right Mom. I do love school." We took him out for a celebratory lunch and to Target to spend his birthday gift card. One day down, 3060(+) to go!

Happy Birthday Seth!

We cannot believe our sweet, funny, charming, brave, brilliant little boy is 4 today! Even when we are sad, he gives us a million different reasons to smile everyday. Happy birthday, Seth! You make me want to be a better person and I cannot imagine my world without you!

Seth's 4th Birthday Party

Although no one much felt like a party, we were all able to pull together and have a nice day for Seth. Here are a few shots:

Broken Hearted

My dad was so many things to so many people: loving son & husband, loyal and true friend, dedicated company man... But in our household growing up, I will always remember his as the Ambassador of Fun. Don't get me wrong. He always took care of business, but once all the ducks were in a row, it was time to play. Whether it was surprising us with a trip to Disney or a swimming pool in the backyard, he always made sure our childhood was a magical place.

He loved to give us the wow factor but it was the little, everyday things that really made him special. I remember Mom, Dana and I watching in wonder as he played a joke on my tiny brother - trying to convince him that the lid off of a jar of peanuts was a birthday present. I can still hear him saying. "Look Dan you can use it as a frisbee...." trying to hold back his infectious laugh. He was a fantastic story teller and often wove tales about siblings named May, Nada and Nad. It wasn't until years later that we realized May, Nada and Nad were our names with the letters moved around.

Growing Up Hannon, I'm pleased to say, was different than growing up in most families. Our Thanksgiving traditions included singing the Turkey Song from Saturday Night Live and watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - a movie that we would quote all year. ("Can't see the lines, can you Russ?") On Christmas Eve Dad was certain that Santa was tired of milk and cookies. We always left Santa shrimp cocktail and beer.

When I married Mark he immediately became a son to Dad - not a son-in-law - and Mark's Children Carlee and Miles became grandchildren - not step-grandchildren. He knew that blood isn't what makes up families - it's love. He did nothing halfway and once you were in the family, you're in the family for life.

Dad also was an amazing grandfather and always made sure the kids had so much fun when they would visit. Dad always had something fun for them to do and let it be known that there were "no timeouts at Papa's." A line Seth was more than happy to repeat.

Even as dad was very ill in the hospital, he never lost that amazing sense of humor. We all were lucky to share many laughs with him as he was awaiting his surgery. One time he asked me to push the button on his hospital bed to prop him up, As the bed began to move he jumped, acting as if he were hurt. He laughed so hard I had to remind him to breathe.

Underneath all of the fun an laughter ran a strong undercurrent of love. A love that reached from Mom and Grandma to his three children and our families as we grew and married and to everyone he ever met. He was our coach, cheerleader and number one fan. He was our teacher and our fearless leader. He was our rock and our soft place to fall. I don't know how we will find the strength to go on without him, but I know we will. He has already given us enough strength to last a lifetime. So we will carry all of these fantastic memories with us and look forward to the day when we will be together again. We love you dad.