September 30, 2010

Evalie Says...

I took this picture of Kate in the car on the way to work today with my phone. It isn't as good as the donut day, but she had peanut butter all over and in her hair when we got to Linda's. I guess having a little of peanut butter and toast on the way to daycare isn't the greatest idea.

September 29, 2010

Evalie Says....

Again, a day I didn't take a picture.

September 28, 2010

Evalie Says...

I told you there would be a few days that I didn't get a picture taken. Today was one of those days.

September 27, 2010

Evalie Says...

One of my favorite meals to make is homemade pizzas. Kate also likes to make them. She is becoming quite the chef.

September 26, 2010

Evalie Says...

Josh participated today in his first Olympic distance triathlon today. I think we found the right distance for him. The sprints were becoming too easy, and the 1/2 Ironman distance was just too long. This race seemed to be just perfect, and he did very well.

It was such a nice day for a triathlon. Kate and I drove up with Josh to be there at the start of the race. I had never seen this part of the triathlon before. I always seem to show up right when they are about to begin. This is the first race that I have ever been to where someone wasn't with Kate and I to watch. We usually know someone. Needless to say, we had some great bonding time.

Once again, I am amazed at how cool a triathlon race is. Even more so, I'm amazed at my husband and his ability to participate in these. If you didn't know already, my husband is pretty awesome!

Plus, Kate used the port-o-potties!!!

Someone is sad because it is early in the morning..

Somewhere out there is my hubby....

Ditto...

Lounging...

And we are transition to the bike after an awesome swim...

Lots of cuddle time...

Transitioning to the run from the bike...

Finishing it up...

Kisses...

Kate stole his medal...

September 25, 2010

Evalie Says...

Tonight we went out to eat with Paul at our favorite little Mexican place in town. I went back to the house with him after dinner to help organize a few things and help with thank you notes and addresses. I took back with me a few plants. Josh stayed at home and got his bike and gear ready for his last triathlon of the season.


Josh thinks Kate should participate next year in the kids' tri!!
I'm not to sure about that one...

September 24, 2010

Evalie Says...

Josh got home last night, and it is great having him back home. Kate is so excited to have him back to play with. I guess mommy wasn't that much fun! She kept playing the hiding game with him this evening. I know that I have shown pictures of Kate doing this before. But it still cracks us up when she plays it. She will call for us to come and find her. When we walk into the room, all we can hear is giggles. All we see is a little head poking out.

September 23, 2010

Evalie Says...

Today when I pick Kate up from daycare, she has an apple that she made at craft time. She wanted me to take a picture to send to daddy since he was on his trip. I figured you might want to see it also.

September 22, 2010

Evalie Says...


Josh is in Milwaukee for work having a fun trip. I'm not sure if they actually had much 'work' planned. Every time I talked to him, they were off to do something fun and exciting. I sure miss having him around when he is gone for work, but Kate and I get some good bonding time.
Josh sent us this picture to show us how much fun he is having. I'm somewhat jealous...

September 21, 2010

Evalie Says...

Since I had to take a few days off, I have a mess of things to grade. Actually, I'm not sure when I don't have a mess of things to grade!

So when I have a mess of things to grade, Kate and I have a date with our dining room table. I sit on one end and grade, while Kate creates some masterpiece on the other end. But you see, Kate has a bit of a problem. Last Christmas at daycare, they panted their hands to make our Christmas gifts. Since then, Kate finds it more interesting to paint her hands than paint her paper. I find it frustrating, but I know I should embrace her creativity.

It is hard work keeping those hands away from my students' papers.

September 20, 2010

Evalie Says...

Today my thoughts were, I should have taken one more day of bereavement to regroup from the events before jumping back into work. I just knew that it was going to be a little crazy being back to work. In celebration of the crazy day, Kate and I stopped on the way to daycare and work for donuts and coffee (for me, not Kate).

By the time we arrived at Linda's, Kate had managed to have her donut all over her face and hair. Why not start the crazy a bit early right? I mean what can a bunch of 6th graders do that won't be worse than this?

Right?

September 19, 2010

Evalie Says...

Today we headed back home from being back in Storm Lake and Alta. It was really hard to say 'good-bye' to everyone.

Kate and Sam playing with Uncle Paul at the hotel.

We took the time to stop and eat at one of my favorite restaurants in Storm Lake. Kate decided that she wanted to take a few pictures of Josh and I. Josh's picture turned out much better than mine.

I love her so much.

She gives me so much to live for...

September 18, 2010

Evalie Say...

Today was the day of Annie's funeral in town and the burial back in Storm Lake. It was a extremely tough day. It never gets easy to say good-bye to love ones.

After everyone had left, it was just the cousins left with Paul. We went out for pizza and swam at the pool trying to get our minds off the events of the day. I love my family so much. I have the best sisters and cousins in the world!!

September 17, 2010

Evalie Says...

Tonight was Annie's visitation here in town. Her favorite bar in town is called Bill's. Kevin, the owner, had a special place in his heart for Annie and still does for Paul as they were close friends. Kevin invited the whole family down to Bill's to toast to Annie. We all gathered after the visitation. Kevin turned the music off and got everyone in the place to raise their glasses to honor Annie. It was quite a moment that I will never forget.



A few more pictures from the night celebrating her life...

Paul and Molly with her best friend, Jodee, and her dad, John.

Justina, my sister, and Josh

Kristin, my sister, and John

Paul and Molly

Josh and Me

Molly and Me

Me, Molly and Jodee

Annie's best friend from high school, Connie, and Brenda

Annie's great friend, Sharon, and Molly

My brother-in-law, John. Notice my niece, Jessica, and my sisters solving world problems in the back!

September 12 - 16, 2010

Evalie Says....

I have no pictures to share from these past five days. It has been such an emotional roller coaster, but somehow we are managing to move forward.

It is really hard to accept that my daughter has learned what the word "died" means. The questions that she asks me, break my heart. She tells me daily that Auntie Annie died, and that we won't ever see her again. For some strange reason, when she tells me these word they become so real...

Molly and I also took the time with the help of my sisters to write Annie's obituary after Paul, Molly and I went to the funeral home.

I wanted to share it with you....

Diane Laura “Annie” Holstein, 54, of Marion, died peacefully on September 13, 2010, surrounded by family and friends. She was a person who was always there with a smile and a word of encouragement. Her family adored her and nothing made her shine as much as the love she had for her husband, Paul and daughter, Molly. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, September 18, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Marion by Rev. Dr. Howard Chapman. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Friday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. Graveside Service will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery, Storm Lake. Annie was born in Le Mars, Iowa, on August 15, 1956, and was the youngest daughter of William Alexander and Mary Justina (Hartman) Bell. She was raised in Alta and graduated from Alta Community School. After graduating she attended Iowa Lakes Community College for one year in Estherville, Iowa to study Art. On May 5, 1984 she married the late Duane Camerer and they resided in Storm Lake, Iowa. She worked at the Woman's Shop until the birth of their daughter, Molly Katherine in 1985. On April 24, 1992, she married Marvin (Paul) Holstein. In 1996, they moved to Marion. Annie was a member of the Marion First Presbyterian Church where she had taught Sunday School classes, was the head of the Children’s Christian Education Committee, and was directory of the nursery. There was nothing that she enjoyed more than organizing, creating bulletin boards, and working with the children of the church. Survivors include her husband of 18 years, Paul; a daughter, Molly of Memphis, TN; a brother, Tom Bell of Cedar Creek, MO; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Duane Camerer; two sisters, Mary Jean Bell and Ruth Katherine (Kate) Henery; and two nephews, Chad Micah Henery and Seth Andrew Henery.

I miss her...

September 11, 2010

Evalie Says...

Dad, Josh, Kate and I headed out the door to spend some time at the hospital in the morning. We hung out for some time, and dad said his good-byes to head back home. Before he left, we went and caught a bite to eat at a local place that plays the Nebraska games. Kate made sure she wore her "Go Big Red" shirt. Later, we watched the Iowa vs. Iowa State game at the hospital. Annie had a pretty good day today. She became a little responsive, which was really awesome to have her smile to me and shake her head. It gave me a little glimmer of hope.



Yes, I know she wore this shirt yesterday. It just had to be worn twice when Grandpa Henery was in town. I promise we washed it...

September 10. 2010

Evalie Says...

My dad came to today to spend some time with Annie in the hospital. He brought Kate's birthday presents in case they were not able to make it to her birthday party. I said she could open one gift early before grandpa and daddy went to watch the Marion football game.

September 9, 2010

Evalie Says...

My sisters came to town to spend some time with Aunt Annie with my new niece, Kennedy. They tried to travel through the night on Wednesday night, but gave up and spent the night at the hotel. They arrived at our house and the hospital while I was at school teaching (where I was somehow trying to not think about what was going on). After school, I was able to spend some time with them in the waiting room in the evening. I also got a few minutes of time with just Kennedy and me, reminding me how precious life really is.

September 8, 2010

Evalie Says...

Today Uncle Paul called after school to let me know that things were not going well for Annie. He informed me that one of his flying buddies was heading down to pick Molly up and bring her home. I knew right then and there that things were not good. I went down to the hospital to give support to Paul while we waited for Molly to arrive. Most of the family was getting ready to also head in our direction to be with Annie. I ended up staying at the hospital into the early hours until Molly arrived. My heart is aching because the future appears scary.

Josh and Kate wanted to bring a ray of sunlight into the waiting room and came for a visit. Kate fell in love with the fish in the fish tank. She even named the small blue fish, Bob.