Them Silly Silers. If the boys in midtown could see Mommy now!!!

Originally uploaded by SillySilers.

Yup, that’s us. How’s that for a stylin’ family??

This is just after Christmas tree shopping. We got one big one for the living room and JT picked out a little one for his play room. He even decorated it all by himself.

Daddy and Jesse decorated outside too. We have “The Santa Landing Strip” which we’re sure can be seen from the moon. We’re also a little afraid that local prop planes may mistake it for a runway.

We’re in the spirit and hopefully stick to our plan of laying low on not going overboard on gifts. However, Mommy did see Santa while shopping and let him know that JT is REALLY in to Star Wars. We’ll see if he got the hint.

The plan is to go to Mammy and Pap’s th weekend before Christmas, be home and waiting for Santa on Christmas, a little after Christmas shopping and then, can you believe, it is JT’s FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!!

We’re going to celebrate the weekend after his birthday, that way a few of his friends can possibly join from school. That’s the part that sucks about his birthday … it’s right in between Christmas and New Year’s so everyone’s on vacations and hanging with the extended families. We do not plan to go overboard with that either … maybe invite a few friends and his cousins to go to movies or to an indoor playground (ala McDonald’s - haha).

But before all that, we have this weekend … the weekend we attempt to see SANTA CLAUS. We’ll keep you posted on how that goes.

Hoping all are in the spirit!!
Them Silly Silers

JT Month 8

Originally uploaded by SillySilers.

I waited a bit before posting this picture. I did not want to offend anyone or jump the gun on any other photos or words about Uncle Mitch. I guess I just can not wait any longer.

Uncle Mitch was Barry’s Aunt’s husband so I only knew him a very short time. The first time being when JT was months old. The moment I met him I knew he was a good man, the kind of man you just feel warm around. Before the end of the evening, he had his wallet out showing pics of his family and him as a younger man (WOW, he was HOT Trottin’ Pappa - good taste Aunt Baby!!) proud as could be. I never saw that in my own father so I’m quick to recognize it in others.

Aunt Baby is our biggest fan of this site. It’s one of the reasons we keep posting silly stories and updates. She lives pretty far away so this has been her lifeline to keepin up with JT. Uncle Mitch used to talk about how crazy she was about him. Uncle Mitch said she checks the site daily. I believe him.

Uncle Mitch LOVED NASCAR. I’ve never been really all that in to NASCAR but there’s just something about listening to a man talk about something he has passion for. We talked about going to the races together - he was going to take Barry and I. In my heart I knew he wouldn’t make it to fulfill that promise - but i think the promise itself meant even more.

We got the news of his passing the day after Thanksgiving. Barry’s Mom, Dad and Sister with her family were all at our house. Barry’s Dad and his 4 sisters and 3 brothers are very tight. I’m in awe every time I’m around them all. As all families do, I’m sure they have their baggage, but honestly, i couldn’t tell you what their’s is. I’ve never once seen them argue or raise their voices to each other (except when having normal conversation - with Barry’s Dad - LOL - “Huh? What’d you say??”). Steve’s (Barry’s Dad) phone rang the rest of the day, always from one brother or sister checking in and wondering about Baby. They were very concerned about her, they knew how much Mitch meant to her. He was her life.

Barry did take time off from work to go to the funeral. JT and I did not go as it was a lot of traveling in a short amount of time. We thought it best to let Daddy go and represent for us. We know he represents us well.

Aunt Baby, I know you’re reading this and you do not know me all that well, just from a few family get-togethers and via the web and such, but know I only have a good memories of Uncle Mitch - and those are all I know of him. That speaks volumes. I know you have more than we can ever imagine. Our thoughts are with you even now, as i’m sure the good memories are hard to keep front-of-mind. They’ll make their way there permanently eventually - it takes time.

We love you. We loved Uncle Mitch.
Them Silly Silers