Withdrawals....

As Adeline wakes up this morning (I believe) she is happy to be in her own room and bed. But reality hits her when Daddy picks her up and brings her into our bedroom.

"Where is everyone?"(she asks herself), as she looks around with her crinkled eyebrows.

"This isn't Grandpa and Grandma's house" I see disappointment run along her face as we walk downstairs. She runs to every door looking for more people but no one besides Daddy and Mommy are to be found.

Withdrawals is what I think they call it. You see right now for Adeline her world is perfect. She is the first grandchild on the "Bean" side and the first granddaughter on the "Forte" side. So whenever family is around, she is the center of attention.

This weekend we celebrated an 80th birthday party for Great Grandpa Bean who traveled with Grandma Carol all the way from Texas. Uncle Josh and Aunt Bethany came from Pennsylvania, Aunt Erin from Fort Wayne, and Aunt Betsey came as a surprise from Iowa. We all arrived Friday evening and sat in the family room playing with Adeline.

Saturday was the "Big" day as around 40-50 family and friends came to celebrate. Grandpa Forte, Uncle John, Aunt Bobbie, Aunt Bev, and Uncle Bill were also some of the special visitors. Adeline toddled around from person to person showing off some of her new tricks and looking as cute as could be with her personalized t-shirt...

Grandpa and the Bean Ladies

Adeline and Elmo

Adeline had fun with the balloons

Adeline's fussy face

A sweet shot with Addy and Daddy at the piano

James put together a family tribute to Grandpa Bean with Aunt Bobbie's help. A thirteen minute video with pictures of Grandpa from childhood to the present. He worked very hard on it up unto the very last minute and it turned out beautiful...

Sunday was Aunt Erin's day. Last year Erin's birthday was sort-of shafted due to a baby dedication.(which she never complained but we felt bad) And this year with Grandpa's birthday being so close to hers we wanted to make sure that enough time and attention was devoted to only her. We had a special birthday dinner and dessert followed by presents, and we tried our best to let her know how special she is to us all.

When Erin was done opening her presents Dad Bean started to talk to her about the T.V. she has in Ft. Wayne. I guess she is borrowing it from her parents. Well he told her that he was needing it back because their other t.v. wasn't working out and she would have to take the other downstairs t.v. instead. This "other" t.v. is small and black and white and pretty crappie. Now for all of you who know Dad Bean sometimes you can tell if he is joking and others you can't. By the way he was talking he definately wasn't. As I watched Erin's happy face turn sad with confusion I was filled with frustration and yes even a little anger towards my father-in-law as he crushed my sweet sister's heart. He told her that she could go downstairs and get the t.v. now if she wanted. She didn't want to but he pushed her. Again my anger rose. A couple of minutes after she was down there I decided to take Adeline because I noticed everyone else was on their way. To my surprise (because my husband did not tell me) there was a BRAND NEW FLAT SCREEN T.V. and a beautiful teary eyed Erin standing in front of it. Ahhhhhhh. There was no more anger but excitement for my sister who was obviously very happy.

I was very excited to see Adeline eating a carrot. Veggies are not her favorite.

A surprise was waiting for Adeline in her special bedroom.

This weekend felt like a special holiday because as time goes on it gets harder and harder for everyone to be together. My highlight.....Great Grandpa Bean singing "Sweet Adeline" to our sweet Adeline while he rocked her before bed.

As a side note: to all of you who received an email from our family notifying you that James quit his job and we were starting our own "Bean University". He would be President and I would be the secretary/volleyball couch. Well...We have decided not to go through with it. After a very concerning call from my Father and Grand Parents we think it best to not pursue this venture at this time. Apparel is still available at a reasonable price and the volleyball team tryouts are still on. Please let me know if you are interested.

THIS IS A JOKE!!!!!!