Clearwater, Florida (2/20-2/25/15)

My Mom, the kids and I went to Clearwater, Florida February 20-25.  For me, this meant long days in hotel conference rooms with an occasional escape to the (relative) warmth outside.  For them, it meant non-stop shell collecting, sand castle building, swimming, and just enjoying thawing out a bit.  We did have a couple days (Saturday and Wednesday) when I was able to join in the fun all day.  Since I had the hotel room anyway for my conference and flights were $150 out of Chicago, this was a total no-brainer in the midst of one of the coldest Februaries I can remember.   

 

Nedy was surprised to learn that children in Florida go to school when the weather is so beautiful.  I wonder how many Wisconsin kids think kids in warm climates just hang on the beach or at the pool all day, every day? 

    

These three are just a really good time.

Pirate Nana.  Aaaaargh.

Who doesn't love a good selfie?

"Look, Mama...I made a friend!"

This is the shot after I told Mom to stop looking sinister in every photo.  ;)

 Sometimes it's hard to believe my peanut is 7 already.

Nedy thoroughly checked every shell after accidentally bringing a few Florida
Fighting Conch back to the hotel with her the night before.  She collected enough
shells to bring back for her school class...they were all uninhabited, we hope...  

The marina is an exciting place.  Pelicans, egrets, and cranky fishermen. 
It was funny to watch the birds gather 'round and try to steal fish.

Kamron is an animal loving dude.  He hung around the pelicans talking to them,
asking them how they were doing and referring to them as "buddy"--super funny. 
They let him get quite close.  One time he got whacked with a running pelican's
wing and he thought that was absolutely hilarious.  Conversely, Nedy cowered and
screamed (a pitch not intended for human ears, mind you) when one swooped down
over her head.  In her defense, the thing was huge and resembled a pterodactyl. 

Little Toot is an awesome little restored 1970s tugboat that creates a wake that dolphins love to
play in.  We thought we'd give it a try.  Who doesn't like a tugboat ride in the Gulf of Mexico? 

Kam and Nana chilling out waiting for dolphins.

Still on the lookout...

Whoa!  Dolphins in the wild!  Sooooo cool. 
(And yes, I am pretty proud of that shot.)

The Jolly Trolley, our main mode of transportation around town.  
(Why do kids adore any form of transport that doesn't involve a seat belt?)  

At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium--you know, the home of Winter, the dolphin with a
prosthetic tail?  The Dolphin Tale movies put this very humble (think previous wastewater
treatment plant) aquarium on the map.  And now the aquarium is trying to catch up
to itself.  So, we saw the tailless dolphin from the top, because her tank is a big, ol'
concrete former wastewater treatment pool.  (Ummmm...yeah.  I'm glad they're building
a new aquarium right now.)  They have the most fantastic staff and amazing animals. 
We tried to feed the stingrays, but holding slimy fish between your fingers and allowing
a stingray to swim over your hand and suck it up is just...well, I dropped the fish
a couple times.  It's...unnerving.  I tried it so the kids would see me do it and hopefully
try it themselves.  Needless to say, my performance didn't instill confidence.   

"Did you take my picture hugging this giant turtle statue?"

A big highlight for future scientist Nedy was holding one of Winter's
prosthetic tails.  That rubber sock goes on her "stump" first and
protects her skin.  The kids found this absolutely fascinating.

Inspecting prosthetic dolphin tails is exhausting. 
(During this period, I found the Jolly Trolley particularly jolly.)

Nana is awesome because, among other things, she purchases
goofy hats for demanding children at the beach shop.

I think perhaps this is where the idea that Florida children must not go to school 
originated from.  She thought this was a superb way to spend a school day. 

These two (and their poolside Nana) spent 3-4 hours a day in the water.
Why aren't all pools salt water pools?   

We stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort.  Lovely place.  Off the beaten
path with a gorgeous white sand beach.  It was really a great place for both
conferencing and tagging along!  (And yes, we are now the proud owners
of not one, but two tailless plush dolphins.  Good times.)

Kamron has an appropriate reaction to creepy things and creepy people.
For this, I am thankful.

Good times in Clearwater!  The kids are already wondering when we're going back.
(I told them to ask Nana.)

cutie pies.

Happy Halloween!

Earlier this month, Nedy and Kam decided they wanted to be mummies for Halloween.  Nana even cut up old white sheets into strips for the occasion. 

And then the Sunday of Trick-or-Treat both announced, "We don't want to be mummies anymore."  Yeah.  So, apparently they discussed among themselves that being wrapped up from head to toe might inhibit movement and make going to the bathroom a challenge. (I do love the fact that the 4 and 6 year olds were the ones who identified this flaw in the costume design...)

They had new ideas.  Nedy wanted to be a witch and Kam a pirate.  In ten minutes I scrambled around the house gathering anything remotely witch or pirate-like.  And here you have it:

Yep, I'm sort of proud of myself.  They got to be what they wanted and I showed them some super speedy Mama resourcefulness...with pretty cute results.  :)

Taekwondo

Nedy begged long enough that we finally gave in. 

We now have two kids who are encouraged to practice kicking, punching and yelling.  I'm so proud.  :)

 

 

Nedy's First Day of First Grade

Nedy is officially a first grader!  After a few run-throughs last night of how to greet new people and introduce herself, she marched into the classroom like a pro this morning.  (Of course, it helps that her friend Ellena and neighbor Jack are friendly faces in the classroom crowd.) 

Nedy is in the MAC (Multi-Age Classroom) program, which means she is in a class of 42 first and second graders with two teachers.  She will be in that class again next year (as an "older") and will then move with the other kids her age to the next round of MAC for third and fourth graders, followed by MAC for fifth and sixth graders.  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  ;) 

Ready to go!

Nedy and Ellena

The MAC classrooms are quite large and the kids work at tables, not at desks.
This photo is of morning "line time"--Mrs. French is sitting on the stool and
Mrs. Cassidy is on the floor. They seem like a dynamic duo! 

 

Dad's Memorial (June 14, 2014)

Dad was very specific before his passing that he didn't want a "funeral"; i.e. people sitting around crying, wallowing in sadness.  He would say, "I've lived a life second to none.  I know you think I'm exaggerating when I say it, but I did."  His instructions were to "get together for a little thing with the family" and remember him.  "Your mother says you can do it at the church--but I mean it, Jenny, I don't want you all sitting around sad.  I've lived a life second to none."

We decided shortly after his passing to wait a few weeks and have his memorial on Saturday, June 14, so that we could prepare for the day and be in a place emotionally to honor Dad's request.  The day was beautiful--a perfect 70 degrees with pure sunshine and no wind, just as Dad loved it.  The service began at 10:00 at a very packed (no seats to spare!) New Life Church in Cedarburg.  Family friend, Paula, sang Amazing Grace acappella--no pun intended, but it was amazing. Josiah, Samuel and John Thomas delivered beautiful readings and Nedy played 'Twinkle' on her violin.  Jackie and I delivered a eulogy that was "half tear-jerking, half Saturday Night Live skit," according to Dan.  It was perfect in my book, as I imagine Dad absolutely loved it for its focus on family...and humor.  Dan, Aunt Janet, Josiah, Mary Anne and Reagan all added stories and thoughts.  The service ended with a beautiful rendition of "I'll Fly Away" (one of Dad's Branson, MO favorites) by Reagan and Mary Anne.  The service was personal, meaningful, uplifting, and reflective of who Dad was--and is as he lives on in all of us.  In accordance with our instructions, I think we knocked it out of the park.  ;)
 
Afterward, everyone went across the street to Dad's favorite walking spot, Cedar Creek Park.  At 11:30, the U.S. Air Force and local American Legion post bestowed Military Honors in a moving, formal ceremony.  (Am I the only person who cries every time I hear Taps?)  Mom stood at center, us kids behind her in a row.  After the flag folding and rifle salute, the flag was brought to Mom by the Air Force representatives.  And sincerely and quietly, on behalf of the President of the United States and the United States Air Force, he thanked my Mom for my Dad's service to our country and made note that it's not often that he has had the chance to perform this ceremony for someone who went through what Dad did at war, and that it was his absolute honor and privilege to do so.  Unbeknownst to us, but captured by a few folks watching the ceremony, an eagle was circling high overhead.  Amazing.
 
And then there was delicious lunch catered by Out-and-Out and fellowship of friends old and new.  So many people shared such wonderful memories, usually about Dad's fun-loving spirit and his adoration of his kids, which apparently was slightly irritating to a few people when we were younger. ;)  Funny.
 
The day closed with a coin hunt in the park.  Dad had always been on the lookout for coins as he walked.  He used to say that it got harder over the years because people didn't carry cash so much anymore.  So as a special tribute, we threw lots and lots of pocket change into the area behind the pavilion--right where Dad walked every day and fed the ducks--and set the children loose.  It was delightful to see their excitement as they hunted for coins in the grass; I know Dad absolutely loved it. 
 
Person after person has told me it was the most wonderful of life celebrations because they felt his spirit there, that the day truly reflected him.  I look at a memorial as a final gift you give a person; a marking of their legacy.  As my friend Aleece said, "You guys did an amazing job."  I agree.  :)  The day was beautiful, almost perfect, but that he wasn't there to enjoy it with us.
 
Special thanks to my friend Elisabeth for taking this gorgeous photo for us that afternoon:

    
      

My Dad.

 

John Vincent de Montmollin of Cedarburg peacefully transitioned to Heaven on May 20, 2014 at 8:30 p.m. at the age of 90 years and 9 months.  Beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Kochanski) for 46 years.  Loving Dad of Lisa (Tim) Tamsen of Grafton, Jackie (Aaron Layman) de Montmollin of Katy, TX, John (Alyssa Stephenson) de Montmollin of Fond du Lac, and Jennifer (Dan Merkel) de Montmollin of Shorewood.  Proud Papa of Josiah, Samuel, John, Aidan, Julia, Tommy, Nedy, Yubin, Vivian, and Kamron.  Brother-in-law of Janet Stamper of Grafton.  Dancing in Heaven with his much-missed granddaughter, Libby.

 

Born August 8, 1923 in Milwaukee to Mabel (Peterson) and John Samuel de Montmollin.  An adventurous character always, his childhood stories include having leapt off his third story apartment fire escape to three feet of freshly fallen snow below.  He would always add, “And I thought mid-air, ‘I shouldn’t have done this’ — but it was too late!”  In what would become typical form for his life, he landed unscathed.  At age 11, with nothing more than six soda crackers and 37 cents in his pocket, he hitchhiked from Milwaukee to Van Nuys, California to visit his Grandma “Big Mama” and his Aunt Vivian.  From sleeping in straw piles, riding box cars and catching rides with truckers, many of whom bought him meals along the way, he eventually made his way.  He stayed a week and rode the Greyhound bus back, as insisted upon by his aunt who also gave him $2.00 for his trip home. “A fortune back then; hamburgers were a nickel,” he often recalled.

 

In September of 1942, de Montmollin enlisted in the army to serve in World War II.  He was placed in the Army Air Corps, the forerunner to the United States Air Force.  On his 18^th mission on May 14, 1943 over Kiel, Germany, his B-17 was shot down and he and the rest of the crew parachuted to capture.  He spent the next two years of his life as a prisoner of war, first in Germany for a few months, and then at Stalag XVII B prison camp in Austria until the end of the war.

 

Home from the war in 1945 and reenlisted as a reservist, he worked hard day to day to go about a carefree civilian existence of work and play, with memories of his P.O.W. days ever-present.  Twenty years after returning from the war while working as a photofinisher at L.L. Cook Company in Milwaukee, he met a delightful young woman who immediately caught his eye for her tremendous work ethic, and also, perhaps, her smashing good looks.  In 1967, de Montmollin married Elizabeth (Liz) and insisted that her five-year-old daughter, Lisa, join them as they tied the knot in Las Vegas and honeymooned at Disneyland.  A year later, as soon as the law permitted him to do so, he formally adopted Lisa, though he had made her his daughter from the start.

 

From that point on, his life was about his family.  Shortly after marriage, the family built a home in Grafton, back when Grafton was “way out there” and mostly corn fields.  He and Liz went on to have three more children.  He was the kind of dad who took his family to Harrington Beach on random summer days, who played “pop fly” catch in the backyard for hours at a time, who got up at 4:00 a.m. to help his kids with their paper route (and didn’t even wake them up on the super cold days, but did the route himself), who sat bedside with a flu-stricken kid giving them sip at a time of 7-Up all the while telling them, “I wish it was me who was sick, not you.”  Simply put, he was there.  He gave the very best of himself to his children.

 

He was blessed to see each child grow up happy and healthy, get married, and have children — like him, both by birth and adoption.  He was blessed to experience tremendously good health his whole life, allowing him to experience many family trips later in life, to places such as Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, and annual family trips to Door County.  He loved nothing more than being all together with his children and grandchildren.  At the age of 87, he walked three miles each day at Cedar Creek Park in Cedarburg, one of his favorite places.  He always said, “I think better when I walk — but not when I walk on concrete, it has to be a squishy path.”  Though his body started to slow at 87, he still walked at least a mile each day until 89 when his health became more challenged.  In the end, though he battled aggressive lymphoma, he did so with his trademark strength, selflessness, and humor.  His children are blessed and honored to have spent so much of the week of his passing together with him and Liz at their Cedarburg home.

 

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” -C. B. Kelland

Life Celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at New Life Church, N56W6093 Portland Road in Cedarburg at 10:00am.  Picnic lunch and Military Honors to follow at Cedar Creek Park Pavilion, located across the street from the church.  In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established at Associated Bank in memory of John for a legacy gift to Cedar Creek Park.  Donations to the John V. de Montmollin Cedar Creek Park Memorial Fund can be made in person at any Associated Bank branch, or can be mailed to Associated Bank at 1930 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton, WI 53024.

 

 

 

Love.