It’s getting colder outside

Walking for Grandma...

Our team goal is $500 - so far I've raised $425 - c'mon...you can help us get to our team goal! On Saturday, we will be walking in honor of (great) grams, Betty. She has been living in an Alzheimer's unit for several years...we are asking for your support! ...PLEASE consider helping us! THANK YOU!!!

Special thanks to: Clare Gillis, Diane Romanek, Jennifer Battaglia, Jessamyn Myers, Melissa Chadick, and Mary Lou Ross for your donations and personal stories of how this disease has touched you...we will be walking for all of you too!

Mindy Ross Personal Page Link:
http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/cincinnati/mindyleeross

NOTE: Pictures from our trip to Tucson in Decemer 2008.

Brief Trip Down Memory Lane

(Sept 1997): 12 years ago I saw Dave get off the elevator on the 4th floor of Daniels Hall. Everyone knows that I was immediately drawn to his red hair...and now I can't believe that it has been 12 years...

Joy Ride

What a Game!!!

Grandpa Randy, Tiffany, Donny, and the Ridel Family (Keith, Stephanie, and Vanessa) joined us today for Jersey Mike's, KFC grilled chicken, and snacks during the Bengals/Steelers Game. What a game...just the way I like it - down to the last minute...I thought my dad was going to pass out...he gets so nervous (and rightfully so as a Bengals fan). Enjoy some of the pics from our day:

WEEK IN REVIEW

Saturday was a unique event for us at church. The new Family Life Center has finally been completed and Bishop George Murry came to celebrate mass. The kids were particularly impressed by the Knights of Columbus who were in full feathered gear processing down the aisle. After mass, we all went to see the inside of the new center which was very impressive! And finally the new cross was placed on top of the church using the firetruck lift. It was quite a moment.

Our family and Grandma went to Bistro GQ for dinner following that event. The funniest part of the night was when Meredith announced, "I STINKERED!". I can't quite remember how Grandma saved the day on this one, but something like, "I know you are a good girl". It was hilarious. Then Madeline a few minutes later said, "Meredith said she stinkered!". OH man.

Sunday was Madeline's Family Fun Festival at her school. They had bounce-arounds, face painting, hula hoops, some games, popcorn and cotton candy machines, and hot dogs/donuts/apple cider for lunch. Meredith decided that she would go in the bounce-around, but quickly started to cry. She said that that other girl made her jump. How dare her! Each of them sat so well for the painting, although it wasn't on their faces.

Today, Papa and Deb came over to Canfield to help take and pick up Madeline from preschool. While Madeline was at school, we went to Bob Evans for breakfast. We even squeezed in a trip to Fair park for Meredith to play.

After picking up Madeline from preschool, we took some new flowers to Grandma Patty's grave. Madeline was certainly trying to grasp as to what was behind that stone. Is there a button to open it? How do you talk to her? Etc. I guess the abstract idea of death is a little above her understanding. As we were leaving , we were noticing that there was soon to be a funeral there. A bunch of military men were getting dressed in the parking lot. I was tightening Madeline's seat belt when I accidentally hit the PANIC button . We joked that that was our version of the 21 gun salute. How embarrassing! I couldn't shut that horn off quick enough. I almost gave all those military men a heart attack!

Our final trip of the morning was to White House Fruit Farm for the selection of our pumpkins. We of course got some donuts to enjoy later.

A rare occurence thus far this fall...

"Touchdown Steelers!"

Edwin - 15 Months

Edwin had his 15 month dr. appointment today. The dr. is pleased with his progress, specifically growth, teeth, talking, and comprehension skills...watch out - we have one smart kid on our hands!!!

Stats:

Height - 30" (20th percentile)

Weight - 23 lbs 15.1 ozs (40th percentile)

Head - 19" (75th percentile)

**NOTE: Picture is from Barney Live at the zoo on 9/11/09 - I didn't take a picture on 9/12/09...so this is the closest I have to his actual 15-month picture.**

My Lovely Wife

Most
Indubitably
No
Dreamier
Young lady

Smaller Memories

Today I reached another milestone. My home scale read 169.5 - I'm in the 160s!!!! I can't believe it. I've been working really hard the past 2 weeks and it is showing. It made me start thinking about how I got into this situation. I used to be smaller than everyone else - and then all of the sudden (when I stopped dancing) I got bigger and bigger...and well, the rest is history! Here are some old dancing pics...enjoy!


Yes, we were the same age...I'm the little one...


I'm the little one on the end...

I'm the little one on the end and (top pic) and in the middle (bottom pic).

National Talk Like a Pirate Day - 2009

Grr, matey!

Today is national Talk Like a Pirate Day ! Dave, Grandma Nikki, AJ (Aunt Jessica), Edwin and I celebrated by attending the 2009 Renaissance Festival Pirates Weekend.

Edwin was the cutest pirate at the festival - no contest!!!

The Jester let Edwin see his Ball Wand, which Edwin promptly called "ball!"

A belly dancer tried to lure Edwin in - he wanted nothing to do with her, but he did show off some of his dance moves for the crowd...many of which took pictures of him!

AJ and Edwin watching the Mudde Show - Edwin wasn't too interested in sitting for the show!

Remember the picture from last year's trip to the Renaissance Festival?

Edwin liked helping Dave push the stroller - he doesn't like to ride much anymore...

Why is Edwin so sad?

He wanted to meet the monk and the Wench.

Edwin ate a King's Wiener (large sausage dog on a stick) as we watched the Washing Well Wenches perform. Child appropriate? Probably not, will have to rethink this for next year!

Edwin's souvenir - a wooden sword...that should provide some fun in the coming weeks.

Another successful trip to the Renaissance Festival and the first of many Talk Like a Pirate Day celebrations for our family!!!

Time to go home!

WEEK IN REVIEW

Hmmm, we had nothing planned this last weekend. Wow, what should we do ????

Give me a second....

GOT IT!!! RELAX!!!

We literally bummed around all weekend. It was lovely :) Got to go to church on Saturday with a dinner from Salsita's. Can't beat that!! Oh and Grandma paid...SCORE :)

Monday was the beginning of Madeline's dance career (assuming she will become hooked HAHA) . She had her first dance class which included tap, ballet, and tumbling. So funny!! When those tap shoes went on, watch out! These girls were slipping and sliding all over the place. She really enjoyed herself b/c now she can be a ballerina. I can't wait for the next class to see if she really gets into the swing of things. Mental note: a printed panty is NOT the best foundation under sheer pink tights/leotard. HAHA. Guess you learn the hard way.

Check out a Taco Bell mustache... courtesy of pintos and cheese :)

Today after school I took the girls to Boardman Park for a little energy burn. I was impressed with the 2 playgrounds designated for specific age groups. They even had a little area where they could ride the different bikes provided there.

We ended the afternoon with the purchase of Madeline's Halloween costume ! So glad I am done with that. This store has way too many to even comprehend.

What should we do this weekend? HMMM, just hang around?

Life Lessons for Edwin

OK, I’ve said it before, I’m taking the enlightened approach to Edwin’s selection of favorite NFL teams. So if Mindy wants to outfit the little guy in orange and black for Bengals games, so be it.

Although having to explain what happened last Sunday to a 15-month old…

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!!!

Happy Grandparents Day!!! We love you all VERY MUCH!!!



From Mindy & Dave:
To: Grams & Paps Giehls, Grandma Shirley (AKA: Mom) and Grandma Mueller

From Edwin:
To: Grandma Mary Lou, Grandma Nikki & Mike, Grandpa Randy & Tiffany, Great Grandma Mueller, Great Grandma Shirley and Great Paps & Great Grams Giehls

IMPORTANT ROSS FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

We washed our car for the first time yesterday!!! We went through the car wash and Edwin's face was priceless - mix of fear and excitement...didn't think to snap a picture...

NFL Team of the Decade: '00s Version

As any fan of the modern NFL can attest, the league is a perpetual stack ranking machine. Who's the greatest QB ever? Best clutch kicker? Greatest defense? Those examples usually lead to debates, but there is one ranking that achieves consensus: team of the decade.

This general acceptance is probably because the right answer boils down to championships won. Here's the generally approved list from the modern era:

• 1960s - Green Bay Packers
• 1970s - Pittsburgh Steelers
• 1980s - San Francisco 49ers
• 1990s - Dallas Cowboys

About one year ago, just as the 2nd-to-last season of the decade was kicking off, it seemed the team of the decade for the 2000s was a forgone conclusion. The New England Patriots had been to 4 Super Bowls during the decade, winning 3 of them. No other team had won multiple Super Bowl in the '00s, and of those teams, only one had been to multiple (the New York Giants).



However, the 2008 season ended with the Pittsburgh Steelers winning their 2nd Super Bowl of the decade, closing the gap ever so slightly on the Patriots' stranglehold on team of the decade honors. This makes for a pretty interesting thought experiment: if the Steelers can repeat as champs (thus equalling New England's total of 3 for the '00s), who's the team of the decade?

Let's back up and review how the 2 teams have fared over the 1st 9 seasons of the decade to see how these clubs stack up:

• Super Bowls - 3 wins in 4 appearances for New England vs. 2-for-2 for Pittsburgh
• Playoffs - both teams with 6 appearances; however, 14 wins for New England vs. 10 for Pittsburgh
• Regular season - 102 wins for New England vs. 94 for Pittsburgh

So it's obvious that the Patriots still get the nod for now. And it's also obvious that even with another win, the Steelers can't reach the Super Bowl appearance total of 4. Here's my breakdown of the only hope Pittsburgh:

1. Win Super Bowl 44 - this is 1st and foremost. Without this win, all other analysis is unnecessary (Mindy, if you read this far, yeah I know, this whole post is unnecessary, but let's keep those comments to ourselves, shall we?).
2. Win 8 more games than the Patriots during the '09 regular season - this will be extremely difficult, as the Patriots are the Las Vegas favorites to win it all this year. But by winning 8 more games than the Patriots (and assuming they compile more than 2 wins), the Steelers will equal their regular season win total and go one up in the playoff appearance total.
3. Enter the playoffs without a 1st round bye - this would be an added bonus really. It'd make the playoff run much more difficult (involving at least one road game), but playing 4 games rather than 3 would give the Steelers an equal number of playoff wins to the Patriots.

So if the Steelers can accomplish #1 above, there's a discussion at least, as the Super Bowl wins would be equal at 3. If they get somewhat near #2 & #3, the numbers shake out as a virtual tie: regular season & playoff wins would be pretty much even, the Steelers would have the slight edge in playoff appearances, but the Patriots would have the slight edge in Super Bowl appearances.

Here's the problem with the above scenario: under the virtual tie, we'd have to check out the head-to-head results. These 2 teams played in the regular season 5 times with New England winning 3 of them. But then there's the knockout blow...these 2 teams met in the playoffs twice. The Patriots won both times. Both in the AFC championship game. Both in Pittsburgh.

So even under my long-shot scenario, the Patriots get the nod as team of the decade due to those crucial playoff head-to-head wins. OK, let's forget trying to get the Steelers to equalize the number of regular season and playoff wins + get a leg up in playoff appearances.

What the Steelers need is this: have New England earn home field advantage in the playoffs. Sure, the Patriots would have the slight edge in total wins and Super Bowl appearances locked up at that point. But if the Steelers can win the AFC championship game in New England, then go on to win Super Bowl 44, they'd end the decade by exacting revenge on the hated Patriots and matching them in titles.

The less important numbers would slightly favor New England, but I'd say we'd have co-teams of the decade at that point.

P.S.: There's plenty of sources I could link to from this post, but it's Saturday morning, and I'm lazy. To verify the above numbers, Wikipedia is a great reference. Search "Pittsburgh Steelers seasons" and "New England Patriors seasons".

WEEK IN REVIEW

We have yet again survived a weekend full of picnics! Whew. This weekend is actually the first time we have nothing scheduled to do. Do you think we will be bored? Naaa... The Canfield Fair was a lot of fun this year for the girls. My dental school friends (Matt and Jody) brought their 2 girls (Katie and Lizzie) to go to the Fair together. Meredith surprisingly got more brave with the animals b/c the other girls weren't afraid! She even walked by one within inches of a tiny pony and didn't even hold my hand. WOW!! I was totally expecting a scene. The girls liked doing the ever so well constructed rides. We even watched them hammering the frame before putting them on the dragon coaster. HA! Meredith had frightened face the whole time on that ride! When she got off of it she said, "ME DON'T LIKE THAT DRAGON!!!".

In front of the milking stations, the girls decided to milk the fake cow out front during another kids photo opportunity! They wouldn't get their hands off those udders. So, I took advantage and snapped a shot myself! This Wednesday was Madeline's first day of 4 year old preschool. We actually had to wake her up to get her going. Everyone was excited to get started with this school year especially Madeline. When we picked her up, we tried to ask her all about it. She would only give us the bare bones of details. As she talked to more and more people, we also learned something :) Meredith was mad that she couldn't stay and play with the other kids. Finally, this is the first time that I get to take Madeline back and forth from school every Friday. Also, this is the first time in forever that I was actually dressed before 8am. HAHA

Madeline went down the slides by herself. So proud,but so serious. Matt took Meredith down the slide , however, he was like a bullet going down it. He nearly took out the people in front of him including Madeline. Dang guy got in my way of capturing this funny moment!

click HERE if you want to see all the photos from September thus far.