My Grandma

From Baby Pictures

Grandma M. passed away last weekend, so the kids and I headed down to IL this week to say goodbye.  I suppose some might think I'm crazy for being surprised by her death.  She was 95, after all. But, I was surprised.  I'm thankful that Aidan and Aubrey had the chance to meet her.  I've got so many wonderful memories of her.  Most of my favorites involve a summer setting...catching fireflies at dusk, playing  in the wheat (bad idea, it makes you really itchy), eating her delicious beef and noodles or homemade cinnamon rolls, running errands in town and getting to pick out a special Barbie outfit from the general store, or her tucking me in after a long day playing on the farm "Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite" followed by the sign of the cross on my forehead and a kiss goodnight.  My grandma was a really fantastic lady and she is going to be dearly missed.

PROPHETSTOWN – Mary Elizabeth Mosher, 95, of Prophetstown, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

She was born April 5, 1916, the daughter of Cyril and Leonie Verhulst in Ottumwa, Iowa. Her family moved to Prophetstown when she was a junior in high school. She married J. Raynor Mosher on Jan. 27, 1940, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Prophetstown. Her husband died Dec. 13, 2010.

Mary was the true heart of her home. Over the course of her life, Mary and Raynor farmed in the Prophetstown, Tampico, Lanark and Milledgeville areas. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico. She was a member of the Carroll and Whiteside county home extension units, past president of the Ladies Society of St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon and was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico. She also promoted the farming community with her membership with the Red Meat Connection in Whiteside County. She volunteered for many years at Good Samaritan nursing home in Prophetstown. Mary loved playing cards, taking bus trips and traveling across America. Her favorite pastime was crocheting and she made many afghans for her family during her life. Mary was greatly loved by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Martha (Dennis) Sturtevant of Shannon, Rita (David)
Thorngren of Milledgeville, John (Peggy) Mosher of Prophetstown, Bill (Nora) Mosher of Prophetstown, Theresa (Keith) Albers of Pearl City and Gary (Denise) Mosher of Sterling; daughter-in-law, Diane Mosher of Lyndon; sister-in-law, Joey Verhulst of Prophetstown; brother-in-law, Joe Mosher of Geneseo; 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her son, Lyle; sister, Martha Cordrey; brothers, Ernest and Maurice Verhulst; and a brother and sister who died in infancy.

Appy Aween

We all had a "appy aween" as Aubrey would say.  I was a little worried during the day that we would have to bundle the kids up and cover their cute costumes, but it warmed up enough that multiple layers under the costumes worked just fine.  We made it the farthest distance from home yet (8 housed down and 8 houses back).  A big kudos to our neighbor for suggesting we take Aubrey in the wagon.  Never crossed my mind, and the night would have been much shorter if she had walked.

Pretty Fairy Princess

Wild Fairy Princess and a Pirate

Now we start preparing for Thanksgiving.  We are hosting both Kyle's and my side at our house this year.  Granted, that's only 12 people, but we have a tiny little house.  Thank goodness Kyle is home during the day to get the house spic and span.  (hint, hint, honey) ; )