Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

Granny Raterink

Our Granny Raterink passed away on Tuesday, November 6 after a brave battle with Ovarian Cancer.  This past week we had visitation and the funeral which brought much of the Raterink clan together.  

Carolyn Raterink, 79

Story Shared at the Funeral

Carol was and always will be Granny to Jim’s family.  Admittedly, she was very particular about a lot of things that we didn’t always understand, but Granny was also very particular about dessert too.  That is something Jim, Lori, Lindsay, Jordan, and their families will always understand and very much appreciate.  No one could make Cherries in the Snow quite like Granny, and our favorite birthday cake will always be the confetti angel food cake with her special frosting.  She also excelled at strawberry short cake with Michigan berries each year in June.  She always found the best berries, followed a certain Bisquick recipe (it was of course not the obvious short cake one), and made real whip cream - no store bought brand would do.   We were so lucky to get an invitation from Granny and Gramps in June.  Not only was it by far the best strawberry shortcake, but that’s all we had.  That’s right, the Raterink way to really enjoy strawberry shortcake was to have it for dinner and dessert.  Not just one piece, but lots and lots of it; that’s all we ate!.  We never realized how unusual the tradition was, but we will always think of her during Michigan strawberry season.  At least one annual special strawberry shortcake meal happens in all of our households thanks to Granny. And of course, we make it just how she would want us to.

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS...

9 Month Tilden Jo

Tilden is moving around quite well.  She even does so quite quickly.  Tilden also loves to feed herself.  We're working on some basic sign language which she just doesn't have down yet, but if you watch the clip above you'll quickly determine what is her favorite.  She wants more, and she doesn't need sign language to let us know.

Psalm 139

Just love this!  

Thank you Lakeshore Little Peoples Place!

It's not quite "fearfully," and it's not verse 100, but it's super precious just the same.

Happy Halloween 2012