Our 2nd Foster Roxxy

Roxxy may be the cutest, sweetest dog ever. Our whole family (minus Ron/Dad) has fallen in love with her. She is a 4 month old puppy rescued from Missouri. The kids are doing such a great job taking care of her, including feeding her and cleaning up after her potty training accidents. Looks like we might only have Roxxy for a week or two...... But she has really touched a special spot in our hearts....

Presley Makes High School Hockey Team

Hockey season is upon us. Presley was supposed to play 15As this year, which is composed of 8th and 9th graders. Right before the hockey season, we received an email from the Varsity high school coach inviting Presley to try out for the high school team. This was a huge honor and special recognition yet we had very mixed emotions about the opportunity for various reasons and initially declined. However, after much discussion, Presley decided to give it a go. She had a strong tryout and was invited to join the team. This was a very special honor and we are so proud of her work ethic and maturity. Congrats Presley!

Varsity and JV Teams...


Individual Photo...


First Varsity Game...


First Varsity Shift...

Phi Mu Girls Weekend - Chicago

Mom was excited to travel to Chicago the weekend 11/10 to see her Phi Mu pals Ann Marie, Kate, Cyndy, Sharon, and Kendall. Kate was the catalyst behind the reunion and Trisha was excited to join. We had 2 great nights catching up - our first night at Kendall's place in the suburbs, night two downtown in Chicago, and Sunday morning watching football at a bar in Chicago. I am so thankful for these friendships that have transcended time and distance.

Friday night at Kendall's...


Saturday night at Cyndy's


Sunday brunch at O'Donovan's...

Celebrating Granny Kohls - 100 Years Young!

Our dear Great Granny Kohls died on October 24th after 97.5 years. She was the epitome of optimism and was the matriarch that kept our family together. She lived a full life, having a cookie and a beer every single night. While we are going to miss her dearly, I am so happy that she had the life that she did. She was active and mobile through her very last day. She never complained and "didn't have a pain in her body". She was always so thankful and appreciative of her family. Over the last year, she believed she was 98 years old and that this year was a special year because the next two birthdays would come together and would come very soon. Her daughter Carol died earlier this fall. We learned that Carol's ashes were buried on the afternoon October 23rd. Granny prepared for bed as usual that night and made her coffee for the next morning. But when she went to sleep, Carol's spirit must have called her as Granny died that night peacefully in her sleep.

Our family had a beautiful service for her in Red Wing with the extended family. We celebrated her 10 decades of life and enjoyed nice family time in a beautiful home on the Mississippi river. Her last dream was to get on the Smucker's jar to celebrate 100 years. She was right when she said that the last two birthdays come together and were coming very, very soon. Ron and I were excited to make her last wish come true with her picture on the Smucker's jar. We will miss you Granny! Hope they had a coldie waiting for you!

I took Granny shopping on October 12th (<2 weeks before she died). She was so happy to be stocking up for winter!

One of the 9 picture board celebrating her life...


Before the service...


Her family...


Her Smucker's jar...


Family time after service (Canyon and Presley giving each other foot massages)

Halloween 2017

The Pergandes enjoyed celebrating this year's Halloween season with several fun events including: an adult halloween party, a pumpkin carving contest with friends, and traditional trick or treating.

Mom and Dad's costumes.... "Identity Theft" and "No Looking Back"...


Excerpt from Cooper annual Halloween party...


Dinner and pumpkin carving contest with friends...


Presley as "It's Raining Men" for trick or treating...


The front of our house for Halloween (note the three story pumpkin)...

One More New Car for Pergandes

October was a big month for the Pergandes. In the search for safe and reliable vehicles for our growing "driving" family, we decided to trade-in Ron's truck. This was very hard for Ron because the truck holds a special place in Ron's heart. It was his Dad's truck and is very linked to Ron's brand. Very proud of Ron but also excited for him to have a new car (the Jeep Cherokee), something he hasn't had in over 20 years. Have included a picture of Ron's last night with his truck and our other new family vehicle (Mom will be driving this one). Excited about the Chevy Volt. It's a hybrid vehicle that has great safety ratings and great energy savings. Have driven >200 miles so far and only used .13 gallons of gas so far. Pretty cool!