Seeing the Good amid the Bad

Unfortunately this weekend was not a great weekend at all - Corey's aunt Marcia passed away on Tuesday, February 17th after a bout with cancer. This past weekend was the funeral in South Bend. It was a very sad time.

Trying to see some of the good amid the bad, it was great that we got to see family! It is not great that we all get together at a time of such sorrow, but at least we were able to get together.

We headed up to South Bend on Saturday - but first made a stop at the Indy airport to get brother Derek in from Boston and then a stop in Lafayette to pick up cousin Kristen and nephew Kyle (on the non Bahler side of the family). We also had tickets to the IU/PU basketball game - so we all hung out for a bit before the game. (at Scotty's - where else!?)


Here are cousin Kristen and her BF John.


And Corey trying to hurry and finish his beer before getting to the game. Derek isn't in the picture because he had to go outside and open his mouth (that mo' fo sauce is HOT!).


We had a mini tailgate!


And IU lost - badly! I was the only cream and crimson in a see of black and gold.



Then it was off to South Bend in snowy and windy conditions with 5 deep + dog riding in the car. We made it safely!

We were able to quickly visit with extended family on Saturday before heading to the hotel for pizza, beer (wine for me) and a movie. Here is Lou as we entered the hotel.


Sunday morning it was off to Aunt Nanette's and Uncle Dave's for breakfast and visits with cousin Justin and cousin Kristen. Justin rocked out on drums and Kristen told hilarious stories about her febreeze loving and controlling roommate. YIKES!

Sunday afternoon and evening was spent at the visitation for Marcia mingling with family and friends. At the end of it all I could have filled out half of the family tree (which is great considering that there are 23 cousins on the Bahler side of the family! and those cousins have lots of children too!). Luckily Craig and Lori arrived in the evening after a crazy morning of departing a cruise boat with 40,000 other people, flying from Ft. Lauderdale to Indy, and driving from Indy to South Bend. Total travel time was 12 hours for them. When they arrived there was more mingling and meeting family followed by just the 5 of us going to Texas Roadhouse for a much needed beer and reminiscing of family times with the Bahler clan.

Monday morning we attended the funeral service. The reverend did a lovely job with the service. Corey and Derek were pallbearers (it was very slick and snowy so they did a great job). Following the service we headed downtown to the Marriot to attend a luncheon in Marcia's honor. It was then time to all pack back in the car and head to Lafayette to drop off the passengers we had picked up along the way.

Derek was back East on Tuesday and the Trobaugh's were back South on Wednesday. It is amazing how exhausting this weekend was - both emotionally and physically.

But for better news - today was 60 degrees in Indiana (in February!!) and I was able to run outside in shorts! Tomorrow is a trip to DC to see Shilpa and Christine (and their boys) for a couples weekend! Can't wait!