helicopter pilot?

i'm taking off!

Balloon animals are fun!

who knew you can get balloon animals at a coney island!

Papa's hat

don't i just look special in papa's hat!

mmmmmmm...... chocolate cake!

mmmm.... ice cream good!

have i mentioned how much i love ice cream?

Detroit Science Center

Black Friday is more fun at the science center! Plus the have an IMAX movie with santa

Nate sees Santa

This was really the best picture we've been able to get with Nate and Santa. He's been pretty scared of him in year's past, but we were able to catch Santa with nobody in line, and nobody waiting so he was able to take some time and get Nate to warm up to him.

nate's a photographer now too!

wouldn't you buy honey from this face?

here's one with nate and his first jack-o-latern

we still carved a pumkin today.....

Elizabeth A. Backus

Employed at ConMed in Utica


ILION - Elizabeth A. Backus, 58, of 519 Doty Drive, Ilion, passed away on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 at the Abraham House in Utica.

She was born March 12, 1949 in Herkimer, N.Y., the daughter of the late Alton and Inita (Sexton) Pelletier, and received her education in the Ilion Central School system.

Elizabeth was employed as a customer service representative with ConMed in Utica and also was employed at Weiser's Jewelers in Herkimer.
Elizabeth was a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Elizabeth is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Gail Backus of Redford, Mich., one daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Conrad Bottorff of Ilion; two brothers, William Pelletier of Brewster, N.Y. and Robert Pelletier of Naugatuck, Conn.; and two grandchildren, Timothy Eric Farmer, Jr. and Nathaniel Craig Backus, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Ilion Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Victor McKusick officiating. Interment to follow at the Fort Plain Cemetery.

Friends may call on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 4-7 p.m. at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Inc., 100 Otsego St., Ilion.

Friends are asked to consider memorials in Elizabeth's memory to the Abraham House. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left by goig to http://www.whiter-hendrix.com/.

The Evening Telegram, Oct. 27, 2007
Observer-Dispatch, Oct. 27, 2007

Funeral Arrangements

Arrangements are set. I wasn't sure how quickly things would come together, but they have. The visitation will be on Sunday from 4 until 7 at the funeral home, and the funeral itself will be on Monday at 11a at the First Presbyterian Church in Ilion. After the service, those who want can come to the burial in Ft. Plain, and then we'll return for a luncheon at the Elks Club in Ilion.

I asked about visitation at the church, but the church will not allow it, so the only visitation will be Sunday evening.

Visitation, Sunday, October 28 4p to 7p

Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Inc.
100 Otsego St
Ilion, NY 13357
315.894.3781


Funeral Service, Monday, October 29, 11a

First Presbyterian Church of Ilion
90 Morgan St
Ilion, NY 13357
315.894.2070

Internment, Monday, October 29, immediately following funeral

Ft. Plain Cemetery

Luncheon, Monday, October 29, 2p

Elks BPOE
8 West St
Ilion, NY 13357
315.894.1444


If you're so inclined, Donations can be sent in care of Elizabeth Backus to

Abraham House
1203 KEMBLE ST
UTICA, NY 13501

she's gone. i loved her

she's gone. i loved her so much.

Mom's at Abraham House

I exchanged some text messages with Jen, and she's been with Mom at Abraham House. She said it's very nice, and comfortable. The last report was from about 30 minutes ago, and she said that Mom was sleeping, but woke up for a minute to see Jen, and then went back to sleep. I'm really glad things worked out for Mom to be there.