IN MEMORY

This is the annual posting of the candles up on the cemetary. 
My dad passed away 18 years ago today and every year I try to go
up to his graveside with a candle.

Rylee and Jim went with me this year and they lit the candles while I took pictures.


It was a very cold night and we lit two candles, one for dad and one for mom. 
They look so pretty glowing from just beneath the snow.
On our way out, we ran into a doe deer and saw a big white snow bunny running around.

I sure wish that we would have thought about the camera.  Would have been a fun picture.

We love  you Mom and Dad...

CHRISTMAS EVE MAKING HOUSES

Christmas Eve at our house was very fun this year.
We were able to have all of the kids over and the grandkids.
Also a friend of Mackenzie's and Aunt Norine.
We had the annual opening of the "christmas eve jammies" (sorry kids, not homemade this year)

Maybe I will get started earlier next year and get back to the home made ones.
We made gingerbread houses and Tia loved licking the extra icing off of Tagg's ears.
I think that Tagg liked it too.
Mackenzie put alot of work into her house of gingerbread.
Tagg got away with a lick or two off the top of gingerbread house that was unoccupied.....
Treyson was very proud of his masterpiece, which he worked very hard at completing.....
Rylee was quite proud of his artwork as well.




This was our first year at making gingerbread houses on christmas eve and I think that
we enjoyed it.  We might have to continue this and make it a tradition for each year.
Jim also was all decked out and in christmas attire.  Check out this
hand made crossed stitched sweatshirt donning the goold ole "DUCK THE MALLS"

CHRISTMAS MORNING FOR "TIA"

TIA was so excited for christmas this year that she was the first one up (other than the photographer)

She was very diligent in searching her for her stash from Santa
She finally got the toys off the couch only to discover that they were attached to a stupid cardboard that needed a human touch to remove.

Blakeley was able to come up and spend some time with me on Saturday.

Usually when she comes up we have to cook dinner and then it is late enough that
we have to go to bed. We don't really have time to do any fun crafting projects.

Well Saturday she came up and we worked on her blanket that Rylee had given her for her
Birthday. It was a "kit" that you just had to cut and then put knots in it.

Blakeley did most of the knot tying all by herself. She is very proud of the finished project!








Look how warm and snuggly!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer All Star Game

Wa Hoo!! Rylee won "MVP" pitcher of the year. He was so excited and did so very well.
This is a picture of the final scoreboard for the winning "All Star game" (yeah, the photographer missed the actual lite up scoreboard)
Rylee with his wonderful coaches.
Aunt Pauline came and wanted her picture taken with the MVP...

The three all star MVP's

What a swing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swimming lessons

This year we were able to get Rylee into swimming lessons. It was at a house just down the street from us and he did really well.
Look at that "Breast Stroke"
And now the floating.....
I think that this is the back stroke...
Thanks to his teacher as he learned alot and had a great time

11th Birthday

Rylee turned 11 this year. I know I can hardly believe it. We took a couple of friends and headed to TOAD's Fun Zone.
The BIRTDAY BOY!!!
Garrett
TC and Bridger, (ps Bridger's birthday is also on 08-04)

They had alot of fun in the go carts.

Thanks for going with us guys and being good. It was really fun