Eric and his Sister, Kimberly

Its them then and now. 

MY CEWL KIDS

CADEN being all cool, and chill resting his hand on the couch

ELLIE wearing her COOL HAT and GASSES!!!

(she loves to wear her glasses in the car. Good thing

since we live in AZ, right!?!

ELLIE even wearing her glasses at McDonalds INSIDE

THe Girls I grew up with

Left to Right:

Caden (my boy- Emily is holding him), Emily, Me, Dawn, & Ally

Beckham (Emilys boy), Ellie (my girl), Britton (Dawns boy) Kynslee (Allys girl)

The babies are a month apart and Dawn & Allys kids are 5 days apart. 

Ellie and Beckham are 2 months apart and 10 days. 

We all grew up together. And Because of FACEBOOK we were able to reconnect again. Emily and I live just a few miles away. As where Dawn is here *visiting* for the next several months while her hero hubby is oversees, and Ally was actually visiting from Idaho. Sadly, we missed Amber- her kids were sick :(  But for the most part the girl gang were all there. 

I mean how cool is that! We grew up playing together and now we were watching out kids play together. I would have never thought that day would come.

It was so much to fun to see them again. And I look forward to doing it again. 

Here is Ellie and Beckham holding hands saying, "around and around." over and over again as they walk in a circle around this thing. They were so funny. So yeah, holding hands again... Emily are you ready for this? As much as it is cute, I am sooo not ready?!?! hahaha :)

EASTER 2009

For Easter we went to church and then spent Sunday afternoon at my parents house with 1/2 my family and Erics Dad and step-mom. We had a lot of fun- of course who wouldn't watching their 2 year old looking for easter eggs and then getting ALL the candy :) YUMMY!!!! 

I love these 3 pictures of Caden- this is him and his Easter Outfit. Man he was a stud :)

Trying to attempt a family picture by the roses. We were facing the sun, and Ellie didn't like it. Would have made for a pretty picture. oh well :)

Here is Ellie looking for Easter Eggs at my parents house. Her basket was over flowing since she was the only *todler* looking for Easter Eggs. Bailey & Cameron were looking for the hidden ones. 

Here we are at church looking for eggs. I don't think she really got the concept down. 

This is Jonathan (AKA Jonanan) One of her best friends 

Daddy helping her open the easter eggs to get the candy

Caden all chilled during church. (Yes! I know. I am  known to take pictures during church.)

My Dad was holding him. And he kept looking up at him like this. It was so funny and cracking me up. So I had to snap a picture of it. 

Daddy and Caden waiting for the adult class to get over. 

In Memory of Reilly of Troy, Defender of the Northern Gate

Reilly of Troy, Defender of the Northern Gate (yes, that is her name, given by her Daddy, Eric. Which is from the book of Wheel of Times, I think.) She was born in mid Aug. 2002 in Mesa, Arizona. She went to Puppy Heaven 6 1/2 years later. She leaves behind, her comrad- partner in crime- Leena McHeimer, Her BFF-Ellie, her Daddy (she was sure loyal to Eric, and a jealous dog. stories on that later), and her step-mommy (not sure who her *mommy* was... hahaha). 

I wish I was able to put on here her baby pictures, and some really cute ones of her and Leena playing together. They are on my broken computer. 

She would let Ellie sit in her tummy and read her books, color, sing, or whatever Ellie wanted to do she would let her. If she got tired of it, she would just get up and go. She loved to be petted (which dog didn't though, right!) We always joked that if anyone broke into our house, Reilly would lick'em to death. She was a licker, and I could not stand that. So, I spent my time with her to brake that of her, and I did. She loved to sleep in bed with us, go for walks, or car rides. All we had to do was say, "LETS GO!!!" And she was at the door waiting for us. She could NEVER go potty by just letting her outside. You had to tell her at least a half a dozen times before she would go... E thought it was cute, which it was but not when you had 5 minutes to spend on that. 

OH! I need to talk about her jealousy issues.... When E & I started dating and if he sat by me, she would come over and get him to pet her. She was always trying to get in between us. I don't think she liked me to much... And that is why I am called the Step-Mommy... hahaha :) But we grew to like eachother and love each other. 

Below are some pictures in random order of Reilly, with Leena and Ellie. 

Reilly, you were a great dog, a very sweet dog. You were the sweetest girl and very loyal to us. You will be truly missed around here. We all very thrilled that you were in our lives, even if was for a short time. We are honored to call you our puppy. We all love you, and miss you bunches. 

Ellie coloring in Reillys tummy

A few days before she got really sick

Ellie taking her puppies for a walk to the park and back home.

Reilly playing with Leena in the summer- she is the one jumping in the air. This how we would normally see her playing outside- when she was feeling good. 

Kinley giving Reilly a hug & a kiss

Reillys head in the background- I like this pic. of Ellie. Notice the one shoe on and the purse on her shoulder.

Reilly running in the front yard

Beautiful Christian Sister!!

(My Grandma, My Sister, Me & My Mom)

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER     

By Maya Angelou 

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ 

That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'  

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''  

I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.  

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.  

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.  

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, 

 My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..  

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,  

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... But beautiful is just plain beautiful!

I'm supposed to send this to BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, and you are one of them!

 If you share this with other women, you will boost another woman's self  esteem, 

and she will know that you care about her. 

Happy Birthday Chris

Happy 35th Birthday! 

(Note to self: Don't go to this place for your birthday. Some seafood place on Stapley and I60). 

(And this is why)

(looking good my friend, looking good)