Brandon's 1st Day of School

So, after a year and a half of trying to get Brandon into pre-school we finally got an acceptance call from the local Headstart. He was so excited that he finally gets to go to school with the other kids! He has a ton of fun and is has been learning about space is first week. He's becoming such a big boy, we are so proud of him!!!

He was ten times more excited than this picture shows. Haha. He's never been one to show his enthusiasm.Clearly he was not enjoying the picture taking so we stopped after only two.

January 19, 2009 Chase's Headstone

Recently Chase's headstone was finished and so it was time to lay it at his graveside. The day before Brandon (Slade) and DK went and poured the cement base for it so it would be ready that Monday. That morning Michael's Mom and Dad drove up from Safford and we met at the cemetary. The Fisher family were the ones who made the headstone and they delivered it to the cemetary and laid it as we all watched and admired how beautiful it looked. We wish Grandma Iva, Roni and Coleman and many others could have been there with us all. We think Chase would be very pleased with how it all turned out. It looks very nice and is a one of a kind piece that definitely stands out. Thank you to J&J Signs and the Fisher family for their time, and beautiful work. They did a great job of capturing Chase's personality.

Our Kids

It has been really cold here lately so we have'nt really been able to do much as far as activities go but we are still constantly taking pictures.
Amy's Great Aunt June crocheted the kids their very own blankets so they can snuggle up and watch a movie and stay warm at bedtime. They were both really excited about them and drag them all over the place now.

Our handsome little man. Growing up so fast we can't believe it.

Our little princess. She discovered the joy of accessorizing with jewelry.

Tyler loves the park as much as Brandon does. He had both his bike AND his scooter so daddy thought she might have some fun on brother's scooter.

One day we decided to make Fruit Loop necklaces as an art project. They started eating them before they were even finished!

Becker Wildlife Area

It had been so nice there for a few days we decided that the next day we would take the kids on a nature walk. The next day we woke up and it was VERY cold and a little windy, but the sun was shining so we decided to go anyway. We didn;t stay long but with a few blankets and a container of pretzels the kids enjoyed getting out for a while.

Along the walk they had set up a lot of little signs on everything from the river to wildlife tracks you would find in the area. When it gets warmer we would like to go back and show the kids all the animals and things that live along the river.

All warm and toasty in their new wagon

A little view of the little Colorado River

We wanted to get a few pictures while we were there. As I was setting up the camera our lovely dog, Daisy, pulled me and this was the shot I got.

Although we only stayed a little while, we had fun and the kids really enjoyed it. Maybe next time it will be a little warmer and we can stay long enough to have a picnic! Come on Summer!

Christmas Trip to Safford

A few days before Christmas we took a trip to Safford to spend time with Michael's family. His Roni and Coleman were able to come down too. Brandon was super excited to be able to see Makadie and Anika again. They have so much fun when they are together. Tyler had a lot of fun to playing with other little girls and having a baby that would follow her around. It was good to see everyone and get to spend time with everyone together.

Our Santa Baby

Our handsome Bubba hanging out with Gooma Sandy and Goompa Dennis

We brought a little musical Santa that sang Winter Wonderland and it was a huge hit with the kids. They danced forever and you can see Brandon trying to bust a move over on the left.

Time to open presents!!

He was very excited to open presents that morning!

See my cool camera!?!

She was into the present opening


A CARS video game. He loved it!!!!

Winding down watching a movie after the babies went to bed.

Electric Light Parade 2008!

Every year our town has an electric light parade to celebrate the Christmas season. This year the kids were really into it and got very excited. They got to see all kinds of neat floats and even got a few pieces of candy to munch on during the parade. I didnt realize how hard it would be to take pictures of theses floats in the dark. Sorry if they are a little blurry. These are some of the clearer ones.

Waiting in the car for the parade to start.

Once the parade started we got out and stood near the street for a better view. It was pretty cold that night and Tyler was shivering so after a few floats she took Daddy back to the car to watch the rest in warmth.
The snowman that zooms down the streets every year.

The famous dancing firemen. This is one of my personal favorites. Usually they are all dressed up in lights and dance to the Christmas music.

Of course Santa is always the last one to come through town.

There was a few more pistures but they were just a little too blurry to really see what they were. The parade is something we always have fun at and look forward to every year. Merry Christmas!!!

Remembering Chase, One Year Later.........

Here we are one year later and Chase is still very much missed by all. It has definitely been a challenge for everyone this past year. Thankfully there is alot of family and friends for everyone to turn to for support and comfort. Chase's memory is still very much alive and that was apparent when we went to visit his graveside yesterday afternoon. There are many little trinkets and pretty flowers that show that everyone still thinks of him often. With so many friends and so much family, he will never be forgotten. We miss and love you Chase......

Our everyday life.....

Here are some of the more recent pictures of us and the kids. Now it is getting cold but we still try to keep busy and get out of the house from time to time. Also, we discovered that Brandon can now ride his bike with NO training wheels!!! We noticed that the training wheels were not hitting the ground so much anymore, and decided to take them off. It was like he had been riding this way all along. He was so proud of himeself he told everyone he saw that day and still talks about it! What a big boy!!

These are from our Veteran's Day parade this year. It wasn't very long but there were a few neat things in it.
Our American Legion

A neat military truck

Our VFW , I think

A mini submarine a man had built

Another military vehicle

Our boy scouts

A motorcycle group

More boyscouts....

Tyler was being a big girl helping daddy get wood up to the house for rhe night.Watching a movie after bathtime
Our big boy riding withouth training wheels for the first time!!!

Go Bubba!!!!

A chilly afternoon at the park

Pizza night with cousins!