THANK YOU!!!

Today as we celebrate Veteran's Day I thought I would show my support and post some pictures of Family and Friends who have served for our freedom.

I start with My step Dad Bill, USMC retired, Rank Top.





Picture left
1960

Picture right
1980'ish
Marine Corp Ball




















Cousin Sheryl Atoigue Sergeant US Army along with Husband Tom Atoigue SPC US Army







Chris Gotcher Staff Sergeant USMC

Steve Woods Active Reserve US Army, getting ready for his 2nd Tour of Duty in Iraq

Be Safe Steve !

We've Moved

Like alot of people the economy caught up with us, both of us loosing great jobs in the mortgage industry, as a result it was time to move out of our house. We were very fortunate to find a place just 3 streets over from where we were living. It's was pretty much an upgrade except it was smaller. The house is beautiful inside with hardwood floors, tile bathrooms and a great paint scheme. The house also came with a great giant wall unit and beautiful bar. The master bedroom has skylights along with a beautiful tile showered bathroom.

Our move wouldn't be complete without a little drama.

We were scheduled to move in on August 1st but the former tenants did not move out as planned so as we were trying to move in they were still moving out. The boyfriend never showed up to move his stuff so the poor girlfriend was trying her best to move stuff but she had no sleep and no help to move. We moved the boyfriend's stuff aside in the garage so we could start moving stuff in and then the boyfriend showed up and was not happy. The landlord called the police to make sure there were no problems with the boyfriend, what a great first impression the neighbors had I'm sure. They finally got their stuff out and we were able to move in with the awesome help of our friends (and relatives). We could not have done the move without their help and we are forever grateful for all they did, including Dinner provided by Marykay.

It's a month later and of course there are still many boxes to unpack and a big yard sale to be had. The kids like their new house but Jenna still gets a little turned around sometimes.

Kayla looks so grown up these days. It is difficult to believe she is my baby-girl

Grace and balance at 2 1/2 years old? Very nice.

Angel to Angel

Jenna Leaning on her Angel

I see trouble brewing

Tastey, Juicey, Summer

She looks so tiny

Here comes my baby

First Haircut

Last month Jenna had her first official Haircut. David's Niece came over and cut her hair at our house which was just great. Jenna sat real still and didn't wiggle around. She looked so cute with her haircut. I have been cutting her bangs since she was small but it's just not the same as having a professional cut it.

Summer Passes

We treated ourselves to passes this summer for Great America. The best thing we have ever done I think. I think we have been to Great America just about once a week since we bought the passes and have had a blast every time we have gone. I think the favorite for David and the girls is Buccaneer Bay, it's a water ride that you get soaked and you get to shoot water guns at people outside the ride as well.

David, Kayla and Becca are out of town this weekend so Jenna and I went to Great America yesterday, she loved it, we did all the things she wanted to do.

Grams

I lost one of my best friends a few weeks ago, my grandma passed away from complications of conjestive heart failure. Grandma had struggled for many years with Asthma and loosing her eye sight from Macular Degeneration but she never let it get her down. She still gardened as much as she could, she could turn the most wilted plant into a great big green one with her touch. She wasn't able to read but that didn't stop her, she was able to get books on tape from the center for the blind and when her asthma kept her inside she listened to her books.

I have many fond memories spent with "grams", as I spent many summers with her in Batesville and at Carter Cove (Arkansas). I spent a lot of time with grams outside in the yard, in the kitchen or even fishing. I'll never foget the time I filled grandpa's cowboy hat with small frogs about 2 dozen or so, I had them in the truck to take back to the house but somehow the hat spilled and there were frogs all over the inside of the truck, grandpa wasn't to happy but grams and I laughed so hard we had tears rolling down our cheeks as we cleaned up all the frogs.

Several years later my grandma was fortunate to find true love again. She met Bill, they met at the senior center in town. One day I heard that grams had a boyfriend, a few days letter I hear that grams is engaged and just a few days after that I hear grams is getting married Sunday after church (wedding picture to the right). They were so cute together and it was nice to know she found her soul mate so late in life.

I was very fortunate that grams was able to meet Jenna almost 2 years ago this month, she took her from me the minute we got to her house and held her the whole time we were there. I only wish Jenna was able to have memories with like I did.

When I went back for the service it was so strange being there without grams, something was definatelly missing. The hardest was going to her little house in Carter Cove where we spent so much time, everywhere I looked I saw her.

I will deeply miss my grams but at least I have comfort in knowing that she found love again in Bill and that she will be able to breath without trouble and will be able to see again. I love you grams and I will miss you every day!

Jenna Turns 2 (a few months ago)

Ok so I'm playing catch up, Ithought I would start with pictures from January of Jenna's 2nd Birthday. She had a great time and and lots of friends and family round her to celebrate. She even decided to grab a handful of frosting and take a taste. We gave Jenna a Geo Trax set and she played with it for a long time after everybody left. These are the last fee pictures where the pacifier exists, shortly after her birthday the pacifier went away.