One Year...

TJ has now been in the NAVY full year. It is hard to believe. Leaving him at that hotel that first night... agony.

New Addition

TJ bought a 2002 Mini-cooper to cart him around Virginia.

Baby Shower

A friend of mine is having a baby in March. So, another friend of mine and I threw her a baby shower. We have been planning it for months. We wanted it to be perfect. So perfect that of course I worked myself into a perfect migraine. Anyway, that aside, I think it was a nice party.

Dorothea and I are also throwing a going away party/missionary shower at my house this weekend. I know, I know... crazy. This is why I am on drugs. LOL! This is also why I have such amazing friends that help me out.

OH!!!! Christine and Sandee....BITE ME!!!!!!! YOU KNOW WHY!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the world

Kim's daughter Lindsay and her husband Kael welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world on on January 22nd. She is an ity bity baby weighing in at 5lbs 14 oz. Her name is Belle Anne.

Congrats Lindsay and Kael!

Hard to say goodbye

TJ and Gunnar playing on TJ's new laptop.
While driving in the car, I just started snapping pics of the kids. The flash was blinding them. LOL! We were laughing so hard.
As you can see, Rylee put on her sunglasses. Smart girl.
Saying goodbye to his best buddy.
Cuddle time.
We took the welcome home picture on the day he leaves.

Very Merry Christmas

What a wonderful time of year and what made it more wonderful is to be with family. Although we could not be with our extended family, the four of us were together and we had a the best time. We were basically snowed in from Christmas Eve through Christmas day. So that was fun. TJ was able to play an elf and deliver a puppy to my friends little boy. He was kinda tittering on not believing in Santa anymore but once he saw this "elf" and his new puppy, he new that Santa was real. I believe!

I love my family. All my family! I have wonderful friends old and new and am so grateful for the love and support we receive from all.

God Bless and have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

We are Thankful...

for braces finally coming off,

for best friends that are ALWAYS there,

for little brothers,

for husbands that lets us shop and run away and be girlie,

for sons that serve.

My Nephew Jonas - Enlisting Support

My nephew Jonas was diagnosed with SMA Type I when he was only 6 weeks old. That day, all hope of him living a long healthy life was instantly taken away from us. Recently, there has been groundbreaking news on a very promising treatment/cure for SMA...! Researchers are in need of funding to get the treatment FDA approved so the clinical trials can begin January of 2010.

My brother and his wife have a goal to raise $5000. So, I am reaching out to my friends in an effort to help them and more importantly to help my nephew Jonas.

To donate, please click on the "Unite for the cure" button on the side and then click the "Donate Now" Button. Read Instructions on that page and then click the "Click to Donate Now" Button. Make sure to put Jonas' name in the message box so that we can keep track of our goal.Please feel free to visit their blog and read about this amazing little boy.

http://coleman2family.blogspot.com/

Rylee's Project - Disneyland Through the Years - Be patient for the upload

This was a project Rylee did for photo/video arts. She compiled our Disneyland trips throughout the years. This is bitter sweet as we will not be going to the Happiest Place on Earth this year. BOO!
Enjoy watching the kids grow up and especially the hair and fashion changes through the years.
By the way, Rylee received an 'A' for this project.

First Day of School - Junior Year

Air Crew Candidate Graduation

TJ graduated from Air Crew Candidate school and Rylee and I went to the ceremony. It was great visit even though TJ could not leave the base. Luckily, the base has everything we need, including a beach.
We also, finally got to meet Travis' parents, Nancy and Rodney Pohl. They are fantastic people and it was so much fun being with them.
It was a great trip and we are very proud of all that TJ is doing.

Typical Sunday Afternoon

Rylee and Gunnar like to play their version of cops and robbers. Cowboys and Indians. Whatever. Today, Rylee dressed up like a robber to see if she could fool our dog. Hmmm... she was not even out the front door. Gunnar was resting peacefully in the back... it is hilarious to watch.

He attacks... she screams.

Mom... will you make him give me back my scarf? I swear it's like TJ never left.She runs, he chases. It is a great game.

In the end, it wears my little guy out. But first, he MUST jump in the pond. Grrrr.

Happy Anniversary - 11 Years

Rylee's Big Day

Rylee had a great B-day. It started with a full day at the at the "Just For Me" spa in Stillwater. Then we went to dinner with her best friend Megan Bauer and her parents to Benihanas in Maple grove. On Sunday we had our best friends and MN family the Bennett's over for cake and ice cream.

Rylee has been spoiled since July which is when Utah family started celebrating her birthday.

She had a great sweet 16

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN!

Today we celebrate truly the sweetest girl on earth. We love you Rylee and are so proud of you and the choices you are making. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love always and forever,
Mom, Dad and TJ

Accident At Girls Camp

So, I get a picture text from Kim (he is man in camp tonight), Rylee has had an accident. On my phone I cannot see the picture very well. It just appears she is laying down. So, I text back, "what happened and is she OK?" To which he replies she fell off the climbing wall, look at the picture. OK, all you moms out there. When you hear that your child falls off a CLIMBING WALL a bit a panic is in order am I right? However, trusting my husband is taking care of our child I just tell him to CALL ME!!

About what seems like a year later, he called. "Did you see the picture?" "Did you see the blood and the bones sticking out of her arm?" WHAT?!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING?!!!!!

Yes, he was kidding. It was a mock exercise in how to treat a compound fracture.

I hung up on him! Jerk!

Welcome Home Rylee

I MISSED THIS FACE!!! Rylee went out west to visit family in Utah. She had a FABULOUS time. I know this to be true because I think she called me once and I think there was a text or two in there as well. That tells me she was in good hands and that she was having a good time. However, her time at home is short lived as we barely have time to wash her clothes and she is off to Camp. I am glad she is having such a great summer. That is how is should be.

Visit to Pensacola

Kim and I were fortunate this last weekend to take a quick trip to Pensacola to visit TJ. HE IS DOING SO WELL! I cannot tell you how proud we are. It is really something to see him in his new surroundings. We were able to spend one day in Destin on the beach and the other on Pensacola beach. The sand there is like powdered sugar and the water is just beautiful. We were also able to visit with some of TJ's close friends and that was a real treat.

Is was so great to be with him and see how well he is doing.

Taylor's Falls

Usually over the fourth our family heads up north to stay in either Lutsen or Grand Marais. This year, Kim and I felt more like empty nesters. So, this is what it will be like for us in a couple of years. Anyway, we decided that even though we did not go away for the weekend we would at least escape for the day. So, we went to Taylor's Falls for the day and walked along the St. Croix River. It was a great day!

Happy 4th

I Love My Freedom. I Love My America.

Have a safe Independence Day.