Gail and Merlin Ratliffe

This to me is what family is all about...Gail who is no longer my step mother-in-law loves us and all of Joe's brothers and sisters to be included in her wedding. She deserves every bit of happiness thrown her way. It was an incredible experience to watch her have a temple marriage for the first time in her life. She has waited a long time for this experience and I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than she does with what she has put up with. She is an incredible lady and I truly love her. It was so fun to sing at her reception with my sisters and brother in law. I'm so honored that she asked me to take her wedding photos at the temple...what a fun experience it was for me. I will always love her and the sacrifices that she has made especially when Joe was sick. The amount of time she spent with us, cleaning our house driving us to radiation treatments everyday because he couldn't get into our car, and cooking us lots of dinners. She was an incredible blessing to us in a very difficult time. She will always be an incredible blessing in my life just knowing her. I know she will have a very happy and comfortable life with Merlin which makes me incredibly happy!!

Shooting with the other family

Target shooting...I have not does in years... I do believe the last time I went was right after Joe died...so at least 4 years ago...I forgot how much fun it really is! We made our very own redneck christmas tree with lightbulbs taped to a sagebrush bush and shot away...David and Steph's TV really felt it too...we really had a lot of fun despite windy conditions. The kids loved it.

Our weekend Adventure, April 24, 2010

 Do you see what this sign says? Yeah, it says road closed...that literally means you don't drive on that road. We were headed up to meet up with Mom's side of the family for a picnic at Baumgartner camp ground to check it out and see it before the reunion. We got to a sign that said road closed, and what did we do? Yep we went on...not a smart move. We got 100 yards away from the campground and got stopped by a forest ranger and a sheriff. Oops. It's Elk habitation season and it's not open yet. Dad got a 75$ ticket from the sheriff, and I got a 75$ ticket from the sheriff...the bright side? We were ticketed by the sheriff and not the forest ranger...that would have been a  250$ ticket for each of us. Won't be doing that again. We turned around find another spot to picnic and had fun from there.

April 23, 2004....yep that was 6 years ago...seems like yesterday that I was holding that brand new baby girl...So what did she want for her birthday? To have a rainbow cake and rainbow balloons. That is what I did...she asked for a bike, toy hamsters, and a variety of other things just like any other 6 year old does...you walk through the store and they say, "Oh I want that for my birthday, oh and that too, and that too." I narrowed it down by what she could tell me off the top of her head when we weren't at the store and the ones she said more than once. It works for me. She had a great time, was very excited about everything, and now since she has a bike and this mom watched her ride with cousins and her aunt...yep I had to get a bike too so I could join the fun!! Great times!

Our 2 weeks without flying solo...

I would like to say it was a lot of fun and we did lots of fun things, but alas it twas not so...it was overwhelming, and it took 5 people to accomplish the babysitting task that my parents do...next semester no babysitting will be required during the day...she will be in all day school, and my classes are in that block of time. It was an exhausting couple of weeks with babysitters and keeping up with everything that 3 people usually do. I'm glad they are back. While they were gone, we did have a few things we needed to do...

Check this girl out! We had picture day! I can't believe it is almost the end of Kindergarten. I can't believe I have a 6 year old and I think I'd better go target shooting more often to keep the boys away from her...she is beautiful!! I love my toothless girl...she is a handful, and I've got my work cut out for me trying to understand how to help her grow and learn the way she needs to, but I trust Heavenly Father will help me know what the best thing to do for her is.

Can you see my shadow? Do you realize how close these squirrels are? Yep pretty close...not as close as they got while we were there though. One of those days we decided to go to the park and hang out...yeah, the squirrels decided they were going to hang with us also. I was watching Melissa on the playground and before I knew it we were surrounded by 6 large squirrels and I sat as still as I could. I should have moved around because they eventually got close enough that one of them jumped on the picnic table and walked over my hand. A little too close for my comfort...we were out of there. 

The MS walk...We had so much fun...I really appreciate Kerry and the love and patience and caring that she has shown me since I've known her. It was least I could do to show her support and walk with her during the MS walk. It was a lot of fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I always enjoy spending time with her and chatting. The only thing missing from our 3 mile walk was a big fat diet pepsi...

That about sums up our 2 weeks without mom and dad...hopefully next time they decide to vacation like that, either I'll be on vacation too, or my schedule is such that I don't require a boatload of babysitters to get it all done. One can only hope right?

Spring Break!

Slowly, but surely I will catch you up on all of our happenings...Spring Break was a ton of fun...as always when we go visit the California families. We bowled, we dyed eggs, we shopped, we hunted eggs, we just hung out, we smashed eggs into each other, went to Wacky Tacky, and the Easter bunny found us. Alas, it did come to end and it was back to real life back at home...without Mom and Dad for 2 weeks!!

Hanging with Abby with Grandma in bed

Bowling!!

Wacky Tacky

3 Weird ladies goofing off-yes I know you can see up my nose.

Monkey men

Our silk tie dyed eggs

Headband hangout crew

Easter bunny found everyone!!

Good times were had by all!!