Meiko

On Friday morning, we lost our beloved friend Meiko. We will forever love and miss him.

"Wishes"
We wish we could have told you,

in words you'd understand,

We wanted you to stay with us.

This wasn't what we'd planned.

We wish somehow to tell you,

How empty we now feel.

A part of us went with you,

A part that time can't heal.

We wish we had you back again,

to fill this empty space.

But one day we'll be together

in a far, far better place.

What a face!

He got a lot of hugs!

Sometimes we bored him!

Sometimes he had something to say about things, mostly about dinner!

On a quick stroll!

Sending our love and prayer with you to heaven.

Love,

Daniel, Susan, Branson, Macy, and Lane

Busy Weekend

Weekends are always packed full. We were busy doing lots of things like:

Playing Guitar Hero Reading some good books (about Planes!)
We went to a car show - here is Papa Tom's '53 Chevy

The show was at the War Memorial. We took our '67 Mustang Convertible.

At the car show, I actually got all the children together in ONE picture. That is a rarity!

Of course we managed to get to the skatepark. That was between the rain showers!

While we were seeking shelter from the showers, Jayli and Macy took some time to play.

Lane found some pine cones. He enjoyed sticking them though the fence and running around and gathering them up again.

Branson always enjoys riding his bike!

Lane was trapped in the backyard! He thought he might be able to sneak out!

We went to Medi-Park and fed the ducks.

Branson had fun on the slides!

Dan took a few minutes to do a few chin-ups. I can't even do one!

Dan is even learning to take some pictures with the new cameras.

To those of you who have left comments-

Thank you!

It motivates me to TRY and remember to post! :)

A Day at the Park

The other day we went to Austin park with some friends. The kids love the park, and I love the naps afterwards. It is great for all!!!! Lane thinks the slides are super. He just kind of sling shots off the end if you aren't there to catch him! Macy loves to be pushed on the swings. We are really working on getting her to try and actually move her legs!
Lane - guess what - likes to throw rocks. Is this something all kids have to do?

A Cottonwood branch - adults run from this stuff. Doesn't she know to be scared?

Well, I Got a New Camera

I decided to use my part of the tax rebate check for its intended purpose, to stimulate the economy. I got a new DSLR camera. I am figuring out how to use it. So far, I am getting the hang of the automatic settings! Hopefully one of these days I will venture into manual and photo editing! We will see . . . .But for now here are a few of the shots I have taken learning how to use it. I will spare you the more than 400 shots I have taken in 3 days!

Here is one of our resident cuties, Meiko! He is a nice subject. He isn't nearly as mouthy as some of the others that live here!

Macy was lying in the grass on the side of the house. Seriously, does anyone brush her hair? I just don't see the reason - - she is so adorable anyway!
Dan at the skate park. He goes back to the knee doctor tomorrow. Hopefully he will get a full release. Not that he is waiting for that or anything!

Jumping out!

What a grin! Branson was giggling after doing a series of "modeling" poses. He and his daddy were doing "Blue Steel" from Zoolander.

Macy playing in the backyard.

My beautiful blue eyed baby. His daddy doesn't like the paci, but I don't mind it. Just look at those eyes! I think I am in love!

PS. There is a comment section. I can not believe that with the opinionated bunch of people we know and about 1400 views only like 2 or 3 people have ever commented. Kind of makes me sad!

Happy Birthday Branson!!!

Well yesterday was Branson's 8th birthday. I can not believe that he is already 8. We had a cookout / birthday party with some of our friends and family. Yesterday was also Mother's Day, so Daniel was obligated to help out. Doesn't he look thrilled? Branson opened a ton of presents.

I think he was blissfully happy.

He received quite a few wii games. He loves them. He just can't stop jumping up and down while playing them!

When it was all over and done with, trust me, Macy didn't let anyone forget she is the boss!

Don't feed the strays

Well, the other day, Macy, Lane, and I were in the front yard. When a seemingly sweet little grey cat came strolling up. He rubbed up on my legs, purred, and generally acted quite adorable. He seemed a little on the thin side, and his ear was torn from a previous fight I supposed. So my daughter and I decided to give him a bit to eat. Macy was thrilled with our company! He was so still, letting Macy pet him while he ate. He was taking quite awhile to eat his dinner. So we started taking some pictures in the yard. (I will post some of those later - - some of them were cute). While we were taking pictures, Lane wondered around the side of the house. I followed him to make sure he wouldn't wander into the street.

Suddenly I heard Macy screaming. I ran to find her, and this is what I found. This is the back of her neck.

Her cheek and in her hair

Her shoulder - both of them looked like this

She really looked worse than the pictures seem to show, but either way it just wasn't good. I was glad our neighbor is a nurse and had some wound cleaner and steri-strips to bandage her up. We did watch her carefully for infections. She is almost completely healed now, but it was scary. The best I can figure - something startled the cat, and it ran up the tree. Miss Macy thought she would get it out with a stick. Apparently the cat didn't like the idea, jumped down on her, running across her, and high tailed it out of here. Needless to say, it will be awhile before I feed another &#$* cat!

Branson's First Holy Communion

This last weekend Branson celebrated his first Holy Communion. He had been working on this all year. He looked so handsome in his suit. I was amazed at how much he had grown since the last time he wore it! I think he was most excited that he got to finish the day with a nice piece of cake!

Getting a few last minute instructions, here he was about to walk up to the alter.

I almost teared up as he walked past me with this little girl. I realized how quickly he was growing up. I am sure before I know it, he will be getting married. We were all so very proud of him. :)