Happy Retirement Grandpa!

After 38 years of working at the Postal Service, Grandpa finally RETIRES!!! The kids couldn't be happier!  Congratulations Papa! We Love You!

I absolutlely love these shirts from Old Navy!!!

Patti made arrangements with Bill's work for  us to come surprise Grandpa!

The girls are trying to wait patiently for cake!

Love pictures like these...except we're missing two kiddos!

Ring Around the Rosie!

Two girls that are so much alike yet so different!

This boy doesn't have a chance!

So much attention for such a little man.

Brooke and Ryker...Adorable!

Awww!

So much LOVE!

Congratulations Grandpa!!!!

MY LOVES!

Even though Grandpa's finally retired, he still has five grandchildren...Ages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5....that will keep him more than busy!  You are an amazing grandpa that fills our children's lives with so much fun and love!  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making them feel so special!  WE ARE BLESSED!

The Tackling Tweryon's

These children love tackling and wrestling!  Anyone that's laying on the ground is just asking for it!

It makes me smile watching these two play and interact.  Ryker wants to do most everything Ellie's doing.  They constantly make one another laugh.  Ellie's such a sweet sister and loves her buddy so much (even though the other day she said, "Mom, I wish Ryker was a girl.")

Get her, Buddy!

Our Hero!

Thanks Daddy for keeping the people in our county safe! You are our hero!!!  We thank God and pray every night that he keeps you safe! 

Ellie and Daddy have fun playing  police officers.

Ellie doesn't mess around!



Thanks Nan!

Nan lives across the street from Patti and Bill.  Every summer she insists that we bring the kids over.  So...we took her up on her offer.  One Sunday we headed to Nan's house and packed our lunch to go.  The water was pretty chilly so it took some time getting use to.  Ellie takes a while to get adjusted to water (or...most things).  She mostly wanted someone to hold her in the pool.  Toward the end she started becoming a little more brave (well...brave for Ellie that is).

Ryker had more fun on the side lines playing with the buckets and walking around.

FINALLY...with a puddle jumper and floating device the girl feels safe.

Papa being crazy!

Kami Lu doesn't seem to have much fear!

Hadley jumps off the high dive ALL BY HERSELF!!!

I LOVE YOU, BROOKE...even though you will never smile for me when I want to take your picture!!!!

Poor Buddy

Ryker started with a fever and was extremely fussy.  It later turned into a rash all over his body and then blisters formed on his feet.  I didn't see any blisters in his mouth, but that's not to say they weren't hiding.  Between the last month, this poor guy's had croup, tonsillitis, and what I think was hand, foot and mouth disease.  On a more positive note, he hasn't gotten any ear infections. Let's stay healthy the rest of the summer, buddy!

Something to REALLY CELEBRATE!

On May 26 we went to Brooke's Celebration Party at the Methodist Church in Rochester....NO MORE TRACH! I'm not sure how four years have already passed!  It seems like yesterday you were born and everyone's emotions were running wild! We were excited to see your beautiful face, but scared to death at the same time.  God had a plan for you and it was our job to have FAITH! You are one brave little girl! I am so proud of your hard work and the little girl you are today! So many people look up to you and your family! You're a true gift from God! We love you so very much!

Heather had a great idea...everyone signed a little message to Brooke in a very important book that was read to her in the hospital almost daily.  The book had a perfect message that taught us...Brooke, in her own time (like Ruby), will "fly".  It taught us to have patience and FAITH!

Mrs. Pool made DELICIOUS cake pops for the party!!!!  Maybe Patti could convince her to make them again sometime soon! :)

I had Laura Sheedy make me a slide show as a gift to give Heather, Brian and the girls! Thanks Laura for all your hard work!  You did an excellent job!  Brooke and Hadley were so cute together! They shared smiles, laughs and even tears while watching this together.  I'm sure it brought back a LOT of memories to say the least!  Hadley, you are also a VERY BRAVE and amazing big sister!  We love you, Brooke and Kami so very much!

My babies being silly at the party!

Jump, Buddy!

Brooke taking Ryker for a ride! :)

The girls with Uncle Billy eating dinner and watching the slide show.

Ellie and Caleb

Haha! Love this picture and love you so much Addie!

Brooke did not want her picture taken so here she's caught by surprise when I snap the picture.

I love you, buddy!

Heather gave an emotional speech to everyone that attended.  She did a fabulous job!  My camera didn't want to cooperate! UGH!
 Matt Collins wrote a song about Brooke when she was born and was able to share it that evening.  He played the guitar while a singer from his church sang the words.

Toward the end of the party the kids had a balloon fight.

Ellie and Caleb

Future Quarter Back!

Ayken throwing his water balloon.

Brooke, Ellie and Addie

Future Softball Player

We decided to get the girls one big gift instead of individual gifts.  I knew I wanted to get them all something because they've all been through this as a family and they've all made sacrifices.  Since summer is approaching I thought a sandbox would be fun!  I did ask Heather for permission!  :)

Ellie came up with this idea all on her own.  She wanted to paint a picture and put it inside a frame for Brooke's bedroom. So thoughtful Ellie! Great Job!

Ryker and Ellie also got gifts from Patti's cousins...Barb and John Blackburn! Thank you so much for the gifts.  That was very thoughtful!

Everyone had an amazing time!  The church had a huge area for the kids to run around.  Heather had big balls, jump ropes, hula hoops etc. available for the kids to play with.