Second Family~~ Second Wind (amended)

• These darlings rolled around in the back of the station wagon for years, while I spent afternoons transporting the older boys to things like, scouts, hunters safety, football, baseball, wrestling, piano lessons, you name it! 
• A friend once asked the kids where they grew up...they shrugged and ran  off to play.  She said to me in an off stage whisper, "I thought they might say~~Chevy, Chevy, Idaho~~".
• When Travis, Kyle, Greg and Cory had all graduated from High School, I should have been able to breathe, but I looked around me at my younger kids who had just finished 6th, 4th and 2nd grades, and realized, I needed to get my "second wind", I would be going through it all again for the next 10 years!
• These kids are removed from the "first" family by almost a 6 year gap.
• As my mom would say, "Those kids are thick as thieves!"
• I love that they are close and make time to see each other every few weeks.
• Also am amused that 9 times out of 10 they pose in birth order for pictures.
• It's like they are Suzi's protectors.  :)
• I wish my older kids had gotten to be close to her too, although middle child, Cory, did some, and while both Travis and Suzi lived in Boise for a season, Travis did take her out for a lunch date quite frequently (big smile).
• Love you monkeys!
• 
• 

Poppy and the Fab Four!

Happy Birthday to me!

We went to Red Lobster for my birthday for an ultimate feast. yummmmm! My Sweetie had roses brought to our table....many envious wives...many men trying not to notice....human nature is funny!

Roses on my dresser with allllll the baby shoes that represent the largest part of my lifes's journey....

This seems out of place but I am working on a few projects around the house. Kids aren't coming in and out the doors anymore, running up and down the stairs, shaking the house with wrestling, or sneaking out windows in the middle of the night.....

I miss all that....but its time to move on and patch up the house!! So 'this' is the start of my 'recovery'. My attempt to get into the present....but Oh, how I miss the days of

kids and their chaos!

Happy 40th to us!

August 26, 2011 is our 40th anniversary!

Who'd have thought? We went to Seattle for the weekend and went to Tillicum Village on /Blake Island (by way of a cruise) and got to enjoy some cultural entertainment and a salmon bake. Met up with Travis and Monica for lunch at the Athenian and strolled all over downtown Seattle by the wharfs. Went to a Mariner vs.Red Sox game and won! Took a poster trying to get Rally Fries but alas the camera 'boys' were only interested in things that 'jiggled'. Seattle has been a favorite getaway since about '77. Been watching the M's forever!We had a wonderful time!

CJ and Brian

summer of fun

miss these kiddos

growing too fast

CJ missing soooo many teeth :)

Brian growing so handsome

berry bunch

Aunt Sherry....lots of pictures thanks to
Sherry and Elizabeth! :)

During the same weekend as the See reunion we sneak in a Berry reunion for an evening at Wes and Terry's...always so fun.

Thelma and I -------------Wes

Terry and Mertice

Norm and his mom

Vic and Maxine, N and I





Marla aka AuntieMarla.....love to see/hear her laugh...

Aunt Cindy.....looking happy as well











Bonnie and Donald

This is a family I definitely hope to spend eternity with.

so much fun!

Miss Harley's 7th birthday....July 16

Miss Harley had her 7th birthday....(sigh...you know what I always say about now...double sigh)
She is growing to be more smart, more fun, more beautiful, and more compassionate everyday.
We sadly need another girl date....been too long.

for whoever may not know Harely's real name is Arlene (after her great grandma) DeeAnna (my middle name, her mom's middle name). A three generational name. Love it.
(So happy she's in our family)