Getting Ready

So I took this video of D the night before we left on vacation, it is of him trying on his new wet suit for surfing/body boarding while we are on vacation. Make sure you scroll down and mute the music before starting the video, trust me you'll want sound. =)

Schools Out!

Last Thursday (5/21) was J's last day of 7th grade, can you believe it, we have an 8th grader! J had an awesome school year and finished up with straight A's, we are so proud of her! She is really excited for summer vacation. J is looking forward to our upcoming family vacation and her Hunt family vacation at the end of June. The rest of her summer she just plans on hanging out with friends and doing lots of shopping. She will be starting her tumbling class once she returns from her vacations. Here are some pictures of J and her friends from school. J & Mackers
J & Mackers

J, Alexa & Victoria
I love this picture- J & Mackers

Swimming Fun!

Our swimming season has started! (kinda) Our neighbors down the street have a built in pool, with a little bit of help from the pool heater, ok maybe a lot of help, we have been able to go swimming almost everyday for the last couple weeks. A just loves the water, here are a few pictures from just one of our swimming days.

Or Neighbo-Jon

Nanny Leah with Reece

Happy Mothers Day!

We hope all you moms had a wonderful and relaxing Mothers Day! We spent the day with my family and had a nice breakfast at my sisters house. The guys helped with the cooking and the kids then did all the clean up afterwards, it was GREAT!

I am so thankful for my two beautiful girls
My baby girlTwo of my loves

The guys in the Kitchen

The moms hanging out

Siblings

My Sis and Kids

Molly & Peyton

Kisses for Tata

Kissing cousins

A really liked the cupcakes-well the frosting on the cupcakes. =)

Congratulations R Karg!

On Saturday we went down to celebrate with our good friend R Karg. R has been working hard on His Masters Degree and he has finally finished. R Graduated with his MBA from University of Phoenix, we are so happy for him. AWESOME job R! We love you and are very proud of you.

R and his Cake
Us with the Graduate.

Bestest of Friends-Bates & Kargs

a new "Extended Sisters" picture

The kids playing "sandwich" before the party

Playdate

On Friday we met up with another fire wife and her son for a play date. We took the kids to story time at the library where they read and learned all about different kinds of insects. After the story the kids then did a craft, they made butterflies, they were so cute, and A really took a liking to painting. Not sure if that is a good thing or not yet. =) Afterwards we went across the street to the court house and had a picnic lunch. The kids had fun sharing their food with each other and running and playing in the grass. We all had a great time and look forward to doing it again. Painting thier butterflies
Sharing their food
Tyrell

Christine and the kids

Christine and her kids - Tyrell 2, Desiree 6 months

Out of Africa

Last week we ventured over to Camp Verde to go to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. We have been wanting to go for a really long time and got some two for one coupons so decided to go try it out. IT WAS AWESOME! They have a safari ride and the animals actually come up to you and you can feed them, it was so cool. I cannot even tell you how many "big" animals they had, there were a ton of lions and tigers and bears. (oh my) There homes were set up very well, as you can see from the pictures we had no problem seeing the animals. We also got to watch the "Tiger Splash" show, where they take the tigers into a pool and play with them, that was really neat too. A absolutely loved seeing and talking to all the animals. If you ever get the chance to go check it out we definitely recommend it.

The Zebras on the Safari ride

A feeding the Giraffe-look how long his tongue is!

Doing it all by herself this time

Petting the Camel

Baby white Tiger only 11months old

The tigers in the Tiger Splash show

Isn't he beautiful?

Happy 31st Birthday M!

M celebrated her 31st birthday on Cinco de Mayo. It was a very nice laid back day. She got to enjoy a much needed & so appreciated, long nap. D had made arrangements for a sitter for A, and for us to go out to dinner to Macayos with a few friends. The dinner, company and Margaritas were GREAT! Thanks for coming out to celebrate with me. Oh, and you have to see the video at the bottom of this post. =) D & MApril & TravisJanette & ScotPat & Leah

All day on M's B-day we couldn't get A to even acknowledge it was M's birthday she kept saying no "Happy Birthday Daddy" and would sing to him! What a turkey! Well, I finally got her to tell me happy birthday, but she did not want me to get it on camera. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom and mute the music before you hit play.

R.I.P. Maq

On Sunday, April 26th 2009, at 2:30 pm, we laid one of our best friends to rest. Maq was a wonderful friend protector of our family loyal and very good dog. He was with those he loved in his last days. Our home will never be the same without him. May he play happily at Rainbow Bridge until we can see him again. We love you Maq Rest in Peace Buddy.

Our Family

April 26, 2009Maq

October 20, 1996 - April 26, 2009Christmas 1996December 1996J (1yr old) with her new best friend MaqMaq 2000
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...