Relax Quigley!

Yes this bird is laying upside down on his daddys tummy while daddy is on the Internet. Relax boys! LOL It was a hard day of snow shoveling for you!

If I had only one friend left, I'd want it to be you...

Mom died 21 years ago today. I remember that day like it was 21 days ago. I was so young, and now alone (as my dad died 2 years earlier). Sometimes being an only child is a hard thing. Yet, this is one of the events of my life that has made me who I am today. I look in the mirror and I am so much like my mother. I look like her more and more all of the time.

Mom would be proud of the woman, wife, and mother that I have become over the years. At her funeral I played the One Friend song, and I still feel this way today..... If I had only one friend left, I'd want it to be you..... here is to you mom, you are with me every minute of everyday of my life! I miss you.

The Old Bird

Seems as if every time I go out of town Mike buys something.... this time he bought a new bird (left). This is BJ, he is actually an old bird. Mike felt that he just had to bring him to live out his days at our house. There is Quigley (right) the big bully. Now we have 3 birds, 3 dogs, and 3 hissing cockroaches (ewwww, gross). I guess we should have had 3 kids,but honestly, 2 boys is enough!!! Hey, I know, maybe Mike counts as #3!

Here is Mike showing us Aspen's big SCARY teeth!

352nd Fighter Group, Second to None!

Casey and I have been in Tucson since last week attending a reunion of the 352nd fighter group. It was an amazing reunion. These men, who were part of the 352nd in WWII are all at least 87 years old. Wow! This is the bathroom we have in our house that is a tribute. I think my dad would get a kick out of this! I am looking forward to working on some of my WWII stuff this winter. I have to say, having met a few of these men, they really are SECOND TO NONE.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! My crazy hubby is off at the gym already. I suppose this explains how he has kept his weight off. I am very proud of him. He is a great dad not only to our children, but to all of the children in his school who need a father figure. I often tease him that he missed his calling as a vet, as animals everywhere love him too. But the truth is animals and children aren't all that different. They need people who love and respect them to look up to for direction and love.

I miss my own father every year. Yet, about five years into our marrige I realized that my DH was a lot like my own father. Really, in both the good and tough ways (for me!). My dad has been gone since 1985, but I thank him for the 20 years I did have with him.

Happy Father's Day to all of the men out there who are father's!

Moving on up

Tonight Alec completes 8th grade & tomorrow night Casey moves up from 6th grade. I am so proud of both of these boys. They are both stubborn and wonderful young men. It is hard to believe that the Elementary school days are behind us now. Yet, I know there are great adventures to come. Congratulations boys, we made it this far!

oops, I forgot to add that this pic is in front of a float from the Rose Parade last weekend....yes, it is all out of plants, cool huh?

Happy Birthday Casey

Casey is 12 years old today! I absolutely can not belive he got this OLD! I know how old that makes me for sure. He is such a great kid. Casey is a hard worker. Casey is kind, considerate, loving. Basically he is the perfect kid. Casey worked very hard on his science project (above). Yesterday he decided to get a new look for his birthday. So off to Great Clips? Why there you ask? Because they work with locks of love! So, he gave his hair (10 inches) to a good cause. Here is the new Casey:

He got a bike mirror and money for his birthday. I think he is planning on saving for our cruise. Happy Birthday Casey! Love you, mom

2001

Alec was 7 and Casey was 5 in this picture. They were sooooo cute! Love you boys! I came across these pictures that I had never scrapbooked, and had to do it! Enjoy

Was I ever really 19?

This is a rare glimpse into me at 19! My dad almost died when I was just 19, but got a bonus year. Looking back, I can see how frail and old he looked (0nly 64 in this photo). But, this is most certainly one of the final family pictures I have. This is me with my mom and dad circa de late 1984. We are in front of their house in Tucson. That is a pekingese, of course. I will never be without one! I just love those little faces, and attitudes! So, this is me 5'10", dad 5'8" (maybe) and mom 5'7" and Penny the Pekingese (1'5").