Two Years Ago Today - 2007

Two years ago today - seems like a lifetime ago... That was the first day that we saw Elle's photo posted on our agency's website. She had her hair cut almost in a buzz. She had pudgy little hands. She looked a little unsure.... We were so afraid to get our hopes up as we'd been turned down for other special needs children in the past. But, soon we would know that she was going to be our daughter - in spite of all the bumps and twists and turns and potholes! This was Miss E and we were going to bring her home!

Newest Family Member

On the rainiest day earlier this week, the kids came home to find this poor tiny kitty sitting on the front porch, alone. We don't know where he came from as we were not aware of any new babies. Of course, the other batch of kittens are beyond wild now, so that is a lost cause. Their mommy wouldn't claim this little guy, although, she does tolerate him catching a meal sometimes if we find her in the yard and put him with her.

Elle explains to him often how we don't know where his other Mommy is, but that we are his family now and that we love him very much - hmm, wonder where she's heard that? She also "tosses" him when she puts him down, so mostly she's a good mommy, but does need a little supervision. She doesn't understand why his claws are out and he scratches her though... He lives in a box in the living room. His eyes are open, although, he was asleep as Bryant was feeding him in the photos above. He cannot be older than two weeks... Guess we have a house cat, huh? He has no name though....

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Setting Up The New Pool

Elle in her FIRST set of clothes for the process. Eventually, those were wet, so we had to change.

Elle and Bryant trying to get the lining pressed down. Notice the FARMER tan!

The boys have had the same soft side pool for many years. As they have grown, what seemed like a huge swimming pool has become smaller and smaller. Now, that one is 6'4 and the other is 5'9 (I am reminded of their size on a daily basis and they both hope they aren't done growing), it was time. In addition, over the years, the cats have wanted to see what all the excitement was about, and would try to jump up to get a peak. Their claws have put little holes in the floating ring. So, it was time to upgrade... It took ALL DAY to fill this crazy thing. Of course, there has only been one hot day since... but here are a few pix of the project.

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Ring Around the Rosie

This is some of the "sideline entertainment" during Conlee's baseball games. This is actually pretty mild... but its still funny and cute. ElleAnna and Dayton have been good buddies the last several times they were together - which is really neat to watch!

Conlee - Baseball Photos

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One of the neatest things in the world is to watch little kids play baseball - We get to do that with Conlee, at least once or twice a week for the month of June. Here are some photos from his first two games.

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Memorial Day 2009

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Memorial Day is always a big holiday at our house. Ken is the Commander of our local American Legion, so we spend a lot of time getting prepared, putting out flags and markers at each Veteran's grave, etc. He and his group do at least five cemetery services each Memorial Day - honoring those who served our country.

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Here our some photos of our patriotic family - including Elle covering her ears during the gun salute. The gravestone the kids are sitting in front of is my Grampa's marker. Its a beautiful photo of our family's farm etched in the rich, black stone. Its an amazing tribute that has meant so much to so many people. He would have been proud too! I wish that he'd have been able to meet my children and my sister's kids. They all would have loved him as much as Ranelle and I did (and still do). Someday.... someday....

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Elle - With a Horse and a Ferret

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We had the high school graduation in the afternoon, following Alex's 8th grade ceremony in the morning. Here are some new "friends" that ElleAnna made at one of the high school student's parties - a horse and a ferret.

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Alex's 8th Grade Graduation - May 16, 2009

Alex's gift table - Can you tell that he likes KU a little bit? We decorated it with family photos and he put his sports uniforms on it along with some ribbons, medals, and his Memory Book.
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Alex getting his diploma. He also was the young man who got the Citizenship Award which was really neat. One girl and one guy get it. Congrats to Alex and Harley. Great job being wonderful kids who meet those high expectations.

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ElleAnna and Daddy - Notice the blue lips and tongue... Of course, it was BEFORE we'd had any family photos taken yet.

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Alex's class and the faculty.
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Holding one of the teacher's adorable little girls during the photos. Dayton was loving on her. So funny as he's usually not like that :-). Watch out little Chloe!
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This is Dayton showing me his goldfish as we IMPATIENTLY wait for our family photos.

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Conlee had a soccer game in the morning - his last one of the season. He had his own medal to wear and celebrate!
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ElleAnna was not real cooperative in this photo, so hopefully, the one the photographer did is more clear. It would be nice if it made me look about twenty pounds thinner too, but I doubt that will happen...

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Grampa, Grama, and their five grandchildren - This is the only photo I have with Dayton standing up and not running away... Wonder if the real photographer got a pix at all without him laying on the floor :-). We love you, Dayton!

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Granny with five, wonderfully special, great-grandchildren - The ABC's... Alex, Bryant, Conlee, Dayton, and ElleAnna.
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EMS Mock Disaster

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Some night-time photos for you to see the EMS Mock Disaster that we did... Got paged out at 9pm, didn't get back home until midnight... Never did hear what the actual "incident" was supposed to be, but they'd done a great job with make-up and fake blood. We learned lots about what worked and what DID NOT. I also learned once again that I was incompetent.

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Elle's Favorite Song - Gives You Hell

This makes us all so proud! NOT!

8th Grade School Play

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This year, the kids did a spoof from American Idol. Alex was the character like Ryan Seacrest.... which meant LOTS OF LINES! Here he is with the cast and also with his fan club.

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Alex - Photo Shoot

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We needed photos of Alex for his 8th grade graduation invitations. Of course, Elle didn't understand why SHE was not the object of my attention, so I had to take some of her - and Bryant too of course.

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