The Pack...OMGOSH?!?!

This is really going to happen...we are really going to buy a house?  We are really going to move for the 10th time in 17 years!
Wow how did this happen again?  I am really getting tired of packing and unpacking.  I just unpacked didn't I?  It's really only been a year since the last move.

I am getting excited about this move...I truly am!  We are buying a house!  We are going to be home owners again.  We lost our last house during the '08 collapse.  That was so much fun(insert sarcasm) we should try it again.   We are really looking forward to having something to call our own.  It's been a rough couple of years since we lost the house...we never seemed to get things right since then.
We have just been bouncing off one obstacle after another and not really getting a very good handle on the situation.
So Tuesday was the first day off from work and I wanted to make sure I made the most of it.  I got some errands ran and I did  a few chores.  I started to pack a few boxes but I could never really get going...so two boxes later I was done and I called it a day.
Wednesday rolled around and I was more ready to get some packing done but not really motivated to do it first thing in the morning.  So I worked on a blanket I am making for one of my daughter's friends for a while.  Still not feeling it...oh crap...am I ever going to get this done?  Finally I decided I better get my butt to it and just jumped in...packing here I come!   So I packed five whole boxes.  Whoo!  I am so glad I got that done!

I am so grateful that my job gives me the flexibility to take the time to get my house packed and still keep my employment.

Do you know what a food allergy looks like???

My daughter has a red dye allergy.  Any contact with red dye sends her to the bathroom usually to spend the next 20-45 minutes with severe stomach upset, cramps, bloating, gas, and you guessed it diarrhea.  If we are lucky I can get it to stop there with a couple of Benadryl and she sleeps it off...if not she then starts throwing up and that's when I have to get out the big guns...Epi-pens are not our friends, but they do save lives.   This reaction isn't the one that people hear about so often...they hear about the mouth swelling and the tongue itching.   Well the reality is this is the same thing it just take my daughter's body a little while longer to register an allergic reaction than most...and this is pretty typical of someone who has an allergy that is progressing to anaphlaxis.  The same thing is happening to her...it's just further down in her body.

 Catie has lots of know allergens.   We had allergy testing done a year and half ago to determine what she was truly allergic to.  Unfortunately there is no test for dyes and chemicals.  She has over and over again had reactions to red dyes.  We have used elimination to  determine this allergy.
Last week after Easter Catie was upset with me because I got a bag of jelly beans.  She was well and truly pissed at me that I brought this poison into  the house.  She then begged me for a green jelly bean.  I saw no harm in giving her a green jelly bean.  So I told her to get one.  I watched in horror as she got two green and one yellow and popped them in her mouth.   She then trotted out of the house as if nothing was wrong.  An hour later she came home home complaining that she was hot and cold at the same time.  Her face was bright red and her cheeks we puffed up.  She had two hives on her face.  She started to complain almost right away  that she  her stomach was hurting.   So two Benadryl later she was ready to sleep through dinner.   I do wish she would listen to me.
 We have had since had Alex tested and he is also allergic to many things.  He is doing very well since we found out he has some allergies.   We have both of the kids doing allergy shots and they both seem to be improving.  Catie is on maintenance and Alex is on build up.

I want everyone to have the access we do to free
 Epi-pens https://www.epipen.com/copay-offer/

UPDATE: This link has been revised! 

Or if you use Auvi-Q  https://www.auvi-q.com/affordability/

This link was added.

The Generic Epinephrine Injection is also available now...from Mylan
https://www.my-generic-epinephrine-auto-injector.com/
You can get a discount card for the generic injector at almost all pharmacies now.  CVS makes it very easy.  They were the first to roll out this program and have since remained the top in the market to keep it affordable.  

Since this was first published my son has since been diagnosed with a shellfish, sage and cinnamon. I have also been diagnosed with a milk allergy.  It has complicated our lives in ways I could never have dreamed of...but I now know what was wrong all those years ago when my daughter would throw up for no reason after eating in the backseat on the way home from dinner.  I have a better understanding of why my son breaks out in hives from head to toe and we have no idea why.
Catie is done with allergy shots.  Alex is on maintenance and doing well.

The Best Yes!

I Am So Grateful!!! I am way behind...but that's ok...I have no intention of trying to catch up...so I will just pick up where I am.   I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people who have supported me through another year...we have amazing people all over.  I have an amazing family mostly in Kansas City and surrounding area but some other places as well.   I have friends in all places near and far and I am so grateful to have called home Kansas City,Independence, Leavenworth, Bloomington and Salina...and soon to be Manhattan.  I have made some lifelong friends in these places and thankfully Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Pinterest have allowed me the opportunity to keep in contact with most.
This week has been so awesome...I have had celebrations of my birthday all week and I so enjoyed it.   I am not one of those people that doesn't enjoy getting older. I do enjoy my age and know that with each year it is a beautiful gift that I have been given.  I wish my mom had been given a few more of those gifts.
My title leaves so many questions...I know...
I am reading The Best Yes, By Lysa Terkeurst with my Small Group.  It is really an amazing book about choosing to say no when you need to.   Giving yourself the space to give God a chance to make things happen in your life. I am so Blessed by my small group...I love these women...they are a wonderful part of my life. If you have never been part of a small group or a women's group you are really missing out.  Small groups offer a chance to get to know your fellow church goers at a whole new level.   It also allows you to develop some friendships with people you might not have considered before.   Go ahead step out there get to know the people around you...they might surprise you.  Another thing...if you feel like you are too busy just keep this is mind.  I feel like I am on a vacation every week for an hour with my friends.  It is awesome and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Here is the book...take a look. http://thebestyes.com/
The last thing I want to share is the amazing experience Catie and I had at the Girl Scout annual volunteer luncheon and annual meeting for Kansas Heartland Conference.  I wanted her to see how Silver and Gold Award winners were honored.  I also wanted her to see how annual business was taken care of.   We had the pleasure of meeting the CEO of Girl Scouts Anna Maria Chavez.  The first Latina CEO.  She was very nice and stopped to talk to all the girls including Catie.  She was very kind and happy to take a picture with her.  She also gave Catie a very special patch for her vest signifying her meeting her.  It was a very nice afternoon.  I am very proud of Catie and the way she behaved and I think she was very impressed with the Gold and Silver awards...she was very bored with the annual business meeting however.  On the way home I was talking to Catie about what an honor it was to meet Mrs. Chavez.  To put it in perspective...the last time a CEO visited Kansas was 1990.  In 1990 I was a Girl Scout and I did not meet the CEO.  I have a picture here to prove it...I have no idea what I was thinking with this hair style by the way...

Potty training with ADHD, no one ever said this would be this hard!

He's eight!   I never ever guessed my son would still be wetting the bed at age eight on a regular basis.   We have checked to see if something else could be wrong so many time...he's fine the doctor says.  This is normal.  He's a deep sleeper and he will grow out of it.  I consult other moms to see if there children are still wetting the bed...nope.  All of my friend's children stopped wetting the bed in the normal time frame.   My son just has pushed through to the other side and is still wetting the bed in the post normal stage.  At least it feels that way.   He is growing so there is no doubt in my mind that his bladder is big enough to handle the overnight control.  We control liquid intake and make sure he "goes" before bed. We wake him two hours after he goes to sleep to "go" again.

 We wait and grow impatient for his little body and mind to catch up to the other children so we can be part of the club.   That exclusive group that seems to be eluding us so fully right now.  The one that is just out of reach the fully potty trained club.   I feel completely helpless in this because there is nothing that I can do to make this go any fast for him.   He is going to get it on his own.
We recently tried a medication to help him sleep better and it was also suppose to help him over the hump with his bed wetting.   Much to our disappointment he is still wetting the bed and he is back in pull-ups full time.  They are costly, a pain in the butt and God help us if one gets into the washing machine.  He seems to not mind so much what is going on and is not so much worried that he is still wetting the bed.  
I wonder about this off and on...I think it is strange that at one point he was almost completely done with bed wetting and now we are back to every night and completely needing the pull-ups.   Someday...I have hope and I will keep the faith!  Until then we will keep telling him to "go" before bed, take it easy on pre-bed drinks, and waking him up in the middle of the night for a midnight trip to "go" again.

By grace alone I am saved!

This Good Friday I am grateful for the loves of my life. God has given me so much.
My live revolves around these three...everyday...almost all day.  I have a grateful heart because I have a wonderful husband who works long hard hours to provide for our family.  He has worked extra hard this week to make sure things fall into place with our new house and the mortgage company.  He is a busy guy and he makes sure we are all taken care of...I am so proud that he calls me his wife and he looks at me and sees someone that he wants to stand next to.  He is the love of my life and I am darn grateful to have him!
I am grateful for that little girl that keeps me on my toes.  She is a handful.  Just like I was and she knows it.  She is amazing and brilliant and so very lovely.  She can be sweet and meek or flash and outgoing.  She is an ever changing little beauty!   She is a beautiful creature that keeps Nathan and I guessing every second about what she is going to do next.


This little boy is my wildest joy!   He keeps me hopping and that is so awesome!  The joy I get from watching him dance is unmeasurable! He is so sweet and easy to please.  I hope that we can always be this happy!

My little dancer!

Alexander is one of my biggest joys.   I absolutely love that he loves ballet.  He has gone back and forth all year long about being a ballet dancer.   He is torn about how boys can be ballet dancers.  He truly loves the art form however and you can see it in him when he moves.  He has tried to tell us at least 4 times over the course of the year that he wants to quit but as the week wears on we talk about dance or view his favorite videos and he ready to go again.  He also adores tap.   It is not my favorite type of dance but I will always humor my son and I love to see him happy and dancing.  I will list some of the links that he enjoys...if you have a little guy that dances he might enjoy them too.

School of American Ballet https://www.youtube.com/watch?

The Nicholas Brothers Best Tap Number Ever...Alexander's favorite dance by far...we watch it weekly at least...sometimes over and over again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF3KOLS9qLg

The third one is a commercial but it really demonstrates how strong male ballet dancers are...and that is the one thing I really think we want Alexander to understand and the people who are teasing him...and really the cause for him wanting to quit over and over again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GND3nlj7Y-w



So not really about my grateful journal tonight accept I am grateful I have a son and I am grateful he is willing to stick to a craft he really enjoys because I love watching him dance!

Feel free to comment!

Gratitude attitude

There might be something to this grateful journal...I am starting to feel something change in my life.  I definitively  can feel the shift in my perspective.   I can see my kids picking up on my better mood too.    I hope my husband is seeing the improvement in my mood  as well.
My kid are enjoying the the new change of pace...
Today I am really grateful for my small group ladies!  They Rock...I laughed so much tonight and had so much fun this evening.   I love these ladies...they make
everything so much better for my week.   I am so going to miss them!
I also am grateful for my puppy dog Rusty Roo.  He is such a good puppy dog!   He is such a good companion and my best little friend.
I grateful for pizza...and late night snacks...I love pizza!

Grateful for laughter

 Silliness and fun were the headlines at dinner today.  I quickly snapped a photo of my sweet boy playing in his shirt.  In just a minute later my husband had his shirt up over his head too.
I was having a rough day, my stomach was hurting and my teeth were hurting.  I soon was laughing and having a good time.   It made my day!
Then I posted my pictures on Facebook and the real fun began.  First the comments began to come in...and people who got it liked the picture and commented on the pictures.  Then my dad took a picture.  I absolutely love that he will play along!  He's a good sport.
Then one of my best friends in the world puts her picture up...I love it!  She truly gets it!  She gets my sense of humor and knows what this is all about.  Thank you Mollie!  You made my day.
To Alex, Nathan,  Dad and Mollie I am Grateful!
Thank you!

Just as soon as I finished this post I found a picture of my niece as well...I am a happy woman tonight!
Please share you gratefuls!

What I am Grateful Four! lol

Haha...I'm not very good at puns but every now and then.

I am late...a little...well maybe a lot!

Last night was the youth lock in...at the church and I was in charge of the games.  I am so grateful my daughter allows me to participate in her life and the activities that are fun to her.  We had  so much fun...we played life size hungry hungry hippos.  We also played pudding pictonary.   Not only did the kids have a good time...I had an amazing time!

I am oh so grateful my husband is a team player and he was down for helping out as well.  He made dinner and then set it out again at 11 so everyone could have a late night snack.  Then he stayed late to clean up while I brought our grumpy younger pup home to go to bed.   He is so very awesome and I could not have a better best friend or partner!

I am grateful for my little girl.  She is so awesome and I am very proud of her.  She is growing up so fast and I feel sometimes like I am missing pieces of her growing up, because it's happening so fast.


please feel free to share your gratefuls!  :)

G3

On Day three I was really having a hard time coming up with my grateful ideas until I called my grandma.  She is my step grandma I gained her by marriage and no one could ever tell her or me that she is anything less than family.  She has been a grandma to my kids since the day they were born and I would never take that away from of them.  She and I spent nearly an hour on the phone as we do most every time we talk.  We didn't talk about anything very important but I know the time was well spent for both of us.  I love hearing how her week is going and how she and her gentleman friend are doing.   It is always a worthwhile conversation for both of us...I hope she knows how much she means to me.  She tells me every time we talk how much we mean to her and that makes my day no matter how uncool my day has been.

At dinner I asked Catie if she was getting excited at all about the new house and she said yes...Woohoo!  Thank God for small miracles!  This is just a little thing since I know she isn't super excited about moving to Manhattan...she likes the idea of the house though and I'll take it!

My third thing tonight is Alex has decided he is going to go ahead and do the flash mob with me tomorrow.  He also didn't freak out about dance class tomorrow morning when we mentioned it tonight.  That is super huge since he had such a huge melt down on Monday night.
Going to bed on a high!

Grateful Journal part 2

In an effort to grow a positive outlook I am writing a grating a grateful journal and I am on day two...

I have picture of Nathan in his chef wear on this page to remind me that I am very grateful that he is not a chef anymore...today he had to work late and he was still home at 6:45.  That is so much earlier than he ever got off as a chef.  He routinely worked 12-16 hours as a chef and had to work every weekend and all Holidays.   Having home to spend the evening with us is a huge blessing.

Next I have Alex pictured...he has given me a run for my money today...and kept me on my toes today.   I am so excited that he might be willing to admit that he is willing to hang onto dance class.  He had a huge melt down at the beginning of this week and told us he was never going to dance again. This morning he danced all over the kitchen and my heart just melted to see such joy on his face.  Who knew a child could cause such raw emotion???


I won't put any more pictures..the last thing I am grateful for is the whole home inspection.  It is done and it went very well.  Nathan was there for the whole thing and he feels confident in all of the findings.  This sure puts my mind at ease and gives me a little more breathing room.

Please feel free to share your gratefuls!

Grateful Journal

As a practice to build positive light in my live I will begin writing three things I am grateful for everyday.

A new home in May for our anniversary to call our own...we are buying a house in our next port of call...some permanence will be very nice.  I really like this house...everyday when I tell someone new about it I find something I like about it. Some of the things I didn't like about it I think I am starting to find endearing.  My husband really likes this house...and I am hoping that he will want to stay there for a really long time since we have moved at his request the last few times...

My husband's job is very good right now...he really seems to love his job and is growing his business.  He is doing very well in his field and his employer is finding his culinary talents very useful.   I pray that continues and we find good things in this company for a long time to come.  I feel like this is a great fit for us a for a long growth and could keep us very comfortable.

I am very grateful for my job.  I love working where I do.  The people I work with don't always get along and I don't always get along with them, but I always have customers who make my day.  I walked out of there today knowing that I am going to miss this job.  I also know I will find a job again that I am just as happy with and enjoy the people I work with.  

Please feel free to share your gratefuls!

Not Super Mom and that's ok.

I suck at this sometimes!   ADHD is kicking my ass!   

My poor son must feel like some weird science experiment.  He has been through the wringer this weekend and it was a suppose to be a fun weekend.  A holiday weekend.   Thank God we were not traveling.    

A few months ago we noticed Alex's ADHD medication wasn't working like it should be...so we made adjustments. We saw some change but not enough.  I talked to his teacher.   She was frazzled but willing to work with me.   He was quickly loosing ground and not wanting to go to school.  The place he previously loved to go.   I back peddled and even went to school with him to see if I could see what was going on.  I observed him most of the day...and for the most part his teach said he was behaving as normal.   That was not good.  He was unfocused and disruptive.   He wasn't the only student...but he was my student and my only concern.   I'll pray that the other kids parents are as concerned as I am.   I talked to the lead teacher.   She is very supportive and offered great advice...things I had never ever thought to do.   She encouraged me to get Alex in some kind of therapy for his
ADHD and seek outside help not try and take care of it all on my own.  I shared with her my concerns that Alex might have some autistic tenancies and she gave me some advice on how to proceed with that in a small town in the middle of Kansas that doesn't offer much in the way of diagnostic and treatment.   

Finally it came down to we had to switch Alex's medication.   It has been a more successful transition that the last time we tried this transition.   There have been some set backs however...Alex is having some issues with the new medication.   It makes his stomach hurt...a lot.   He has spent two nights throwing up a lot...that was of four nights.  He has complained at every meal that he can't eat that it hurts...we have  tried everything to get him to eat just a few bites...even getting his favorites...cheeseburger and fries.  He just can't eat.   It really bums us out,,,dad especially gets upset because he things Alex is just not eating because he doesn't like what was made.   Truth is he can't eat...he has an upset stomach,   I'm up right now because I got to get up with Alex and clean up the mess he made in the bathroom at 2:30 a.m. oh well...I can sleep later.   He hasn't slept much either the poor little guy keeps waking up with stomach cramps and leg cramps.   Both are common side effects of the new medications...the worst part...I think it actually is working...He seems more focused and able to concentrate.   

LOL...why didn't we do this sooner?

Look what we found at the thrift store today...only $19.99
You  might notice that all of Alex's photo's are blurry and out of focus...yes I am horrible at taking pictures.   He also didn't stand still for a second...even when I asked him too...silly boy.   He was so busy bouncing that he couldn't take even a second to stop and take a picture.   This is AWESOME!   We have been looking for a way for take some of the steam out of this little boy...he's been all outta sorts since school got out.  He has had not much outlet for all this energy.   He is wearing himself out as I type this..and I am loving it!!!    One of my very wise mom friends had one of these on her back porch and she uses it to give her kids a time out...they have to jump though a time out...of course they love to jump, and it also getting out some much need energy.   Catie spent some time on it and yes she enjoyed it...but her time was up and she hasn't asked her brother to get back on it.  Now he's starving....this is awesome!


We might just have a mandatory period of jumping everyday...just to wear him out a little.   Oh wise friend...what other tricks do you have...
bottom line...best 20 buck we spent today!

two kids with food allergies...lol...your kidding right???

So dinner last night was suppose to be a celebration...My parents were celebrating Nathan's new job and my sister in law's new career.  She is graduating from college in a week and half from nursing school.  We were so very excited to go out and have dinner out at a place that serves sushi for Nathan because Catie wasn't going with us.  It was Stix...a Japaneses steakhouse.  A place we haven't taken her since we found out she has the shellfish allergy because the shrimp are flying through the air at people.  The protein she is allergic to is literally airborne so just to be safe we have stayed away.
Since Catie had that first reaction I have been very hesitant to give Alex shellfish and have only on rare occasions.  He will have Crab Rangoon here or Calamari there...but has never to date had shrimp that I am aware of...until last night.  I finally relented and said what the heck.  He's seven.  We have to know at some point if he has that food allergy...it's possible...but pretty unlikely.  So he gets the two appetizer shrimp on his plate...and looks at me quizzically.  "Can I eat those mom" he as asked me before he devours them.   I nod and watch in horror as I believe he is going to break out into hives and gasp for breath instantly, even though it takes Catie several minutes to feel any kind of reaction from shrimp.  I almost want to check him over a few minutes later for signs of a rash...nope I'm going to be easy and relax.  My husband even has a picture of me trying to relax...I am doing a pretty good job of faking it, but the whole time I am searching his little neck and face for a rash.
Then the fun begins.  The grill cook begins to flip shrimp into the dinner's mouths.  Alex is up first...the cook over shoots and the shrimp hits Alex in the eye.  He wipes his eye and says he's ok.  I think nothing of it and the cook moves on the someone else.  This goes on till all the shrimp are gone...oh thank God!  We finish dinner and we head home.   A great dinner and we had a great time...Alex learned to eat with Chopsticks and he ate shrimp and survived.  All and all a great night.
Until we get back to mom and dad's house and Alex comes running up to me.
"Mom, Grandma thinks I have pinkeye?!?!"
"what, let me see your eyes baby...they were fine at the restaurant and you didn't have any signs of pink eye earlier!"
"but my eye is all pink and swollen and drippy"
"OMGOSH!!!  Mom he's having an allergic reaction to the damn shrimp!!!"
Marsha and Dad ask if I am sure and how I can tell....
He had a hive right on his eye lid...
So he got a does of Benadryl...the clear kind because we don't want to mess with his ADHD.  I asked if his belly hurt or if he was having any breathing issues...nope he felt fine...just tired.  So off to bed he went.
I explained to Marsha the progression of a allergic reaction and what might happen and what might necessitate a trip to the ER.  I left it at if he throws up and I can't get it to stop we are heading into the ER for an EPI shot.   So sometime over night I heard a bunch of things being moved around and shuffling.  I figured dad was getting up to move to his chair in the living room because his hip was hurting.  Then a little while later Marsha woke me up.
"What was it that you said about throwing up?"
So at 1 I went up and checked his eye and made sure he was doing ok...I was really worried at this point but the throwing up had stopped and I gave him another Benadryl.  The next morning the swelling was mostly gone and the pink was almost all gone too.  I gave him one more Benadryl and hoped for the best.
By lunch the swelling was down and he was fine.  He mentioned at breakfast that the eye he was smacked in was the one that swelled way up...I'm guessing the proteins in the shrimp reacted with the membranes in his eye and it swelled right up.
All better now...but now I have two kids with food allergies and forevermore I will have an epi-pen with me always.

On to Middle School

The very last day of Elementary School

The ClapOut ...a fifth grade tradition!

wait let me take a selfie #Ilovethesekids!

last day of first grade and last day of fifth grade...tears

oh wait I better pull myself together I have a long way to go.

Catie receives the Presidential Gold Award!

WooHoo!  Go Catie!

Last play day!  Enjoy it girlie~

. 

Go Mustangs...trying so hard to be all
grown up...this is the high school and
middle school sweat shirt.

 A FEW THROW BACK PHOTOS

Catie and Alex near his first birthday.

Catie's Second visit with Santa was with Aunt Beth at Bass Pro Shop...Catie didn't like that Santa.   She loved Aunt Beth though.  This was in 2004.

This was Christmas that same year 04 Ryan is pictured here...lol...he just graduated from high school.

Catie's first Best Friend Cadence sitting on Sesame St on the stoop.  

This is Catie with her Great Great Grandma Ruth.

And great grandpa Larry

Grandpa Tim and Uncle Adam

My girl scout is highly awarded...she spent a lot of time working on her badges this year and short of saving a life can't has received the highest honorer for being a Junior scout.  She earned her Bronze Award this year and I could be prouder...she almost right away started talking about how she was going to earn her Silver and Gold Awards.  

She loves basketball and has played for 4 years!

We started learning to cook this year and have been very successful!

She loves her Red Roo...and he loves her too!

They almost never play together.

First American Girl Doll at age 10.
I hope it's the last...damn those things are
expensive!

Catie and Dad go and sleep under the stars
at the Kansas Cosmosphere 

I <3 this girl!

and her art!  someday it's going to be
sold for lots of money!

Every Princess needs a Knight!

She also learned to play bells this year...
not a huge stretch since she played chimes for 4 years in Illinois.

She also went bald to raise money for cancer research...I freaking love this kid!

She sure does love art like I do..This is the centipede at Wichita

And she loves her Kansas Jayhawks...that's almost a crime in Salina...but she does it anyway!

Oh and she's a dare devil...she will ride any ride...nothing is too high...nothing is too fast.  

She loves frozen custard...you don't see that wild cat on her shirt...I made her wear it...
she had a girl scout event and I couldn't find a shirt that was white except that one..so I bought it and put her insignia
pin over it she nearly had a cow...the big black and white spotted kind...she never wore the shirt again.

This is the event that Catie earned her Bronze Award for...she collected food for three weeks for a local lunch program at Christ Cathedral called Feed the Hungry and then her whole troop went and assembled lunches and passed out lunches one Saturday.  They have gone back since and volunteered again.  I love this organization.  I really love my daughter and how great she really is!

Happy `0th Birthday Catie!

This is Catie and her 5th grade teacher...Mr Weikle...she gave him so much crap all year long...he gave her just as much crap.   They were pretty evenly matched...but the rest of the class never even had a chance with Catherine she is so far beyond where they are.   

Catie's birthday at home!

cousins time

Funny faces

First Day of School 2013/2014
Catie fifth grade Alex first grade...the last time they will ever
be in the same school.

She loves to cook and show off

Rusty needs a selfie...wait no he doesn't
want one...wait not Alex doesn't want one.

Me and my girlie!

Summer fun at the pool 2013

This was the last time Catie ate her favorite food  Salmon...she's allergic to salmon and
her doctor told us she could try it but it was likely going to cause a reaction ...it did...she was pissed...that was the last time she smiled with salmon on our table.