A Change in Plans:

I am sad but understanding......Tyler has had a change in plans and now is not coming for a visit until May 14th. He wanted to change the visit to Mother's Day weekend. It would have been awesome to spend Mother's Day with my boys but we have reservations to go camping that weekend, so he is coming the weekend after that. We actually have a little more time with him now with the change because he is flying in late on Thursday instead of on a Friday afternoon.

The good news is that Tyler made $5 bucks with the change of the reservation---the flight prices have gone down.....yeah! Save the $5 Tyler, you can buy me a drink when you are here. :)

We are so anxious to see you!!!!

Before and After

Our poor dog, Chloe, desperately needed a haircut....its been a long, cold winter! Dennis took her to the Doggie Spa and gave her a new look--we don't do anything fancy, just shave her ALL over. I am sure she feels like a brand new dog now!

Chloe is going to be 12 years old on the 4th of July. We are not sure when her real birth date is so we gave her the date that we got her on when she was 2 years old. We got Chloe from our local dog pound. We decided to go LOOK at the dogs during our long 4th of July weekend ten years ago. Well we have never been back to the pound because you don't go to the pound to just look--it is too sad--we want to bring them all home. We went to the pound all those years ago with the intention of looking for a Lab. It was the type of dog Dennis would have liked to have. Well we let the kids look (remember they were 4 and 14 at the time). They found this dog (Chloe) and asked if they could take it to the special rooms they have to play with the dog that you like, one on one--they should call these the "fall in love" rooms..because once you take a dog out of their cage, walk it, play with it...you are never putting the dog back in the cage, you have fallen in love with it and you are taking it home. Well the rest is history we have had Chloe for 10 years now. She is very mild mannered, does not do any tricks and loves to lay in the sunlight--just like a cat! I felt bad at first watching Dennis walk this "foo-foo" dog when he really wanted a "manly" Lab. After all these years, he loves Chloe just the same though.

Spring break, going....going......gone!

Spring break 2009 has come and gone--Logen is back to school tomorrow with nine weeks left of the 8th grade and the last year at his middle school. He will be a high school student next year with only 4 years until graduation. Can you say: WOW??!!

Our spring break wasn't too exciting. Last year we went to Las Vegas, this year we just stayed home. Logen did not really start feeling better until last Tuesday. The weather wasn't very spring like either! We had considered going camping in the desert, so Dennis and Logen could ride their motorcycles but the weather did not seem to cooperate. The days would have been in the 60's in the desert but the nights would have been pretty cold, still down in the 30's. Even with the heater in the camp trailer--we thought it would be better to try it another weekend. Dennis and Logen did get their motorcycles out and get the maintenance done, so they will be ready to go when the weather gets better. Colin sat on the motorcycle with Dad and thought it was great when he revved the engine---a big smile on his face but holding on to Dennis for dear life!
Colin had his physical therapy evaluation on Friday. Of course he had to call his Momma a liar. The physical therapist (Katie) came in and set a ball down on the floor, and asked Colin to kick it. I explained that he doesn't kick balls without help. I know this because we had been working on it for quite a while. Well, Colin proceeded to kick the ball, hence calling his mom a "liar". :) He does not kick it with full on force but he did kick it with no help....I was PROUD of him! She feels he does need physical therapy but probably only every other week. So that is a good sign. On another subject with Colin, I truly believe that this kid is ready to be potty trained. He is always stripping his pants and diaper off the minute he pees or poops! We got him a potty chair, with all the bells and whistles--literally! This thing will sing a song if he accomplishes something in it. We have tried to put him on it but he hasn't mastered going yet---we will just keep trying!

My mom made it home from her vacation to Florida to visit my Aunt Connie--sounds like they had a blast. A little back ground information: My Aunt Connie is my Dad's sister. My mom and Aunt have been friends since before my Dad and my mom met--and they continued to be friends all these years even though my parents divorced "a million years ago". They have great times together, as you can tell from the picture I posted. According to my mom they went out everyday with something new and exciting to do. The weather was beautiful while she was there which she can prove by the tan she got. :)

My Aunt Connie and Uncle Joe came to visit us in Idaho in 2004 when hurricanes were hitting their area. Evacuating was recommended so they decided to "evacuate" here to Idaho for a couple of weeks. We enjoyed the time with them. We need to talk them into coming again sometime soon!

Work has been steady for us, not as crazy and hectic as it has been in past years but we are thankful and blessed with every one of the jobs we get. We will just keep trying to be competitively priced, have great quality tree trimming and give top-notch customer service; that is what brings our customers back to us and has them giving our name out to their friends, family and neighbors. Dennis is definitely the talent behind this business--people love the work he does!

Its Official.......

.......Tyler is flying to Boise for his birthday!!!!! YEAH!!

Tyler has bought his plane ticket and he will be coming to Boise on Friday, May 1st. He is only staying until Monday but we will take whatever time we can get with him. He is already planning what dinners he would like me to cook and what fun things we can do while he is here.

We are counting down the days Tyler.....36 days to go.......

What a kid...........

We have been having some nice warmer days and Colin loves being outside! We are teaching him about staying on the sidewalk and not throwing balls out into the street when we are out in the front yard. He also has been practicing riding a tricycle....he has not mastered it yet, but we will keep working on it.

Colin went for a check-up last week with his doctor so she can keep updated on all his developmental milestones. She is concerned about his "gross-motor" skills and has asked for him to be evaluated by a physical therapist. We are hoping to have that completed in the next week or two. If it is determined that he does need physical therapy, that will be added to the list of the therapies he is already receiving:

1. Occupational therapy
2. Speech therapy
3. Developmental therapy

I have noticed on his speech that in the last week or two that he is starting to mimic more when we ask him to say something. He learned how to nod yes in the last day or two--he does not say yes, but he nods and it does mean YES! What a big deal to have an affirmation when we ask a question. He does know the word NO and uses it well! He has picked up more sign language and uses it daily also--but has learned to say a lot of the words that he signs.

He is working hard on his occupational therapy weekly. He had a new evaluation last week and the therapist said he was at about a 22 month level for a lot of his skills--and if I understand it correctly that was more on movement not on brain power. :) The following picture shows him working on puzzles. I keep these on the coffee table in the family room for him all the time. He is a master at these puzzles...he completes them accurately and quickly. The therapist states that he is working these puzzles at above his age level. She brought him over a new puzzle the other day and he mastered it on the first try. She was mighty impressed!

Another thing that he does that is interesting/smart is that he matches colors. If he is playing with his legos, he uses all of the same color. If Logen has his "speed stack" cups out on the table--Colin will go and put them in stacks of the same color.

Colin is very smart, has a great memory and he has a fierce determination when trying to learn new things.

He is quite the cutie too--don't you agree?

Celebrating in the Heavens

"Memories are a way of holding on
to the things you love,
The things you are,
The things you never want to lose."March 1980
40th Wedding Anniversary

My grandparents, Constantine and Exzelia (or affectionately called by me: Papa & Meme), were married 69 years ago today! I miss my grandparents each and everyday....there are daily reminders of times spent with them.

I know there are hugs, much love and family celebrating with them today on a warm sunshine filled day in heaven. I am sure there is also a great feast planned because my grandfather always made sure people were fed when they came visiting....and if my sister has her way, there is something chocolate for dessert!

I miss you all!

Signs of Spring

There are signs of spring all around me the last couple days.

• The temperature has been over 60 degrees today and yesterday, with more expected.
  
• There are buds on my lilac bush.
• My Maple tree is also budding out.
• I see a faint color of yellow on the forsythia.
• My daylillies are sprouting out of the ground.
• We have been able to play out side for longer periods of time.
• I drove with the sunroof open on the car.

I hope the nice weather continues. We set some of the patio furniture up underneath the awning. We have a tabletop propane heater for the patio and have high hopes of maybe spending an evening or two on the patio with the heater on, sipping coffee.

We have nice weather but unfortunately Logen got the flu again. He has had a cough for about a week and it was getting worse not better, so we took him to the doctor on Wednesday. I was shocked at how sick he was. He had a fever of 101 degrees! The doctor said he had the flu and had to be put on antibiotics and a cough syrup. Then he said he could not go back to school until after spring break. Holy Cow--I felt bad that I was trying to push him to go to school that morning because I thought we were only dealing with a cough. :( He still looks and feels miserable. After a couple days with the antibiotics in him he should start feeling better.

Of course, I have to add this picture of Colin that I took this afternoon while we played outside on the swing set. He has learned to climb the ladder up to the slide (with me guiding and standing behind him, just in case). He likes to sit at the top--especially when the cat visits him up there. He had a blast pushing his "friends" Buzz and Woody (from the kids movie, Toy Story) down the slide--even though this is a picture of him looking very serious, he was having fun!

San Diego through Tyler's camera lens:

Tyler has become quite the photographer---he has a great eye! I love the option of using black and white with the pictures!

The room with a view was their hotel room--on the third floor and a fantastic view. The beach they went to is called, "Mission Bay Beach".

I will admit the sunshine and palm trees make me a little jealous.....

Family Updates...Tyler

The weather is warming up in Vegas and Tyler is enjoying the sunshine!

Tyler keeps very busy; he works more than 40 hours a week at the studio, he is involved in a band and still enjoys quiet times reading, working on a guitar he is building, watching movies and time with Heather.

Tyler has full busy days at the studio. In these tough economic times, his boss has assured the Las Vegas studio that things are still well within the company, there are no talks of lay-offs and they are spending as much on advertising Studio Center this year, as they have in the past to continue the growth of the company. I wish I could remember how many years Studio Center has been in business--Tyler will have to comment and give me the correct amount--seems like it is 30+ years. Tyler has forwarded a few emails to me lately that he has received from his boss in Virginia Beach. They are very complimentary of his work for the company and his work ethic.

Tyler also started playing bass for a local band, about 8 weeks ago. He has always had an interest for playing in a band. Whats kind of interesting about this story is that he plays guitar but did not play the bass, until he started with this band. I asked why he just didn't play the guitar and he said that it is really hard to find a band that is looking for a guitar player because "everyone plays the guitar". But he found bands that always seem to need a bass player, so he decided he better learn to play bass if he was ever going to be in a band. Well the guys in the band are impressed and he seems to be a natural at the bass. He has gotten a few tips/lessons from a guy that is one of the "talents" at the studio where he works. I have got to add that Tyler is a very likeable guy....from what I understand a lot of his "talents" have established great working relationships with Tyler.

Another new talent that Tyler has discovered that he has and enjoys is cooking. He loves watching the cooking shows on the food network. His new specialty that he has perfected is cheese cake. He made it to bring to Heather's parents house for dessert a couple weeks ago and made it again last week to share with a couple friends. He has received many compliments on the cheese cake--one coming from Heather's mom, Cindy, who Tyler says is a fantastic cook herself, so he took it as a huge compliment. I am anxiously awaiting Tyler's trip to Idaho so I can sample some of this wonderful dessert---be assured I will critique it on this blog! :)

This weekend Tyler and Heather drove to San Diego. It is their "dating" anniversary: 3 years together! They are going to see a concert, spend some time at the beach, go to the San Diego Zoo and then visit a friend from Boise that Tyler graduated with, who now lives there. Heather's dad is military so he was able to get them a room on the navy base in San Diego for an absolute wonderful price of $37/night. Tyler made it sound like a mini apartment that had a wonderful view of the ocean! They are only staying tonight, Saturday, and will head home tomorrow. It is about a 5 hour drive from Las Vegas to San Diego.

This is a current picture of Tyler--with a very short haircut! I LOVE your hair like that Ty--and I still miss you...love, Mom!

Memories........

Today is unfortunately a day marked on our calendar with great sadness....it is the 3 year anniversary of Dennis' dad's passing. When I think of my dad-in-law, Don, I remember him as being a family man. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren, and it showed. Don drove from his home, 4 hours away, to be with Dennis and I when we brought Logen home from the hospital. He made sure he was here for Logen's birthday parties and other special occasions. He introduced Logen to the game of golf. He would go on bike rides with Logen...he made the time with Logen and his other grandchildren special. These times did not just start when Don got sick with cancer....he was always that way. He accepted Tyler and I into his family with open arms. Tyler affectionately called Don, Pops...a name others in the family started calling him also. We all miss him. Dennis wrote the following, I thought he did such a great job that I asked him if I could include it on the blog:

I woke up at four this morning with a sore back. I began my usual complaining of how terrible things are; sore back, little sleep, business is slow, you get it. While having my cup of coffee I remembered it has been three years since we lost my dad. The pain he suffered through to spend time with his family leaves me with nothing to complain about; in fact it leaves me extremely thankful. I miss him more than words can say and admire him for the fight he endured. I would love to golf one more round, talk about the weather, and even listen to him breathe through the telephone. That is a memory now and it all brings me joy. Maybe if I spend more time reflecting and less time complaining, life can be more enjoyable. Thanks for the lesson, Dad. I LOVE YOU!!!!

Family Updates: Logen

Wow--I can't believe that I haven't posted on the blog since the 26th of February--I guess it is easy to say that things have been hectic around here.

On the 28th Logen participated in the Kid's Fair at the Expo building in Boise. He has been involved with the yo-yo group for a few months now and really has been enjoying it. The instructor in the class, Dave, is a two-time world champion yo-yo'er! He is great with the kids. He asked Logen to run the audio and be the announcer for the yo-yo group during their stage performances during the Kid's Fair.......which Logen loved! He also enjoyed himself while at the yo-yo booth selling yo-yos and instructing people on how to do tricks. Of course Tyler was proud because Logen was working his first "audio gig"! Dave has hinted around that he may ask Logen to join the performance group as a team competitor for competitions.....Logen was thrilled!

Logen's grades are awesome at school! He is looking forward to spring break in a couple weeks then we will be on the downhill side of the 8th grade. Right now he is in the middle of a HUGE project that is a requirement for 8th grade. It is called the PACE project. The kids have to do an oral presentation with "power points" (a fancy word for a slide show) to a panel of judges. The kids have to choose a subject based on their area of interest for a career. Logen's presentation is on sports broadcasting/analysis.

Another great thing happened to Logen this week; he was approached by his 8th grade basketball coach, who is now in full swing coaching the 7th grade boys basketball team, and asked Logen if he would be interested in being the manager for him. What a great honor--he apparently thinks a lot of Logen and knows that Logen would do a great job for him. Logen says the manager is in charge of keeping stats during the games, attends all practices and games and helps where ever needed and also works the scoreboard for home games.

We are so proud of Logen--he is a great kid and has such a kind heart!