Happy Birthday Miss c-bug

12 years ago we introduced a beautiful young girl into the world.  Miss Casey Lin, joined our family at 12:08 am.  Her appearance was one of great excitement and anticipation.  From the beginning she has had a strong spirit and a determination to make it into this world.  The thanksgiving weekend before was one of anticipation and anxiousness as the ER dr. told us we had lost her and to go home.  We waited for my OB appointment and the most amazing thing we heard, and will always be, is that little heartbeat.  It was struggle but she made here, healthy and strong and EARLY.   But we knew she would come in her own day because she wouldn't want to share our anniversary date.  In the last 12 years we have had many great moments and memories.  I picked a few pictures, so I hope you enjoy them.

Trouble can't be done by myself.  Don't we look cute (she was so proud of herself)

Green Sharpie, willing brother and 2 minutes by themselves = colorful kids

The start of many Giraffes that cover my room

just cute

Me and my best friend

2011

Smile

April 2012

My First Birthday.

Easter...Don't I look cute?

4th of July

What a cute smile!!!

Easter all dressed up

Me and Alexis in 2012

Me and daddy

The day of my arrival with my siblings and mom

Me and Grandma Stokes

Dressing Carson up..because a princess can't be by herself.

Happy Anniversary

18 years ago my life changed forever. I decided to go with Mitz to FHE. We went and watched a movie at someone's house, I noticed this guy sitting on the floor, but not really paying attention to him. We were ready to leave and this other guy wanted to walk us home, but he was annoying and a pain so we said no and he wasn't accepting it, then this guy stepped in and said he would give us a ride home. I said sure. We got into his little truck, with Mitz in the middle. We talked a little bit, by the time he dropped us off and we got out of the car I hounded Mitz with questions about him. She told me he was really nice, he had a cute little girl from a previous marriage. So 2 weeks later I went to FHE with the intent to see him and talk to him, but no luck until I got in the parking lot and was going home. He asked me if I wanted to go watch a movie at his friends house, he was suppose to bring a date and didn't have one and wanted to know if I would go with him. First date April 8th. We watched "Late for Dinner" which was filmed in New Mexico. Having spent 4 summers at Philmont I was very excited to tell him about all the places in New Mexico, little did I know that I would be taking him there in person. After the first date we became inseparable and a month to the date we got engaged. We had the intend to get married in September after I spent the summer at Philmont. Duane took me to Philmont and dropped me off and headed back home to Utah, That lasted about a week, he called and said he wanted to come down. So we got him a job, he packed everything up and came and joined me. Once down here we decided to change the wedding to July 9th. Giving everyone about 4 weeks. Amazingly we pulled it off, my mom came down, we made a dress (actually 2 because we made Megan's dress also) and also hand beaded the dress in the evenings. So the family packed up and came down for the wedding (in hindsight we realize how much that must of taken). Our friends the Osborns helped us so amazingly with flowers, photos and of course marrying us. The wedding day was beautiful, the memories were great. It seems that it all happened yesterday, but 18 years later and 4 kids we are enjoying life. Life may not always be perfect and especially not easy but together we have each other and an amazing family.

Enjoy the photos, we look so young. Happy Anniversary sweetheart. I love you.

Family Pictures and Megan’s visit

So a couple of months ago I had a great idea, I would fly Megan out to visit us here in NM, but make it a surprise for Duane.  Well, I couldn’t keep it a surprise because I was so excited so I told Duane.  He was very excited.  The great idea of the plan was that she would be here to celebrate her 20th birthday.  Boy, I sure feel old.  It had been a crazy week between starting work and showing Megan some of the cool things here we have been on the go.  Some of the highlights was the welcoming day with a huge wind storm so wind plus dirt equals UGLY, but luckily it cleared out. She went on a fieldtrip with Casey to see some Volcanoes, we had a touch of snow on sat as we headed out to Old Town.  Then we just relaxed over the weekend.  We had movie night on Mon, and then dad took the kids to see Lorax on Tues.  We celebrated Megan’s birthday on tues.  After I got off work we went took pictures.  It has been a great visit, she leaves today to go back.  We will see her in June when we go to Utah.  It has been a fast week, but a great one.


Megan’s Birthday cake….

What a fun week…..

A beautiful morning surprise…

So I looked out the window on our front door and had to do a double take.  It isn’t a clear view:

 and I saw the white stuff.  I had to open the door to verify what I thought I saw.
Yes, it did snow.  Now coming from a couple of states where snow is a daily occurrence I was very excited about this little bit of joy for me.
So I took the camera (which is a way cool camera that I am borrowing from a friend for a little bit, I can dream) and took some fun pictures while I walked Carson and Robbie to the bus stop.

I love it when the snow stays on the branches especially the cactus.