Remembering our Crysta Lee!!

This is going to be a tough one to post! I can't believe our Crysta has been gone now for 2 years. I will always remember the day we received the news, it was such a "bitter sweet" time. We had just celebrated the birth of Halli June 21, 2006 and Crysta returned home to her Heavenly Father June 24, 2006. Words can't even explain the sadness I had in my heart, it all seemed like a dream. My heart hurt for my sister. It was so hard to be happy for me and my little family, when my sister was mourning the loss of her first born. The thing that was hardest for me was not being able to go home and attend the services. Having no closure has been a little weird...I know she's gone but to me it just feels like I haven't seen her for an extra long time!! I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge I have knowing that I will see her again some day. I know Heavenly Father has a plan and knowing that makes it a little easier to accept her being taken away. I love my sister Jan, she is one of the strongest people I know. Having your child taken from you has really got to test your faith!! She was a great mom to Crysta!! I will always remember our Crysta. It was always a little weird to me having a niece so close in age. Isn't it crazy when something happens to someone and you find yourself saying, "I wish I would have spent more time with them!" Well that's what I wish! She was a great girl. Always willing to help anyone out! She could do anything, and I mean anything! I'm sure she could change a flat quicker than any guy out there. She loved adventure and was up for anything!! In her short time here on earth I think she got it all in!! I miss you Crysta and can't wait to see you again some day!! I guess the right thing to say would be...Miss your mug!! Love your guts!!

Look Who's 2!!

Yes, our Halli turned 2 June 21st. I can't believe how fast the time has gone!! She is so much fun to have around and keeps us on our toes all day long!! Yesterday I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday. Her response, "Birthday Shopping!" Hope she likes to shop more than I do... although my friend is getting me to like it more and more!! Well...we didn't go shopping on her birthday, instead we spent the afternoon at the park. We had a picnic, the kids played at the playground, we had cupcakes (tried to blow out candles, but had to do that when we got home), played in the dragon sprinkler, came home and played more, opened presents, and had more cupcakes. This time she got to blow out candles!! I think all in all she had a great day!! We don't think she fully understood it was her birthday but I think she knew it was a special day for her. Leading up to her birthday we would ask her what was coming and she would say, "birthday coming!" How old will you be? "2!" It has really surprised me how one day she started talking so much better and putting more and more words together. Her favorite thing to say, "Jaden did it!" Smart girl!! They grow up way to fast!! Here are some pictures of Halli's special day!! Happy Birthday Halli J. We love you very much!!

Sorry about all the pictures, I need to learn how to do a slide show!!

Taking a break from the sprinklers!!

Looks good!!

I couldn't believe my eyes when she shoved that big bite into her little mouth and then the look she gave me as she pedalled away!! What a little stinker!!

She loves her glasses and necklace!!

What a cute Birthday Girl!!

Halli blew out her candles a dozen times and each time she would blow them out she would cover her eye and say, "more 'gain!" So we would light them up again!! She covered her eyes because she thought the HOT (what she calls "fire") would get her!!

She was a little more dainty with the cupcakes at home, could have been because she ate 3 at the park and wasn't feeling up to another one!!

Preschool Graduation!!

Wow!! Where has the time gone?? I can't believe I will have a child old enough to go to Elementary School in the fall. It doesn't seem that long ago that Jaden was our only child. For almost 4 years, our lives revolved around him...well things change and they seem to change more quickly than we want sometimes!! I find myself saying quite often, "Oh, I can't wait for him to go to school!!" I know when the first day of Kindergarten rolls around and he leaves on that big yellow school bus I will be one of those moms who cries at the bus stop! My Jaders drives me crazy and tests my patience by the minute but I love him to pieces and hope he knows that! I can't imagine life without him! We are so proud of you Jaden and hope you continue to love to learn!




Jaden's class sang and danced the Macarana!! Well...kind of. They used the tune and the dance and sang the Months of the Year!! It was so cute and boy did they get in to it!!


Jaden came out with his arms folded and kept them folded for quite some time. I guess he thought he looked like a stud!! Doesn't he though??


This is Jaden and his teacher Mrs. McBride!!


Jaden with his Preschool Graduation Diploma!! Yah, he made it through 2 years!! How many more left to go????