Taxes.........A Day to Remember!

Taxes.........for some......... a day of dread! For Loren and I it will always be a day of THANKFULNESS! Ten years ago today, Ashlie & Katelynne were spending their sunny Easter vacation playing with friends Erica & Alexa running up and down their favorite Tree House, when Ashlie lost her grip and fell 20 feet below. We were later told that 20 feet is considered a "death fall"! God was watching over her and we will always consider this a day of "Thankfulness"!! I know, I know how weird to have a picture of all of this..........but we do!

She fell in the back so the ambulance had to come through the orchard to load her up.

What a trooper she was..........on the way to the hospital as they were starting her morphine, she kept telling me how grateful she was that it wasn't Katie who fell.

The morphine was working..........but her little brother Cody was quite concerned!

Friends and family were her support.

Daddy helping to feed the scrapped up little girl.

Lots of well wishers..........Amy's grandpa and grandma, Amy, Sarah, Casey & Cody

Girls time..........Katie need to be close to Ashlie at all times........

Friends would come by after school to help with homework

More sister time

When you spend 3 weeks in a hospital ...........you'll do anything to wash your hair, even when your 12yrs old!

After 3 weeks of traction, Ashlie was put in a body cast.........car trips were always a adventure! We were thankful for our van the we could lay the seat down.

Ashlie NEVER gave up!!! She went to school the last week to help celebrate fun days like "weirdo's" a highlight for all 6th graders!

Then there was "Twin Day". Amy went to great lengths to match Ashlie!! What a friend!!

A trip to the airport to pick-up brother Tim, when he came home from Word of Life Bible College.

Missing all of the fun at a Family Church day

It didn't take long and Ashlie learned how to get around! She loved to swim........so here she would stand at the pool and hang her head under the water........what a trooper!!

The day that Mom & Dad were most proud..............Ashlie had written her own speech on "friendship" before her accident and won the opportunity to compete at the District Speech Meet in Redding............by her sheer determination she humbled herself and performed her speech..............and left all teary eyed and SPEECHLESS!

Ashlie............April 15th will always be a day that Dad and I will thank the Lord for allowing you to be in our lives another day!! We love you!

Easter

What a fun Easter we had this year..........I was really grateful when my work schedule came out at the first of the month and I realized that I was off for Easter!! So, after an early morning time of worship @ church, the kids and grandkids all came over for dinner and Easter an egg hunt. The weather was incredibly COLD and RAIN in the afternoon but the rest of the day was relaxing and a joy to spend time together as a family!

Yes, even at their age...........if you still live @ home, we have to have Easter pictures! I know, I know, my kids all have wonderful memories of this event every year (NOT)!

Our babies.........(at least in Loren and my eye's)

The family, plus Katelynne's boyfriend ......Andrew

Great smiles........

The Easter Bunnies...............

are busy @ work!

Good one, Auntie Kate!

Yes, Andrew...........I think it will fit!

On Easter Sunday I always enjoy being able to bring back special memories, by using the old sterling silver that my mom used while I was growing up...........then a few years ago I was able to complete the dish set that my parents received for a wedding gift...........it looks great in the springtime. While I was placing the dishes on the table I did the math and realized that the dishes are at least 58 yrs. old! Needless to say they were only placed on the adult table and everyone had strict instructions to bring them to me to be, hand washed!

A fun table for the kiddo's

Smile.......

O.K., it's time for the Big hunt!

Listening to the rules in the freezing cold..........poor girls!

....................and away they go!

Keagan found one!

They look like they are in line for the firing squad...........really they're hoping the kids find the eggs right away...........way tooooo cold!

Hailey on the hunt!

Claire Bear found one!

Strategy........

Bethany.......trying to decide who made this one!

............and then the rain began!

Looking through the loot!

Sharing the wealth!

Uncle Cody.........setting up the race track in the playroom..........thanks, Uncle Cody!

Kelden......flirting with Nana

Time to play games........

and always time to play house!

Spinning the tops..................

and then time for snuggles with Papa!

What a wonderful day it was...............glad to have family time.................so glad to have the freedom to celebrate our Saviors Resurrection, the only reason for Easter!

Coloring Easter Eggs

One of the highlights of Easter vacation is coloring Easter eggs with the grandkids........this year I ended up working most of the week so Auntie Kate and Andrew enjoyed the fun. Sounds like all had fun and they came up with some very creative eggs this year!

First the boiling........

then the fun begins.........

time for negotiating.........

Purple is always a favorite!

Ahhh yes, a soccer ball! You could tell there was some male input!! Keagan was glad to have Andrew there for the manly support!

Giggles..........it was soooo much fun!

More giggles.............

and beards!

Beautiful.........with lots of character

THANKS AUNTIE KATE AND ANDREW!!