Christmas

We had a busy and fun Christmas. Andy and family came and stayed the week of Christmas. Alex and Kaitlyn flew in and were also here the week of Christmas, and we were able to skype our Canadian missionary on Christmas, so it was a great week with lots of fun activities.

We had our annual Gingerbread house construction. Everyone took their time and created their own masterpiece. Kaitlyn's had lights, Andy had a cozy house complete with a Christmas tree with lights, Alex's house was reaching the skyscraper category, Ry had a fire and a pooping dog, Seth decided to play it safe and just have a flat roof, and Josh(who just decorated a tree) was given free reign of a couple sprinkle bottles, which he used up within minutes. They were all very unique in their own "special" way.

We also went to the movies and saw Star Wars - I was in the 2nd grade and with my grandma when I last saw Luke and Leia on the big screen, so it was a pretty nostalgic afternoon for me.

Josh and Seth posing at the theater with a movie prop.

We also had a temple night in Atlanta.

Our weather was warm and wet for the most part of the break, but there were a few nice and sunny days we were able to get out and play(thank goodness!).

Somebody loves to swing.

I had a very special helper all week. He was always asking to help. "I a good helper" he'd say, and yes he was! The very best....and the very cutest!

We had a wing night

And a El Sol night

(I think Casey's tired of my picture taking)

And last but not least, we had a very nice Christmas

with a very special skype. He is doing so good. We miss him so much, but it makes my heart happy he is loving where he is at and the people he is with.

It was a very Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Happy & Healthy New Year!

Annual Christmas Card

It's always my favorite! I look forward to receiving it every year, and this year was no exception. I love Greg & Darci's Christmas cards!

(front) (back)

So cute & creative!

The Mighty Hunter

A picture says a thousand words....


And this one really does. Casey became the town celebrity with this catch, but it was quite the miracle in and of itself. Never mind the fact that a year ago we didn't imagine that life would be anywhere near normal again. We hoped it would be and longed for it to be, but it was a long road of recovery for Casey. He's still not 100%, but he's better than he was. Andy's father in law is a member of hunt club and has invited Casey over several times to hunt. Casey's finally at a point where he feels better more than he hurts(most days), so we decided to venture over for the weekend and let Casey have his hunt. The week before Casey had work meetings in Kentucky. He had just gotten home from an 8 hour drive, and was very worn out and tired. We almost cancelled the weekend hunting plans, but decided we'd make the 2 hour trip and enjoy a visit with the grand kids, if nothing else. We made it to the hotel late and Casey was exhausted and didn't know if he would be up for the 5 a.m. wake-up call. The night before Andy had went over and set up a spot for Casey, so he wouldn't have to do a lot of walking. They call it a blind(where they sit, wait and watch for the deer). Andy arranged the space, so all Casey would basically have to do was sit and wait. It was the only way Casey could manage hunting at this point. So, after arriving in his designated area Casey sprayed his deer scent(deer urine) that is supposed to attract the deer, and within a few minutes he had a deer in sight. He took his shot, and after only being out in the woods a little over an hour Casey brought down the beast(buck). A one shot wonder, and with a gun he hasn't sited in or shot for over 15 years - A miracle of sorts. To say it was a morale boost is an understatement. Janelle's dad was so impressed with the size, he wanted to take it around town to show a few people. Everyone said that it's the biggest deer they've seen. Casey was the man of the hour/morning/weekend, and it did his spirits good!

Funny thing is, Casey doesn't really like deer meat. I grew up eating it and love it, so we took a few good portions of meat home and left the rest for Andy and family to enjoy.
Janelle and I took the boys around town for a few pictures while the men were hunting. The scenery is always so beautiful in the mountains, and I love taking pictures so the boys endured a few shots for Grandma's picture taking frenzy.




I love that they had these signs up around town.


We went to their house for a while and played with the chickens....well, watched Josh play with the chickens.

They follow him around like he's their momma until he tries to touch them, then they run for their lives. Janelle captured one, so Josh could get up close and personal. He was thrilled!

We were also able to catch a basketball scrimmage of Seth's while we were there.


Go Sethie!

After the game was over, we grabbed a bite to eat for dinner and then headed back home. It was a great weekend full of lots of adventure!

What a Difference a Year Makes!

I've spent a lot of time this past month reflecting on where we were this time last year, and where we are now.

We have a lot to be thankful for, and every morning I wake up and realize just how much!

Lots of people continue to ask how Casey is doing. He is well and has made a great recovery. He still has to pace himself, as his feet present most of his lingering pain. He can't walk for long periods of time or far distances, but hopefully in time that will improve.

We are so very thankful for his progress and the blessings that this year has brought! Thank you friends & family for your continued love & support. We could not have made it without you! Life is good!!

Teenager

It's official, Ry is a teenager. I'm not sure how this has happened, because he'll always be a 9 yr. old boy in my mind. Oh to stop the hands of time -Please, someone tell me how?!

Here are 13 fun facts about our Ry guy that may or may not have changed from last year:

1. He has picked up his eating volume. Sun up to sun down he is foraging for food.

2. He is baby Josh's favorite! You can get Josh to do anything if it involves Ryan.

3. He is still cuddly, just at smaller intervals.

4. He loves his video gaming time.

5. He thinks he's going to make it rich becoming a famous you-tuber.

6. Favorite food is still PB&J.

7. He's starting to be more independent/responsible.

8. School's not so bad this year, FINALLY! ---going to compete in a state FFA competition in November!

9. Flew on a plane for the very first time this summer and survived - even though he thought for sure we would crash.

10. The only one of our children that really talks and tells me how his day at school was. He's a talker, and I love it!

11. He loves 1940's genre of music.

12. Misses his brother's and sister. Not too sure how he feels about being the only child/caboose of the family.

13. He is and will always be my baby! I love this sweet sensitive child I have been blessed to raise.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR TEENAGER!! WE LOVE YOU TONS!!!

Summer 2015

I've started this blog post numerous times, but each and EVERY time I get so caught up in looking at the pictures and reminiscing about our wonderful summer my blog post never comes to fruition. It really was so much fun! We went out a few weeks early(before the wedding), giving us time to visit with family and enjoy the scenery.


There were a few items of business we had to attend to before the wedding ie: marriage license, receiving shipments of dress, shoes, as well as a few other accessories. So, we took what free time we had to enjoy a few local activities and take in our beautiful surroundings.

There is really no place as beautiful as the Pacific Northwest. Casey and I both love Oregon. It's always so incredibly hard to leave. The weather was perfect, and we had lots of time to enjoy so many fun activities with family.

Thanks to facebook, I even managed to arrange a short visit with a few friends while we were there. It was so fun to be able to spend some time with these ladies. There's nothing that takes the place of friends in your youth! They will always hold a special place in my heart! I wish our visits could be more frequent.

I have a cookbook someone gave us for our wedding titled, "A Taste of Oregon" - There are so many tastes of Oregon that you cannot find anywhere else. I grew up feasting on fresh seafood(crab, tuna, fresh fish, ect...), deer meat, berries galore, and the very best pastries. We would pick blackberries every year. They are everywhere, and the taste is so much sweeter than I've found anywhere else. We found a bunch one night after dinner in the parking lot where we ate. It was divine! Marion-berries are a must if you go to Oregon. A cross between two different varieties of blackberries, and the taste is out of this world!! I think I had Marionberry pie, milkshake, candy, and anything else I could find! Our taste buds were in Heaven!

Before the wedding we were also able to take a trip over to Casey's childhood home/farm. They had 55 acres where they raised turkeys, as well as a few sheep.

And we made a quick visit to Grandpa Ritz's grave. The cemetery is in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The view is amazing. Oregon is so beautiful! Did I say that already?!

Knowing my love of capturing moments, Casey (mostly as a joke) had purchased a selfie stick for me to take along. We had so much fun using it. It was the best vacation accessory, and everyone(well mostly everyone) enjoyed using it.

ok, maybe it was mostly me that enjoyed using it and torturing others with it, right Darin?!
We headed up to Portland for the big day. Casey & I were married in the Portland Oregon Temple, and Alex's parents were also married in the Portland temple, so it was something that Kaitlyn and Alex had also planned for. Twenty four years later(almost to the day) we were celebrating our daughter's marriage in the same place ours had begun. It was definitely a full circle moment.

There were lots of beautiful pictures taken by my wonderful Sister-in-law Darci. We are so thankful for the beautiful photos we now have to remember this perfect day forever!

Kaitlyn had three special friends from Georgia that flew out to Oregon to share in this special day! It was so wonderful to have them there. I love each of these girls. They have spent time in our home over the years, and they are so much fun and have been such a blessing to kaitlyn. Good friends are truly one of the best gifts that we can have in this life!

We also had some very special friends come to the wedding. Bart & Amber were Kailtyn & Alex's(as well as Cody's) youth group leaders in church. They will always hold a very special place in our hearts, as they were some of the very best. I cannot put into words the value that good leaders hold. They weren't just leaders, they were the best examples and became good friends to our children at a time in their lives when it matters the most. I will be forever grateful to them for their positive influence they had in the lives of our children. We love you Bart & Amber!

Another participant in our wedding day festivities as well as our trip out west was Elder Ritz(currently serving his mission in Canada). We wanted him to be a part of all of our festivities, even though he wasn't there in person - we knew he would be there in spirit. So, we created a visual reminder for us to take along with us to Oregon. Alex was the creative one who thought of our hashtag #codyonastick. We took him everywhere, and had a lot of people say how much they enjoyed seeing Cody on our adventures out west. Here are just a few:

I made about 50 of these and took almost all of them to Oregon. We came home with a few and brought them to the Athens reception. Cody also had a good time making the rounds with everyone here:

He even had one of his friends take a #codyonastick with him to get his missionary pictures taken!

Casey thought I just needed to make one for everyone to pass around. I don't think it would've lasted. I'm glad everyone had so much fun with #codyonastick. We love and miss our missionary!

We had a wonderful summer! We enjoyed every single moment we had with family we don't get to see all that often and scenery that we miss almost as much. Oregon is home, and we miss it. We discussed purchasing a summer home out there. Wishful thinking - Casey and I will continue to dream!

Thanks for the memories Summer 2015!!