Team Caldwell

1 & 1 makes 11!

2011-10-06T06:32:00.001-07:00

On September 25th our little girl hit the big 11! I still can't believe how big she is. I don't know how she got so old when we just had her yesterday:)

For her party this year she took 2 friends to dinner and a movie. We went to chilis where everyone ordered chicken strips and giggled non stop and I mean non stop. They even giggled while eating. I found a new respect for my mother who used to tote myself and at least a handful of friends around at a shot. (side note: while telling my sweet mom about my night she said you all were good kids. Told her they were good they just wouldn't stop squealing and giggling. She then replied, oh yeah you guys did that for sure!)

Kass while the waiters sang happy birthday.

Friends singing

Girl power! Kassidy, Martha and Nicole.

We went and saw dolphin tale, a very cute inspiring movie. Then we hit the lobby for crazy times and poster posing. Purrrrrfect!

Her bday was on Sunday this year. So after church she scored a ton of goodies.

My big girl

Those are not gang signs. It's her 11 sign.

Licking the beater after helping me make cookie cake.

Cookie cake

How did my little 6 week early beanie baby sized girl go from this to this?! Almost as tall as her mom. She is predicting to pass me up by 6th grade, which is so possible!

We love you so much kassidy. You bring joy and goofiness into our lives. You make life so much sweeter,( even with your new found "attitude" that will hopefully go away soon!!)
We love you the most!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pre birthday girls date night!

2011-09-28T07:33:00.004-07:00

SO it's no surprise that I LOVE birthday's.

I have no fear telling people how OLD I am. I embrace my age:) Since we've moved to El Paso, it's been even sweeter. I made a friend, Tammy that shares the exact same birthday and year as me! So birthdays are twice as awesome! Sadly though, as all Army stories go, it's time for her to move (but to Hawaii so don't feel bad!) so this was our last "twin" birthday bash. We went out with a bang! We each grabbed a "plus one" and headed out for fun.

Getting ready to party! Me, Tammy, Beverly and Lesa.

(I figure if I surround myself with beauty it will rub off someday!!!)

We had Thai food at Tara Thai-

YUM!!!! Look at that pretty radish rose.

Romantic mood lighting!

We took our full bellies to play a game of laser tag. It was Beverly first time too!

This was Tammy getting her game on. We tried so many times to get a pict with my non flash phone timed with the strobe lights. It was quite hysterical!

I used a filter to make her look more Andy Warhol meets Charlie's angels

Don't mess with us!

Parting shot for the evening.

I have truly been blessed here in El Paso (and in all of my life). I have a hubby that lets me run about with ladies on dates! I have wonderful friends that are fun, beautiful and kind. We have such a good time together and it is always an uplifting experience to be with them.

I will miss my "twin" but will cherish all the memories we have.

Thanks for the brithday party ladies!!!

LIFE IS GOOD!

Abbeys new bike

2011-08-22T19:35:00.001-07:00

So after months of searching abbey finally found "the" bike! They built it over the weekend and we test drove it today. She is so excited. It will last our shorty for a really long time. I even want one! Congrats on finally out growing your old bike sweet heart:)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First day of school 2011

2011-08-22T07:27:00.001-07:00

It's the first day of school! We had our special breakfast, had fathers blessings and left! They were excited to go. This is kassidys last year in elementary school! Wow! Abs was nervous but didn't realize. She just kept saying her tummy didn't feel like eating:) She will be happy because one of the girls from her bffe club(best friends forever and ever) was in her class! Have a good girls. We love you.

Kass' favorite "sausagy rolls"

Abs scrambled eggs with sausage not in the roll!

Getting ready for curls

2nd grade beauty

Big 5th grader. Ps- 5th graders don't smile-duh!

Sisters! Makes me laugh. I forget that kass is tall for her age and abs is short fir her age until they stand next to each other! Ha

My shot I take every year. Walking with dad.
I'll miss you today, but not as much as Lola will!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fathers day

2011-06-19T13:44:00.001-07:00

In honor of fathers day all the siblings (except me-because I'm lame!) got together for lunch today!
Everyone looks great even Kent with his nasty busted up leg!
My dad is the greatest man to walk the earth!
I love you dad!

Ps- I love all the rest of my family too! Y'all are awesome!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mothers day

2011-05-08T11:33:00.001-07:00

Today is one of my favorite days! I get to rejoice in my greatest gift from my heavenly father, that of being a mom!

The girls had made me gifts at church and at school. They made me flower corsages that I proudly wore to church! They even bought me a wok that I've been eyeballing for months!

Me and my favorite gals after church!

I am so grateful to my heavenly father for allowing me to raise these 2 wonderful girls. They bring nothing but joy to my life. I love getting ready together in the bathroom and laughing while we do anything. They light up my life
AND
I've got them brain washed that I am the perfect mom! I love you girls!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Easter dresses

2011-04-24T14:11:00.001-07:00

This years Easter dress theme was cream colored dresses! This is the first year in 10 years that my outfit did not tie in but we lived so all is well!
Easter was great. Hearing the simplified version of the Easter story in primary at church always brings the spirit and helps me remember the truth that Christ is our savior and that he died and was resurrected for all of us.

Me and the girls and my new blonde hair!

This dress was made for her. Had to have it when I saw it:)

Getting so big

Sisters

Love this one the most!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The hunt is on!

2011-04-24T06:44:00.001-07:00

The Easter bunny was no disappointment again this year! Good stuff going on before church:)

Hurry up so we can hunt!

Sweet a toothbrush!!

Look at out loot!
Great morning so far! More to come once we are dressed for church!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Record breaking snow

2011-02-10T15:21:00.001-07:00

So our streak of enduring some kind of record breaking weather each place we live is still going strong.

We had a record breaking temperature with a big for us snow of 4 inches. We broke the record of 8 degrees by hitting 6! Then the next day we broke six with 3! It was even colder with wind chill hitting -13! That's cold for us, really cold.

In fact, so cold it shut all 8 power plants down causing us to have rolling blackouts for days. We also had frozen pipes through out the city shutting everything down from restaurants to walmart! We were some of a handful of people to still have water. School and businesses were closed down from Wednesday to Monday. It was crazy. They even restricted our water so we could only use it in an emergency, think old camp rules if it's brown flush it down, yellow let it mellow! All water to be used or drank was to be boiled before consumption. It was just a super wild ride. The kids were in heaven the first day then a serious case of cabin fever set in for them and Brian. Keeping him out of work with no where to go is no good. :)

Kids loving snow. They walked all over with their ruler measuring all the different areas, deepest place was 4".

After math icicles . She thought she was awesome!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Birthday mom!

2011-01-28T08:23:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday to the best mom EVER!!

Birthday lunch. Could they be any cuter?!

Mom you can't read it but they made you signs that say happy bday (cause birthday won't fit!)

The girls made a short song for you

AND

Lola refused to not sing, so she says happy birthday too!

Mom/Grandma you are the truly the greatest!

What would we do without you you may ask?

-besides eat nasty tasting food because we couldn't make our "betty crocker" call to you

-Never enjoy the wonder of peaches cause let's face it, I'm never gonna bottle those things!

- Never know that the term little **** can be a term of endearment!

- Never know that homemade bread on saturday afternoon should be a normal thing!

- Never know that when a husband comes home he should kiss his wife!

- Never know that a family get together is more important than the decorations at the party!

- Never know that bubbles from the dishwater make a great entertainment activity when added to an empty cool-whip container!

You get the idea, we'd be lost without you mom.

Thanks for being there for me always and never letting me feel alone or like I wasn't worth anything. You are one of the greatest gifts my Heavenly Father has given me. Thanks for being you!

R.I.P. Hot pocket

2011-01-21T08:16:00.001-07:00

This Saturday brian's jeep salsa aka hot pocket was taken too early from this earth when another driver ran a stop sign and they collided.

He was only 2 blocks from getting home too, making him a statistic:) The fire department had to use a giant crowbar to open the hood to turn off the horn. Luckily the ambulance had to leave with no one in it. Brian suffered minor injuries and the other driver and his children were fine. According to the witnesses it should have been worse.

However, after his adjuster looked at the car we got the awful call that it was totaled. We are so sad. It was the first vehicle we bought brand new off the lot. She only had 50 miles when we took her home in dec of 2004 and only 58k when she passed. So many wonderful adventures have been enjoyed in our jeep.

We decided it's not her fluids but her tears!

Finally got the hood open.

All that remains from the jeep. A small part of the hood latch we found in the street.

As kassidy said:
Hot Pocket is in that big parking lot in the sky!

We will miss you!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:El paso

Movies and smiles

2010-12-07T08:15:00.001-07:00

In abbeys gifted class they are making a community. She chose the movie theatre by our house. She is so proud. She dictated the size of the cuts we made on the boxes and told us where everything with hot glue was to be placed. She's so darn awesome!!

Pict of actual theatre

Abbeys version. All the kids at school kept stopping by to say it the movies by our house or it looks just like the movies! Each phrase made her little shy smile get a little bigger.
Good job abs we love you!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thanks

2010-11-29T15:22:00.001-07:00

We did thanksgiving in St David with brian's brothers family this year. We had a great time.

Kassidy made all the napkins for us after a long Internet search. Very cool flowers!

Brian, kass, Charlotte, abs.

Brian put on his dads tie thinking he was so very funny and it was!

Abs saying cheese so she could eat!

I am so thankful for all I have especially an extended family that makes me feel so loved!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Turkey-lurky day!

2010-11-19T15:28:00.001-07:00

Look at those luscious legs!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Birthdays and laughs

2010-08-03T18:37:00.001-07:00

Today is brian's birthday! So glad he came home so we could celebrate. What does any good dad do on his birthday? Buy his girls presents!!! A day full of shopping for him ended up a day full of shopping for us. He is so great that I know he wouldn't have it any other way. We got him the shirts he's always wanted but would not spend the money on and a coupon for running shoes of his choice:) I don't know what we would do without him!!!

Eating dessert of peanut butter cookies in bed watching shark week! Does it get better?- nope

Might be my fav pict of all time. This is life in our house. Any one good shot takes a million of these to get. Life is good!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

He's home!!!

2010-07-28T21:22:00.001-07:00

Brian is home!! Brian is home!!!
We can now say deployment number three is under our belts. We were blessed enough for it to be shortened by a few months. It's so nice to have him home.

Waiting for dad to come in

Found him!

Guys coming in

Lining up to be told job well done now go home!

Get my bags and get outta here

Home!! I will repeat home!!!
So glad we have Brian. He makes us all so happy.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Fort bliss

Super 6

2010-06-13T16:31:00.001-07:00

So our little girl is 6! She is living it too! All day she has put the phrase that's how six year olds do (insert activity here)! So funny.

We love her so much. She's our trouble making, makeup using, fib telling, loophole finding, laughter making, kind hearted girl. Life would have so much less in it without her. She is the first to do something wrong and the first to tell me thank you or make me feel like a million bucks.

We love you abs!

Got a guitar and headset and loves to rock it out- until you catch her then she stops. So shy even at home with us.

All dressed up and ready for church.

So today after church we made her bday meal. All she asked for was taco salad(so easy!). Then she said she wanted to eat it in her pajamas- right on. Then she said now that I'm six I'm a big girl so I want to eat it on the couch! I love that she thinks big equals eating on the couch! Guess i've said enough times you can eat on the couch when you're big! She's our crafty loop hole finding gal too! We joke she will be the Johnny Cochran of her time! She's cleaver.

Love you
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

You will be missed

2010-05-24T21:35:00.001-07:00

After a two week battle with the fastest spreading and most agressive cancer, we lost a great great man.

Papa Larry you will be missed more than I can say.

I just can't believe that 2 weeks and 2 days from being diagnosed with cancer he's gone. He was in so much pain. He is now painfree and starting an important job for the lord. I am grateful to know the atonement of our lord and savior Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to return to him. I'm even more grateful to know that we can be families for eternity. This brings comfort in our time of sorrow. I know we will see him again.

We love you Larry.

Taken mothers day just before we took him to the hospital to get help for his pain.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

We love you papa Larry

2010-05-13T15:01:00.001-07:00

We just found out brian's dad is very sick. We went out to visit. My prayer is that we can have him as long as we can. We love you papa Larry. Get out of that hospital soon!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Easter picnic

2010-04-15T14:58:00.001-07:00

We went to an army Easter party the Saturday before Easter. It was not a very good idea. Long long lines and too many people.

They had Easter egg hunts divided into age groups. Kassidy went first they had 2000 eggs in the little playground below and unleashed over 100 kids aged 7-11! Yeah. It was a mess. Kassidy my non fighter got none. She's the one in the picture in the white shirt looking unamused that I made her go in! They had to give out prizes to all the kids that got nothing!
Abbey saw all the tears of the big kids and decided she wasn't going to do hers.

The girls had fun doing the bungee run. Abbey couldn't even get the bungee to stretch!

Finally we waited in line for free popcorn. Had it eaten before we made it to the free snowcones then called it a day! Love this picture of my super cool and sassy ladies!

-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Ft bliss/biggs

Test

2010-04-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

Trying the new app from my phone that is supposed to help me blog update from anywhere. I am so busy and keep most Picts on my phone so this thing never gets updated!

Let's hope it works.

This is a test pict of the girls from Easter.

-- Post From My iPhone

My life feels like this....

2010-03-03T09:02:00.004-07:00

So I've disappeared, I've been told! Here is why...

Brian is gone (again) he can't see our blog so I slack

Decided to finish school since I am so close to being done (5 more classes after the 3 i am taking and then i can apply to the nursing program to be a labor and delivery nurse)

Brian is in command for his unit which makes me the "mom" to all 75 wives and their problems.

Church keeps me busy too!

So to the world I look like this.....

All put together and getting it done. but.......

I feel like this!

Ha Ha Ha

No life isn't that bad! Just makes me giggle.

It's harder than I thought giving up my awesome mom do what ever i want when i want lifestyle to go to school. It will be good. It gives me a new purpose and it's so my little ladies can go to school and have no worries or loans!

Life Is GOOD!!!

Run, Dylan, run!

2010-01-19T08:53:00.003-07:00

So my super buddy/nephew Dylan is just awesome!

This past weekend he ran in the PF Changs Rids rock run. He ran for our favorite foundation the Sydney hudson foundation (if you ever feel inclined to donate to a fab thing this is it!)

I understand that he was amazing and came in the very top of the runners. He is so great.

Love this picture because he is a time man. I mean he is ALL about time and if you say a time you better be prepared to be prompt or suffer the wrath of Dylan. So here he is pointing to his wrist that it is time to get this wagon train a rollin'!

Check me out man! I got a medal! Who's cool now?! ME

Life would not be the same without D. He brings a simple joy to everything. He keeps you young and makes you play. I am pretty sure he's one of the coolest people on the planet and if he could talk he'd tell me the same thing about me!! ha ha

Love you bud!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-16T16:06:00.001-07:00

This year due to my lack of time management skills and my new desire to "save" the planet. we have made our card a digital one. Thus saving on printing, postman time and you just looking at and throwing away! So Wishing you a super duper meryy Christmas. May you continually feel the Lords light in your lives!

Love- TeamCaldwell

Change of Command (finally a new post!!!)

2009-10-29T12:29:00.003-07:00

So today was one of those pretty big things in the life of an Army Family.

Today Brian took command of his own company. He is now the commander of 6/1 HHT. He takes command just a few weeks before deployment and is ready to do his best for all the families he and I are now responsible for. It's quite a big undertaking that he is ready for.

As we prepared for this day yesterday I made all the final arrangements for our reception, ie picking up cake, plates, sandwich trays etc. The day started to turn a little ugly, then it started to rain and got even uglier, then snow?! Are you kidding me? Our ceremony is outside at 9:30 am it can't be snowing. Surely its a freak thing and will go away right? I mean we are in El Paso. So I went to bed thinking nothing other than man it's chilly. Only to awake to this view!

SNOW, in EL PASO in OCT!!!!! Super exciting unless you have to sit outside! Oh well we will endure!

The ceremony was very nice. Everyone spoke and it was as short as they could make it for all us poor freezing folk. It was very humbling to see your husband being the one to take the reigns and the responsiblity of being the commander. I am proud to say he is mine!

He's the hunk on the right!

Handing the flag from old commander to new

Taking the lead

Super sweet 1 minute speech!

Going to his men

Telling the COL the meeting is done and handing the troop over to 1SGT

I LOVE this wonderful man.

I will miss him dearly but know he is needed and will do a gret job at this new venture in life.

Thanks for having me along for the ride Love!

Brown boys...are cooler

2009-09-20T15:33:00.002-07:00

So on the way home from church today we were listening to Rdio Disney, like ALWAYS! A typical boy group song was on and abbey like to try and figure out which boy it is. She is usually saying, this sounds like jonas brothers or mitchell muso etc. well today was a new boy. so in all her 5 year old wisdom she came to this conclusion....

" well, he can't be a brown boy because they only make cool music. huh mom?!"

She is only 5 and knows her soul music already! Man she makes me laugh with the stuff her ever thinking mind comes up with.

If you are leaving, I am coming WITH you....

2009-08-25T09:20:00.002-07:00

So Brian is off to train in CA for hopefully just 6 weeks! While he was packing Abbey decided that she could fit right in those bags and she could go too!!!

It's moments like these that make us realize how great our little family is!

What's that in the day pack?!!!

A- bag (funny that name is perfect for this! A=abbey

1st day of school revision (NOT so lonely after all)

2009-08-24T16:16:00.002-07:00

Thought I better write a quick note post first day of school pick up!

Don't feel bad for me, turns out it wasn't so bad.... truthfully it was quite relaxing!!!

Guess I should chill a bit before I freak a bit!!!

Lonely, I'm so lonely... aka- 1st day of school

2009-08-24T07:41:00.003-07:00

So it's official...

I am a stay at home by myself mom!

cue sad violin...

School started today. Meaning Kassidy is in the 3rd grade and Abbey is a big all-day Kindergartener! Really meaning... I AM ALONE!!!!

Too many emotions. You "wait for this day" from the time they are born talking about all your freedom, etc. On the other hand, you spend all their lives hanging out and playing. They are your built-in buddies so you are never alone.

So today we left our tiny little girl at her giant table and I went home alone!
Are you feeling sorry for me yet?! ha ha
Lucky for me, I haulted ALL home improvement project just for this time. Knowing I would need something to keep me busy with Brian leaving tomorrow for 1 1/2 months and me with no kids.

So here's to smart kids and a lovely home!

Sassy!

Breakfast of "sausagy rolls" made with LOVE! (dorky...yes)

Her Jonas Brother's bag she HAD to have

Look at those long chicken legs!

Awhhhh

Note the NO make-up just in case of a melt down. I look soooo nice!! :)

Too cute. Brian and I ate up this moment because he will be in Iraq on the last day of school and the first day next year so we enjoyed every little moment!

I love my eternal family!

Our newest neice Olivia Grace

2009-08-20T11:18:00.003-07:00

This is super late but she's so cute i had to share.
A couple weeks ago we were able to go to Flagstaff to see our newest neice Olivia be blessed. It was a nice trip to play with scott and danielle's girls. We have never lived close enough to pay visits so it was nice. She is so good. She just sits in her bouncy and watches the world. The girls of course thought we needed a baby too because they are "soooooo cute!" I told them they can have all the babies they want when they get married!

Papa Larry with Charlotte, Abs and Kassidy
Awhhhh

Isn't she just so cute?!!!!

painting endevors part one

2009-07-31T08:53:00.002-07:00

Seeing as how we have been in our house for 4months I decided it was time to start painting. Here are 2 rooms that are started. Well, the girls room is all done except for the window treaments _i will post those when I am done (if you blow them up- yes I hit the ceiling and yes i fixed it!!! hard to paint when laying on your back on top of a closet!!!)

Guest room. This brought on new appreciation for my painter friends (jacque and Dave!) this was a tedious job that paid off but ...MAN!!! Window treatments to come soon here too- and lamp shade! ha)

Not exciting I know, but felt I was so lsacking on the posts that I needed to do something. I got some great fabric while in mesa and can't wait to get it all up!!! I have a hard tiome doing all that while the kids sit and do nothing so i can do something, so it will come soon enough!

4th of July (a smidge late! what a lame-o)

2009-07-31T08:47:00.002-07:00

Realized my site is quite lame then relized on top of that that it doesn't have the 4th on it!! Stayed home because you can see the fireworks from our house....
EXCEPT......
the cloud coverage that night was too heavy so they waited and waited and waited (you get the idea) to do fireworks, so at 10 we called it a night and went in.
However,
We did do the sparklers, kiddie stuff with grandpa and grandma caldwell. So you can't beat yummy fruit with FAB dip and "friendly" fireworks!

Aprons and ice cream!

2009-07-06T20:14:00.002-07:00

At church kassidy goes with the 8-11 year old every other week and learns different things (called activity days for those that know what it is!) Their recent project was to make their own apron all by themselves and then have an ice cream social for the dads. It was very cute. they did a fashion show and then served the men. It was very very very very (get the idea) very hard for me to let her do the entire project herself complet with crooked cutting and sewing. I did let her do it all on her own and it is adorable! She is so proud of herself and we are of her.

YUMMMMMMY

She knows how her dad like it! Super huge

My little sewing gal

Look at those cuties I get to have all to myself!

(Now I have to make Abs one because "it's not fair for Kass to have one and not ME!"

Man Alive...Abbey is 5!!!!

2009-06-15T15:11:00.005-07:00

Our little baby turned 5 on Sat! We can no longer say we have a little toddler. we just have BIG girls. She was so excited for this day to come. We headed to Az for the fastes bday visit known to man. Brian got called back early so we had had to leave shortly after the party but it was worth it. We went to the good 'ol Chuck E Cheese! (for all mesan's the one on Alma school is wonderful- the staff was awesome and it was so not crowded)

Just woke up a 5 year old!

Bring on the party

4 wheelin' and a little nervous

Airhockey with old school pal Garrett

Yeah me!

Marin likes cake!!!

Abbey is into dresses only again.. thanks Linsey

Mom let me have the forbidden playdoh!

So true so true!!!!

It took some bribbing but we finally got her to stand there long enough to pretend she liked him!

Trapped by aliens

Home and wishing we would have gotten at least 1 present!!!

Oh my gosh! She made a haul. thanks to all that came and gave so generously. she has more than we know what to do with. In fact it filled an entire 3 drawer plastic bin!!! She had the best day. She told me when we unloaded the car...

"mom. I'm RICH!"

Happy Bday Scott

2009-06-10T15:35:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Scott!!!!

We love you too much to NOT use this old photo!!!!!

(1988 at its finest)

A year with a "hunk"

2009-06-10T15:22:00.002-07:00

So today marks 1 year since Brian came home. I thought I should take a minute to say how great he is. We are lucky to have him. He is a perfect hubby. I never have to ask for help. If I let things pile up he starts to tackle the pile before I even know it! He is the BEST.

So glad Heavenly Father picked you for me!

Ohhh, he makes me smile!

WHO gives a kid bright blue frosting!!!!!??????

2009-06-05T19:14:00.003-07:00

At the last day of school party someone was genius enough to get that ever fantastic bright blue frosting. Anyone with kids knows what color I am talking about, if you don't have kids yet...take note!

BLUE FROSTING STAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lips, Nose and Hair

This one made on the nose and UP the nose

blue mustache man!

Why do they make that stuff?
Was gonna include in last day post below and decided it needed a post all its own!

Last Day of school

2009-06-05T19:03:00.004-07:00

I still can't believe that school is over! This was my last year to have someone to hang out with.1 I have to enjoy this summer to the fullest because in 2 1/2 months i will be a lonely lady! The girls have excelled this year. I always hear how polite and kind they are(as long as they are at school-cause at home is a diff story!)

Abbeys teacher had her sons old kindergarten robe (from 20 years ago!) so she dressed the kids!
Kass' HSM dance party

Her and her friend

(classic PROM pose!!!)

Kassidy and her teacher

Abbeys class looking through binoculars while singing "we're going on a bear hunt"

Pizza party!!!

Abbey and her teacher

"Bear"ly made it and other trip fun!

2009-05-25T19:52:00.002-07:00

When you gotta go, you gotta go!

(brian found this funny site while on our adventures!)

Found this after the rain outside the museum

Riding horses- one big size and one "abs" size

Forgot to count to 3!

Get that bull

We found aliens!

(Billy the Kid stop)

Phone home! we found ET too

We also found Smokey in Cloudcroft, NM

We had a great advendture this memorial weekend. Rain/snow kept us from camping so we just went adventuring instead. We headed up to cloudcroft, nm (think ski resort town with no crowd) We went to an art fair and got local pizza and ice cream. then we drove some more and stopped and the hubbard western museum and a little billy the kid stop. (we will go to the the big stuff on him later) We had a gret time adventureing and just having fun. We are lucky Heavenly Father gave us each other!

If April showers (which we don't have) bring flowers, then, May freak rainstorms bring....

2009-05-25T19:40:00.001-07:00

FUN!!!!!!!

When we get rain (our first since we moved here) we party it up!
Strait from school into the street

Things you miss about the desert after being from it so long. Rain on the horizon and the smell of cool wet dirt. all you desert for lifers may think i am crazy but when you haven't had it in over 12 years, it's nice. the smell reminded me of my childhood and it was so nice to leave windows and doors open all day.

It's also nice for all of our sprouts! the garden which is abbeys favorite pasttime is doing so good. we have more sprouts than will fit in our beds that are 4x8 each! We had to make more room and may have to grow a garden for the rabbit that is visiting (abbeys idea on how not to be mean to it about eating our stuff)

green beans!

Spinach-yum

Let's see. Corn, garlic, jalapenos, yellow squash, zuccinni and cucumbers

See the need for thinning- we did and all went well

Thanks for having one while i was growing up mom and dad. i give ALL credit to you!

Mother of a day!

2009-05-25T19:34:00.001-07:00

The girls after church with my flowers!

Aren't we cute?!

My gift of the mini-burger maker (yes-the one from tv) which i got to cook with the minute we walked in the door! I do have to say little burgers are BIG fun!

YUMMY

Meow-valous Gracie

2009-05-15T15:20:00.003-07:00

GrAciE-

We hope you have the best birthday! We think you are meow-valous!! Have the best time ever-big sissy! Tell mom and dad I said to get you whatever you want.

Who's that knocking at my backdoor?!

2009-05-15T09:46:00.003-07:00

While eating breakfast this morning, i heard a strange knocking and asked abbey what she was doing. She replied, "nothing." Then I realized we had a little quail trying to peck it's way through the glass. Worried about it, i tried to "save" it by making sure it made it back into the desert over the wall. A few minutes later there it was again! Then we tried to feed it (for the record, quails have NO idea what bread is!). It left and returned again!!! We had fun watching it. Not something you see everyday. We really love that our house is at the back of the neighborhood and we have nothing but desert behind us. I hope it's like that for a long time!

Isn't it pretty?! I told Abbey we could it, she was not at all amused!

Old Bones in Old El Paso

2009-05-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

We are still continuing our quest to see all the old stuff we can. So this weekend we went to see the grave of John Wesley Hardin. Why?! Don't know. know the story, love the Bob Dylan song and he's up the freeway so what the heck!! It was a very sad, dry and ugly cemetery. super old stuff though and that's what we dig. Well... not literally!

notice the wind giving abbey willy wonka hair!

old man and lobster hands silloette! What in the world?!

Blog stalking pays off!!! who doesn't love FREE stuff?!

2009-04-30T16:54:00.005-07:00

I found this blog stalking today. Thanks Michelle for posting a link to the site i "stole" this from! Super cute stuff.

Click Here or on logo!!

(i just learned to link picts so sorry i never tried before...too easy!)

We will miss you Flat Stanley!

2009-04-30T08:17:00.002-07:00

We had the priviledge of having a new friend, Flat Stanley come and stay with us!

Kassidy's old friend from AZ was doing a school project about a book they read where the boy made himself flat so he could mail himself to all kinds of different places. So the class made their own little selves. we were lucky enough to get him to come and play. It was quite the project. We took him to a couple places that were interesting. here are a few shots.

Going on a bike ride bt the Franklin Mountains (which are the end of the Rockies!)
Playing Army for the day

As tall as a missle (or so it looks)

Off to work with Brian

This was a super great idea that we may do as a summer project. they had a journal that you write in to keep track of what he did. it gets passed to as many people as it can then the kids document where and what he did. I love it! Thanks Zane for letting us help!

What the "hole"?!!!

2009-04-22T19:19:00.002-07:00

Calling all self made designers!!!!

Have a hault in the home decor. I have this strange "niche" below my stairs. I am calling out for ideas. here is what my aunt and i thought. please weigh in

1. put a long bench with stoage under it. ptoblrm is hitting head on right side!

2. seal off to make solid wall and knock out other wall to make huge storage in the garage.

What do you think? they said it was originally for tv's but then they got to big but they never changed the design!

HeLp PLeaSe

seriously, are you seriously serious?!!!!

2009-04-17T14:37:00.004-07:00

Enlarge to read!!!

Found this on a friends page. This person can't be serious, can they?! I wish you could make a paper that can reach out and slap someone! yikes

I'm Wyatt Earp... no, I am...

2009-04-14T10:15:00.002-07:00

The one day it wasn't windy and nasty we went to tombstone! I haven't been there for about 11 years or so. the girls thought it was neat. they got their first cap guns. It was a total tourist trap so we being the cheap-o's that we are didn't go into much. we just wandered (or should i say meandered)

Notice the cast is gone!!!! she couldn't get enough of moving that arm after 4 weeks in a long cast. it healed so well we didn't need another one! YEE-HAW

Freeze

EGG-cellent

2009-04-14T10:05:00.003-07:00

These are out of order. I never remember which way to upload them!

Here is Easter morning. Me, being the super mom that I am , forgot the girls baskets. So grandma Sherrie had some. Abbey found the biggest on the shelf and it was the one for her!

All our goodies

Putting the empty baskets out for the rabbit

Hunting eggs with cousin charlotte. (it was her and abbeys first time)

yes- you read that right abbey has never done it before. remember- super mom!

oh yeah! bubbles and doggies in the eggs

Where oh where can you be?!

Another first for abbey! dying eggs! Super mom strikes again! We have never done this because we really don't eat eggs. so super randma was to the rescue and let them dye to their hearts content.

So pretty- eggs and girls

Do you not realize.... it's EASTERS!!!!!!

2009-04-13T18:53:00.003-07:00

We had a wonderful easter. there are too many cute picts to put so here are a few. maybe i will add more later!

We went with non-traditional easter dresses this year. i fell in love with these skirts and knew we would wear them 'til they fell apart!

spinnin' in St David

too windy for picts outside so we moved to the house

my lovelies!

Awhhhhhh!!

We love the Easter season. It reminds us of the wonderful atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. He made it possible for imperfect us to keep the wonderful families that we have. I am grateful for His sacrifice for me and my family. Nothing makes me happier than knowing we can be an eternal family. I can't imagine life without them.

OVERLOAD

2009-04-09T09:24:00.001-07:00

So they say to pace yourself, but i have never been good at that. I am an all or nothing kind of gal. so here are a bunch of posts from the last 2 weeks. I wanted to get them on before easter!

ENJOY

Abbey's is open for business

2009-04-09T09:21:00.002-07:00

So recently Abbey has had a store. The inventory changes daily sometimes hourly! She sets up shop everyday and yells, "the shop is open" she takes real money but if you do not have any she is willing to work out a deal. the tissues are her hottest item since we are all struggling with getting used to the allergies here!

Thanks for keeping us supplied! what would we do without you?!

Museums

2009-04-09T09:13:00.003-07:00

For those who do not know we are museum junkies. Actually I am not included in that but everyone else is and i am a fmily time junkie so i tag along! Sat we took in 2 musems. One was on post here and the other was the border patrol museum up the road. both were very fun

She just thought the name was cool.

(christa, if you see this pass it on to yours 'cause that is her spelling!)

At the border patrol museum. This is so what i envisoined in my head when i hear about them on the news!

my little ladies with the "big lady"

OK- even I thought this was cool. Every control moved so they could play away

Crusin' cuties

First day in a new school

2009-04-09T09:04:00.002-07:00

The girls new school is a uniform wearing school! Never done that before. it is quite hard to find uniform pieces at the end of the school year by the way! We found enough to get us by til we can find more.

Well.....

Kassidy was very excited about this. she laid her outfit out the night before (keep in mind we still had no dressers, couch anything at this point hence the carpet!) I thought it was too cute to not take a pic

outfit ready... check

backpack ready... check

dressed and out the door... check

Abbey goes to afternoon pre-k and was very excited too. not so much about the collars. they are "funky" she does it though just to go to school.

Dad doing his best to embarrass his off-spring!

We are truly truly blessed to have children that love school. they were given the opportunity to miss the entire week since they missed spring brak due to this school having it the week before we moved and the other not having it yet. They refused and were in school by wed! they love to learn and we love them.

New house...no stuff...new yard

2009-04-09T08:57:00.002-07:00

This face says it all. After 2 long days of driving we told them where we were going to sleep (the ground) with no hot water for a few days! oh the joy!

The wind here is horrid. So to prevent dust in the eye we ordered a ton of rocks for the yard. Abbey was queen of it all. Our new neighbors (whom we found out a couple days later go to church with us) we asked to borrow their wheelbarrow. she said, "sure, i'll get it" next thing we know she shows up with her brother and his friend that were visiting and her husband with 2 wheelbarrows and a shovel in tow! we told them it wasn't needed, but they wouldn't leave! So 2 hours and our entire yard was done!!! Who does that?! Not too many people. we have fantastic neighbors and are truly blessed.

Abbey wanted to help so bad and the shovel wasn't working well for her. so she figured it out and helped by the bucket full!!!

my mosaic

2009-03-30T21:01:00.003-07:00

Got this idea from my friend Nikki. I needed something to take my mind of all the boxes and stuff that has no "home" yet! so here os me pretty much! take the time to do it.

want to make one of your own?

step 1: go to flickr.com
setp 2: in another window open http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php
step 3: choose 4 columns, 3 rows
step 4: answer the following questions in the search bar of flicker. pick your favorite one on the first page and paste it into your mosaic

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your nickname.

What do you look like?

Get those doggies rollin'

2009-03-19T11:26:00.001-07:00

We are out! I will write and post picts as soon as we are in the

YEE-HAW state!

Another bone bites the dust!

2009-03-12T13:51:00.003-07:00

So Kass has done it again! She broke her arm now.
She was riding her bike paying no attention. she ran into a curb and landed on her arm. She has a buckle fracture in both her radius and ulna! So we have the long cast for 4 weeks and will get a short one for another 2! She has become my accident prone one -or as the cast assistant said, "she's just active!" she is doing well and has really been a good sport, pain and all.

Rock that purple cast girl we love you.

What kind of Army move would it be if there weren't some wrench thrown into the mix. Good thing we roll with the punches pretty easy.

My new baby

2009-03-10T12:00:00.003-07:00

Brian got me a new toy for the new house! (called it baby to freak my family out!) I was going to wait to use it when we got there but the shiny red was calling my name! So what do you do with a new wonderful toy?...

COOKIES
Creamy goodness

Who needs to bake them? it's sometimes best to snuggle up watch a movie and eat some dough before you bake the rest!
YUM

El Paso bound!

2009-03-08T16:56:00.001-07:00

When moving to El Paso...

you've got to dress like them!!!

Six Flags over GA

2009-03-08T15:14:00.001-07:00

Dog-gone-it

2009-03-06T09:33:00.003-07:00

Doggy update:

We are no longer getting this sweetie. It just didn't work out. the distance and a move in under 2 weeks has left us having to give her up. We just stopped hearing from the owner and hope all the best for our little smelly nelly!!

We feel this just opens the door for the dog that is meant for us.

Say it ain't SNOW!!!!

2009-03-01T17:04:00.003-07:00

We left for church this morning with a little flurry. After 1 hour at church we had accumulated 5 inches on all the cars in the parking lot! So 10 minutes into Sunday school they cancelled church and sent us home!!! We were so excited to be part of the "freak" storm. When we got hoe our house didn't have much yet, but we waited patiently (not really!) but it finally paid off!!

Just home from church
when you don't have it on the ground yet, eat it off the car!!!

The Az plate was a little our of its element!

All right!!!!

SWEET

A Snowball that would smell so sweet!

My New Niece/Nephew?!

2009-02-24T13:46:00.001-07:00

This is Brian's brothers dog! They dressed him up the other day and I just can't get enough. He looks like a human dog!!! We love you Toby

Charlotte practicing for her real sister coming in June!

2009-02-21T17:43:00.002-07:00

Here you go mom. I did all of these just for you! I am off to finish dishes and tubs!

Love you dearly

Our new dog.... We hope!

2009-02-21T17:40:00.001-07:00

This is the English Bulldog we are hoping to adopt! Is she not the cutest thing ever?! I am posting this in hopes of making it permament. I hope I did not scare off the woman adopting him out by too many emails. We are just so excited that I may have over stepped. So this is just in case she looks to see if we are good people. So put those prayers into overdrive because I think she needs us and us her!

High Falls State Park

2009-02-21T17:32:00.004-07:00

For Presidents Day we decided we neded to explore somemore! We went to High Falls State Park. We hiked along the water and had agood time looking for Zombie hideouts! Abbeys new obsession is zombies and how to protect ourselves from them! Don't ask me....

This was MUCH higher than it looks

A fallen tree over the edge of the trail

Stick racers start your engines....

The winner of stick races. Mostly because she threw hers ahead, but a win is a win right?!

Callaway Gardens

2009-02-21T17:23:00.006-07:00

This last weekend we went to Callaway gardens. It is a beautiful place that has golf courses and homes and a botanical garden complete with a butterfly santuary! We had a great time and I took way to many picts. here are a few.

A Banana tree! They also had papaya, mango etc it was neat.

butterfly were everywhere.

cheese!!!!

awwww. so in love (at least at that moment!)

Forgotten foot update

2009-02-19T12:01:00.002-07:00

I was reminded that I never said anymore about kassidys foot! So I thought I would update and add some funny picts.

She is fine. Turns out we just dislocated our growth plate! So she had to wear her fancy boot for a week and take it easy for 2 more weeks. We are fine and running every where.

We decided that we would sign her boot before she had her calss do it. We PROMISED to keep it small (because HOW embarrasing to have your parents on there!) So we did. We also told Abbey to keep it small. She said OK and this is what we got, followed by a yell from Kass and a laugh from Abs!!!

She is a fiery one and thinks she is funny!!!

Flat Rock Park

2009-02-19T11:52:00.001-07:00

I am starting to get the "holy cow! we are about to move and haven't seen anything yet" bug! So we have been exploring our little hearts out.

This is Flat Rock Park (which our ward is named after)

If this were in Az it would be coverd in people trying to slide down it!

Itwas very nice and peaceful with running/biking trails everywhere.

Could I ask for cuter people to be surrounded by?!

I love these guys so much

Finally catching up!

2009-02-09T11:23:00.002-07:00

Wasn't going to try this but decided to due to boring current life!!!

Here are somethings that happened during no internet, vacation and a computer virus that caused us to buy a new one!

What happens if dad sees you sitting on the tub talking to your sissy!

What happens when it is raining and you REALLY wanted to sleep in the tent

Abbey as student of the week

Halloween:

The Mad Hatter and Sharpey (high school mus)

The teeth we wore for weeks after Halloween

Zombie Cheerleader for the school party, my mean mom wouldn't let me wear my other just in case i ripped it!

Just south of us the have waht is called the "little grand canyon" well being from AZ we had to check it out! It was made from farmers rerouting water and the walls are sand. So this is what they got. We laughed and called it a wash, but they just don't know any better!!!

One of the walls. It was pretty neat to see it. It really is just tightly packed sand, no rocks!

A Caldwell Christmas

2009-02-09T11:16:00.002-07:00

Before we left for AZ we did a couple things Caldwell style!

Civil War Santa!

Who neds to see normal Santa when you can see him in Stars and Stripes!

He was very cute and very interested in everything that all the children said

We didn't do a real tree so I dug out one that was given to us by a dear friend (yes that you angel) another year for the same reason. so Charlie Brown was givena run for his money this year!!!

Gingerbread houses. Very hard for me to give full control over but I did

Eat that nasty hard candy!!!!

Kassidy gets baptized

2009-02-09T11:11:00.002-07:00

When our computer crashed from a virus, it messed the scanner up so I will add more picts from my mom as soon as I get it fixed!

The reasone for visiting AZ was so we could baptize Kassidy! She wasnted to wait a few months so that Joe Pops could be there. It was absolutely perfect. Nice, sweet, and fast. She is a precious gift from Heavenly Father. We love her with all that we have!

Pure and Clean!

Just before going out!

St David Christmas

2009-02-09T11:04:00.002-07:00

We spent our Christmas with Brian's parents and his brothers family in good 'ol St David, AZ. Not a too well known place, on the way to tombstone. We had a GREAT time, the girls love to dig in the dirt qand little girls so they were in heaven!

The only shot where cousin Charlotte looked!!

This one of Abbey makes me laugh so hard!!! Is she so me or what?!

Stocking loot

SWEET!! Santa brought a DS

2009-01-28T14:42:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom,
aka Grandma Dickson
Wish we were there.
Hugs and Kisses
from Kass and Sneaky Pete

First official fracture!!!

2009-01-24T09:31:00.003-07:00

Kassidy has her first fracture! She got her foot stuck between the matress and bed frame, she jumped out and the foot stayed there! I gave it 24 hours to see if we were hamming it up, but we weren't. She fractured right on the growth plate at the top of the 5th metatarsal! So we are on crutches and in a boot 'til we meet with the specialist next week! Pretty sad to see her hobble on tiny crutches.

Although she thinks its pretty neat!

INTERNET at last

2009-01-22T06:54:00.001-07:00

Yes! We finally have the internet issue resolved that was hindered by vacation and cable companies switching over. Then we found ourselves with a computer virus that caused us to purchase a new one!! Needless to say we are up and running!!!

I however, will NOT try and play catch up. I will just pick up from where we are now. Hence the new house photos. All should be done with that in a week or so!!!

So to all that have peeked from time to time, I am sorry, but rest assurded that I am BACK!!!

New House

2009-01-22T06:51:00.003-07:00

We have got a new house! (well pedning closing signing!)

Here are 2 of the huge reasons we got it.

There is something about the porch that I love. I can imagine Christmas all over it and it makes me smile!!!

The view from the upstairs is awesome

NO INTERNET

2008-11-08T08:26:00.002-07:00

Sorry to all for lack of post and email replys! We currently have no internet, so all stuff has to be done at the library, which does not allow picture downloading!!! When we are back up and running you will be the first to know!

We got our assignment

2008-11-08T08:24:00.002-07:00

We found out we are going to

FORT BLISS!!!

We are excited, it is in El Paso and as close as we can get to family. We will get there sometime around April!!

More details when we have them!

Happy B day Joe Pops!

2008-10-13T12:43:00.002-07:00

This is a song my dad always sings and the girls do too when they think of grandpa. So they changed it a little!

We hope your day is as great as you!!!

Brian, Kristal, Kassidy and Abbey

Things are different here!

2008-10-10T10:56:00.002-07:00

Fall is in the air!

Leaves are changing.

Animals are quickly gathering for the winter.

Bugs are ever present.

So while out the other evening watering,

we stumbbled across a caterpillar,

NOT JUST ANY

the kind you see drawn in kid cartoons!

It was bigger than any of her fingers!! In fact it took quite some convincing for Kass to pick it up.

Then... the next day we found a much larger one that was covered in spikes. No picture was taken because it was a mean little bugger. It kept attacking the stick we used to save it trying to take it to the trees!

Where are we?!!!

Just another day... in paradise!

2008-10-01T19:01:00.003-07:00

SOOOOOOOOO

Another year and I am officially old! I do not do much for my bdays and have not for quite a while. However, I decided this year we were going to go to eat at a little chinese place that looked fun. It looks like a little japanese garden. So we get all dressed up and load in the car for the 20 minute drive. We pull into the parking lot and I think, "hmmm. strange that it is not busy" We pull to the front to get the "front row joe" spot and I see this!!!!!

Typical me and my luck. In fact it is so me and my luck my family didn't even feel bad when I told them they just laughed because it wouldn't be me if it were open!!!

Brian has been letting me get things for the house as early bday presents this Dance pict though is one he picked all on his own!

Love these

Was tired of bags on the ground. so cute

The girls and my nice cake!
The only thing I wanted this year was a desk lamp to clip on my make shift dresser/vanity (since these arcaic bathrooms won't take a hairdryer)
Yummy! Good job
Had to have little cakes with the left over batter
My birthday was so nice. It has dragged on for days and I have loved it. Brian and the girls are wonderful to me and always put up with my short comings and my not liking to wake up in the morning. Kass gets up and starts her day happily while I stare on the couch! Brian has been so helpful since we have him home more often. They got me one of my fav romanitc movies "I.Q." The old meg ryan, tim robbins movie. Brian stayed up and watched it with me. That is a BIG deal. Thank you guys for my specail day and special life!

It's GREAT to be 8!

2008-09-26T11:09:00.002-07:00

Kassidy turned 8!!!!!

She was so excited. She got to open a few presents before school. WE decorated the front of the house for her, she had Red Robin for dinner! She has a great day. We cannot imagine life without this little one! Who would have thought our 6 weeks premie would now be 8 and the tallest one in the class?! She is a precious precious gift.

8 shaped waffles and bacon!

Clock radio dancing robot!
Red Robin - yum (not really) her favorite though so we suffer through it
In front of the house with her decorations. I felt like I was in Young Womens again "heart attacking" a lawn! She loved it. her exact words were "COOL!"

Catching Up

2008-09-21T17:20:00.002-07:00

Got Lazy and stopped posting for a while. So here's a bunch!

This one just makes me laugh. Abs is NOt one to fall asleep while there is action going on. Lately though she has been very tired and eating so we are thinking our munchin might actually grow. (Which is her goal because as son as she reaches 42" she gets to go to Disney World)

We were having family movie night and she tried so hard but just couldn't pull it off! I guess Gremlins wasn't that scarry!!!

More Little White House

2008-09-21T17:11:00.002-07:00

Here are some more picts. I am having troub;e posting too many to a post.

This one is for "Papa Larry" This is the MArine Post outside the house! Talk about comforts!!!
Wishing Well
Flags of everystate and their state stone were on a walkway. Here is GA.

Can't leave out good 'ol AZ

A quote in a memorial building that holds the unfinished picture of him that they were painting when he suffered his stroke. They left it unfinished and she later made a complete one to honor him.

Little White house

2008-09-21T17:04:00.001-07:00

On the way home from the zoo we stopped at the Little White House. It is where FDR went to use the hot springs to help his polio! He loved it and bought it. It was also where he died.

Atlanta Zoo

2008-09-18T10:27:00.005-07:00

Over the last holiday we went up to the ATL zoo for the morning. We are only 2 hours so we headed up played with the animals and went straight back home! Fun for us not for most.

They were a small zoo but had some great animals. We were able to see the rare panda baby that was 2 years old and one they just had that we 3 days old! (we saw that one via tv screen) It was so neat. We truly enjoyed oursleves.

CRAZY Hair day

2008-09-18T10:27:00.002-07:00

We had crazy hair day for school. Abs wanted to have crazy hair like her sissy, but was only willing to go with the color! (This is the only spirit day she would participate in all the other days she said she didn't care if she were the only kids there that didn't do it!)

Pink and blue!
This one makes me smile. Showing daddy her hair before school!

Kass however went all out! She designed her own hair and I just helped make it happen!

holy Mole-y. Who would have know her hair streaker she got for Christmas would come in so handy one day?!

Dexter Elementary

2008-08-05T19:44:00.005-07:00

First day of school!

They let me take this when I picked them up!

We got our stuff yesterday and started school today.

My wonderful wonderful girls.

My baby is in Pre-K

2008-08-05T19:38:00.003-07:00

My little one has afternoon pre-k. She slept in and only anted cereal for breakfast and decided she wanted to have a special lunch. So we sat on the couch and watched a movie on the computer and at ABC's with meatball cold! That's a winner lunch if I ever I heard of one! Don't ever say my kids go without! ha

Could she be any cuter?!

So excited with the back pack ready

Here she is going off to class. I say bye I love you she keeps walking! Notice the boy lovingly hugging his mom?! Mine just goes! She was so excited to go to big girl school where sissy is. She was in heaven and had a great day. She told me that she is going to like her class and that she even told someone her name! She is big time now.

We love you our getting so big girl Abs!

Kassidy the second grader!!!!

2008-08-05T19:29:00.005-07:00

Today we started school. So each of the girls got to start their day in their own special way. I often get critized for being a short order cook and making mutilple meals at each meal. I figure do it while I can cause some day I won't be able too!

So what do you do when your oldest asks for her special start the day breakfast of waffles and sausage when your waffle maker and toaster are somewhere in here?!

Luckily, I was taught by my mother to use the broiler to make toast because it just tastes better! Thanks to you mom we were able to have Eggos via broiler!!! She loved it.

Our little neighbor friend came to see if Kassidy wanted to ride with her. So Kass replied the most excited yes. I was able to get one shot in before the left!

I yelled good-bye as the sped off as fast as they could and off she went. She is getting so big. I can't believe she is in the 2nd grade and about to turn 8! She is such a special blessing in our family.

We love you Kassidy Ann aka Kass-squatch

Where we are

2008-07-30T16:01:00.003-07:00

We have arrived to Fort Benning, GA (1 1/2 hours south of Atlanta)

https://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2005-50,GGLR:en&q=fort+benning,ga&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title

We are so close to being in AL so we get the best of all the southern charms! We are still waiting for our stuff. We are hoping for this Sat since the possibility of last Sat has come and gone! It is HOT and HUMID! We are having issues adjusting but it is coming. When the movers come I will take picts and post. right nor not very exciting with 2 folding chairs and some mattresses!

More cute stuff

2008-07-19T22:14:00.002-07:00

I keep running across things that I forgot to post from the last month. I just thought these were cute. We love going to the cabin everytime we are in AZ. It is just so wonderful and relaxing!

That's my girl!

HOT ROD

2008-07-19T22:04:00.003-07:00

Almost forgot to post this! Brian thought he needed a motorcycle when he got home to help "fight gas prices!" So I ordered one to be ready here in AZ when we got down here. We went and picked it up and he loves his Triumph Bonneville! The girls do too. I have Abbey to afraid to ride (yeah me) Kass though loves being a rebel so she is allowed to ride around the block (even though it makes me want to puke) I pretend I am OK with it!

Rock on little girl, rock on

I think it really is a cool bike. Maybe when I am 80 we can ride this to our mission! weeeeee

Updates

2008-07-18T21:29:00.002-07:00

Here are a few things that happened while we were in WA for a month! So nice to have Brian home. I can't wait to get to GA and have our life get back to normal.

Father's Day

2008-07-18T21:15:00.003-07:00

This year the girls were were blessed to celebrate father's day with their dad!

They got him cologne and a wallet! There is no stopping the creativity there huh?!

Too dang cute. I could eat all of them up!!!

We went hiking at the waterfalls for fathers day. It was so pretty and we had a lovely time

Their totem has got nothing on the Team Caldwell totem!

This one tells the story of a sickeningly happy family that will always be close and wonderful!

We love you Brian, you truly are the best dad!

The girls ADORE you

Abbey turns 4!!!!

2008-07-18T20:52:00.005-07:00

Our little girl has turned 4!!!

While we were in WA we had a small party with some old friends at the good old reliable Chuck E Cheese!

Just waking up a four year old!

Ariel stickers, can't go wrong thanks Grandma Sherrie!

Loves her funny sister!

Transformed into blonde Ariel!!

Abbey and Lillie, do you think she likes the gift?!

Had to have this Ariel cake. We went to several stores

to find this one. Do I spoil her, maybe, but I don't care!

It was so great to have Brian here for her birthday. We had a great time meating with old friends we hadn't seen. Got to see how big all children had gotten over 15 months!

Mostly can't believe that Abbey is now 4. Time is going so fast! We love her and her constant smile. She is now growing into quite the ham. She makes a face for every emotion there is. Never a dull unlaughable moment with her! So glad we were trusted to have her on this earth!

10 years down infinity to go

2008-07-16T23:33:00.003-07:00

This post is long over due. I have been enjoying my time with Brian so much that I have let my blog go. He is now back up in WA to get our things on the truck so i have time to remember and miss him!

July 3rd we celebrated our 10th anniversary!

Brian surprised me by being a romantic and taking me to the hotel we went on our honeymoon! He did however upgrade our room to a bit bigger! It was a fantastic time. We splurged and got each other nice gifts. I got him a motorcycle (to be posted later) and he got me a fab tahitian pearl necklace (see pict below)

Couldn't seem to get a good one of both at the same time!
Cute Brian, ugg Kristal

Our room said it had a jacuzzi tub, didn't mention it was white trash!!! ha ha

I heart our tub and Brian
Being nostalgic and stopping at some of our old look outs from when we lived in northern AZ. I am a little partial but I do have to say he is about the cutest thing ever!

I thank the Lord all the time for having this wonderful man with me. He is the perfect husband and father. I don't know what I did in heaven to get him but I am glad I did!

I love you the most Brian.