Easter

Hope you and yours had a fabulous Easter!  

(What this photo doesn't tell you is that it was only 7:17am and we just made it.. just made it through our first sunrise service.  Our kind pastor took the photo for us, we tried to get the lily cross in the photo.  Julianne may have just said a bad word right before the photo.  Bliss didn't settle down at all the whole service, in fact she thought it was time to dig and her "Amens" sounded like loud barks.  Claudia's wheelchair only got stuck five times in the "accessible" church garden.  Matt took one for the team cleaning up a dog poop with an offering envelope.  You know.. Happy Easter!)

Daddies

 Daddy, thanks for letting me play doctor and fix your hurts.

Dad, thank you for taking us on new adventures.

Thank you for learning from the best.  We love our Papa John..

and Grandpa John.

Thank you Daddy for teaching me to take life lightly with lots of laughs.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.

The sacrifices that you make for us do not go unnoticed.

Nothing better than having fun together with you!

At the end of the day we know your arms will be there for us!  We love you King Daddo. 

Happy Birthday to my dear Vinny and Julie!

Vincent, you have brought joy into this world from day one!  We use the term "intense" to describe you.  You play hard and love dearly.  You know long division but still enjoy your Hot Wheel cars.  This year you did your first science fair project and studied ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. You are a veracious reader and enjoy school.  This year we have witnessed you become a better friend and learn how to manage life's frustrations with more ease.  You are awesome!

Julianne, you my spunky dear, bring so much happiness into our lives.  You have shown us how much you are capable of in school this year.  You are generous, kind and very loving.  Always the first to bed and the first one out of bed, you do not miss much.  You tend to be cautious but are willing to try new adventures.  For example, you gave yourself two haircuts this year.  Also this year you hiked up Tom's Thumb and lead the whole way down without a break.    You are amazing!

Happy Easter from our house to yours!

Happy 11th Birthday!

May you be surrounded by love today and always!  Bless you my loves.

4,912 days

A special romantic day is just around the corner here.  What better a time to acknowledge the man I love.  He is so very under-appreciated but so very much loved.  He gives very generously at work every day and manages to keep enough spunk to joke with four kids every night.  He's not perfect but he is perfect for us.  

It takes a very special person to keep a positive attitude day after day when raising children.. especially some with extra challenges.  He is always willing to play football outside or help someone on a bike.  He willingly gives up watching his favorite teams to attend a little friend's birthday party.  He is handling raising three young ladies with careful respect but never allowing them to forget to laugh. 

We could never have imagined what the future would hold some 4,912 days ago but I sure am glad that my future falls in step with yours.  I'm hoping for as many sandwichy-hugs as our children will allow this year.  One thing is certain, our love really has multiplied. Love you! 

Christmas preparations

Busy times at the Rank house.  

Thanksgiving at the Davidsons

Back to Nebraska we traveled for turkey and family.  The kids enjoyed the "good life" Nebraska has to offer.  Grandma completed her spoiling for the season.  Grandpa added another year to a very blessed life.  

Halloween 2014

Our loves on Halloween.  

SIX

Happy Birthday my dear Vincent and Julianne.  I can not imagine a day without you.  You both complete our family, add the frosting to the cake.  It really is a joy to be a part of your development into the unique and special people that you are.  May your year be full of amazing discoveries and time to let your imagination run wild.  Blessed are we to call you ours.

The Big 1-0

These two wise 10 year olds had a great time celebrating the beginning of double digits!!  Happy Birthday to my dear Claudia and sweet Eloise.  Wishing you many many more years of fulfillment and happiness.  Love you!

Christmas in Wisconsin

Christmas in Wisconsin was a JOY!  Seventeen family members in one house with three toilets worked out surprisingly well.  Only a few tears here and there and mostly from my own children.  Time together is a cherished gift.  These cousins from across the United States (Maine-Wisconsin-Arizona) truly enjoy the time together.  

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy Birthday Grandma Jane

Happy Birthday Grandma Jane!  We had to whisper this year because we had you out so late riding bulls!  Thank you for being our Grandma.  We feel quite blessed to have you in our lives.

FIVE years OLD!

These two celebrated in style their GOLDEN birthday.  Friends from preschool, pizza, and arcade games made for a smashing good time.  Happy Birthday V and J!

Sweets..

My brothers would be the first to tell you how much I like sweets.  Tonight however I can not eat another piece!  Gum drops, gummi bears, peppermints, red hots, M & Ms all decorate our gingerbread house.  The kids are great little decorators/tasters.

 

Carriers of the Light

Thanksgiving

Just about to feast... and remember all that we have to be thankful about.

Costumes and Halloween 2012

With much delay, I present you with our costumed children.  Fortune teller, Snow Fairy, Police Officer, and Merida from Brave (minus the red hair).  The kids really enjoyed hunting for treats this year.  All of them were able to access the doors and candy.  There were no stairs to work around and the temperatures made it easy to hold a bucket full of candy minus the mittens.  Hope your Halloween was just as delightful.

Halloween Parade