Merry Christmas

Okay so Christmas is actually over but.... I figured I better make a post. We headed to Denver and spent this time with Opa, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Dennis, Rachel, and Neal. It was a white Christmas while we were there and we did many things to keep ourselves busy. During our visit the kids went to a trampoline facility and played for awhile, then it was off to a movie. Dennis' family purchased a Wii machine while we were there so we did lots of that.

For Christmas everyone got what they wanted and a wonderful time....Deb did the twelve days of Christmas and it was the hit of Christmas Eve. Both sides of family were more then generous this Christmas and words cannot express how thankful we are to have the Anthony side and Light side in our lifes!!! The support that we have is overflowing and it is the true meaning of what family stands for! It was also nice to see Rachel while she was home for the holidays. I also had the opportunity to chat with dad Light and my sister Stacy on Christmas this made it all GOOD! Our visit with Opa was to short but he will be returning to visit us in May.

We did purchase a new video camera so I am excited to send some videos that are actually decent in the near future.

Not to much to report...during this time all activities come to an end and the kids are out of school, so it is our time to organize and refocus on family time.

School for me will not go back into session until January 14th and the kids return on the 9th. The Fall semester I passed with 3 B's and 2 A's, Liz made honor roll with all A's and 1 B. Mikaela does not get grades yet but is moving forward nicely!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!

Love to all

state gymnastics meet

Last night was the final night of gymnastics meets until March:)!!! Mikaela did a fantastic job. She took 2nd on vault and 4th on beam this is out 14 girls in her age bracket.
I have video clips this time so click play and enjoy.

winter fun

Last weekend was our first good snow fall for the winter season. We took the girls out in the back to have snowball fights and make snow angels. Afterwards we came in and had some hot cocoa!

This week consisted of school projects due for Theresa and holiday fun for the girls. All of us get a winter break until January 8th. I am so excited to have this time to be a family again.


I hope everyone is doing well and I am thinking of you all always.

(Mikaela making snow angels)

(mom and girls having a snowball fight)

Drumming cirlce performance 12-06-07

These video clips are of the drumming circle, I hope you are able to view them.

You have to be in the 4th, 5th, or 6th grade to try out for drumming circle. Mikaela was invited to be the drumming circle "mascot". She goes to all practices and attends all performances. She fills in when a drummer is not in attendance. Liz plays several parts and please exuse getting the directors "behind" in several shots (she moves around alot).

Congratulations Liz

Liz had tryouts on Dec. 4th for the CYO (Casper Youth Orchestra). She has been practicing her trombone very hard and has even gone in extra hours at school to get help from her band teacher. With that being said.........

She got in!!! This is grades 6th-12th and is a challenge to get into. You have to be invited to tryout first of all and then you have to compete against others who have been playing a lot longer. She will be one of the youngest but the director says she has only heard good things about her motivation and strive to work at things that hard for her.

We are very proud!

Congratulations Baby girl on a job well done!!!!!!

Love MOM, DAD, and MIKAELA!

whirl wind

This weekend left me breathless....but as momma Light pointed out I always make time for myself and God.

Friday came and went as we did a little Christmas shopping and then got home to bed to get ready for a very crazy Saturday.

Saturday morning I was up by 6am and off to a womens community group at 7am to focus on my life, God, and to enjoy a little scrapbooking. Then at 10am it was off to Liz's last volleyball game. Whew they kicked butt and took names!!! I am sad to see the season end but on the same note am glad to have that time back that was used for practices and weekend games. Then its home for lunch and showers only to head out again for a 1pm gymnastics meet with Mikaela. She took 2nd place all around and 1st place on floor. Also took 2nd place on bars, beam, and vault. Nothing more to make a momma proud! Nope not done yet...this got over at 4:30pm and we headed to the event center to see Oregon Trail (the girls school) get awards for Lego Robotics. Our school took championship and are now invited to Altanta, Georgia for Nationals.http://www.usfirst.org/community/fll/default.aspx (this is a website explaining lego robotics a little more). After this we headed to the Eastridge shopping mall with the "Drumming Circle" They performed at the mall until 7:30pm (both girls are involved, Liz being a drummer and Mikaela being a Mascot). Now its time for home and to bed only to get up the next morning and head to church. If you are exhausted just reading this...you can only imagine how Ken and I feel physically:) We love it and would not change it for the world. Next weekend: a weekend for Ken and Theresa!!!!

If I have learned anything in the past months....if you cant find out who you are and do something for yourself you cannot be a good mother or wife. If you and your husband do not have a "relationship" you may struggle to have a good family. Find time alone and with your spouse just to remember why you have children!

This upcoming week is my next rotation for fieldwork, lucky for me I get to stay in Casper. I will let you know how it goes. This is our mental health rotation, I am very excited!

Love to all!!!

I am posting pictures from this weekend on the Walgreens website (to many to add to this). Watch for you invite to see these photos. If you do not get an invite let me know so I can get it to you!

Dad's defense

This is an unbiased description of what truly occured in Theresa's absence. Ken had to work on Monday and Tuesday and take care of all the things that Theresa usually does. Ken was told about the towels in the dryer when he was watching the Denver Bronco game and thus is not responsible for anything told to him during that time. While Theresa was in Gillette lounging around and eating bon bons, Ken had to cook, clean, vacuum, shuttle kids around, coach volleyball, counsel his girls, attend PTO meetings, and teach a Wednesday night church group. All in which made Ken and the girls wonder how in the blazes does Mom go to school, pull straight A's, and get all the housework done. We all realized how much we rely on her and how much more we all could be doing to make her life easier. She was truly missed, but it was great to have the one on one time with my girls.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!!!!

Volleyball

Here are a few pictures of Liz playing volleyball....I am coaching and for this last game Ken stepped in and coached for me. Thanks Aunt Debby for taking pictures for me!!!

Survived

Mom has returned home. Last week was an adventure, and it is one I could do again! I stayed with a family in Wright WY and they were awesome. It was definitely an experience to sit back and watch another family without having to be involved. There were 3 teenage girls, mom, and dad. Oh yah and one bathroom for everyone:) They treated me very well. The fieldwork experience was also more then I could ask for. I was in the school district and got to observe how Occupational Therapy works in the educational setting. The kids in this setting were a blast and the benefits they get from OT is unexplainable. It was not all good though...I have come to really dislike the school district and the philosophy, what happened to putting kids needs first! Nope now its all about who is gonna get paid for what services. I want to work with pediatrics but I think I will steer clear of the school district setting.

Now you ask how did my family do.... It was wonderful, they found out just how much mom does:) (bonus for me not for them) I realized how much they can do without me!!! Wow...do I hear a win win situation here? The only thing I realized not to do when leaving Ken in charge is give verbal directions without writing them down. Example....Ken please rotate the last load of laundry and put the stuff in the wash into the drier (this was stated to him on Sunday before me leaving town). When I returned home on Friday evening, and he could not find towels for family we had in town I discovered the laundry was not rotated. Why.....it was not written down! Of course I did write down to take the trash out on Friday and that did not get done either???? The last story would be that a mother does need to remind children to shower, fathers do not! By Wednesday dad realized Mikaela had not showered since Sunday.

I am blessed to have them all and would not change for the world!

My next rotation in December is here in Casper...no traveling for this one yahoo!

Thanks to everyone for all the support!

leaving home(:

Well not for good....this is the weekend before my first fieldwork rotation for school. I will be in Gillette WY (2hrs away) from Monday-Friday. All though very excited, very nervous at the same time. Ken will be here with the girls and I know between the three of them they will survive! I will try to keep the blog posted while I am away...more so the girls can follow my days. Ken has a road ahead of him(he has no idea how active the girls truly are during the week) I will enjoy sitting back and letting him take the ride.

Liz has been active in volleyball and drumming cirlce, her new thing this weekend was to go the "link". This is a Christian facility to give the younger kids a place to go that is safe and fun. They have a chance to connect with others. She loved it but had way to much coffee...this is what happens when they get out of moms site for a couple of hours:) She is loving life right now, she struggles with her friends at school, but her friends that have moved onto JR High still keep her going...and going...and going. Come Mondays she is beat! It is good to see her involved and enjoying life in a healthy manner.

Mikaela has had two gymnastics competitions.Nov. 3rd she took 7th overall out of 23 girls. And today we are not sure I will post that later. She is being kind of mean to mom right now but I think it is because she is nervous about me leaving and this is her way of dealing with it.

The rest of the weekend will be spend lounging out with the family. They are taking me out to dinner tonight.

I will keep the blog updated during the week.

Love to all


Oh Belated 21st birthday to our niece Rachel...Atleast the gift made it on time:)

Grades

The girls just finished first quarter of school. Liz comes out with all A's and has tested above her grade level for math and language. She has quit piano to get more involved with her trombone, we have found her a person to give lessons outside of school. Her music teacher talks very highly of her! As does her regular teacher, Mrs. Eskew says she love Liz's creativity when she does projects and her enthusiasm in the classroom is beyond any teachers imagination. This is huge from last year....I personally think it is the teacher that makes a difference. She has also started volleyball (you will never guess who they got to coach????? Ok its me:)

Mikaela also is passing with all A's and a teacher her could not find one negative thing to say! She says she is the most cooperative, follow the rules child she has had. She did say Mikaela got spoken to for the first time the other day in reading group for giggling with another girl. I told the teacher she must be starting to warm up:) Another gymnastics competition next Saturday...I will update you on her scores.

Theresa - midterms was last week and grades for midterm are 2 B's and 3 A's. This came as a shock...but I am pleased anyway. We are on the countdown for my 1 week rotation in November.For those who do not know I have to go to Gillette wyoming (2hours from casper) for one week to do hands on education. I am excited but nervous at the same time.

Ken - has been busy making games for the fall festival at the girls school. He claims he would rather be doing something else but I have found he loves it and is very creative. I will post some pictures of his game creations next week after the fall festival. He helps me coach volleyball when I am unavailable, and continues to work at the church in several areas.

This weekend we took the girls to dinner for their great grades and attitudes in school, went shopping for my nieces 21st birthday, and did the carving pumpkins things for Halloween.

I finally got to talk to my sister for the first time since she has had baby Olivia. It sounds like they are doing great and I have a beautiful baby niece!

Love to all!

school pics

Highlights

Wow...I did not realize how long it has been since I have updated the blog. This is because being a fulltime student, mother, and wife has taken over my life completely! I really am not complaining I love it...well accept for the school thing. I am truly ready for the end to be here. I am only going to touch base on the highlights of activities going on, so that you do not get board.

Liz - Drumming circle is in full swing and they have a complete line up of performances. The first one is next weekend and I will send pictures then. She is finishing up her soccer for the Fall season and has improved greatly! This team was such an improvement from that season! Again, pictures will be posted after her tournament on Tues Oct 9th. We have made it that she is to stay home and be part of the family at least one day on the weekend. This rule had to come about because she is such a young adult that staying home with the parents is not cool. She is home a lot but she usually has company with her. I am glad that we have a welcoming home that her friends like to be here. She has also discovered the movie theater with groups of friends. (this can get expensive:) She is pretty cool to hang out with too and I loved the comment the other day from her friend "you have a cool mom". Made my day anyway! Straight A's on all progress reports and her teachers do nothing but compliment. We have allowed her to quit piano because she is doing so well with the trombone and drumming circle it was getting to be to much. (she hated the piano)

Mikaela - Lost her first tooth in September (late bloomer; most of her friends have lost all theirs in the 1st grade, this was her first). She is a great student and her teacher said she has never had a student that follows the rules to the tea! She also has all A's and loves to read. She is still in Piano and gymnastics. She had her first meet of the season this Saturday and did well for the first one. She had some miss-haps but she enjoyed the heck out of it. She took 4th place in floor routine and her team took 1st place overall. This was against 20 other girls!

Ken- still doing Sunday school and Weds nights at the church. He holds down the fort when I am studying and trying to get assignments done. Still driving of course...and cant wait till I am graduate.

Thank you to everyone who supports us and understands that if I dont get emails off or phone calls made its not because I am slacking its because I really do not have a life right now!

Please keep the following people in you prayers for everyone has a busy and crazy life and a little faith will hopefully get them through:

Stacy, Brad, and Olivia - we are thinking of you and know that you doing well! Give my niece a kiss from us!

Deb and Dennis - returning from Poland; we are praying for good things to come from this trip

Ted and Sandi - thanks for all your support

Rachel and Neal - college is not easy I am with you always

Mom and Dad Light - being apart is something I know is hard; We love you!

Becky Majeres - mothering two boys; God has plans for you (thanks for your forevere friendship)

All other family that is out there...I am thinking of you daily!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Quick update on how the school year is so far....

Liz tested into the highest math class she is in 6th grade now doing 7th grade math. Also tested into the highest spelling. This is new for her as she has never been in the higher groups before. She tried out for drumming cirlce (a very popular music activity right now) and made it. This is Mon. and Thurs. mornings and they take two fieldtrips to perform around the state of Wyoming as well as participate in Half time at the Calvary Football games. Then on Tues. and Weds. mornings she does Lego Robotics, this goes to competition in Dec. and then ends. In the evening she does soccer but that will be over in the next month. With all the homework she has this year it is hard to do evening activities.

Mikaela - gymnastic is still her thing. She has her first competition this year at the end of this month updates on the blog will be made. She loves her teacher and gets so much respect from her classmates. I go in and volunteer in her class once a week (or more if time allows) it is such a pleasure to watch her at school (Liz says she is to old for me to be in her classroom so I watch her from the doorway without her knowing). I get told it is hard to have Mikaela in their class because she never does anything wrong. She reached the top reading level this year and has passed all the levels of math facts.

Weekend fun: our weekends have been fun of working on the house...this month it has been remodeling the entry way. It is almost done, I think grouting is going to be today YAH. Fall is upon us so we are outdoors preparing the yard and flowers for what is to come. We try to stay home and play games with the kids because there is not much time during the week. This is hard for Liz as she is always on the go no matter what day it is:)

College: I am extremely stressed this semester, there is so much to do and it all seems to be blending together at this point. But the countdown is on. I have one more semester after this and then fieldwork.

Ken: hating his job, but dealing with it for his family sake. He is on the way out the door tomorrow to see the Broncos kick the Raiders *!&#. He teaches Sunday school and helps or co-runs the Wednesday program as well. This keeps him sain as his wife is going crazy:)

Thanks to everyone who keeps me updated on life...it helps to keep me inline with everyone while I feel like my head is stuck in books!

Off to School

The girls started back to school today, and this is always exciting and nerve racking. Liz is now a 6th grader and Mikaela is in the 2nd grade. I know both teachers very well and am excited to see how the year goes. Liz got to announce the Pledge of Allegience over the school intercom first thing this AM. Both girls are amazing and I will keep the blog posted throughout the year with all their achievements.

Opa these are the new outfits you were wanting to see:)

(Emilie, Jesse, and Mikaela friends since age 2)

Liz and Tommy saying the Pledge

Our Nieces

We got the chance to spend some time with Brett's girls Danielle and Chelsea while on our trip. This was wonderful and they are growing up so fast. Brett is doing well too!from left to right (Mikaela-7; Danielle- 8; Chelsea- 6; Liz- 12)

Colorado road trip

Our trip this year was very simple but we got to see wonderful things and experience life in a different way.

It started out with the long drive to Denver. Debby, Dennis, Ken, and Theresa went to the Rockies and Cubs baseball game on Sunday. (We won!!) The girls stayed with cousin Rachel and we came back to laughter and smiles.

Then it was off to Estes Park and the drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. This is where we traveled over the Trail Ridge pass (the highest paved mountain in the US.)http://www.nps.gov/archive/romo/visit/weather/history.html

While in the National Park we hiked around Bear lake and then up to Alberta Falls for a total walk of 2.5 miles. This was my first major hike since surgery. (reminder to all that like to hike flip-flops and crocs are not advisable footwear:) Now for the trip down the mountain...Colorado Rocky Mountains are the best anytime of the year. We saw herds of elk and witnessed Colorados drastics weather within a 15 minute period. We headed down to Grand Lake where we pitched our tent and roasted marshmellows. This was our first time sleeping in a tent and all I can say is the next morning both Ken and I stated we were staying in a hotel the next night:) Long story but losts of fun!

(bear lake)

Then we did some typical tourist shopping and site seeing. On Weds. we did a white watering rafting trip with the girls. This was awesome! Our tour guide was a stick in the mud but the girls really enjoyed the experience.

(Alberta Falls)

(camping at Grand Lake)

Elitche Gardens theme park was on Thursday and school shopping on Friday. Lots of family time. On Friday I also got to visit with my two younger nieces (Danielle and Chelsea- Bretts girls).

Thanks again to our niece Rachel for shopping and entertaining the girls - we love you and wish you farewell as you travel to another year of school!

(can you see Presiden Abraham Lincoln sleeping?)

Parenting rewards

Sometimes it seems that parenting never has any rewards until the following things occur:

- Your 7 year old get a loose tooth while eating corn on the cob (no...she has yet to lose any so this is very exciting)
- Your child learns how to ride a two wheel bike and is now riding her older sisters bike from last year.
- Your twelve year old is out until 11pm two nights in a row babysitting (3 children age ranging from 6 years to 7 month; first night babysitting job)and has now made more money than you in a two day period.
- You look out the front window because you hear two siblings yelling at each other and the hose comes out and a huge water fight breaks out....yes, the 7 year old pulled the house out on the older sibling in rebellion. (This means you have taught them to fight their own battles!)

It has been a week of sitting back and enjoying the fun of two young beautiful girls that keep you on your toes at all times...just when you wonder "what in the world am I doing" the above things occur and you realize you are raising bright, funfilled, and well behaved children.


To all the parents out there...
Be sure to stop and look at all the good things (especially the little things) when things seem down and out!

Have a good week to all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is my dad's birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

New Arrival

It is with great pleasure that I announce the arrival of our niece....Olivia Michelle O'Neil. (well the last I heard this was the final decision on her name:)

She was born to my (Theresa) sister and brother-in-law Stacy and Brad O'Neil on July 27, 2007.

Everyone is doing well and they have arrived at home!

CONGRATULATIONS STACY AND BRAD!

Also congratulations to all the grandparents who waited so calmly for this day to arrive.

just stuff

The last week or so has been busy as usually, I am told that it would be abnormal if I wrote that this week was not very busy:)

Our past couple of weekends have consisted of the college kids over for dinners, floating the river some more, and losts of sleepovers with the girls friends. Also study groups at the house for all the exams we have had. We hit the county fair and have made it a point to have at least one day put aside for family day. This coming weekend Ken's brother and sister-in-law will be coming for a visit and I think we might actually go out with adults for a date!!! Not sure if I will remember what that is like:)

I am finishing summer finals at school and then have three weeks off! I am very excited about this and have lots of R and R planned during this time off. Next week will consist of sitting by the pool side with the girls. We litterally have no activities for that week. Then the following week Aug. 10-18 we are taking our family vacation. It won't be much but a trip to Colo. for some white water rafting, six flags theme park, a Colorado Rockies game, and more R and R (rest and relaxation).

Liz: is continuing her volunteer work at the horse academy and last weekend got to help run the rodeo for the disabled children. She will continue to do some volunteer work but will also be taking a class of her own to learn more about the horses and get a chance to ride herself. She keeps herself busy with all her friends and has many plans when she starts school. She is very excited about this year as she will be the top of the school. (6th grade is huge in wyoming).

Mikaela: She did a gymnastics camp last week and got a trophy for doing back flip flops (a slow form of back handsprings). Each year at camp they have to achieve a new trick, we werent sure she was gonna pull this one of, but as mom (Melleen) says she will always keep us guessing and did want she was suppose to do.

Ken: more house updates....this last week was our entry way. We pulled up the linolium and it was disgusting!!!! He is now getting ready to lay tile in that area. He also painted and repaired holes. I will send pictures with the completions. Outside he has continued to work on the yard and pull weeds, sometimes I wonder if it is worth it (I usually help when children do not need transported somewhere). Or they are out helping. He still hates driving and will be so glad when I graduate!

All though it seems busy, we are sure to take time together as a family. The girls always have so much to say so we take walks and sit on the back porch just so they have time with us and know that we love them.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Mikaela's Room

I was just reminded that I have not posted the home improvements that have been going on this summer. The one that we just finished was Mikaela's room. She chose her own colors and we are currently waiting for the matching window covers and bedsheet/comforter. We will be starting Liz's room next.

Another Full Weekend

This past weekend consisted of time at the Casper Rodeo and Fair. Liz could not understand why we would not allow her and a group of friends to go the fair by themselves. After we left the fair with her and a girlfriend she turned to me and thanked me for not letting her do that. The people who work those things are a little on the creepy side. They had a great time, Liz is the right size now to ride anything and that is what she does is ride anything. Her sense of fear "bone" has disappeared (just in the area of things that make your stomach turn). She truly has turned into a young lady. As she learns to grow into a teenager with good decision making skills; mom and dad are learning how to raise her with self confidence and pride for herself. I think we were going off track there for awhile but are getting back on track now. Mikaela is still to short to hit the big rides but the little rollercoaster is still daring enough for her. She still has her "fear bone". (well when it comes to rides, otherwise there is no fear in this child).

(safe motorcycles to ride:)

(Liz)

After a Saturday of house chores, groceries, and golf (Ken). It was off to float the river on Sunday after church. This was so cool!! The girls got in and swam (with life jackets), dad got flipped over on his tube, mom got in with Bree and swam also. We went with some friends from church and had a great time. You really cannot explain the experience so enjoy some of the pictures.

(Mikaela and Jenna on the tubes)

(Liz and Bree)

Oh the "Lazy Days of Summer"

Parade Day

It seems that Liz has done a lot but I have not forgotten about Mikaela. She was busy the past two weeks practicing for the Casper Rodeo and Fair parade. This is huge in our town and everything shuts down for the morning so that everyone can either watch or participate. Mikaela was in the parade doing cartwheels for her gymnastics company. Both Ken and I were sad because we had to miss the parade. I of course was at school and Ken was working. But we were told by friends that took her and others that saw her that she hammed it up!!! For someone who is afraid of being the center of attention she sure did enjoy this. It was perfect weather. Then of course it is off to the fair this weekend.

Liz's Trip

As you have already read Liz spent a week with grandpa and grandma.

Liz's words about her trip:

It was soooo coolio (not sure what that means but ok) We went go-cart riding and I beat grandpa!!!! Putt putt golf was a blast and they played two rounds. I got to go see haunted hotel. Got to talk to Aunt Stacy, went to the lake and met new friends, watched fireworks, and went to the fish hatchery. Found a new TV series to watch called "Lost" it is awesome if you ever get a chance to watch it.

Thank you, so much G and G Light for a wonderful time....most of all thanks for being there when I got ill and you took care of me!!!

Another Stop - summer Fun

Fourth of July-

Not to much exciting for this one...It was wonderful and I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July.

We took Mikaela to one of the local Casper Wyoming Rockies baseball game on the 3rd. After the game we watched a series of fireworks and went home. We went with some friends of ours and their little girl. It was a lot of fun and the best part is it meant we did not have to go out on the 4th with all the drinkers.

The difficult part was that Liz was away from home...this is the first 4th of July without her.

I do know that grandma and grandpa took her to their local firework show. This was put on by grandpa's local fire department that he volunteers for. (Well when he is not injured anyway)

(Rockies Baseball Mascot)

or is it....

(Ken after a few too many beers:)

Next Stop - Summer Fun

Our next adventure was a day trip to Breckenridge Colo to play on the Alpine slide. This was on Saturday June 30th...the day before shippping Liz to Missouri for another week.

This was a day spent in the Colorado Rockies with both the girls as a family. When life gets so busy and everyone has individual activities it is important to remember to come together as a family. We had so much laughter this day. Things like mom freaking out that Mikaela was gonna fall out of the chairlift on the way up the mountain to watching the competition between Ken and Liz on the way down the slide.

I tried to find a website to describe what the alpine slide is but could not find one that did justice. For what it is worth it is a slide that goes down the side of a mountain used for skiing in the winter. It is made of concrete and you use tobagain type sleds to go down. Mikaela even got to go down by herself.

After our day in the mountains we of course hit the traditional Beau Jo's pizza joing in Idaho Springs.

Then home to pack Liz and prepare her for her first flight alone.

(The competition begins:)

(Mom was afraid Mikaela would slip out the back)

Summer Fun - Liz Camp

Summer is busy as usual....

We started with sending Liz off to Church camp at Fort Lonetree. http://lonetree.org/folders.asp?action=display&record=3 This was her third time attending and she came back so spiritualy filled it was great. She had to deal with normal young girl issues (and girls can be very nasty to one another) but she had a good problem solving skills and made it through the week.

They did many things like boating on the lake, rappelling, horseback riding, and her favorite thing was worship time.

I picked her up on Friday and we headed home only to do laundry, repack, and head to Denver to ship her off to grandma and grandpa Light in Missouri.

Ken and Theresa Update

Ken is still working hard...they just hired a new guy (finally) so hopefully he will get some down time. We have many home projects going and the yard is a job in its self. He is also helping our neighbor take care of her yard. (little old lady by herself with a huge house) Mikaela room just got a new makeover but it is not completely put together, when it is I will send pictures. Ken did an awesome job.

Theresa going to school, yup summer classes stink. I do enjoy it and have finally met some people in my class that I get along with. My hardest thing this summer is not having the time to sit by the pool side with the kids.

We have gone putt-putt golfing and many bike rides. Attended a few social BBQ's, and lots of work in the garden. I finally have tomotoes growing and my hens and chicks have taken over.

Now we are patiently awaiting our niece or nephew O'neil who should be arriving in July. Stacy I havent heard from you in awhile but we are thinking of you and hope all is well!!!!!!!

Love to all
The Anthony's

Mikaela's summer

Gymnastics, gymnastics, gymnastics....need I say more.

She puts in 6 hours a week and loves every minute of it. She will be in out town parade doing running front walkovers and cartwheels on July 10th.

She just finished swim lessons and we have spent lots of time at the pool.

I feel a little guilty because she is having to be pond off on all my friends while I attend school. She does not really complain but I think would rather be home instead.

Things Mikaela likes to do in her free time....Computer (ask grandpa she is a guines), Movie watching, and scrapbooking (I have taught her well). We go to the library once a week and she loves to joy read.

Liz's Summer

So far I am not sure I have even seen Liz this summer. She has been at the pool or bike riding most of the time. She even takes her sister on bike rides so that I can study.

Some things that she is doing.....

Volunteering at Reach For a Star. This is a horse academy that work with persons with disabilities. Liz cares for the horses and then leads horses during the class. She loves the little kids that she gets to work with and gets so much out of being with the horses. We are hoping this is going to work on her self confidence. I have already seen so much improvement and she is always asking to go out there. She even cleaned up her first horse manure the other day (without complaint) I took pictures of her horse grooming but do to confidentiality I cannot take pictures of her in the classes with the participants.

At the current time Liz is away at Church camp. This is 1 1/2 away from home and she has been there since Monday 6-25. I am leaving in about 1 hour to pick her up. I will send a blog on how camp went later next week. We are hoping it was spiritualy filled.

Then....we pick her up, head to Denver, and ship her off to Missouri for a week with Grandma and Grandpa Light.

I miss my baby!!!!

Happy Fathers Day from Theresa

"Dad, I'll never let go!"

As the years have gone by there have been many men in my life that I have called dad. What it really boiled down to after so many years is there is only true (OK two) dads....I was not able to find that out until I was 28 years old. This is when I discovered that the true dads in my life are my real dad and my father-in-law. When the word "dad" comes out of my mouth it is truly said from the heart!

Dad (Ron) thank you for being who you are and the person you have allowed me to become in the years. You give me strength and support when it is needed the most and best of all you gave me love!

Dad (Ted) thank you for allowing me to call you "dad". You opened your heart to me when it was needed the most. You also gave me strength and support and most of all you gave me love!

The card above says it all...you both are stuck with me for a very long time because I am never letting go!

To all the fathers out there, thank you for all that you do in providing support, strength and most of all love.

Fathers-to-be (Brad O'Neil) this fathers day cheer is for you too!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

love Theresa

End of school

Many events took place last week to end the school year. Lots of field trips, talent show, and awards.


The big field trip was both girls did the nature walk (hike). This is a two mile walk to the park...eat lunch...play...and a two mile walk back to the school.

Awards: The fifth graders do not get any except one that says they successfully made it through fifth grade. She also got honoral for holding all A's and B's for the year.

Mikaela recieved....great attendance (only missed three days), Good Citizenship Award (this is very hard to get and only two kids per class recieve this award, this is the second year in a row that Mikaela has been given the honor of this award) it is given by the teacher but has to have principle approval and is presented to the student in front of the entire school by the principle. She recieved many other awards such as straight A's all year and a successfully completed 1st grade certificate.

(Mikaela would not hold still long enough to get a picture but this is her citizenship award)

Talent show:

Both girls did the talent show but the pictures turned out terrible. Liz sang "God Bless America" and Mikaela danced with a group of friends.

It was a great school year and we are looking forward to a fast and great summer!