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!

Clogging Recital

Liz performed in her first dance recital. She took a clogging class all year long and then they do a big number. Most of the dancers do a three day recital but Liz was only in one class so she only had to perform in one night.

weekend work

Not much exciting this weekend just time out in the yard. We got the veggie garden done and did major weed pulling. It looks very nice and the weather held up great for us. This is the last week of school for the girls...I will update you on all the final activities next weekend.

Aunt Stacy and Uncle Brad....here is the way you achieve good rounded well behaved children...work them to the bone in the yard and then they have no energy to cause problems:)

Just teasing...our children do hate yard work but they are usually willing to help when needed!

Have a great week to all!!!

another trophy

Mikaela earned another trophy for gymnastics this past week. This one was for the hardest "trick" they could do. Hers was for back arabians and running front walkovers. I do not have any pictures of the tricks but enjoy the one of her with her trophy.

Goodbyes

This is a little late...but better late then never!

As of last week our friend Ashley, who many of you heard about returned back home to Iowa. It was not to hard to let go only because our understanding is that she is to return for a visit in July. I would be happy to say that the visit would be because of us but this is not the reason for the return. During Ashley's last couple of weeks in Casper she met a very nice young gentleman, this would be the reason for the return! I certainly will not complain. Ashley is a very good young women with a very large heart. She brought extra laughter into our home and will be missed very much! Her time spent with our family will never be forgotten and we hope that we have shown her enough love that she will keep us updated with her future endeavors.

Ashley....
We pray for you as you make another new journey in your life. As God has already shown you many postive things in your life we hope that you will continue to follow his guidance and trust that HE will show you the way! Your love that you showed our family in such a short time was more than a mother of two girls could ever ask for. We thank God for bringing you to us and hope that HE will continue to keep you a part of who we are.

We Love you Greatly!

The Anthony Family!

Backyard Friends

Here is Opas new found friend. Ken and I actually noticed her last time we were in Denver but were unable to get any pictures. She also had a friend with her (we are assuming a male friend).

This new friend has decided to make a home in Opa's back yard (at the Colorado residence). We are still unsure if she has had any pups but are aware that she is using several of the backyards in the neighborhood to travel back and forth. Ojo (our family dog) is really having a difficult time sharing her backyard at opa's house with this new found creature. She really wants to play with it but it seems to run everytime she comes out. Huh I wonder why:)!

Neal Graduates

Congratulations to our nephew Neal Christopher Anthony. He successfully graduated high school this last week. Everyone is very proud of you Neal and pray for a future of success and fullfillment!









We had a wonderful visit with Neal and the rest of the Anthony crew this weekend. Ted was home from California and many people were in town to celebrate with Neal.

During our visit our Niece Rachel took the girls and Neal to a play called "Wicked" this was the first play the girls have attended and according to cousin Rachel they did very well. The play is based on the witches from the "Wizard of Oz" movie. It was highly recommended that the next time it is playing for Ken and I to go see it. We might just have to do that.

In the meantime while they were off to the play the adults: Ken, Theresa, Deb, and Dennis took a trip to Central City, Colorado. We went up with the intension of having a prime rib dinner and site seeing with no children:) We did expirence our first $1.99 prime rib. All though able to eat it truly was $1.99 prime rib! Ken played a 5 cent slot and I played a 1 cent slot, neither of us coming home with the big bucks!

The rest of the weekend consisted of shopping (Liz, Mikaela, mom, Rachel and Debby) and yard work (Opa, Ken, Dennis, and Neal). The trip home was long and quiet but always a joy to return.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 32nd anniversary to Melleen (mom) and dad Light.

I envy their marriage and hope that Ken and I can get through all the rough, sad, and of course happy, and exciting times!

Congratulations on yet another year!!

We love you both!

Love Theresa and Ken and most of all the girls.

What a Week!!!

As we ended our weekend with beautiful weather and lots of yard work we are blessed for the week we had and are excited to start yet another week of fun and entertainment.

Theresa is finished with her second semester of college with all A's and 1 B I even passed physiology with an A...I dont think I could do that again if I tried. Summer semester starts in June. Even with many problems with the students in the program I am doing well and loving the courses. Lets see if I am saying that after the summer session:)

Liz - Wow has she been working hard! she truly wants to end the summer with a bange and is doing everything she can to come out on top. She had her first band concert this week and shocked mom and dad with how good she is at the trombone. She played a solo and a duet and did awesome. Her band teacher wants her to try out for the all city band next year he thinks it is great that a female is playing the trombone (obviously not something they see often around here). She also had pictures for her dance recital coming up in June. Piano recitals were also this weekend and she did great. This is something she wishes her parents would allow her to give up but if you heard her play you would understand why we encourage it! Please pray for Liz as she has tryouts for childrens choral (a singing group in our town that is extremely hard to get into) this next week. This is something she truly wants (as well as grandpa Light) and has been practicing her heart out.

(piano recital)

(liz's concert - solo)

Mikaela - For once she has had a relaxing week. She has been fighting a cold so it was only two days of gymnastics to allow her to get well. She did perform in her first piano recital and did excellent! Getting up in front of people like this is not her strong point but as usual she pulled through with flying colors.

(mikaela's first piano concert)

Well....the hubby is calling as it is time to BBQ some brawts and have a beer on the porch to reflect on the week.

Next week.... off to Denver to celebrate our nephews graduation! I will update more.

Keep us in your prayers as we end the school year with lots of activities.

Love to ALL!

Happy Birthday Neal

Our nephew turned 19 today and is about to graduate high school.

This Blog is to wish him a very happy day!!!

We celebrated together at Debby's house and she did a wonderful BBQ...As always Deb it was wonderful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEAL....you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Oh yay Congratulations on getting your drivers license we are very proud of you!!!

Trip to Denver

We took Ashley and Bree to Denver for some shopping before Ashley leaves back to Iowa. This was lots of fun. We hit craft stores, malls, and ate just about anywhere imaginable. The biggest thing was taking Ashley to Beau Jo's for pizza in the mountains. This was exiting because not only did it have the spring beauty but it was snowing in"MAY".

We also celebrated birthdays for Theresa and Neal.

When we returned to Casper last night we had 6 inches of snow in "MAY"!

I would also like to note that this was one of the first trips we took without Liz. She is at the age where traveling all the time with parents just is not cool...so she stayed with her friend Kayleen. I believe that even though it was an adventure for her it was also difficult. We missed her greatly and I think Mikaela had the hardest time. When we returned they were actually laughing and helping each other with chores:)

Enjoy the pictures:

(Bree and Ashley; Idahoe Springs; Beau Jo's Pizza)

(Colorado Rockies)

(Ashley and Mikaela)

update on house

We have the exterminator coming at the end of this week. The water pipe that burst and flooded the basement is fixed and the house is essentially back in order. The fridge was repaired nicely by the husband. All seems to be coming together.

Finals for Theresa are next week!! "YAY" Then it is off to summer school "YUCK"

The girls are doing all the year end stuff at school...I will post as they occur so be checking in.

We have band concerts, dance recitals, track day, fied trips, and many more.

Love to all

Soccer

Liz started soccer for the Spring. She does well, and truly puts in her best effort. She is debating on going to a little soccer camp this summer. She will also be going to church camp. Soccer camp is a maybe because there is a possibility of her working with handicap kids at a horse ranch. She loves horses and she loves helping...this might be a good area for her!

Happy Birthday Mikaela

My baby has officially turned 7!!!! She has informed me that she is no longer a baby. Hah who says!

Here are some pictures of her party. We did the family thing and presents on Weds the 18th and then had friends over to party on Friday. (tonight) This was a good time. She had 9 kids attend and we did the doughnut game and lifesaver game. 4 of them stayed the night and will be gone at 9am tomorrow. (no sleep for mom) Meantime Ken leaves tomorrow at 7am to go to Indiana for the week so I am a single clean up crew and single mom for the week. Not to bad I can manage!

Enjoy the pictures.

Basement floods: 4/14/2007

It was a great weekend until we found that one of our pipes froze over the winter and busted. It is a pipe that went into our basement. Ken went to water the front yard and was having a wonderful time. He came in and decided to shower when he came down the stairs and steps in about 3" of water. So needless to say we spent the rest of the evening clearing out boxes and cleaning up. The next day consisted of repairs to the pipe and getting the wet smell out of the home!

When they say it rains it poors...in the meantime as we were cleaning up we discovered termites, here come the exterminators!

Not done yet....then the refrigerator decided to leak all over the kitchen.

I am about sick of water!

But it is all over and we are on our way to recovery! Just in time for Ken to get ready to head to Indiana for the week.

EASTER; HE IS ALIVE!

HAPPY EASTER FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!!!

FROM: THE ANTHONY'S AND ALL OUR EXTRAS:)

from Left to Right: Ashley, Theresa, Ken, Kayleen, Mikaela, and Liz

Bree was unable to be here for dinner but she was with us in our hearts. Ashley is a college student where both Bree and I attend and is very homesick. We have taken her in and she has become one of the family. (Her and Bree are good friends and Bree knew we could help ease some of the homesickness...they come for dinner and family time several times a week and always on Sunday). Kayleen, is also a part of the family and is Liz's closest friends.

We have many family and friends that cannot be together during this glorious time but know that you all are a part of our family in our hearts!!!

Jesus is alive in each and everyone one of us!!!

God Bless to all

Have a Great DAY

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came first thing this morning. The 6 year old was up at the crack of dawn ready to find what the bunny left. The 12 year old was ready to sleep until 10 am....who do you think won??? We attended church service last night so it was nice to have the have the morning to move slow and enjoy the girls. I made pancakes and orange juice and then it was time to watch some Sunday morning cartoons. What a great morning!!

(A pre-teen early in the morning:)

(dying Easter Eggs)

(finding Easter Bunny droppings)

Quick Updates

This week was a little crazier then normal so here it is in a nut shell:

Liz and Mikaela had the flu (not fun) but both have recovered nicely.

Mikaela had her first injury with gymnastics (no broken bones). She slid off the beam and hurt her inner thigh. The good thing is she got right back up and got back on the beam!

Liz started soccer this week and is going full force.

We had a major snow storm that shut down every highway that came into Casper. This was not fun except to deal with it and go out and play in it. This also meant a day off for Ken! They never did shut down the schools so while Ken and I had the day off the kids went to school...Ken and I went SHOPPING:) (seriously; we went shopping so get all your minds out of the gutter)

It has been three days since the snow storm and you would never no it because it is gone.

I got an unexpected email from my cousin on my moms side to inform me that my grandmother was going in for bipass heart surgery. It was nice to hear from them and I called my uncle Roy the following day (I do not believe we have ever even spoken). Little awkward but well worth it! I have been following grandma's recovery and she is doing great and back home. I hope to keep the communication open with this side of the family because it was very cool to hear from them.

Ken's grams has made an awesome recovery and believe it or not after a complete hip replacement and being told that she may not make it she is home and doing GREAT! You go girl...I hope that I have that kind of motivation at her age.

Last but not least my prayers go to grandma Light and Stacy as her grandmother/great-grandmother has gone to be with the Lord this last week. This was a special person to the Light family and to many other people out there. We love you all and are with you during this time of sorrow.

Love to all