Forgotten Carols

This year has been very trying for the Staff at work so when we were able to obtain tickets to this seasons show we leapt at the opportunity. This year we took Mayleen and Alesha. We laughed, cried and felt a great feeling of love as Michael McLean reminded us of the love and true meaning of Christmas.
Every year when attend I have a different feeling and a reassurance that my heavenly father loves me and hears my pleas and cries. Sometimes that answer comes to us in the form of music. Music that touches our souls.

Happy Birthday Hoho

Pops this year got the family tickets to see Scrooged at the Desert Star Playhouse. He called ahead so they'd announce her birthday at the end of the show. It was fun to be together as a family and make new memories together. The nice thing about the Playhouse is that you can eat while you enjoy the show. We've been lucky enough to make some special memories for our birthdays.

  If we've learned anything this year its that making memories with the ones we love is the most important in life. Just because we've all grown up and have our separate lives doesn't mean we can't still make family memories.

 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was very small and quiet. Phillip had to work. Davy and Becca went to Eagle Mt. to be with family. So it was just nine people. It's the first year without grandma so it was a very quiet. We've had a rough year but had so many blessings this year. Now we're coming into the Christmas season and I look forward to family traditions and memories.

Cast OFF

Six grueling weeks since my left foot has seen the light of day! The podiatrist gave me a brace to wear for the next few weeks. Its tender but I'm excited to see what the next few weeks will bring.

Garth Brooks

When I was six years old Heidi won tickets to see Garth Brooks. I wanted to see him so badly. There was no way an eighteen year old was taking her six year old kid sister to a concert. So I stomped my foot and told her I'd never speak to her again. Throughout all this Heidi promised me that someday I would get to see Garth Brooks.
 Flash forward to September twenty-five years later. This gal almost forgot that temper tantrum. Heidi's face beamed as she stated, "Garth is coming here on tour and we're getting tickets!" So it just so happens that he was doing a show on Halloween.

Best birthday ever! Here's to a great year as a thirty one year old.

Allergy Test

I went and saw the ENT because my primary doctor has been worried about my constant ear infections. The ENT did hearing tests and found out I'm right on the boarder to pass on my right ear and just above the boarder in my left. This chickadee just barely passed. They decided the next round of tests would be allergy.
  I suffer from extreme seasonal allergies every time the seasons change. They hoped maybe it would help keep me from loosing Moore hearing. The results are my poor arm above.... the ENT told my to opt for the serum. This way I wouldn't have to come in for a weekly shots. So after they make up my serum I will be the proud owner of an epipen in case I react to the serum in anyway...

Foot Surgery

As many of my family and friends know I'm not the most graceful of people. My senior year of high school I had my right foot fused. We found out I had loose joints and something wrong with my tendons. They told me I would most likely be back shortly to get the left one fixed. Thirteen years ago that was a four plus month recovery. Being the stubborn person I am I decided to wait until the left was as bad as the right.
  fast forward thirteen years to this summer. I rolled my ankle, and I rolled my ankle bad. I distinctly remember a loud pop as I hobbled back to the van. It never healed right. So by September I found myself meeting with a podiatrist. I had never really gotten an answer to why my feet where the way they where. First thing they did was order x-rays. The podiatrist told me my bones were fine, but there was a small problem. The tendon that is suppose to cushion my ankle joint was nonexistent.
  I thought back to the last surgery and was not excited. The podiatrist insured me the procedure he did could have me up and walking in eight weeks!

Aiden's rough Week

I'm not a big gabbber, but when I got a text seven years ago announcing the birth of this boy it was an instant bond. Bug came into the world September 16, 2008 at a mere 28 to 29 weeks gestation. Little man wasn't due until beginning of December. Here I found myself looking at a tiny 2lb baby laying in an incubator praying for my sister's sake that he'd live, and be healthy.
He had his fair share of struggles, and by one they put a shunt in to help drain the extra fluid off his brain. As he grew he gained family members. His sisters love to be with him and play. Most of all he loved them.

Every step forward with him has been a blessing, from walking, talking, school, potty training to simply hearing aids for school. His biggest challenges have been watching his physical activity with the placement of the shunt. He hasn't ever had too many issues with the shunt giving him problems in the last six years.

 

This week Aiden turned seven. Sissy and I have been reflecting on his birth and how amazing he's doing. We had a picnic and pictures planned for today to celebrate his and H's birthdays. When I got a scary text message and call from my bug. "Auntie my head hurts real bad. So mommy took me to the doctor.'' I sigh, trying not to make him nervous, ''well buddy that's the best place to be.'' After a quick chat with sissy I find out that they're worried about his shunt. All his cultures came back negative for infection. So now they have to do x-rays,CT scans, and MRI's to check his shunt is working properly. I knew it was going to be a long night. Finally at midnight I get a call from sissy about Bug's shunt. After six years of the same shunt his is finally decided to cause grief. The good news was there's no blockage, but for some reason his shunt is draining the fluid too fast and that causes him to get sick. They put a neurosurgeon on call just in case anything goes wrong.

So happy Birthday Buggy Auntie loves you and hopefully the next year isn't quite as hectic as this one!

 

Miss H is Nine

Easter 2015

Cat in the hat program second grade

four years old dec 2010

fifth Birthday

Baby H

We are so lucky to have this sweet girl in our life! Happy Birthday Hermione Marie we love you so much! I can't believe you're nine. Seems like yesterday you were in preschool and Abby was a baby.

Pink Eye and Double Ear Infection

Unfortunately we have had a great case of pink Eye spread around the school like wild fire. We've sent home kids left and right with goopy eyes right before labor day weekend. My ears had been bothering me as well and I tried my darnedest to flush my eyes with baby shampoo.  Unfortunately I had a severe allergic reaction.
  So ended up visiting my doctor for eye drops and antibiotics. My eyes were so swollen they hurt to blink! My eyelids pulled and my tear ducts were clogged for a good week. On top of that my doctor wants me to go see an ENT because of my constant ear infections. So they have a hearing test scheduled for thec12 of October. I'm just tired of being sick.

August Birthdays

The birthdays in our family go as follows January is Mom, April is Katie and Charlie, May is Becca, July is Pops and Abby, August just happens to be Davy and Phil's. September we have Hermione and Aiden, October we've got me and December Hoho and Kman. David's birthday was at the beginning of the month so it was BBQ all the way. Weather worked in our favor as its been a hot August.  As for Phil his birthday is towards the end of the month. He wanted Dutch oven. (insert drooling mouth now...)
So I helped dad make his famous Dutch oven potatoes. Then he made BBQ chicken, and cobbler. All of which was gluten free by the way. The weather was also in our favor which helped in the cooking and sitting on the deck. I'm truly going to miss these summer shindigs. I love fall, but its been a decent summer.

Abby

I don't know who told her she could grow up.... my beanie baby is five! Sassy, smart, and all girl. On top of that she's starting kindergarten in less then eight weeks.

All of these little miss to big diva....

Pops Birthday

I love this old man so much! He hasn't had the best year and frankly a cruddy birthday month. There has been a fair share of family issues and such. I'm glad Heidi and I were able to take mom and him to see Joseph and the Technicolor Dream coat. It was at the outdoor amphitheater in midway. The weather was gorgeous and we had front row seats!
 I made dinner and we had a nice meal before heading over. The show started at dusk so we didn't have to worry about heat or such. It was just nice to spend time with my parentals. I think we may have started a new tradition! We are going to do a birthday party for Abby and Papa Pete on Saturday night.

Grandma laid to Rest

the grandsons got to be the pallbearers
Sebastian Ivan, Phillip Scott, Christopher Marcelino,
David William, Austin David, Anthony Jay, Kevin Carter

Carter Men
Colin Carter, Peter Beverley, Stephen Beverley

Siblings
All though they are about 40 years apart and have different mothers
These two are indeed brother and sister. Evelyn Edna Carter "Edna" and Colin Carter

Joyce's Granddaughters
Cami Maria, Shannon Maria, Laura Anne, Kandis Marie

some of the grandsons

Grandma Joyce never wanted a big funeral. We had a beautiful graveside with a dedication on the grave and a small talk. Grandma left behind four children, thirteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren with two on the way.

Grandma Joyce

I got a rough phone call the evening of the fourth of July. My dear grandma had been put on hospice just two weeks earlier and had fallen that morning. By evening she'd slipped into a coma. I called my cousin frantically not knowing whether I should come say my goodbyes or wait until morning. My cousin told me she'd keep me posted and I reluctantly went to bed with my phone by my side.
 I made it down to her place by 9am. She was in bad shape. I held her hand and talked to her. Told her it was okay to go and that we loved her. Anyone who knows my grandmother knows that she was a short, sweet, stubborn British woman. There were many times when the Vail seemed thin. I knew that her family was there. I know they pleaded with her to go. But she wanted only one person in particular to take her home. Her mother.
We felt the presence of them a few times that beautiful wet morning as she'd take what seemed like her last breath. Only to gasp as if telling them no and continue on for a few more hours. We watched many beautiful miracles leading up to Grandma's passing. Finally after what seemed like a life time of watching her struggle to breath and refuse to leave a silence came over the room.
 This time the presence was different. I leaned over and squeezed Grandma's hand. She's here isn't she? We all replied as Grandma's face went calm. We told her we loved her and it was time to go home. She squeezed my hand and was gone.  Grandma we love you and your legacy will live on.

Silver Family Picnic

 

My mother's family is huge. She is the youngest of eight children(12 if they'd all survived) Each of her siblings has four or more children. Last time I figured it out I think the great grandchildren were up to 45! Uncle Dennis passed away earlier in the month thus making it easier for many to attend this large FHE/family potluck.

It was a bit overwhelming. I hadn't seen that many Silver Family members since grandpa died over twenty years ago! It was nice to catch up and visit, even if it was a boiling 105 degrees! I say next time it should be in the Fall when its cooler. All in all its nice to see the growth and change in the family.

Father's Day

I feel like Dad really gets under appreciated on Father's day. Don't get me wrong we love our papason. My dad is the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. He's taught me the importance of family and being kind, strong and ever loving.

He's shown me through example the importance of maintaining a loving relationship with our siblings and family. He has taught my brothers to respect not only their mother but all woman in general. He has instilled in us a love for nature and viewing it in a big truck while rumbling down a dirt road. Daddy I love you and want you to know that you are amazing!

Mother's Day



From left to right and top to bottom: David, Becca, Phillip, Hermione,
Katie, Charlotte, Abbygail, Heidi, me, Aiden, and Kevin

As Mother's day approached this year I knew exactly what to get my mom. Now anyone who knows my siblings and I we HATE getting our pictures taken. Last kids pictures were taken before David and Becca were even dating! So I called up my siblings and demanded April 18th be free. Dad helped keep momzilla busy and used the excuse of needing help for Charlie Girl's birthday BBQ.

David and Becca

 it was so hard not to leak these pictures on Facebook before mother's day. Especially since I took them. It took major self control and excitement for mom to have a picture of the whole family. This including spouses and Katie.

Girls picture
Me, Charlie, Katie, Becca, Heidi, Abby, Hermione

 it was a gorgeous day and the weather worked in our favor. The kids had a blast and we all cracked jokes as we walled around the international peace gardens. Mom loved the pictures too.

Boys picture
Aiden, Kevin, Phillip, David


 

Busy April!

April is the month of Birthdays. Eight ate least. I had one just about every week three in the first eight days. Trying to keep up with birthdays and everything else I've found it's time to clump.

Happy 18th birthday to Jennifer Jean. Wow I can't believe you're going to graduate from high school! I miss your creativity and spontaneous ideas for games when you were little. I love you sunflower!

Ah Sissy, I hope you have an awesome thirtieth birthday. I'm bummed I missed the annual trip to Desert Star and hope you and mom had fun. You are an amazing momma and your kids love and adore you. You're strong and never give up when the going gets tough. Happy day of birth sissy, and here's to many more!

I don't know who told this little lady she could turn three. This little miss has always been auntie Shan's little bee. Who knows why. (couldn't be the name... Charlotte Shannon) I love ever minute spent with this little lady and her adorable siblings. Happy Birthday Baby Bee!

Barth Kiddos Pics

So when I originally did A's pictures and the kids we had weather issues and time crunch. So we did them again to insure a decent amount of options for her mom's wall.

These are all from our second shoot. i almost needed a children's handler to get them all smiling at the same time. We always seem to have an adventure!