Mary and her braces...

Mary's before picture

She watched Sponge Bob majority of the time, but claimed what they did was creepy.

Mary's after picture.

I was trying to make her laugh and smile like normal. As many of you know when Mary was 14 months old she fell and shoved what teeth she had back up into her gums like they had never come out. Her gymnast injuries began then as she was on the playground when it happened. She severely damaged her two front teeth and chipped them. She was able to keep them until sometime during her kindergarten years amazingly enough. But then they absessed over night. So she was without her front teeth for a couple of years after having to have them removed. She was able to enjoy them for 4 years and continue eating apples and such. So it is exciting to see her get her braces and see her beautiful smile. Her permanent teeth came in and looked good, but I still believe they also sustained some trauma, or her mouth did as they did not come in very straight. So there wasn't ever much hope for her teeth, but now we are doing the final procedure on her front teeth,
which will last around 9 months.
Her smile is beautiful and will be that much more beautiful when she is done.

Wordless Wednesday

Puppy Graduation

Isn't she darling?This is she and Adam during some of her test taking. She did everything perfect.
Come
Sit
Stay
Down
Walking on a leash
Leave it
(I can't remember what else)

Izzy and Kona

Izzy and Diesel doing what dogs do.

What a gem we got and from the shelter. We are so lucky.

Eating her graduation cap. She is the only one that wouldn't wear it long enough for a picture.

We sort of got one.

Now on to intermediate classes starting next month.

Some of her friends will be there.

Wordless Wednesday

(but updated on Sat.)

Compassion

http://www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/

Take a minute and read this blog. I wish I was an eloquent writer. So bear with me. This blog touched me as a mom, a wife, and a Christian. I found out later that they were from Colorado. I just can't imagine what I would do if it was my family, so I feel I should share their story. Maybe if to spread the word to check smoke alarms and have a fire plan for your family and/or to share the need of this fabulous family. Thanks for taking the time to read about them.

Pink Cowboy Hat

Lilly was incredibly shy buying her pink cowboy hat, but absolutely loves it. The lady kept trying to talk to her and she insisted on hiding behind me. This is how she poses for pictures. She hates having her picture taken right now.She wouldn't touch any of the animals but one cow. She was fascinated looking though and didn't want to leave.
The one and only touch.
She was so excited to ride a horse. It was a fluke she got one named Dr. Pepper. She had to hurry home and call Tanya. She grinned the whole time. We did get some pictures of her smiling then. Rare thing.

I was just totally impressed with this guys horns. He just stood their and posed the whole time.

We had a great time. She didn't want to leave all the animals.

Now she is ready for the zoo again.

Mixed feelings...

They are starting to build in the lot next to us. I am not happy about it.

It will be fun to watch a house be built so close.

Our sledding hill was so awesome though.

Our amazing view is about to be messed with.

New neighbors.

Truly mixed feelings.

Wordless Wednesday

4th

No Cheating! Fourth folder, fourth picture. No matter how awful, no matter how embarrassing. And definitely no editing! We want to see it! :)

My fourth folder, after all of that, was empty. So I picked from my 3rd and 5th. The first picture is from the kids swimming at our old house. How fun it was to have the pool directly across from our house. We almost lived at the pool that summer. The second is one of Adam's pictures that he took to inventory our house before going on vacation. That was the boys computer set up. Adam told me shortly after we married that our whole family would someday have a computer. I told him there was no way that I would allow that. It was just silly. Here are, years later. Adam has multiple computer, the boys and I each have one and the girls share one. But that isn't going very well. They fight over whose turn it is. I should have know being married to him meant that we would all have our own computers. ;)

Your turn!

Mary's Fun Meet

Mary's gym had a fun meet this weekend. It is the equivalent to a recital for dance. She had so much fun and it was nice and relaxed. She hadn't done her routines since before Thanksgiving, but she did a great job. She is so much stronger than she was 2 months ago it was fun to see her improve. She had been at the gym for 3 hours by the time she start the meet,

she was tired, but did great.She is in the red, 4th one back.
It was cold in the gym when she was just standing around ready to start.

Ready for her vault.

Salute!

Bar routine

Floor routine

Coming out of her back handspring

Waiting for awards

Hand Stand Contest

Mary came in 2nd in her group.

She is beautiful. We are so proud of her.

30 lbs.

I am guessing that Izzy weighs about 30 lbs. now. She is just growing like a weed. She was Lulu's size when we brought her home, now Lulu just walk under her without any problems. She is such a great dog. She is excelling at puppy class and always walks in and gives all the other dogs a slurp. She just loves everyone. I am not going into this blind, but I think we have a gem. She is such a good dog. She loves being upside down and Lulu typically has that look on her face when watching Izzy. She just can't quite figure her out.

We had more fun than any family should be allowed to have!!

Thank you for all the fun ladies. We are counting the days until you return!