Grandma's Birthday

Happy 55th Birthday Grandma! Robert brought a wheel chair and a walker for mom to try out on her birthday. She sat in it for the cake and ice cream. She says the greatest thing about turning 55 is the shopping. Apparently there's a clothing store around here that has a senior discount day! Way to go Mom!!

Letting Go...

We said goodbye to Sugar this morning. He was in the hospital all last night. He was having very labored breathing, which I thought may be from pain he was having in his hip. The Dr. diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. She said the labored breathing was caused by the excessive fluid in his lungs. His blood test showed an increase in white blood cell production, which indicated he also had pneumonia. He was given oxygen to help slow his breathing and some medicine to reduce the fluid in his lungs. We kept him there through the night and called all the brothers and sisters. In the morning he had not improved, the Dr. said he could be in the hospital for up to 2 weeks, and his life expectancy with CHF would be 2 months. Ryan met Robert at the hospital around 4am. and they took him the the vet together at 7am. Robert came to pick us up so we could all say goodbye to Sugar. The kids were sad to know Sugar wouldn't be coming home with us. They wouldn't pet him or say goodbye, just like they do at Grandma and Pa Pa's house. If they don't say goodbye then you won't leave kind of thing. After saying goodbye we left Ryan with Sugar and Dad came by. T said, "I want my Sugar" on the way home. His breathing was so labored, I know he is already feeling better and playing up there- but he will be greatly missed here! Robert posted a tribute to Sugar on his real estate blog.

I called mom to check on her and Ryan. She went to the Dr. to be with Ryan when he came out of the office. She reminded me that "Sugar" was one of Jade's first words. He was so protective of Jade. When she'd cry, he'd come and get me. There was no way I could let her cry herself to sleep at nap time. He wouldn't have it. He liked sleeping with her. She'd say, "Sugar's sleeping with me, Mom". He loved chasing them all over the house... and they loved being chased. He and T liked to argue over the blanket. I had to make them take turns (with a timer) just like two brothers. And Sugar really had them trained. Let me start by pointing out that Sugar has a treat problem. I'm not sure when it started, but when he gets treats it's like Doggie Crack for him and he just can't get enough. Pretty soon he'd stop eating his food and reserve the space for treats. He'd live off them alone if we let him. So, we try to be careful about the treats. But, the kids just couldn't grasp that concept. They enjoyed to challenge of trying to figure out what Sugar wanted. There's only 3 things Sugar ever wants. 1. To go outside 2. To go with you 3. Treats! One time, Sugar was whining, so we asked Jade to let him out. She opened the door and said, "Here Sugar, come on." Rob and I were watching TV, but we heard her so, "No, oh ok. Sugar wants a treat." And she shut the door and headed straight to the pantry for his treats. I noticed Sugar doing the same thing when T would go to the door.He'd stand at the door like he needs to go out and if one of the kids lets him out, he'd back up and nod his head to the kitchen. So, Sugar was whining at the door to see who would open it- me, rob, or one of the kids. If it was one of the kids then SCORE!!! They'd go get him A TREAT anytime he told them to!! Which was often!! So smart!!

Aunt Kristy's video

Here is a video Aunt Kristy put together from Kylene's wedding photos. Click here for her other video.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to Nenee and Grandma and Me

Yeah for us! I sent Mom a letter with pictures from Jade(T won't color!!). She drew a picture of herself on the beach in the sand and the whole picture was done in a light peach color. Mom said,"And I see a picture here with a red border, but nothings on it" HAHAHAHA!! The other picture was of Jade and Sugar, and on the back was a picture of Nenee. I sent her flowers, well, a picture of flowers- so she could tape it to her office wall.

Rob and the kids got me a box of chocolates to help me with my diet.

At church the kids made me Mother's Awards with hershey's kisses and hugs taped to them. I know there were kisses and hugs on them, because when the kids gave me my awards the wrapper were still there as evidence!! But, I got chocolate kisses smeared on my checks and that was better!! (For my diet, too!!)

After church, we went to Aunt Kristina and Uncle Ricks. The food was incredible and man can they set a table. The presentation was so nice, it was almost a shame to have to mess it all up. The kids gave Grandma their present (of chocolates from around the world), but T made Grandma let him unwrap it.

Aunt Kristy put Jade's hair up in pigtails and it was so cute. Her hair is really getting long!! Jade and Aunt Kristy cuddled up and watched Toy Story, while T had a good time jumping over Uncle Rick.

Go Rick Go!!

Rick was on TV last night. AND he had the largest sound byte of all the candidates! YEAH Rick!!!

Kylene & Jeff's Wedding

Rob's Photo Album
Kylene and Jeff were married at the San Antonio Temple. It was a beautiful day and the flowers were spectacular. Their reception was at the DoubleTree Hotel. In the courtyard area there were several fountains. Perfect for pictures.

For the Slideshow Presentation Push Play on the Player then click the link:

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Kristina put together a fantastic slideshow on her family website. (Mom, be sure to click the play button just under the field of flowers picture to start the music, then click on start slideshow- you and Aunt Marie will feel like you were there.) I can't wait to figure out how to do this!!!



Jade's Photo Album
Jade took some fantastic pictures at the Temple. She really has a unique view because of her height. She can get in there and get the pictures no one else can! AND because of her age, everyone is willing to humor her. They'll pose for her and she gets some great candid shot. She's so small, she hard to notice. To view Jade's album click the picture on the left.

Comedy Night

Thursday nights are our TV night. Uncle Ryan comes over, we put the kids to bed and watch NBC. Occasionally Ryan gets there before the kids go to bed, and they love playing with him. He brought them a Socccer Snoopy tonight. They really like it. Jade shared her OREO cereal with him while they watched "Piglet's Big Movie". Ryans new favorite!! He'd occasional come into the office to check the BYU / Xavier basketball game. Rob got home around 8:30 and the kids went to bed!!! YEAH, now for the laughs!!!!!

Ky's Bridal Shower

Do you know what gift goes for each anniversary? Me either! I totally lost at that game. Then we played a really fun trivia game about how well we knew the bride and groom. We were asked questions like: Where they were born, how tall they were, where they met, and where he proposed. We played gift bingo while Ky opened her gifts, and Kristina made her a bridal shower veil from the wrapping.

Aunt Ky's Day Off

Aunt Kylene had a day off today, she had lots to do, but we have really been missing her. She's been busy getting ready for the wedding. The third picture is Jade's reaction to the spider I was chasing down with a shoe!

Ky's Endowment Day

Ky got her endowments out Feb. 22. We dropped the kids off with Amie Taylor and headed down to San Antonio around 5pm. we took the long way, but later found out that's the only reason we made it on time. Kristina and Rick took I-35 from downtown around 4 and made it to the temple about 15min. before us! It was great having the whole Rees family in the Celestial Room! After the session, we went to IHOP and got home late! Amie called me the next day and said the kids had a great time playing with Javan. T was afraid of their dog, but it's a Great Dane and twice T's height. She said T ran around the house saying, "What the heck?" (we'll listen out for that), and that Jade is definitely going to need braces. She really loves sucking her thumb.

Jefra's Birthday

We celebrated Jefra's birthday at Mom and Dad's this year. The kids helped her open her presents, which was great practice for Christmas! PS- Jade took these last three pictures.

Rick's Birthday

Happy Birthday Rick! My what a moist cake!
Thanks for the help, Jade & T!

Ryan's Birthday

Happy Birthday Ryan!

We went to Grandma & Pa Pa's house to celebrate Ryan's birthday. The kids loved helping him open his presents.

Jade & Pa Pa

Jade and Pa Pa got tired of waiting for us to get off the computer, so they cuddled up on the floor and took a nap!

Ryan and Jefra's Reception

Kristina & Rick's Birthday

I guess if we're gonna have a party at our house, it's gonna be a kid party! Hey, ya'll are still young right?

Talking to Grandma

Jade wanted to call Grandma on the way home from Utah.

At the Park with Grandma!

Grandma met us at the park for lunch!

Kristina & Rick's Wedding

Aunt Ky