10th Birthday

 Saturday we celebrated her 10th Birthday.

Today is her actual Birthday

 15 kids come to celebrating. 

 She wanted cup cakes  to decorate individual cup cakes. 

 She even had a combo jump house.

She had a blast, Thank you everyone to help make this all possible.

Purple Lion DONE

Thank you to Mary we finished this Purple Lion with Yellow Wings today.  

Oh my goodness.

I would not recommend this patter to any one.  Really hard.

But we are done and 5 days before Olivia's Birthday Party. 

Yea

 I finished up the body

 While Mary Finished the head

 All done.

 Thank you Mary for helping me do this long project.

Hope she likes it.

Camp

Olivia went to Rainbow Trails Lutheran Camp for a whole 7 days 6 nights.

She lasted through the whole camp with no calling home.  

She made a new best friend, hikes, picked up a snake, played, crafts, wood work, and so much more she is still telling us about it.  

She came back a little taller and tanner.

One happy little girl.

Thank you for all the people that bought bread to help get her there.

Update

Just to keep our family informed. 

Olivia's custody paper work is in the works.

As long as her mother signs, this is what it will be.

Olivia stays in Colorado with us, 

Fall Break with us,

Thanksgiving break with mom,

Christmas and spring break are split 

Summers 1/3 with Dad, 2/3 mom.

We are excited it went smooth.

Now we have to focus on Olivia and helping her adjust.

Just for you out there,

Olivia asked if we could take her mom's dog in if she takes care of it!

I an not a dog person, we already  have one I am counting down the year til it dies.

We have three cats and a mouse.

My thought is we have too many animals.

What is your thought?

Fire

For the last week I have been working on and off from the Black Forest Fire.  We had 18 residences in our district that lost everything.  Yesterday everyone was let into the area to see there home and get stuff they need or moved back in.  It was very emotional day.  I met one family that lost everything and I would like to help in a small way.
With out too much detail, I am asking you to help me. Next time you are in a restaurant and there are beer coasters, can you get me one that is in good condition? Looking for non chain restaurants only from all over the world. Thank you soo Much

Early Gift

 Mom and Dad arrived in Colorado the day we arrived home from Virginia.

Like always they bring present.

Jon and Olivia got roller blades.

Olivia's eyes lite right up and was speechless.

 Jon took her outside and showed her how it was done.  

 She was trying to figure out up hill skating.

It has been one week and she does not take the skates off at all.  You would never known she just got them.  She is a riding machine for hours.  Two scrapped knees and sore hands.  She loves it.
When I tucked her in tonight she said her feet were sore.  I bet she will ride again tomorrow.

Thanks Mom and Dad

Please Pray

Three weeks ago we were informed by Olivia that she is moving.

Ok, moving where you might ask.

Her step father got into medical school in Dominica the Island

At Ross University.

WHAT?

After a disturbing phone call

this was true. 

Olivia's mother is up rooting all the kids, with no job, and moving out of the country.

I can tell you our lawyer was already contacted and informed us she has no right to do so.

So, our sweet little girl is stressed out, torn, tearful, but tries to be positive.

We Only tell her the facts when we know them.  

Unfortunate they come from Face book when her mother post, 

because she will not tell us anything.

Olivia is safe, here in Colorado Springs, but please pray her her to help her get through this 

process.

She is almost 10 and should be thinking about her birthday, friends, and summer fun.

Virginia

 We went off to Grottoes, Virginia to see Jon's Set parents.  While we were there, we had great photo opertinunities.  Loves this one of Olivia and his parents.

 Jon and I even got a good one too.

 We went to a safari and feed the animals, or they helped themselves.

 The Giraffe loved there green shirts he kept licking them.

 We found sparklers at the dollar store since they are ban here.

 We went to see Jon's brother on his farm and Olivia catch a mouse

Yes Wild Mouse

 The next day we drove to Washington DC

Olivia had love hate relationship with it.  

Too much walking

 On our way home we saw this LOVE sign

Totally had to try and get a good photo

 More Sparklers

 Then 5 minutes from his parents house was these amazing caves.  

So much to see in a small area

 Our final good byes

Mother's Day

 We celebrated Mothers day the Thursday before.

Olivia made all of these things for me.

Above is a card, crotchet patch with a heart and a vase with flowers.

This is a close up of the vase and flowers she made a school.

I love her creativity she puts into these things.

Over whelmed with love.

purple lion update

 Wings are done, 

 We messed up on the legs as the instructions are not the greatest.  

There are 8 legs on the lion.

The mane, toe nails and ears are done.  

Getting there.

home made

 Can you figure out what Olivia made in school at recess?

Moab

 Jon went to Moab Utah for 5 days with 3 other guys.  This was Jon's first adventure with these guy and First hard mountain biking trip.  He had a blast and they schedule another one a year from this fall.

He is all healed up, no broken bones, and still loves this sport.  So proud of him to find a passion.

Olivia's Camera

2011 Olivia got a camera for her birthday.  Took took a lot of pictures then miss placed her camera. 

This weekend Olivia found her camera.

She wanted to share the pictures.

These pictures are from her trip to Alabama 

 Youngest brother top, oldest brother bottom

 Aunt and two brothers

 Olivia being Olivia

This last picture was Sunday on her way to the Zoo.

Third Grade

Third Grade school photo.

Family drawing

 Olivia brought home a Dragon drawling book.  She wanted Family time tonight to draw this dragon above by following the steps.

 Above is Olivia's

 Then Jon's dootling

Then mine.

I think Olivia did the best though.  Give her 10 more years and she will be make the book.