My last blog post was 2011....wow! I think it is about time to get back at it! (Also, I need a hobby.) I know everyone is just on the edge of their seats waiting for a post!
The cool thing is that my last post was somewhat of a timeline for Layne and since we just celebrated her graduation....it kind of works.

 

 

 

I am not going to try and fill in all the blanks from 2011, most everyone that will read this also follows me in some form or fashion (Facebook or instagram....no twitter for me).

I will say, I am beyond proud of Layne. She has grown into a very enjoyable, responsible, funny, intelligent, good person. I see our relationship evolving and I love it!

We still don't quite know where she will end up this fall. I keep asking and her answer is always the same....I want to play volleyball. It will hurt my heart if that doesn't happen. I think every kid that wants to play should get to play. Don't get me wrong, she has a few options, I just don't know how it will all work out.

Heath is in the midst of summer madness....summers are very busy for his department. He is currently in Denver while the Youth National Team (YNT) trains for the NORCECA Continental Championships in Cost Rica. The only thing I care about is if he goes to the sloth sanctuary!!

 

This will be somewhat of a last hoorah as Manager for the girls High Performance, he will be moving to the boys' side of things after this trip/summer. I think it will be a great change of pace for him. I am excited for him.

 

I hope this attempt at a blog post will encourage me to keep at it. I like to blog! 

Happy Birthday Layne

I wanted to do a little blog for Layne's birthday and visit her previous 14 special days. It is hard for me to believe that she is going to turn 15 tomorrow...as I sit here fighting back the tears. It seems like just a few days ago she was a tiny little baby. It was fun to pull out these old photos and remember.

I don't have many photos of when I was pregnant...this one was in April of 1996

And this one was about 3 weeks before I had Layne.

I had no idea at this point in my life that I would only get one chance to do this...but really, she is the most amazing daughter and I am so lucky.

Look at those feet...they were big then and they still are today.

Heath and Layne



 This might be our first nap together.

That cute little face.....

This was the day we went home.



Birthday #1...first time having cake or anything sweet.

A ball....so happy.

Birthday #2 with cousin Taylor and the Barbie Jeep.



Blowing out the candles with dad.

This is still her 2nd birthday. We often celebrated multiple times each year. This was with all her friends.

Layne, Erica and Ryan

Birthday #3...for this birthday, all she wanted was a pony and her room painted pink. For most kids what would be out of the question.



Not only did she get a pony but she got a mom and baby.

This one was already named Sparkles...perfect!!

And she named this one Birdie.

And she got the pink room.

Birthday #4...Game boy

Birthday #5 was a swimming party at the farm.

Birthday #6 was with a broken arm and hundreds of little girls at our house...well, maybe just 10 or 11.

She also thought it would be cool to have our yard "decorated" for her birthday.

We had a few girls from the club come over and get this done....and Heath helped.

Birthday #7 was a skating party at the Skate Pit in Knoxville.

For the 8th birthday...we had a big Luau

This was also the year she got Oliver.

9th birthday was a cool bike.

10th birthday looks like a lame party with just mom and dad...couldn't be, I am sure I just can't find the other pics.

This was the birthday that she got Pedro. I can't seem to find the actually pics of her getting him on her birthday, so I will share a few others.

Layne's 11th birthday would be her first out of Iowa...she chose to spend the day with mom and dad at the Royal Gorge.

I honestly can not find any photos from her 12th birthday...I know she had one and I am sure it was great!!

On her 13th birthday, we had a super breakfast followed by gifts.

For her 14th birthday she got her trampoline re-stitched.....

....some cool gifts.....

.....and a slumber party.

As fast as it takes to get through this blog...is how fast the last 15 years have gone by. I have so much joy and such great memories!!

Happy Birthday Layne....I hope you have a wonderful day and that you stop making each year go so fast. But no matter what, you are an amazing daughter and I love spending every day with you.

"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future." ~Unknown 

Hawaii 2011

At the beginning of March we were lucky enough to make our second trip to Hawaii!! This time taking some others along! Layne got to go...because we weren't allowed to go without her this time. My mom and step-dad were also able to join us. It was another great time in a beautiful place! I am so happy my mom was able to come, I know she had always wanted to go to Hawaii and I think they both had fun. The only down side to this trip was that it rained a lot!! But you can still enjoy Hawaii with a little rain.

Layne arriving in Hawaii....looking awkward!! But happy.



Day 1 we did some surf lessons! Layne, Scott and Heath really enjoyed the surfing.

We had a nice little ride and lunch by the water! Really great day.

Took a little trip to the Dole Plantation.

We had many wonderful meals! Layne enjoyed her pina colada!

Mom and Scott spotted some sea turtles on the beach. As soon as we got to them it started pouring down rain but it was so amazing to see.

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay...it was so beautiful but it did rain on us again.

The three of us getting some lunch in Haleiwa.

Doing some SUP (stand up paddle boarding) in Haleiwa. This was so much fun, I highly recommend trying this. You get out on the water and it is easy and relaxing. We saw more turtles and some peacocks??

Layne and I went to watch Hawaii play Pepperdine (in men's volleyball) while Heath was doing a tryout!

Family pic on the beach by where we stayed.

We made a quick little trip to Hilo so that Heath could do a tryout there. This was my first visit to the big island and it was so beautiful. It is much less busy than Oahu. We didn't have much time and did a speedy tour of the area. This is Rainbow Falls. We had wonderful hosts from the Moku O Keawe Region of USA Volleyball, they made us feel right at home.

Standing on one of the black sand beaches.

Leaving the island, on the plane I could see the volcano!!

We headed back to Oahu early that morning with one more day to spend there. We just hung out on the beach at Waikiki and enjoyed the day. Sad for our trip to be over.

You can view more of our photos by clicking on the tow separate links below.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150158196366351.343425.578701350&l=169e55b9b4

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1899527693688.2115469.1406522595&l=497362a4cc

I really love Hawaii...I love the easy way of life and friendly people! I hope I get to go back soon.

Mahalo.