Trevor goes to school

Trevor came back to Wisconsin with us -since Barb has an unbelieveable amount of details she needs to complete in just three weeks. Since homeschooling Trevor did not need to be one of them, she and Travis decided that the "school experience" would be benificial for Trevor. Since he is already academically ahead by a year (he is kindergarten age, but 1st grade schooled) he really just needed the "busy" and of course continuing his education is a good thing! After interviewing a couple of schools, with the input from Travis and Barb - Trevor was enrolled in a private school in the area. Upon arriving his first day - the teacher said from the hallway as Trevor was walking down to the classroom - "Trevor is that you?" Trevor said "yes, yes it is" and then you heard the scramble of feet as the six other boys in the classroom ran to the door to get a good look at the "new boy" they were so excited! Trevor ate lunch and got to play on the huge snow pile with the boys. When it was time to leave Trevor had all the names down, friends with everyone and they all took turns to hug him good-bye to see him on Monday! What a great day for him. He is so excited to go back to school and see his friends.

Note that when Brenda showed up with baby Jessica they were wowed by the baby also.....

Travis says Thank you

Travis shows his gratitude for all that Barbara did to help him through this incredibly rough year of training. Barbara had to be the chef cook, sole parent, fix-it girl, wife, supporter, and team mate for studying, and relaxing..... wow. I am amazed at what they both have accomplished. The end is not yet here... they have not arrived (do we ever?) now, Barb must endure another six months alone -while Travis puts the finishing touches on his education - Barb will be moving back to Wisconsin while Travis completes his training. Then in September they will be joined as a family once again -what a happy time that will be. Meanwhile, we will keep them all busy and we will benifit by having them close physically as well as close to our hearts!

Red Carpet

Craig and Briana sitting in jets during "red carpet" in the afternoon of the graduation. This is when the air force lets us in the jets, and fly the simulators. Briana got a chance to do that and she thought it was very cool.

The whole group of us, all dressed up and someplace to go!! From left back to right, and left front to right: Helen, JR (friends of Travis/Barb), Roger (Travis' uncle), Barb, Travis, Craig -Briana, Nancy (Travis' mom) & Valerie

The goofy picture is a joke for Travis' aunt Nancy... she has a picture of Travis doing this when he was younger, so Barb got a picture of Travis in every uniform change that day (which was alot) doing this pose, so it was only appropriate that we all do it for her too. We had wished that she could be with us - but she was roughing it at a lodge in Wyoming....sigh

Proud Barbara looks on at Travis coming down the isle toward his graduation! We are so proud of Travis for his accomplishments, and the both of them for the incredible family that they have built. We see your priorities, your dedication to each other, your love for your family, and of course for your Lord and Savior... it shows on your glowing faces! We love you and congratulate you from the bottom of our hearts!

Prince and Princesses

Trevor, Amelia and Ariana all dressed up and ready to go bright and early in the morning for the Commanders breakfast. Amelia and Ariana met one of the little girl friends that was also at the breakfast and they said "You look beautiful in your new dress!" She said "You look beautiful too in your dresses".... the twins said "Yes, we know" almost in perfect unison.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Making cookies with the girls, what a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day and my birthday, it could not have been any sweeter! Barbara offered me the traditional "Smith" Birthday - to pick out my own home made birthday cake - but I wanted Valentine sugar cookies for my birthday -with my sweeties. Trevor was too busy helping Daddy put together a Transformer.....

Sushi and Friends

The Wednesday prior to the Friday Graduation, Travis prepared a feast for us and his friends. He demonstrated how to make sushi and we made our own, dined on egg drop soup, fried rice, delicious plum wine, and some sauki! After awhile some of us did not care if we had sushi or not... it sure was fun. We met some great friends and family that Travis and Barb has been hanging with - they were from Alaska, in which we had a lot in common. What a great night it was.

Graceland

We drove down to Mississippi to go to Travis' graduation, on the way we met Travis and family in Memphis to tour Graceland. It was not too high on our priority as far as things to see. But we thought it might be worthwhile. Well, it was... more so that we thought. It was a very personal tour - definately Elvis' home and not a show place. We were wowed at all he accomplished, again more so that we realized. We were touched by the display, and sorrowed once again at his passing. It was a very nice afternoon.

Poor Trixie

Well we learned today while Trixie was "getting her mind changed" (as Craig's dad would have said) - regarding getting her "fixed" that she has an inherited kidney disease. Since it started very young it is not good news for her. She has to be on a special diet with low protien (so the very high protien food that I have been careful about selecting....) it also looks like that she will most likely not live to be a old dog. The ones on the internet with "Juvinile onset" live to be about two years old. I will not go to the long lengths to save her life... (they recommend tube feeding etc.) But I will savor her life, what life she can comfortably give us. No, I do not want a puppy. I will be sad to see her go - as she has brought incredible joy to us.

Your new Suburban is here!

Your Suburban looks really, really nice in my driveway... though I did not put in "my spot" - just to remind myself that it is not mine... sure wish it were... It is very nice!

Briana in her new dress and shoes!

This is not intended to be a great pose or background for her - just a quick look at the great dress that we found for the graduation banquet for Travis. She looks so pretty -even though she does not have her "updo" yet. I will blog the event as will everyone else... can't wait... well enough blogging - must finish my crocheting projects!

Getting ready for Travis' graduation

The purple dress is Ariana's and I am finished with the corresponding cape. In the other picture above I am working on Amelia's cape which will have pink ribbon to coordinate with her pink dress which is exactly like the purple one. These are the dresses that will be worn for the Cammanders breakfast and for the formal graduation ceremony for Travis' class.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

This is a picture of the snow on our deck right
outside the three panel doors from the kitchen.
It swirls from the roof and dumps onto the table
that is buried underneth. I do not mind the snow
the bitter cold we have endured is another matter - Danny was saying that it was -40 below one morning while walking to college classes and his eyeballs were hurting because they were freezing, and his face actually split - he was wearing all of the appropriate gear -hat, gloves, scarf pulled up around with just his eyes peaking out, but he still ended up with injuries! Yikes!