My baby turns 11....????

How did we get from this:

...to this?

Would someone please tell me how this happened? 11 years ago today our lives were changed for the oh so much better! Madison Elaine blessed our family and this world with her beautiful smile and her witty personality. She was such a shy little girl who would cling to my leg when anyone talked to her and we were so worried that she was never going to talk! OMG...were we ever wrong! Since the "shell" broke she is never at a loss for words but I guess the best part of my day IS the sound of her voice! When I look back at all the pictures I have taken of her I cannot believe how fast 11 years have passed and it scares me to death about how fast the next 11 will go.

So today I celebrate Miss Madison Elaine and thank god everyday that he picked me to be this beautiful young lady's mother! I don't know how I go so lucky but cherish every moment!

KABOOM!!!!!!

This was after my mom pulled some of the glass out...

Before.....

After...Norton Glass Company saved my life!!!!

BOOM! It sounded like a bomb went off. My mom and I were headed back to Wichita today from Norton. We were maybe 3 miles out of town when I met a semi. As we passed him he must of kicked up a rock (I guess) and sent it flying through the window behind me. A split second earlier it would of come through the driver's window. Scared the P**S out of me!

Got the car pulled over...got my bearings....quit shaking and turned around and headed back to Norton. Found the nicest people at Norton Glass Company. They removed the rest of the glass still hanging in the frame, vacuumed my car out and then taped a piece of cardboard over the window so we could get home. You cannot say enough about the people in a small town and what they will do! I owe them more than the $20 he finally let me pay him!

Of course me being the scrapper wanted to capture the moment despite how frightening it was and today was the day I left the house without ONE camera. Yes..it is true. I NEVER leave the house without one of them in my purse. My phone camera saved the day for just a bit...until it died. I did capture 2 pictures. My window gets busted..no camera to document it...not my day. Wait a minute...yes it was my day. My mom and I decided that my dad was looking out for me and made that rock hit a SPLIT second LATER...saving it from going through my window and lord only knows what would of happened. Thanks DAD! After driving a while I decided that maybe he was telling me that I was lucky so I bought a Powerball ticket...will let you know how that turns out! LAUGH OUT LOUD!!!!

Glad to be home in one piece and enjoyed my quality time with my mom!

Happy 1st Anniversary!!!

One year ago today!!! Congrats you two!

Daredevils!

Cancun 2008

First official picture together!

Wow....has it really been a year! One year ago today we were getting ready for Shelly & Brandon's wedding. Doesn't even seem possible! I will speak for them and say they have had a great year! We have had so much fun sharing in all the craziness that is for sure! There have been many nights when Shelly & I have fallen asleep in the living room while Joe and Brandon solve all the world's problems in the "man cave" till wee hours of the next day! :) I know that Joe feels so blessed to have had Shelly as a sister (in law) for all these years and now I get the chance to have a new brother (in law)! Brandon has fit right into our family like he has been here for 20 years instead of 2 years! Brandon may wonder what he walked into almost 3 years ago but we are sure glad he did. He loves my sister and that is the most important thing of all! I am so glad they found each other and get to go on the "crazy" ride called marriage and allow us to tag along! So here's too many more years you two!!! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago today Darrell and Erica said their "I do's" after a long courtship! Some might of thought it wasn't going to happen but I say good things come to those who wait....and the waiting was worth it! The wedding day was beautiful...the food was awesome....and the dance was down right a night to remember! I think we are still talking about it! So...Happy Anniversary D & E..it has been a fun ride and thanks so much for allowing us along. Here's to many more great years and lots more nieces and nephews!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them. They look so young..not that you don't today...but just the innocense of young love! I also love this picture b/c it shows that once a long time ago Max was a little boy! (ok...sorry this isn't about that!)

With this hot dog...I thee wed! Darrell & Erica sharing a "footlong" at the Nuggets game. This picture also holds some memories of being snowed in in Denver in April. What a weekend!

Ok...since they didn't want to use the "hotdog" picture as their engagement picture I guess this one will do! Still young pups!

Aaawww...Mr. & Mrs. Surmeier....here's to many more years!

Remembering an outstanding lady!

Senior year 1965

Surmeier Family on our Wedding Day!

Joe's graduation from KSU...to say the least she was very proud!

63 years ago today a very special lady was born. 18 years ago that special lady was taken away from us too early! Today would of been Joe's mothers birthday. Marilyn was a one-of-a kinda lady! I feel blessed that I was able to have her in my life for 9 years. She was probably one of the strongest women I have ever known. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and every time they found another spot she would come home, sit in her chair, rub her feet together and tell us..."we're not going to worry about this...we will get through it." She definitely was/is a great inspiration to me.

I got to see her interact with 2 of my nephews before she died and so badly wish that she would of been able to meet Max and Maddie. Oh how she would of loved those kids!

Growing up in Colby, she would pass Joe and I on main street and of course I was sitting right next to him in the car and when we would get home she would ask us..."you fixin' to pick up somebody?" and then smile and wink! I remember her dancing at our wedding dance...the same day she buried her father....see what I mean about how incredible she was? She would always tell me that 2 fudge pops were better than one (advice I shouldn't of listened to) and how those dishes in the sink were fine...the dishwasher would be done running soon and we could just reload it!

One of my greatest regrets is that I was not the picture taker back then that I am now so I don't have that many of her. Along with the women in my own family, she is without a doubt a lady who I am so blessed to have had as a part of my life....she made it richer! Her early departure sure makes me think of the saying...wow...life just isn't fair! Happy Birthday Marilyn...you are deeply missed each and every day!

Are you really surprise??????

What do you get when you cross a double dog dare......

with a trampoline.....

... A TRIP TO THE EMERGENGY ROOM!!!!

Yes...my husband just couldn't let the double dog dare go that he couldn't do 10 back flips in a row! He did 9 of them and then came down on his shoulder and tore his rotator cuff. We didn't acutally have to go to the ER for this when it happened but his doctor sent him to Wesley for X-rays to confirm that nothing was broken. So looks like he will be having surgery in the near future to fix this injury! On one hand I love the fact that he gets out there and has fun but on the other...he needs to remember we are not 18! He has assured me that he will be having the surgery as this is affecting his softball playing, golfing, shooting baskets, & most importantly...he cannot ride his motorcycle! Will keep you updated!

While the cat's away....

yes....and the mice will play! How true this statement was at our house last weekend! I went for a LONG weekend of scrapbooking and while I was gone Joe took the kids shopping and this is what they came back with!

Maddie Madelyn & Jack...our neighbors!

Max Paige & Lindy...

Max was told we would get a basketball court at the new house and Mads was told she would get a trampoline. Well, she has been asking and asking and asking and finally DADDY gave in. She must of batted her eyes just enough and off they went! They have had fun but the interesting thing is that I think Max and his friends have jumped on it as much as Mads and her friends. Of course, Max has it positioned right under the basketball goal and has been doing all kinds of trick shots! Boys!

I am glad that Mad finally got it and was really glad that it has a net around it! Yes I was a little worried. Joe had one growing up and it never had a net on it and...well you see how he turned out! LOL! Just kidding honey!

My scrapbooking LONG weekend consisted of 5 days and it was great to get away and get some things done. I was sad going thru some of the pictures because it makes me have to face the fact these kids are really growing up. I am trying to get all of it done before Max graduates....I only have 3 years left...I hope it is enough time.

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer. Cannot believe we are half way thru July. Maddie is heading to St. Louis next week with my mom to see some friends and Max is off to Colorado with his XC team for a running camp/team building week. Sad for them to go but glad for the time with JPS. It has been 4 years since we have had a week at home by ourselves. Joe is being a sport and going to the Rascal Flatts concert with me. HE HATES COUNTRY MUSIC! Look for an update on that outing!