HANNA 4/24/1997-7/23/2011

The morning of our fishing trip I thought it was wierd that Hanna didn't come out to eat breakfast with me, I just thought maybe she didn't hear me. When we got home that afternoon I was sitting on the couch and realized that I still hadn't seen her. I ran in the bedroom and looked under the bed where she would sleep, and she wasn't there. I ran outside and was calling her name, my stomache was sick, I thought she might have gotten out of the fence. Even though she never really went by our pond I decided to walk over and look. Sure enough she was in the pond, I started crying and ran in the house to get get Dusty. I went back outside and got her out of the pond and we burried her in the backyard. My heart is broke. I don't understand what happened. Dust thinks she was dying before she fell in, but I guess we will never know.

A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life

this is a picture of Chester and Hanna the day we brought Gage home from the hospital. They were both so excited.

I miss you so much Hanna. I found out yesterday from a lady that owned Hanna's sister that they were born April 24, 1997. Strangely Hanna's sister also passed away earlier this year in May.

I will miss you getting up in the morning with me and waiting for me to cook breakfast. I will miss the way you would stand in the dish washer licking all the dirty dishes as I would put them in. I will miss the way you loved to lick my feet, whether I was getting out of the shower or just put lotion on. I will miss our nightly feedings of Gage's puffer fish, the way you would look at me like you wanted some fish food too. I will miss you always tripping me in the kitchen waiting for food to fall on the floor. And most of all I will miss the way you followed me around the house, just staring at me. We have been through a lot together "Miss Hanna Girl" I know that you felt safer with me more than anyone else. You will always be with me, forever in my heart!

If I had known that on that day our time was near the end, I would have done things differently my forever friend

I would have stayed right next to you deep into the night, but I thought I would see you in the early morning light

And so I said "good night" to you as I walked in through the door, never thinking of the time when I'd see you no more

But if I had known that on that day our time was near the end

I would have done things so differently

My forever friend

FIRST BOATING/FISHING TRIP 7/23/2011

he was so excited to get in the boat, but was not happy when we were walking around and it was moving back and forth....love his face!!

once we got going he was just fine and loved to fish
my little fisherman

some deer were trying to come down and get a drink

we didn't catch any fish but Briggs was nice enough to show Gage the one they caught earlier

VERY FIRST FISHIN' POLE 7/21/2011

We got invited to camping with Chris and Em, we didn't camp but we did go out and fish and ride the wheelers. We decided we better get Gage a fishing pole and life jacket to wear in the boat so Thursday night we headed to Wal-Mart.

the minute we got home he wanted his jacket on and wanted his fishing pole

Dust was trying to teach him how to cast

then he wanted to catch a fish in the pond, luckily there was no hook on his pole yet

casting again, but this time they were trying to catch Chester

Hogle Zoo

checkin' out the Turkeys, he said "Dad shoot them"

baby Elephant

awe

Gorilla

yep, he's a Monkey

giddy up horsey

it was so funny, he was scared to get a drink because he thought the Lion would get him

he loved the carousel, after the ride was over a little girl fell and hit her head and he said "how was that bonk on the head".....oh the things he says!!

we got laughed at on our way into the zoo because we didn't know this Dinosaur sprayed water, it actually scared me at first. We had to get Gage wet again!!

train ride

Our annual Zoo trip went well, it was hot though. All Gage wanted to see was a Lion and they didn't have any, but overall I think he had a good time!!

SuMmEr FuN

He loves this sprinkler

We were putting on a new screen door and he had to help his Daddy

Gage absolutely loves Frosty and Christmas. I love that we share this love with eachother, but this day he was actually crying because he couldn't build a Frosty outside. I was actually going to put some ice in a blender and let him make a little Frosty and then I thought I would just dress him up instead. He was satisfied for a minute.

silly, silly boy

SWIMMING LESSONS

We decided that it was time to sign Gage up for swimming lessons at Deseret Peak. We started out in the Mom & Tot class so I could get in with him, but soon realized that he was ready to be in the Preschool class. We are so proud of our Boog, he did really well. The classes started on July 5th and went for two weeks.

This was our first day and I am so glad Dusty was able to be there with us to take pictures and to see Gage's first day!

So then on the the preschool class, all together there were four kids


I had to sit at the side for a few minuted and remind Gage to hold onto the side. He thought he would be brave and let go when he was by the steps and he floated out a little to far and started going under. The instructor and I was one our way to get him but Dusty stepped in, shoes and all to get him. He was fine and didn't even go all the way under water but it scared all of us for a minute.

to teach them to remember their strokes they sang "the wheels on the bus go round and round", to go forward, and then "the driver on the bus says move on back", to do the back stroke.

he got dunked and LOVED it!!

at the end of every lesson they would take the kids to the shallow end and play some games.

teaching Gage to push of on the wall with one hand out

they played a shark game that the kids loved, it was so fun to watch them

just floating

jumping in all by himself, he was so brave and was always the first one to want to jump in

kicking, or being the "wipers" on the bus

of course Gage got to be Buzz Lightyear and blast of the side

Gage tormenting the teacher

Gage missed his last day of lessons because he had croup. He still passed and got a certificate that we picked up later that day. It was so fun to watch him learn. He was a little rowdy at first and tormented his teachers, but they loved it. Every single day he made them laugh at the things he would say and do. I can't wait till next year!!!!

JULY 4, 2011

Gage and Ryker waiting for the parade to start

Chris was busy throwing the boys in the air

waving at Papa Erwin in the Petal-n-More van

Gage would do his new dance every time a band went by...so funny!

after the parade we head to the park to play, Gage insisted I go down the shark slide with him

he loves the playground

tryin' to cool off in the pool

FiReWoRk time

Chester goes CrAzY when the fireworks start

even the fish were up watching the show

waiting for the big show....yes I was tired

The 4th gets funner every year with the Boog.