Goodbye, beloved Katie...

I know I've posted this picture before, but it's one of my favorites. Michael and I decided to let our sweet girl go this evening. She developed kidney failure shortly after we moved here, and she put up a strong fight for almost two years. I've nursed her like any mother would, but she was tired and ready to go. To hold onto her any longer would've been pure selfishness.

We love you, Katie... you are sorely missed.

Maddox's First Ride!

Maddox is finally riding his two-wheeler bike well enough to go for a REAL ride!

 Whew!  This is hard work!

Maddox's Preschool Graduation

Maddox has spent a year and a half attending the Little White Schoolhouse with Mrs. Strain, his WONDERFUL teacher!  We were sad to have to say goodbye to her, but it's time for Mom to take over!  Kindergarten, here we come!

Mom & Dad Visit

Mom & Dad stayed several days after the Winchesters left.  As always, we enjoyed our time with them.  During their stay, Mom and I made a banana split for Dad - one of his very favorites!

 Mom helped me plant several flowers out back... only to be eaten by elk a couple days later!

 Saying goodbye is always the hardest...

Winchesters Visit!

We had a lovely visit with Debbie, Brittany, and Bryce in May!

I took them to the Buffalo Bill museum and grave site.  The kids had fun dressing up in the cowboy outfits!

Here they are goofing around in the gift shop.

 Red Rocks was also a necessary stop.

 We spent one day on the regular loop that took us through Fairplay and the historic town of Southpark and up over the Continental Divide.

We did a small mine tour in Idaho Springs, and then rode the Georgetown Loop railroad.

At home, all three of them rode the zip line!

 Mom and Dad came while they were here!

 It was a great visit - and although you'd never tell it from the photos, Brittany had strep throat while she was here.  She's just so beautiful, you'll never see a bad photo of her!

Kaspurr's Ordeal

We had quite a scare with our beloved cat, Kaspurr, this week.  He stopped eating, which is unheard of for this gluttonous guy!  Upon investigating, the vet thought he had an obstruction, so we went in for emergency surgery.  It turned out that they didn't find an obstruction, but instead found a tumor at the start of his colon.  The vet took a biopsy, but we didn't know if Kaspurr would survive long enough to find out the results... and if the results were cancerous, we didn't know that he could handle having that portion of his colon removed.  Because of my experience giving Katie subcutaneous fluids, the vet let me take Kaspurr home to handle his post-op care myself.  I gave him injections of pain meds, antibiotics, sub-q fluids, and even had to force feed him.  I am thankful that Katie prepared me for this type of care.  Needless to say, it was a very anxious few days as we awaited the biopsy results.  Fortunately, they were negative for cancer - which means we still don't know what caused this, but he soon began eating again and we are all so grateful for his recovery.  Here he is feeling a bit better, as evidenced by his vulnerable position in showing us his ragged belly.

We were so grateful when he began acting normal again, such as curling up with his big sister, Kate.  

Easter 2011

It's fun having a little guy in the house... otherwise, we may just skip these fun traditions, like coloring Easter eggs! The older boys could probably do without, but to watch them help their little brother do it... PRICELESS!

The Easter Bunny brought Maddox all sorts of goodies... he was tickled, but was adamant that the boomerangs he found in his brothers' baskets should be his. ;) In any case, he did enjoy the super-colossal bubble wand!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter celebration!
Miki