Reaching New Heights!

                                             Brooklyn lived for this moment for days...Ziplining!!!

                                                             Starting the big climb!

                                         The nervous little brother on the ground who is afraid of heights!

                                                           40 foot climb...almost there!

                                        Ready to jump, but checking with Mom & Dad first!☺

                        And there she goes...Mommy was so nervous, but tried to be supportive!☺

                                              SO PROUD of our brave little girl! She loved it!

Imagine my surprise when I returned from checking on Brylie, who was napping, and saw this...

                                                 Yep...my little boy was determined to do it!

                                                All set and ready to go...my heart was racing!!!

                    He was the smallest zipliner they had ever had...notice the helment is very tilted!

He was so short that they eventually had to have him stand up on that branch in order to get him hooked onto the line...Mommy was very nervous, but not Brittan...once he set his mind to it, he was determined!

He jumped off before I could snap his picture at the edge...And to day he reached new heights...he conquered his fear and went for it...we were SO PROUD!!!


Reflecting...Always reach for new heights, mommy may have to close her eyes, but I will support you!!♥

Time Away...

Every other year we, my side of the family, take a vacation together. This year we decided to relax and scale back and just spend an entire week at y parents cabin. It was fabulous!

We boated, jet-skied, fished, hiked, played numerous games, watched movies, took family walks, talked & laughed endlessly, and RELAXED!!! No idea was silly, all were explored, and most were followed through.

God has truly blessed us, my entire little family, with an amazing and wonderful family. Making memories with them is so important to me. I want my children to experience having real grandparents...and they do!

Love this...Brooklyn reading to Brylie.♥

Chera & Brooklyn ~ Mary & Laura

Cousin Movie Time!

Best Friends!

Playing on the beach and loving every minute of the sand!

Brooklyn LOVES to fish!

Brittan only loves fishing if he is catching one every second.☺

Brylie decided that she wanted to go for a stroller ride!☺

Reflecting...Memories with family, the best ever!

Schatz Family Reunion

July found us spending the weekend with Brook's extended family and having a wonderful time together. It was extra special this year as it will be the last for Uncle Vic. He has brain cancer and they don't give him much longer to live. He is a dear, dear man and is everyone's favorite Uncle.

The weekend was packed as full as possible; swimming, grilling, river trip, Silverwood, & games, but what everyone enjoyed the most was just sitting around and just visiting! Having little ones, or should I say a little one, made it difficult to attend everything that was planned, but we made sure that we were as present as humanly possible and we won't ever regret it!

The John Schatz Family (minus a couple)

Reflecting...Family times are vitally important!

And She Wore Pippy's

I am a fan of pigtails, or pippy's, as we call them. You will most likely see, at one point or another, at least one of my girls wearing them...on this day it was Brylie's turn and it was a first. We kinda liked them!

Brylie's First Pip's!

Reflecting...Oh, how I love my girls in pippy's.

Life Is Precious...

Monday, June 27, 2011 is a day I will never forget as long as I live. And although I would love to document it word for word, play by play, I find that even just thinking about it makes me short of breath, makes my heart pound hard, and leaves me feeling quite emotional. So for now I am going to say this...

Brooklyn was extremely sick and after thorough examinations and a spinal tap she was hospitialized with meningitis. Dr. Papiez did an amazing job diagnosing and treating her, but we are confidant that The Great Physician was at work in her little life and is truly the reason that she is with us today.

We are forever changed...life is more precious than ever. In the blink of an eye, it can go from peaceful & wonderful, to upside down and so unpredictable. I am finding that we hug tighter, listen more intently, truly cherish every second that we are together, try harder to find the good in each & every situation, and...we LIVE!

In so much pain!

Nana taking good care of my little girl!

More morphine

Some Family Visiting the sick.♥

Nothing makes you feel better than a stuffed animal from Nana!

Brooklyn was in the hospital on her actual birthday, so they brought her a little treat to celebrate...we were just happy to see her bright smile return!

Reflecting...Life is indeed precious!

WOW...Brooklyn is 9!

So very hard to believe that my firstborn is 9. Time has indeed flown by, I remember her birth like it was yesterday. It is said many times over in my family how thankful they are that Brooklyn was the firstborn grandchild. Her kind, gentle spirit, and ever present responsible way make her to be a wonderful example for her younger cousins. She takes being the oldest so seriously and is always making sure that they all follow the rules, are having a good time, and that everyone is being fair and kind. She has a tender heart, we adore this about her. This summer, all on her own, she gave her heart and life to Jesus...we were beyond thrilled and so very proud!

Like always, we celebrated Brooklyn's birthday in Nampa at my parents house. She choose a 'crayon' theme, so Brooklyn!!! For goodie bags she gave all the kids crayons, color books, and crayon shaped water squirters...they LOVED them! ☺

Brooklyn's cake was one of the highlights of the party. My very talented sister-in-law once again agreed to make the cake and she didn't disappoint! Brooklyn was so excited for her cake to arrive and couldn't keep the smile off her face once she layed eyes on it.

We enjoyed the evening of celebrating this precious gift from God!

The Birthday Girl & her cake!

Brooklyn & Rochenda (The Cake Boss)

Our little family!♥

In her Laura Ingalls Wilder outfit from Nana & Poppy

The evening ended with our tradition of FIREWORKS!!!☺


Reflecting...how has time gone so quickly?

Brylie Turns 1!

Our little 1 yr. old!

Having a bite of cake...YUM!

So very happy with her baby from Nana & Poppy!

Mommy & Daddy with our little Birthday Girl! ♥

Brylie ~ God certianly knew what He was doing when He placed you in our lives. You are full of life, love to be silly & laugh, to make others laugh is your delight, you are a chatter box, love to sing & dance, and while perhaps our biggest hugger & lover, you are blessed with a strong will. Our prayer is that we can lead you on the path towards Christ and His direction. May it be His will and not yours! We love you more than words can express...you have each and every one in the family & beyond wrapped around your little finger. Always be sweet, live for Jesus, and mind Mommy & Daddy.♥

Favorite Toys ~ Baby Dolls, Books, & Balls
Favorite People ~ Mommy, Daddy, Brooklyn, Poppy, Nana, Brian
Favorite Food ~ Mac & Cheese
Bottles ~ You LOVE them - before a nap, bedtime, and anytime you can talk mommy into giving you one.
Accomplishments - You count to 3 all the time and sometimes to 5, Heartily sing "Might of Mine" while furiously waving your little fist for your light, You can climb up onto the couch, Make sounds for the bear, kitty, puppy, cow, snake, & lion, You pray - "Gee Geeus, Amen".
Words - you learn a new one everyday and are perhaps our biggest talker. Here are a few of your latest - Oh,no, Oh, dear, Uh-oh, side (outside), Go, No (not my favorite), Baby dis (baby this), Chash (trash). Keep talking little one...we love it and you!♥

Reflecting...Can she really be 1?