Chris's birthday celebration

Yes that is smoke from ALL 38 wax sticks on the cake Shane made for Chris.

Chris was away at Army Combatives Training Level I ( a week of literally getting his butt kicked and knocked out by Level 4 instructors).
He is now a certified instructor for level I.

Our multi talented son!

Rock Star Super Nova contestant. He is trying to play like Jason Newsted.












Painting pillows for our ANYSOLDIER contacts in Iraq. We send regular packages over to help make things a little better. The pillows were Shaner's idea so they "don't have to sleep on the sand."














Shane and Lucky on Sept 19, 2006. Lucky is now in heaven.
















He even has the rock star face! Now if we could get rid of the nighttime pull up and no wet beds we would be all set! No worries says the pediatrician....all in good time.
















He is VERY independent these days. Making his own PBJ sandwiches.

He SLEEPS!

In the carseat!













In the carseat with his new wild animal playset over his face. He was looking at this in the car, I looked back and he was asleep with this having falling on his face!










On the ledge to the bay window while reading the Cabela's cataloge.

Needless to say starting school 5 days a week has been a major adjustment for him. He refuses a nap, which he still very much needs, and drops by 8pm at the latest. I have to pry him out of bed at 745 in the morning. He moves like a turtle in the morning.

First Day of Elementary School Young 5's

September 5th, 2006, Shane's first day of elementary school. He is in Young 5's this year which will prepare him for Kindergarten next year.
He isn't too certain here, still eating his Go-Tart before walking to school.













First picture in his classroom. In front of the backpacks, of all the places in the room this is where he chose.

First couple days were a little rough for Shane, and for Mommy. Shane does very well with the academic things, however socially he is very shy and intimiated. Walking into the classroom I had a 47 pound weight clinging to my leg. He actually told me "Ok I see the room, now let's go home. I don't want to go to school here". Then we had the don't leave me Mommy, red face, and tears. I don't care what anyone says that was incredibly hard to walk out and leave him there...I cried on the way home. And when I picked him up later he was mad! Told me it wasn't nice to leave him. Talk about a guilt trip. After the first week, and explaining a weekend all is OK. He loves school, but is more than ready to come home after a half day. My baby all grown up! :)






No idea what kind of pose this is. This was before we went into the school when everything was still OK.













Krispy Kreme and milk makes everything all better at the Young 5 breakfast. Loves those Krispy Kreme's just like Uncle Mike!

John Ball Park Zoo Grand Rapids MI Sept 3, 2006

In the petting zoo. Shane loves to go in anywhere he can pet animals. It's a good thing I have lots of Purell hand sanitzer :)















Not sure if he really wants to touch the parakete. He isn't all that brave. I'm happy Chris gets this task because it is an enclosed cage with about 100 birds flying and POOPING all over. ICK!










First camel ride.

Our Big Brown Bear

The Big Girl louging in the backyard. She has this newly acquired talent of running away ( so much for being off leashed trained) after nothing hence the heavyweight cable. You would think with as big ( ok for those of you who have seen her in person she is FAT) as she is she would run slow.....NOPE. Fast and hides well.

Shane's first Hunting Season

Practing calling the elusive Big Buck with the rattlin' horns.














October 9, 2006 decked out in his Army ACU camo, with Daddy's arrows, ready to go hunting at Ft Custer.


















How darn cute is my baby boy?

Never mind the ugly Mr. Bones Halloween decoration in the background, and the giant spider on the wall. Those are Chris's idea of Halloween decor, not mine.

















Doesn't look a thing like his Mommy.