Happy Thanksgiving!!

J. and R. would like to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!!

The weather was beautiful last weekend!!

Today...the day before Thanksgiving...we were hit with the first snow of the year!

Have a safe and happy holiday!!

Our Friend

A week ago we lost our good friend...our family member. Cody was 11 years old, but had been pretty healthy most of his life. He started to slow down a bit over the last month, so we took him to the vet on Nov. 9. She did blood tests to see if his liver, etc. were functioning ok so we could put him on meds if he needed it. The blood tests looked fine so we weren't too worried. But by Sunday he stopped eating and didn't look well at all. We figured we could wait til Monday to get him back to the vet, but Monday morning as the kids were in the garage getting ready to get in the car to go to school, Cody collapsed. They came to get me in the house and I ran out, but Cody wasn't responding at all when I got to him. I hoisted him into the back of the van and drove to the vet as quickly as I could with the kids. She didn't have to spend any time with him...he was already gone...I'm sure he died right in the garage, but I had to try to get him to the vet. We cried and cried. The vet and Cody's obedience trainer (on staff at the clinic) cried with us. We don't really know what happened to him, but we are thankful that he didn't suffer very long. We are glad that he died at home with the people he loved...except for Blake. Blake was already in Des Moines for the day and we had to call him with the bad news. It was very hard on him that he wasn't here and didn't really get to say goodbye to his friend and hunting partner. We had a very rough week, but are doing a bit better. It is still hard to come home and not see him trotting out of the garage door or barking to be let in to see us. Even though he was a very ornery troublemaker quite often---therefore not in the house very much--he really was a sweet dog and loved us very much. We miss him a lot.

Here he is having his last Dairy Queen treat in September (he didn't get those very often, but we did spoil him once in a while!)

Here he is with his buddy, J.
Cody...our good friend...we love him!
October 15, 1996-November 12, 2007

Birthday Party!!

R. turned 7 on November 8. She had her best friend over for the evening the weekend before.

The next day we went to Build a Bear Workshop for the girls to have a little fun.

The weekend after her birthday, we celebrated with grandmas and grandpas at Grandma and Grandpa Zietlow's house. Just a few presents!!
R. wanted a "house" cake this year...so K. and R. worked together to make a cake like K's grandma made for her when she was little!

Happy Halloween!!

J. was a Hawkeye fanatic (go figure) and R. was a white puppy!

Trick or Treat!

Fall Activities

B. coached J's team again this year...they were the Cowboys. They were 2-4 this year.
We had a busy fall...putting our house up for sale...looking a new house...know anyone who wants to buy a nice home?



R. began the fall taking a tap and ballet class again...here she is performing YMCA at the local pancake breakfast!! Our former co-workers gave us a great send off party...after working with them for 12 great years.

Hawkeye Scrimmage

On August 18 we went to see the Hawkeyes scrimmage. We met our friends, the Mosses, to enjoy the day at Kinnick Stadium. Jacob and Riley enjoyed playing catch before we went in to the practice. The boys take in the scenery.
The kids line up to get players' autographs...
After the scrimmage Rachel and the big boys got in on the fun..."Hot route, hot route!!"

Colorado Springs Trip

Ok...I know I'm a little late getting this posted...but, hey, I've been busy with the start of school and all!! Anyway...we got to take a great long weekend in August to go to Colorado Springs for a family get-together at B's aunt and uncle's home. We had a great time!!!

On Friday we took the Cograil up Pike's Peak...it was kind of a long ride, but better than the white knuckles when we drove it a few years ago. Here's a nice view from the train...

We had a nice ride...talking with the crew from Texas...


At the top of Pike's Peak...J. didn't feel so great...a bit of altitude sickness, but we managed to get a picture at least... Thanks Aunt J. for the ride!!
A view of Pike's Peak a day later when we went to Garden of the Gods...

Hardy and Philby kids pose for a pic in the bright sun at Garden of the Gods...


R. enjoys the rocks...



The kids all want to climb, climb, climb...until they got too hot!

Balancing Rock...no match for our kids!!

All the kids at Aunt Jonnie's!! (Thanks for allowing the Philby's to join the fun!!)

Adventureland!

Our annual trip to Adventureland...kids love the Silly Silo (don't ask ME why!):
Those brave enough to try to tame the Outlaw: Sawmill Splash:
Finishing the day with a yummy ice cream!!

Mom and Dad's Summer Fun

Time for our yearly excursion to the Lake of the Ozarks with our friends...wouldn't want to miss it!!



Nice pike position on the tube!!

Water sports, anyone?

Summer Fun

The kids had a lot of fun with their little cousins this summer!!






















We also tried a little t-ball for the first time...we'll wait and see what the future will hold for this ball player!!

Happy 9th Birthday

May 1...Jacob's 9th Birthday.













All he wanted was to go bowling with his family...Grandma's enjoyed watching!!







Yummy... Chocolate cake.

Dance Recital

The Swim...Rachel's first dance recital.


Visitors from Iowa and Texas made it to see the recital!!













Cousin Olivia

On our way to Albuquerque, New Mexico!!

First flight the kids can remember...













We had a great time playing with our cousins!











Baby Leah had her Baptism the night before Easter. God Bless Her.







Happy Easter!!