I have been so busy that I have not blogged for such a long time.  I have just found the time and felt the need to catch up with some pictures and events.  Things may be a bit out of order but I must be happy that I have, at last, found time to blog at all.

I hope you all enjoy

Opportunity of a life time

Up-side-down with

Bryan Udell  USAF Retired

Tryston Daniel Hatley 13 years old

Bryan's Advice for Tryston's Future;

                          "Never, Never, Never Ever talk to a Recruiter"!

A Month of lessons and they were skating with confidence.  We all had such a great time.  They skated every day.  We took their school work to the rink, they skated, did school work, had a lesson, more school work, open skating to practice, late lunch, another lesson followed by some more practice and then back to our hotel to rest and have dinner.  Great days and memories to last a life time.  Wonderful to spend time with Uncle John and Aunt Barbara.  Train trip home from AZ via Chicago. 

Damon, Alex and Holden laughing as usual.  It warms the heart to watch your children grow up and have children of their own.  The Lord blesses us is so many ways.  Damon is still recovering from his accident and as the doctors have said, "It was a life altering" accident.  God has been good to him and our family.  Damon had his 4th surgery last week, hopefully only one more to go.  He won't be as active but, he can walk and take care of his daily needs.  We pray that God will lead him to a new career that he can see as a positive.  He has always been so active in his career and his personal life as well.  The limitations might be the hardest part for him.

We have a funny grandson Holden thinks he is a pretty cool
dude.  He is such a happy little soul.  It is amazing how quickly they grow up.

Happy Fourth of July!

Tryston and Ariana's Spring Recital

Tryston played Our Soldier Boys by Jeanetta Taylor on the piano.On the piano Ariana played Tarentella by Paul Beaumont. On the cello Tryston played Pasquinade by Louis M. Gottschalk.
Ariana played Concertino by George Perlman on the violin.
Tryston played Londonderry Air on the clarinet.

We Went Creek Digging With the Smiths

Faithful Stewart just kicked back on the bank and watched us as we were digging and they were swimming and playing. What a wonderful piece of property, a lovely, fun creek and a faithful dog. Does it get any better than this? No

World, I introduce MILEY the happy, smiling turtle that is not afraid of people!

We saw these beautiful flowers and just could not leave without getting a couple of small plants to take back up to the house for Melissa. Are they not simply beautiful. Spring has Sprung!

I am thinking David and Tryston did more swimming and playing in the water than anything else. They sure did have a great time, we all did. The water was cool but not cold. The boys managed to find a small box turtle and of course Ariana had to give her a name so, she is "Miley". What a wonderful day for all.

Here we have David and Tryston in the water and Jonathon out of the water. These boys have had so much fun in this creek. The Smith's have a real blessing living on this farm with this wonderful creek. God is Good.

Debra and I are busily digging a fossel out of the clay. We came for Fossels, Frogs and Salamanders. We left with many fossels and a turtle. Not to bad. I think it is still a little early for frogs and salamanders. Maybe on our next hunt.

Ariana's shoes filled with little pebbles. You just can't walk that way. This girl had such a wonderful time. Amanda took her up the creek to find the waterfall and they just had a grand time. Anna and I dug for a while and then she went down the creek where the boys were while Debra and I continued to dig. What a wonderful day. It was nice and warm and the water was not too cold either.

At last it was time to gather up and take it too the house. It took us three loads up the creek bank to haul out all we had found. Of course we could not leave Miley. A wonderful day was enjoyed by each of us. Thank you Smith Family!

Ariana's Ninth Birthday Party

We had a most wonderful Birthday Party for Ariana to celebrate her ninth birthday April 5, 09.

Our family is so blessed to have such a lovely little girl, to watch her grow in the knowledge of our God. It is a special blessing to watch her become such a kind and willing servant.

Andrew is in the air, Mary Grace arranging her hair, Nicholas on the deck, Tryston jumping with Anna, and there stands Amanda thinking, "this looks a wee bit CRAZY!"Ariana, Laura Beth and Rebecca, in Ariana's American Girl Room, Playing in the American Girl Apartment.

There is a tea party going on, Deborah keeps a watchful eye on little Bethany while Ariana prepares the tea and Will waits patiently. What a wonderful day, everyone is having so much fun

Rebekah & Mary Grace just cruising in the Caddie Miss Anna is a bit of a free spirit as she gallops away, in her own little world.AHHH the Hit of the Day, The Zip Line! Tryston is next up, on deck and will be followed down the line by, Caleb, Houston, Benny and Will. Nicholos and Andrew waiting patiently as Bobby looks on,,,,, just deciding if and when it will be his turn. No, it is decided, he WILL ride.David has decided to give it a go while papa (Dan) looks on.Tryston is off and if it is not fast enough,,, David is giving him a little NO big WHIP! OKAY WILL, YOU GO BOY!!DINNER IS ON, RIBS, BRISKET, PORK LOIN, POLISH SAUSAGE, POTATOES, POTATO SALAD, PASTA SALAD, BAKED BEANS, RANCH BEANS, DEVILED EGGS, APPLESAUCE, TOSS GREEN SALAD AND SOME LOVELY DINNER ROLLS. Mmmmm GOOD! ALL OUR LITTLE GIRLS CHOSE TO EAT TOGETHER (except baby Bethany)