Just in case you forgot what we looked like

Today I discovered the self timer on my camera so here we are!

Our first christmas in England

Well our first Christmas here in England was VERY quiet. It was the first year that Riley realized what was going on so that was SUPER fun. He loved the tree and unwrapping presents and was really into the thought of Santa so that was a good motivator to be a nicely behaved little boy. Anyways we just stayed at home and had a Christmas pot roast. Here's some pics

A year ago today

A year ago today my step dad Gary Cofer passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. As always you never appreciate something until it is gone. I am thankful that he is no longer suffering from extreme pain but I am sad that I don't get to see him and talk to him. I am also bitterly disappointed in his sons and how his affairs ended up being handled. Gary had such a long and painful battle with cancer but at the end it all seemed to go very quickly. I regret not speaking to him closer to his passing. He was a WONDERFUL step father and never treated me any differently then he treated his very own kids. It makes me sad to think that Riley will not know him. I am thankful that he was a part of our lives even for the short 7 years that it was. I know he is in a better place now but I still miss him.

The most amazing quote about being a mom

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life.

Maureen Hawkins

Some things I have done

RULES: There are 100 (well 97 because some are missing) statements and you bold the ones you have done. Grab it and play for yourself!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill 2
4. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason


66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten cavier.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square 7
4. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Devin does some great surveys!

Holiday Fest on Base

Well we took Riley to base today and he got to do crafts and get his face painted, and see Santa! He did really good with Santa, not scared at all. He sat in his lap and said "I'm Riley and I want Batman!"Too funny.

Because Devin requested

Well, Mrs.Devin Miller requested that I start a blog such as the one she has. I suppose it is the least I could do for her. Its probably not a bad idea considering we live in a different country then most of our friends and family. I guess I just always considered myspace and facebook to be my "blogs" Today we are taking Riley to see Santa on base. Lets hope he doesn't get too shy at the last minute.

Oh yeah here is a recent picture of Riley just for you, Devin. Maybe I will get some today of him as well!