Ok, so I said that I would keep up with the blog... Once again I have fail. Our lives have been really crazy these past 5 months, with school, homework, work and family that I haven't had a chance to sit down and update this like I promised.

FINALLY I got to meet Allison. It's been a long time coming and I was so happy to meet her, her husband Charles and the new grand-daughter Jaylie. The time with them went by too fast, but we enjoyed every moment that we had. She is a beautiful young women (as all of Lynn's daughters are) inside and out.

College is going well, as we have finals next week, then I get a week off and back to school for the summer. This go around though I will only be taking two class' so that I'm not so stressed out all the time on getting my homework done. Forgot how demanding a school schedule could be!

The Officer program for the Guard is on hold at the moment, but hopefully they will find my paperwork soon and get things going again. I really wanted to have that Bass Boat for Lynn for this year's fishing season, but looks like he will get it next year. Sorry Lynn!!

For those of you who don't know, Lynn and I have decided to get married.... yes, I said married. We currently are scheduled to be married on June 19, 2010 here in Marion Iowa. We will be having a small church wedding (he thinks it will be small), and then gathering at our place for a back yard reception. Hopefully the weather cooperates and it stays nice.

I will try and get some new pictures uploaded as soon as possible.

Love to All!!

Well here we are another year behind us and a new year wide open to us for family, friends and what ever else we decide to do with it... I have to say that we don't have any regrets for this past year except that for the the fact that we didn't get out and travel to see Jacey's family or Allison's. We ABSOLUTELY will be doing it this year as it is on my to-do list for 2010, along with the loosing weight, making the dean's list in college, and starting off my Officer's carrier with the National Guard. I think Lynn wants to travel and see the girls, get his bass boat, retire in October (yes, he is that old), oh yah, did I mention get his bass boat....

I hope that all of our families and friends have a wonderful year and keep checking up on us here on the blog. I am trying really hard to keep it updated and if the pictures keep coming into either Lynn or my emails, I will get them posted as soon as possible!

We Love and Miss You All!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Allison, Charles and Jaylie...

Instead of printing and sending pictures of Allison and her family to everyone, I thought best to add to the blog... If anyone wants printed off copies, feel free to let me know and we will get them printed and mailed to you.

Jaylie's 1st Christmas. What a little cutie in her Santa hat and again with her cousin....

We have a tradition of going to church for the candle light service then out to Tracey and Roger's house on Christmas Eve. We have snacks, drinks, play games and go hot tubbing. It is ALWAYS an enjoyable time with family, especially during the holidays!

Here are some pictures of the family opening presents... Grandma got her hat and scarf, Cayton his gloves, Roger is walk-o meter and me the move "The Ultimate Gift". For those of you who have not seen it, you will absolutely love this movie... two thumbs up!!!

Justine helping Gracie open her christmas present from papa... I really wanted to get her the matching outfit so she could be tinker bell as well.

I has to be really sneakie on this one... Jackie wasn't to excited about me taking her picture with her chugging from the bottle. I threatened to put it on the church web site, but figured I had better hold off on that one. Chad looks wonderful. We always have a GREAT time when he is around...

Pour me another one, just like the other one... One more time!!!

Lynn's family has a tradition of opening pajama's on Christmas Eve. We pick out our own and open them all with the family and then change and play games. This year I pulled a fast one on Lynn and got us matching adult onesee's. He wasn't to crazy about walking around in these with the little smilie faces all over them. I thought they were great!

Here is our family Christmas photo for 2009... It is VERY hard to get Lynn to pose for very many family photos with out them being surprise shots of him... Pretty good looking group if you ask me.

As always, I have to have the mother and son photo... can't believe how tall he is or how old... Merry Christmas Buddy, I am extremely happy that we get to spend this time together.

Christmas 2009, Cayton and Bri being serious, as if they could be... love ya both!

Cayton and Bri... as always showing their true selves by ALWAYS goofing around.

Such a peaceful baby... Congratulations to you both!

Makaylah and her new baby brother, she looks so excited to be a "Big" sister

Taking Home Baby Liam Home

Lynn's 1st Deer for 2009 Season

Hunting Season is now upon us and Lynn got his deer early this year. It turned out to be a nice 3 year old; eight (8) pointer. Congrats to Lynn!!! Now we can eat ALL winter.

This is Lynn (of course) in the new house watching Tennessee football (go BIG orange) and working on a project for me. He really hates that.

James and Shantel in June. Now they have a little baby boy names Thomas. Congrats to you both!!

Same storm. While we were getting the awsome cloud formations and rain, 5 miles north of us they were getting tornadoes.

This is one of the photos of the cloud formations we had during the summer. During this storm there was tremendous rain. We got stuck in the garage as the lightning and rain was so bad. Made a party of it playing pool and having some beers while the storm played around us.

Traveling over the Continental Divide. I love the rock formations, it always amazes me....

Cayton and Bri... Homecoming 2009

Cayton and Bri all dressed up and ready for homecoming. What a cute couple.

Me and Cayton at my mom's house

Cayton and Grandma Shanklin (my mom) as Cayton gets ready to leave Washington for California.

What a cute little bunny. Can't help but love her!!!

Gracie the "little princess" on her 1st Birthday. She is soooo cute

Bri and Justi 2009 at Gracie's 1st Birthday

The beautiful Gracie... she is growing up so fast and definately ALL girl

I love my mom on parade day...

Here is the family chilling curb side waiting for the parade to start and Mom to start chasing down all the candy that is thrown her direction. Got to love parade day, my mom turns into a kid again. Love ya mom!

My brother Terry relaxing in the sun as we wait for another evening at the Rodeo

Ryan knows what the others are up to and is plotting how to best get to Cayton and Kaylee

Cayton and Kaylee discussing how to best Ryan at water fighting

No explanation needed on this one...

Cayton riding the Bull and thinking he is FINALLY a real cowboy

While in Newport, we went to the Rodeo. Cayton couldn't pass on riding the bull and convinced his cousin that it was easy. Got to love how gullible James is...

For those of you who don't know, this is my mom and dad. Bob and Vi. Cayton and I made a trip out to Washington this year to see family and this was of course one of my favorite pics as my mother is going to be upset because I have posted this without her doing her hair. Love ya mom!!