The world lost a wonderful woman......

The world lost a beautiful, wonderful woman on May 17, 2012.  Mark's aunt Deborah Reich lost her twenty one month battle to lung cancer, and she never smoked a day in her life.  She was so open about her everyday struggles, up's and down's, and little milestones during treatment.  I think her being so open about everything made everyone around her love her even more!  At every family get together or any time I saw Deb, she always made time to talk and listen to what was going on with Mark and I's family.  And I loved to hear her story's about her grandsons.  She was so proud of those boys!!  She was an inspirational woman with an amazing artistic ability.  Deb's art is all over our home.  There is not a day that goes by that Deb is not thought of in the Keller household.  From Madison's growth chart that Deb painted for her, that she stands next to about everyday and say's, "Look how tall I'm getting......I'm already to the three!!".  And Grant loves to look and have us read to him "Eenie", a book Deb illustrated.  There are also many paintings and etched glass all over our home.  She really did have a gift!!  Deb was a stronger person than I think I would have ever been in her situation.  She still loved life and everyone around her.  This is the last picture I took of Deb.  It was at the Ritz family Christmas.  I'm so glad we were there to celebrate her last Christmas with her.  Her visitation and funeral was nothing like any other I have ever attended.  It really was a labor of love to Deb.  Like I said, the world lost a wonderful woman.........

We scream for ice cream!!!

This summer I stocked our garage freezer with all kinds of Schwann's ice cream treats.  Madison and Grant have gotten quite a sweet tooth!!!

Grant no longer let's you hold his drum stick to control the mess!

And it sure is a mess......

.......but a cute mess!!!!

Bonifest 2012

Every year the catholic church, St. Boniface, in Edwardsville always has a big festival.  It's always a good time, so we decided to take on the heat and go again this year on May 25th.  They didn't have any rides for Grant to ride, but they sure did for Madison!  And she LOVED'em!!

Showing the boys how it is done!

Having fun!!  Woman driver......get out of the way!!!

"Hi", mom and dad!!

On the other hand, the little roller coaster was not as much fun for Madison.  The look of terror on her face made Mark and I laugh soooooo hard!!!  Priceless!!!

The little girl's mom that Madison was sitting with came over to us and asked if her little girl was smashing Madison, and if that was why she had the worried look on her face.  Mark and I had to stop laughing to answer her!  Of course the answer was no.....I thing Madison wasn't quit ready or this one yet!

These pictures still make me chuckle!!  Madison even laughs and says she looks funny!

hhhhhhheeeeeellllllllpppppp!!!

She was a little reluctant to get on the next ride.

But I think this one was a little more her pace.

We had one more ticket to burn and Madison wanted to ride the cars again.

This time she got her own motorcycle!!

She thought she was big stuff!!! 

 Fun times at Bonifest 2012!!

Mother's Day 2012

I was treated like a queen this past Mother's Day!  Mark and the kids did a great job making me feel special.  I was greeted in the morning with breakfast, cards and gifts.  I received  real pearls and a new 50mm lens for my camera.  I was pretty excited!!

Apparently the kids were as well!! Looking back at the pictures, I'm impressed the necklace didn't bust!

I finally got to try everything on and the kids still couldn't leave them alone!  Guess I need to wear jewelry more often!

Love these two!!!

Mark and Madison also made me a delicious chocolate strawberry cake......YUM!

Mark said it didn't look like the picture in the magazine, but it tasted wonderful!!  Thanks hunny!!

We ended the day with blowing some bubbles with the kids.  Oh how they love bubbles!!!

And each other.....at times!!

Thank you Mark, Madison, and Grant for a great Mother's Day!!!!

Grant's first bike ride....

On May 11th, Grant finally got to go on his first bike ride!  Poor second child!!  I think we took Madison at like 7 months.  I still can't believe we didn't even get our bikes out last summer, and we live right next to the trail!  But we were soooooo busy on the house, we never made the time to enjoy the small things.  This summer we are making up for the bike rides!  A couple of weeks ago Mark got a bike trailer from work for free!!  It was his bosses old one and they no longer wanted it.  We gave it a little TLC, and it is good as new!! We have taken the kids out about every night.  It is fun to see them "talk" and play while Mark and I ride.  Also, Madison has learned how to ride her tricycle.  She has came a long way since winter.  She really took off this spring!  She is pretty proud of herself, and Mark and I are as well!!

Mark trying to get Madison's old helmet to fit Grant's chubby face!

Too tight Dad!!!

OK......I guess I will wear this thing on my head!

The crew getting ready to take off!

Off they go!!!!

It must have been a success......no one is crying!!!