An Amazing Woman

Grandma and Skylar March 2008


4 generations (me-very pregnant with Sailyr)

Yesterday afternoon one of the most important people in our lives passed away. She was my Grandma Mona. She was the best grandma and she and I were very close. She was my #1 fan and biggest supporter of anything that I ever did. Many of my fondest memories of my childhood were made at her house or with her. She was so fun and funny and always loved a good joke. She was always worrying about everyone else and would give you anything she had. She was a great example to me and I have a very heavy heart right now. I will miss her dearly! We love you Grandma!

It's finally happening

Potty training has officially begun! Skylar has started to go in the potty. Not all the time but some of the time. It is a start! We are not pushing her but just letting her do it on her own terms. I hope this is the best way but we are open to any suggestions. I can see the light at the end of the diaper tunnel!

In Loving Memory...

of Fred Hess October, 2002-November 2, 2009


Earlier this week, we had an unfortunate accident that took the life of our family cat. We are so sad to have to say goodbye to him. He was a true member of our family. Our girls have grown to love him and he was often known to come running when one of them was crying or hurt, especially Skylar. Travis and I adopted him from the shelter just one month after we were marrried. Fred was about 6-8 months old at the time and was nearly full grown. He was so loveable and sweet that we couldn't figure out why someone wouldn't want him. I think back now and realize that he was just meant to be with our family. He has seen our good times and bad and has been there for me through them all. He has been the center of some mysterious mishaps and some amazing rescues (he was once got in the ski locker of our boat and was there for 4 days!). He has been both a source of frustration and a shoulder to cry on when I needed someone to listen to me. He will be truly missed!

Fall Pictures

My beautiful and talented friend/photographer Julie took these darling pictures of our girls a few weeks ago. I think they turned out great and I can't believe how big they both look, especially Skylar! She is officially a little girl! No more baby face on that one! Thanks Jules!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A week ago today an awesome thing happened in our family! Brady and Steph (Trav's bro and wife) welcomed their first baby, Breckyn Loo Hess, into the world! We couldn't be more excited for them and also for us to have another little girl to be BFF's with our girls! She is absolutely perfect! So little, weighing in at only 6 lbs. 4 oz. Check out thier darling blog post about her here!

Monster Mash!

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Curb your enthusiasm

For the past couple of weeks/months we (mostly Trav) have been working on our yard. We are so sick of the dirt and everything that comes with it! We can't wait to have grass, and today we made the final step towards just that! We planted our grass seed and started watering it with our brand new sprinkling system (put in entirely by my husband with help from his Dad and brothers)! Last week we got our decorative curbing and it really gives our yard shape and looks so good. We still have a lot of work to do to get our flower beds planted and lit (Travis is an electrician!) I am so excited to see the finished product but for now I am watching for little sproutlets of grass!