Late Christmas With the Mayes and Gaetje Families

January 2, 2017

Schedules were pretty tight this year, so our Christmas with the cousins happened after the New Year.  It doesn't matter to us; celebrating Christmas is about getting together with family no matter when it happens.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:

Homecoming at the Gaetje Household

October 20, 2012

The girls are all grown up and dressed up!  Sophomore year Homecoming Dance for Miss Natalie and Miss Taylor:

 Taylor and her boyfriend, Chris

Taylor's Prom

May 28, 2012

My beautiful niece Taylor, with her boyfriend Chris, getting ready for the prom.  She looks so grown up, and even more importantly, so happy.  I really wish I could have been there to help get her ready for the big night. 

The More the Merrier

May 13, 2012

My sister Lisa has embarked upon a new and very exciting chapter in her life.  For as long as I can remember, she has always wanted to either adopt or foster kids.  There is such a need for that in our world, and Lisa has always seen that need as a calling.  After a great number of checks and assurances in many forms (financial scrutiny, physical check up, personal interviews with social workers, background checks, home and auto inspections, just to name a few), she was cleared to have kids placed with her.  Almost immediately, Riley and Emily, brother and sister, met with Lisa for a few visitations before the actual placement.  There was an immediate connection, with Lisa and with Lisa's girls, and before long her family had grown by two.  I'm thrilled for her and and all the kids, and can't wait to meet my new niece and nephew.

Bailey's Soccer Game

November 12, 2011


My sister and I together have managed to produce five goalies between us, and although I have sat through countless soccer games here in Fresno, I hadn't been able to get down to Lisa's neck of the woods to watch any of my nieces play until this past weekend. We were in Southern California to attend Laura's engagement party and it happened to be play-off weekend for Bailey's soccer team. Loved seeing my little Miss Bailey in action! They played a tough game, and we got to see Bailey make a couple of pretty spectacular dive-and-roll saves. I'm hoping to get to see Devin and Taylor out on the field soon, too.

Look Who Else Had a Dance This Weekend

October 16, 2011

My beautiful niece Taylor also attended a high school dance this weekend with her friends--the Homecoming Dance. Love the dress! It's so exciting to see our kids growing up: )