22 Years Ago Today...

...a wonderful baby girl named Nicole Renae Cleaver was born to us.

We took this picture of her next to Melissa's doll when we brought her home from the hospital.

Then we took a picture of her next to her 4 year old sister Melissa. Children grow a lot in four years.

This was the dress we had her blessed in.

19 months later, little brother Ryan came on the scene and most of the time Nicole was loving and nurturing to him. She use to like to drink her bottle and stroke his head.

Nicole liked to be a big girl like Mommy and put on a little make up in the morning.

Nicole was a good little helper. Here she is helping me do laundry.

She was full of energy and joy!

Here is a glamor shot of her wearing sunglasses.

Oops! A little too small to be taking a bath in.

Nicole loved cats. She hauled this little cat "Midnight" all over the house with her.

Nicole tried Ryan out as a rocking horse. It didn't quite work.

She took such delight in the simplest things.

Dressed up as a fairy for Halloween. She loved the pink boots.

Her first day of school. It's hard to believe she will be graduating from college in two months!

Having fun playing T-Ball.

In 6th and 7th grade she gave soccer a try.

A picture before she goes to a ninth grade dance.

Showing off her muscles at the Grand Canyon.

We have years of pictures and wonderful memories of Nicole and these are just a few. We are so thankful she was sent to her home. We love you Nicole and we are glad we will have you with us forever.

Melissa and Soren's Visit

In January Paul and I made a trip to Rexburg to visit the kids and for Paul to go snowmobiling with "the guys". Melissa and Soren decided to come home with us for a week and a half. This picture was taken at an amazing travel center as we headed home. This bear gave Soren some nice entertainment.

Soren, Paul, and Melissa as we take a break from the road.

Once we got home, Soren kept himself busy pulling the CD's out of the holder and dropping them on the floor. He looks cute in these overalls.

Paul watched Soren so that Melissa and I could go to a Chocolate High Tea at the Port Gamble Tea Room. Yummy!

While Melissa was shopping, Soren had fun exploring the store.

My Dad was able to come up and visit Soren and Melissa. I'm glad they got some time together.

Me trying to entertain Soren by putting diapers on our heads like hats.

I love this cheesy grin.

Grandpa was definitely his pal.

He really showed off coasting around on this centerpiece we have in our family room. You can tell he is pretty pleased with himself.

A happy boy!

Soren was really good about not chasing the cat. Soren would just hold out his hand to the cat. I think he expected the cat to lick his hand like his dog Leo does.

We discovered that Soren loves balls. Small balls...

...and big balls. He would lift the ball behind his head and drop it.

Who can help but love a face like that. We love you Soren and miss having you and your mommy around.

Proud of Ryan Wilder

Nicole's husband Ryan works really hard every summer selling pest control. It is a tough job and hard to be successful at. He received three awards from his company in January for his outstanding work.

This one was for the best extended season sales representative.

This one was for being one on the top ten selling sales representatives for 2009.

It is incredible to me that he sold 1,006 accounts in 3 summers of work. You are an amazing worker Ryan and know how to relentlessly go after your goals. You definitely have a talent for selling. We are proud of you!

Girl's Day Out In Idaho Falls

I have started a tradition with my girls of taking them to a tea room when they come home to visit or if i go visit them. We discovered this place in Idaho Falls. Here is Melissa looking very mysterious with her fan and hat.

The owner helped us dress up in hats, shawls ,and gloves. Then she took pictures of us posing in various areas of the 100 year old home.

Here we are sitting at the table for our lunch and tea. She taught us proper etiquette and gave us a lot of historical information.

This was a striking hat on Nicole.

Me, getting in on the fun.

The owner had a peacock motif throughout the house. For those of your who remember, we had a peacock adopt our family for two years and live in our yard. I took this in memory of him--Sir Robert.

Here we are after our lunch standing outside the house. We will have to go back in the spring and see her beautiful flowers. We thought since the boys were having fun snowmobiling, we could have fun doing our girl stuff!