Sad News

A couple of days ago we were informed that my grandmother, Barbara Spears, had passed away because of heart failure. About 3 1/2 months ago she suffered a horrible stroke while on vacation with my aunt Diane visiting my mother. She's been battling rehab and had been climbing an uphill battle that she was bound to lose.

Although the news is heart wrenching and brings tears to our eyes, I know she is in a better place and smiling down on us with love. What an amazing woman! She was such a great role model in my life. Shaping me with a great sense of humor, sarcasm, knowledge, a sense of being and most of all LOVE. She was a very passionate person, especially when it came to sports and politics. Often times I would call her and my Grandpa to catch up on the latest baseball or football season and my wife would say, "Was that your Grandma you were talking to?". She was a great friend and I will deeply miss her.

Nanny I love you with all of my heart and you will be deeply missed. I'm sorry that we couldn't see each other one last time but I know that you are in a better place and are free of pain. Please make sure to watch over us until we meet again and shower our family with love.

God Bless,

Travis, Ashley & Julia

Heading Home

We are heading home for the holidays tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited to set my eyes on those beautiful, snow topped mountains.

We have been so busy around our house lately and I have so many pictures to share but they will have to wait because I am just too darn tired right now. However, I did want to share some exciting news. We finally found a house (to rent until we can sell our place in Draper)! And we will be moving in RIGHT when we get home from our trip. This will be our first real house with no neighbors attached to the sides of us and we are so excited! Hello, private backyard and play room, I have been waiting for you! Here is a sneak peak of the outside:

As for this little munchkin:

She is getting sassier by the minute. She is now 22 months going on 22 years! She cracks me up every day and never ceases to amaze me. She knows her alphabet, knows how to count to 15 , knows all her shapes and is working on her colors. I can't believe I will have a 2 year old soon. She can't wait to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house and either can I! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Addresses Needed

We are sending our Christmas cards out this week! Please send me your address to ashley_92@hotmail.com

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we decided to meet up with our good friends Nikell, Cody and their two adorable boys, Noah and Crew. Because Kell and Cody live in Kansas City we decided we would meet in the middle to celebrate the holiday. The middle city was..... drum roll folks .......Tulsa, Oklahoma! None of us had ever even been to Tulsa but we were all up for an adventure.

The weekend consisted of a great Thanksgiving dinner at Mimi's Cafe, looking at Christmas lights, a trip to the zoo, a trip to what we thought was a Christmas castle that really ended up being a bizarre medieval castle with a cow kissing lady (see pic below), and some serious laughing. Julia was in heaven with her two boyfriends and who can blame her? They are so handsome!

Crew, Julia and Noah

Me and Kell

Fun at the Zoo

At the "Christmas Castle" they had a petting zoo and after letting the kids pet all the animals we witnessed this.......

Yes, she is feeding a cow from her mouth. This place was seriously like the twilight zone. I guess only in Tulsa!

Although we couldn't be with our families this year, Nikell and Cody are the next closest thing.

Girl

Today I watched Oprah. It was probably an old episode and maybe you all watched it too. But, it broke my heart. It made me count my blessings. It made me hug my little Julia tighter.

More info here or here.