Snowstorm Harper is a family affair

 This poor son of mine was living in Hawaii 2 weeks ago... 

 Welcome home, Matt!!

 Mark knows how to dress for the weather

 Putting chains on the little tractor

 Luke helping shovel us out

 It's alot of work.

Grace and Carson have the perfect view.

 This sums it up... snowstorm Harper

 Poor Pat snowblowed at 3am, 7 am and now it's noon... probably we will need one more round of clean up... it's still snowing.

Little did I know that I was being spied on while I measured and took pictures of the snow depth.

13 inches in the backyard..

21 inches in the front yard drift

Matt is melting.... 

Great Grandma meets Sofia

 Great-Grandma Hesler meeting her 28th great grandchild.  

28!!!

Hip hip hooray for babies!

 Sophia is a cutie pie...but wasn't really impressed with Grandma

 Grandma, Alexis, Sophia and Carson.

Matt got home just in time for a quick photo with Grandma...We are so happy to have them all home from Hawaii!!

Pieces of My Heart

We celebrated Christmas.  I had 9 of my 10 Kids and a dog at home...Missing were my Hawaiian family members.  My son Matt, his wife Alexis and my first grandson, Carson.  

They were very busy this Christmas season.......

 Sophia made her debut a little early on December 11th.

God is great!!

 Big brother meeting his sister for the first time. 

 I believe he will be his baby sister's biggest protector.

 Things started out a little rough...but after a stay in the NICU Sophia is home and doing great.

 Carson put the baby bassinet to good use before Sophia came home.

 DISCHARGED!!!!  

 The very first "tummy time".   

 The visit with Santa...Carson was happy to sit on his lap since Santa gave him presents. 

The sweetest gifts under the tree

Time in paradise is coming to an end very soon...  my kids and grandkids are coming HOME...

I just can't wait to hug everyone...and smooch these babies!

Introducing Private and Mrs. Matthew Collins!

Matthew and Alexis Collins

October 12, 2013

Rehersal time

 Our family, included our soon to be newest member

 When Matt left for the army Mark was shorter...not any more.

 

 Becky has the bridesmaid walk down!

 Practice makes perfect

 The happy couple

Kim and Luke trying to figure out the whole linking arms thing...LOL!

He's Home!!

Matt's home and Luke's hug says it all!!

It's a quick visit, complete with a wedding tomorrow.

Then the happy couple will be heading south, probably at the end of the week.

Even though it is a short visit...getting to hug him was worth it.

A Brand New Soldier in the United States Army

 Matthew graduated from basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and is now a private in the US army.

 What a remarkable 2 days we had with him.

The first glimpse we had of the new troops was through a curtain of smoke. 

It gave us all chills, and was the only time I cried!

There's my boy, third in line.

 Finally, Matt and Alexis, his fiancé, were together.  It has been a long 3 months.

 We are so proud.

 My first taste of Chik fil a.  We don't have this food way up north.

 The band began the graduation ceremony

 Here they come.

 Looking sharp.

 The very first palm tree I have ever seen.

Go ARMY!!!