Good Bye Hank

Hank

Sep 98 to Sep 09

On September 9th, 2009 our beloved Hanky passed away after a very short fight against liver cancer. Hank came to us from the streets of Enid, Oklahoma. Hank lived a rags to riches kind of life as he was in terrible shape when we found him. After recovering from life on the streets Hank lived a fine 11 years with us and he never took one minute for granted. Hank was an AF brat and lived in many places that included Oklahoma, North Carolina, England, Kansas and Virginia. Not many dogs can say they have been world travelers. A few of Hanks favorite memories were chasing pheasants with many dog friends in Enid, OK, learning to live with an electric fence in Goldsboro, NC, his short stay in the mountains of Colorado (also know as Doggie Disneyland), and chasing pint sized deer at Lynford Hall in the UK.

Hank's three most favorite things were rolling in the nastiest, stinkiest things he could find, playing resident princess to four little girls and morning runs with Melissa!

Hank, a peaceful and gentle soul, was completely satisfied by just hanging out with humans (even if they were in the bathroom)!

Hank will be missed by all who knew him, especially Melissa and his lifelong buddy, Rusty and we are relieved his suffering was short lived! Thanks Hank for sharing your goofy smile and keeping us company for 11 years!

FROM FRIEND TO FRIEND

You've giving me a special gift,

So sorrowfully endowed,

And through these last few cherished days,

Your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing

When your best friend is in pain,

And understanding earthly acts

Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes,

Beyond, into your soul,

I see in you the magic, that will

Once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess,

Is why I look to you today,

To do this thing that must be done,

For it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you,

And chose you as my friend,

And why I've loved you all these years...

My partner 'til the end.

Please, understand just what this gift,

You're giving means to me,

It gives me back the strength I've lost,

And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf,

For that is what friends do.

And know that what you do is right,

For I believe it too.

So one last time I breathe your scent,

And through your hand I fell,

The courage that's within you,

To grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here,

Dear friend, and let me run,

Once more a strong and steady dog,

My pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing,

For I won't be far away,

Forever here, within your heart,

And memory I'll stay.

I'll be there watching over you,

Your ever faithful friend,

And in your memories I'll run,

...a young dog once again.

(Karen Clouston)

Happy Birthday Neave!!!

Our baby turned 2 on 22 June. Poor Bob has yet to be with Neave on any of her birthdays. We had a simple party at the park. The kids played and ate pizza. Neave absolutely loved opening presents. She was more excited about opening them than she was about what was inside. We had cupcakes and then Grandpa took us all out for ice cream. Neave is really into horses so she received several of them. She has been so fun and we love watching her discover new things. We have also been unfortunate to experience her two year old wrath. She really does have a bad temper sometimes. Instead of asking "Why?" all the time she says, "What's that for?" She is been such a wonderful addition to our family and we are very thankful God has placed her in our lives.

Erica

Rachel and Rebecca

Neavie Kate at 2.

Erica

I love my new hat.

I love to open presents.

My new magnadoodle.

Pictures Galore

Below is a sample of what's been going on for the last two months.

Outside the church after Rachel's First Communion 3 May 2009. We are so proud of her and all of her hard work over the last nine months!

Rachel and her Godparents, Uncle Mark and Aunt Heather.

Rebecca and our nephew Daniel at our brother-in-laws 40th birthday, 10 May 2009. Daniel is such a cutie and we love spending time with him and his parents.

Philip (Bob's sister's hubby) and his nephew George and son Daniel. Happy Birthday Uncle Philip! 10 May 2009

Bob, Erica, Rachel, chicken, and our awesome nephew Aiden. All at THE US Agricultural Hall of Fame in Kansas. Aiden will thank us for that trip some day! We were lucky enough to have Aiden to ourselves for a week. Thanks Mark and Mary! 13 May 2009

Rebecca and our niece Dinah at my brother's house in New Mexico. We had a great time hanging out there for a few days. 8 June 2009

Rachel, Dinah, Rebecca, Neave, Erica, and Grace. Visiting my nieces and sister-in-law in New Mexico. The kids set up a fair with Carmel apples, popcorn, and watermelon.

Rebecca, Grandpa, Duce, Erica, Neave, and Rachel on our way up to Madden Peak. My Dad and I took the kids up a 12,000 foot mountain. We drove up a lot of it and then hiked the rest. Rebecca, Neave and I actually made it up to the top. 13 June 2009

Grandpa and Neave getting ready to roast marshmallows at my parents house in Colorado. 14 June 2009.

Rebecca at 12,000 feet. Great job making it all the way to the top. 13 June 2009

Rebecca, Rachel, and Erica just below the last climb to the top of Madden Peak. 13 June 2009

Neave with marshmallow/chocolate face. 14 June 2009

Neave taking a ride on her horse before we ride on in to town to attend church. 21 June 2009

Catching Up

So what has been keeping me from the computer the last few months...many, many things.

For starters, Bob and I traveled to Virginia to house hunt as we will be moving there in June. We were able to spend time with our brother-in-law Philip and our two nephews. We were also able to spend time with my good friend Maria and her three boys. We had a very successful trip and came home having purchased a home in the perfect location for us. Bob will be working in DC for the next few years. We visited two schools and decided on the catholic school three minutes from our home. Great for me!

As soon as we returned home we started the pre-move process. We still had many boxes to go through from our move 11 months ago. It was hard since we felt like we had just completed this particular job less than a year ago. I am a little obsessive when it comes to our moves so the pre-move process takes me at least two months. I try everything in my power to ensure the move goes as smoothly as possible.

Rachel received her First Holy Communion on May 3rd. She looked absolutely beautiful and we couldn't have been more proud. We had a great party afterward and we were very thankful to celebrate this special day with Rachel's Godparents', Uncle Mark and Aunt Heather.

We had several visitors in April and May. Bob's sister in currently deployed on the Navy's USS Comfort. Her husband and kids, Daniel and Dennis, came to stay in April and May. We loved spending time with them and enjoyed keeping Philip company as we understand how lonely life can be when your spouse is gone for a long period of time. Our awesome little nephew Aiden came to visit as well. We got to be his babysitters for a week in May. He is a great kid (must have great parents) and was a joy to have. We are really going to miss him!

We spent Memorial Day weekend cleaning and taking things apart since the movers were coming the next week. The kids and I packed up the minivan and headed off to Durango for the month of June. My Dad was gracious enough to fly out and help Bob and I that weekend and then helped me drag the kids all the way through Kansas and Colorado. He was a great help. We won't get to see Bob for a month but it has become very difficult to live in limbo for a month with four children, two dogs, and two guinea pigs.

While we have been vacationing in CO, Bob stayed and dealt with the movers, the nasty landlord, and all the outprocessing fun. He graduated from school on 12 June and then headed for DC. He was in town for 36 hours before he headed off to San Diego for his first of many "business trips."

The kids and I are enjoying the outdoors and the company of my parents. We have horseback riding, river walking, VBS, swimming, hiking, soccer camp and a visit with our cousins in New Mexico. I will be running a half marathon with my Dad this weekend. We have had a wonderful time but are looking forward to being home in VA with Bob.

We hope all is well. We ask that your keep Bob's sister Jeni in your prayers. We are looking forward to her safe return. We will send out our new address via email in the future as well as posting many pictures in our next blog. God bless you all and we are glad you are a part of our life.
Bob, Melissa, Rebecca, Rachel, Erica and Neave

WAY BEHIND!

So The Bryants are way too far behind on their blog. We have been super busy and we will get to that in our next blog. Hopefully you won't have to wait so long this next time.

The kids and I traveled to my parents house in Durango, CO for Spring break. We had a great time as usual. We were able to spend some time with my brother Ross and his family. We haven't been able to do that in a long time. We loved trips to Grandpa's River, the Grandma Pool, and we were able to experience some Colorado snow.

The highlight of the trip was the adventure Grandma arranged. We were able to go dog sledding. It was awesome and we all had a blast. The company that took us on our trip was fantastic. It was awesome to watch the dogs get ready as they barked and howled constantly until we took off. It was a total hit and we were able to inner tube and snow sled after as well.

Dinah and Neave throwing ricks in the river.

All the kids by their club house and down by the river with Grandpa

Rachel, Dinah, snowman, Rebecca and Maggie.

Rachel, Neave, and I on our sled. The dogs were awesome!

Rebecca and one of the dogs.

Grace and Erica dressing up.

Catching Up

OK...so I have been super busy the last few weeks so I am going to try and catch up. This will be a random entry so I can catch up as quick as possible.

Rebecca has been swimming on a swim team this year and has really become a great swimmer. She peaked at just the right moment to qualify for the state swim meet in the 100 and 50 style races and the 50 back stroke. What is so awesome about Rebecca is that she has my competitive spirit (there is nothing fun about losing!) and Bob's nerves (super nervous about big things.) So Rebecca can't eat the mornings of her meets and we really have to get her to relax before she swims. As she became a better swimmer she started to swim her first race, get out of the pool, throw up and then swim her next race. Poor girl! We are so proud of her and hope that she will eventually keep the competitive spirit but out grow the nervous vomiting!

So our last post had our early Spring weather and now we are onto late Winter weather. Above, Rachel is being a sweetheart and helping me shovel the driveway and below old dog Rusty is enjoying his frolic in the snow which hopefully won't be his last!

Just a cute picture of the oldest and youngest. Neave is getting so big. We can't believe she is almost two. So is really starting to talk and loves to try and sing in church. She almost had the Priest cracking up a few weeks ago. With the talking comes her ability to express her likes and really express her dislikes. She is a gem and we all adore her.

Lastly, we are on the move again this June. We are headed to Washington, DC. We are sadden to be leaving family and the rural lifestyle we are accustomed to as we head to a much bigger city. But keeping a positive frame of mind...we will be close to Bob's sister Jeni and her family as well as my good friend Maria!

Stay tuned for an entry about our awesome trip to Durango, CO!

Two Day Spring

Living in the middle Midwest we thought we might actually get to see some snow this year. Everyone is equipped with boots, snow pants and good gloves. Unfortunately, all we have had is freezing temperatures, frost bite causing wind chills, and WIND, WIND, WIND! Fortunately we had temperatures in the 60s this weekend. These temperatures were very uncharacteristic for this time a year but we enjoyed every minute of it.

We were outside all day Saturday. Rusty was able to enjoy several walks around the block and I think the girls were at the park from 0930 until 1600. We live right across the street so Bob and I are able to monitor the kids from our drive way. Bob and I cleaned up the garage and even had some time to go through boxes of old stuff that needed to find new homes.

Sunday was almost just as nice so we headed outside again for a day of walking, running, parking, playing soccer, scootering, bike riding and a little more garage work. Our family just loves the outdoors and for some sick reason I love to clean the garage. It is a gene I think a received from my father. He too likes to clean the garage. One of the benefits of playing outside is that our kids get along better and sleep wonderfully after a day outside. I love placing four dirty, tired kids in the bath after a day of hard play. Neave was especially cute with the dirt around her mouth. I think I wiped her mouth 100 times but the dirt still managed to creep up to her mouth.

We thanked God on Sunday for the wonderful weather, our time together as a family, and the best weekend we have had in 2009!