All My Boys!

Kannin has had Nicki as his HabAide (Rehabilitational Aide) since August of 2009. Nicki came into our home 20 hours a week for 9 months and became a HUGE part of our family. She became engaged in February of this year and decided to move with her fiance JJ when he found a new job in Washington State. Her last day was May 6th, 2010 and we can not even explain how much we miss her! There are no words to explain all the ways Nicki helped our little guy grow, learn, mature & love. There are also not enough ways to say thank you to her for the special friend she has become for Kannin and myself. The people that she is yet to meet and the employers that she will work for and with down the road...THEY are the lucky ones because their lives will be blessed by a an amazing, loving, caring and genuine person. Kannin has a friend for life in Nicki and we are already planning a trip to Washington in June of 2011 for Nicki & JJ's Wedding!!

A day at Build A Bear

Nicki helping Kannin make his bear.

Our Christmas with Nik Nik

Cuddling with Nicki at Ryder's Birthday Party

Having once had a huge fear of dogs, Kannin now is more loving of them. Here he is sharing a kiss with "Rane," Nicki's Cocker Spanial.

Playing a game with Nik Nik

Nicki's last day here! Ryder says: "I will never forget Nicki. I will just cose my eyes and remember her!"

Nicki & Kannin saying goodbye on her last day at our house

(May 6, 2010)

Nicki & JJ stayed around Billings for an extra week to pack for their move. They met us at Chuck E. Cheese ON Kannin's 5th Birthday to celebrate with him.

Punching The Ducks with Nik Nik

Birthday Gift: Reading his new book with Nicki & JJ

Kannin's NEW Hab Aide Stephany. Stephany started coming to our house around the end of May and Kannin has taken to her really well. We will create lots of new memories with her and I will BLOG about his progress! Thanks for everything Nicki & WELCOME Stephany!!

(JUST A REMINDER: BY CLICKING ON THE PICTURES...THEY CAN BE ENLARGED)

Our little guy turned FIVE!! I can hardly believe it!! We had a "Candyland" themed party for him on Saturday May 15th. The weather was beautiful for our outdoor neighborhood party! My parents and Grandmother from SD came and spent a long weekend with us. It was so nice to see my family and it was AWESOME to have all their help setting up for the party. All the boys were SO SO SO excited for them to come and were all really sad when they left today.

We had the party in our garage, driveway and backyard. It was a beautiful day!!

We had kids music playing and Cotton Candy for everyone!!

The Kid's Goody Bags

The Popcorn Table was very popular.

Every table was scattered with TONS of candy. I think even the parents left with a sugar high!!

My favorite was the "Pop Rocks!"

The "LollyPop" tree...

The Bubble Gum Bowl was near gone by the end of the night.

We had Burgers, Bratts, Hotdogs, Macaroni & Potato Salad and lots of chips.

Some of the party-goers.

All the kids loved the New Trampoline!!

After supper...the Ice Cream Lady came to the party. Thanks Grandpa Roger for buying the Ice Cream and thanks Cindy for getting your truck going early this season so you could make our "Candyland" theme complete with Yummy Ice Cream!!

Kannin was so excited for Ice Cream that he tried to scale the side of the truck to get in! Grandpa Roger caught him.

Addie & Gavin get Ice Cream from the truck.

(My mom Kris and Tania in the background)

Brian getting a push-up for his little girl Kaley.

Before Cindy left...Birthday Boy Kannin finally made it into the truck for a picture! He couldn't stop giggling!!

With Ice Cream Music playing...all kids waved good-bye to Cindy.

The Cake...I had the brilliant idea to make a tierred cake with fondant. I have not used fondant since college and thought "what better time to give it a whirl but now!" WELL...I probably have more money and time into this cake than it would have taken if I HIRED someone to make it! Oh well...Kannin LOVED it and I was pretty pleased for it being my first tierred cake! His expression above made it ALL worth it!!

The Cake!!

Blowing out the candles

As you can see...Baby Gavin thought the cake was delicious!!

Thanks Trish for the AWESOME "Giraffe Limbo!" We played it in the front yard today and it was real amusing when the adults attempted!! We will have hours of fun with this!!

Michael helping Kannin tear into his new scooter.

Thanks Gramma Carol and Grampa Leon for the AWESOME scooter!!!

Kaley LOVING the trampoline...

...AND Daddy's Cupcake!!

I could have kept this little girl! She was SO adorable!!

Birthday Boy at the end of the party.

Whirly Pop, tired eyes and red sticky nose! I say...Party Accomplished!!

Just a foote note for you all. Every child went home with a tooth brush and tooth paste in their goody bag to wash away all signs of how CANDYLAND SWEET the day was!!