We dont have a lot of pictures of before the storm. We sat at the window watching the rain, then hail, then the hail get larger. Until it was huge. The pictures I took with my camera phone cant transfer for some reason into my picture hosting. So I wont be able to add those.
We didnt know there was a tornado. We dont have sirens. We just didnt even think about it.
This is the only picture I have from before.
This was taken right after the storm.
Neena holding one of many pieces of hail. Easily fills the inside of her hand.
Looks like it snowed.
Looking down the street.
Cloud in the distance.
You can see the farmhouse collapsed here.
Pieces missing from the house.
tree uprooted
more trees everywhere you looked
Another tornado warning goes out
I believe this may have been the cell that formed and struck Greeley.
Getting dark again. Time to go home again.
Going north to find my friend Christy who just had a baby a week ago. She was unreachable for hours.
Downed powerlines everywhere.
You can see Neena taking pictures in her fabulous pink and blue cast.
You can see the collapsed buildings far off.
Shocked people, some with windows missing.
Getting closer to my friends subdivision.
No words.........
Overturned trucks
Across the street from my friend subdivision.
Traffic trying to get in. They would only let those with ID in. Had to leave without being able to check on my friend. She did call later. They are missing all their windows and had the roof torn off their house and garage door is gone. But she was safely evacuated shortly after the tornado. All of her 5 kids and her are safe.
I will take some pictures later today of the damage to our house and the cars. Please pray that we have a good afternoon. They are predicting more storms today.
Recipe: a bike, a pair of roller skates, a dog leash and a few large rocks lovingly stirred in by a little brother
What is made:
Neena broke her wrist and is in quite a bit of pain. Thankfully, they were able to set her wrist without surgery, though they were pretty sure she was going to have surgery the same night.
She was a trooper and very brave. Shhhh don't tell her that she could ask for ANYTHING right now and probably get it.
Best friends Katelee and Emilee came by to see neena after school.
The bike rider
TJ felt very bad. His card and chocolate were a very sweet gesture.
Grandma Lily brought the boys home. She also brought Neena some flowers and a chocolate ice cream from Mcdonalds.
Neena was visited by 2 friends. they are co american girls in Neena's violin group. They were able to cheer her up a little.
Shortly after this, Neena crashed. She was exhausted but happy to have people visiting.
Copied from my post on a homeschool board I belong to.
Seriously....my boys are too much.
So today we left the house to hit garage sales early. I pull up in front of the first house. All the big kids pile out of the car. We look and I tell the kids to get back in the car. Then one of the kids starts telling me, "mom the van is locked" I was like....no it is not. I walk over and look inside and sure enough. Car is locked and running with Jon inside! Of course my cell phone is locked inside. I ask to borrow the phone of the house I was at.
I call 911. I told them that my 4 year old locked my 17 month old inside the car. She said, ok. 25 minutes later a police officer comes casually pulling in. He gets out and casually walks up and say..."Good thing you got all your kids out." I said...."Umm yea, except for the one in the car seat." <---police mans eyes as he peers into the back seat of the van.
He tells me, they did not dispatch there was a baby in the car. So he calls for some help. Another cop shows up. 2 cops both trying to slim jim into the van. They call for the chief to come help. Chief shows up trying to slim jim in the van too.
Then they send the cops from our town (we are only 2 miles apart) to my house to try and wake my husband up. Anyone married to anyone who works in law enforcement and works nights will agree, that they train themselves to sleep through everything. And he did. The officer banged on the window, rang the door bell, made the dogs bark and Rich did not wake. (sound much like a normal day at our house... )
So then the cop from my town came over to where we were. (Yes 4 cops and nearly 45 minutes have passed) He strolls up, pumps the door a little, sticks a wedge in, and sticks a long pole inside. Pops the lock and Jon was FREE!
Our neighbor and friend Avery is moving away. The kids enjoy him and he is a lot of fun! Praying his life will move in positive directions. We will miss him. (As will my dinner table. We have fed him 4-5 times a week for the past 2 years!!!)
A dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is one of the most amazing women. She is strong, she is courageous and and she is so very loving. Please pray for healing for her. We are faithful she will survive and live a long life!
Here is dad working on one kids bike. Jon felt like he could help figure out what the problem was too. Pretty cute shot!
Here is Jimmy winning his soccer game. The people rave about his goal keeping skills. He really plays fearlessly out there. Which is very very unlike his personality in life. He loves soccer! I love to watch him!
Then i planned a baby shower for a friend. She has 4 girls and this was their first boy! They are very excited to welcome little Isaac Keith into the world next month! We had a very simple set up, with baby bottle filled jelly beans, a scrapbook table for everyone to make Isaac and Christy and scrapbook page, and lots of yummy food. (don't ask how tired I was....) I had a good time and I hope it will be a blessing for them!
Seems like she just got her hair cut. Somewhere back in the pages she cut her hair and donated. Well Neena wanted to do that again. Instead spring has hit and she wanted to trim to hair.
This is Jimmy with his piano teacher. He has been great with Jimmy and Jimmy is learning so much. Coming soon will be his first recital! I am excited for Jimmy. He has worked hard to learn to play with two hands!
• Mar. 28, 2008 - 4 of the 101 things the kids can do!
Call us easily entertained....
The things you can do with a box!
You can wear them as pants!
You can use it a straight jacket!
You can wear it as a saddle and have your brother think it is hilarious! (Somehow, I don't think Jimmy quite understood what Neena meant when she said she could be a turtle with the box)
Or your siblings can stick it on your head and make you wear it as a hat!
So we ditched school today and ran to the park to enjoy 72 degree weather! Shhhh dont tell the in-laws, they believe that school only occurs when you are tied to a desk!
So let me introduce you to our new family member! She came in flying on santas sleigh! Her name is Hollie the Collie!
I noticed something today. Kids are drawn to animals. And parents despise those of us who bring our dogs to the park....Huge playground, tons of swings and nice rockwall....nope mom, I want to go pet that spaz of white fur over there.
Then the kids played some softball and swang and played. We were there long enough for me to get a little red from the sun. Ahh the joys of getting old!
Joey wearing his cool new shoes and flying so high! "mom take a picture of me!!"
Surprisingly anti-social Jon who was rudely awakened from a nap to be tossed into a swing. Cant blame the kid really!
One kid likes the ride, the other kid calculates the fall to the ground and at what speed will it hurt the most? Ahhh, each kid is sooooo different!
• Mar. 24, 2008 - Here are some shots of the kids from Easter!
Growing fast....
I love when I catch my "big girl" enjoying being a little girl. This touched my heart in a great way!
She was spinning with her bubbles outside, where she thought no one was watching.....
Jimmy blowing some bubbles for Jon!
Joey watching bubbles!
And who is that handsome devil????
SPEAKING OF DEVILS....
What comes to mind when you see your son like this?
(Yes I know BATH TIME)....Let me give you a word of advice....never EVER EVER leave an open chocolate bunny where a 17 month old can get it. There will be nothing left of it when you finally find the kid.
Easter is early this year....So I had to bump up things and fast. I did not even have Easter stuff out until today...LOL Well we dyed eggs and had a lot of fun tonight. Then we brushed our teeth and went to bed. And the weird part was...they actually went to bed. No fighting, drinks, potty runs...nothing. Ahhhhhhhhh
the silence of a quiet house!!!
We are celebrating Easter one day early. Dad has to work on Easter this year. So tomorrow we will have a nice breakfast, yummy dinner and spend the day together!!!
BEWARE and CAUTION: This is our life. Weird stories, funny things that happen or the kids say, and just our plain day to day life. You have been warned.....
You can see the collapsed buildings far off.
Of course my cell phone is locked inside. I ask to borrow the phone of the house I was at. 
)
She is also due to have a baby in a few months!
I noticed something today. Kids are drawn to animals. And parents despise those of us who bring our dogs to the park....Huge playground, tons of swings and nice rockwall....nope mom, I want to go pet that spaz of white fur over there.
Joey wearing his cool new shoes and flying so high! "mom take a picture of me!!"
Surprisingly anti-social Jon who was rudely awakened from a nap to be tossed into a swing. Cant blame the kid really!
One kid likes the ride, the other kid calculates the fall to the ground and at what speed will it hurt the most? Ahhh, each kid is sooooo different!
She was spinning with her bubbles outside, where she thought no one was watching.....
Jimmy blowing some bubbles for Jon!
And who is that handsome devil????
