Annie and fam....

What a year 2017 has been for our family.  We have experienced many changes, highest highs and lowest lows.  I started out the year enjoying life as a working single mom, navigating independence and balancing work, home, kids, and dating again.  Although I wasn't looking for love, it found me.  Dale and I decided we wanted to start a life together and blend our families early in 2017.  We had a lot of logistics to discuss and work out which included introducing his boys to my girls, and deciding where we would live.  We all worked hard to get Dale's house in Denver ready to sell and get on the market in March; amazingly we had an offer the morning after.  Dale and I exchanged wedding vows May 19, 2017 in a simple ceremony with our children.  Kim, Rhonda, Katie, and Abbie surprised us by showing up as well.  I was so surprised! (Dale may have been in on the secret.)  We all moved into a rental house as we wait for our new home to be completed March 2018, and have been getting used to a household of 7!  It has been new, fun, exciting, different, and scary for all parties to get used to each other.


Brinley is a sophomore this year and doing well in her new classes and school.  She's keeping busy with stage crew tech in the fall, choir, and now swim team in the winter.  She is talented, funny, responsible, and sassy.  She is passionate to say the least!

Remi is in 8th grade, and loves history and sports.  He and Ben both played basketball in the spring, football in the summer, and Remi tried out lacrosse.  He loves anything spicy and is friendly, outgoing, and sensitive. 

Ben is in 7th grade and enjoying his new school with Remi.  He is sweet, kind, and polite.  He's always willing to help out and likes to cook.  I've loved learning about and getting to know these boys.

Meggie is in 7th grade as well, but at a different school than the boys.  She tried out volleyball this year and did really well.  She's also in choir and is becoming more independent and responsible.  She is really growing up into a bright young woman.

Robi is in 2nd grade and loves school.  She loves to read and learn.  She is loving, kind, silly, and makes friends easily.  I never get tired of her cuddles and hugs.

I moved hospitals during the summer to be closer to our new location, and am working full-time nights in the NICU.  I love my job and the babies and families I have the opportunity to care for and teach.  Dale is an industrial hygienist and works for the federal government in Boulder, and does some consulting work on the side.  He is passionate about safety and very educated and informed.  He makes me happy everyday and I'm beyond grateful for him in my life.  Through him I've found a love, passion, happiness and stability I never knew I'd have.  We are so grateful for all this year has brought us and are looking forward to continued blending, a new house, and joy in the coming years.