Give-away!

Hey all. I don't know what's in the give-away but if you want to enter, go here and follow the instructions!
http://hamershappenings.blogspot.com/2009/10/give-away.html

Finding Hope Video

(Thanks Esther for enlightening me with this video about remembering what is important in life.)
Take a few minutes and watch this video:

FINDING HOPE 9/11 Video

*Happy Anniversary*

Happy 5th Anniversary;
To the best husband that has ever lived on Earth!
Lex,
"You complete me" is a good way to describe what you do for me
because when it comes to our family, life and learning
you make up for all the areas where I fall short.
Half of who I am today I accredit to

having married you and the other half
I accredit to the many other blessings Heavenly Father
has given me.
I love you more than I could describe in words
and I look forward to the next 70 years of our life together.
I love you forever,
Erin

Just another day in paradise

These are pictures from the little impromptu photo shoot today. The excitement never stops in this house! They are so adorable!!! No question about it.

Darius' Baby Blessing

Darius was blessed May 3rd, 2009. We were surrounded by many family and friends from near and far. Thank you all for attending. The day was so special and we were blessed to share it with you.

Life the last two months...

Life can pretty much be summed up by these pictures:

Needless to say we find ourselves a little drained rather often!

Ode to Cub Scouts

I was called as the Education Counselor in the Relief Society in April, which also means that I was released from one of my favorite callings; the Wolves Cub Scouts leader. I am going to miss those energetic, goofy, happy boys!!!


Cory, Scott, Zach, Garrett, Hayden, Kameron and Andrew,
I will miss working with you and being your leader. Thank you for making Cub Scouts so much fun. Good luck with all your projects to come. Keep working hard and be happy!
Please let me know if I can ever help out!

Easter Fun 2009

Three Easter Egg Hunts, flag football, kite flying, Easter dinner
and lots of sunny weather made Easter very eventful this year.
Lex and Cyrus had a great timeplaying flag football at the Doughty's Easter Egg Hunt.

Darius didn't understand what the big deal was about
flag football! It was a little windy for him that day.


Easter Sunday included enjoying a wonderful morning at church,
a fun little Easter Egg Hunt for Cyrus and Jack
at Grandma Bassett's house, and a wonderful Easter dinner
with the whole Bassett Family. We couldn't have asked for more.

Aren't these two little boys amazing? Thanks Mamaw!
The boys look so adorable in their new Easter outfits!

The Day You Were Born

The Story of Darius' Birthday
March 12, 2009

This story really begins the day before Darius' birthday. Wednesday was a normal day with plans for Lex and me to teach a dance at mutual for the Regional Youth Dance Festival. Those plans all changed after my doctors appointment.
After a blood pressure reading of 148/92 Dr. Lowder advised that I be induced and that Darius be born the very next day. Until then, doctors orders, NO DANCING! Well... I did my best to take it easy just couldn't resist dancing a little. :-D
That evening I received a priesthood blessing from Lex which gave me great comfort, courage and strength for the momentous day to come.
6AM was quite an early start, even for such a wonderful event. From check-in to delivery things moved very quickly. (What an understatement!) Petocin added to my IV (my favorite part) got everything moving swiftly and steadily. Dr. Lowder broke my water at 7:15AM. It didn't take me long to realize I could sure use a little relief from the contractions which were fast and strong coming, so an epidural came just 45 minutes later.

Once Darius decided he was okay with being born that day he didn't waist a moment getting getting here. Dihlation from 5 to 9 1/2 cm took place in just FIFTEEN minutes (from 9AM to 9:15AM).
Unaware of the fast pace at which he was moving, I called Mom (Mamaw) at 9:15AM and said "If you don't hurry you're going to miss it". She rushed to the hospital as quickly as she could and arrived 11 minutes later... two minutes too late.
After a whopping six minutes of pushing, four or five pushes in total, I held the most beautiful, warm, amazing treasure in my arms. Lex and I were so overjoyed to hear him cry and feel him in our arms for the first time.
This glorious baby was soon to be named Darius C Case.
Born at 9:24AM. 7lbs 9oz. 20 3/4 in. long.

Cyrus came to meet his brand new brother later that afternoon. All the aunt's, uncles and grandparents were almost more anxious to see what his first interaction would be like than Cyrus was to see Darius.
After Cyrus woke up from his nap in the car, and after the nurse brought Darius back from his routine health check, Lex and I exclaimed to Cyrus "Your baby brother Darius is here! He was born today". To which he replied "I didn't want him to come today". However as soon as he caught his first glance of his little brother, he walked over to the hospital bed and said "I want to hold him". He has been a protector and best friend to Darius ever since.

Darius,
Oh how awesome it was to hold you, perfect body and Spirit, lying on my lap and looking at you lovingly for the first time. Your daddy, big brother and I couldn't help falling in love with you the moment we saw you. We love you so much and we're so happy you came into our lives.
Thank heaven for March 12, 2009 and thank Heavenly Father for you.

Boy oh Boy!

The world of our little family once again feels complete.

Welcome to the world!
Darius C Case
March 12, 2009 9:24AM
7 lbs. 9 oz. 20 3/4 in. long


Thank you for coming here and blessing our lives.
You are such an amazing, happy baby boy.
What did we ever do without you?

Kids Fair 2009

Cyrus had a blast at the fair grounds for the Kids Fair.
Highlights of this day included *spending the day with Katie,
*walking though the petting zoo,


*meeting Dora the Explorer, *petting the reptiles,


*and meeting McGruff the Crime Dog.
We look forward to enjoying the Kids Fair again next year
with Cyrus' little brother!

Happy 27th Birthday Lex

FEBRUARY 13TH
What a wonderful day!

We had a wonderful time with family and friends
to celebrate Lex's 27th birthday with us.


It was exciting to watch Lex open the present he was hoping for.
Everyone picthed in to buy this dumbbell set and accessories.
Thank you all so much!


All the kids had to try out the new equipment.
They were the best entertainment of the entire night!

7 Things I Love - Tag

I've probably been tagged before but I've never responded to one.
(I'm SO not creative when it comes to something like this.)
I suppose my friend Lisa is right that I am desperately in need of some posting.
It's even more true when my husband, Lex, says
"You need to post some new things."
I guess I've been a little preoccupied lately!

7 Things I Randomly Love

1. (I know it's crazy) The ANTICIPATION of having this baby!
2. Watching a movie with Lex.
3. Wearing shorts.
4. All the hilarious things that come out of Cyrus' mouth. He's one smart cookie.
5. (I must be crazy...) Teaching the Dance Festival Dances.
6. Doing P90X with Lex. I can't wait until I can start up again.
7. Watching Cyrus dance. WHAT A HOOT!

I'M TAGGING:
1. Jana
2. Karlee
3. Kinley
4. Leah
5. MaLea
6. Becca
7. Mandi

Hoe Down Fun

The highlight of our experience for me was
the Hoe Down. Everyone had a fabulous time.


PaPaw Dooby agreed to be the DJ and did an amazing job.
THANKS!
I was lucky enough to teach line dancing.
Whew! What a workout.


The bungee bull was a big hit for Lex and Cyrus and all
the athletes.


There was a short highlight about our Hoe Down on the news.
Check it out:
Hoe Down on Channel 2 News

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is awesome. We are so lucky we had the opportunity
to meet the Kazakhstan team.


Yevgeniy Barsukov (17) and Beibit Abay (16) were the
two athletes that stayed at our house. It was challenging to
communicate, but they were so patient with us.


The highlights of our entertainment included a tour of the Bronco
Stadium and a three and 1/2 hour shopping trip to WalMart
where wonderful employee Olga spoke Russian and helped
them find EVERYTHING they wanted to take home to Kazakhstan.


Since there wasn't a lot of communicating done at home, they
stayedwell entertained playing Mark and MaLea's Wii.
I suppose that helped them stay in the competitive mode
for their Floor Hockey events to come.