Memories of Travis

Travis' 37th birthday is tomorrow. I thought it would be neat if everyone could write a memory they have about Travis on our family page to celebrate his birthday. 

 

I have so many memories with Travis, I have known him for more than half my life. Who would have known that the blond haired, blue eyed boy, that I met twenty two years ago would be my husband. We have been through many good and hard times together, he is my best friend, my other half, my one true love, he completes me. I wouldn't want anyone other than him by my side. I'm so happy that we found each other! We have such a beautiful family together and our kids couldn't have a better father. I love you Skabelund! Happy Birthday!! -Kathlene

Some of the memories of I remember most about Travis.. when he came to see Kathlene in the beginning there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it and there was Travis peaking his head in the door. He had curly hair! Travis went a got a perm! Travis, when you lived with us you and Aaron cleaned out my basement garage and took a big load to the dump. I think you did this twice! Made me very happy! I have always been impressed with your ability to to talk to just about anyone. It wouldn't be long and they'd be your close friend. Thank you for the times you shared you testimony! I could feel you meant every single word you said. You have a good kind heart that you easily share with others in the things you do. I love how you play with your children. You are a wonderful dad and husband. I'm thankful to have you as my son and Kathlene's eternal companion. I love you Travis and hope you have a Happy Birthday! -Jill

Who could ever forget the early days of Travis's adventures in sales? He would be perched for hours in from on the computer in the corner of our family room going over his EBay ads and itemizing all of the odd stuff that he scored at the auctions. Check out the relaxed position he takes as he works away at the keyboard.

 

I have several great memories of Travis. One of the funniest was from when he was living with us in Centerville. We went out to eat at Lone Star Steak House. After an enjoyable evening Travis suddenly realized that he left his retainer on the table. He rushed back in but the bus boy had already cleaned the table and dumped the trash. Travis explained just how expensive it was to replace and so the restaurant manager told him he could go out to the dumpster and get the bags of trash for that night and take it home and look through it to see if he could locate it. He took the bags of people’s left-over food and set it down in the middle of our kitchen floor and began the painful process of sorting through the "slop" looking for his retainer. After some searching low and behold he found it. It must have been hard, even after washing it to get up the courage to put it back in his mouth. But so the story goes. Just another of our family's interesting "restaurant stories". -Robert

 
This Is from your Birthday From 2004. We came up to see you guys in Oregon and a month later we moved there. I just wanted you to know that I am grateful for the opportunity we had to move there and be apart of your life. You have always treated me like a real sister. I love you so much and just wanted you to know that. I hope you have a very Happy Birthday and Know that Aaron and I miss you and love you very much! Sending Big Care Bear HUGS your Way. OOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Happy Birthday! -Carrie

Beary Scary!

 I got this balloon for Bryson in January and it's slowly losing it's helium. This bear has been making it's way around my house. It goes through doorways, windows, and creeps along in different rooms. Lexie told me this morning that the bear is freaking her out. She seems to think that it's following her around the house.  Lexie cracks me up!

 

Valentine's from my Kids

My kids made me feel so loved on Valentine's day. Each one took time to do something special for their mom. I got this pretty picture, some nice notes, Madison cleaned my kitchen, and I got lots of hugs and kisses from Bryson. My kids sure know how to make their mom happy. I'm the luckiest mom in the world!

I found this Valentine's note from Lexie in my pillow case. It made me smile!

 Madison and Bryson spent a lot of time drawing this colorful picture for me and Travis.

 Lexie made a heart for each member of the family and Allison wrote me this sweet little poem.

I went to bed last night and found this note from Madison waiting for me.
I love you. I'm so happy :) 

Dear mom Happy Valentine's day. I loved it so much your the best mother I ever had. I love you so much all the way to Nana's house! Sometimes I'm mean, but I try to be nice. I'm doing the best I can. I try to read the scriptures and I'm being good at doing the prayer. I try to clean my room and do my chores and doing my homework. I also need to practice my spelling words. And I hope you love me a lot. Do you love me a lot as you can imagine? Circle yes or yes yes  yes yes yes

 I love you!

Valentine's Day

100% on Spelling Test and AR

Today was a great day! Ethan got his first 100% on a spelling test. I'm so very proud of him and how hard he studied.

Allison name was put in the school paper for meeting her AR goal. I'm very happy that Allison enjoys reading and that she was able to meet her goal. She's my AR Star!

Snow Capades

Travis and Ethan spent the whole day yesterday doing Snow Capades. They left here at 7:00 in the morning and got home a little after 5:00 PM. They seemed to have a lot of fun!

Pretty Rainbow

Allison and Maddison's New Room

 Allison had been wanting to change rooms with Ethan and Bryson. I didn't want to do it because I knew it would be hard work. My girls have a whole lot of stuff and I didn't want to move it all to another room. Allison talked me into let them change rooms. She also told me that I would only need to move the bunk bed. There were several days off messy hallways and kids without beds. I was getting very upset with the mess they made trying to change rooms, I ended up moving everything myself while they were at school. I should have know the kids weren't going to move their room like they promised.

 

 I had to try and cram as much as I could into their little closet.

 This is there new room. Their walls are lined with stuff, but it's finished. They better like it, because I'm not moving them again!

 The girls cousin Hailey drew these pretty pictures that are being displayed on my girls wall next to their bed.

Guess Who's Expecting?

I was moving around Madison and Allison's room and saw this little Barbie family sitting in the doll house. I noticed that the Mom Barbie was pregnant. What? We don't have a pregnant barbie.

I picked up the doll and looked closer, one of the girls put a bike helmet under the Barbies shirt to make her look like she was expecting. Funny girls!