Soon Christian grew into a very intelligent young boy. He loved looking through the telescope we got him for Christmas and we knew that when he went to University he would major in something science related. He worked very hard at keeping his grades up and we couldn't have been more proud!



He wasn't the only one growing like a weed! Little AJ grew into a very musical little toddler. He loved banging away on his little xylophone! My favorite hobby was listening to music and dancing so this gave us something in common. I had been promoted a couple of times and so now I had more time to spend at home with my little boys.



And once again Angie was expecting. I know, I know we loved creating babies! I didn't even hope for a girl this time. Seemed like everytime I did, we'd have a boy instead! So I just hoped that the baby was as healthy and strong as their brothers.



Now this is the only picture I have of a teenage Christian. He was so focused on getting scholarships to Sim State University that he didn't take out time to do much else. This was on our vacation to Three Lakes Mountain. Angie was pretty grumpy during this time, so I took the boys and headed out! But we only stayed 2 nights because by the second night I was too worried about her to enjoy myself. But the boys had so much fun! This picture hangs on the wall in the living room of our house now.



Have you ever seen a sadder face? Christian left for Sim State with lots of scholarship money shortly after our vacation. He decided to major in physics, something his old man could never do! But he was so home sick that first semester. You see, since he concentrated so much on school, his social life kinda took a back seat. So he really didn't know how to make friends or meet girls. Why he had never even had his first date or kiss! We were pretty worried that he would fall in love with the first pretty face to show him some attention.



And back home AJ was falling more and more in love with music and proclaimed that he intended to be a rock star! Almost gave Angie a heart attack. I told him he could be a rock star.....and he could start right after he received his degree from the university of his choice! He wasn't too happy about this, but come on.....a rock star?



And you know how I always wished for a girl? Well wish granted! I was all too happy to welcome little Jordan into our family. Oh she was just as beautiful as I knew she would be. And even though she didn't have Angie's blazing red hair, I knew she would be a handful. She already had dad tied around her finger!



Christian called home to tell us he had met a girl......we were very wary at first....I mean he had never dated anyone. He said her name was Anna McAfee and one of his roommates had set him up with her. He took her out to dinner and they hit it off almost automatically. She was a drama major who loved to paint and take photos.



After dinner they went dancing and he said as he gazed into her eyes he knew he would marry her. Now I was really worried. I told him maybe he should date around a bit. You know, make sure she really was the one. I mean he had nothing to compare it to! But you know what he asked me? "Dad, when you met mom you knew, right? The first time you laid eyes on her you knew you were going to marry her. So why is this different?" I felt smaller than an ant at that moment. He was truly crazy about this girl. So to keep the peace I told him I was happy for him. But silently I vowed to keep an eye on her!



They even had their picture taken in one of those cheesy little photo booths together. Yes, Ms. Anna McAfee had stolen my boy's heart. Only time would tell if it turned out well.



I wanted to be sure Anna was right for Christian, but I knew if I went down there he would take it offensively. So I sent Angie to check her out. Now Angelica was sure that Christian knew what he was doing and trusted his opinion. But I know a part of her wanted to make sure her baby boy wasn't going to get hurt. She met Anna and instantly loved her, much to my dismay. I guess I just wasn't ready for Christian to move on and get serious about someone so soon. But Angelica was sure that Anna was here to stay. So I vowed to welcome her into the family as best I could.



AJ was still on his "rock star" kick and practiced his music every chance he got. Now it wasn't that he wasn't good because he had an amazing natural talent. I just wanted him to concentrate a little more on school as well. He was a smart boy.....he just didn't care about school as much as he should have.



Jordan grew into a beautiful toddler and we decided to throw a party for her. As you can see I decided to invite Anna. As I talked to her, I found her to be a wonderful person. And after all, they were sophmores in college. I had a whole 3 more years to get to know her before they became really serious, right?



Jordan was such a pretty baby, so much like her mother. I was always amazed to see them together and see the resemblance. The boys took after me but Jordan was definitely her mother's child.




And she continued to grow until she was a gorgeous child. We allowed her to take up ballet because we thought it was a good way to channel her love of the dance. She loved it and practiced on her barr everyday. There was only one other dance that she loved more....




....Dancing with her dad! I love twirling her around and seeing that smile.....I had waited quite a while for a girl, but oh the wait was worth it.....I figured with a child as special as Jordan was.....it takes a little time to get it right!!



AJ was now a teen and we decided to take him and Jordan out to a nice restaurant to celebrate. Now where Christian stayed to himself in high school, AJ thought himself to be a real ladies man. We worried that this would cause him problems, but AJ was such a strong willed young man that we felt he would just have to learn the hard way.....Heck, we couldn't even talk him out of this whole rock star business!!



We got Jordan a dollhouse for her birthday and her and Angie would spend hours in her room playing "house". She didn't have any sisters or female cousins to play with so we tried to take up the slack. Things were going pretty well......but THAT never lasts does it?



One night we got a call from Christian.....a call that I wasn't too happy about....a call stating that he had proposed to Anna......and she had happily accepted...."You're gonna have a new daughter-in-law!" He exclaimed.




Just freaking great.....so much for I have 3 years to get to know her.....These kids were going to be the death of me!!