How Does Your Garden Grow

Tori was in a chorus presentation called How Does Your Garden Grow. Our video camera had just broken so this was recorded on Tori's camera by Taylor.

The Final Days of Elementary School

Taylor received the Presidential Award for Excellence.

Dare Graduation.
Taylor's team got 2nd place in the Geography Bee.

Gifted Education presentation.

Taylor's Confirmation and Baptism

Last Spring Taylor took a confirmation class with Chaplain Rizer. This is a picture of her confirmation class. They confirmed their faith at Chapel and were all given bibles and cross necklaces when the class was completed.

Taylor decided she wanted to be baptized. This is picture of Taylor and Chaplain Rizer.

Robin Hood

We are missing a few months, so I will try to catch up now.

The girls were both in the Missoula's Children Theatre production of Robin Hood this year. This was Taylor's third year and Tori's first. Two actors came from the Theatre and travel all over Europe to different military installations each year to spend less than a week at each place. After school on Tuesday the girls auditioned.

Tori was cast as the Baroness of Beef and she did an incredible job!! The pictures seem a bit blurry but we got it all on video too so all of our bases were covered.


Taylor was cast as Maid Marion and she did great too.

The kids practiced each day after school and the performance was on Saturday. It was really fun to watch!!

All Dogs Go to Heaven

To our family and friends,

We lost an important member of our family today. We had to put Tristin to sleep, she was suffering and it was unfair to let such a great dog go on that way. She gave us and many of you love for the last 13 years 5 months and 1 day since she entered into our lives. She has been with us since 1 April 1995 and she will always be remembered. She has traveled to all parts of the U.S. and Europe and has been an ever-present companion to Tanya and the girls if I was deployed. The girls have not known a day of their lives without her being present in the Nattress house. She was a protector and provided joy on a daily basis, she was a constant in our lives and will be impossible to replace.

Tenerife, Spain

Close-up of Tori.
Family shot by the ocean.

Taylor wanted to take a picture too!

Tenerife, Spain

We played miniature golf a few days.

Here is a picture of the ocean that I took while on a walk.
It's hard to tell, but the sand was black, the girls had a great time!

Tenerife, Spain

All-inclusive meant all the coffee drinks you wanted. Here is a picture of Troy bringing me one, they were delicious!

Before the entertaiment started every night, they had a mini-disco for the kids. They could go up on stage to sing and dance, we are still singing the songs! Unfortunately, I can't line up this picture either.


The hotel offered a free scuba lesson in the pool for kids 8-12, so Taylor was all over that! Troy planned to take her to where he had been diving to see the sea turtles but the water was too choppy the day they could go.

Tenerife, Spain

We went to Tenerife for Spring Break. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort and had an amazing time. There was a lot of relaxing and hanging out with the family.

This was a park we found that was really close to the ocean.

The next picture, which I can't seem to line up, is a picture of Troy participating in one of the MANY skits they asked him to be in. There was entertaiment every night and it got really funny how often they wanted him to be on stage!
This was a slide at one of the pools where we stayed. The kids spent most of their free time swimming.

More May Pole

As the people from the town watch the pole go up
the kids all played at a park right next to this area.
I wish I would have remembered to get a picture
of that too...Next time!
Here is a picture of Troy (he's the one
in the Army uniform).
And...it's up!
After the pole was secured Troy did
some bonding with the local fire
department and the others who helped. They brought out a bunch of
beer and everyone had to drink two!

Group shot of everyone who helped.

May Pole

Today in Grafenwoehr the May Pole

was put up.

This was the band that lead the way.

The pole was brought in on the back

of a tractor.

The May Pole is being put into

position here.

It is a very slow process because it

is very heavy.

Easter 2008

Here are the girls in matching dresses before we left for church this morning. Below, Tori is wearing the snowman's hat and scarf.

Here is Taylor starting to build the snowman.
Here is the finished product...accessorized!! Taylor wanted to add that she had been Dreaming of a White Easter!
Yes, this is Troy wearing shorts and flip-flops!

Easter Egg Hunt 2008

Here are a bunch of kids from the community running to get the eggs.
Tori stopping for a picture.
Action shot of Tori.
Taylor found one.
Action shot of Taylor.

Fun in the Snow!

We have a great hill near our house and right after breakfast we grabbed the sleds and ran for the hill!
Even Daddy took a turn. I had to take pictures so you won't see any of me coming down.Here is Taylor starting a snowman.
The snow was perfect and it snowed off and on all day. Is it really Spring?
The finished product with Taylor and Tori proudly smiling!