Kids
I often wonder how the years can go by so quickly, and the older I get the faster they go. That is why I can’t believe that we have arrived at my great grandnephew, little Nathaniel (Nathan) Kirk’s second birthday already. It seems like just yesterday that he was having his first birthday. Now, here we are, at his second. Nathan has learned so much in his second year of life. Indeed, I found his mom, Siara Kirk’s post about his birthday almost telling in a comical sort of way. He had started the last year, his first, learning to walk, and now as his second year begins, he is learning to drive. While that is comical in a way, it reminds me that before we know it, he will be in school, then dating, driving, graduating, marrying, and having his own family. Yes, I know that seems like it’s eons away yet, but I know that when we arrive at those “far away” landmarks, it will seem like it was only yesterday…that he was just a two-year-old baby boy.
Nathan is a curious little boy, who is all about dinosaurs, Ms Rachel, and animals in general. He can name all animals and loves to do puzzles!! I’m sure his parents, Chris and Siara Kirk, have loved spending time teaching him all about those things that he enjoys so much. Nathan and his daddy love their playtime, when he rides around on Chris’s back like around the house, pretending to be gorillas. Nathan has a vivid imagination, and loves to play guns, like any Wyoming kid would. He totally knows the drill, pretending he’s hurt, if you say, “POW” to him. And like most little boys, the minute his parents say they are going to change his diaper, he’s off like a rocket. I don’t understand the issue boys tend to have with getting their diaper changed. Hilarious!!
Nathan gets to go over to Siara’s mom, Chantel Balcerzak’s house while Siara is at work, if his daddy isn’t off 
that day, and he adores her. He has taken to calling her, “Gra Gra” and gets very excited when he hears the garage door open, because he knows his Papa, Dave Balcerzak is home!! He also LOVES when his uncle, Jake Harman comes over with his kids, Jax and Izabella. Cousin time is so important for kids. Those are their first friends. Jake and his wife, Melanie watch Nathan every time Siara and Chris ask and Nathan actually gets disappointed when his parents have to come pick him up because he loves his uncle, aunt, and cousins so much. And they love him. He is so happy and so funny, that it brightens everyone’s day. That’s just the kind of sweet little boy Nathan is. Today is Nathan’s 2nd birthday. Happy birthday Nathan!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My niece, Gaby Beach, has been a dedicated athlete since before she joined the Navy years ago. Her physical health hasn’t always been easy for Gaby, but when she decided to join the Navy, she knew that she had to get into excellent shape for it. She knew that the Navy wasn’t going to be a long tern career for her, but it was a good way to get her college education paid for, and she wanted to be a nurse. Now that she’s been discharged, she’s still fully committed to her health and has never looked back. Gaby loves all kinds of sports, from hiking and weightlifting to running. When it comes to her workouts, she is fierce…never giving up and 
never slacking off. She’s a determined woman with the mindset to be the very best she can be, and I have no doubt she’ll achieve every goal and make every dream a reality. Gaby is a very determined person.
On of Gaby’s favorite forms of exercise is running. Gaby especially loves the competitive kind of running, and while I’m not sure how many marathons or half-marathons she’s participated in, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a dozen or more. When she’s not competing, she’s training. Her workouts are tough, and she runs with determination. What amazes me, as someone who prefers walking and only runs from a bear (just kidding), is that even in the middle of a long run, Gaby can still kick up her heels with a big smile. Meanwhile, I’d be seriously trying to catch my breath.
Gaby and Allen love to travel. After having served in Japan, where they met, they decided to take a trip back 
there with friends. I can only imagine how they felt on that trip. They were back in their old stomping grounds, but this time, they didn’t have to go to work or anything. This trip, they were “tourists” in a place they knew very well. It wasn’t the first time they had toured the area, but they were free to really enjoy it, and to show their friends a good time. The trip to Japan was, for most people, a trip of a lifetime, but I wouldn’t be surprised if these kids don’t take several big trips like this one. They were engaged in Bali, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they took a trip back there someday. While the Navy was a way to “see the world,” it isn’t the only way to see the world. I know they have many trips in their futures. Today is Gaby’s birthday. Happy birthday Gaby!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Normally, my niece, Toni Chase and Her husband Dave hit the road running each year, but this past year, they got off to a slower start, not really getting in gear until March. Dave, who is always doing super nice things for Toni, had a portion of their garage closed off and made into a “she shed” for Toni. It was not a quick and easy project, and it took quite a while to get it all organized. Still, to have a “she shed” will easily make Toni the envy of all her friends and family, even though more people are building man caves and she sheds these days. I think it is a very cool thing for Dave to have done for her, but then Dave is always doing cool things for Toni.
Even though the year started off at home, it did not end there…it rarely does for Toni and Dave. They took a trip in May to Florida and made it all about the fish. Toni caught her first fish on the Gulf, and it was actually a little hammer head shark!!! Ok, cool, but yikes!!! Still, it would be fun to fish in the Gulf. While I’m not an avid fisherman, but just being on a fishing boat in the Gulf would be cool. During the trip, they spent some time in Tampa at the aquarium and around Saint Petersburg…just touring around and enjoying the scenery and the pleasant weather. They had a lovely, relaxing time.
Later in the year, they did some hiking in the snowy range and spent a couple weekends in Centennial at the cabin which was one of the best times of the year. Toni was having one of the best times with Dave, the kids (James and Manuela), Jane, and Dave’s cousins, Chuck and his wife, Chris. At the end of September, Toni and Dave took a quick trip to Yellowstone to catch the fall colors. They were not disappointed, because they were 
just in time to see some truly stunning scenery. They also made several trips to Colorado for various activities, but mostly to attend the long-awaited return concert of one of their favorite bands, Linkin Park. Toni tells me that other than these events, it was a pretty quiet year. A pretty quiet year!! That’s more activity than most people have in two years. Today is Toni’s birthday. Happy birthday Toni!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My grandniece, Siara Kirk is a very busy girl these days. She is a wife, mother, and a personal banker with Platte Valley Bank (a position she has held for over 10 years now), and she is a college student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in office management. Her mom, Chantel Balcerzak, says Siara is “juggling so many balls in the air and still just kicking butt!!” Siara has been on the principal’s honor roll every semester!! In addition to working full time, Siara works out every morning and still cooks home cooked meals 5 nights a week!! She allows herself a break, by ordering food from door dash on the weekends. While all of her accomplishments are important to her, Siara’s proudest accomplishments are those of wife to her husband, Chris Kirk and mother to her sweet son, Nathan Kirl. According to her mom, “my girl is a total boss!!” Siara is success in motion!!
Siara’s brother, Jake Harman says of his sister, “She is my best friend outside of my wife, Melanie and kids, Alice, Izabella, and Jaxx, all of whom dearly love Siara too.” Siara has a big heart when it comes to the people she loves. The mistakes people make can make people shun them, but Siara is a very forgiving person. She believes in those she loves, and she will stand by them to the end. Her brother tells me that his kids dearly love their Aunty Siara, and every time he goes to get something or drop something off, they want to go to just to see her and her family, because “awesome attracts awesome, and she is the kind of person that makes your day better by not even doing anything specific. There is something about her that puts you in a better place 
and makes you believe in yourself!! Obviously, God brought me (Jake) to the place I’m in now with my wife and kids, but I truly believe He did it through Siara in many ways. I can talk to her anyway about anything and she might not agree, but she is always cool about it and helps the best way she can” Jake tells me that Siara is going to be a “crazy good mom” always, even when the kid can talk…or talk back as we all know kids eventually do, hahaha!! Jake tells me, “Siara does so much for everyone!! I know that’s going to rub off on Sir Nathaniel and he is going to be a superhero, because of it. She is the best sister aunt and mom anyone could ask for!!” I couldn’t say it any better, if I tried. Siara’s family said it all!! Today is Siara’s birthday. Happy birthday Siara!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My grandnephew, Ethan Hadlock continues to amaze me each year. He is 17 years old today, but he doesn’t act like a typical 17-year-old. Ethan has such a sweet nature and a kind, loving heart. Whenever I see Ethan, he greets me with a hug, and I am not alone. Ethan loves everyone in our family, and he makes sure that each and every one of us know just how much he loves us. Ethan is very kind and loving, but he also has a sense of humor much like his parents. He loves a good joke or prank, but never a hurtful one. He reminds me more and more of his dad, Ryan Hadlock every day. I would say that Ethan is his dad’s mini-me, but there is nothing “mini” about 
either of these very tall men. Nevertheless, Ethan is a chip off the old block for sure. His mom, Chelsea Hadlock wasn’t cheated though, because Ethan’s sister, Aurora Hadlock is definitely her mom’s mini-me!!
Ethan has been making a lot of changes in his life. He bought a pickup and got a job at Target in June, both of which he is quite proud. He is a responsible worker and driver too. His bosses know they can count on Ethan to be there on time and to give it his all every time. He is taking auto shop at school and loves it. The class is teaching him a lot about working on his truck. While there are women who are great mechanics, I think it’s important for a man to know how to work on their own vehicle. Ethan is embracing that challenge, and we’re all proud of him.
As he looks forward to his post high school future, he is weighing his options. This year he has been to the University of Wyoming (UW) campus tour. He’s currently debating between traditional UW classes and trade school, so he’s hoping to check out Wyo Tech in the next few months as well. The year hasn’t been all future planning though. Ethan has taken in a couple of Cowboys games, and a Broncos game with his dad. He still hangs out with the same 3 friends he has had since elementary school, but now a whole lot more boys have joined in this group of buddies. For his birthday party, Ethan decided to go to Jump Craze Indoor Trampoline Park with his friends!! I’ve never been to Jump Craze, but I hear it’s an absolute blast. Today is Ethan’s 17th birthday. Happy birthday Ethan!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My nephew, Allen Beach, has had quite an eventful life. When he was a boy, growing up, his family moved fairly often, giving him the chance to live in several states. After graduating from high school, Allen joined the United States Navy and became a corpsman. Once trained, he was stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he cared for, among others, the President of the United States.
After his time at Walter Reed, Allen was stationed in Japan, which I believe was the favorite chapter of all his travels. It 
was there he met his wife, Gaby, who changed his life forever. Gaby was also in the Navy, and Allen was instantly drawn to her. Before long, they were inseparable. Eventually, Allen took Gaby to Bali, where he proposed and she said yes. He felt complete, but their adventures were far from over. Their lives would take them to Casper, Wyoming where he worked in hospital administration following his college years, and Gaby pursued her own career in nursing. It also gave them time to spend with his family in Casper.
Still, their travels were not over. Eventually, in what I perceive to be possibly their last move, their careers took 
them to Oregon, where Gaby works at a Veteran’s hospital and Allen works in the pharmaceutical industry. Allen works as a Care Management Associate for Aetna, teaming up with doctors to coordinate care plans that fit with Aetna health insurance, which CVS acquired a few years back. He works from home, which is a trend that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a sought-after arrangement. Allen loves the setup, and it’s likely his dog, Ollie, enjoys it just as much. Today is Allen’s birthday. Happy birthday Allen!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
As the new year begins, we find ourselves thinking about our mom, Collene Spencer, as we do every New Year’s Day, because this would have been her 90th birthday. It’s hard to believe that she has been in Heaven for almost eleven years now. I know that she is celebrating with all the family who have gone before us. Of course, time means nothing in Heaven. Eternity knows no breakdown of the years. One second is the same as the next…pure blissful happiness. It doesn’t get better than that. They are all so very happy, and it makes it easy to be happy for them.
Nevertheless, it also accentuates the loneliness we feel here when we think of them. Sometimes, during the year, when we get busy with our lives, we are able to cope with their absence, at least until something reminds us of them or of a moment, and we miss them all over again. Then comes their birthday or death day and missing them becomes the main focus. Today, as we celebrate the new year, I am also thinking about how 
much I miss my mom. I cant believe that eleven years have come and gone since her went home. She had done all the things she had on her “bucket list” and she was ready. She had told us several times that she was ready, so while her leaving was shocking in one way, it wasn’t in another. They couldn’t even find a cause of death. She just left. That fact still amazes me, eleven years later.
When I think of Mom and Dad back together again, I smile. They were best friends. They never tired of being together. They loved to travel, taking their girls to many amazing places. Our travel was mostly in the United States, because they loved this country…and they wanted my sisters and me to know how wonderful it was. We saw many places in many states, and we knew how blessed we were. Not many kids in those days were as “traveled” as we were. From those trips came favorite places, and places we saw only once. From those trips came history lessons and simple fun times. While the trips were varied in many ways, there were many 
common parts…like the Oregon Trail markers. Those dreaded Oregon Trail markers…at least they were dreaded then. These days, because I love history so much, those markers are interesting, and I wish I could remember each one we visited and its location. They mean more to me now that I am older. I wish I had told my parents that. They would have loved it. Today would have been my mom’s 90th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Mom. I know you and Dad, as well as Alena, are having a great celebration. Someday we will all celebrate together again. I look forward to it.
During my childhood years, my sisters, Cheryl Masterson, Caryl Reed, Alena Stevens, Allyn Hadlock, and I always knew where we would spend New Year’s Eve…and where our parents, Allen and Collene Spencer would spend theirs too. New Year’s Day was our mom’s birthday, and Dad loved to make it all a big deal. So, they threw a party and invited their friends and family. Because my sisters and I were there too, our cousins also came with their parents. That way it was fun for everyone, and no one needed a babysitter. Our little house was jam packed full of people and the party often flowed out into the yard, both front and back.
Those New Year’s Eve parties continued for the rest of Mom’s life, and beyond too. While there have been a few years without them, most years we had some kind of a party, but after mom passed, and since Dad had been 
gone for eight years by then, the parties were different…even while she was still with us. I remember one party in particular, when Mom was feeling a bit sad. You see, she and Dad always danced on New Year’s Eve, but Dad wasn’t there to dance anymore. Enter Jason Sawdon, my niece Jessi’s husband. Standing was difficult for Mom without a walker. That didn’t matter to Jason. He held her up in his strong arms so, she could have her New Year’s Eve dance that year. It was such a precious moment…one that my sisters and I will never forget.
These days, both Mom and Dad are in Heaven, as is our sister, Alena, so the party will be different again. Alena didn’t always come to the New Year’s Eve parties, but we always knew that she was here, on Earth. Now, she isn’t. Nevertheless, I know that she is watching the festivities with Mom and Dad from Heaven. The party will 
be different again, because that is just the way it is as time marches on. Things change. People are added to the family, and people leave to go to Heaven. Nevertheless, we are still a family, and I know that Mom and Dad are very pleased to see their descendants gathering together to bring in another year. While it’s different, it is always worth looking forward to. Each new year is worth looking forward to. It is a gift from God. So, here’s to 2026. Happy New Year everyone!! May the coming year be better than the last year.
Some people open gifts on Christmas day, and some people open gifts on Christmas eve, while still others end up celebrating the holiday on a different day, due to scheduling issues. Our family had done all three of these types of celebration, and because one of our daughters lives in Washington with her family, we also have a long-distance celebration too. The reality is that life is what you make it, and celebrations are too. Flexibility is key. Rather than put a big guilt trip on people, work with them.
I think the most extreme celebration we had, was during Covid-19. My husband, Bob and I ended up having Covid on Thanksgiving. It was a bummer, but we figured, 
“better Thanksgiving, than Christmas” but that didn’t exactly work either. Our daughter Corrie Petersen and her husband, Kevin got it over Christmas, and to make matter worse, our family had a baby in our midst, so we didn’t want to cause her to get sick. So, that year ended up being the longest wait for Christmas since the days when Christmas had been banned in the mid-1600s. We were finally able to get together to celebrate Christmas on January 19th.
Some people celebrate Christmas Eve in a slightly different way, like my grandparents, George and Hattie Byer, who were married on that day in 1927. Marrying on Christmas Eve wasn’t all that uncommon in those days, especially if the families had moved out west. The families were together for the holiday, so sometimes it was 
decided to add a wedding to the festivities. Whatever the case may have been for my grandparents, their marriage started a family that boasts somewhere between 600 and 800 people now. We haven’t counted it in years, so I can’t be sure just how many of us there are, but we all feel blessed to com from such a wonderful couple, and it makes Christmas Eve just a little bit more special. Of course, Grandma and Grandpa Byer are in Heaven now, but they are fondly remembered on this their 98th anniversary. We love and miss them very much. Merry Christmas Eve everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, no matter how you celebrate.
My great grandniece, Izabella Harman is ten today, and that just shocks me. My first thought is that she is getting so big…so grown up, and she is, but when I saw the picture of Izabella with her Great Dane-Lab mix dog, Samson, who is one of four family dogs, well, it was obvious that while she is growing up, she isn’t exactly big. Izabella, whom I normally call Belle, although I don’t know if she still likes that name or not, is her mother, Melanie’s mini-me. Maybe it was just me, but I didn’t realize that when she was little. Nevertheless, the older she gets, the more obvious it becomes.
Aside from looking just like her mom, Belle is very much her own person. She is always so sweet and helpful with everything! Known, at least in her own family, for her “sass” one might say that it has definitely become more noticeable as she’s gotten older. She and her sister, Alice and 
brother, Jaxx share a great bond, even though they might fight like siblings do. They’re always together playing some strange game. They have great imaginations. From the bedroom, their parents can hear their laughter, and Belle’s is always the loudest. She has a great sense of humor, but if anyone gets hurt, she’s the first to help, and the first to tell if someone does something they shouldn’t. I’m sure her siblings would say that can be good or bad, depending on who ends up in trouble.
Belle is very much a princess, but she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty when helping Dad work on cars or 
pitching in wherever needed. She’s a “girly girl” with attitude. She loves trying to prank people and every now and then pulls it off pretty well!! She’s super funny, always calling out others when they mess up their words, and laughing just as hard when she’s the one who slips up. Part of laughing at others is being able to take it when the joke is on you, and Belle does that very well. She very expressive. Every time she leaves her mom or dad, she says, “I love you, you’re my best friend,” though, according to her mom, her dad is truly her best friend. Nevertheless, she’s so sweet she makes sure to tell her mom the same. That’s the mark of a real sweetie. Today is Izabella’s 10th birthday…that most important double-digit birthday. Happy birthday Belle!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
