Hello...Hello...

Things are warm and fuzzy here at casa de Coop.

Savy is feeling better after going under the knife on the 10th.

I made it through driving 12 hours to Colorado.

Being a happy person when I wanted to be a sad one. Then driving 12 hours back here.

I learned so much about how much I love my sisters, my Mommy, and my Dad in one weekend that I can not really express in so many words.

My hubby was a super dad to Kelly in my absence. I now know that he can do it all... I am so proud.

Easter was fun!

Kelly loves to hunt for eggs.

I am thinking of hiding her toys just to see her find them again. It is just to funny.

I love my family.

I am still dealing with the loss of my Poppy. I am not sure if I will ever be the same.

I am ok with that.

Everything has new meaning to me.

Tomorrow I get to hang out with my neice Sadie. I am seriously looking forward to that. She is funny and silly, and sweet. Just what the doctor ordered.

If only people could bottle what she has.... I bet everyone would be happy.

Our Poppy

Yesterday morning one of my favorite men in the world passed away. My Poppy, James Ridgeway Pardee.

He was always kind, strong, funny and sweet to me and to everyone who ever came across his path.

He is honestly my hero and has been my whole life.

Tomorrow I head out to Colorado to be at the celebration of his life. I am lucky to have my sister Shannon to go with me. The drive will a a loooooong one.

When I think of him now, I can see him doing a perfect jack knife dive off of the top of his house boat into Lake Powell. It makes me smile.

Here is a copy of his obituary. If I was given the task to write it, I know that it would be a million pages long.

James Ridgeway Pardee, 84, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at his residence in Rockvale, CO. James was born on September 6, 1923 in Waukegan, ILL, to Curtis and Sophie Hinigher Pardee. Jim was raised in Englewood, CO and worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. Jim served in the Army during World War II in Europe. After his discharge, he resumed his career at Mountain Bell and retired after 37 years of service. In addition to being a very devoted father, husband and friend, Jim was an avid sportsman. Jim enjoyed many happy hours hunting elk, riding his horse and fishing on the river.

On May 26, 1977, Jim married Betty Linam Nelson. Jim and Betty lived in Aurora, CO, Kanab, UT and Rockvale, CO. Jim is survived by his children: Kathleen (Carl) Wade, Parker, CO, Karen (Neil) Kasperek, Aurora, CO, James R. (Carla) Pardee of Larkspur, CO, Robert (Sherry) Nelson, Evansville, ILL, William Nelson, Everett, WA and Brian (Penny ) Nelson, Widefield, CO, 15 grand children and 20 great grandchildren. Jim was preceeded in death by his parents, brothers Joe, Dodge and Robert, sister Evelyn, and Helen Eberhardt Pardee, mother of his children.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Jim's Life on Saturday, March 15, 11:00am until 2:00pm at his residence. Memorial denotations may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, P.O. Box 1796, Canon City, CO 81212. Cremation by Holt Family Funeral Home.

Heaven is lucky to have you Poppy. I love you.