Our 4-year Anniversary

Four years ago yesterday, I married the love of my life and my very best friend!!! Even though it was the hottest day in July, it was still one of the best days of our lives!! We are so thankful that so many of our family and friends were able to help us celebrate our special day!!!

To celebrate our anniversary, we had "date night." And yes, this was without our little munchkin!! Uncle Arnie and Aunt Dana babysat for us so we could enjoy an evening out. We went to Garozzo's to eat....YUMMY!!! For those of you that aren't familiar with this restaurant, it is AMAZING Italian food! We enjoyed a bottle of wine, appetizer, salad and the main course. It was FABULOUS!!!! Then we went home to spend the rest of the evening with our baby girl!! It was the perfect night!!!!!

We've got a semi-busy weekend planned. Tonight we are having the Krause brothers' and their families over for the evening. We haven't had our first "gathering" since we moved into our new home. Tomorrow morning we are going to head to Nebraska Furniture Mart to do some shopping. We are looking for a flat screen TV for our bedroom and a little TV for Rylee's playroom. However, whenever we go to Nebraska, we always end up finding (and spending) way to much!! Then, Rylee has a b-day party to go to out at T-Rex. Should be a good time!! I hope to be able to get a bunch of stuff done around the house for the rest of the weekend. I will try to get some pictures from our CABO trip posted this weekend.

We hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!! Until next time....TTFN!

A small town mourns the passing of an incredible man

Robert Scott Rice came into this world on February 13, 1964, the seventh child of Bob and Gwen Rice. Waiting at home in the big farm house at Corbin were his brothers and sisters Margaret, Suzie, Jo, Bill, Brent and Barbara. Later, sister Leslie joined the Rice clan to complete the family.
Scott attended Caldwell schools graduating with the Class of 1982. He loved playing basketball and football, and yes, he was great in those musicals! His classmates were and still are his best friends. He graduated from WSU with a degree in communications in 1987.

Scott and Kirstan Harris were married at the Corbin United Methodist Church on December 21, 1991. Scott and Kirstan began their married life in Wellington, Kansas where they welcomed oldest daughter Logan Diane on January 18, 1993. Later Scott and Kirstan moved back home to Caldwell where Lexie Gwen was born on June 26, 1996, and Corbin Scott on January 29, 2001, completing their family. Corbin was proudly named after the town that truly held Scott’s heart. Logan, Lexie and Corbin were his proudest accomplishments and the light of his life. He had special names for each one: Logie Pogie, AGR and Cowboy.

Scott enjoyed working alongside his dad at Rice Oil. Later, Scott ran Rice Key-trol. He was the Caldwell Recreation Director and worked for the US Post Office. Scott was a member of the Corbin United Methodist Church where he was a trustee, and sat on the Audit Committee. Scott could also be found spending his summer helping out local farmers.Just ask Kirstan if Scott knew the meaning of the word “No”. He said, “Okay, I can do it,” to anyone asking anything! Aunt Kathy and sister Suzie, took full advantage of Scott’s willingness to help out. He was always in Chisholm Trail Skits, Fair programs, and anything else they signed him up for. They could always count on him. The only exception to this “Can Do” spirit may have been Kirstan’s list of honey-do chores.

After the death of his dad Scott was dedicated to keeping the Corbin Fast Pitch Ball Tournament going. As first baseman for Rice Oil, Scott always made us proud. He depended on his whole family - wife and kids, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews - to pitch in and keep up the Rice Family Tradition. Although chopping onions and cleaning “The Shack” were certainly not Kirstan’s favorite duties, she always supported Scott in his passion. Scott was looking forward to the day that Corbin would take over. Scott is the forever president of the Corbin Ball Association.

While Scott was growing up, Bob and Gwen found family vacations with eight children not an easy accomplishment. Scott always dreamed of getting all of his brothers and sisters together for a big trip. Gwen’s 80th birthday in 2006 was the perfect occasion. After a family vote, San Antonio was named the destination. Scott arranged it all, making all the plans and reservations. A bus was chartered and picked everyone up at Caldwell and headed south – all 42 of us wearing our red shirts announcing that the Rice Party had arrived - striking fear in restaurant hostesses throughout Texas. Scott was looking forward to many more of these wonderful family ventures!

In March of this year Scott and Kirstan accomplished another family first. They had always wanted to take the kids skiing, since they both had grown up enjoying the slopes themselves. Spring Break 2009 the Rices, Hallings, Kendricks and Sturms headed to Colorado and spent irreplaceable time together, making memories of a lifetime.

Homecoming and the CHS Alumni Association were dear to Scott. He served as Alumni President and more recently helped his brother Bill announce the parade. Scott always did whatever he could to make the weekend run smoothly. He never missed a Homecoming celebration – looking forward to seeing old friends.

Scott’s love for Caldwell was evident in all he did. From announcing parades, keeping the ball fields game ready and Kathy and Suzie’s crazy skits – he was always ready to help. Since the girls began participating in middle and high school sports, he has logged many miles to and from gyms and tracks throughout the South Central Border League. Last year Scott helped out announcing football games and during basketball became the Voice of Caldwell for KLEY Radio – something he had a gift for.

His children carried on Scott’s love of baseball. All three played ball as soon as they were strong enough to hold a bat. This trait was never more obvious than on this last Monday night, when Corbin decided he wanted to go to Argonia and play his ball game! Corbin hit his first ever home run that night, but it didn’t stop there. Corbin ended up with three home runs, his guardian angel obviously by his side.

Scott was first and foremost a dad. Logan is an excellent student and athlete, always making her dad so proud. He looked forward to watching her grow and continue with her successes. Scott and Lexie had a very special bond; he could talk to her when no one else could. Not many dads would camp out in a trailer with eight eighth grade girls, but Scott did last Saturday night. Lexie and her friends will treasure this memory forever. Corbin was his dad’s little tag-along. He was and is a daddy’s boy. Scott is their hero and the love of Kirstan’s life.

While enjoying an outing with family and friends at the Wellington City Lake, Scott passed from this life into eternity on Sunday, June 21, 2009.

Scott was preceded in death by his father Robert Rice, mother-in-law Diane Harris, grandparents Lester and Velma Rice and Clifford and Addie Williams. He is survived by his wife Kirstan, daughters Logan and Lexie and son Corbin all of the home; mother Gwen Rice of Caldwell; brothers Bill Rice and Brent and Michelle Rice of Caldwell; sisters Margaret and Jim Hardy of Noble, Oklahoma, Suzie and Galen Yunker of Caldwell, Jolene and Rick Roitman of Winfield, Barbara Knowles of Wellington and Leslie Rice of Caldwell; many nieces, nephews and friends. Scott was loved by all.

I will miss you very much "Scottie to Hottie!!" You will always hold a special place in my heart!

Bad Blogger

I am so sorry that it has been almost two months since I posted anything. A lot has gone on since the beginning of March, both good and bad!!

We took possession of our new home on Tuesday, May 26th. By that Friday, we were all moved in. We absolutely LOVE our new home!!! Rylee adjusted very well to her surroundings!!

On Sunday, May31st, we took Rylee to see Thomas the Train in Baldwin City. We went with Ryan's older brother Cody and his family. We had a great time!! Will post pictures of the trip later. That afternoon, Rylee headed to Caldwell with my parents for 9 days!! It was so hard to see her go but I knew she was in good hands and that she would have a fabulous time!!

On Thursday, June 4th, Ryan and I left for Cabo San Lucas. We went with Scott & Angie Hemme, Kent & Jen Hemme and Richard & Aly Beerman. We came back to KC on June 9th. Again, I will post pictures later.

Rylee started her new school on Thursday, June 11th. The first few weeks were a little rough as she DID NOT want me to leave her there. However, she just LOVES her new school and all her new friends. I'm thankful to have found such a wonderful place to care for her while we are at work.

We spent the next week or so trying to get settled into our new home.

On Sunday, June 21st, we were spending a great afternoon at Cody & Sara's house for our nephew Jackson's 3rd b-day party. What a great day we were having....

Then about 5:30pm, we received news that has forever changed our lives. Our dear family friend, Scott Rice, was tragically take from us. He was 45 years old and leaves behind wife Kirstan, daughters Logan (16) and Lexie (13) and son Corbin (8). I will post his picture and obituary shortly.

Rylee and I then spent a week in Caldwell to be with family and friends during this most difficult time. Please continue to pray for the Rice family!!

That is all I have for now. I just wanted to let everyone know that the Krause's are still alive and well. Now that the craziness of selling a house, buying a house, moving and going on vacation are behind us, I should have more time to keep up with this blog.

Until next time....TTFN