Ring of Rage
Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting
Michael Sheppard

Michael (Nick's brother) has been training for only 2 months and was asked to be in his first cage fight. Nerve stricken we all traveled down to Bardstown, KY and sat nervously waiting for Michael to fight. We shortly found out Michael was going to be the first fight of the night. Weighing in at 135 lbs. Michael was fighting this African American guy who called himself the "Grim Reaper" He even came out with the Grim Reaper outfit. With under 2 minutes the Grim Reaper tapped out when Michael put him in a Rear Naked Choke. His second fight was with an Asian guy who knocked out his opponent last time in under 20 seconds. It was a little different this time. In 1 min. and 15 sec. Michael had him tapping out in another Rear Naked Choke which won him the title and belt for his weight class. I am not sure if Nick sat down the whole night. He is even hoarse this morning after yelling ring side at his brother all night. I am glad it is over, but I am sure this is just the beginning of many more. Congrats Michael we are proud of you and support you.

Michael and Erica ( fiance)

June fun continues.....

Father's day weekend we traveled to Ohio and had a great time. Papa and Nana has a pool so we spent a lot of our time swimming. Caden is a little "water bug". I am glad he enjoys the water so much. Nick and I did water balloons a few weeks ago and now Caden is asking for them all the time. Thank you to the whole family for always making our stay so nice. Caden had a blast riding the horse, playing in the pool, riding his bicycle and just getting spoiled my everyone. I hope you had a nice father's day Nick, you certainly deserve it. You are a wonderful dad and husband. We love you!! Congrats to Corey and Brittany on their new addition..Baby Madelyn. She is so precious. Oh..by the way our countdown has begun.. 2 more weeks until we leave to Destin, FL. We are so excited and so looking forward to a family vacation. I made the mistake of telling Caden that we are going the "THE BEACH". He wakes up most days with the first words being.."we go the the beach today mommy????" We can't wait to see the look on Caden's face when he sees the beach and the ocean. When we get back the following week Caden will be having surgery ) : He has to get his tonsils and adenoids taken out. It will be so much better for him in the end. Being able to breath normal again, but it will be a painful recovery. His surgery is scheduled July 18th. So say a little prayer.


Daddy popping a water balloon in Caden's face!!!

Baby Madelyn

William's B-Day
(going for a ride in William's new wagon)

The month of June has been so busy.... Birthday's, Father's Day and girl's night out for mommy. We were able to start our month out by celebrating William's 2nd birthday. Caden is really getting into the party concept. He now just goes around saying "Happy Birthday to SOMEBODY" it is so funny. We had a great time jumping on the bouncy air slide, eating cake, playing in the water and helping William open his presents. Thanks for a great time Carrie.

Caden and Miller running from the water hose!!!

Memorial Weekend

Seems like forever since I have been able to update our blog. Being summer time we spend every day that it is not raining outdoors. Saturday morning we were invited to a play date at Miller's house. Caden, William, and Miller had a great time swinging, riding big wheels, playing on the teeter-totter and just hanging out. Sunday we went out to Grandma's house in Charleston, IN. We all had a great time grilling out, fishing, and having water fights. Memorial Day, my dad (pa-pa) had us over for a cook-out. Caden got out his drum set and played a tune for everyone!!! Pushed his lawn mower everywhere and rode around on his power wheel Jeep. We all had a great weekend with our family and friends ( :


Priceless Moments








Me and Uncle Matt








"Chef Daddy"







"Me and the boys!"

(William and Miller)

Nature Boy.......
Caden loves being outdoors. He is a boy through and through. Friday we took him to Mac's lake and he played in the dirt for hours, threw rocks in the water, fed the geese, caught a few blue gill, and filled his bulldozers with rocks and dirt til the sun went down. Needless to say he slept very well when we got home. Now that the weather is nice it has been fun taking Caden to the park, the zoo, the lake, and just playing outside at papa's house. He has had such fun!!!!

Mommy gets a BIG kiss before playing in the dirt again...

Picking flowers for Mam-ma.....
Caden and Mam-ma....
A beautiful sunset.......

GONE FISHING.....
Here are those pictures I promised. Caden has really enjoyed daddy taking him fishing. This time I took corn for bait. Caden thought that was pretty funny. He is doing a great job reeling the fish in. The only problem is when we are waiting for the fish to bite, he goes through daddy's tackle box and throws lures and bobbers in the water. He still has a lot to learn!! I still get pretty nervous when he get's close to the water. I keep picturing myself jumping in after him. Hopefully that never happens!
Daddy's BIG catch...20 pound Grass Carp!!Good job Daddy!!

Look at me! I should have my own fishing show!!
"Toddler Fishing 101"

Tonka.....A boy's best friend!!!

Caden loves bulldozers, excavators, dump trucks, tractors, and pretty much anything with wheels or a motor. When we are driving in the car he will spot a construction truck a mile away. He gets so excited to see a construction truck on a job site. When we drive past a construction zone on our way to daycare he yells "I see bulldozer!...Mommy, man build library?" At this age they don't forget anything. When the ground was dug for the new Lagrange library Nick and I told him what was being built and every morning and every afternoon Caden will remind us what is being built there. Maybe he will follow Papa's footsteps and build houses. Of course he loves garbage trucks too!!! Who knows!!!(:

Uncle Matt is sooo much fun!

Look at me and Papa!!!