Thirty-three years

Thirty-three years has made you nothing short of an amazing man.

Amazing * Honest * Patient

Loving * Respectful * Kind

Ever-Understanding * Romantic * Hard Working

Handsome * Brilliant * Devoted to all good things

Genuine * Grateful * Listening

I hope to spend the next 33 years and beyond by your side. You make me happier than the rainbow we watched over the mountains, happier than a good piece of chewing gum and happier than holding a baby chick! You make me a far better person and have given me the best moments of my life.

I love you so dearly.

Why is it . . .

that you have absolutely no interest in artwork - except when it's on a brand new oil painting we had plans to hang, a box springs (that we had intended to return) or your walls?

I guess the right medium is everything.

I love you - my little boy, forever and ever and ever!

Girls Week

and a little education.

My good friend Aimee and I both teach at the gym and both wanted to get our AFAA certification (highly suggested but very b-o-r-i-n-g. Absolutely tortureous. An entire day of lecturing while sitting on the floor of a dirty gym, then hours of repetitive excercises - anyway .......). So we drove to Charlotte with two of our other friends Autumn and Natalie. It was surreal to say the least not to have our kids by our sides and in our arms. In a way we all felt a little empty - but soon found ways to fill back up! We rented a room of a local bed and breakfast (in a gorgeous 100 year old home) and giggled for four days straight! Great dining, wonderful conversations and oh yeah, we made a stop at the National Whitewater Training Center. Such a great weekend!

Tried our luck at mountain biking. This picture was taken at the end of the ride. Almost. Little did we know what lie ahead. Poor Aimee had a crash of a lifetime! But as the superstar that she is - rose to the event and smiled through the pain. I love her!

Then taught the climbing wall a thing or two about our own moves. And flew down the 1700 foot zipline. Despite our swoobies (sweaty boobs) and other general sweatiness - I managed to hide a camera in my bra to take a picture on the way down the zip . . . but amongst the thrill, completely forgot.

And last but not least we fell in love with white water rafting. Again poor Aimee was a sport as I flew to the other side of the boat and completely knocked her overboard. We'll have to

try it all again next year.

What would a girls weekend be without getting a little close - right!?

Who knew that the pull out bed that came with the room was a single?

Thanks for a great time girlies ......

are you ready to book the next trip?

Hand-me-downs

are not always bad .....

What could be better than enjoying your first corn on the cob?

So what if there isn't any corn left . . .

sucking every last bit of warm salt and butter is delightful!

Washington Mountains - Part III

On the last day of our vacation Cheyenne had the brilliant idea to leave all the kids with some babysitters and go out - like adults.

So we did and it felt very.....adult-like:)

The activity of choice: climb Mt. Eleanor.

(Adults, sans Taylor, who spent the summer in Alaska. We missed you brother!)

So we began the upward journey.

We chose to go up the chute and the choice did not fail our expectations!

It was breathtaking - as God's creations always are.

Logan claims he saw something very frightening in the distance.

And we summitted!!

The Reward: A mother mountain goat with her two babies.

And lots, and lots of fog.

Then the babysitters had had their fill of six children under the age of 9 (4 of which were under the age of 4, they were very brave girls!)- so we made our way down the mountain.

On the way down, there was so much fog that it started to collect on the tips of our hair. But this was the best weather to be hiking in. One of the millions of reasons we love the northwest! And my heart ached to climb and hike more often.

Luckily this boy takes me on quite a few adventures.

And I fall in love with him more each time!

So long till next summer! We will long for your goodness until then great northwest!

Washington Waters - Part II

As the family cabin is on a beautiful lake, we have the privelege of spending lots of time on the water while visiting - and it makes our hearts sing! We love it so very much!

Each day starts with the plea for a boat ride.

As the day heats up the layers come off and we are ready continue with our water adventures!

Bently was brave enough to jump off the dock all week - in between thowing rocks, of course.

And Dakota and Logan spent their lazy afternoons exploring the bottom of the lake through their snorkeling gear.....however, no luck with finding his wedding ring from the year before which was lost while wake boarding.

Tessa may be the first to tube around the lake with me in years to come. I did the best I could to convince Keira and Bently this year but they showed total lack of interest.

One last dive into the cold lake before heading up to the hot tub for the evening.

(Check out Keira's swimsuit - or rather lack there-of!)

After watching our California cousins during the first part of the week - fishing lessons were in order for all the children. Maybe next year we'll catch something.

No day would be complete without throwing a few rocks........

Washington Part I

Once we said our goodbyes to mom, we headed to Washington to spend the rest of our time at the cabin. We had spectacular Northwest weather this year including snuggling up to a nice fire every night after playing in the water all day. And we got to spend more time with the Hayes'!

My kids love Cheyenne - a lot!!

The boys quickly got down to business - ie. throwing rocks at the buoy past the end of the dock. This activity lasted on and off throughout the entire week!

And Bently joined in too. This was his #1 activity!

Gather some really huge rocks, or a ton of really little rocks, walk out to the end of the dock, then through or dump them all in.

Reapeat.

Me and Peyton (Keira's idle right now).

Me and Morgan.

Of course, Logan is central to any kind of fun! Whether he liked it or not!

Lots of family time and lots of fun!

Oregon

Time with Grandma is precious.
Only a true Grandma knows exactly how to make each child feel totally loved and completely special. . .
even when the meetings are few and too far between.


We celebrated birthdays altogether with Grandma this year. Not only was it a blast - but delicious too! For years I have heard all the kids rave about the "Birthday Cake" - and this year I was able to try it for myself. And the verdict is . . . it is even better than its reputation!

Thanks Mom!!

(this leaopard is really scary, i keep telling Keira that it is going to eat her one of these days.
but alas, like her namesake - she can't seem to stay away. very scary toy!)

Thank you for making our trip so special and memorable! Keira is still enthralled with your beautiful hair and gracefulness. Every time we watch "The Swan Princess" now (which is quite often at the moment) we think of you and the fun we had dancing together in your living room. We love you and miss you!!

My Heart is So Full

two simple baby blankets

best friends one could ever hope for

the little world they have just created

Recently I just finished preparing a package for our very dear friends Emilee and Ben. I made two simple blankets to add to the package. But those very simple bunches of fabric brought so many very tender feelings to my heart. I am not a good sewer, but I have sewn a few things for other people before taking on this project. However, never before was my heart so full and so filled with love than as I made these blankets for a baby whom I already love so much. As I pushed the yards of fabric through the machine my mind raced with the thoughts and feelings these two might have had before the arrival of their sweet little boy. For hours I was beaming. A huge smile on my face. And my hands trembled with excitement on behalf of my two friends. I would finish for the night and then go to bed still energized with pure joy.

Then I reminisced of the very precious time that Dakota and I prepared and awaited for each of our little one's arrivals. And I thought about the little world we are creating daily within these four walls. How those three little bodies make our life complete and full of joy. How each day is filled with adoration and pride as I watch them grow and learn about this beautiful world in which they have come to live. And we are the lucky one's to witness it. Amazing.

In Emilee's very own words "I can't believe how enamored I am."

In fact, I am still glowing. The family is the most precious creation of all.

There are no better parents than those Talus has been entrusted to.


Now if only I could hold him . . . just for a minute!!

Mmmm Hmmm - Eternity Sounds About Right

We told ourselves that going to Mexico earlier in the year would be our celebration.
But that just didn't sound sufficient enough. I mean we're talking about us and seven years.
So we packed up and headed out for some fun!

The National Olympic Whitewater Training Center . . . who knew it was right in Charlotte.
It's like an outdoors theme park - what could be better?!

Bike Riding the "green" trail. I won't graduate from that for quite awhile!

A little white-water rafting - our favorite!

No better person to do it with than the love of my life!

My Dear Dakota,

You are my heart. For the last seven years you have made my life full. You are the one I run to to laugh with and to cry with. I know I am safe in my every thought and feeling with you. You know me completely and I love every bit of you.

My paradise will always be with you.

Yours Forever,
Charlotte

PS - I'm just not quite sure if I could get enough of you in one forever!