My Dear Princess

Dear Keira.
I love this fantastical stage that you are in right now! You are truly a princess - all the time. Tonight we had a little program at your preschool. We got to go to your classroom and experience your daily routine and meet all your dear friends that you love so very much. You were "as fast as lightning" while eating your dinner. You told us that you needed to be fast so that you could get ready for tonight. When you came down from your room I had to hold back a little giggle and dad couldn't help but let his mouth drop open just a little. Little did we know that this was just the beginning . . . you were not yet finished.

You've loved this pink dress for two years now. Last winter we had a near fatal encounter with this beloved dress. Despite my own fear of riding escalators dad taught you and Bently how to ride them with ease in the airport. Since then, both you and Bently insist that we ride the escalator when available. On this particular day we were at "Meet the Animals" in the Science Museum when you sat down on the escalator. I had Tessa in the Baby Bjorn and didn't see you until the last second. I hurriedly asked you to stand up as I bent down to lift you but it was too late! Your dress had already been sucked into the escalator and was trying to take you with it! The man in back of us had the nerve to tell us to "look-out" and then "move on". The whole time I was frantically pulling yards of pink tulle out of the escalator. So I pushed the emergency stop button gathered myself together (you see, even as an adult I am still a little nervous of these contraptions). I then had to yank and rip the bottom half of the dress out of the jammed escalator. The whole time being overly concerned for you dress - not your life. Since then your dress has never really looked the same. The bottom is worn ripped everywhere, and starting to fray. Nevertheless . . . it is your favorite.

But back to tonight. Not only did you insist that you had to wear this pink dress (of all your pink dresses). You also had to do your hair and lipstick before leaving the house. In vain I suggested "a barrette, how about a ponytail, maybe even a braid". But none of those were quite stately enough. Only this jeweled crown would do. It matched your over sized jeweled ring perfectly! You looked exquisite to say the least. And now, only now, you were ready to go!

Yes, you were a bit overdressed for the event. But you are a princess and princessess always wear their crowns, jewels and best dresses! So you looked perfect.

And we were so proud to see your classroom and to meet your friends! You are happy at school and proud of your independence. I love you Keira, and we are so proud to be your parents and stand by your side. Thank you my dear!

Love Always,

Mom

(your painting that you entitled "Picture of a Waterfall")

State Fair 2009

One of my favorite times of year in North Carolina is October. The month of the State Fair! Having been advertised since the early spring I look forward to taking the kids to the fair all

summer long! I don't really even know why, honestly . . .

But from the very second that I hear the first whisperings about the State Fair - I start to get excited! This year I was lucky enough to have Aimee and her kids (who we adore) come with us.

Adults = 2

Children under 5 = 4

For the kids one of the best parts of the entire afternoon was riding the city bus!

We parked in a parking lot a few miles from the fairgrounds and then caught the bus so we didn't have to bother with parking.

Each of the kids were able to pick 4 rides each to go on.

Let me say that the decision making is brutal when your little heart wants nothing more than all the rides.

And then my all time favorite part of the fair!

From the time of that first announcement I begin to feel their weightlessness in my hands and the downy of their sweet little feathers.

I look forward to this part from that day on!

(this little chick was fascinated with the polk-a-dots on Keira's dress and pecked at them the whole time!)

Poor little chicks - thanks for being so patient with so many little hands!

All in all it was quite a success!

I am still dreaming about fried oreos.

The wagon was essential. (All 4 kids rode in the 1 wagon most of the time.)

The kids were perfect.

Here's to State Fair 2010!

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........