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!

Seen and Heard

Before going to the grocery store Bently made sure everyone was properly equipped to leave the house. So both Bently and Keira brought their backpacks, and a purse (both stuffed with miscellaneous toys).

But it doesn't stop there . . . Bently had to have his sombrero and Keira had to have her kitty leash that she made out of Tessa's link-a-doos. I sighed as we left the house and reminded both of them that whatever they choose to take to the car they have to bring back into the house.

After completing our trip to Harris Teeter. I took Tessa out of her carseat and with my one free hand - carefully looped four grocery bags onto my other arm. Bently was kind enough to take Keira's backpack into the house for her, but in doing so dropped his sombrero.

Mom: Keira, will you please take Bently's hat back inside.

Keira: (looks at the hat and then looks at me)

Mom: Please Keira. Bently took your backpack inside for you.

Keira: Mom, I think you can do it.

Beachy Stuff

We (Aimee, Autumn and I) went to the beach and May and it was great! We all went swimming, had a wonderful day together, and learned a few things . . .

1. We don't enjoy taking young children to the beach for a day.

2. They don't last very long on the actual beach. So after 2.5 hours of driving, .5 hours of trekking everything done to the beach, and 2 hours on the beach . . . they are ready to go home.

3. However, since you aren't staying near the beach - you cannot clean yourself off very well. So you're all sandy, the children are all sandy, and you have to spend the next 2.5 hours in the car like that.

4. And even though you brought a weeks worth of food with you - everyone is starving. Again. So you must stop somewhere on the way home to eat.

5. When all is said and done. It is a great time! But a very long day for 2 hours of playing on the beach!

So we decided to try it again!

This is the crowd we brought! Six of them and three of us.

• We stayed on the beach this time! There was a small backyard where the kids could play, and at our leisure we could walk down to the water - and back again.
• We got very sandy and dirty indeed! But there was a shower outside as well as two inside!
• We stayed for 4 days.
• We had more fun than I could ever recount in words!

(notice the tiny little hand holding on to the right side of the bucket)

We survived . . . and wanted to go back the very next week!

Is it really so Smart?

Today I saw one of these while sitting at a red light.

Cute.

Then I noticed this in the hand of the driver of the previously mentioned car.

Not cute.

And this is what the bumper sticker of said car proclaimed . . .

Really?

And Dakota, I'm sure they will properly dispose of the item in hand when finished. Just for you!

Seen and Heard

After a long day of lots of fun while sitting at the dinner table . . .

Keira: mmmmmmmmmm.

Mom, you're . . . you're a good maker.

Mom: Thank you Keira!

PS - Keira, you will not know how happy that makes me for many years to come! I love you!