Day 331/365 ~ 2012

I had Gracie girl with us today. 
A little snapshot before heading out for some errands and lunch.
I do so love this little ones.

Day 321/365 ~ 2012

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast.
The sight of my little pilgrim giving thanks was just too precious.



One of my favorite days in the preschool year.
I'm sad to see this tradition pass.
I was very thankful to get to be a part of this special day.

Day 302/365 ~ 2012

Shannon dropped Katie off from gymnastics and while we chatted, the Bug decided it was a good time to take off her coat and go for a stroll!  Nevermind the cool, fall temperatures!



Later that day we went to get the van (it had been in the shop getting serviced all day.) Only to get in it, drive away, hear a funny sound and discover a huge bolt in the tire! Back we went to wait for another hour....



This was one of the ways we entertained ourselves. We were quickly on the road again, and thankful for Shannon who saved me by picking up the boys at the last minute (literally!) from school!

Day 283/365 ~ 2012

Dan laughed at this sight when he came home from work.
I had done a little shopping.
I told him..."That's the sign of a desperate woman."

(And no worries...I know you aren't supposed to take iron without a Doctor's supervision...it was prescribed).

Apparently, for me, 38 is the age when my body demands that I stop taking it for granted.

Day 238/365 ~ 2012

Our second day at the beach found us building sandcastles!  First thing in the morning we headed out for some fun in the sand.



We headed back in for a quick lunch and then returned to explore the tide pools.



(I actually didn't intend to dress us all in stripes ~ And only realized it as we were walking out the door).



The tide pools were so fun. We spotted anemones, a sea star, baby fish, and a little crab.



Oh the treasures!



The boys were trying to gather enough crab parts to build a crab to take home. They were not happy when we told them that was not happening.



The weather was perfection. Sunny and warm, and not a drop of rain or gust of wind.
I was so grateful as it was our only full day there and to be blessed with sunshine it felt like such a gift!



We ended the day with dinner at The Fireside and a family viewing of Pollyanna.

Day 191/365 ~ 2012

While the kids go to visit Grammie & Grandpa, we had fun eating out on the river at Salty's!  It was so worth the sunburn I got sitting on the patio.  The weather was heaven!  Followed by "Spiderman"  (surprisingly good!!) at the new Cinetopia.  A great night out!

PS.  Cheating a bit, these photos were taken on sunday the 8th after the kids left!

Day 184/365 ~ 2012

Most nights, Dan puts Kaitlin to bed and I read a chapter book (currently Harry Potter) with the boys.
I went in to give her a kiss after she was tucked in and I couldn't resist the question,
"Will you hold me & rock me, Mama?"
I have loved rocking Kaitlin since birth.
We have spent hours & hours together in this chair.

There is a book called, "I'll Love you Forever" that I gave to matthew when he was little. It was a favorite of his. We read it countless times. And the mother in the story rocked her child from birth...until even sneaking into his room as an adult and holding him in her lap "Rocking back and forth, back and forth" and singing,

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My Baby you'll be."

I'm certain that in my heart, that will be me.
I know even when my kids are grown I'll wish I could scoop them up and hold them in my lap and rock their troubles away.

Day 174/365 ~ 2012

Me, The Bug & Annabelle, all buckled in and ready to go!
Off to a much anticipated "scrapfest IV" weekend with my dear friend Diane.
On our way!

Day 147/365 ~ 2012

All dressed up and somewhere to go!!



Mike's Rock Star 40th Birthday Bash!



It's not often that I have an occasion wear my Grandmother's earrings. I think this is only the second time. Dan snapped a close up.



First stop, dinner at Lapellah!  Michelle looked beautiful with her "rocker" eye shadow and "Farrah" hair.  :)



Our dear friend, Brandi flew in from Idaho Falls for the occasion. It was so great to see her! 




We piled into a Hummer Limo for the rest of the adventure!



Cheers!



The limo was something else!


The limo ride was definitely a big highlight for the night ~ really fun!


We went to Kell's Irish Pub and then on to the Wonder Ballroom/Secret Society where Mike and some of the crew went to the show, and the rest of us listened to a Johnny Cash Tribute Band (that was actually really good!)



It was definitely a special night out  & such an adventure!  I was really happy to be there to celebrate Mike's milestone birthday.  Happy Birthday, Mike!!!

Day 140/365 ~ 2012

After a day of helping Mom get caught up on some things around the house (the big job was moving out red lava rock in her front flower bed and replacing it with grey rock), Dan and I celebrated our Anniversary with dinner at the Hanford House ~ where we had our reception 14 years earlier. It was fun to go back & reminisce. We ended the evening at the movie "The 5 year engagement." A very fun night out with my love!

Day 138/365 ~ 2012

My friend Rachel has helped organize the year end meal for the Young Lives group (an outreach for teen moms) for the last few years.
I had fun serving with the ladies, and gentleman.  (Who by the way is married to the lady to his left and is one of the cutest couples I've encountered! So in love!)

Day 134/365 ~ 2012

I had a wonderful mother's day.
Breakfast in bed.
Lunch at "Beaches" ~ sitting outside in the sunshine!
A walk by the river.
A nap & Harry Potter with the boys.
Dan grilled a delicious dinner ~ pork chops, spinach salad, grilled zucchini & squash.
A variety of treats for dessert.




I was touched to see a message sporting Andrew's best penmanship.  His enthusiastic "a"s give his handwriting away.  :)  His writing is improving!



So much to be thankful for.

Day 127/365 ~ 2012

First communion!
A very special day for our first born.
Celebrated with brunch at the Diner & we marked the occasion with a necklace that he wore to school the next day.
We are so proud of you, Matthew & look forward to watching you grow in your faith.

Day 124/365 ~ 2012

(Andrew has taken to making "Crazy eyes" in photos.)
The boys and I read Harry Potter every night for 30 minutes before bed.
I love this time with them and they LOVE these books.
We are on the second one, and we might read the 3rd, but the rest will have to wait until Andrew gets older.
I really hope the kids love to read as adults...Dan & I have dedicated so much time to reading with them ever since they were infants ~ I hope it works!
(I also included this photo for Andrew because for some reason he loves when I wear my pink robe, my hair in a pony, and my glasses. He always says "You look pretty like that. I like you like that in your robe and glasses and hair like that." He says this several times a week. He'll tell me that when I first wake up as well...I'm wondering if it's more of what it symbolizes to him...quiet time, together at home.)

Day 120/365 ~ 2012

We made our annual trip to the Tulip Festival!  The combination of beautiful flowers, great weather and fun friends made for a great day!


Our little crew.  We've been going together since Kaitlin was just 8 weeks old.



My 3 little loves.  Known at home as....



"Matty."



"Muffin."



"Kitti."



These two were being silly as we were setting up for the group photo.  This just makes me smile.  They share quite a bond.  I really wonder sometimes how Andrew will cope with Claire dating someday.



While the holding hands in the tulips was totally posed, the sweet look up at Daddy, was not.  Love this photo. 



Some sugar from my boys.



Best hugger ever.



A little Tractor tire fun. 



A highly anticipated moment.



Tromping through the tulips.  The pinky kills me.  So Kaitlin.

We misplaced a child.  Again.  But managed to go home with the same number we arrived with.  So all in all, a successful day!