Day 323/365 ~ 2012

Because of our upcoming schedule we put up the Christmas tree early.
Katie couldn't wait for the magical moment.
Putting the star on top.

Day 315/365 ~ 2012

Happy 39th to the love of my life.
Dots Doughnuts.
A chilly birthday walk by lacamas lake.
Lunch at Twilight Pizza.
Steak dinner.
Apple crisp pie with vanilla icecream.
Happy to have an opportunity to show some love to this fantastic husband/father.

Day 309/365 ~ 2012

Christmas card picture day!!!
Is it just us, or is it horrible for everyone?
I was so happy to check this off the list and come home and order cards.
I don't want to ruin the surprise of our card photo, but Dan and I took a couple of us too.
I just love Dan's smile.  It's really his smiling eyes that I love.



I've reached the point where I don't like my photo taken.
I've never been photogenic. (No false humility, between my crooked smile and droopy eye I'm really not and that's okay).
But adding the little differences I'm noticing in my face (why do we see this more in photos than real life?) and I'm finding that I am much more comfortable behind the lens.  But I want the kids to have photos of me too.



I was setting the exposure and Dan was being a character. That's my guy.



We attempted a tripod with Matthew pushing the button and while there are things I don't like about our pose, it's nice to have a photo of us.  We don't have them taken very often.  I'll share the rest closer to Christmas!!!  :)   

Day 308/365 ~ 2012

10am soccer game
Noon End of season soccer party
4:30 Basketball practice, followed by a game
6:00 Michelle & Isaiah's Birthday celebration

Life is busy (but fun) these days!

 Andrew is playing Basketball with some of his church friends.  What fun for him (and us!)  They couldn't be cuter and it's fun to see their individual personalities on the court.  Andrew rolled his ankle so was having a bit of a challenging time playing, but he still had fun and was happy that Aunt michelle & Uncle mike and cousins were there to watch!  (Andrew is SO accident prone right now!  I honestly think he has been to the nurse at least ten times since the beginning of the year.  Even his teacher commented on it!)



Dan had fun with his nephews.  Noah has my Dad's coloring.  Such a darling little guy.



Couldn't pass up this great expression.
Michelle liked her gift. :)



I've been SO excited to give it to her.
Truth be told, I'd like to have kept it for myself! :)



Isaiah is a decade old. Unbelievable.
He is such a sweet, sweet boy.
I clearly remember the excitement on the day of his birth and seeing him for the first time.
Mom and I went to get a birthday cake for him and stood in the bakery trying to figure out how to spell "Isaiah" (it was so funny) and we spelled it wrong! :)



We enjoyed a delicious ham dinner and topped it off with a spice cake.
Happy Birthday Isaiah & Michelle!
I love you both!

Day 287/365 ~ 2012

Andrew's soccer coach was out of town, so he asked Dan to fill in.
(That's Andrew in the background).
He did a great job coaching the boys and managed to keep his very competitive side in check. I was very proud! :)

Day 259/365 ~ 2012

Andrew makes a save!



After a morning soccer game, Dan and Andrew had their birthday date to the Lego store to spend Andrew's gift card.



First, lunch at Red Robin and then off to the Lego store...



They even had a Dilly Bar at the mall!  It was indeed a fun and special day for Andrew.  He came home so happy, and his cup was definitely filled.  It was a great birthday gift that created a special memory as well.  I think this will become a tradition for us!  (He still has a date with Mama to the bookstore to look forward to!)

Kaitlin and Matthew were happy when Andrew returned home...



He gave Kaitlin his balloon and he spent part of his gift card on a present for Matthew.  Andrew's generosity started when he was very small and continues today.

Day 245/365 ~ 2012

Our first family golf outing!



I thought of my Dad so often on this day.
Memories of hours spent with him on the golf course came flooding back.
He would smile to see his grandchildren at the golf course being introduced to the game he loved so much.  I would have loved to have had him there...giving pointers and cheering on great strokes.



I was quite rusty. My first swing (above) was a terrible slice. But the last (9th) hole I played down the fairway.  I still do so enjoy the game.



We were a little liberal with who drove the golf cart.  The kids' favorite part.




Finishing up at the 9th hole and heading off to the clubhouse for lunch.
A wonderful way to spend the day!

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 237/365 ~ 2012

My Facebook "Update" summed up our first day at the beach....
"So very happy to be at Cannon Beach! Of course the leaking tire valve on the way out of town was a bummer...so was forgetting Kaitlin's bag (that has 80% of her clothes in it) at home...then there was the root beer that spilled in the van...and Matthew really doesn't NEED underwear, right? Today is a new day! (I posted this the following day) Salt water taffy & Sandcastles make it all better!"  

And while the Sandcastles and Salt water taffy didn't make it ALL better...it sure helped!



Bruce's Candy Kitchen ~ one of our first stops, for the saltwater taffy! (We get two bags...one for me and one for everyone else. Nope, not even kidding). :)



I love the charm of the small downtown.  No Wal-Mart here, thankyouverymuch.



Next stop: The beach!  The kids could not get enough of the sand and water.



There is something about the ocean that just brings a different sort of joy out in my kids.
I love to see it. I think they feel so free here.



I love the sound. I can't get enough of the sound of the waves crashing in and I love the first breath of sea air when the car door opens.



Andrew so loves to jump the waves.



Sweet, sweet brothers.



I practiced some silhouettes for my photography class....



They were my first ones and I was pleased with them.



A Daddy and his little girl does so melt my heart....

Day 223/365 ~ 2012

Day 2 of the reunion started with a tour of the school.
"A Day's Pay" mural of the Bomber bought by the Richland community ~ all contributing a day's pay to purchase it for the war effort.



Go Bombers!





I never played a sport myself in this gym, but cheered many nights away on the floor of it as a cheerleader. Lots of fun evenings spent here.



Look at that cute little Bomber!



Then it was on to the evening dinner at Anthony's.



Where I literally laughed the night away.



So, so much fun.



Aimee was a cheerleader with me back in the day.



Dan was in full effect.

We finished the evening around 3am at The Town Crier. A Richland landmark.
It was a night I won't soon forget, my ribs and cheeks hurt for days later from laughing so hard and smiling so much, it was fantastic.

Here's to old friends!