Canoeing

Dad and daughter self portrait

 

The girls canoeing

 

The old wagon teeming with new life

 

The view from our cabin

 

Cabin by the lake

The view

 

Playing with Matches

 

In charge of lunch

 

Hanging out in front of the heater

 

Apple blossoms

We spent some time with some friends last night. It is true - we invited ourselves. But it really isn't our fault. A couple of years ago they invited us up to their place to eat under the apple blossoms which were blooming. It was gorgeous, and well - guess what I think about come spring and blossom time?
On top of the blossoms everywhere, they have several animals and live in a unique area on a delightful property...pasture views out the window, a well and a cistern, a waterfall and river across the street. Our children love to visit because our friends are so sweet to them and engage them with the animals. The girls got to help with the chickens, and loved the adventure.
I loved the apple trees which were in full bloom as well as the white lilacs. It didn't matter which way the wind blew -either way was filled with tantalizing aromas. As we walked around the yard, the apple blossoms gently floated from above, scattering a white carpet of blossoms on the fresh springy grasss. It was euphoric. While the following pictures don't do justice - we loved spending time with them and enjoyed their springtime wonderland. Thank you!

 

This was as much of my friend as I could get as she raced to escape the camera!
 

 

Feeding the chicks and gathering eggs

Here are the girls. They had an amazing time feeding the chickens (after they learned to scatter not pelt)and then collecting the eggs.

 

 

 

 

Just us

This weekend we went to my husband's graduation in Denver and spent a couple of days there, playing at the museum etc. Following are some of the highlights of the graduation and the fun we had. While chronologically backwards, we are starting with some photos of just us. This degree was very difficult for our family and I am so thrilled to have my husband back again and the kids to have a daddy that is available to play once again. Phew probably describes it the best - we are so glad that period of life is over (for a while at least.) Hope you enjoy our photos as much as we did taking them!
Just us

 

How the girls felt about having their daddy graduate

 

While doing some window shopping we came across these masks. Sort of mardi gras'ish' but they met the mood and we loved them!

 

 

Graduation photos

Crossing the stage and shaking the hand.

 

A face in the crowd...the one I love best

 

My husband's parents

 

My parents

 

Graduation

Here is a fun exercise we did that measures your brainwaves, and uses them (the relaxed ones) to move a magnetized ball across the table. Both my husband and daughter killed me on this!

 

 

Walking down the aisle. I have to admit - I surprised myself with tears at this point. Wasn't sure where they came from but they were definitely there.

 

Waiting...the graduation was fairly long, and we'd gotten there quite early. The second row seats were great, but obviously not everyone was enthralled.

 

Weekend activities

This weekend we traveled out of town for my husband's graduation ceremonies. Both of our parents met us in the city and we spent some time at the Natural Science and History museum.
I think both the kids and adults had a blast. The girls got to do some really interesting science experiments and even see some of their own cells under a microscope.

 

 

 

My daughter and I couldn't resist making a mold of our faces in the children's play area.

 

Daddy daughter date

A couple of Sundays ago we settled down for an afternoon nap. Our little one decided to join us (unheard of). After I got up to get some things done, I peeked back in and couldn't resist snapping this picture.

Ladybug release

Here are some pictures from last weekend.
Our friends own a nursery, and they had their season grand opening and invited everyone from the community for a ladybug release. While we had soccer and got there late, we were so grateful that they saved us a bag.


The girls had a blast. They got to plant some plants, and paint some garden stones and enjoyed lunch.

The countdown is OVER!!

I almost thought this day would never arrive, but it has, and it was a week early.
Sing hallelujah!!
My husband has been studying for a long time now. We figured that in the past 12 years, either he or I have been in school for 11 years. He took off for a while so that I could finish up and then he jumped back into it.
We do hope that all of his hard work will pay off. But really, I'm selfish and so excited to not be a single mom any more. That's the part I'm excited about. To have someone to do stuff with again, instead of him being sequestered every night late, early morning, and weekend trying to meet his deadlines.

While the girls and I had planned to go out and party with him tonight to celebrate as soon as he finished, he surprised us and finished last night. So, we decided to party last night. We had a great time bowling with the girls, and kept them out oh, so late. But it was so worth it. I hope they'll remember that night for forever and I hope that they realized what a sacrifice he has made so that he can better provide for our family. I also hope they'll understand the importance of education and always strive to learn and do their best.

The countdown is OVER baby!

Tribute to my mothers

My mom is crazy. How couldn't she be? We all had a hand in it. It had to have been a herculean effort to raise so many kids and produce such results. While we all remember the 5 hour hike to see a 2,000 year old tree, we thought she was broadening our minds and teaching environmentalism. Now that I'm older, I believe it was to get all of us out of the car on that long ride home and find some sanity. I believe she was chanting 'deep breaths, just breath deeply' or something closely related to keep from killing all of us. (I think that was after we went to Bear Lake, it rained the whole week, and then someone cut their head open.) While Mother's Day is still a few days away, I wanted to post this clip I found. My mother is the voice inside my head. All that I am is due to my mother. She gave me life and I am grateful to her and love her.

I am also so grateful to my mother in law. All that my husband is results from her sacrifice and patience. What a wonderful gift she gave to me, when she loved my husband. I couldn't have asked for a better or more wonderful man. I am so grateful to her for this gift which I daily marvel at.
Thank you to all of the mothers in my life - I love and appreciate you all.
Happy Mother's Day! We love you!

Recent events and activities update

Well, I hit another milestone - thanks to all who helped celebrate. I have to say - while my own mother, among others forgot to call, (or maybe it was on purpose?) Facebook made it nice and I got birthday wishes from old high school friends who haven't wished me a happy birthday in years. As such, I think it all sort of evens out. I really had a great birthday.

One of my friends and I went out the day before and got pedicures and went to lunch - it was so much fun to spend time with her - Thanks V!

Since my volunteer day at the school fell on my birthday, I decided to take a birthday treat to the classes I work with(thank goodness the track team was selling cookie dough last month!) It was really fun to share it with the kids.



Later, I met my husband for lunch at my favorite restaurant and decided to try the rabbit dumplings, while my husband went for the pork tacos. I'd never had rabbit before, but I figure that if I'm going to try something new for fun, I'd rather do it in a REALLY nice restaurant where they really know how to cook for the best experience. I was surprised, because it wasn't a strong flavor, and the dish reminded me a little bit of creamed tuna. The pork tacos were amazing too. We switched plates back and forth a couple of times and both enjoyed everything.



School got out and I took the girls to gymnastics, and then we came home and a couple of our friends and neighbors came over for dinner. It was a very enjoyable day. I got to continue the celebration as another friend and I went out to my favorite greasy spoon joint the next day as well. I rounded out the week spending some time interpreting, and got to watch our daughter in a play, and hanging out at soccer games. All in all - an enjoyable week.


We are still counting down to graduation, and I've been totally immersed in a very large project that I am not currently at liberty to speak about. Once it is finished, I will post all about it. I've been spring cleaning, and we will begin to work on our yard. In 2 days, we'll be 100% done with school and life as we know it will completely change. Bring it ON!!