Raystown 2013

Again, we made the trek to the Bittergoose Lodge courtesy of Dennis' parents for our annual getaway.  The guys made sure to squeeze in some time for golf.

Plenty of time at the lake.

Captain Uncle Dwayne gave boat rides and Van was LOVING it. I could not stop taking pictures of his expressions. "I so much love this!" he told me.  He even drove the boat. Woo Hoo! for good uncles.

The girls were brave on the rocket. (There may be a rumor circulating where I promised my niece we wouldn't fall off if she rode with me, and then I fell off.  It's up to you to believe or dismiss rumors)

Mermaid sightings.

I love that they will have these memories!

Plenty of pool time. Van wasn't sure about jumping until he saw his cousin go for it.

Creek stomping and exploring.

Plenty of  time to chill and enjoy the lodge and it's grounds.

Plenty of time together. Another great year! (all cousins pictured except Eden who was floating behind me and Matthew who was having the cabin to himself for a couple hours)

Cartwheels and Kitties

Everyone felt that is was important that their legs were captured in the air.

My girl loves her kitties. J was kind to let me take a picture of him before he grows up and moves out. He also has been asking to take a picture with my nice camera and edit it. I obliged.

Not to be left out, Van wanted his picture taken and then sister interrupted. I tried to get Beck to join in the portraiture but he was busy.

Mrs. Frisby is our sweet mama cat. We love her. And I love how my boys are best buddies. *kitten pic by Eden

So it begins...

...that time of year where you want to soak up every moment but by the time you get a handle on that, it's over.  Summer. I don't mean to sound so negative. I often feel like we need a plan so we can do all the things we hoped or thought we'd do over the summer. But then things (good things) start happening and before you know it summer is over. I can already feel that happening! But perhaps I just need to go with the flow a bit more and have the plans in my back pocket when needed.

Dennis has been begging asking me to get the boys summer cuts for quite a while now. So hard to say goodbye to the curls!  His cousin's fiance was kind enough to come to the house and cut all of our hair. So sweet of her. (We paid her and fed her :)

Last week we had some extra kids. Two shown here came for one night but the rest were with us for 5 nights and 6 days. But who's really counting?  Actually, it went surprisingly well. No one was seriously injured and I still love them and I think they still are willing to come over again. I call that success!

The 3 E's and and  a little A.

Rain or shine we make sure that we get strawberries from our favorite spot!

May is done, June has begun

If you were to ask my daughter what the most important thing about my birthday is, sh would reply that it is also the new kittens birthday. We were headed out the door when they kids come running up the basement stairs holding the teeny kitties. We thought the cat had worms...not babies. I didn't know they could get prego so soon (she's not even a year old).  Ah well. A memorial weekend with 2 cakes and many loved ones and perfect settings and kitties. Not a bad way to turn 36.

We finished our first year of homeschool! Evaluation done (Eden reading for the evaluator above) and now turning in papers, then we can get started on next year take a rest.

Last Sunday evening was beautiful and we took a ride exploring nearby abandoned barns and a quick stop to the river. The wind was blowing in Beck's hair and it stayed like that. Back home for a strawberry lemon tart. My kind of Sunday.

I have this app called Old Photo Booth Lite (lite as in free version).  Now and then we go to it so we can laugh really hard. Here is Jesse. He like the one with the tie while I am particularly impressed with how pretty he is.

Oh my pretty little boys. Van on the left and Beck on the right. Beck's might be my fave.

Eden. Ah, the mullet is kind to no one. I'm thankful my kids are good sports, but I do wonder if we should also start a therapy fund for them.

#4 is 3

My youngest is 3! Eeeek! A simple celebration was had with the family that lives close. He sang a long , loved that the cake was chocolate and said thank you for his presents. That's my boy.

My sweet Beck., you are such a joy to us! I love how you put on a serious face when you are being snuggled at bedtime or saying "I love you". You love to be silly and still suck on your two middle fingers. You love your blankets and trucks and big brothers and sister. You prefer to be outside than in and the more dirty the better.   You are a joy among joys. Happy Birthday.

MAY!

May is my favorite month. Even though that's a bit self centered I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves their birthday month the best. The celebration of my life is not the only reason I love May. May means the arrival of longer days, strawberry season, and summer, just to name a few. 

Field trip to Hans Herr House (don't they look thrilled?), Jedi Lion (or "just a guy" he says), Rides on the four wheeler (with the appropriate head gear), date with my #3, boo boo kissing, kitty snuggles, swinging, and brothers building bridges.

April Out

April as month feels like a blur. I know it was there. I remember things that happened. But....was that April? I suppose it was.

My sweet sister in law Gina thought it would be fun to  take the girls to a hotel for her birthday. It was! We did the pool, got dressed up for dinner and went to the mall the next day. (look at my daughter's face in the dark restaurant photo)

Oh my girl. She had money to spend spend she did. Jewelry, flip flops and a mug for her brother (from Anthropologie no less) And then her photo faces. If you ever see a sweet pic of her I guarantee you there is a 4:1 ratio of silly faces to a normal face. Look closely above.

The calves escaped, before bed reading, sunset beauty,  Gina's official birthday and a new family addition (Airbender).