Monday, May 27, 2013

We love you Aunt Jen!

My sister came to visit us for the weekend.  It was fun to run around together.  We had some good kid time and some good sisters only time.  It's always hard to say goodbye, but I am thankful for a sister in my life who is fun and supportive with a heart of gold.  We miss you already!
On a neighborhood walk posing with the irises
They are thrilled because she reads them TWO books before bedtime
Showing off his skills
A sunny thumbs up
Seriously...who doesn't love to teeter totter?!
Ferguson Canyon
Hiking fun
Posing at the waterfall
Um, sure. Twin Peaks Wilderness :)
Love this one
Miles showing Jen the best way to cross and keep her feet dry!
The crew
More hiking fun
Miles 6, Iris 3
Love you sister!

Happy 6th birthday Miles!

I feel like a broken record, repeating "time flies", "where does the time go?", "where have my babies gone?", but here I am again.  Six years!  Seriously, where does the time go??  I am in love with my beautiful boy.  He's smart and funny and sensitive and creative and adventurous.  He's curious and helpful and a good listener, especially compared to his handful of a little sister! 
I try really hard to be in the moment and realize these days are awesome and fleeting.  I try to relax and enjoy making up a random song every night at bedtime for him and I try to savor the time when he wants me to rest my head on his pillow while he falls asleep.  I love the kisses he blows me through the crack in the door at school when I drop him off.  I love his insane blue eyes.  I love his imagination and his laugh when he is really laughing.  So much to love.  Happy birthday baby!
Some likes these days: Legos, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, riding his bike, playing games on his Ipod, drawing, hiking and jumping off pretty much anything he can.
Also a bit noteworthy...his first permanent tooth is coming in on the bottom behind his baby teeth, which have yet to loosen up and fall out.  I was concerned and a bit freaked out, but Aunt Jen assured me it happens and my child is not a shark!
Mesmerized by Lego candles on a chocolate cake
Getting some help from Iris.  Not sure how many more years that will fly!
Feelin' the love
What could be funner than burying Dad under the birthday loot?!
Cake face!

Kindergarten Graduation

Miles had his official graduation from kindergarten last week.  They had a cute little ceremony.  I just sat there in awe that he is 6 years old now and headed for first grade in the fall.  He's been at First Steps since he was 3 months old, so it will be a big change, but hopefully a fun one.
Big man on campus for just a little longer
The whole class
On the mic for his little part
Self Portrait

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Letters and Numbers

I just wanted to show a few of the fun things Miles has drawn lately.  He is getting into writing words and it's fun to see how he spells them phonetically.  He has also created a few pieces of art lately that caught my eye.
Crocodile
Sword wielding princess. I love this so much.  I want it on a shirt!
Practicing 1 to 100
Precipitation, evaporation.  His version of the water cycle, complete with fire truck.  The biologist in my loves this!
With all my heart. I love you Mom.
Cute random shot of them painting their Micheal's treasure chests
 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Canyonlands

We just took our first camping trip of the season.  We headed south of Moab to Canyonlands National Park, Needles District.  We were all so excited to get out and set up the tent and hike and play.  The weather was great...mid 70's during the day and mid 40's at night.  Perfect for camping.  We did a few mellow hikes.  My foot is healing well, but I can't get too crazy yet, nor can the kids go any huge distance, so it worked out well.  We went with the Daly's...good company and the kids play so well together.  It was a great weekend!
We got back late Sunday night.  I had to remind myself it was worth it when I saw the foot high grass in the yard, the giant pile of laundry and the empty fridge as we rolled into the week, but I figure that kids are much more likely to remember a fun camp trip than a well manicured lawn when they grow up, right?!
We took so many pictures.  It's always hard for me to pick my favorites, so here are a bunch!
Our home for the weekend. We lucked out and had some trees to hide in
My little explorers
A 5 year old + fire = fun!
Morning chill time in the tent...my favorite
They aren't ALWAYS happy campers.  This is what happens when naps are skipped.
Ladder #1 on the hike to Cave Spring
Ladder #2. Who needs it?!  He got Jeff's mountain goat genes!
Boys on top
Posing at a petroglyph panel near the campsite
I look at them and hope they are forever friends
Family shot
Like I was saying...about those mountain goat genes!
Petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock.  Look closely at the guy on the top right...
Jeff's pancake petroglyph inspired by the guy above!  See...this is the cool stuff that happens when you get away from the craziness of life :)
I look at this picture and smile.  These are the days!