Gimme A Break

Fall Break proved to be fabulous this year. We took a break from all the craziness and ran for the hills--well, not the hills, but the mountains.

We rented a cabin in Show Low for three nights. It was perfect.

We explored and took long walks.

We played at the nearby playground.

We played Phase 10 and Canasta for hours. (I love my competitive face in this shot..."Seriously, you are not laying down again!")

I loved being able to set aside all the things I needed to get done at home and just...be.

Dream On

Brian came home from work Wednesday at midnight.  I stayed up for him because I have a hard time falling asleep when I know he is on his way home. 

We caught up for a few minutes before we tiredly climbed the stairs to put our weary bodies in bed.  Upon entering our bedroom I saw my Weston snuggled up on my pillow, soundly sleeping. 

Brian saw the boy and said, "Oh good...I've been missing him."

I should have scooped him up and put him back in his own bed, where he belonged, but his Daddy needed him close.  Instead, we snuggled in next to him and listened to his deep, contented breaths.  Dream on sleeping boy.

This is not announcement

Just another jaunt down memory lane...

I was looking through pictures to go along with Keaton's birthday write-up and I came across this jewel.

I always giggle when I look at this picture because I remember the first time Brian looked at it and commented that I did not look very big, especially since it was two days before Keaton's due date. I had to point out to him that my belly did not stop at the blue shirt--the black part next to it was still me.

"Ohhhhh, yeah, you were big!"

Twelve is Terrific

  Kate turned 12 last week.  This is a milestone birthday in our home so we threw a birthday bash with an asian flair to celebrate.

Kate is beautiful on the inside and out.

 

The table ( I am still all-a-wonder about the fact that Target happened to have this stuff in their dollar spot after I decided to do an asian themed party--what luck!)

The party guests.

Chinese food, including crab angels, Kate's favorite.

 

Chocolate dipped fortune cookies on a chocolate-chocolate chip cupcake.

She made a wish and blew out the candles. 

(I love that although she is growing up to be an amazing young woman...she is still young enough to change in to a reindeer shirt she made in kindergarten for the painting-paper-lantern project.)

shelby

Seven Things to Love about my Seven Year Old Boy

1.  Keaton can do amazing impersonations.  We love to be entertained with new voices at the dinner table.

2.  His dimples.  I could just eat them up.

3.  Lately, he has been using the phrase, "Just one moment"--little gentleman, melt my heart.

4.  Keaton can and will climb anything.  Then, he is usually inclined to jump from any height he reaches.

5.   Simply stated, he is happy and good.

6.  Optimism.  He just got glasses for the first time, and instead of complaining after the eye doctor appointment, he said, "I can't wait to get my glasses so I can get my vision back."

7.  Have I mentioned his dimples?  Oh yeah, then I'll go with the tiny, pale freckles on his nose and eyelids--I adore them!

Happy Birthday to My Sensational Seven Year Old!  May this year be as great as you are.

One more reason I adore my Keaton

We were playing a question game tonight at dinner.  Keaton was reading the questions from the card and we were all taking turns answering them.

One of the last questions he asked was, "Do you have a family rule that is unfair?  If so, what would you change it to and why?"

Immediately, Keaton knew what his answer was.  He blurted out, "I would change the rule about not eating upstairs..."

Then he whispered,

Masked

                    {grammaline came in to town for a fall visit}

Sisters, There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters

Kate left for science camp early this morning.  Shelby and I watched her walk out to Dad's car.  She carried a full pink duffel bag--stuffed with, among other things, new fuzzy pink striped socks and a new plaid coat.  We called out our last "good-bye"  and "have fun", then climbed back upstairs to try to get a little more sleep before we really started our day.

About an hour later, I heard Shelby come into my room.  I motioned for her to come in bed with me because neither of us had been able to fall back asleep. 

As Shelby curled up beside me, she confided in a broken voice, "I miss her already!"  Quiet sobs followed her confession.

"It's alright--she'll be back before you know it" I soothed, but my heart was aching for this sweet sister who was left behind.  I love how much they love each other.