f a m i l y p i c s

 Family pics.

I rate em' right up there

with
plucking eyebrows.

Cringe at em' both.

Despise em' really.

Not the pics. per say,

cuz' amazingly enough

little miracles take place

with each click of the lens

and a few actually turn out....

surprisingly nice.

It's the PROCESS,

I really dislike.

The gettin' it all together.

The weighty chore of figuring out what to wear,

  everyone looking just right,

 at the exact same moment.

It's darn near impossible really.
Oh, but we moms practically die trying.
.

I have the privilege of being dear friends with the talented Whimsy Pix,

when she called this morning stressing about which and what

to wear for her family pics.  

 I knew.

I knew it was a curse.
Prep for family pics. was an unavoidable curse. 

That girl's got more talent, style and down right awesome flare,

than I could ever dream to have,

and even SHE stresses about family pics.

I was reminded today and lately too, how much a conversation with a good friend "lifts."

It's like therapy.
I forget when I'm feeling the weight of the world,
 that my load isn't much heavier

or different, for that matter,

than anyone else.

It seems, when I open up, with unfeigned conversation

I find this to be TRUE.

Undoubtedly true.

I believe it's crucial that we,
"Vent", or "Share", if you will,

 refrain from judgment,
but rather, take time to listen, relate, and LOVE.

The impact?

Growth, aid, and comfort,

to name a very, small few.

I'm thankful for the reminder,
we are all in this together, more similar than we will ever know.

I've been blessed my entire life, 

with AMAZING friends.
Friends who listen without judgment,
forgive me of my follies,
accept me the way I am,
support and lend me their hand
and most importantly...
love me.

Cuz this girl's a lover,
and Oh how I LOVE my friends.

BIG, BIG, BIG

each and every one.

I didn't listen when Whimsy Pix advised, "Never bare your arms. 3/4 sleeves are always best." Darn, I wish I'd taken heed, and POOR Bob, completely uncomfortable with any display of PDA!

Not me, I'd devour him in public if he'd let me! wink, wink

This, of the girls, one of my faves.

Sure easy to spot my two cheesballs, A?!

Mr. Max, captured in his very true colors.

Yo, Avery....camera's this way!

Avery is missing shoes in every family shoot we've ever done.

It is NO surprise to me that one of Max's only words is, OWEN!

  

Thank you, gifted Cynthia for your patience with my family and the beautiful pictures you captured in the midst of our little clan's chaos!

K

All spruced up for his big day.

Kindergarten 2011

Maple Grove Elementary

Name tag and folder, it's feelin' official.

Pretty sure frenzied butterflies are sworming bout' now.

Deep breaths, Owen.

Holy....DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS!

It was tough leaving you, O....especially when you started to cry.

Mama didn't want to go, even when your teacher pushed/ushered me out the door, assuring me you'd be just fine.

I politely obliged and strolled Mr. Max right out into the hall, pretending to leave.

 

Then, real inconspicuously, I walked past your room a measly twenty times or so.

You were still crying.

I couldn't leave.

Max and I camped outside your classroom door for what seemed an eternity, ready to run in and whisk you away if need be.

Ya settled down.  Ya sang songs. Ya started to smile. 

Ya had a good time.

.....then it was just me and the Mr.,  feeling jealous of Kindergarten and your lucky friends who get to enjoy YOU the entire afternoon. 

Now Mr. Max, tell me.

How do you feel about Owen's new adventure and leavin' you home all alone with Mama?

From Collages

U huh. I thought so.

pumped up kicks

From Collages

Mama just couldn't commit this year to swim team's 5 days a week, early morning practices.
So this past summa' vacay, we did track instead.

That's right, we traded in swim caps and goggles for...

 pumped up kicks.

The kids looked forward to those Thursday evening meets. We spent hours out there in the smoldering heat picnicking, playing, and cheering fast feet across finish lines.

 Id like to think it was the opportunity of quality time with their parents my little sprinters enjoyed so much, but this mama AINT' NO FOOL.

It had something to do with earning shiny ribbons, and everything to do with the promise of a cool, sweet treat from DQ afterwards......

 that kept their little motors movin'!

Capitol Classic

From Classic

From Collages

From Collages

Fast, downhill course, fat medals distributed at the finish, and a rockin' after party.

The Capitol Classic is so................

OUR KIND OF RACE!

Ran their little hearts out, they did.

Girls ran first and out of almost 700 little ladies

ranging from age 7-14,

Miss Payton was SECOND to cross the finish line.

Miss Avery took almost 5 min. off her last year's time,

and Mr. Owen and his bestie, Cole....ran the entire way!

Sure regret not having any pics. of the junior racers in flight, but with Bob MIA, and me (the entire race) stuck in a hairy wrestling match with an ornery grizzly cub named, Max....

it just didn't happen. 

...

McCall on steroids

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(Talented Rush Blue, sweeping the tournament in Bend, Oregon...coming away once again, with a first place medal!)

Road tripped to Bend, just me and my soccer lovin' girl. Sipped soda and sucked the salt off sunflower seeds til' our swollen tongues felt numb against our notably raw cheeks. We shoulder shook and head bobbed to Jack Johnson, and before we knew it our wheels rolled into town.

We were immediately greeted by Mt. Bachelor and Jefferson, two snow capped peaks sitting above the city, welcoming us to picturesque Bend. Who knew? I certainly did not. I had no idea my weekend away with my girl would be spent in a place I can only describe as McCall on steroids.

We stayed in a little resort tucked back in the woods and nestled down by the river, a river who quickly became my friend as I woke early and joined her for a run along her curvy figure over and around dirt trails sprinkled with wild flowers and bulging river rock.

Most of the day Payton was busy with her team, this left time for me to just be. I took my book down to the pool and layed in quiet, uninterrupted, bliss almost giddy about the situation, me basking in sunshine with no kids, job, house to clean, or meals to cook. When I wasn't relishing in the serenity of aloneness I was joining the other parents for lunch, dinner, shopping, river floating, and site seeing, in a city that stole my heart and beckons me to return.

As extraordinary as being just "me" for the weekend was, without a baby on my hip, little ones at my feet, and a big, busy puzzle of daily chaos just a waitin' for my assembling,

the fabulousness was trumped by moments with HER.

Thank you, Miss Payton, for forgoing slumber with the rest of your team in a giant sea of silky, nylon bags accompanied by brightly colored pillow cases in the middle of the family room floor, to retire to my room, snuggle, chat, laugh and snooze... with me.

Thank you, Miss Payton, for running into my arms after each game and thanking me for being there and telling me how happy you were that I was.

Thank you, Miss Payton, for waiting in the middle of the river, paddling desperately to stay in place, screaming, "mom" and encouraging me to catch up so you could link your arm in mine and we could float the rest of the way, together.

I sure relished in my time "away" cheering my girl to victory in a city of grand beauty, building memories I'll not too soon forget, but quite honestly, Pay, it was the simple moments shared with YOU, that meant the most.

XOXOXO

MOM

G E O R G I A

Trips with our "Bronco Buddies" have become a tradition. We hit the big games together and scream, shout, and ROAR the Broncos to a victory. I don't know what it is about this time of year, this sport, this team, these friends, that brings us so much joy, but I must say.....THEY DO!

When growing up we would take a few family trips now and then. During the vacation my dad would refer to ALL of us as "fun seekers". Let's go "fun seekers", whose with me "fun seekers", what's next "fun seekers?" I always loved that chipper term and more so the man who delivered it. Among many of life's lessons my dad taught, ....Happiness can be found seeking fun with those you care about, is one of my favorites.

Guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks.

Thanks, "Bronco Buddies", for being some terrific, "fun seeking" friends!

From Movies

s e v e n

She has a wildly, invaluable imagination. She is Junie B. and Romona Q. all bundled up in ONE. She's sassy and quick witted, and the unrivaled teacher of patience and tolerance. She knows one volume and speed. She's a lover of pickles, popsicles and everything purple. She dreams of being a jockey and rides her horse, Ginger (incognito as a rip-stick scooter) all hours of the day. She is my mini-me, I'm told, a hasty comfort to the sad and a greathearted gifter of love.

From Movies

A face tells a thousand words.

"Are ya kiddin', mom, really? The tradition is to MAKE a fun cake for our birthdays, and this sure isn't the rock n' roll, roller skate I chose and you promised to deliver!"

Well, mama tried, but let's be real, the cake decorating skills belong to Robert, and since he was too busy to assist, the skate was a flop and a sweet treat from Dairy Queen became the surrogate.

Nevertheless, she made a wish.

.....and something bout' her expression tells me she's inventive enough to know

the wish isn't contingent upon the cake.

And her hopes for one coming true,

are just the same.

For you, Miss Avery J, my spicy seven year old girl...

I'd walk to the moon.

xoxoxo

Mom

t r a d i t i o n

A Memorial Day tradition mobilized when we moved to the area, close enough to visit the grave sight of Bob's dad, who lost his battle to cancer when Bob was just six years old. Payton was a wee babe then. I have a pic. of the three of us standing just as we are presently, smiling behind the head stone. It's kind of surreal to see us now, how much we've grown as a family, and I'm not just speaking of size and numbers.

Bob's been out of town a lot in the last few weeks. In the midst of feeling empty and sad without him, I'm reminded how FULL he makes our world and grateful for his LOVE and fervor in constructing a good life for us.

From horse riding

I'm appreciative for this tradition he holds us to and what it teaches our children about remembering those who lived before, even those who fought and died for our freedom. It's favored by the kids, for sure, because afterwards we retire to the ranch where they take joy in Uncle Barry's horse rides.

From Collages

....and I don't think there's any place on earth, my horse lovin' girl would rather be.

It works out rather well for Bob and myself too, enjoying Aunt Phyllis's contagious, happy spirit, and devouring her delicious home made treats, like moist chocolate cupcakes smothered in buttery smooth, silky cocoa frosting.

....and I can't help but to wonder when I see Bob with his uncle, if his adoration for him stems a bit from the wonderment that Uncle Barry, being so close to his dad, is perhaps a little bit...

like he might have been.

Every time we pull out of town, and proceed to the open road, I turn and take a gander, one by one, of my sweet baby's faces. Sure makes me sad to think of leaving this life so young without my little crew, as Robert's dad did, but I know full well and have great faith in the "plan." I look out the window, not wanting Bob to see, and try to hide the moisture with my over sized shades, but my eyes take a swim as a picture of the back side of Danny's head stone rolls forward in my mind. Five children left behind, each with their name en graven perfectly in a formation of lineage on the course, gray stone. I take a moment, consider Bob and his siblings, and can't help but to think how proud their dad must be of each, and not for any other accomplishment more than that of....

the lives they've created with their families.

FREEDOM

Over a month and NO updates. I regret that. I've got a big bag of excuses but perhaps it boils down to one, FREEDOM. Being a slave to the computer 9 months out of the year, makes me shy from it during the summer season, and even though I love to document our happenings and take a breather now and then to "write" what's on my mind, weighing on my shoulders, or tuggin' at my heart..........wait it must.

At least this is what my inner voice conveys as the pictures heap and the "moments" we've experienced this summer reuniting with friends and family, racing, boating, vacationing, and just lounging with the kids.....tarry tolerantly for a post.

From Max in the tub

Until then, here's the Mr.

...still coveting bath time and crackin' up the fam with his fabricated, cheese ball, dramatic, attention seekin' EXPRESSIONS!