Family photo

I'm so blessed to be a part of this clan!

I have grown and learned, and am a better person for knowing each of Treavor's siblings and their spouses.

Dennis and Kathryn are two of the most amazing people I know and should be so proud of the children they have raised.

Success

Isn't it so rewarding when you think you know what your child needs or wants and you take action and it pays off?! I feel like in my short almost 4 years as a mother there have been times that I feel so sure that my child will love an activity or thrive in a certain environment and it doesn't quite pan out. Well...this time I got it right. 

I was a little concerned about my sweet 3 year old and his timidness, lack of social time and the absence of opportunities to push himself. It was right at this time of worry that he was invited to a birthday party at the little gym. I knew this would be the perfect place. 

Owen took a three month sport related gymnastics course, and I can honestly say that it changed our world. The first few classes were filled with tears, anxiety, and a lot of him coming out of class to check on me. The last few classes were filled with smiles, cheering, and excited anticipation to go back. 

We're sad the class is over! He keeps telling me how much he'll miss it, and I loved watching him learn how to shoot baskets, swing a bat and even tackle the big gym equipment, but I am so proud of him and the confidence he built. He has been so much more willing to try new things, jump right into fun group settings and leave my side to enjoy play time with kids his age. 

One particularly exciting time was "bring a friend day" when Kinnie joined him for class. They were so cute as partners.

Bear Lake

 We had a happy weekend at the lake. It's always a highlight of the Summer and was a particularly good year with the kids' ages. They played hard! I love so very much spending 4 solid days with my family. We had some good late, late nights chatting and laughing hard (my favorite thing in the world)!

The boys loved the water, the sand, and mostly the constant play time with cousins aunts, uncles and grandpa and gram. 

Boondocks

I don't know if I've ever seen the boys so grimy, sticky, sweaty and happy. 

I loved this night because the excitement and fun outweighed any social inhibitions. They felt free to go nuts! From golf to the bouncy house to arcades to whack-a-mole to the play place to prizes. 

They were non-stop til way past bedtime. 

The Leaves Were Smiling

We took a hike. 

The boys were thrilled. 

Owen was excited to be "climbing a mountain" and Lewie was purely in his element. 

The air was crisp and invigorating. Sometimes I forget how breathtakingly beautiful my close surroundings are. Owen kept commenting on how great it smelled and I kept agreeing. 

Soon after we reached our waterfall destination, rain began to fall. It was a perfect soft shower of lots of water. The boys loved it! I explained to Owen that it's been a dry summer and the plants and trees were so happy to get this water. A little later he pointed off the trail and said "I think those leaves are smiling". I think he's right. I felt such literal life in the mountains that day.

Puppy Dog Tails

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails.

Lewie, that's what you are made of! 

I feel like that poem was written just for Lewis Hendrik. 

I would just add

pudgy feet and and kisses sweet 

big huge grins and scraped up shins

waddling fast, always having a blast

sleeping hard to get recharged

on the go, random stuff in tow

sweaty hair without a care

twinkly eyes and deep loud cries

squirmy and squiggly and heavy and wiggly 

happy and bright full of spirit and might

making people smile when you dance with such style

You splash and tottter in mud and water

boy through and through, is what I love about you.

Happy 4th!

We had a fun holiday!! I love that so much about it is the same every year. A delicious breakfast with the Peters, A BBQ for dinner with the Bells, and fireworks at the park. Owie was terrified of the loud noises, but hung in there like a champ, til he fell asleep in a tight ball on our blanket with his hands over his ears. Lewie had a blast deliriously wandering around late into the night!