Uncle Ryan's Birthday

 Flying kites at the beach,  Aiden's was a P-51, Natalie's was a butterfly, but she was scared of the sound it made so it was short lived.

 Beach time... we can never get enough

 My girl, she's getting so big!

 rolling down the dunes

 Walking with Nonnie.

 Gathering sticks for the fire at Uncle Ryan's house

 Puddles!!

 and if you walk through the puddle enough times.. it turns to MUD!

 Beaver Creek Mud... those pants will never be the same but boy did she have fun!

 Aiden asked me to take this picture of all the sticks he gathered for the fire.

 Not my baby any more!

 Night time stick gathering, why sit by the fire when you can gather sticks by lantern light

 This lantern is one of their favorite toys at Uncle Ryan's

 the chocolate peanut butter cheesecake I made for Ryan.  It was delicious!

 Walking at the State park down the road from Ryan's house.  It was an old farm that was donated to the state. What an amazing place. I don't want any more people to find it!

 Natalie gathering rocks

 We hiked up up up... and Aiden hiked the whole way!!

 beautiful meadows, steep hills to run down.. what more could you want?

 back lit but still cute!

 up up up they go!

 mossy tree

 another shot requested by Aiden

 snack time... I love how well the kids play together (or pester each other)

 This boy of mine, I can't believe he will be 5 this year!

 two Sam's and a Miley (I know this is spelled wrong but I couldn't find the right Hawaiian spelling)

See the elk heard?  at the alder line?  

So yeah, lots of pics I know but a picture tells a thousand words so I don't have to write anything! Happy Saturday!!

This Moment

 This is the picture you get when a very old volunteer takes your picture while talking to you the whole time.... Yep, that's the Spruce Goose behind us.

 Flying in the Bi-planes

This Moment

{these moments}  inspired by Amanda Soule- A Friday ritual.  Photos - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

This Moment

{this moment}  inspired by Amanda Soule- A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Happy LOVE day!!

 Natalie trying her hand at water colors and Aiden practicing his letters

 Valentine making... I only got a few pictures before it got really messy and I needed to clean as they created!

 I cut heart shapes out of a sponge for stamps.

 Valentine bags... waiting for my my little valentine's to find them

 Natalie is very serious when it comes to gifts

 Yes I know Aiden never has clothes on... he likes to be in his undies and we only keep the house at 67.

 play dough! That's what they wanted I asked if they wanted that instead of candy and they said yes..

 look how happy she is....a "lay dough" sprinkle machine...

 and a few sunshine bears... just for fun

 Aiden 'reading' his card from Nonnie.

 Nonna took care of the candy... chocolate lady bugs from Van Duyn.

 I made a red velvet cake for desert. It didn't turn out as well as I thought it should have but it was good.

 This is Aiden's new thing... building houses/cranes/compressors..what have you... I call them big messes

 He asked me to take his picture peeking out of his crane

 and also in front of it... look at that ham!  He said he was going to do this every month for the calender.

I asked Aiden if he was going to be my Valentine for ever and he said yes but that he couldn't after Valentine's day.  I told him he could too... for ever and ever until he grows up into a teenager and doesn't want his mama as his valentine.  He assured me he would ALWAYS want to be my valentine no matter how old he is.  I will have to save this to show him when he's 16.  I love my boy.  Loren got me a big box of heart shaped truffles and a Weezer CD that I've wanted since I played out my tape in high school.  What a sweet valentine gift. The gift that keeps giving!  I hope you all had a great love day with those you love!

a trip to the contry

 On Sunday we went down to Grandpa and Grandma's house for Grandpa's birthday

 Ryan and Shanda met us there and we had a wonderful day together

 So here are the Hurt cousins and my dad.. Aiden didn't want to be in the picture, but you still get 3 generations.  That's my cousin Mark next to my dad.

 Natalie just LOVED their Scottish fold cats

 the kids got to ride bare back around the turnout... Aiden wasn't so sure about it, and said he's do it "when I'm bigger and older"

 Natalie on the other hand is in LOVE.. "more HOOSE, more HOOSE" she kept saying

 She got all sad when they wouldn't come over to her and she kept leading me down to the barn to pet Herman

 Aiden watched Natalie and I walk around the round pen for a while then decided he would try it with mama...

 and then he didn't want to get off.. here he is reining..

 Natalie and Uncle Ryan

Natalie on Gracie.  She threw a huge fit when we took her off. 

We had a really nice time visiting and Aiden is already talking about when we are going back, I think we need to make more time to go south to visit.  With horses to ride, chickens to chase, funny looking cats, wiener dogs and great danes... why not!!  Happy Tuesday everyone.

This Moment