Happy New Year

I know this post is a couple weeks late.  But being back to work full time and having two kids, makes for long days and never enough  time.

I have said it before and I am saying it again, "Labor Day weekend is my New Years".  It is the end of one year and the start of another that Tuesday with new schedules and routines.   I couldn't think of any better way to celebrate it but at Sandpiper Beach Resort in Pacific Beach, WA.  My family has been doing so for 35 years!!

This year was one for the books.  Not only was it Liam's first visit, but the weather couldn't have been more perfect.  With no phones, computers or TV it gives us all the opportunity to relax and to enjoy each other.

There was lots of playing, eating and snuggling in the sand.

Family walks on the beach.

Wade competed once again in the annual shake toss contest. And once again, he came in third (out of about 30 guys).

We enjoyed the Labor Day parade and Amelia got lots of yummy treats.

Bonfires on the beach. Falling asleep on the beach.

And best of all...having the time to read a book and play in the sun.

Blessed (and a little spoiled)!

Today Wade and I celebrate seven years of wedded "bliss".  It is moments like these and the days or weekends like we just had, when we sit and look at the life we have and realize how blessed and spoiled we are.

So this is what seven years of marriage looks like.

We have WONDERFUL parents on both sides that support us 101% and love our children unconditionally.

We have family that we are not only related to, but are also our best friends.

We have friends who have become family and will be in our lives and children's lives for a very long time.

Tonight I may be a little tired from all the events we have been apart of since Thursday.  But, it is a good feeling and one I know I am lucky to feel.

One of my most favorite summer activities is eating crab.  This weekend, I not only got to eat it three days in a row, I also got to help in the process of getting it.  Awesome!!

Thank you Michelle and Kevin for inviting us on your cruise.  Can't wait for the next one.  What a perfect day.

Cowgirls



Thank you Grandpa for taking the time and having us over for a ride.



Every summer, around this time, my sister brings the girls to Bellingham for a visit.  This visit of course needs to include a ride out to the county to ride some horses.  The last couple of years Amelia has admired the horses from afar, but this summer things have changed.  She is all about the horses, going for a ride and sharing them with her favorite little people, her cousins.

This was my FIRST rodeo

After many years of saying we were going to head over the mountains to Omak for the big weekend, this year we finally made it for the Omak Stampede.  Having our tourguide being an Omak hometown hero, Ms Becki May, it made the trip better then we could ever imagine with VIP treatment and being welcomed into the family traditions with open arms. 

We can't thank Wade's Aunt Lanae and Uncle Gerb enough for allowing us stay at their home.  I am not sure if they knew what they were getting into when they offered a family with a little baby and a toddler a room.  Amelia loved them and gave them the new names of Lemonade and Honey.

After the weekend, Amelia is all about horses and cowboys (mom is into the cowboys too). She couldn't stop talking about going home to ride her horse Jewel.  I think Grandpa is going to have his hands full with this little cowgirl.

Remlinger Farms

I can remember my mom taking me to Remlinger Farms when I was little.  However, it is not the same farm by far.  They still have the good pie and a wide arrange of farm fresh produce and canned goods you can buy, but now it is more like an amusement park then a farm.

So when Groupon had a coupon for 1/2 off the ticket price, it was time to take my own little ones for a visit.  Megan and I decided to take not only our kiddos, but also our moms.  Being my mom's birthday weekend, we made it into a mini celebration.

This place is AWESOME.  If you haven't been, I highly suggest you go!


Amelia loves horses, but we have had little success getting her to ride one.  Plum was the perfect size to get her going.  She now can't stop talking about riding Grandpa's horses, Jewel and Cody.



I love rides and always have.  I think Amelia has inherited that gene from me.  Lyla was also fearless which made for a perfect riding pair.  Mimi also got to enjoy the rides too!



Every morning on the way to work and daycare Amelia and I would play a game looking for school buses.  She has become a little obsessed with them and how they take kids to school.  The farm had an old bus to play in.  Amelia was in love, sat right down and wanted to head to her school.

Nothing more farm the jumping into hay and having a hay fight.

Blueberries

This time we invited friends.  Let's just say that supply was difficult to keep up with because of the demand.  These kids LOVE their blueberries!

2 weeks difference

And to think...I thought Liam looked like my dad (little and bald).  I am changing my mind.

Liam on left.  Wade on right.