Cousins

we always try to get a picture of the cousins when we get together, sometimes with and sometimes without a grandparent. it started with addie and kira. then we added the twins. then john. now simon.

and then there were six...

sometimes the pictures go swimmingly. sometimes not so much. 

kira wasn't buying into the "we take pictures so we can remember the wonderful time we had with cousins like addie did." and that's ok.  addie wouldn't have either at that age! and then anne perry hit her head and that made everyone have to hit pause.
we finally got everyone on the couch, kira holding simon. and audrey kate jumped down and got all silly shy on us...and refused to show her face. by that point, addie was getting silly and simon started crying.

we still couldn't see audrey kate's face (mostly), but simon and kira were through.  

everyone got sad except for addie and john...
addie just got plain crazy! i certainly can't imagine why!
but john? oh john sat on the sofa through the whole thing...from beginning to end; and was still sitting there playing with his bucket after all was said and done. but no matter who smiles, who frowns, who won't show their face, who breaks down and bursts into tears, who acts crazy silly or who sits and plays sweetly...these are our memories and they're priceless!

the 400 year old

...tree.

and i honestly thought, what on the earth are we going to do at a 400 year old tree?

will the girls even get it? how long/hard will the trail be (we've visited a few "family friendly" waterfalls where it took some serious work to get there with little ones!)?
but a 400 year old tulip tree? absolutely incredible to say the least! another family with a bit older kids hiked up the trail a few minutes after us. it took six adults and something like eight adult/kids to wrap their arms around this tree! amazing!
and we even got a super cute nana picture while we were there!
the girls had so much fun exploring...
and investigating... and touching...

and observing!
of course addie picked up a stick and started twirling it like a baton/flag just like the band people at RieRie's school!
but this picture wins the prize for funny memories:

addie's making a crazy silly face.
anne perry's coughing (not so funny).
audrey kate's refusing to take a picture thus hiding her face.
rie rie's wearing a jacket, vest and toboggan in 60 degree weather.
and...
nana's scratching the air like a cat
...or maybe that's a bear!!!

who knows! but it sure was fun visiting a 400 year old tree!

Sunset Rock

the sunrises and sunsets in the mountains are out of this world...if you're in the right spot; and there's no better spot than sunset rock to watch the sun set.

it was pretty chilly, but we bundled up and drove up the mountain (instead of walking!) right after dinner...dishes undone! it was a little unnerving up there with the little girls because, well...it was a pretty big drop off!

but we held hands tightly and enjoyed the view! and of course our little binocular girl had everything covered! do you see what i see...?
such a beautiful view...

For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17

Dry Falls

the mountains, especially highlands, has become such a haven for our family. things slow down a bit, as much as they can with 3 little ones; and there's nothing like that mountain air. it's a bit ironic because the mountains seem to be a place where we all fall apart: paul busted his front two teeth out climbing a mountain when he was 16, paul had his appendix out right after i drove at lightening speed back from the mountains, i had pretty major life saving surgery 3 years ago in the mountains, audrey kate has been to the ER down the mountain, and we left with two pretty sick little girls after thanksgiving.

but now that my aunt and paul's mom are in the mountains, the main reason we love to go is who is there!

my aunt has always been like another mother to me. she's always treated me like a daughter and loves our girls like granddaughters; and they love her! 

one of the most beautiful spots near highlands is dry falls. the steps down to it and trail around it have just recently been redone. 

but the falls are still the same; and they're stunning. especially as the sun peaks through the trees.

.

Where ya been...?

i can assure you that we're still here. i just haven't blogged much recently...at all!

we've traveled and had visitors here. we've gone to school and done school here. we've nursed sick kiddos back to health and attempted to keep laundry done and the house semi-straight. i've taken pictures for several families for christmas cards. room mom duties picked up a little with 3 parties in less than 2 months. we organized and had a cookie swap/gingerbread house decorating party with just a few dozen kiddos that included building close to 40 houses.

well...we've just been busy enjoying life. i've kept up some with facebook. our status updates typically include things we couldn't even begin to make up...that the girls have managed to concoct. our lives are full of joy and adventure and learning and i wouldn't trade a minute (most minutes at least ;) of it!

i had the joy of spending a few hours with each of these families. sweet kiddos. two of the mama's i've known for years and years; and it's been more fun getting christmas cards that we did together!

friends from school: abby & andrew

 

kiddos of friends from high school: henry, ella & whit childhood friends kiddos: ellison and elijah brooks

and i've loved spending the days with the girls baking cookies and playing dressup. i promise there are many pictures to share in the next few posts! 

ElfYourself

the girls and i had way too much fun creating this! their expressions just seemed to fit this dance option for some reason. enjoy!