Waiting for Bapa

Bapa Larry called the other day as I was cleaning up breakfast.  He wanted to come and get Kate for a "benture."  Because of the construction projects downtown there were backhoes and drills and trucks of all kinds outside his office window.  Kate loves big trucks especially when they are "movin'!"  She was bouncing off the walls in anticipation of her adventure.  It was all I could do to get her dressed and fix her hair.  As I was tying the final bow in her pigtail, she looked up at me with her beautiful blue eyes and said, "I going on a benture with Bapa.  Just me and Bapa.  You can't come.  You stay here."  Then she scurried out to the balcony to await the arrival of her best friend.  Yes, I am below grandpa on the totem pole.  They had a grand time together and Kate has been telling me about the trucks ever since.

Sisters

As I pried my eyes open on Saturday morning to the calls of "Mommy" from the girls' room and slowly made my way toward the door, I paused for a minute to listen.  Kate was in her crib and Jane was on the other side of the room in her crib, but they were talking and laughing together.  Jane is only four months old and not really talking yet, but she was cooing in response to her sister's enthusiastic comments.  The girls share a room out of necessity but hearing this little exchange and seeing them smiling at each other as I entered the room made me grateful that they do.

I shared a room with my sister growing up.  I have great memories of jumping from bed to bed, rearranging furniture on Saturday mornings, sitting next to each other picking out toe jam while my Mom read us stories, talking and laughing late at night, and doing anything I could to make my sister laugh.  It warms my heart to see my little girls forming a similar bond.

When we brought Jane home from the hospital I carefully placed her on the bed so she would be safe.  Then we brought in Kate and the bags.  Kate immediately ran into our room, climbed up on the bed, and body slammed her sister to welcome her home.  That was the beginning of their wonderful relationship as sisters.

Jane loves her sister.  I don't really understand why because Kate is always smothering her with kisses or piling toys on top of her or screaming, "Hi Little Jane!" in her ear.  But every time she hears Kate's voice she smiles and kicks.  There is just something special about sisters!

Hide and Seek

One of Kate's favorite games right now is hide and seek.  Living in a two bedroom condo presents a few challenges to the hiding part of the gam.  At the same time it conveniently helps out in the seeking part.   We have our typical hiding spots: by the side of the couch, in the coat closet, behind the curtains, or under the kitchen table.  But lately Kate has gotten a little more creative and I often find myself restraining a little laugh as I "search" to find her.  Let's see how you do!

Five Years and Running

Today is our fifth wedding anniversary!  Sometimes it's hard to believe it has been that long and sometimes I can't even remember what life was like before we were married.  But it was fun today to take a little trip down memory lane.  I pulled out the photo montage we played at our wedding dinner and watched it as I folded laundry and juggled a screaming baby and a busy toddler.  I guess every stage of life has its adventures.  I am grateful for all the happy memories to look back on and excited for what is to come.  Five years, after all, is only the beginning!

One thing I love the most about our marriage is that we like to do the same things.  We both love to read, to hike, to cook, to sing, to backpack, to eat, etc.  Consequently we have had so many fun adventures together.  I guess I didn't realize when we were dating how important that would be in our relationship.  You know how you will do anything on a date including bowling or playing video games and usually you have a relatively good time doing it.  But to be stuck doing that your whole life?  I guess I am just really grateful that we find joy in similar activities and similar aspects of life.  The last five years truly have been an adventure.

Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail

Hiking in the Shennandoah Valley 

  

Running up the trail in the Uintahs

At the tool shower given for us by Joshua's friends just before we were married, Steve Gray, who had been hiking with us the week before, said that as he watched us run up the trail together he realized that would be indicative of the way we would live our lives--chasing dreams, actively serving, seeking knowledge, and striving to become better.  That comment stuck in my memory and has become a motto for me with regard to our marriage. Our life and our relationship is an active pursuit which we will approach at a run.

May the next five years be as happy and fun!

Guess Who?

Kate and I were reading books before bed the other night when she chose to read one of her favorites, Blue Hat Green Hat by Sandra Boynton.  She "reads" the whole thing by herself now, but this time when she got to the last page she hesitated.  I let her look at the picture for a few seconds and just when I was about to prompt her, she pointed to the turkey jumping in the water fully clothed and said, "Grandma Shelly!".  I burst out laughing.  I couldn't help myself.  If any of you have seen my mother's swimming outfit, you'll understand why, the similarity is indeed striking.

Talented Relatives

In spite of being the second child, Jane is certainly loved.  In fact her relatives are using their talents to spoil her as much as possible.  Here is a picture of Jane wrapped in the blanket made for her by her Beautiful Aunt Paula and another in the darling sweater made for her by her Aunt Cheryl.  Thank you for sharing your talents with our little one!

"Bentures" in Island Park

My parents recently treated us to a vacation in Island Park, Idaho.  There is something good for the soul in slowing down and being with family, not to mention actually seeing stars, watching the sun rise, sitting around a campfire, and being surrounded by open space.  We left feeling rejuvenated, although rather reluctant to jump back into the rush of life.

This is the view from the porch of the cabin.  Each morning the mist would rise from the lake and cover the surrounding area.  It was so beautiful.  Somehow 6 a.m. feedings weren't quite as painful with a view like that to take in.

Our swedish friends introduced us to a lawn game called Kubb.  My dad made a Kubb set to take to the cabin and we played multiple times a day.  It was a favorite with kids and adults alike.

Cousins and pile of dirt--life doesn't get much better than that!

I haven't seen my dad as relaxed as he was up in Island Park for a long time.  He even brought out the carving knives again. 

This is the whole crew about to embark on our canoeing adventure on the Snake River.

Kate the boat babe!

The Woodford Canoe

Floating the river was one of the highlights of the trip.  Jane was a huge fan.  She loves to be held and she loves to move, so she was as happy as could be.  Kate loved reaching over to touch the water and looking for wildlife as we would explore every inlet we could find.  

Kate and her cousin Grace, in the bow, are best friends!  They were inseparable during the week.  They would take each other by the hand and say, "Let's go on a benture (adventure)!" and take off running around the porch or up into the loft or down into the sparest of spare rooms. Cousins are the best! 

Jack was the only boy cousin on the trip, so this is his manly support.

Josh & Jane enjoying the outdoors at Mesa Falls.

Bapa teaching Kate how to fish.

Thank you, Mom & Dad, for an incredible vacation!

We love Island Park!