Howdy, friends.
How are you?
Things are going really well for us!
I keep telling David that we have a thief on our hands.
Someone keeps stealing time from me!
Everyday seems like Friday- and the week has been stolen away again.
David snapped this picture weeks ago after our first gymnastics practice.
Have I already shared this picture?
I honestly can't remember.
It is such a reminder to me that it was a "first" day.
And just like that, time passes on.
Henry is creeping up on 10 months.
I can't believe it.
I feel like I should still be pregnant,
posing on our gorgeous Michigan staircase for monthly pictures.
He makes me so happy.
I love seeing Harbor have a friend, a brother.
My kids have four years between them.
So, Harbor is more like a mother hen most days.
: )
Harbor is such a great help to me.
I really mean that.
He picks up little toys Henry might swallow and puts them up high, out of reach.
He entertains him while I cook and makes him smile when I want pictures.
These little guys will someday be men.
I just can't envision it.
But, I know it will come to pass.
Henry is into everything.
He has learned to open the oven drawer.
And loves to sneak into the pantry and pull things off shelves.
Last Friday night, David treated me to a night off of cooking and made tacos.
David loves to cook, too, so sometimes he comes home with the urge.
And I let him have at it!
Ha!
He made his usual homemade taco shells.
His mom used to make these for every taco night.
Sometimes it doesn't seem possible that both of his parents have passed away.
His dad, this month, has been gone over 11 years.
His mom was gone a year in September.
David, at only 32, is far too young to have both his parents gone.
It does create in him a deep, deep desire to parent and father our children intentionally.
We both know time will pass and babes will grow up.
It is a tremendous responsibility.
Harbor will turn five this month!
{I can't believe I just typed that!}
He is growing up.
And next to Henry it is so painfully obvious how "big" he really is.
I have to take most pictures being "sneaky" as he has his own ideas these days.
Here is a very real glimpse of a typical afternoon:
Harbor, laughing, watching Angry Birds.
Toys strewn across the house.
Me, nursing Henry, feeling very thankful for the mess- and two kids who make them.
Don't you sometimes feel like you can see the future?
I just always have the sense that these are the best days of my life.
These are old pictures, but I'm behind in posting them.
: )
And, suddenly, big brother wants to be in the picture!
Ha!
My basement craft room is in full swing!
Christmas cards galore!
200 have to be made in just a few weeks.
Pictures have been taken, printed, card stock purchased, cut to size, and
they are coming together so nicely!
{I love this time of year!}
And lastly, when the mountains have snow on top....
the mice come in!
: )
If you're new to our blog, the "mice" tradition has been going strong for three years now.
I put them out at night when the kids are asleep-
and catch their reactions when they wake.
They just never know when the mice will come in!
Harbor said, "Mama! The mice followed us from Michigan!"
We are so antsy and anxious right now.
Why?
My mom flies into Colorado in three days.
I've not seen her in the flesh in SIX months!
And she is staying for three whole weeks!
I'm so excited to share the pictures with you when she gets in.
We have plans to take her to all of our favorite spots.
Have a great weekend!
A few weekends back, David surprised us all with a family hike and day trip
to an alpine reservoir at around 9,000 ft. in elevation.
The day was sunny, but chilly, and since I didn't know where we were going, I tried to dress in layers.
The views were stunning!
The woods were majestic with snow melt off rushing into mountain streams and Aspen trees dropping their leaves under foot.
Harbor collected walking sticks and pine cones.
I've never seen him happier.
I took a little over 800 high resolution pictures and totally filled a 4G SD chip.
Enjoy!
{30 pictures... not 800... no worries! Ha}
The higher we climbed, the more snow we trudged through.
We saw lots of fun animal foot prints and each tried to collect the perfect stick.
At many points, we all walked alone in the snow.
For many people, I think, that would be a bit lonely, but, it was pure tranquility for me.
No technology. No television. No conversation.
Just family.
The lake was really breath taking.
Definitely worth the long hour hike!
I carried the tripod all the way to the top, through the snow, on my back.
Someday, I hope my kids will thank me for these family pictures.
Ha!
My favorite trees were in varying degrees of winter preparedness:
some still holding yellowing leaves and others bare.
I could photograph Aspens all day long, I tell ya.
And on the leg back, Harbor's legs gave out.
David carried both kids for several miles.
I took pictures of them the whole way.
And it made me fall pretty far behind the group.
David kept looking over his shoulder at me as if to say,
"No more pictures! Keep walking!"
Ha!
And Henry totally conked out.
"Head back, no neck support, bobble-head asleep"
conked out.
We got a big chuckle over that!
What did we ever do without our sweet Henry Edward?!
: )
Love these leaves!
And this is David..... stil carrying both kids.
And love this boy!
: )
The sun was setting as we reached the trail head.
Shooting on A-Dep mode on my Canon, I was able to capture some really pretty shots.
This is Pikes Peak in the background.
For a girl who just spent two years of her life in Detroit,
I feel so blessed to spend the weekends hiking the Rockies.
Where you live, do you have a favorite outdoor place to just refuel and relax?
: )
{In Detroit, it was Lake Huron!}
