Pinecrest 2014

I know I probably post the same thing every year, but this camping trip is a true highlight for me. I LOVE being disconnected and just being submerged in nature with my family and friends. Every year I breathe in the fresh air, swim endlessly in the refreshing lake water, and soak in how blessed I am. Nature is my zen. It's one thing to wake up and get ready and enjoy being outside each day. It's another thing to be outside for 4 days straight. I cherish our time there.

How was this year different? Well, first of all, for the first time in Pinecrest history, every family who has ever joined us was able to come this year. We had all 9 families together for the first time. It helps that we have THE BEST friends. A stand out moment was when I swam out to the buoys  and looked back at the beach. Kids were in smalls clusters playing together and the adults were laughing and conversing- all mixed. I take such delight in my friends becoming friends.

Second of all, Ryan made the hike around the entire lake for the first time. We usually do a ladies hike and a mens hike and this year we all went together. All the kids were troopers as they climbed over rocks and hiked the 6 miles around the lake.

Third, Haley is at the age where she can just go out in the lake and hang out. Of course we watch her out there but she has the freedom to swim out the the edge of the swim area without an adult going with her. The 3 older kids owned the lake :)

Forth, we rented pontoon boats for the first time! This is a new tradition that we will do every year. It was SO FUN to be out in the middle of the water, finding rocks to jump off of and having the kids take turns driving the boat (thanks Captain Ken!).

Pinecrest has such a special place in my heart. I grew up camping there and now my kids are too. It fills me with joy.

Goodbye to K and 3rd

My last day of school is always on a Friday and the kids' is always the Wednesday after. This set up is kind of cool because it allows me to be at all of the end of the year events at their school.
Ryan had a kindergarten performance that was basically the cutest thing you've ever seen. I got to chaperone Haley's field trip at the park which gave me the opportunity to chat with her teacher on a non business level. And we got to go to a swim party right after school got out on the last day.

Both of the kids had successful school years. We had reason to celebrate!

Mother's Day/ Father's Day

I am so behind on my posts, but I want to make sure not to skip certain entries. I am reminded how special this blog is to me as I capture our lives, big moments, small moments, and everything in between.

This year both Mother's Day and Father's Day stood out to me. I felt especially blessed as we celebrated with all of our family. Not only did I reflect on the fact that Josh and I are parents, but also that we are so close to our parents and get to spend these occasions all together.

Everyone is here. Everyone is healthy. I do everything not to take that for granted.

Mother's Day was spend at my parents' house. The Russells and Snyders and Rasuls all came and we had a lovely afternoon BBQing. The kids played in the water and Buddy ran around. It was a lovely day.

 Got to have breakfast downtown with the kids and Josh before joining the rest of the family.

 The moms. :)

Father's Day had a different agenda, but was equally as special. This is the 2nd year in a row we have gone to the A's game on Father's Day. we hope they continue to be in town each year so we can continue this new tradition.
We got there in the morning and tailgated with fun drinks and food. The A's won. The day was very close to perfect. We lost Ryan in the crowds walking out, and the couples of minutes we couldn't find him seemed like an hour. But, of course, he was safe and sound and a good lesson was learned- by him and us.

6

Our baby boy is 6. 

He is:

• hilarious
• smart
• caring
• loving
• playful
• sensitive
• loyal
• active
• charming
• adorable (no bias here)

Girls on the Run

Saturday morning we pulled into our parking space at 6:20am. Vasona Lake was right in view as was a steady stream of young ladies and adults walking toward the race day activity centers.The sun was just coming up and the lake had a glitter surface. Fitting for a day all about girls.

"Mom, are you crying?" Haley asked.
"Yes, a little bit," I replied
"Why?"
"Because I'm happy."

A couple of months ago Haley joined Girls on the Run. It is an after school program that meets twice a week. During their time together they run and do activities that boost the ideas of confidence, teamwork, compassion, and strength. The end goal is to run in a big 5k event. Each runner gets to pick a run partner for the race and Haley asked if I would do it with her.

And here we were. It was race day and I was with my 9 year old daughter and we were about to run 3.1 miles together along with thousands of others. My answer to my tears was, "because I am happy" but what I could have said was...

"Haley I am crying because I am happy. I am happy because I am out here with you, my beautiful daughter. I am happy because we get to start off our day doing something good for ourselves. I am happy because we are connected. I am happy because we are healthy and both have bodies that enable us to do things like this. I am happy anytime I get time with just you. I am happy because we live here, where we can have a morning running along trees and a lake. I am happy because you chose me as your run buddy. I am happy because this whole event is about letting you know that you are empowered. I am happy because having a daughter was a dream and you have made it a gorgeous reality. I am happy you are here. I am happy I am here."

Haley and I were both excited at the start line. She was in charge of our pace as I told her I would follow her lead. She would set little goals like, "we can walk when we get to that tree" or "let's push ourselves to not stop until we see the next mile marker." She also said at one point, "Mom, this is harder than I thought it would be!" It opened up a chat about pushing ourselves and how it feels very accomplished to complete something when it isn't easy.

The last 1/10 of a mile, the sides were filled with cheering supporters. Haley was tired and we hadn't taken a rest for over a mile. She saw and heard the crowd and used that energy to cross the finish line.

If you asked her her favorite part of the race she would say, "crossing the finish line."

If you asked me my favorite part of the race I'd say, "sharing that special experience with my radiant daughter."

Good Days are Good

The other day I had a great day. Let me preface by saying that my days are not usually bad. In fact, most days are good days. This day was a bit different. On this day, nothing in particular happened, but I felt pride and gratitude in my heart for things all around me.

On this day I had a keen sense of all that I have. I don't know why my awareness was heightened but it was.

It was career day at my school and I saw the 8th graders walking around the gym, going to the different booths, and asking in depth questions about the jobs and the people doing them. I felt pride in students.

I looked across the way and saw Josh, who had volunteered to be at our career day. He has been thoughtful about what he had out for the kids and what he said to them. I felt complete love for him.

I saw the staff working hard, helping students, laughing, collaborating, doing things above and beyond the contract and salary. I saw teachers teaching and caring for our kids. I felt proud to be a teacher.

I surprised the kids with slurpees after school since the weather was 100 degrees. Both were so delighted and appreciative.
"Thank you mom!"
"This is the best surprise!"

They came home and did their homework. We played outside, with the dog running around us. We had meaningful and playful dinner conversation. We did our chores. This whole time I took in every detail, every smile, every word. As we were outside I looked at our house and just felt blessed.

This day was not out of the ordinary. In fact, it was quite ordinary.

My attitude and awareness about the day made it extraordinary.

The Fall Heard Across the Winery

 Yes, I already wrote about the wedding. It was seriously a day for the books. I wrote about how beautiful the day and the people were. That day was a stand out as a reminder of how blessed I am and how lovely my family is. This blog captures the details of our lives, big and small. Me falling down while walking down the aisle is a story for the books.

All was well. The ladies looked gorgeous as we lined up outside the big oak doors. One by one the ladies walked down the aisle.I beamed with pride as Haley walked down. She looked so grown up and pretty.
 As you can see, it was  solid floor with rose pedals.I saw a couple of the girls have minor little slips and I took note.

Well, not a big enough note, because as I was almost done with my stride, I lost my footing as I slipped on the petals. My arms flailed and I felt myself going down. My thought process was as follows:

"Whoa! I am losing my footing! Shit! I am not recovering. I am going down! I am down! OMG! That was so funny. I FELL WALKING DOWN THE AISLE!" and I could not stop laughing from the moment I fell to the end of the aisle. I didn't fall all the way to the ground, but did go down on one knee. It was something I would pay to see.

Meredith loves this picture of her reaction because she swore she had a poker face. She promised me that my dress kept all the important parts covered. Not that anything could be seen through my barricade of Spanx, but I'm relieved I wasn't exposed.

 I quickly got up and walked down the rest of the aisle with my arms out and ginger steps. My recovery was one I could never plan, but was truly the best. I am glad to be reminded I can laugh at myself  IN the situation and not just afterwards. The guests were laughing with me. It was too funny.

Josh got to see it all as he stood in front with the other groomsmen. His shoulders were shaking from his full body laughter.

For the record, it was not from drinking, which people have asked. We had a few sips of bubbly throughout the day, but I had my wits about me.

It was pure clumsiness.

It was pure entertainment.