Sunday Funday

Oh we had such fun kayaking with the nuggets. Watching the fish, deer, and ducks was just awesomeness!

End of Summer

It's the end of the summer as we know it....

We have been soaking up every last second of warm, sunshiny days. We even soaked up some cold, rainy days in MT. We love the end of the summer, as it signals fall, pumpkins, costumes, and hunting. 

Our time in Flathead country with Ryan's sister and family was wonderful. We swam in the glacier waters, danced in the rain, and jumped in face first with kayaking and polar plunges. We roasted mallows and drank wine and just enjoyed ourselves.

This weekend was spent kayaking locally while the Mr. was off to find elk. 

Welcome, fall.

Dear J

Dear J,

You are funny. You say so many fun things I can't keep track.

Last night you laid in the bath, head under water and said "my livin the dream."

A few days ago Daddy told you we were going camping. You said "my cited! You cited Daddy?"

Last night on our hike you picked up a log about as tall as you and said, "mommy this guy really need talk to you!" With a giggle, I asked what the log needed to tell me. You said "tell you get more potty treats!"

When daddy tells you to put your binky away, you say "not your problem daddy."

You sit backwards in the toilet seat or stand on the toilet seat and pee. While doing this, you say "my pee like a man."

You, little man, are a funny dude. And we Love you for it. 

Dear First Grader

Dear First Grader,

You looked so proud, standing there with your way-too-big backpack. You looked like a genius (which you are), and you had pep in your step as you climbed up on that big yellow bus. 

We looked on as your brother begged to go with, wondering where the time went. Yesterday I asked "how did you become a first grader already?" And you responded with "it happens."

It happens. Life happens. Growing up happens. 

We can't wait to watch you excel this year. We love you so.

Have a great year baby girl. 

Love,

Mama

Dear T, You are 6

Dear T, You are 6 years old. 6 years ago we sat in our living room, quiet and serene, listening to peaceful "coffeehouse" music and you gently entered this world in a big tub of water. Only a few very select family members knew you would be born at home - mainly to protect your over-protective mother from listening to people's commentary. But it was perfect, and you entered this world with a head of black hair and big, bold eyes. Your first few hours at home are unforgettable in my eyes. I vividly remember Pugsly laying right next to you on the bed as I struggled to figure out our cloth diapers. He sniffed you and it was then that he fell in love with you. You laid in bed with Mommy and Daddy for a couple days, and we didn't allow any visitors (except Nana of course) for almost 2 weeks. Our house was quiet and rested, those first few days of your life. As you turn six it is hard to remember those quiet moments. Now our house is filled with a girl who gets wild, a girl who gets sassy, a girl who has a mind that blows my mind, a girl who analyzes her every move, a girl who doens't take anyone's crap, and a girl who is loved. Our house is also filled with a little boy who likes to get crazy - and sometimes I forget what it was like with just you in our lives. Your mind is something that will always amaze me. You have been on-top-of-it since the day you were born, always hitting milestones ahead of when "they" said you should. You love to learn, read, and dig into science. You love to get beautiful - in dresses and makeup. But you love to get dirty, playing in the yard and hiking around. You are an all around girl and we admire you daily. You will start first grade soon. FIRST GRADE. I really can't believe it, but I know you love every minute of it, and that makes me happy. T, you have a soft and kind heart. You also have your Mom's "temper" and your brain keeps everyone on their toes. Thanks for being you. We think you're perfect. Love, Mama

I Do.

We had an amazing time renewing our vows at 7am on the day of our 10th anniversary. I squeezed into my wedding dress and Tatum was the "officiant" asking us if we wanted to renew our vows. We read them to each other and it was short and sweet. We honeymooned at Northern Quest casino and slept in until 9! We had massages this morning and then it was back to reality. 

Just perfect. What a blessed family we are. 

We {Still} Do

Dear Mr., 

 Happy 10. 10 years of amazingness. 10 years of love, joy, and fun. 10 years of crazy times. At the risk of sounding like an old lady, time flies. Wow, does time fly.

 ~TEN~ 

 10 years ago we spent time at our "bachelor" and "bachelorette" parties. You doing god-knows-what at a strip club, and me getting crazy with my favorite girls. The week following was spent decorating, celebrating, and cooling off at the Glendive pool. It was hot in Glendive that time of year. 10 years ago you stood at the alter in Makoshika, holding little Colton's hand, and waiting for me to join you. You stood there in your white tux with beads of sweat forming on your forehead in that hot Eastern MT sun. I still remember your face, so young and fresh, waiting for me. 10 years ago I stood next to you and sobbed as I read my vows. A girl who rarely cried, especially out of joy, and I stood there sobbing, barely able to say the words that meant so much to me. 10 years ago we danced all night long at the Elks Lodge, with all of our closest friends and family. We watched as our family got crazy on the dance floor, air guitars and all. We shared happy memories with the people that know us best, and held hands through the night. 10 years ago we hopped in a car and drove to our hotel suite at the "Comfort Inn." You pulled out the 5,679 bobby pins from my pretty hair as I sat in the jacuzzi tub. 10 years ago we sat in the basement of the public library with those closest to us and opened the gifts they shared with us. Many smiles, laughs, and tears were shared as we read the special words people had to say, and saw the time people had put into their gifts. We couldn't believe how thoughtful our friends and family were. I still remember where we got each and every gift, and I still have every wedding card. 10 years ago we loaded on an airplane and headed to Alaska for our honeymoon. With wedding money in hand, we drove up and down that state, staying at little lodges and fishing for salmon. Just the two of us, we galavanted around that beautiful state, enjoying every minute. 10 years ago we started our life together. We drove to MI and moved everything we had to start our life.

 ~NINE~

 9 years ago we had just survived our first year of marriage. We had just survived a move across the country where we had no friends. We had just survived a year of law school and many new changes - most of which we didn't like. 

 ~EIGHT~

 8 years ago we had been through two years of Michigan. Not our favorite place and not our favorite experiences, but we were making it. We spent our weekends at coffee shops studying, and sometimes we would get really crazy and walk to the store for a Swisher Sweet Cigar. We were spending our days in hospitals in Ann Arbor dealing with your eye injury. We went through several emergency room trips, several surgeries, and several months of pain and unemployment. But we made it. We came out winning. 

~SEVEN~

 7 years ago we were looking forward to finishing our time in Michigan and moving to Spokane, WA. We couldn't wait to get out of there. We packed up our first baby, Pugsly, and everything we owned, in a MI snowstorm. We carried TV's and beds in a blizzard, just the two of us. We packed elk horns on a jet ski and headed West. 

~SIX~ 

 6 years ago we were expecting our first baby. We had moved into our new "fixer-upper" home and spent countless hours completely gutting it so it was ready for our family. We used family help and our own blood, sweat and tears getting the place liveable. We couldn't wait to meet our little one. 

 ~FIVE~ 

 5 years ago we spent our days chasing a toddler. She consumed our lives with happy times, and we revolved around her. Our marriage stayed strong and we stayed happy. Our little growing family kept us busy, and our jobs were a side note. 

 ~FOUR~ 

 4 years ago we enjoyed time outdoors, getting crazy with our #1 nugget, and traveling. We shared our love in Hawaii and showed T the ocean life.

 ~THREE~ 

 3 years ago we were thinking maybe we should have another baby. We spent the year enjoying our time as a little family and loving life.

 ~TWO~ 

 2 years ago we had just welcomed our new little man. Wow did this throw us for a whirl. We had a tough first few months with this man as we re-learned how to have a newborn. We powered through, always making sure to acknowledge how important our marriage was.

 ~ONE~

 1 year ago we looked at each other in awe as we discussed that next year would be our 10 year. We talked about what we should do to celebrate, and reminisced about the past. We talked about how blessed we are and how lucky we are to have this much marriage under our belt. 

 ~NOW~ 

 Now, we are ten years strong. We have powered through the tough times, and there have been many. Our marriage certainly hasn't been all perfect, but we always come back to the place we need to be. You still give me butterflies and make me laugh. You still call me on my shit, but let me go as far as I need to before calling me. We have grown up together, and learned from each other. And I know it's only the beginning. Happy Ten Baby. I {Still} Do.