Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sawyer's 3rd Birthday Farm Party - October 2014


As you all know Sawyer has Sensory Processing Disorder.  He has made such great progress this year after attending a few months of occupational therapy.  We thought that a birthday party at home would help make it a more successful birthday party.
 

We had a photo booth area for the kids to put on silly gear and get their pictures taken.
 



Sawyer loves his cousin Morgan!
 



Outside we had hay bales for them to climb and a pool full of corn to play in.
 


The kids got to collect eggs and play a game of bean bag toss.
 



They even played pin the tail on the donkey.
 


This year he actually enjoyed having everyone sing to him and he blew out his candles!
 

It was a wonderful day!!
Peace and love....

October 2014 Photo Shoot


We took the kids to the Arboretum to get some nice pictures.
I'm not going to lie, even though these pictures are cute, it was stressful!
Do you know how hard it is to get 3 kids to smile and look at the camera?? 
 










Life is always chaotic, loud and busy.  But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
Peace and love...

June 2014 - Marshall Graduates from Kindergarten


They had the cutest graduation ceremony for the kids.  They all were so excited and proud!  They sang for us and put on a little show.
 


Marshall walking the stage to get his diploma from the principal.
 



It's tradition in Clarke County VA that the kindergartners get to ring the bell after they graduate.  They when they graduate from high school they will ring the bell once more. 


We are so proud of you little man!
Peace and love....

Jaylee's Dance Recital 2014


Jaylee took dance again this year.  She did tap and ballet.
 


The girls all looked absolutely beautiful and they all did such a wonderful job!
 



These girls and their parents have become such great friends to us.  Long lasting friendships that will last long after they stop taking dance.
 


Jaylee is such a beautiful girl inside and out.  She is so caring and sweet.  She has an amazing sense of humor and she strives to do her best in everything that she does.
 

We are so lucky to have her in our lives!
Peace and love.....

June 5-8 10 Year Anniversary Hiking Trip


This summer I have gotten really into hiking and backpacking again.  I'm so lucky that Russ is willing to hike as well.  We decided to take an extended backpacking trip for our 10 year wedding anniversary.
 

We hiked from June 5-8 along the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park.
We hiked around 40 miles total.  The views were absolutely beautiful!
 


This was one of our campsites. We decided to camp in a campground so that we would have access to a warm shower!  There were deer walking around really close to the campsites.
 




It's not easy carrying all of your gear and walking 10 to 12 miles, but I love it so much!!
Plus the time together was very much needed.  No distractions from tv, or cell phones.  Time to reconnect alone without kids pulling on us and calling us
 




This was a very difficult rock scramble.  Very tricky with a heavy pack on.  It wouldn't take much to twist your ankle and fall.
 





We came across many bears, but this bear was something else.  She was taking a nap right along the trail.  We came around a curve and didn't see her until we were right on her.  We were afraid to go around her, we didn't want her to think we were challenging her.  So we waited it out thinking she would move.  She slowly stood up and then decided to roll over and give herself a nice old fashioned belly scratch!!  We watched her for a good 30 to 45 minutes.  She finally wandered off and we were able to go on.
 





I am so lucky to be married to my best friend!  He supports me 100%.  The past year has been so extremely hard on us, but it has only brought us closer together!  I'm looking forward to many more anniversaries.  

Peace and love.....