My mom always made Valentines Day special at our house, so I’ve tried to continue on the tradition in my family. That involved some actual crafting, fun hairdos, and a search through Pinterest for some cute Valentines Day boxes. Geoff says real men don’t use Pinterest for their ideas, so he and Isaac came up with their OWN idea. Enjoy those cold noodles kids!
Geoff and I as “Ma’s and Pa’s” on a Pioneer Trek.
Isaac’s team won as Mapleton League champions and then on to third place as State Champions.
Dutch baby is still a family favorite.
Lucy turned 7 and loves playing with her new ukelele.
Lots and lots of hiking and rappelling.
A trip to NYC with my sister-in-laws!
Fun with cousins at the SLC Farmers Market.
A typical family picture for us these days.
Visits from friends are our favorite!
Lots of sunscreen.
Reservoir time with friends.
Holding the ladies.
Rope swing and pond time.
I look forward to this weekend twice a year where the world gets the opportunity to be instructed and uplifted by living prophets. I was inspired by the messages shared, and reminded to more fully love my family and my fellow man, and to live the gospel of Jesus Christ more completely. If you missed it or want to see what it’s all about, you can watch it on lds.org. It’s like a really long and completely amazing TED talk!
My sweet friends, Rachelle and Emily.
I’ve never been happier to see a temporary dwelling. Yes, that’s the outhouse to the right.
My man chopping wood. Little did we know it wasn’t near enough to make it through the night.
The yurt at night. So gorgeous.
Late night game of dice.
Never been happier for the morning to come. Let’s just say it was a long night.
The view looking out from the yurt. We didn’t see a single soul the entire time.
We hiked up a large hill so some of us could get a ski run in.
The view from the top.
I have to post this picture because I die laughing everytime I look at their faces.
Lest you think this was a fancy trip, here’s the inside of the yurt. Such an AMAZING trip!
Gingerbread house making.
Eating my Aunt Jackie’s amazing gingerbread cookies.
Going sledding with Dutch.
Making sugar cookies.
Live Nativity.
A trip to tell Santa what’s on their Christmas List.
Christmas morning.
Lucy opening the doll bed Isaac made for her. Lucy knitted hats for Kate and Isaac as her gift.
Playing cars with cousin Hudson.
Giving Uncle Luke love. The kids are wearing the nightgowns and pants that my mom and I sewed for them. They want to wear them every night. Who knew they’d be such a hit!
Kate DECKED in her new dress ups.
The last bit of Brutus (the pig) for Christmas dinner.
Christmas dinner at Geoff’s sister’s house.
I was needing a trip “home” to Oregon, and Thanksgiving seemed like the perfect opportunity. The long drive is getting a little more doable as the kids get older and we were able to make it in one day. The weather was incredible and we soaked up every moment with family. I gained a new-found love for trail running with my sister-in-law, Geoff gave a presentation at OSU on his Innovation research, and the kids enjoyed time with Ami and Poppy and their cousins. We took lots of videos while we were there, so the pictures will be short and sweet.
My dad helped Isaac build an bed for Lucy’s American Doll for Christmas while my mom and I sewed nightgowns for the girls and their dolls.
We had so much fun riding this down my parent’s huge hill into the field. If you follow me on Instagram, then you saw the video of me where I nearly wet my pants going down.
The big feast!
Boys will be boys.
We stopped at the Portland Oregon LDS temple where Geoff and I got married 12 years ago and took the kids around. It was a special moment for Geoff and I to return with our three kids.
Our second stop on our summer roadtrip was to my grandparent’s house on the Olympic Peninsula, a beautiful piece of the world just a short drive off the ferry from Seattle. It had been quite a while since we’d been been back, and the first time for our kids. Beautiful, calm, serene and brimming with amazing ocean scenery. Plus, the company is pretty great too! We spent hours talking, picking raspberries, walking along the beach, visiting Port Townsend, eating delicious food and reconnecting. I’ve always loved their house, but I felt a greater sense of appreciation for my grandma’s beautiful style and all their unique additions from their travels around the world.
