a Sunday walk

 left to right:  Madeline (doll), Kate, Ellie, me (camera), Sophie (in a stroller), Charlie (doggy) and Danny

It was GORGEOUS weather...

after a long, busy weekend...

a perfect day for a walk!

What beautiful views...

and so close to home.
We need to do this more often!

summer day at the lake~

water, beautiful mountains, a boat, family, friends & sunshine...

a perfect combination!

we all had permagrins...all.day.long!!!

daddy "teached" me~

Yesterday Sophie and I had several hours alone.

I took full advantage of the ease of just having one child with me...and ran quite a few errands.

Sophie was cheerful and helpful where ever we went.

She was absolutely delightful to share the day with---

even when demanding--- "Mommy, carry me!"

As we were driving in the car to pick up her sisters I said,

"Sophie, you are so fun to be with and always so cheerful.  I love you."

She replied, "My daddy learned me that."

To clarify I asked, "Did daddy teach you that?"

"Yes, daddy teached me that."  she said very matter-of-factly.

Yes he did.  Yes he did.

photo:  Newport beach, March 2010

i picked him for me...

Dear girls,

I picked your daddy for me...
I loved---
his humor, his gentleness towards me, the walks he wanted to go on, the values he held, his strong hand holding mine.
I love---
his faith, kindness and laughter.
Have you seen---
the way he works hard on something until it is complete, fixed or beautiful?
the mornings he rises early to serve?
or the evenings as I read to you...he gathers my feet in his lap and massages them...and I keep reading and reading?

I love him.  I picked him for me...but I knew he would be perfect for you.  And he is.

photo:  Newport beach...Danny and the girls

renew~

Ellie turned 8 years old in March.  It was a special month.  She chose to be baptized...which I think as parents, has been one of our favorite experiences.  It was wonderful.  Unfortunately, in April...my computer crashed.  I had backed up most things...but her baptism pictures were one of the files I lost.  I had made a book of them...but I wanted to have the pictures.  I asked...no begged is a better word...Ellie if we could do it again.  My friend Shauna let us re-shoot them in a special spot in her yard.  It reminds me of a beautiful grove~

Thank you Ellie and Shauna!!

xoxoxo

what more could a mother ask for~

How did I get so lucky to be their mom!?

Mother's Day 2010