one end of this continent to the other...

This year our fireworks were experienced low to the ground.  We spent the 4th of July weekend at Bear Lake.  Although the fireworks were a bit less dramatic, the get away was just what we all needed.  We were there relaxing and celebrating with the Passey family.  Kelly recommended we see- Bandito Rides Again!  Although an unconventional activity for the 4th...it was hilariously funny!  We all (including the kids) LOVED it!  Sitting in the theater...filled with spectators wearing red.white.blue...it felt just right.

We love our country and were grateful to be part, in our own way, of a celebration that spans from "one end of this continent to the other."  Before we settled in, to rest for the night...we filled the backyard with our own illuminations---so grateful for the land on which we live.

within you there is a stillness

"Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself."

Hermann Hesse 

I have to remind myself over and over and over again...

to seek stillness and to make those things that bring real peace + joy my priorities

Instead I have been...

watching too much news

(especially political news)

over-scheduling myself

with the computer too close by

As much as I am not a winter person---

the quietness of snow falling throughout the day has inspired me to do better.

love is~

They couldn't be more beautiful people...both inside and out.

It was a special day.

What a wonderful way to begin a new year.

There will be fireworks and celebrations every year for their anniversary.

Danny and I were so grateful to be part of their special day.
Their friends...who we count now as our own friends...
were beautiful, gracious, supportive, and enthusiastic,
truly wonderful people!

The bride and groom were married in NYC.

They wanted pictures on the Brooklyn Bridge.

There were people everywhere...

they were celebrating with us~

taking their pictures, cheering and congratulating the bride and groom.

It was absolutely perfect!

 her mother's pearl earrings

 a letter for the groom

 a letter from the groom

her smile

 poised~ on the Brooklyn Bridge

"Just Married!"  a celebration~

evening twilight

We are so happy to have Whitney as part of our family~

I am grateful to have her as a sister.

We love you both!

a new year

Next to Halloween, New Years Eve is my least favorite holiday.  I have to say that ringing in 2011 was my favorite New Years to date!!  Danny and I traveled to NYC for a few days.  We were there for Rob & Whitney's wedding.  What a fun city to enjoy the holiday!  We stayed away from Time Square and rang in the new year on the Brooklyn Bridge!  I LOVED IT!  The weather was comfortable, the people- enthusiastic, and the sights spectacular! 

Although the holiday itself isn't usually my favorite...I do love the new year and new goals!

My 2011 I hope will be the best yet!  My new resolutions:

family meal time:  

We are pretty good at this but I can do better!  I am going to plan weekly menus again.  This was so fun for me before...so I am going to try again.  I will try to post them here too!   I hope to utilize a few of the cookbooks I love to collect and try one new recipe a week!

for health and $:  

Eat out no more than once a week....this includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

early to bed:
early to bed (10 p.m.) early to rise (5:00 a.m.)
This is completely against my nature...but I know of it's usefulness!
I am going to try...REALLY REALLY HARD!


music:  

I love music...but especially the homegrown variety!  I am going to start guitar lessons again (my first lesson is Monday!) and I couldn't be more excited about my new guitar teacher!!!!!!!  I also want to learn to sing harmony/alto.  This is a weakness for me.  My vocal range is more comfortable as an alto but I only hear the melody.  My mom is really good at it.  She told me she learned in the church choir.  That's where I am headed this year---church choir, alto section!  Wish me (or them) luck!

journal:  

Do you know that Danny writes in his journal every night?  With out fail.  Even on vacation.  There is something wonderful about slowing down and writing in a journal.  I am dedicated.  I am going to do it.  Every night.  With out fail.  Even on vacation.  (gulp...that was hard to type)

i love you rituals:  

I love this book.  Have you read it?  As humans we need physical contact.  I will give my girls foot rubs on the couch as we chat and read.  I will give Danny more back rubs.   I have small hands...and I am not very strong...but it is nice and the scales have been tipped in my favor for too long.  :)   Taking time to sit and talk and give time to those I love~  It is nice.

That's it!  Those are my goals! 

Thanks Rob, Whitney, Tyler, John and Blakely! 

Danny and I couldn't have enjoyed a more delightful New Years anywhere!
We will always remember the walk on the bridge with wonderful people!

A few more pictures:

the days before Christmas

filled with tradition

brimming with anticipation

family together

home with twinkling lights and a warm fire

the days before Christmas are among my very favorite of the year.

tonight as we gathered together as family---

poised for a game night,

my brother (who lives in AZ) walked in the front door with his family.

they were so quiet (or we were so noisy)

that i didn't notice until my cute nephew said,

"hi guys!"

i looked down in surprise.

they had told us they weren't coming.

to have us all together---

is more than i anticipated~

i am still grinning from ear to ear.

two people~ in love.

i have a project to finish today...

it is full of a few favorite things

sparklers

big red balloons

twinkling lights

falling snow...

and two people~

in love.

as the weather changes

This fall has been absolutely wonderful!!!!!!!

We are in the second week of November and we are now feeling a chill.

It has been so warm before this week.

To make the snow and cold weather more enjoyable we have done a few things that make it more fun:

• sweater shopping!!!!!!!!!!
• beef stroganoff at Zinn Bistro (oh my word...I can't even describe it!!!!!!!!)
• homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese on sourdough
• throw a few snow balls (that would be Sophie throwing them at me)
• reading new books on the couch
• practice Christmas music on the piano
• pot of beans with corn bread

We will miss the summer (we may or may not have driven out of our way to pass the pool today)----

but will do what we can to appreciate the colder weather.

she was the age that he is now~

She was baby Owen's age.  Danyelle and I were able to see one another this summer!  I got to meet her sweet baby Owen and see Ryan again.  As we began to visit---I was trying to figure out how old she was when we first met.  I was friends with her sister Tammy in high school.  As we talked, calculated years...you were born what year!?  She was a baby, just like Owen, when I first knew her!  Am I THAT old?  Apparently I am! :)

She has grown up to be a wonderful wife, mother and teacher.  She is beautiful...and so is her sweet family~

green thumb

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, 
the wise grows it under his feet.
-   James Oppenheim 

I feel like the stage of life that surrounds us now is the soil preparation stage...

We are preparing the soil for our children:

their happiness

their ambition

their hearts

their spirits

We are preparing the soil for our life together:

when children are independent

when we have all day together

with all of the time we need

I am reminded that the small efforts I put into the little things each day can bring about wonderful fruit.

I hope I have a green thumb.

photo:  our garden soil just as the seeds were sprouting

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

flowers from Grandma's garden