Number four: Birthdays

That's kind of the way things go right now. One day to the next. Each one has it's own priorites and more. Today is a big day. Because yesterday, I was thinking, How the heck are Ben and Jonna going to handle starting at a new daycare together with someone who is a stranger to them. Ms. Alison will take good care of them I know. I feel pretty good about them starting there. Now leaving Ben this morning the first time, I knew it was going to be trying, and it was. That is when the Mama tears flow as I walked away. Trying to hide them. I mean he is 3. He will be fine.

We have had so many great events in the past couple months, and I feel as though not writing about them, makes them lesser. But I want to say ahead of time, that is not the case. Life gets crazy. And well, I haven't had the time to write, like I want to write. Because well, we do have more important things to do :)

Jake threw me a grand ol fantastic 30th Birthday with the help of my siblings! They got together to surprise me with some friends at our home. Jake took me to a wonderful restaurant, we shared a bottle of wine. My Mom had the kids, and by golly we had a fantastic date, with pretty scenery and amazing food! I did suspect a little something was going on, of course until we pulled into our drive, and found no cars, no visitors, just our quiet house, and not even Ben and Jonna there to greet me. Until, of course we open the front door. "the garage door was broke" Good technique Jake. I opened the door to streamers and banners of "Happy Birthday". All my brothers and sisters were there that could make it! My sister and her boyfriend from Colorado even flew in! It was a superb time. I think my funnest most fabulous birthday yet. One year older yes, but what more could I ask for? My two kids, my husband, my family, and great friends. We both have jobs, and a roof over our head. I have a lot more smarts than I had ten years prior. So, I see it as I am batting 1000!

Next off, Wyoming. Man, what a trip.

Mountain crisp air, beautiful scenery (wink, wink)

And a Holee family reunion.

From Dirt piles.

And Tonka Trucks.

A trip to the County fair. Man, my girl is talented!

To jumping and playing on the trampoline.

To Airplane rides with Papa Doug.

From Marshmallow Gun wars.

From Four wheeler rides in the mountains and valleys.

And brisk swims in an ice cold lake of melted snow.

Ready, set, Go!

Ok, a little more than brisk.

But Lynn sure handled it fine.

Talk about your heart popping out of your chest. Those Alaskan grown Holee's are tough!

To eating shish-ka- bobs and a morning bike ride in the valley.

We don't get to see the family enough. I wish we weren't so far away, but unless Jake finds another fire department closer to the Western States, we may have many more years of 12 hour trips to visit and have some good ole Holee fashioned fun.

Not sure what I enjoyed more, watching Jonna climb up Aunt Jessica's steps a million times over. Glancing down with a four teethed grin to see if someone noticed her disobeying the law! By the fifth day, Jonna had mastered going down the steps in the backwards crawl. The pitch black cool bedroom we slept in, and the kids took three hour naps!

The weather, 70's and lowers 80's with zero to no humidity. Able to sit out on the front swing with children in hand or just by themselves looking out over the valley to the moutains.

Ben playing for hours in a dirt pile with cousin Braddock and Ryan. Sitting on haybales. Campfires and eating smores.

Riding the Mule.

Floating on an inner tube down a creek.

Playing with boats over the bridge with Papa Doug.

Taking family pictures. The Schwab's.

Ethan

Matthew

David

Sidney

The McCarney's.

I had so much fun taking their pictures.

Braddock and Emmett

Braddock-The blue is superglue from stitches he had gotten a week prior. It worries me that Benjamin and Braddock may cause quite some trouble in the future together.